Ben was wary. With a scared face, he looked at Jack before they headed towards what was hidden behind the trees.

As they approached the uncanny dwelling, Ben tried to read. ‘Vanning’s Para … something.’

‘Yeah, it’s a weird sort of writing. Vanning’s Paraphernalia, I think it’s supposed to be.’

‘Looks a bit creepy,’ said Ben. ‘But what does it mean?’

‘Lots of different things, I suppose.’

Ben stared at Jack. ‘Yeah, but what does it really mean?’

‘What I’m saying, lots of different things. That’s probably what they sell, or trade, or something. Look at it! The whole thing is like a concoction of sphagnum, and ordinary moss. Throw in some gooey mud, creepy vines, and some rotten logs, and you’ll have some fancy real estate in Panghellan. How could this be down here?’

‘You’re asking me?’

‘Do you see those sharp things on top of what looks to be the door?’ said Jack. ‘Are they spears? It looks like it could be some kind of gate. Maybe they can pull it down. Do you think it’s some sort of protection? From what?’

‘Maybe from us? But what’s all the other stuff hanging around? Those long flapping things.’

Jack thought for a second. ‘Yeah, it’s heaps of them. Wonder what they’re for.’

‘I wouldn’t know.’ Ben pointed to the side of the house. ‘I think they must have some food around since they have plots over there with green things.’

‘Let’s move on!’ said Jack.

As they went closer, and were only a few meters away, they noticed the primitive wooden tools. Rakes and spades made of gnarled branches, and all sorts of wooden pieces were fastened to the outside wall. Baskets had been placed in groups on the bumpy ground. The larger containers had cones, leaves, and what looked to be dried seaweed, while the smaller ones were filled with different sizes of speckled eggs, and various small dried fruits. A collection of wrinkly, moving bands hung from the veranda roof between bunches of other indescribable mummified creatures. All suspended on strings.

‘Snake skins?’ mumbled Ben.

With eyes and ears alert, the boys tip-toed in the direction of the front door, which was hardly an ordinary door. It hung loosely from a woody climbing plant.

Jack was ready to knock, but Ben had changed his mind, and held out his arm. ‘No! Don’t!’

‘I know it’s a weird place, but I’m starving,’ whispered Jack. ‘We can beg for something. A scavenger-prawn wouldn’t be so bad. Even a pickled one would do it for me. And I can’t believe I’m saying this, but WATER! I want water! They might know a good water hole where we can fill our bottles.’

‘Jack, whatever you do, don’t say anything about the Silver Stick.’

‘You think I’m stupid?’

‘Another thing,’ said Ben.

‘Yeah, what’s that?’

Ben looked at Jack. ‘I’ve been here before.’

‘What’re you trying to pull now?’

‘It’s true, Jack. If I tell you that there’s an invisible staircase in there, do you believe me?’

‘No, I don’t. We’ve never been here, so how do you know that? And if it’s invisible; how come you’ve seen it?’

‘I’ve seen it in the flames.’

Jack burst out laughing, but Ben shushed him.

‘You know what!’ whispered Jack. ‘It might’ve been something you saw in a movie. Hollywood is known for all their weird stuff.’

Ben had to let it go. It was still hard to convince Jack about supernatural, or magical things.

They waited a few more seconds, looking at one another, and at the house.

Ben nodded. ‘You still want to knock?’

But there was no time for knocking. The door had swayed open.

A larger than normal kangaroo stood on its hind legs with the front ones in a boxing stance.

The boys instinctively took a step back.

Ben couldn’t stop himself from giggling. ‘Do you think it heard us coming?’

‘If it did, it doesn’t look like we’re welcome,’ said Jack.

‘Who’s there?’ croaked a voice from the inner parts.

The boys were taken aback. Ben made a sign, as if to run.

Jack shook his head. ‘We would like to buy some food if you have any,’ he called out before whispering to Ben. ‘How much have you got?’

‘A few dollars, I think.’

There was a creaking, followed by small bumps, as if something was dragged across uneven floorboards.

