Chapter 7

When all three children had climbed down into the cellar, and the trap door had been shut and bolted above them, they stood in the darkness without saying a word for a long while.
Jane and Will were still reeling with exhaustion, confusion and wonder. Everything had happened so quickly. They felt as if it had all been a dream.
Andrija’s melodic voice broke the silence. “I am truly sorry about all this. Let me find a lamp.”
There was a click and suddenly the room was filled with a warm light. Jane blinked. It was a small room, but filled with boxes and crates. It was about as large as her garage back at home. The room smelled of potatoes and dirt- an earthy smell. She wrinkled her nose.
Andrija, standing in the middle of the room, laughed. Her laugh sounded like the tinkling of bells. Jane took a deep breath and smiled weakly.
“Please, introduce yourselves,” Andrija said. “I am sorry that we did not have time before.”
Will and Jane, still panting, introduced themselves and told Andrija all about their adventures thus far.
Andrija sat down on the bare floor. Jane and Will flopped down after her.
“I have had many incidents with the horsemen also,” she told them when Will recounted their magical arrival in the woods. “They are dangerous men, indeed.”
She smiled again. Jane wondered how old Andrija was. She looked perhaps two years older than Jane herself, sixteen, perhaps?
“Now I shall tell you a bit about myself,” Andrija said. “Though, sadly, there is nothing much to tell. I have lived in this city for only a few years. I was born in the Northern Woods, and the Hermit is my grandfather. I lived under his care for many years after my parents died, until I moved to this city to work as a weaver’s apprentice. The Hermit still sends his trained pigeon with letters every morning. The pigeon delivered a letter this morning telling of your visit, and also of your precious possession, the Book. He told me that he trusts my capability to be your guide in that I am a quick-thinker, responsible, and a good leader.”
She smiled, and fluttered her long eyelashes. “He does flatter me…” Will and Jane laughed.
“The Hermit described your faces and clothes that I might find you on your way to the valley. I was delighted to find such promise of adventure, and without further thought, packed a bag of my belongings and made my way to the gates. Imagine my surprise then, when I saw two children that fitted those very descriptions.” She laughed. “But it was actually quite easy…your clothes are rather…”
“Different,” finished Jane. She felt suddenly uncomfortable in her blue jeans, ski jacket, and gloves after looking at Andrija’s simple blue tunic and black pants.
Jane smiled. “Well, I’m glad that we met up.”
Will, finally catching his breath, said, “Jane, perhaps it would be a good time to see what is the first clue on our ‘treasure map.’”
Jane pulled the Book out of her satchel and read it: “The peak of Gilgar Mountain is the first step to fulfilling your quest.”
Andrija raised her eyebrows. “Gilgar Mountain? Hmmm.” She stood up and paced the room. “That mountain is a very dangerous area, indeed. It is a popular nesting ground for dragons. Female dragons, as you probably know, are extremely protective of their young and very aggressive. What’s more, trolls abound at the base of the mountain. They have been known to waylay and accost travelers. There are many, many more perils and obstacles, but I can help you if you wish for me to accompany you.” She smiled, and her blue eyes twinkled.
“Of course! We would be delighted if you came with us,” said Jane.
“We need all the help we can get,” said Will. “We’ve never been here before. We don’t really know our way around.”
It was settled. Andrija led them in packing supplies, and in an hour, they were ready to start.
“But how will we get out of the city?” asked Jane. “I mean, without the horsemen spotting us.”
“Disguises!” grinned Andrija, darting to a small box. She pulled out a shaggy brown wig, and threw it to Will. He groaned and shot an embarrassed glance at Jane.
“I’ll look like a dim-wit,” he muttered. “Duke would die laughing.” He rolled his eyes good-naturedly and burst out laughing as Andrija pulled a long black wig out of the box and threw it to Jane.
Jane’s face flushed red as she caught it and looked it over. Andrija smiled mischievously. “I do believe it will match your eyes perfectly, my dear.”
Jane giggled, and suddenly threw the wig as hard as she could at Andrija. Andrija, taken by surprise, stepped back, tripped over a crate, and fell very ungracefully onto the floor. She sat up, roaring with laughter, and flung the wig back at Jane. Jane hurried over to help Andrija up, but fell over the same crate, landing by Andrija. The two howled with laughter, tears rolling down their cheeks.
Will had to laugh too, watching them help each other to their feet.
In a half hour, three children emerged from the cellar of the house. Jane, stifling under her black wig, was dressed in a green dress, with a jaunty belt around her waist. Will, face red with embarrassment, wore his shaggy brown wig, along with a brown coat. Andrija had on a yellow wig.
As Will, Jane, and Andrija made their way to the city gates, they did not see the horsemen. Nevertheless, the three gave a sigh of relief when they safely passed through the city gates and could remove their disguises.
Andrija pointed to their right. “There is the base of Gilgar Mountain.”
They turned and saw indeed that there were the great purple slopes of the mountain. The rosy sun was sinking behind the mountain, casting the sky into a shimmering haze of orange and pink.
“It’s beautiful,” said Jane.
“Yes, yes. But where will we sleep when night falls?” asked Will.
Andrija shifted the heavy pack she carried to her left shoulder. “In the grasslands,” she said. “Beneath the stars.”