Zepha the Monster Squid Read online

  BEAST QUEST

  BOOK SEVEN

  ZEPHA

  THE MONSTER SQUID

  Adam Blade

  ILLUSTRATED BY EZRA TUCKER

  With special thanks to Cherith Baldry

  To Rachel Leyshon

  Contents

  Cover

  Title Page

  PROLOGUE

  CHAPTER ONE: GONE!

  CHAPTER TWO: A NEW QUEST

  CHAPTER THREE: MALVEL’S WARNING

  CHAPTER FOUR: DANGER AT SEA

  CHAPTER FIVE: LINDON

  CHAPTER SIX: OUT TO SEA

  CHAPTER SEVEN: INTO THE WHIRLPOOL

  CHAPTER EIGHT: UNEXPECTED HELP

  CHAPTER NINE: THE ANGER OF ZEPHA

  CHAPTER TEN: VICTORY?

  Copyright

  PROLOGUE

  KING HUGO’S MASTER OF ARMS PAUSED AT the foot of the stairs. The faint noise of music and laughter could be heard from the Great Hall above. Thank goodness Avantia is safe again, he thought, smiling.

  The master walked down the stone passage and stopped outside a heavy padded door, studded with brass nails. He pulled a slender golden key from his pocket and held it up. It shone in a ray of light that reached down from an air vent and pierced the gloom of the palace cellars.

  The key turned smoothly in the lock. He pushed the door open and stepped into the arms room, closing the door behind him and locking it. As he did so, a ferret poked its head out of his pocket and peered up at him with bright, curious eyes.

  “There we are,” the master of arms murmured, stroking the ferret’s cream-colored fur. “Now no one can get in or out.”

  The room was so narrow that if the man stretched out his arms, his fingers brushed the walls on either side. Torches blazed in iron holders, casting dancing shadows on the rough stone walls and a few stars shone faintly through the small windows at the top of the back wall.

  In the center of the room stood a suit of golden armor. The helmet was dramatically molded into the shape of an eagle’s head. The tunic of golden chain mail was covered with a decorated breastplate that shone in the torchlight. Glittering leg armor, gauntlets, and sabatons — armored boots — completed the suit.

  The master walked slowly around it, examining each piece with a small grunt of satisfaction. He pulled out a handkerchief to rub a speck of dust from the gleaming breastplate.

  “I’ve looked after this armor for twenty years,” he said. “When I first set eyes on it, it took my breath away. And do you know what?” He tickled the ferret’s ear. “It still does.”

  The ferret let out a squeak.

  “It’s the most precious relic in all of Avantia. We’ve got to keep every bit of it shining as brightly as the day it was made,” he went on. “Its rightful owner could return at any moment.” He passed the handkerchief over the smooth curve of the helmet. “We must be ready.” He bent down to polish the golden feet of the armor.

  Suddenly, the ferret let out a squeal of alarm. Wriggling out of its master’s pocket, it dove for a crack in the wall and disappeared.

  “Hey!” the man exclaimed. “What’s the matter with you?” He straightened up and tried to peer into the crack, but the dancing shadows cast by the torches made it difficult to see. “Come back, you silly creature! There’s nothing to be afraid of.”

  But as he spoke, the shadows began to move, slowly at first, and then with increasing speed. Soon, they were whirling across the walls and floor. He glanced at the torches, but the bright flames burned steadily.

  Then something brushed the man’s cheek. He spun around at the velvety touch and stared wildly around the room. “These aren’t shadows,” he said out loud. “They’re bats!”

  Suddenly, the air was full of black wings. Tiny claws scratched at his face and hands and tangled in his hair.

  “No!” He let out a choking cry and beat desperately at the air, trying to drive the creatures back. But the swarming bats still kept coming. He stared in horror at their fierce faces, their eyes glittering with cruel delight.

  The master of arms backed toward the door as more bats squeezed themselves out of cracks in the wall and launched themselves toward him. He felt as if he couldn’t breathe.

