again.” He looked around at the others. “What do you reckon?”
They all nodded. “Good plan!”
“What about the Sergeant?” said one. “If he sees us he’ll go mad.”
The first mouse shrugged. “He’s inside somewhere. Probably in the kitchens stuffing his face. I bet he’ll never notice. Come on!”
They all ambled off around the side of the castle.
Nutmeg shivered. “They’re horrible!”
But Rosa’s mind was racing with what the mice had just said. “Did you hear what they were talking about? King Rat’s out and they are going to take a break. Oh, Nutmeg! Why don’t we try to get into the castle right now?”
“But it’s daytime and Cressida is on the lake.”
“So? We can hide somewhere inside until the sun sets and she comes back. It’s the perfect opportunity. Come on! Let’s see if there’s a door or window open.”
Rosa started to hurry through the trees towards the castle.
“Wait, Rosa!” exclaimed Nutmeg, flying after her. “It’s too dangerous! The guards might change their minds and come back.”
“Then we’d better be as quick as possible,” said Rosa. “It’s now or never!”
“No! I don’t think we should,” Nutmeg insisted. “Look, let’s just stay here for a little while longer and see if we can think of another plan. Come on! I’m going back to the lake.”
She flew back towards the lake. Rosa hesitated. She thought of the poor secret princess. She had to help her! Surely getting into the castle was the only way and while the guards were taking a break it was the perfect opportunity! I’m going to try and get in whether Nutmeg wants to come or not, she decided impulsively. And she began to hurry through the trees.
Rosa’s eyes scanned the castle, but the only windows that were open were right up at the top of the tower. There was a small door to the right of the main entrance. Maybe that would be unlocked?
A short stretch of grass separated the wood and the castle. She took a deep breath and ran across it. Reaching the small door, she turned the handle…locked! Suddenly she heard a sharp voice from around the side of the castle…
“I can’t believe you lot. Get back to patrolling the castle right now! Lying around! Lazing about! Honestly. I can’t trust you for a second! If King Rat catches you he’ll have your guts for garters. Come on! Hup two, hup two!”
There was the sound of general mumbling and grumbling and the stamp of boots heading towards the front of the castle.
Rosa froze to the spot. The guards were coming! She looked round desperately. Where could she hide? There were some giant pots that looked like they had once had plants in them.
Rosa raced to the nearest one and scrambled inside. The bottom was covered with old dry soil and as she landed, it blew up in clouds around her. She could feel a sneeze tickling in her nose…
She covered her face with her hands as the grumbling guards came around the side of the building. Rosa could hear them passing near the plant pot and felt the sneeze building. She pinched her nose but she couldn’t stop it! “A…a…ACHOO!”
“What was that?” the leader’s voice snapped out.
The guards’ footsteps stopped.
“There’s someone hiding!” said the Sergeant. “Find them!”
Rosa huddled down in the bottom of the plant pot, her heart beating painfully against her ribcage. Please don’t look in here, she thought as footsteps echoed around her…
Too late…A pointed face peered over the edge of the plant pot before shrieking out loudly. “Oi, Sarge! I’ve found someone! I’ve found someone!”
“Get them out then, Mangy Tail!”
The flowerpot was tipped over roughly and Rosa tumbled out. She scrambled to her feet, scared, dusty and dishevelled.
“Who are you?” the Sergeant demanded.
“N…no one!” Rosa stammered.
“I bet she’s trying to help that silly princess, Sarge,” said the mouse. “I bet she’s a spy!”
The Sergeant nodded. “Take her to the dungeons!”
“No!” gasped Rosa. But Mangy Tail and another mouse took her by the arms. They were very strong and although she kicked and struggled they had no problem holding on to her.
“Stop your wriggling, Prisoner!” snarled the Sergeant, poking her with the hilt of his sword.
Hastily Rosa did as she was told. She was dragged into the castle and through a big entrance hall before being pushed down a long flight of stairs. The Sergeant clambered round her and opened a heavy door ahead. “In there!” he ordered.
He pushed Rosa hard through the doorway. She fell over and heard a bolt being pushed firmly across the door on the other side.
“You’ll stay there until we tell King Rat about you!” snapped the Sergeant through the door. “Mangy Tail and Whiskers, you guard her.”
“Yes, Sarge!” said two eager voices.
Rosa’s heart sank at the sound of heavy feet traipsing away and the two guards talking in low voices outside the door.
She shivered as she looked around her. The room was very small with no windows.
Rosa bit her lip. How could she have been silly enough to think she could get into the castle so easily? She was trapped!
And what about King Rat? What would he do to her? And how would Nutmeg feel when she realised Rosa was missing? If the fairy had seen her being captured she would be so worried. Rosa felt awful. She had let her new friend down. There she’d gone again, just charging in without thinking.
I should never have headed off like that, she thought in despair. I’ve just made it all worse.
She