Out of the shadows a wrinkly old man appeared. He was tall, and thin like a flagpole, and he had a hunchback. His clothes were ragged with holes, and knotted, and frayed like an old-fashioned table cloth.

Ben discovered what he had pulled across the floor, and wanted to flee. A weirdo pulling a carcass of what looked to be a dead kangaroo would not be the one he wanted to ask for mercy, or worse; something to eat.

‘So, what is it you want? Really?’ said the man gruffly. He bent down to stare into Ben’s eyes. His breath was loaded with garlic.

Ben tried not to breathe in more than once.

‘Sorry, to disturb you, Sir, but we’re very hungry,’ said Jack. ‘We’re a bit lost, kind of, and thought you could spare something to eat.’

‘Got any currency?’ said the man, staring at Ben. ‘You’re the green-eyed one? No?’

Ben was shocked. He thought about what to say, but nothing came out.

‘We’ve got a few dollars,’ said Jack, turning to Ben. ‘How much have you got?’

Ben recovered, and had to search for his wallet. ‘I’ve got three dollars, and fifty five cents.’

The man had his gaze firmly on Ben, while he shook his head before pulling at a few wispy hairs on his chin. ‘What about currency?’

‘Yeah, it is currency,’ said Jack, in the doorway. ‘Do-do you have anything at all for that?’

He motioned for them to come through.

Jack and Ben hesitated. They watched from the doorway, as the man turned away to walk across the floor towards a colossal piece of home-made furniture. It was in the shape of an intricate shelf system made of thin, knotted, and twisted tree branches. On the shelves were fancily made, but crappy-looking books, which obviously had seen their best days.

He turned around and called out. ‘Without currency you can’t have anything!’

‘Excuse me, but this is money, Sir! It is currency!’ Jack threw the dollar notes, and coins on the floor.

‘Not the currency in Panghellan, it isn’t!’ screamed the man, as he turned around to step towards them like a towering mean-spirited madman.

Ben was prepared to run when the most amazing thought raced through his mind. ‘What about this then?’ He had pulled out his lucky stone from a pocket.

The man stared at the white stone with a black line. ‘Rosemary, Marigold! Now we’re talking! What about bed and breakfast?’

Jack was astonished. ‘No, that’s not necessary. We only want something to eat. We’re not staying. We’re on our way to the Grim Islands.’

‘What about a smackaroo burger then?’

‘Uh … what … d-do you have something else?’ asked Jack.

‘A stew from yesterday,’ said the man. ‘It’s some left.’

Jack looked at Ben.

With a mouth feeling like the thickest blotting paper, and with a stomach in knots, Ben could only nod.

‘Settled then. Walk through! Don’t be shy! We eat soon. Wait a moment! I need to look for something.’ He began to search carelessly from top to bottom of the shelving system, throwing books hither and dither. ‘I know it’s here somewhere. But where? By the way, Earl Vanning, and who might you be?’

‘I’m Jack and that’s my brother, Ben.’

The eccentric man turned back to the shelf, muttering. ‘Good, good, good.’

He searched a few of the books before grabbing a worn, leather-bound one with a long tassel of straggling bird feathers. He went through the pages, and found what he was looking for. He handed the book to Jack. ‘Show your green-eyed brother!’ he said in a syrupy voice.

The boys looked at each other. Then read silently.

Among the prickle mesh with sharpest thorns
And grimmest spinners with their spiky horns
Stands a wooden fortress in the swaying vines
With decaying walls, and captives in confines

In each of every dampened grime filled cell
Resides a human who may rather live in hell
Forced by hostile Grims to teach in isolation
They live in consternation and damnation

When the green-eyed one in flames may see
The long lost keystone, seize it fast, and flee
At the Phosphene, the keyhole may be found
Place in slot, wait, what follows will astound

A bubble sphere appears, bound for transfer up
Make it through to enter a brighter world on top
Glimpsed, and written down in bloom of youth
Doubt my words, albeit forever know the truth
– Wubicus

‘The green-eyed one? Do-do you mean it’s me? Has someone written something about me?’ Ben found it hard to contain his confused excitement. ‘What does it mean?’

