The Stargazer - chapter 2

Willow couldn't’t sleep.  No matter how she twisted and turned she just couldn't’t get comfortable.  In her mind, she unconsciously ran over the legend her father had told.  She started to formulate a plan…1

In the end she couldn't’t stand it any longer.  She got out of bed and tiptoed across to Sparrows bed.2

“Sparrow?” She whispered uncertainly as she stared at his blank face.  Suddenly his eyes opened wide and stared silently back at her.  He was crying.  Seeing him looking so mournful and pathetic, Willow held him close and said softly; “Do you miss Mama?” Sparrow merely nodded his head, the tears now spilling off his face.  “Shhhh” said willow soothingly.  “I have an idea.  We can find the Stargazer and go to see Mama.”3

“B-b-b-but she only sees people every millennium!” he blubbed, barley audible.4

“I know, I know.  I worked out that it opens in 3 months.  So all we need to do is get there.”5

“How are we going to do that?”6

“We’ll use Percy, he can be our pack pony” (Percy was a black Shetland pony.  As tough as old boots.  Literally!) “And you can get 2 more horses-for us to ride”7

“But we don’t have enough money to buy decent swords! Let alone two horses!” Replied Sparrow.8

“That’s where you come in.”9

He nodded and whispered “you want me to steal 3 horses and 2 swords?!”10

“Listen carefully.  Tomorrow I get up earlier than anyone else.  I will get Percy and the saddle bags and fill them with food.  I’ll ride Percy to the horse fair at Swinsworth and meet you there.  You can bring the best swords you can steal plus our daggers and run to Swinsworth.”  She saw Sparrows appalled look and said stubbornly “It’s only a quarter of a mile Sparrow!”11

“Yes but-“12

Willow interrupted him and carried on; you will have to steal horses that are fairly tough, fast and can resist high temperatures.   You know your horse breeds better than me.”13

Sparrow nodded and replied “Arabs would be best.  By the way, you’ll have to pull Percy’s mane; it’ll make him too hot otherwise.”14

Willow agreed.  They would have to cross hot, barren lands, forests and mountains.15

“Then we’ll ride to Mirror City.”16

“Tomorrow, we travel!”17

Willow looked out of the window to the east, where the sun was rising like a red hot iron bouncy ball, bouncing from the green earth.18

“I think you mean today” she replied, “Oh, and Sparrow.” 19

“Yes?”20

“Don’t tell papa!”21