Free Quest for the Sun Gem by Belinda Murrell

there,’ whispered Saxon. ‘There are two Royal Guards there who will helpyou inside. We will slip away before anyone tries to stop us.’
    ‘We wish to thank you both very much,’ Princess Roana murmured formally. ‘We will ensure that the queen rewards you greatly for your kindness.’
    ‘That’s presuming someone can rescue the queen first,’ muttered Ethan. Princess Roana scowled darkly.
    ‘Thank you, your highness,’ replied Lily, shooting a dark glance at Ethan. ‘Good luck. I hope you are restored to your home and family very soon.’
    They all waved in farewell and urged on their mounts – three dark shadows slipping off into the trees, the other lone pale shadow setting off towards the cave.
    Ethan, Lily and Saxon rode in silence for a while. The darkness was eerie. Branches made strange shapes that leapt out at them through the night. Sounds of the forest were amplified and distorted in the pitch black. A bat swooped over their heads, making the horses skitter.
    ‘Stop,’ cried Lily sharply. ‘Did you hear that?’ They halted their horses and listened carefully. Aisha barked, cracking the darkness.
    ‘What?’ asked Saxon nervously. ‘I hear nothing – except Aisha.’
    ‘Shhh, girl,’ ordered Lily. ‘I thought I heard a twig crack, and a sort of little … snuffling noise.’
    They sat silent again. There was nothing but the sounds of the forest – small creatures padding on tiny feet, leaves swishing in the breeze.
    ‘I hear nothing either,’ shrugged Ethan. ‘Come on, let’s go. I think you’re just a bit jumpy, Lily.’
    They rode on for another few minutes. Then they all heard the unmistakable sound of a branch cracking behind them. Aisha growled low and menacingly, her hackles raised.
    ‘Ssshhh. Someone is following us,’ whispered Lily.
    ‘Let’s hide off the path and watch,’ suggested Saxon. They quietly dismounted their horses and crept off the narrow track.
    A moment later a ghost appeared around the bend. A shimmering white rider on a shimmering white horse, floating through the darkness of the forest. The hidden children clutched each other, too frightened to breathe.
    Aisha bounded out to meet the wraith, tail wagging and tongue lolling. The ghost stopped.
    ‘Hello, girl,’ murmured a familiar voice. It was the Princess Roana on Moonbeam.
    ‘What are you doing here?’ cried Ethan furiously. ‘Why aren’t you at the cave?’
    ‘We are coming too,’ replied Princess Roana vehemently.
    ‘No, you are not. Go back to the cave at once!’
    ‘I will not,’ the princess said imperiously. ‘My family is on that ship as well.’
    Ethan and the princess argued furiously for several minutes.
    ‘That’s enough. Stop it, you two,’ cried Lily in frustration. ‘This is getting us nowhere. We need to keep moving and we need to keep quiet .’
    ‘We can’t have her with us,’ Ethan spat furiously, glaring at the princess with intense dislike. ‘She will just slow us down, and drive us crazy with all her airs and graces. She will want us waiting on her hand and foot. Besides, we won’t get halfway to the coast with her in that getup.’
    Princess Roana’s cheeks burned. She considered what these children must think about her. She supposed she had been rather self-obsessed, but then her father had been murdered, her mother and brother taken prisoner and her country invaded. She had good reason to be so self-focused.
    Everyone stared at the princess. Her once golden ringlets were matted with dried blood, dirt and leaves. Her pale face was scratched and bruised. The fine white gown was torn and muddy, but there was no disguising the rich origin of the fabric and embroidery.
    ‘I will not slow you down,’ Princess Roanaretorted. ‘I can ride as well as anyone in Tiregian. And I will not expect you to look after me. I can look after myself!’
    There was a long pause. The others glanced at each other doubtfully.
    ‘We would need to dress her in some of our spare