‘Who wrote it?’ said Jack.

‘It’s from the Words of Wubicus,’ said Earl Vanning.

‘And who is this … Wubicus?’ whispered Jack. ‘I thought we weren’t allowed to speak out hostile names aloud.’

‘Bull dust! Wubicus is the one with the greatest insight, but with the greatest deception. He can see into flames, and will know where you are, before you’re there.’

‘Is that something that’s normal down here? We met an old man, and he can see things in flames too.’ Jack was too scared to mention that Ben claimed to have the same gift.

‘To see images in flames happens in these parts. It’s the way some of us communicate. Wubicus is the one with the ultimate gift. I can’t even read tea leaves, not that there’s any tea around.’

‘Don’t say his name! I don’t think we should,’ said Ben. ‘He might belong to the hostiles.’

‘So, what do you reckon, Mr Vanning? Is he a hostile?’ said Jack. ‘And aren’t they sort of the same as the Grims, and the other ones?’

‘May be, may be so. I have endeavoured to keep out of their reach by fortifying my trading post to keep unwanted visitors out. Consequently have never come close to them. Wubicus is an old soul, close to the Hogen. Yes, the Hogen of Grim, an old silver backed Yowie who rules the Grim Islands with more than an iron fist. Sometimes I think it’s that biff Wubicus who rules the roost. He is the head hunter of the hunting patrol, but never hunts, not in person, per se, only in flames, which is more dangerous than lies in the lyrics. Those Grims are the gravest danger to us all decent folks down here. Everyone knows it. Well, you’ve come to the right place because I can help you. I will keep you safe when the green-eyed one has found the Binehogen.’

Ben felt sick and shaken at once. ‘But … eh … how?’

‘So, you know about the Binehogen?’ said Jack.

‘Everyone knows about the Binehogen,’ said Earl Vanning. ‘That’s how it’s always been.’

Jack thought about what the man Wubicus had written. ‘So how did you get that book? If it’s his book, I mean, it seems like Wubicus isn’t somebody you’d want to deal with.’

‘Not by honest means. Oh, no, more like I found it, and took it. It intrigued me.’ He pointed to his forehead, and then to the book. ‘Freshen up?’

‘Fresh …? Oh, yeah,’ said Jack. ‘Great!’

‘South of the corridor,’ said Earl Vanning, pointing the way.

The boys walked through the house in the direction he had shown. There were two doors. The first they tried led to the outside.

‘Must be the other one, said Jack.

Ben was the first to open. Before he fell down the stairs, Jack grabbed onto him.

There was no landing and no warnings. Just a steep ladder leading down immediately inside the door.

‘That was close,’ said Jack.

‘He could have warned us,’ said Ben.

They stood at the top listening to water gurgling down below.

‘I’ll go first,’ said Jack. He descended backwards by holding onto the ladder. When he was safely down the ten steps, it was Ben’s turn.

Both stood in awe at the bottom.

The area had a bathroom setting, but not one they had ever expected to come across. The room was incorporated into a rain forest setting with huge ferns, and a riveting stream running through. The ceiling, composed of twisted trees stretching all the way up to form an intertwined layer on top. That’s where vines, creepers and lianas grew like balls of yarn to hang down like fancy decorations. A rope ladder with a basket, the size of a coffin, hung half-suspended in the cascading water.

‘What the …? What’s that used for? Maybe he dips himself in the river. It’d be like taking a bath, but without a tub,’ said Jack.

‘Not very often. Not if we go by the smell. By the way, I’ll stick to an Aussie splash.’

‘Hey, look at that, Ben! Something’s up there! Do you see? It’s staring at us. Looks like a a monkey, doesn’t it?’

‘I think it looks like a person, a hairy little person. What is that on it? Is that jocks? Monkeys don’t wear jocks.’

‘Can’t be a monkey,’ said Jack. ‘We don’t have monkeys in Australia.’

