Free Deep Amber by C.J. Busby

the Tree – but the forest folk, with those of the humans who had some magic, gathered together to protect the Tree, and with it the balance of the worlds. So far they have always succeeded in pushing back the forces of the dark.”
    He made a gesture with a few of his feet, and the images faded. Then he blinked at them both. “So that’s the forest agents – they watch over the worlds, and push back the dark wherever it tries to gain a foothold.”
    There was a silence, the dimness that hadsurrounded them lifted, and then the fire started to crackle again.
    â€œMy grandfather used to tell a story a bit like that,” said Dora, slowly. “I’d forgotten it till now… About the heroes who travelled to different worlds and fought the creatures of darkness. But the creatures of darkness don’t exist, do they?”
    Caractacus looked grim. “Oh, they exist all right. Although we’ve been mercifully untroubled by them for a long time. However, it’s always best to be on your guard.”
    â€œWas that monster that attacked us – was that a creature of darkness?” asked Jem, sounding slightly awed.
    Caractacus nearly choked with laughter. “No, no! That was an elephant. A creature from the world your objects come from. The objects have been pulling the energies around, like I said, pulling you and other things back and forth between the forest and their world. I wonder…”
    He hesitated for a moment, and then seemed to come to a decision. He briskly waved the little fire and food into non-existence.
    â€œI was still eating that!” objected Jem loudly. Caractacus rolled his eyes.
    â€œPick the boy up,” he said to Dora. “I think it’s time we were getting you to the other side of the forest. This rift is serious and I’m almost certain there’s amber at the bottom of it. There’s an agent I can contact in that world, but it might be as well to get word to the palace, too. I’ll escort you, and make sure no more elephants turn up.”
    He twisted slightly and unfurled his wings again, hovering by Dora’s head.
    â€œCome along,” he said. “This way.”
    It took less than ten minutes for Caractacus to guide them back to the path, although Dora was convinced they’d travelled quite considerably further than it seemed. The trees slid past them in a disconcerting way and quite often it felt as if a single step had taken them to a different part of the forest entirely. When they reached the path, Caractacus settled down on a branch, and yawned loudly.
    â€œOff you go then,” he said. “Not too far from here to the edge of the forest, and you can pick up a cart ride to the city from the first village you get to.”
    Dora bobbed a curtsy. “Thank you, your – er – magnificence,” she said.
    The caterpillar graciously inclined his head.
    â€œUm – any chance you could turn me back to the right size before we go on?” asked Jem hopefully.
    Caractacus squinted at him. “You look fine to me,” he said. “Very useful, being small, I find. It suits you. I’d stay that way if I were you.” And he rolled up into a very final-looking ball and went to sleep.
    â€œRats,” said Jem. “Suppose I’ll be stuck this way till we get to the palace then. But still – Dora – other worlds! The things we’ve got come from another world ! Do you think we could go there somehow? I wonder how you become a forest agent?”
    But Dora wasn’t listening. She had suddenly remembered the letter of introduction to Lord Ravenglass – the letter that they needed to get into the palace. It was in Jem’s pack – and Jem’s pack was now no bigger than her thumbnail. Dora’s insides felt as if they were plummeting into a deep hole, as she realised that the letter of introduction would now be approximately the size of an apple pip,