Circle Sea 1: The Pirate Maze

Chapter 23: Return Journey

It was completely silent for what seemed like an eternity. Polly wondered if something had gone wrong and they had somehow become trapped at the bottom of the well themselves.

After a while she heard scrabbling noises and then the sound of a flint striking as Mike lit one of the lanterns.

She could see Mike and Jim in the flickering light. They were trying to see what had happened. She looked behind her and there was no sign of the doorway. It had completely disappeared. Without the Needle, there was no way that they could open it again.

Mister Darnell propped himself up on his elbows and blinked as his eyes adjusted to the darkness.

'That's that then,' he said with a certain amount of satisfaction.

Polly picked herself up from the floor and clambered over to Elizabeth who had tripped over her torn dress and was now sprawled on the ground in a heap.

'Are they really trapped in there forever?' she asked quietly.

'I sincerely hope so,' Darnell replied as he slowly stood up and dusted himself down. 'I certainly wouldn't want to see Hadrian Dawlish again after what we just did to him...'

He patted the smooth side of the strange stony features where the door had been only minutes before.

'The stronghold was created so something dangerous could be kept safe from those who might misuse it... I think we've definitely achieved that today. A job well done.'

He turned around again with a soft smile on his face. Polly thought he had a few mixed feelings about the conclusion of their adventure.

'He was your friend, wasn't he?'

Darnell nodded sadly.

'Yes, he was,' he replied quietly. 'We first met when I really needed someone to pick me up and give me some hope. He did that for me... but there comes a point when it's not enough. As Miss Elizabeth here reminded us so eloquently, there are some things that are more important...'

He helped the Governor's daughter to her feet.

'Are you in one piece?' he asked.

She nodded as she looked around shyly.

'You did well in there,' he said encouragingly. 'I meant it when I said your parents would be proud.'

'Thank you,' she said quietly. 'What can I call you?'

He laughed.

'Well, like dear Hadrian I have had a few names in my time, but I think you can call me Darnell. I've been using it for a while and I've become used to it.'

He pulled himself together and pulled the map from his pocket.

'It's time we were off though,' he said definitely. 'We still need to work our way back through the maze and get off the island before dawn if we're going to get this young lady back to her mother tomorrow... and our supplies won't last forever you know...'

It took a long time to reach the other side of the pirate maze. The traps were still active and the group was beginning to get very tired. Eventually they emerged back into the moonlight and carefully crossed the old stone bridge.

'Look,' said Mike as he pointed over the edge. 'The Unicorn's still there!'

'Good,' responded Darnell. 'Hopefully they'll sit and wait for the Captain and we can get away unnoticed. We'd better keep an eye out though. There's always the possibility that there are more pirates ashore, so let's tread carefully...'

As they crossed the island Polly walked with Elizabeth. The Governor's daughter seemed very subdued after her experiences in the stronghold.

'You were very brave,' said Polly. 'I don't think I could have done what you did in there.'

Elizabeth shrugged.

'I didn't feel brave,' she replied. 'I really thought I was going to die. I just... well, I just did what seemed right at the time... I couldn't have thrown it like you did though. That was quite something!'

'Thanks,' said Polly. 'But it wasn't much really. I've just had a lot of practice.'

'You'll have to teach me,' Elizabeth said. 'I don't get a lot of opportunities to throw things. It's all books, needlework and duty.'

Polly laughed.

'You need a teacher like our Darnell,' she said happily. 'His lessons are always interesting.'

'I hope they're not all like this. Life and death struggles with pirates would be a bit much every day!'

The two girls laughed as they slowly began to relax. They were soon chatting like old friends. There is nothing like a brush with death to bring people together.

It was still dark when they reached the tiny cove and climbed down the old steps to the hidden beach. The boat was still there and the four children helped Darnell push it back into the water. The sails were soon unfurled and they were drifting out to sea.

'We'll be going with the current,' Darnell said as they looked back at the dark shape of the island. 'It shouldn't take as long to return home as it did to get here.'

They watched the island grow smaller as the first light of dawn began to reveal its huge and ominous shape. Before long most of them were fast asleep.

Polly lay awake for a while, curled up in the prow of the boat. She watched Darnell work as he set a course for home.

'Thank you,' she said quietly.

He smiled.

'No problem, Polly Jones,' he replied.

She looked at his weather beaten face. There were a few stories still locked away in this old sailor she thought to herself.

'What will you do?' she asked.

He shrugged.

'I'm not sure yet,' he replied. 'There's still a price on my head you know, and I don't think young Elizabeth will be able to save me from the gallows if I'm caught... I do still have a job to do though...'

'A job?'

'Absolutely!' He laughed. 'Once a teacher, always a teacher, after all. You two... sorry, you four... still have a lot to learn and I fully intend to do my bit. I will just need to do it differently, that's all.'

He laughed again as the sun began to rise. He looked at home on the sea and Polly realised how little she really knew about their mysterious teacher.

'Sleep now, young Polly,' he said in his kindly voice. 'I'll wake you in a while and you can take your share at the tiller.'

She closed her eyes and wiggled a little to get comfortable. Before long she too was fast asleep.