‘I know, but wasn’t Australia joined to India and Africa aeons ago?’ said Ben. ‘They’ve got monkeys over there.’

‘Hmm … you might be onto something,’ said Jack.

For some reason the animal turned away, as the boys washed their hands and faces. When they were finished, they went back down the hallway where they found Earl Vanning fiddling with food items and bowls.

‘Is that a monkey in the bathroom?’ said Jack.

‘No, that must be the zilch. We call it the apelike zilch. A bit like a monkey in some ways. In other ways, it’s a zilch – a zero. You see, the zilch turns into nothing when it wants to. Sometimes you see it. Other times you don’t.’

‘You mean it can make itself invisible?’ said Ben. ‘How cool is that!’

‘That is so, yes, that is so. But it may also be treacherous.’

‘Just too weird,’ said Jack. ‘I don’t believe it.’

‘It’s the truth. Sit down, my friends! We won’t get the zilch in here. If it was here, it would eat from your bowls, and you would find nothing in there. If you’re hungry, you better guard your food from that one just in case.’

During the meal, despite the disgusting hovel with odours of rotting meat, and scuttling things with nails and claws against the floorboards, Jack and Ben relaxed. One thing led to another, and soon Earl Vanning knew most of their story. He in turn, let them know how he had ended up in the unknown land. His tale was a long one about a medieval abode, Vanningbroke Castle, in the south-west of England, and ended with a day in the Australian bush when the ground had opened up.

‘Here on an innocent journey, I hit some kind of never ending tunnel. I was swallowed hook, line and sinker.’

‘It must have been like a sinkhole,’ said Ben.

‘Possibly so. I could never crawl out of the darned pipeline, not wider than a dandelion stalk. I exaggerate a bit, of course, but to walk upright was impossible. I had to crawl through the length of it. Ate and drank what I could lay my hands on. Not an easy time for one used to the finer things in life. Weeks later I found myself stuck here in this godforsaken place. My regret is that I’ve never found out who inherited my estate. I have no close relatives, only a rat of a cousin. Ah, well, with some luck, it’s in ruins today. And if it isn’t, I don’t think they’ll find my stash of valuables. Nobody knows what the owl statue in the secret passageway behind the fireplace can do.’

‘I don’t know anything about that, Sir,’ said Jack. ‘But can I ask you something? Do you know a man called Ambrosius? He was there when we came through the Eye Socket. He told us about a store or trading post. I think he must have meant your store. He lives at Terra Rowillian.’

‘Shush! Do not mention his living arrangements! What did you say his name was?’

‘Ambrosius,’ said Jack.

‘Don’t really know him. Even so, you need to be careful who you mention his name too. The Grims cannot know where people live. They would capture him for sure.’

‘He was captured, but later freed,’ said Jack. ‘Anyway, the hostiles are not around here. They take the right fork to the Prickle Mesh Haimalyas. We’re supposed to take the left. This one’s on the left, isn’t it?’

Earl Vanning looked concerned. ‘Grims are here, there and everywhere. I don’t know why that Ambrosius character never told you that we have an extremely dangerous place here. This land has an abundance of ill-willing creatures. Tell you what though! I will help you. If you’re on your way to the Grim Islands, you have to go past Boab Plute. Haven’t seen Agrimona for the longest time. I’ll come with you.’

‘I-I don’t think you have to,’ said Ben. ‘We kind of know the way.’

‘Yeah, we’ve got a map, and a compass,’ said Jack. ‘It’s enough, I think.’

‘If you insist,’ said Earl Vanning.

Ben thought it best to change the subject. ‘I like your roo. I haven’t seen any down here until now. It’s big.’

‘Not as prevalent, as up the top. This one’s a joey, and not fully grown.’

The boys were surprised. ‘Must belong to some sort of mega fauna then,’ said Jack. ‘Could it be more of those big ones around?’

‘Yes, the large ones abound. We’ve got all the usual ones from above, but so much bigger here. A bit like the tigers and lions.’