  Soon, the suit of golden armor was covered with bats, hanging from each piece by their hooked claws. With a gasp of horror, the master of arms started forward, but the pain was too much and he collapsed to the floor. Still he kept on struggling, trying with all his might to drag himself toward the precious armor.

  “Stop!” he gasped. “Help! Somebody, help!”

  But it was too late. Bats covered the man’s head and back, clinging to his hair and suffocating him with their wings. He felt as if every last scrap of air was being pressed out of his lungs, and stared in disbelief as the golden armor rose slowly into the air, lifted by the evil swarm of bats. Only the wooden stand was left.

  Then darkness flooded over him.

  CHAPTER ONE

  GONE!

  TOM STOOD NEXT TO A PILLAR IN THE GREAT Hall of King Hugo’s palace and watched the dancing. He was elated to see all the king’s subjects celebrating the end of his Quest. Their silk and satin robes shone as they whirled in the afternoon sun.

  King Hugo watched from the High Table with a contented smile. Tom knew he was happy that the six Beasts of Avantia had been released from the evil spell of the Dark Wizard, Malvel. Ferno the Fire Dragon, Sepron the Sea Serpent, Cypher the Mountain Giant, Tagus the Night Horse, Tartok the Ice Beast, and Epos the Winged Flame were now protecting the kingdom instead of destroying it. Avantia could begin to recover.

  But Tom couldn’t join in the celebration. Something had been nagging at him ever since that final meeting with Malvel on the mountainside in the far east of the kingdom. He told himself over and over again that Malvel had fallen into the volcano and perished in its raging fires.

  But he couldn’t forget what Malvel had screamed at him as he fell: “This is not the end, Tom! We shall meet again!”

  Tom had a horrible feeling that he had not seen the last of his enemy. Then he remembered the hooded figure he had spotted in the cheering crowd when he returned from freeing Epos, the last of the cursed Beasts. If the Dark Wizard had indeed survived, how would he take revenge for his defeat?

  Tom shuddered. He wished his father, Taladon the Swift, were here. He had been a knight and had undertaken a Beast Quest of his own. Only he could know how Tom felt. But no one had seen him for many years. It was as if he had disappeared into thin air, although Tom felt certain that they would meet again one day.

  Tom felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned to see Elenna, the friend who had shared every step of the Quest with him. She was wearing a dress of blue silk, but her untidy, short dark hair stuck out, just as when they’d first met.

  “What’s the matter, Tom?” she asked. “Why are you looking so worried?”

  Tom shook his head uneasily. “I’m not sure … I just keep remembering the last thing that Malvel said on the mountain.”

  “Malvel is finished,” Elenna declared. “There’s nothing to worry about.” Taking Tom’s hand, she dragged him toward the dance floor. “I’ve just been to the stables. Storm is stuffing himself with the best apples, and look — Silver’s enjoying himself under the table there.”

  Tom smiled as he saw the wolf contentedly gnawing on a bone, and was glad to think of his black stallion enjoying a well-deserved rest in the comfortable palace stables.

  “Everyone’s happy,” Elenna went on. “Can’t you be happy, too? Let’s dance.”

  “I don’t know how to dance,” Tom said, laughing.

  To Tom’s relief, the music stopped before Elenna had the chance to persuade him.

  Then he spotted K
ing Hugo’s wizard and adviser, Aduro, making his way toward them. They would never have completed the Quest if it hadn’t been for the good wizard, who had helped and encouraged them in their most difficult moments. Now he wore a magnificent embroidered robe and carried a polished wooden staff in one hand. Tom bowed, and Elenna dropped into a deep curtsy.

  “Are you enjoying yourselves?” Aduro asked.

  “Yes, it’s wonderful!” Elenna’s eyes sparkled.

  The wizard smiled. “If you don’t mind missing some of the dancing, I’ve got something to show you. Something in the palace cellars.”

  “Not more danger?” Tom was instantly alert.

  Aduro shook his head, smiling, and Tom realized that even the king’s adviser thought Malvel had been defeated for good. “No,” the wizard replied. “It’s a reward for a successful Quest. Avantia owes you a great deal.”

