Jed Greenleaf by David Wyatt and Kieran Larwood

Author:David Wyatt and Kieran Larwood
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Faber and Faber
Published: 2024-11-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eighteen

The Burning

Jed lowered himself from the window, his feet scrabbling against the trunk outside, trying to find a grip on the bark. From inside the tree, he could hear the muffled shouts of the intruders as they went from room to room. At any second, one could burst through Mister Stump’s door and catch him there, still clinging to the sill by his fingertips.

Help me! He sent the thought by instinct, but in an instant, he felt the presence of the tree man again. A black eye winked out from the bark. A tiny mouth grinned.

I’s got you, my little oakling. The words formed in his head, just as they had in the Punchbowl, and then Jed’s feet suddenly felt as though they had found holds. Looking down, he saw the shoots of fresh branches had sprung there, keeping him in place.

Carefully, he lowered one hand, reaching for a grip, and another shoot burst from the tree with a tiny pop, ready for him to grab.

Keep on with yer clambering, the voice said. Ye’ll be back on the squashy-soft soil in no time.

And so, step by step, Jed clambered down the trunk, with the ancient oak guiding him like a baby squirrel taking his first climb.

It wasn’t long before he drew level with the roof, and he was just nearing the top of the walls when he heard it: an ear-bursting screech coming from somewhere high above. It sounded like Cindra had found the empty amulet chamber.

‘Where is it? Where is it?’ she howled.

A moment later, and the unmistakeable smell of burning wood began to drift down to Jed. He looked up to see clouds of smoke beginning to billow from the topmost windows of the tree.

She’s set fire to it! he realised with horror. She’s going to burn down the tree! And his room, and the house – there was no way to stop a fire like that once it had taken hold. He was pretty sure even his new tree-charming magick wouldn’t be able to help. Not without him getting caught trying to use it.

I have to make sure Cook, Bramble and Liza the maid are out, Jed thought. He sped up his descent, the tree struggling to grow new branches for him in time. But he was quickly in amongst the thick roots that ran down into the earth around the house, and found he could slither and slide along them without any danger of falling.

Seconds later and he was standing on the grass of the back lawn, looking out to Madame Stump’s training device. He took a few steps, heading for the kitchen again, when he saw Bramble and the others already making a run for it. Leaving by the kitchen door, they were heading for the woods with bags and sacks of food and belongings, getting away while the agents of Fire were busy destroying their home.

Should I follow? Jed thought, then decided against it. If he was found with them, they would probably be arrested for hiding him.

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