‘You mean like giant marsupial tigers and lions?’ said Jack. ‘I mean like the real mega fauna. What do we do if we meet one of those?’

Earl Vanning laughed. ‘I would say to keep away.’

‘I knew there were lions or tigers down here. I heard one,’ said Ben.

Jack stared at him. ‘When was that?’

‘When I was trapped on my own, I heard a really big roar.’

‘Maybe you thought you did. They’re not exactly right here, are they?’

‘Could be anywhere,’ said Earl Vanning.

The information left the boys uneasy. What if they stumbled on a wild beast somewhere? With no protection, and no weapons, not even a bow and arrow, they knew they were vulnerable to the extreme.

They ate in silence. When finished with the entrée dish of what was indescribable, the old man abruptly stood up. ‘Back in a minute with the main course. No, on second thoughts, it’s far better if you help me. Come with me to the kitchen!’

They ended up in a room, small like a walk-in-robe, with no windows. A flimsy piece of homemade furniture stood in one corner with a furry hide hanging on the front as a protective cover.

Earl Vanning pulled it to the side to reveal the inside. ‘WHAT? The thieving zilch is at it again!’ he screamed.

The creature sat on a shelf. Something looking like a frog’s leg hung from the corner of its mouth. It made a sound, like mumbling. The next moment it was gone.

‘Did it just become invisible?’ said Jack.

‘If he thinks his life is dear, you would think so.’

Earl Vanning pointed for the boys to pick up more utensils from a shelf before he grabbed a much larger bowl, blackened by soot.

‘Is that a skull? From a giant wombat, or something?’ said Ben.

‘Yes, and very handy for stew,’ said Earl Vanning, pointing towards a plaited garland hanging on the wall. ‘Bring a bit of that too.’

‘I didn’t know you had normal food like garlic down here,’ said Jack. ‘Should I break off a clove?’

‘I want three whole bulbs, not sections. It keeps you healthy. How many do you eat each? Yes, I’ve managed to get garlic growing from a couple of cloves I had many years ago.’

‘I don’t think we want any. What about you, Ben?’

He shook his head. ‘Thanks, but no thanks.’

They were back at the scruffy table to sit down. Their host began to dish out.
‘Dig in quickly, my friends. The zilch’s around, and may be closing in.’

Ben was guarded. He scraped around with a wooden implement, which was something between a fork and a spoon. With one hand covering the bowl, and with the other holding the fork-like thing, he tried to distinguish every ingredient before he dared put them in his mouth. He saw flower heads, seed pods and something, which could be slugs, and long thin curly lines, reminding him of mouse tails. ‘Excuse me, Sir, what’s in this stew?’

‘Bit of everything, I’m afraid,’ said Earl Vanning.

Ben didn’t like the word ‘afraid’. What could he possibly be afraid of? He hesitated to ask. Hunger took over. He tried to think of fossils, and thunder eggs to keep his mind from mice and larva.

Suddenly, Earl Vanning put his finger onto his mouth.

‘What? What’s the matter?’ said Jack.

‘Is it the zilch?’ said Ben.

‘Can’t you hear the pounding? They’re here.’

Jack was puzzled, but tried to listen.

‘Who is it? Who’s coming?’ said Ben, hearing nothing.

Earl Vanning seemed lost in thought. ‘May well be them. Saw them in my morning fire, but refrained from telling you earlier.’

‘Who do you mean?’ said Jack.

He rushed to his feet, while motioning for them to grab the bowls. ‘Get it! Get everything!’ He pulled up a short piece of wood, which was part of the floor. Food, bowls and utensils were shoved into the hole underneath. ‘Just so they think no one’s here.’

After he had replaced the plank, he raced up to the wall where a rope was fastened to a hook. He loosened it, and pulled. ‘Down with the hatches!’

There were thuds and bangs from the outside around the house. ‘That’s my measures to keep away from conceivable trouble. Doors and windows are covered. Come with me to the tower!’

He took the boys to a square on the floor marked out as a burn mark. He hugged them close.

Jack and Ben were utterly bewildered. They tried to wrangle themselves free.

