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CHAPTER 1
Angelina Thomas lay perfectly still. Her little hands clutched tightly at the sheets of her bed as she pulled them up over her mouth and nose. Only her wide eyes showed above the covers. Even though it was a warm summer evening her bedroom, normally a bright and cheerful place during the daytime, felt distinctly chilled. Darkness shrouded the room as shadows lurked in gloomy corners. Eerie tendrils of blackness seemed to reach out and crawl across the floor towards Angelina's bed.
‘Are you still awake Angelina?’ It was a familiar voice that called from the bottom of the stairs.
‘Yes mummy, I can't sleep,’ came the reply, ‘I'm really scared!’
Angelina sat up in bed still grasping the covers tightly around her face. Warily she reached out beyond the security of her bedclothes and turned on the small lamp beside her bed hoping to dispel the shadows that lurked in the dark corners of the room, but it didn't seem to be much help. Angelina heard her mother’s footsteps on the stairs and she began to feel a little better as the hall light cast a comforting glow around her bedroom.
The door opened and Angelina's mother came into the room.
‘Do you know how late it is Angelina Thomas?’ It was a question that did not require an answer, and even if Angelina had wanted to reply she was not given the chance to do so.
‘I read you a nice long story and you've had your milk,’ Mrs. Thomas tucked in the bed-sheets tightly and puffed up Angelina's pillow as she continued talking,
‘Now why don't you snuggle down under the blanket and go to sleep?’ she said in a comforting voice.
‘I'm sure there are monsters in here,’ whispered Angelina as her mother sat on the bed, ‘I saw a creepy shadow and it was moving about in the corner of my room.’ She pointed to the floor where she saw the creeping shadow. ‘It was quite scary and that's why I can't sleep.’ Angelina sighed deeply.
‘Well I can assure you Angelina, there are no monsters in this house,’ her mother said firmly, ‘and shadows can't possibly hurt you can they now? I want you to settle down and go to sleep.’ Mrs. Thomas kissed Angelina on the forehead and rose from the bed, ‘I’m not going to come up here again. You can leave your night light on if you like,’ she started walking towards the door blowing her daughter a kiss on the way out, ‘night, night and sweet dreams.’ Mrs. Thomas left the room.
Angelina heard her mother’s footsteps tread softly as she went back down the stairs. There was a sharp click followed by a dull clunk as the hall light was turned off and the living room door downstairs closed. The dark shadows once more returned to the corners of Angelina's room. The small bedside light gave some small glow of comfort to the otherwise gloomy atmosphere, but still the shadows lurked menacingly.
Angelina lay snuggled under the warm bedclothes with her eyes barely peeking over the top of the blanket. She could still see the dark and strange shapes cast by her night light from where she lay. They seemed to have a life of their own, murky tendrils eerily caressed the walls sending creepy fingers of blackness dancing across the ceiling.
‘I must not be scared,’ Angelina said to herself, ‘mummy said that shadows can't hurt me and mummy's are always right, aren't they?’
Angelina tried hard to convince herself. ‘And anyway there are no monsters, not really, not real scary monsters that live in dark places and eat children and breath fire and only come out at night when mummy's and daddy's have gone to bed and, WHAT'S THAT NOISE!!’ Angelina sat up with a start and glanced nervously around the room.
‘I'm sure I heard a noise.’ She said hoisting the blanket up to her face. ‘I hope it wasn't a monster, oh dear, I wish it was morning, I wish mummy would sit with me, I wish these shadows would go away.’
Angelina was now feeling really quite frightened. From her position in the bed she looked as hard as she could to see if there was anything there, but saw nothing that should scare her. Only the shadows lurking in the dark corners of the room.
Suddenly there was a movement. Angelina went stiff with fear, her mouth went dry and her skin felt clammy. In the darkest corner of the room just by her bookcase, an especially nasty looking shadow was creeping along the skirting board. It seemed to be stretching out long pointy fingers as it crawled across the carpet towards her bed. A scream started to build in her throat, but nothing would come out except for a peculiar choking noise.
‘I want my mummy,’ thought Angelina as she stared transfixed at the creeping shadow slithering menacingly closer towards her bed.
‘It’s a monster, I know it is,’ a voice that did not seem to belong to her screamed inside her head as the black shadowy fingers scrabbled and clawed their way along the floor.
They had now reached the side of her bed and were crawling their way up towards her blanket. Angelina could stand it no more. She wanted to call out for her mummy and to shriek out as loud as she could for help. She opened her mouth and took in a deep breath ready to scream when she heard a very loud noise. Angelina held her breath. The noise came from her room that was for sure, but it wasn't a scary noise like a growling monster, it was more of an annoyed shout. In fact Angelina could have sworn it was more like a voice, a voice that said,
‘Ouch that hurt.’
Angelina sat up a little more so that she could get a better view of the bedroom and the source of the noise. It seemed to her that even the scary shadows had gone. They had just simply disappeared. The room now seemed to be lit by a strange pale blue light.
‘Ouch, now look what you've gone and done, Ow! That hurt! Stop, stop,’ came the voice again, only this time it was much louder and clearer than before.
Angelina had stopped feeling scared. Somehow the voice did not seem to be very frightening and actually sounded quite funny.
‘Who’s there? Angelina whispered to no one in particular.
There was a momentary silence followed by another loud crash. The distinct whinny of a horse could be heard followed by yet another torrent of bad tempered moaning and groaning.
‘Hey watch out will you. A chap can get hurt doing this sort of thing don'tcha know.’ The voice sounded quite annoyed.
Angelina couldn't stop herself from sniggering, even though she could not see where the moaning came from, it really did sound very funny. The blue light was much brighter now and filled Angelina's room. She could just begin to make out a rather strange image emerging from her wardrobe. At first Angelina thought that perhaps she had fallen asleep and was dreaming, so she gave herself a little pinch just to make sure that she was still awake. As her eyes adjusted to the strange light she focused on what could only be described as a shape emerging straight out of the wall next to her wardrobe.
Angelina could now make out the shape of a horses’ head. A beautiful white mane flowed down the creatures’ neck in long soft curls and it shone with a radiant white light. A pair of the softest blue eyes stared at her and blinked from the other side of the room. As the wondrous creature emerged from the wall, Angelina could see that there was someone sitting on its back, and that someone was obviously having a great deal of trouble staying there. The figure looked very unsteady as it wobbled from side to side desperately clinging to thin air as if to gain some support.