  Tom and Elenna followed him to a small door at the far end of the hall and down a long flight of stairs. Elenna was bouncing with excitement.

  At the foot of the steps was a narrow passage. Aduro led them on, then stopped outside a padded door. A single shaft of light shone down from a high air vent and gleamed on the door’s brass nails and lock.

  “This is strange,” the wizard said. “I was expecting to meet the king’s master of arms here. He’s not the sort of man to be late. I wonder what has happened to him?”

  “Maybe he’s inside,” Elenna suggested.

  Aduro turned the door handle, but the door remained shut. “Locked,” he muttered. “Maybe —”

  He broke off at the sound of a loud groan coming from inside the room. Tom and Elenna exchanged a glance.

  “It sounds as if someone’s hurt,” said Tom.

  Wizard Aduro laid the end of his staff against the lock and commanded, “Open!”

  The lock clicked and the door swung open. Inside the room, an elderly man lay sprawled on the floor. A ferret was nosing at him anxiously. The old man tried to get up, but his strength gave way and he slumped down again.

  Tom and Elenna ran to his side. He was barely conscious. His face was pale, his black tunic was torn, and his face and hands were covered with tiny bites and scratches.

  Tom helped the old man to sit up.

  “Aduro, can you magic a jug of water for him?” Elenna asked. “Quickly!”

  But the wizard simply stared at the space in the middle of the room, empty except for a wooden armor stand. He didn’t seem to have heard Elenna’s anxious plea. He looked stunned.

  Tom jumped to his feet. “What’s the matter?” he asked.

  Aduro turned to him, blinking as if he were just waking up. “Something terrible has happened.” His voice was hoarse. “The golden armor. It’s gone!”

  CHAPTER TWO

  A NEW QUEST

  “CAN YOU TELL US WHAT HAPPENED?” ADURO asked, kneeling beside the injured man.

  The master of arms drew in a shaky breath. “Bats!” he whispered. “The whole room was full of bats. They took the armor.” He covered his face with his hands. “I have failed the king.”

  Aduro touched the old man’s shoulder. “No, my friend. Evil has been at work here.” Standing up again, he thumped on the floor three times with his staff.

  A moment later, Tom heard running footsteps in the passage, and two servants appeared in the doorway. Their eyes grew wide with shock as they looked inside.

  “Carry the master to his room,” Wizard Aduro ordered. “Send for King Hugo’s healer. And say nothing of what you’ve seen to anyone.”

  The two servants lifted the elderly man carefully. Elenna scooped up the ferret and gave it to him as he was carried out into the passage.

  As soon as the master of arms and the servants were gone, Tom turned to the wizard. “This was Malvel’s work! It must have been. He is still alive after all.”

  Aduro nodded gravely. “I fear that you are right.”

  “What armor was he talking about?” Elenna asked. “Why is it so important?”

  “Tom, the armor was to have been your reward for completing the Quest,” Aduro explained. “Once it belonged to the Master of the Beasts. It brings magical strengths to its rightful owner.”

  “But …” Tom was puzzled. “You couldn’t give me the armor if it belongs to the Master of the Beasts. I remember you told me that Malvel had imprisoned him long before my Quest began, but why isn’t he still wearing it?”

  Aduro let out a long sigh. “Many years ago, the Master of the Beasts should have returned to the palace for the New Year feast. Instead, the empty suit of armor appeared in the Great Hall as the nobles were taking their places.” The wizard paused, then went on. “Malvel had captured him, then sent the armor to mock King Hugo — and me.”

  Tom felt as if an icy hand had clutched his heart. He hoped the Master of the Beasts had not suffered too greatly in the hands of the Dark Wizard.

  “However, I felt that all was not lost,” Aduro said. “The powers of the armor would still work if the suit was worn by the right person — a true Quester with brave blood running through his veins. I think you are that person, Tom.”

  For a moment Tom could not speak. He wasn’t sure he was worthy to wear the golden armor. But he would give everything to protect Avantia.

  The wizard began to pace impatiently back and forth in the small room, his staff clicking on the stone floor. “Malvel must have realized that your successful Quest has made you a danger to him. He would never have imagined that anyone — much less a boy — could lift the spells on all six Beasts. He has stolen the armor to stop you from wearing it and gaining its magical powers.”