‘Not to be alarmed! Stay close, or you will not make it.’ He knocked twice on the floor at a precise point, a pencil-thin ordinary knot hole, which wasn’t a real hole.

‘Make it? What’re you on about?’ Jack thought the man must be crazy.

He made a sign to Ben, and whispered. ‘Spaghetti!’

Just as they were to break out of his bear hug, bits of wood started to fall from above. As the pieces showered down through the air, they moved in an orderly fashion. Before the boys knew what was happening, the pieces had assembled into something entirely on their own. From nothing, a spiral staircase had materialised.

Ben was far from surprised, and whispered. ‘You believe me now? I mean about magic.’

Jack was stunned. ‘How did you do that, Sir?’

Earl Vanning shook his head, and shushed them. ‘We’re not safe here. We’ve got to get up there at once.’

He took them up the stairs into a strangely shaped look-out built into the ceiling structure, and through to the outside roof. The stair case, underneath, lifted up and disappeared. Out in the open, they were covered inside the tower. They saw not only all the way down to the ground, but also to a fair distance from the house.

‘Don’t worry! We’re safe here. They can’t see us, and they will not find the staircase should they be so brave to enter my abode. It’s gone for now.’

‘How can that be? And why can’t they see that, or us? Where did the staircase come from? And where did it go?’ said Jack.

‘Better be quiet,’ said Earl Vanning. ‘It’s best if they don’t know we’re here. They could hear us, but inside this fortification, it’s impossible to see us.’

‘What about the front door?’ It was kind of loose,’ whispered Ben. ‘Can’t they get in there?’

‘The spear gate has been activated,’ said Earl Vanning. ‘Quiet now! They’re close.’

‘Over there, Ben! Kenairies with all nine sons!’ Jack had tried to talk quietly, but Earl Vanning had heard him.

‘Never set eyes on him, only heard of the ruffian,’ he said. ‘Well, they don’t often leave their domain, and I’ve got no desire to visit. But what would those scoundrels be looking for? Here? I’ve got nothing of interest.’

Jack and Ben watched as Kenairies came stomping with the most important members of his tribe; his older sons, Arizindo, Jocush, Therkel, Washeld and Horek plus four more of the younger ones. Grain, his grandson, was with them too.

When they heard the tribe struggling to get into the house by pulling, scratching and huffing, Ben remembered what he had in his backpack. ‘The crystal!’ he whispered in Jack’s ear.

A loud crash came from below followed by a sharp cry. Somebody was hurt in the process of breaking in.

‘I don’t know why we’re doing this,’ said Earl Vanning. ‘That horde is not even remotely related to the Grims. They’re supposed to be kind of peaceful collectors, or so I’ve heard. What I’m saying is that we could go down there. Maybe offer them something to eat. No?’ He had seen their horror-struck faces. ‘What are you so incredibly scared of?’

‘They’re not that peaceful. We were prisoners there. They wouldn’t let us leave,’ said Jack. ‘And there’s something else.’

‘No, Jack! Don’t!’

‘What is it?’ said Earl Vanning.

‘We’ve …eh … escaped from them,’ said Jack. ‘I don’t think they liked it because we were teaching them things they didn’t know. They want to know lots more.’

‘So, they want you back. Is that what you’re saying? Really?’

‘Yeah, definitely,’ said Jack.

Ben nodded.

‘I’ll go down and explain to them. You can stay here.’

‘NO! Please, don’t!’ begged Jack.

Earl Vanning’s forehead wrinkled. He said no more, but stayed.

During their hardly audible conversation, loud noises came constantly from downstairs.

‘Well, if they don’t find what they’re looking for, I would take it they’ll leave,’ said the old man.

Fifteen minutes later, a large tumult was heard before the place turned quiet. The tribe had walked away as noisily, as they had arrived.

Earl Vanning made a move. ‘We should go down. But, I’m curious to know something. Can we agree that you’re the green-eyed one?’

‘I suppose I could be,’ said Ben, as they went down the stairs, which again had appeared out of nothing. ‘I would like to know how you do that.’