It was then that Angelina noticed that what she first thought to be a horse was really not a horse after all, but a beautiful white unicorn. On its strong muscular back, flailing the air wildly, sat a knight wearing a suit of shining silver armour. However there was something not quite right about the knight even allowing for the strange contortions and frantic grappling. Angelina suddenly noticed what it was that looked so odd. The knight, who by now had slipped down the side of the unicorn and was grasping wildly at its white mane to stop him from toppling completely onto the floor, was sitting astride his saddle the wrong way around and facing his mount backwards.
‘You did this on purpose, I know you did,’ muttered the dislodged rider, ‘you're just mad at me for taking that wrong turning back there.’ With a resigned groan the hapless knight crashed onto the floor in a rather unbecoming heap.
‘Excuse me,’ asked Angelina as she tried desperately not to giggle at the struggling pile of armour that was by now struggling in vain to stand up. ‘Excuse me, but what are you doing in my bedroom?’
‘I'm trying to stand up, what do you think I'm doing, waiting for a bus?’ replied the strange figure as it rolled around the floor.
‘Would you like me to help you?’ Angelina asked climbing out of bed. She padded across the bedroom carpet towards the helpless figure.
The unicorn blinked a blue eye at Angelina and said, ‘That would be very kind of you, Sir Roderick here is a little clumsy. I do hope we didn't frighten you. You see we, or rather he, took the wrong turning back there,’ the unicorn turned her head to the floor as she spoke indicating towards the writhing heap of metal on the bedroom carpet.
Angelina could not quite believe her ears,’ you can talk?’ she gasped.
An annoyed voice emerged from the direction of the floor.
‘Of course she can talk, in fact she rarely stops.’ The knight paused and looked at the unicorn sternly, ‘And I'm not clumsy. We just had a slight materialisation problem that's all.’
A gloved hand appeared from under a pile of armour and Angelina grasped hold of it pulling the knight to his feet. ‘Ah that's better, thank you very much. Allow me the honour of introducing myself,’ continued the figure whilst adjusting his armour, ‘I am Sir Roderick the Brave, of the Knights of Dreamland and this is my trusty steed Cornucopia,’ and with that the Knight made a sweeping bow, so sweeping in fact that he completely lost his balance and fell over with another resounding crash. The unicorn shook her head and tossed her mane in embarrassment.
‘Here we go again,’ she said with a sigh.
‘I'm pleased to meet you my name is Angelina Thomas and I live here,’ responded Angelina with a curtsy.
The clumsy Knight again pulled himself to his feet, with the assistance of Angelina, who could no longer contain herself and giggled uncontrollably.
‘It's not terribly polite, don'tcha know, to laugh at one's misfortunes young lady,’ the knight straightened his armour and stood erect.
‘After all, I am a Knight, eh what, demands at least a token of respect. Youth of today. I don't know what the world’s coming to, when I was a lad.’ Roderick muttered to himself as Angelina interrupted his rambling.
‘I didn't mean to be rude, but you looked so funny when you fell over and after all, you are in my bedroom you know,’ said Angelina placing her hands on her hips.
‘And it's very rude to interrupt a chap who was just about to tell you something instructive, now I suggest that you take my advice young, whatever y'name is,’ again the knight was interrupted mid sentence, this time by the unicorn.
‘Oh do shut up Roderick,’ scolded Cornucopia, ‘I am sure the young lady meant no disrespect and she did help you. After all, she does have a small point.’
The unicorn looked kindly at Angelina as she continued, ‘We are in her bedroom, how would you like it if someone came crashing through your wall half way through the night and then started falling around all over the place?’ the unicorn glowered at Roderick the Knight.
‘Er, ahem, ummm well perhaps you’re right,’ returned Roderick sheepishly as he dusted an imaginary spot from his shoulder, ‘point is we're here now and he's here somewhere.’
Angelina looked puzzled, ‘what did you mean, he's here, who's he? And who are the Knights of Dreamland? And why are you here? I'm a bit confused.’ Angelina looked bewildered as the unicorn shook her head and gazed at the ceiling sighing loudly.
‘The Knights of Dreamland,’ retorted Roderick. ‘You don't know who the Knights of Dreamland are?’ Roderick sounded genuinely surprised, ‘Why we are the watchers of the night, the guardians of the dream world, without us the Knightmares will ride out and then where would we all be? Eh what, dash it all,’ Roderick waved his arms around wildly trying to emphasise the point and in so doing managed to knock over Angelina's bookcase spilling dozens of books all over the floor.
‘Oh Roderick, do be careful,’ said Cornucopia.
‘Well I've never heard of the Knights of Dreamland. I have heard of Dreamland, my mummy told me it's a place you go when you go to sleep, but she never mentioned anything about any Knights,’ said Angelina.
Cornucopia began to recite a verse.
Knights of Dreamland Brave and bold,
Riding unicorn since days of old.
Valiant heroes one and all,
To stop the Knightmares is their call.
Armed with shield on trusted steed,
T’is kindness and love their only need.
Knights of Dreamland Brave and bold
Riding unicorns since days of old.
Cornucopia finished the rhyme and nuzzled Angelina. She spoke softly and gently like a warm breeze. ‘The Knights of Dreamland protect human children from the realm of the Knightmares who prowl the night waiting...waiting,’ she paused thoughtfully as if trying to think of the right words.
‘What are they waiting for and are they dangerous?’ asked Angelina.
‘They wait for just the right moment when little children are in bed and frightened of the dark,’ the unicorn looked at Angelina with huge round eyes that sparkled like jewels. She continued softly so as not to sound too scary. ‘They cause fear and live to scare, remember that fear alone can destroy you, all by itself. Their work is done if they succeed in frightening you Angelina,’ continued the unicorn.
‘And it's my job to send 'em back so they won't scare anyone,’ joined in Roderick who was on his knees trying to pick up the scattered books and managing to drop more than he picked up.
‘Where do you send them to?’ asked Angelina, ‘why don't you just kill them?’
