The Midnight Moon Feast by Emma Beswetherick

Author:Emma Beswetherick
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780861543397
Publisher: Oneworld Publications

CHAPTER SIX

Esra’s brow furrowed into a frown.

“I’m afraid it’s not that easy,” she muttered, hopping over to the lantern while shielding her eyes with her tiny wings. “I’ve tried opening these lanterns and letting the poor glow worms free. But foxes are cunning. By the time I’ve moved to the next one, they’ve rounded up the glow worms and locked them back inside. The light shines brightly again and it’s a big waste of my time. The foxes are watching everything we do.”

Everyone peered nervously into the trees. Could they see two pairs of bright orange ovals again, glinting at them through the shadows?

“Then maybe we split up,” whispered Cassandra. She placed her hand reassuringly on Zia’s shoulder. “I know the Playdate Adventure Club always sticks together, but I actually don’t think we have the time right now.”

“I think you’re right,” Zia agreed. “Even though I’d obviously prefer us to stick together.” She took a deep breath and smiled at her friends.

Cassandra squeezed Zia’s shoulder gently, then drew everyone in closer. “If the foxes are watching, surely this is the best place to start. Thunder and Katy, you could hide close by and wait for the foxes. You can stop them gathering up glow worms and convince them to put an end to their tricks. Zia, perhaps you could join forces with Esra and help gather forest treats. She knows the forest best, so you’ll be safe with her. Here’s my backpack – there’s plenty of space,” she said, taking it off her shoulders and handing it to her friend. “Luca, could you stay here with me and help release the glow worms? If Esra’s right, as soon as we move on to the next one, the foxes will appear – that’s when Thunder and Katy can step in!”

“But how will you find all the lanterns?” Katy asked. “We walked a long way through the forest and this is the first one we’ve seen.”

“I’ve wondered about that too.” Cassandra’s shoulders slumped, but Esra was quick to come to the rescue.

“You can always navigate by the moon,” she explained. “That’s how nocturnal animals travel – by watching the moon and stars. It’s difficult now because the lanterns make it trickier to see the night sky. But the moon is directly above the lake. The lanterns have been placed in a circle around it to make it harder to get there. That’s why you didn’t spot them until you were deep inside the forest. Look,” she said, pointing her wing towards the sky, “the moon’s already entered the Earth’s shadow. That means we don’t have much time.”

Everyone turned their eyes to where Esra was pointing and saw that the full moon wasn’t round anymore. There was a dark smudge covering a part of it – like it was gradually being rubbed out.

“So, if we keep the moon in our vision and walk in a circle around it, we should find all four lanterns?” asked Cassandra.

“Exactly,” Esra nodded, and Cassandra gave the little bird a goodbye hug.

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