Free ISOF by Pete Townsend Page B

being placed around their neck and pulled tightly. Ben looked around the room searching frantically for PInchkin, but she was nowhere to be seen. Lord Tolc raised both arms in the air and, as he lowered them, the hubbub of noise faded.
    â€˜However,’ he said above the quietening crowd. ‘We can’t be too careful. Walls have ears you know.’ He tapped the side of his nose. ‘Eyes and spies everywhere, and we can’t have the Jaresh knowing what we’re up to.’
    This had to be a bad dream, Ben thought to himself. Absolutely nothing make sense and he hadn’t had a chance to say anything in his defence. The tall figure smiled maliciously at Ben.
    â€˜My Lord, perhaps we should invite the boy to make amends for any damage he’s caused and…’
    â€˜Jolly good idea,’ interrupted Lord Tolc. ‘How much you got boy? You young ens’ always got more money than sense I always say.’
    The tall figure coughed again.
    â€˜My Lord, if I may be so bold?’
    â€˜Eh? What you on about? Spit it out Cedric before you burst a blood vessel.’ He winked at Ben. ‘That Cedric’s a bit of a prune but he’s on our side, I think.’
    Cedric raised his eyes to the roof.
    â€˜My Lord, I was referring to our little expedition that we have planned.’ He sniffed haughtily and nodded in Ben’s direction. ‘It might prove useful to have the infiltrator under observation and allow him to contribute to our mission.’
    â€˜Splendid idea,’ beamed Lord Tolc. ‘I was just about to suggest the very same thing.’ He brushed at the virtually invisible moustache that crept along his top lip. ‘Now, to the point,’ he said, bending forward and placing his hands on his knees. He looked straight ahead and spoke to Ben’s stomach.
    â€˜Where have you gone? Stop messing about.’ He tipped his head back and looked up at Ben.
    â€˜What you doing up there?’
    Ben crouched down.
    â€˜It’s where I am normally,’ he answered, thankful to have had a chance to speak.
    Lord, tugged at Ben’s collar. ‘Now boy,’ he whispered, as his hand continued to pull at Ben’s collar. ‘What do you know about girls?’
    â€˜What?’ spluttered Ben, his face discolouring from the continued pressure of Lord Tolc’s grip.
    â€˜Well?’ demanded Lord Tolc, with almost a complete handful of Ben’s collar. ‘Answer me!’
    By this time, Ben had sagged onto his knees, his hands desperately trying to relieve the pressure from his throat.
    â€˜My Lord,’ began Cedric, as a strangulated gurgle erupted out of Ben’s mouth. ‘If I might be so bold as to suggest?’ Without waiting for a response, Cedric loosened the grip on Ben’s collar and began to casually brush at Lord Tolc’s sleeves. ‘There,’ he said in a voice laden with syrup. ‘Much better.’
    â€˜What are you doing down there, boy?’ asked Lord Tolc, as Ben, still on his knees, gulped air like a fish. ‘Get up and stop messing about.’
    Ben, his eyes partially closed, swallowed and rubbed gently at his throat. Taking a couple of short steps forward, Lord Tolc bent down towards Ben’s ear. ‘I want you to keep an eye out for a girl,’ he began.
    â€˜I’m not sure what you mean,’ mumbled Ben, his face turning puce.
    â€˜Mean?’ bellowed Lord Tolc directly into Ben’s ear. Aware that everyone was now listening intently to what he said, Lord Tolc pressed his nose against Ben’s ear. ‘My daughter,’ he hissed. ‘And, when you see her, no messing about,’ he jabbed a finger into Ben’s shoulder. ‘She’s precious to me.’

Chapter 11
    The next few moments passed in a complete blur as Ben found himself pushed from one person to the next and finally into a tiny wooden-panelled room. When his head had stopped spinning and