‘Kill them!’ retorted Roderick dropping an armful of books, ‘Kill them, you can't kill them, good grief did you hear what she said Cornucopia? By George sir. Dashed indecent if you ask me, can't just wander around killing things just because they scare you. I suppose you stand on spiders and swat flies do you?’ Roderick started waving his arms around again and narrowly avoided sending a teddy bear flying. ‘Oh awfully sorry you scared me,’ mocked Roderick, I'm afraid I'm going to have to kill you now, gosh that was a fright, awfully sorry old thing but I have to cut your head off now. Bah! Youngsters today, no discipline, always in a hurry. When I was a lad-’ again Roderick was cut short before he had the chance to continue his monologue.
Cornucopia blinked her soft blue eyes and began to speak, ‘We can never kill anything Angelina, it is very wrong to take a life. The Knightmares are very unhappy creatures and after all, they just need love like anyone else. Only the Knights of Dreamland can help them so we follow them wherever they go and see to it that they neither cause harm to themselves nor anyone else.
‘But if they scare people then that isn't very nice is it?’ replied Angelina, ‘Perhaps they wouldn't be so unhappy if they stopped being so mean and scaring everybody.’
‘Ah bit of a conundrum that,’ said Roderick.
‘A conunwhat?’ asked Angelina.
‘Conundrum,’ continued Roderick, ‘dilemma, y' know bit of a puzzle, feel kind of sorry for them somehow. You see m'dear the Knightmares are under a sort of spell. The Black Knight imprisons them in his castle. His castle on-,’ Roderick hesitated as if gathering unwelcome thoughts, ‘on the dark side. He pollutes their minds with blackness and cruelty and sends them out into the night to frighten the humans,’ continued Roderick.
‘So these Knightmares are really good people who have been made wicked by the Black Knight,’ said Angelina, ‘Why can't you just tell the Black Knight to stop doing bad things all the time?’
‘We have tried for many ages, but he never changes his evil ways. The Black Knight possesses magical and dark powers. He is armoured from head to toe and never shows his real self. Nor does he allow anyone to see him. No one in Dreamland has ever seen his face. Only a brave few have ever tried to get close enough for that matter. He lives in a huge pitch-black fortress surrounded by high black walls and it's always night on the dark side,’ replied Roderick.
‘Well if it's a black fortress with black walls and always dark, how do you know it exists at all? I mean it would be like looking for a black spot on a black carpet in the dark wouldn't it?’ retorted Angelina. ‘I mean have you ever seen the Black Castle?’
‘Err ahem, well, erm, sort of, I mean it must be there, everyone says it is, and besides if it wasn't then there would be no Black Knight, and if there was no Black Knight then there would be no Knightmares, and if there were no Knightmares then I wouldn't have to go chasing all over the place after them would I? Eh what! Sound logic that, dash it all,’ Roderick looked satisfied with his explanation.
The unicorn nuzzled Angelina again and this time spoke in a clear yet firm voice, ‘The Knightmares ride out wherever there are frightened children Angelina, the Black Knight forces them to do it, they are at his mercy. It is said that without fear in the world of humans the Black Knight and his fortress would be no more, but there is fear in the world Angelina, and so as long as there is fear, he will be there.’ Cornucopia looked at Roderick.
‘And so shall we tra la, and so shall we.’ added Roderick with a flurry of his arm which finally connected with the doomed teddy bear sending it somersaulting through the air.
‘I still want to know why you came here into my bedroom,’ began Angelina.
Roderick looked a little embarrassed and muttered, ‘Simple mistake, any chap could have gone wrong, all a bit confusing really. You see we were chasing this Knightmare and, well we sort of lost it. Could have sworn it turned left at that last cloud formation we passed.’ Roderick gazed off into space and scratched his helmet as if trying to re-live the moment.
‘You see Angelina the Knightmares rarely set foot in the human realm. They usually hover between the real world and Dreamland, waiting to pull you into their reality if you let them. It appears that this particular Knightmare ventured into the human world. We must lead it back to Dreamland or it will cause a lot of trouble,’ the unicorn looked concerned.
‘How can it cause trouble?’ asked Angelina.
‘If it stays in the human domain for too long, it will frighten other children, and the more children it frightens the more powerful the spell. If the spell gets too strong it will surely be lost to the Black Knight forever,’ Roderick spoke softly as if he were talking about an old friend.
‘I don't understand,’ said Angelina, ‘if it stays here and frightens children and the spell gets stronger then it will be lost, but when it goes back it is still under the magic of the Black Knight, sounds to me that it has a pretty tough time of it all things considered.’ Once again Angelina looked bewildered.
The unicorn shook her mane and sighed, Angelina saw a silver tear trickle down Cornucopia's beautiful face.
‘You see,’ began Cornucopia sadly, ‘The Knightmares were once knights of a different kind and were once Roderick's friends. They were part of the Knighthood of Dreamland, protectors of the dream realms. Some were placed under the spell of the Black Knight many ages ago Angelina, before time itself, so far back in ages past that many can no longer recall how they became captured under his dark magic. Others are locked up in deep dungeons awaiting the spells that will turn them into the Black Knight's minions. Some say the knights found the only thing that could defeat the Black Knight's magic and that he set a trap to capture them,’ Cornucopia looked distant as if remembering a time long ago.
Roderick stroked the Unicorn's head affectionately and looked at Angelina with watery eyes.
‘You see, we must try and find the Knightmares to protect them and try to break the spell so that they can become a part of the Knights of Dreamland again.’ Cornucopia sighed.
‘How do you break the spell?’ asked Angelina.
‘The Knightmares can only enter the realm of children where fear exists,’ answered Roderick, ‘If that fear is taken away the Knightmares move on to find another victim don’tcha see,’ continued Roderick as Cornucopia nodded in agreement, ‘but if the Knightmare itself becomes frightened, if that very fear upon which he feeds is turned against him, then....poof!!’ Roderick waved his arms about to emphasise the poofness of the situation.
‘Poof!’ exclaimed Angelina looking puzzled.
‘Poof indeed,’ returned Roderick, ‘the spell is broken and the Knightmares become Knights of Dreamland again, protectors of the realm, defenders-’
‘Yes, yes we know all that,’ interrupted Cornucopia, ‘however all this talking is not helping us to find the Knightmare is it?’