Earl Vanning never replied. ‘So, tell me, how do you expect to find the keystone?’

‘I’m not sure. I’m scared of finding it now. I’ve heard that everybody wants it. If I find it, I don’t know what’s going to happen. We might be in more trouble than ever before.’

‘Give it to me then!’ said Earl Vanning, forcefully, while struggling with a rope to pull up the hatches. Rattling and banging came from all ends of the house, as they went up.

‘I-I don’t think that’s wise,’ said Jack. ‘We need it if we want to go back home. But you could come with us if you want. We could come back here to let you know when we’ve got it, if we get it.’

‘It would be better if you let me take care of it, as soon as,’ said Earl Vanning, sneakily.

‘But I don’t know if we’ll ever find it,’ said Jack.

‘I’ll have to think about what to do when it’s found. You should not be on your own with it. It’ll burn holes in your pockets. Well, literally speaking, of course.’

Ben had listened, but had trouble understanding. His mind was off in a different direction. ‘Have you been to many other places down here?’

Earl Vanning sat down on a small cart, which was placed upside down on the floor. ‘I can’t say I have. I don’t often go anywhere, and never seem to get visitors. Why?’

‘Have you ever seen a place totally overgrown with stuff? A kind of dark and mossy place built with wood, big rocks, and blocks of stone. And lots of balconies hanging on the outside.’

‘I can’t say I have. On the other hand, every building is rare down here. And every building is how you describe them. Not many are as magnificently hideous as mine though. Oh, look, at the time! It’s almost a quarter past six.’

Ben and Jack glared at the old gnarly grandfather style clock.

‘How did you get that clock?’ said Jack. ‘Not something easy to find down here, I don’t think.’

‘Found it in a flood years ago. The backwater undersurge must’ve brought it down here,’ said Earl Vanning.

‘Okay, but it doesn’t seem to work very well,’ said Jack. It had been ten past six since they entered the room long before dinner.

‘It’s only half past twelve,’ said Ben, after a glance at his watch.

‘No, it’s, as it always is, at this time of evening,’ said Earl Vanning, looking at the clock.

Ben sneaked a peek towards Jack.

‘No, I don’t think you understand,’ said Jack. ‘You clock has stopped. I don’t think it works.’

‘No, I don’t think you understand. Time here is always ten or quarter past six. It doesn’t matter what time it is. It never changes even if the light changes. It reminds me that I’ll have to catch the Nomad.’

‘Catch the nomad?’ said Jack.

Ben was as confused as Jack. Both looked at one another, then back at Earl Vanning.

‘Well, he’s coming through around a quarter past six. That is, of course, when and if he comes.’

‘What do you mean?’ Jack had trouble understanding.

‘He’s an old wanderer, traversing this land in leaps and bounds. He goes by the name of Simon Eagleperch, but is known by others as the Nomad.’

Alarm bells went off, but Jack’s eyebrows told Ben not to say anything. Ambrosius words about keeping away from Snake Harmer, Eagleperch and Ironforce kept ringing in Ben’s head. They were the ones who would murder, and plunder to get the keystone.

Jack could not hold it in any longer. ‘Do you know who that is? He’s dangerous. He would kill for the keystone.’

‘Really? Oh, no, old Eagleperch wouldn’t hurt a fly. Surely, you don’t believe that to be the truth … huh?’

‘Oh, yeah, we’ve heard all about him. You should be careful. He’s not who he seems.’

‘Well, since you’re so worried about him, you can stay here. I have to look for him outside. Oh, I nearly forgot. I have something for you.’

Earl Vanning pulled out a small leather bag from a pocket, and handed it to Ben. ‘That’s what’s left of your currency. I might be many things, but honest I am. Ah, well, at least when I want to be.’

Ben looked at the small white stones. If that’s what they used in Panghellan, he would use them sparingly. They were not that easy to come by.

‘Okay, we’ll stay here then,’ said Jack. ‘Can we check your books, while you talk to him?’

Earl Vanning nodded and left.

