Alfie Bloom and the Talisman Thief Read Free Page A

mythical race. “What did they want from Ashford?” she asked.
    â€œI suppose it serves no purpose to keep the information from you now that they have found him again.”
    Alfie was even more surprised that Caspian was about to give him some answers than he was about the revelation that elves exist.
    â€œThe lens in the talisman,” continued the solicitor. “They wanted it back.”
    â€œMy talisman?” asked Alfie, automatically reaching for the golden disc hanging from his neck. He ran his thumb over the spiralling runes that encircled the purple lens fixed into its centre.
    â€œAlfie’s talisman belonged to the elves?” asked his dad.
    â€œNot the talisman itself – the lens that sits within it. It is made from a rare gemstone, one of a kind. It can focus and control other powers and energies. The lens was designed to focus the powers of a crown the Queen of the elves had been developing for centuries. She intended to use it to expand her realm, enslaving other tribes and races. An elf close to her warned us of their plans and my partner, Mr Muninn, enlisted Ashford – a talented thief who was duty-bound to us – to take it from them. Ashford agreed when he heard that the druid Orin Hopcraft needed a lens such as this to create a talisman – the talisman that controls the magic he hid within you, Alfie. When Ashford returned, we sent the lens back to Orin. Much as I detest thieves, I will acknowledge that this theft saved many lives, as well as protecting yours. But it appears that the elves never gave up hope of retrieving the lens. How they found Ashford, I do not know.”
    â€œAshford stole it … for
me
?” said Alfie, holding the talisman tightly in his fist. “He didn’t even know me!” The only thing that had been making him feel a bit better was the fact that the kidnapping wasn’t related to his inheritance, and now Caspian was telling him that it was. He could hardly breathe.
    â€œBelieve me when I tell you that it was as much in his own interest as yours.”
    â€œAre you saying that you sent a wanted thief to work for us?” asked Alfie’s dad incredulously.
    â€œYes,” said Caspian coldly. “But a thief who has pledged his loyalty to your family. You may trust him completely.”
    It wasn’t like Caspian to praise Ashford. Alfie had always suspected there was some unspoken history or rivalry between the two.
    â€œWhy is the talisman so important to them? Enough to half kill him for!”
    â€œEmily Fortune will discuss the minutiae with you when we arrive. I must attempt to open negotiations with the Queen. We have sent a coach for her. Ashford has told her that we hold the talisman here, but if they break him they will find a way to return to the castle and get it.”
    â€œBreak him? They’re going to torture him?” cried Alfie. “Then you can’t waste time talking to this Queen; you have to find him and stop them! If they want the talisman I’ll give it to them. Just get him back!”
    The oil lamps flickered, sending shadows dancing around the carriage as Caspian’s expression darkened. Amy snapped her eyes away from the window and they all shrank back a little in their seats as the solicitor seemed to tower over them without even moving.
    â€œI do not
have to
do anything – except observe proper customs and protocol. We do not charge into another people’s land and jeopardize peace with brash demands. Do not presume that you have any say in this. Giving up the talisman would risk the lives of many for just one man.” The lights stopped flickering and the darkness fled as Caspian leaned back into his seat.
    Alfie’s stomach was churning. Ashford could be getting tortured while they spoke, and there was nothing he could do about it. He glanced at Amy. For the whole journey she had remained as cool as if she was in an ordinary car, but by the