‘By Jove, I'd forgotten all about that, we must away, be off, sorry for the uninvited visit Miss, but we have work to do, deeds to accomplish, spells to vanquish, foes to fight, damsels to rescue,’ Roderick drew his sword and swished it through the air as if to fight off some unseen enemy. Unfortunately the hilt of his sword caught on the handle of the wardrobe door forcing Roderick off balance. He fell sideways careering into the bookcase scattering its contents once again across the floor.
CHAPTER 2
Cornucopia stamped her foot as Angelina helped Roderick to his feet.
‘Maybe I can come with you,’ ventured Angelina, ‘I could help you find the Knightmare and I could even scare it so that he turns back into a good Knight again,’ Angelina continued excitedly, ‘I'm not scared, really I'm not.’ Angelina stopped talking as a small voice fell on her ears.
‘I'm glad you said that!’ said the voice, ‘you can come with me.’
Through the wall appeared a miniature version of Cornucopia. A small white unicorn trotted playfully into the room and stood next to Angelina.
‘Allow me to introduce my daughter,’ said Cornucopia with an added brightness to her voice. ‘Tamarand, this is Angelina, Angelina please meet Tamarand.’
‘Oh she is beautiful,’ exclaimed Angelina stroking the small unicorn. ‘Can I really come with you, oh please can I?’
Roderick looked at Cornucopia and winked, ‘We were hoping you would ask us. Children have the power to frighten the Knightmares. Especially brave children who don't scare easily, just like you Angelina, we would be honoured to have you along, but we must hurry, every minute we stand here gossiping the Knightmare gets further away.’
‘We must return before the sun rises in your realm Angelina,’ began Cornucopia, there was a serious edge to her voice, ‘I must tell you there is danger. If you do not return here by the rising of the sun, you may never be able to return again. The Black Knight knows everything, especially when a human child enters his realm of darkness.’
‘Well I'm not scared and anyway you said that Knightmares can't hurt you, only fear can cause you harm, and I'm not scared so they can't hurt me can they? Anyway, Tamarand will see that I'm back by morning, won't you Tamarand?’ Tamarand nuzzled Angelina and nodded in agreement.
‘Very well then, we had best be off.’ Roderick climbed surprisingly gracefully onto Cornucopia's back and extending a hand helped Angelina climb onto Tamarand. Roderick raised his sword above his head, almost slicing the ceiling light in two and he began to recite a short poem.
Knights of Dreamland bold and bright,
Sworn protectors of the night,
With Unicorn so strong and wise,
Away, away fair steed arise.
The words of the rhyme echoed around the bedroom as the blue light gradually gathered about the party. Angelina's heart raced as they turned to face the wall next to her wardrobe. She closed her eyes tightly as they all disappeared through as if it were made of air.
CHAPTER 3
No one saw the dark shadow slide wraith like from beneath Angelina's bed. It slithered across the carpet towards the wardrobe where the small party had left the room. The shadow stopped and black smoke the colour of ink began to swirl up from the floor. A small whirlwind formed like a miniature tornado as it twisted towards the wall and vanished through as if in pursuit of something, or someone.
A pale blue mist that seemed to glow with a softly pulsating light surrounded the small party. Angelina felt quite warm and snug despite the fact that she was only wearing a thin cotton nightgown; it was as if the mist itself wrapped her in its own warmth. Gradually the haze began to clear and Angelina could see that they were flying. She saw the stars in the sky. They appeared so close that she felt all she had to do was simply reach out and touch one. Soft pink clouds floated aimlessly on the whispering breeze as the unicorns and riders drifted higher and higher into the night sky.
‘Where are we going Roderick?’ asked Angelina as she watched a small cloud drift past her.
‘Ah ha, yes well that is the question is it not m'dear. We go where the wind takes us. Wherever the shadows dwell that is our destination. At least I think it is, dashed if I can see a thing at the moment, eh what!’ replied Roderick in a muted voice.
Angelina noticed that although Roderick was in fact sitting the right way round on Cornucopia's back he had somehow managed to be wearing his helmet back to front giving the appearance that he was looking directly behind him.
‘Maybe it would help if you put your helmet on the right way round,’ giggled Angelina.
‘Eh, whasat y'say, must be going deaf too, speak up, can't hear a word,’ shouted Roderick.
‘Your helmet, oh brave and valiant one,’ mocked Cornucopia, ‘IT'S ON BACK TO FRONT.’
‘No need to shout, don'tcha know.’ Roderick grasped the shining helmet with both hands and twisted it the right way round, ‘Ah much better now I can see again.’
‘We must seek the Knightmare that tried to frighten you Angelina. It can’t be that far away and neither can it return to the dark side until it has frightened someone. You must keep a sharp eye out for it and if you see anything, whatever happens, do not be frightened. If the Knightmare manages to scare you here in Dreamland it could be very dangerous.’ Cornucopia spoke with concern in her voice.
‘Dangerous!’ gasped Angelina, ‘I thought you told me that Knightmares couldn't hurt you.’
‘Oh they can't hurt you,’ continued Cornucopia, ‘but if you get frightened here in Dreamland you might not be able to return to your own world. Fear itself can stop you from thinking clearly. Fear makes you panic and forces you to take decisions that you would not normally make if you were clear headed.’
Angelina looked down from her position on the back of her flying unicorn and she saw that she was surrounded by stars which twinkled brightly like fairy lights on a Christmas tree. As far as she could see there were millions of them, tiny pinpoints of light on a background of inky velvet. A shooting star flew brightly overhead leaving a silver trail as it disappeared from sight. The trio flew on ever upwards into the night.
CHAPTER 4
‘G..A.R.B.A.G.E, WHERE ARE YOU, YOU TREMBLING TWIT? THERE ARE HUMANS IN MY DOMAIN,’ the voice sounded like thick treacle as it echoed around the infinite blackness.
Gloomy shadows slithered along smooth dull walls as if trying to hide in even darker corners of the great hall. A shadowy image sat upon a black throne. It was draped in an inky cloak that flowed around the figure and onto the floor like heavy smoke. Covering its head sat a helmet of black steel from which sprouted two bat like wings that flapped as if they were trying to escape. Bright silver stars studded the helmet and appeared to shine giving a dull eerie glow to the otherwise inky atmosphere. A huge throne sat in the centre of a great chamber. It was not a throne studded with jewels and covered in gold leaf. It was a plain and cold throne formed of great smooth blocks of the blackest stone.
