The Ark of Dun Ruah, Book 1 Read Free Page A

quest. He followed Timmy out of the church. St John’s Square was still deserted but Simon felt he was being followed by hidden eyes. He paused to take a final look at the gargoyles on the cathedral walls.
    â€˜Timmy, can you see something red flashing behind those carvings?’
    â€˜It’s probably just reflections from the Fire Fair.’
    â€˜No. There’s something still up there,’ said Simon. ‘I think I can see eagles with red eyes. I have to find out what they’re doing here.’
    â€˜There’s no time for this Simon,’ said Timmy. ‘Come on. Kerry really needs your support right now. I promised her I’d bring you straight to the town hall.’
    Simon reluctantly gave in and followed Timmy to St John’s Square. The streets were filling up with merrymakers. Bonfires blazed in the distant hills. Flickering lanterns illuminated doorways and alleys. Along the streets flamethrowers and fire jugglers were displaying their skills.
    A man on stilts suddenly leaned towards Simon. He was eating bright red flames and breathing out smoke that swirled eerily up into the night sky. A juggler tossed fireballs high into the air and spun them into kaleidoscopes of colour and light. Flamethrowers swirled batons of fire over their heads, then wove them between their arms and legs.
    Just as Simon and Timmy reached the door of the town hall an enormous eagle engulfed in fire and smoke flew across the sky above them. It was followed by a menacing army of evil- looking birds. They swooped towards the crowds causing screams of surprise and horror. People scattered across the square, fleeing for cover.
    â€˜Simon, come on inside,’ called Timmy.
    Simon was relieved to see the butler standing at the open doorway, waiting to escort them to the Mayor’s quarters. His hair was tussled and his face was flushed with excitement as the butler showed them into the chamber.
    â€˜Master Simon Macken and his friend … ahem … Timmy,’ said the butler.
    â€˜Hello, Simon,’ said the Mayor. ‘It’s great to see you again.’
    â€˜Simon, we’ve been waiting for you,’ said President Lumina. ‘What a handsome boy you are with your rusty head of hair. I was talking to your sister about a very interesting proposal. How would you like to travel to the Land of Fire on a business trip with her?’
    â€˜What?’ Simon’s face lit up. ‘The Land of Fire, I’ve always dreamt of going to the Land of Fire. Is this true, Kerry?’
    â€˜I haven’t decided yet,’ said Kerry. ‘There’s your school to think about!’
    â€˜Don’t worry about school,’ exclaimed President Lumina. ‘Simon can study with my own children. And we have the best teachers. We’ll take good care of him.’
    Kerry looked at her younger brother’s excited face.
    â€˜But Simon would miss his experiments. He’s got some unusual stuff that he works at in our shed … it’s not exactly the normal sort of thing that boys do …’
    â€˜He seems like a normal boy to me,’ said the Mayor. ‘What could be so unusual about his activities?’
    â€˜I’m an inventor,’ said Simon with a grin.
    â€˜But that involves experimenting with home-made explosives in the garden shed,’ said Kerry. ‘He’s set it on fire several times and I know it wouldn’t be safe—’
    â€˜But this is perfect,’ cried President Lumina. ‘We love inventors. We can teach him all about explosives and pyrotechnics in the Land of Fire. He’ll be right at home with us. We are at the cutting edge of fire technology.’
    â€˜But it can be dangerous,’ said Kerry. ‘I’m always so worried that he’ll set himself on fire or blow our whole house up. He might destroy your home too and ruin the whole trip!’
    â€˜Stop exaggerating Kerry!’ interrupted