The boys were alone.

‘We’ve got to get away from here now,’ said Jack.

‘But you said we were going to look at the books,’ said Ben.

‘I only said that to keep him happy. We won’t let him know more than he thinks he knows. Haven’t you realised that this old guy is actually the one who likes snakes if you catch my drift?’

‘You’re kidding!’

‘Let’s face it, Ben! Those things hanging on the veranda must be snake skins, and the way he talks about the Binehogen is more than suspect.’

While talking, he had walked to the front door with Ben following. When he opened a fraction, they saw the kangaroo resting on the veranda. Earl Vanning paced behind a couple of tree trunks some distance from the house. There was no sign of anybody else.

They stayed in the doorway, waiting to see what he was up to. Their host walked around, glancing, often in one direction.

When a dark shape appeared down the track, Ben turned livid. ‘Look! He’s coming. Must be him. We’ve got to go now!’

‘Hang on a sec,’ said Jack.

They watched the figure, dressed like a monk with a hood covering most of his face. He seemed to be feeling his way with a long stick. When he happened to point the stick to the legs of Earl Vanning, both laughed.

‘Is he blind?’ said Ben.

‘How can he hunt for the keystone if he’s blind?’ said Jack. ‘This is so incredibly scary. We’ve got to get away now.’

He pushed Ben inside. Then shut the door fast. ‘There’s that door to the back. If we get out there, they won’t see us. Have to get our stuff first.’

As they picked up their belongings, Jack looked out through an opening between the wall boards.

Earl Vanning and the nomad were in deep conversation. Only it seemed less jolly now.

‘Head to the bathroom!’ said Jack. ‘First we have to get some food from his pantry.’

‘Not enough time,’ said Ben.

Jack had already decided what they had to do first. ‘Provisions!’

After the visit to the kitchen, they hurried on to the bathroom. Jack rummaged around in his pack. ‘Get something from your stuff, anything at all!’

Ben pulled out his extra t-shirt. ‘So, your plan is to leave something here, and they’ll think that we’ve left through the river. You mean swimming through his sewer?’

‘That’s the idea, yeah. We won’t, of course, but even so, it’s fresh water all the time. Pull off the one you have on! Leave that here!’

‘Okay, then,’ said Ben, searching through one of the pockets. ‘This could be good.’ He left a potato peeler beside his t-shirt before putting the fresh T-shirt on.

‘What? Tell me you didn’t bring potatoes!’

‘You didn’t bring potatoes. But I brought a potato peeler. I thought it would come in handy for something. I think they’ll pick it up, look at it, and can’t figure it out. If they’ve been living down here for a really long time, they might not know what it is. We could get some extra time to get away.’

‘You could be right. Actually, pretty good thinking.’

They messed up the place by throwing a few more things from the bathroom on the floor, and then went back to the other side of the house.

Both looked through a gap in the wall.

‘Come on! We haven’t got much time,’ said Jack when he discovered the men on the move, coming closer every second.

They scrambled to reach the back door before Earl Vanning, and his friend were to enter the front of the house.

Jack had imagined it to be easy. He had seen when Earl Vanning pulled the rope to release all the hatches. Hopefully, the door would still be unlocked, and they would disappear into the bush.

Jack grabbed the knobbly door handle. He tried to open, but it wouldn’t budge. ‘It’s stuck! You try the handle, while I push.’ He leaned with his body against the door.

Ben tried with his t-shirt around the handle. He pushed with the weight of his body at the same time as Jack.

They struggled and pulled. Nothing worked.

‘They’re getting closer! Come on, come on!’ said Jack, with his teeth clenched. ‘This is no good.’

‘Let me try something else!’ said Ben. He tried another firm grip before he pushed the handle upwards instead of down, while at the same time pulling the door towards him.

Both were stunned.

‘Can’t believe it worked!’ said Ben.

‘I hear them! They’re coming! Run, Ben, run!’

They were out of the door in a flash, and took off through the wilderness.

☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

© Lena Nilsson. All rights reserved.