Within the darkest recesses of the dismal great room, ominous shadows hovered menacingly occasionally brought to life by the eerie flickering of a dim light cast by smoking torches that were set into chamber walls.
‘GARBAGE, I SAID THERE ARE HUMANS IN MY DOMAIN,’ the voice boomed causing the great chamber to shake.
A small thin trembling figure cowered on the stone floor at the foot of the throne.
‘I, I don't understand it your greatness, humans have rarely entered your domain before, I mean are you sure it’s a hum-’
‘AM I SURE, YOU QUIVERING WORM, AM I SURE?’ the voice of the Black Knight boomed like thunder as the thin figure shook with fear and tried to back away from the throne. A black-gloved hand studded with spikes pointed a menacing finger at the frightened minion called Garbage. The voice of the Black Knight lowered threateningly as it spoke.
‘Am I not all-knowing, lowly servant?’ the Knight asked slowly.
‘Y..Y..Y..Yes, oh great one,’ simpered the quivering Garbage.
‘And am I not all seeing?’ returned the Black Knight in a quiet but threatening voice.
‘Y..Y..Y.Yes, most certainly, oh great one.’ Garbage quaked and shook uncontrollably as the terrified minion crawled slowly back towards the throne.
‘And if I am all seeing and all knowing, then am I not always right?’ questioned the Knight in almost kindly tones.
‘Why, yes of course master, I did not mean to quest-’
‘THEN IF I SAY THERE ARE HUMANS HERE, THEN THERE ARE HUMANS HERE, YOU SNIVELING SLUG.’ The Black Knight rose from his throne. A gloved finger still pointed at the servant who was by now desperately trying to find an exit route away from its steadily advancing master.
An arc of silver fire shot from the finger. Slicing the dark air it landed with a deafening crack in front of the speedily retreating servant. Garbage stopped instantly in his desperate attempt to escape his master’s fury.
‘You will go and find this human child now and bring it to me,’ continued the Black Knight, ‘take Gremmen with you and do not fail me, or you will see the inside of the darkest, deepest pit I can find in my dungeons, DO YOU UNDERSTAND ME GARBAGE, YOU HEAP OF RUBBISH?’
‘YYYYYes, master. Immediately master. I'm going right this second master.’
‘GREMMEN, come GREMMEN.’ Garbage scurried across the floor of the chamber calling out as he disappeared into the shadows. A dark shape emerged from the roof and opening huge leathery wings it swooped down to the floor following the servant as it scurried hastily from the great room.
‘Idiot is bound to make a mess, but I have my spies, no-one escapes my eternal night, least of all a HUMAN,’ muttered the Black Knight with utter distaste.
A booming roar reverberated around the chamber like rolling thunder and a plume of dense black smoke glittered with tiny sparkles of light. The Black Knight vanished leaving only the inky gloom.
CHAPTER 5
‘Where are we going Roderick?’ asked Angelina as the small troop sailed ever upwards into the brightly starlit sky.
‘Young people today, no patience, no discipline, eh what! Why when I was a young squire I-’ Roderick rambled on.
‘We go where the shadows go Angelina. My senses tell me that there may be one close by. It may even be following us right this minute,’ interrupted Cornucopia as Roderick shot her an annoyed glance.
‘Do you think it was the shadow in my room?’ asked Angelina as Roderick muttered in the background, ‘I'm sure it must be you know.’
‘Quite possibly young madam, quite possibly and if I'm not mistaken, and I generally am not,’ Cornucopia rolled her eyes as Roderick continued, ‘I would think that our shadowy Knightmare is on our very tail right now. Smell 'em a mile off,’ Roderick sniffed loudly to emphasise his smelling abilities. ‘Yes sir, dash it all, boundah's probably right behind us and up to no good I would wonder. Reminds me of the time when-’
Angelina suddenly saw a dark shape shoot past her right side. It appeared so suddenly that she jumped. Tamarand turned her head towards Angelina and spoke softly, ‘Remember Angelina you must not show any fear no matter what you may see.’
The shape returned and darted under the legs of Cornucopia as if trying to scare the small party.
‘Well our visitor has finally arrived.’ said Cornucopia loudly, her voice showed no sign of any fear.
‘By Jove the cad, the rascal, why don'tcha show yourself you non-entity you, what’s the matter eh? Scared are you? Come on out and show yourself servant of the Black Knight.’
Roderick waved his arms about frantically in the air and attempted to draw his sword just to show who was in charge. Unfortunately he caught his armoured glove on his shield and lost his balance. Clawing wildly, Roderick gave a mighty heave to free the snagged glove. There was a tearing noise and Roderick completed a spectacular backward somersault off the back of Cornucopia. He yelled out and tumbled down and down through the dark night sky.
Cornucopia watched calmly as Roderick plummeted out of sight then, winking at Angelina, she swooped down after the plunging figure. Tamarand needed no encouragement and swiftly turned to follow. Angelina held on tightly as the two unicorns raced downwards in a steep dive. Roderick could be seen now tumbling over and over like a falling leaf. His arms were flailing as if seeking some purchase to stop his rapid descent. Cornucopia swooped past Roderick and executed a perfect mid flight loop bringing her smoothly up and underneath Roderick who landed on Cornucopia's broad back with an ungraceful flop.
‘Phew by George that was a close one,’ puffed the knight.
‘Do try and be more careful Roderick,’ Cornucopia sighed.
‘Are you all right?’ shouted Angelina as Tamarand glided gracefully to Cornucopia's side.
Roderick adjusted his armour and dusted himself down, ‘Fine thank you, just a slight mishap, eh what, now where is that shadowy creature? Make me fall of my mount would he? I’ll show the cad.’ Roderick waved his sword in the air.
‘Now don't get excited again Roderick, I may not catch you next time,’ scorned Cornucopia.
Just then the dark shape swooped in front of Tamarand and made a screeching noise. Angelina was startled but remained calm. Tamarand turned and nuzzled Angelina's leg as if to give her comfort then turned and spoke to the shadow that was trying its hardest to scare everyone,
‘Oh yes very scary I'm sure. Look at me I'm absolutely terrified. See I can't stop shaking......with laughter.’ Tamarand threw back her head and laughed as heartily as she could. Cornucopia did the same.