  “But it would never fit me.” Tom measured himself against the wooden stand that had held the armor. “It must have been made for a tall man.”

  “This armor will always fit he who serves the Beasts,” Aduro explained. “Its magic can sense it.”

  “Then we have to do something!” Elenna’s eyes sparkled with indignation. “We can’t let Malvel get away with this.”

  More cautiously, Tom added, “But what has Malvel done with it? Can he use it for himself?”

  Aduro halted in his pacing. “No, he cannot. But perhaps we can see something of where it has gone.” He raised his staff and swept it in a wide arc. The air glittered in its wake and a picture gradually formed, hovering in the air.

  Tom and Elenna let out gasps of wonder and fear.

  They could see a multitude of flying bats, carrying pieces of the golden armor hooked in their claws. Then the swarm split up. Groups of bats flew off in six different directions, each carrying a piece of the armor. The sound of Malvel’s mocking laughter grew until it filled the room.

  Then the vision faded. When it had gone, Aduro let out a weary sigh. “This is worse than I feared. Malvel’s bats have scattered the armor around the kingdom.” He looked gravely at Tom. “Are you ready for another Quest, so soon after your first? Will you seek out the pieces of armor and bring them back together?”

  Tom drew himself up. “Of course I will.”

  “And what about me?” Elenna asked with a fierce look. “Where Tom goes, I go!”

  A relieved smile spread over Aduro’s face. “Thank you, Elenna. I know that you, too, have the courage to succeed. The magic map will once again show you where to go. Fetch it and change into your traveling clothes. Meet me in the stables as soon as you can.”

  Tom hurried back to his room and changed into a woolen tunic and thick cloak. He fastened on his scabbard, sheathed his sword, and picked up his shield. It bore the six magical tokens from the Beasts he had already freed: Ferno’s dragon scale protected him from heat, Sepron’s tooth from rushing water, Cypher’s eagle feather from great heights, and Tartok’s claw from extreme cold. Tagus’s horseshoe fragment gave him extra speed and Epos’s golden feather healed wounds.

  Surely their combined power would strengthen him now?

  Then Tom went down to the stables. As he crossed the courtyard Elenna caught up with him, Silver at her hee
ls.

  “I took some leftover food from the feast,” she said, showing Tom a large bundle wrapped in a white cloth.

  “Good thinking,” Tom said, smiling. It wouldn’t hurt to have a few days’ supplies on-hand.

  Aduro was waiting in the stables. A groom had already saddled Storm. Elenna stroked the stallion’s nose and fed him one last apple.

  Tom carefully placed the map in one of Storm’s saddlebags. The wizard glanced at the familiar parchment scroll. “Guard the map well. And take care. This time, Malvel knows you are a threat to him. His magic is clearly as strong as ever, and now he is angry.”

  “I’m not afraid of Malvel,” Tom said bravely, resting his hand on the hilt of his sword.

  Storm snorted, rapping one hoof against the stable floor, and Silver let out a howl of agreement, but Aduro’s face was creased with concern.

  Tom climbed into Storm’s saddle and Elenna scrambled up behind him.

  “Farewell,” said Aduro. “And may good luck go with you.”

  He ordered the guards to open the gates of the palace.

  Tom urged Storm into a trot. As they passed through the gates, with Silver bounding alongside, Tom could still hear music and sounds of celebration ringing out from the palace walls. The rest of Avantia had no idea that Malvel was alive and plotting once more.

  Tom was determined that the Dark Wizard would not succeed. He and Elenna would follow this new Quest to the end.

  CHAPTER THREE

  MALVEL’S WARNING

  “I’M GLAD I’M NOT ALONE ON THIS QUEST,” Tom told Elenna as they rode away from the palace. “I know we can do this together.”

  “Silver and Storm will help us, too,” Elenna said. “And don’t forget the Beasts. They’re friendly now, and it’s their job to protect Avantia. Maybe we can call on them to help us fight Malvel.”