The shadow hovered menacingly. Angelina's heart raced as she waited for it to do something horrible. The black shape emitted a rather feeble screech that sounded more like a whine than a howl. It waved what could be taken for its arms in a last, and unconvincing, attempt to scare everyone then finally gave up and just hovered there. Slowly the shape took form and Angelina saw the outline of a small black pony. A black pony in a dark sky was hard to see, but Angelina could now clearly see the pony and it was sniffing.
‘Oh bother, bother, bother, bother now I'm for it,’ sniveled the pony, ‘my master will lock me up for sure, why aren't you scared, you’re a human child, all children are scared of me, why do you have to be different, oh bother, bother, bother!’ The pony stamped his hoof but it had no effect in the still night air.
‘Well you shouldn't go around trying to scare people then should you? How would you like to be frightened,’ and with newfound bravery Angelina sat upright and screamed her loudest scream. The black pony leapt with fright and shot behind Cornucopia quivering.
‘Don't let her near me, don't, don't, don't, what are you going to do with me, oh doom, oh dear, oh bother, bother, bother.’ The pony started to cry in loud sobs as it tried to hide behind Cornucopia.
‘Well perhaps that will teach you a lesson m'lad,’ said Roderick, ‘can’t go around dishing out what you can't take yourself y'know.’
‘No-one is going to hurt you, stop crying and you can tell us why you were sent here to scare us,’ Cornucopia said in a kindly voice.
The pony, still trembling, poked a tear stained head over Cornucopia's back and slowly emerged to stand in front of the group.
‘I...I...I was sent by the B...B...Black Knight,’ stammered the frightened pony, ‘It was me who tried to scare the human child in her realm. I hate to do it, I really do, but he makes me and if I fail then he locks me up with no supper. He does that with all my friends.’ The pony shook his head sadly.
Angelina wiped a tear from her eye, it was a sad sight to see, and even if the creature had tried to frighten her, Angelina felt very sorry for it.
‘Well we can help you,’ replied Cornucopia softly. ‘If you help us we may be able to set you free and you could return to the Knights of Dreamland.
‘Oh yes please help me, I will do anything you say. Anything at all,’ said the pony brightly.
‘Well first you must take us to the Black Castle and help us to free your friends, only then when you have proven your bravery will you be able to return to Dreamland,’ said Cornucopia.
‘I will I promise,’ said the pony sincerely.
Angelina leaned over and patted the black pony gently, ‘What's your name?’ she asked.
‘My real name is Mara, that is before the Black Knight caught me and cast his wicked spell. Ever since that fateful day he has called me Creeper, it's a horrible name.’ The pony shuffled its hooves and looked embarrassed.
‘Well, I will call you Mara,’ said Angelina, ‘Come on then we had better make our way to the Black Castle and see if we can free some of your other friends, what do you say Roderick?’
‘Absolutely eh what, spiffing good show, Come on then, into the breach n'all that,’ Roderick waved his arm in a sweeping arc and bid everyone fall in line behind him.
The little brave band led by Sir Roderick once more rode up into the starry sky.
CHAPTER 6
‘Gremmen where are you?’ repeated Garbage whilst shuffling through a particularly slimy part of the undergrowth.
The forest was called Darkwood and it bordered the realm of Dreamland. Having been dispatched by the Black Knight to find the human child, Gremmen and Garbage had made their way through the dingy forest in the hope that they would trap the human child and its followers. To avoid discovery they had kept off the main pathways and travelled through the deepest part of the forest and now Gremmen was nowhere to be found.
‘Gremmen where are you, you slime ball,’ Garbage looked around and all that could be seen were the ominous silhouetted shapes of gnarled and ancient trees that grew densely in the forest.
Suddenly there was an almighty crash followed by a terrifying screeching noise. Out from behind the bushes hurtled a black shape that crashed directly into Garbage sending the creature flying backwards into a muddy puddle.
‘Help help it’s a monster help,’ screamed the terrified Garbage trying desperately to push off the attacking monster.
‘It’s you!’ spluttered the black shape as it wiped sticky mud and dead leaves from its flaming red eyes.
‘Of course it’s me, you nearly scared me half to death, you clumsy oaf,’ muttered a relieved Garbage finally recognising the assailant as Gremmen.
‘What were you doing back there anyway?’ whined Garbage.
Gremmen continued to wipe the mud off himself and replied calmly, ‘I've found the human child, and instead of rummaging around the forest like a scared rabbit, like you, I have been busy so why don’t you pick yourself up off the floor and follow me and do try and keep up this time.’
Garbage muttered and followed Gremmen reluctantly into the wet foliage. After a short while the trees gradually became less dense and the strange pair approached a steep rise. Climbing up the slippery slope to the ridge of the hill, Garbage peered over the top and grinned menacingly, he turned to Gremmen and sneered,
‘Seems that for once you're right. I can see five creatures and it looks like two of them are unicorns,’ Garbage squinted. ‘and a rather emaciated pony. Wait I can see something else. Yes, errm, I mean no. It can't be. It’s a knight and he has a human child with him.’
Garbage twitched nervously as black smoke started to swirl around him. ‘Gremmen go and see if you can find out what they are doing, but don't let them see you. GO.’ Garbage yelled.
Gremmen sneered at Garbage resenting the minion's tone of voice then, unfurling his leathery black wings, launched himself into the dark starless sky and headed towards Roderick and Angelina leaving Garbage to make his own way down the hill.
CHAPTER 7
‘Look Angelina, over there can you see the forest?’ Tamarand asked excitedly.
Angelina could just make out a line of trees in the distance as Cornucopia began descending towards the forest. Closer and closer they flew until the unicorn landed softly on a patch of moss. Cornucopia turned her powerful head and blinked soft blue eyes as she spoke.
‘We must be very careful everyone, this is Darkwood forest and we are now in the realm of darkness. This is the domain of the Black Knight,’ Cornucopia spoke slowly and carefully to emphasise the danger ahead.
Roderick dismounted and lowered the visor of his helmet. Angelina thought this made him look very brave. Climbing down carefully from Tamarand's back she stood beside Roderick.
‘You do look brave,’ she said complimenting her friend. Roderick waved his arms about, ‘what’s the matter, are you trying to say something?’ Angelina continued.
As much as Roderick tried to reply all that could be heard was a muted muffled grunt. ‘Mmmm mm Mmm Umm Mmmm,’ muttered Roderick.
‘I can't understand you Roderick what are you saying?’ asked Angelina.
‘Ummm MMM UMMM!!’ replied Roderick.
‘Why don't you put your visor back up Roderick then we can all hear you properly,’ suggested Cornucopia.
Roderick pushed the visor up with a resounding clang, ‘I was trying to say that we must all stick together. Mara will lead the way to the Black Castle and we shall all fall in behind him. Be on your guard and remember Angelina, fear is your worst enemy. Whatever you do be careful of the, AGGGhhhhGhhh,’ Roderick yelped and shot forward in a flying dive onto the mossy forest floor.
‘Be careful of what Roderick?’ asked Angelina trying desperately to hide a smirk.
‘The undergrowth,’ said Roderick pulling himself up and removing bits of slimy moss from his helmet.
The forest looked particularly dark to Angelina as they entered Darkwood. Mara took the lead and Cornucopia, Roderick, and Angelina followed closely behind. Tamarand brought up the rear.
After several hours of scrabbling through the wild undergrowth and feeling very tired, Angelina sat down on a grassy hump under an old gnarled tree.
‘I'm very tired, can't we sit down for a short while until I get my breath back?’ asked Angelina panting.
Mara stopped. He turned his head and called for Tamarand and Cornucopia to rest. Roderick sat down with a resounding clank of his armour.
‘Just for a very short while then,’ gasped Roderick. ‘Can't be too careful y'know. Why I remember the time when I was on a noble quest, we had travelled for miles and miles when we sat down for a short rest, just like we are now. Then out of the blue, no warning, Pfoom!!’ Roderick puffed out his cheeks and blew loudly to demonstrate the type of pfoom he described.
‘Pfoom,’ asked Angelina, ‘what went Pfoom?’
‘Why the Black Knight, that's what,’ replied Roderick. ‘Arrived in a Pfoom of black smoke he did right in front of our very eyes.’
‘What did you do?’ gasped Angelina excitedly.
‘What any brave Knight would do in the face of such evil,’ replied Roderick.
‘He climbed on my back and I flew him out of danger. That's what brave Knights do,’ mocked Cornucopia.
‘What, no no no, well I mean yes .....eventually, yes we did take flight, so to speak, but not after I gave that evil Knight a piece of my mind, eh what,’ Roderick was clearly being defensive.
‘You waved your sword at him and called him a mad bat actually,’ Cornucopia chuckled.
‘Yes well there you go then, see I told him all right,’ Roderick folded his arms and tried to look brave and fierce.
‘Yes I do agree with you there Roderick, you did call him a mad bat, whilst making a hasty retreat with my help,’ Cornucopia laughed gaily and the others soon joined in, even Roderick guffawed.
CHAPTER 8
The sound of laughter faded as a voice strong and clear cut through the frivolity.
‘Excuse me everyone,’ It was the voice of Mara. No longer did his normally timid voice show any sign of shyness or doubt. For the majority of journey Mara had simply kept quiet following close behind the small band, only replying shyly when required, but now it was a strong and firm voice that could be heard. ‘Excuse me but I feel a presence close by,’ continued Mara.
Everyone turned to look at Mara and what they saw astonished them. The young pony, who only hours before was a frightened and timid creature, no longer appeared as the small-framed pony they all recognised. Mara’s features had taken the form of a fully-grown unicorn. A coat as black as raven and shining like velvet adorned his muscular frame and from his sleek head rose a spiral horn which appeared to be made of polished stone.
‘Mara what happened to you?’ asked an astounded Angelina, ‘you've changed, why you’re beautiful.’
Mara nodded his head towards the child, ‘I shall sing you an ancient song Angelina. Listen well to the words and you will understand what has occurred.’ Lifting his head Mara began to sing.
In days of old, an age long gone,
there was no darkness only sun,
then humans came and with them fear,
dark forces gathered ever near.
And then one day the darkness came
a Knight of evil thought did reign
so strong he grew on human dread
that all the good and kind had fled.
T'was on that day the Knights were born
to rid the world of all its scorn
they came from afar when they heard the plight,
and joined the brotherhood of Knights.
But hear me well and take your heed,
the Black Knight's power is strong indeed,
a spell once cast by his evil hand,
will bring you under his command.
A minion then will you become,
a Knightmare's life has just begun.
All is not lost do not despair,
spells can be broken by a child who cares.
When fear itself is turned around,
the one who’s cursed it will astound.
The Black Knight's spell will be destroyed
a Knight of Dreamland once more will ride.
‘And it was all thanks to you human child,’ continued the transformed Mara. ‘You see it all began when you frightened me. Just after I first tried to scare you. When I became terrified of you the spell cast upon me by the Black Knight was broken, but not completely. The curse was very powerful and for many years did I serve that Black Knight. As my strength returned through your love and compassion,’ Mara looked at everyone with deep emotion, ‘so the spell gradually became weaker and weaker until I was fully restored to my former self. It is all thanks to you Angelina, only when a human child turns fear against one of the Black Knight's minions can the spell be vanquished.’ Mara gave Angelina a gentle push to show his gratitude.
Roderick walked over to the black unicorn and asked softly, ‘Then who are you?’ he asked resting his hand upon Mara's head.
Mara seemed to stand very tall and proud as he replied. ‘I am Mara of Dreamland, order of the Brotherhood of Knights, and my master is Sir Michaelmas the Bold, commander of the brotherhood of all the brave Knights of Dreamland.’
‘But I thought Sir Michaelmas was destroyed in the great battle with the Black Knight,’ replied Roderick.
‘My master of whom you speak was not destroyed, although I fear his fate is now much worse,’ replied Mara, ‘The Black Knight cast a powerful spell upon both Sir Michaelmas and myself whilst we were occupied in battle fighting off many of the Black Knight's minions. The spell was very strong and we stood little chance, and now,’ Mara hesitated, ‘and now he is one of the Black Knight's strongest warriors.’ A glistening tear rolled down the unicorn's face as he retold the painful event.
‘The spell must be broken or he will remain forever under that terrible curse. He will also remain our enemy and loyal only to the Black Knight himself,’ Mara shook her mane to flick away the tears.
‘Well we must rescue him, eh what, we shall go and break the spell and release Sir Michaelmas, why he was my greatest friend, we went to Knight school together,’ Roderick patted Mara's head, ‘Do not worry Mara of Dreamland we will not fail you, we shall overcome this evil Knight and give him a thing or two to think about, dash it all eh what.’
Mara nuzzled against Roderick and spoke again, ‘The presence I felt earlier is getting closer we must leave this place and move onwards my friends we have much work ahead of us if we are to free my master.’ Mara then turned to face Angelina, ‘You have been very brave Angelina, but I fear there are terrors in store that are beyond even your imagination. The Black Knight is powerful and his minions are under a potent spell. The minions can cause you great fear if you are not on your guard, but all can be overcome if you face that fear and stare it in the eye,’ Mara nodded her head and continued, ‘remember Angelina, only fear itself can cause you harm, remember well brave one.’
‘I will be brave and I won’t let you down Mara, I won't let any of you down, I'm so pleased that you are a unicorn again, but you were quite sweet as a pony,’ replied Angelina.
‘Then let us be off, we have battles to fight, spells to vanquish, deeds to fulfil,’ Roderick drew his sword and thrust it skyward. Unfortunately he happened to be standing under a large branch and his sword pierced the hard wood and embedded itself firmly. Roderick marched forward and was suddenly lifted from his feet by the unyielding sword. With a surprised yelp he catapulted backwards into the air landing on the ground with a loud thud. The sword bounced from side to side firmly lodged in the bough of the tree.
‘Oh Roderick do stop playing soldiers will you we do have work to do you know,’ scolded Cornucopia.
With Mara leading the way followed by Cornucopia and Tamarand, the brave little group made their way deeper into Darkwood.
CHAPTER 9
Gremmen circled high above the forest like a vulture awaiting its prey. The winged beast suddenly turned and swooped down towards the forest at terrifying speed like a bird of prey swooping on its quarry. Keeping a safe distance, Gremmen landed in a small cluster of dense trees. Inky black smoke swirled around his great body until nothing more of his awesome form could be seen. Gremmen had used his magical powers to make himself totally invisible. He moved forward and sniffed the air.
‘I smell human child,’ thought Gremmen to himself, ‘so close I could almost touch it. The master will be pleased with me, and as for that slug Garbage, I shall finish it off and take all the credit for myself.’
With an evil chuckle Gremmen took to flight once again and headed towards the source of the scent. Flying low over the forest Gremmen spotted the human child with its friends and circled directly above them invisible to human sight.
Mara stopped in his tracks and stepped slowly back towards Cornucopia. He appeared to be whispering in the Unicorn's ear. Suddenly Mara darted into the dense bushes to the left and Cornucopia responded likewise only she went to the right. Roderick twisted his head from side to side looking thoroughly confused.
‘Where did they go, dash it all they could have conferred with me, after all I am in charge eh what,’ Roderick bustled about looking behind the trees and bushes for the missing unicorns.
‘I'm sure they will be back very shortly Roderick. You had better take the lead now,’ said Angelina, she too was a little concerned at the sudden disappearance of the two unicorns.
Roderick, Tamarand and Angelina walked on a little nervously when suddenly there was a loud squeal followed by a screech that could only be described as a low moaning and groaning. Out of the forest trotted Cornucopia and behind her, looking very bedraggled, was a very wet and slimy elf like creature. It had distinct gnomish features, a big nose and deep set eyes with long pointed ears and it was dripping with weeds and mud.
‘That was unfair,’ grumbled the creature, ‘I don't like wet things and I definitely don't like horses sitting on my head either.’
‘I am not a horse, I am a unicorn, and I did not sit on your head! I pushed you into a muddy bog because you were spying on us,’ remarked Cornucopia haughtily.
‘The mud encrusted creature flopped onto the forest floor in a dripping heap, ‘Oh no, now I'm for it, you don't know how much trouble you have got me into now, I'll be mincemeat when he finds out,’ wailed the elf.
‘Perhaps you had better tell us who you are and why the Black Knight sent you,’ asked Cornucopia.
‘I don't know what you mean,’ replied the nervous elf. ‘Black who, never heard of him, you must have me mistaken with someone else. No, sorry, definitely can't help you there. Well nice meeting you, must be off,’ the elf shuffled its feet and began to sidle off in a vain attempt to make an escape.
Roderick pointed his drawn sword at the creature, ‘I wouldn't do that if I were you.’ The elf cowered. ‘You just said that if he finds out you would be in trouble. I think you're lying elf, and furthermore I think that I may have to do some prodding with this very sharp sword if you don’t tell us the truth,’ Roderick gave the elf a prod with his sword as it yelped, ‘Oh eugh, oh dear what's that awful smell?’ Roderick held his nose and grimaced.
The elf winced at the cold steel then flopped to the ground dejectedly. ‘It's me I'm afraid,’ said the elf, ‘my name is Garbage, or at least that's what he calls me, I've forgotten my real name, it’s been so long now,’ Garbage sniffed an exceptionally loud and soggy sniff before continuing. ‘The Black Knight of whom you speak wants the child. I was sent to capture it, but now I've failed and he doesn't like failures,’ The elf hung its head miserably and a piece of wet weed slithered down its nose onto the moss floor.
Angelina stepped up to the hapless figure and touched a soggy arm kindly, ‘Are you under his spell like the other minions?’ she asked with genuine concern.
‘Yes and there is nothing that can be done, I am lost. A lost, wretched, miserable failure. I couldn't even scare anything properly if I tried. I deserve to be what I am,’ moaned the elf dejectedly.
Angelina moved closer to the sad figure. The smell was revolting and it took all the strength that she could muster to stop herself from gagging on the obnoxious odour. Angelina placed her mouth next to the elf’s pointed ear and whispered, ‘It will be all right just you see,’ then without warning she screamed as loud as she could and made a dreadful face whilst leaping up and down in front of the dumbstruck creature. The poor terrified elf shot into the air and dived behind a bush in horror landing squarely on its back in the muddy bog from which it emerged earlier.
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