Page 75 of Tattered Huntress
I left the beach and plunged up the pathway. Stinging nettles and brambles caught at my skin, occasionally tearing at the bandages on my injured hand. I grimaced; the bandages were already damp from the sea spray and the last thing I needed was for infection to set in. I raised my arm high in the air and continued awkwardly, like a school child in a classroom desperate to be chosen to answer their teacher’s question. I guessed that so far my career as a treasure hunter had indeedbeen an education, albeit one fraught with danger and foolhardy choices.
The ugly cement lookout was on the other side of the island, facing the sea rather than Edinburgh and the mainland shore. That was hardly surprising, but it was annoying because I wouldn’t be able to watch Hugo and Humphrey arrive. However my main priority was staying safe from the selkies so I headed straight for it.
As I crested the highest point on the island and glanced to my left, my breath caught in my chest.
‘There,’ Otis breathed, as awestruck as I was. ‘There is the gold.’
Down below, in a small dip surrounded by dandelions, were three wooden chests. The old magic that surrounded them was potent enough to make my eyes water. It must have taken incredible power to conceal them so effectively for centuries. When the key was re-formed at Loch Arkaig, it wasn’t only the mirage of Cramond that had appeared: so had the antique chests filled with Jacobean gold.
I licked my lips, a surge of triumphant glee filling my veins, but I didn’t go towards them and take a peek. This wasn’t the time to have a rummage.
I turned away and looked towards the old lookout post instead. It wasn’t perfect but it would have to do. Ignoring my wet jeans flapping around my legs, I jogged down and went in through the entrance at the side.
It wasn’t a comfortable place to rest – there was nothing inside except the dirt on the ground, a few random sticks and stones and a pervasive smell of urine – but it would conceal me. I peered out of the small viewing slots set into the walls. I couldn’t see any selkies in the open water but I knew they were out there.
I beckoned to Otis and Hester and drew them in close, thenstood in the very centre of the lookout and concentrated on my air magic. It stilled the breeze around the lookout and created an invisible barrier through which my scent wouldn’t travel. It wouldn’t be enough to fool any selkie that came close, and it certainly wouldn’t prevent them from coming inside to find me, but hopefully it would be enough to keep my presence secret.
All we had to do now was hunker down, stay quiet, and wait for low tide to arrive yet again.
I’d estimatedaround five hours before the selkies returned to deeper water and the stone walkway on the opposite side of Cramond Island reappeared as the tide turned. I wasn’t far wrong; after four-and-a-half hours of shivering while dusk and then nightfall fell, I heard the echoing hoots of the selkies rippling across the water as they swam away. If any of them had come onto the island, they hadn’t ventured near me. It was almost an anti-climax. Almost.
I emerged from my hideout and stretched my aching limbs, then cracked my knuckles in anticipation. It wouldn’t be long before Hugo and Humphrey arrived from the mainland.
I sent Otis and Hester off to check; they could flit close enough to see if my competitors were on their way without being noticed. After they’d gone, I headed for the treasure chests and finally gave rein to my eagerness to see what they contained.
The chests, with their warped oak and rusted hinges, certainly looked old. Avoiding the dandelions, I circled around them; I didn’t want to trample on anything and leave a trace of myself.
After three complete circuits, I inhaled deeply and reached for the nearest chest. It was fastened by an ancient-lookingpadlock. It appeared to be a simple mechanism. Concentrating hard, I sent a burst of water magic towards it and the jet of water did its work. There was a faint snick as the lock burst open. I grinned and flipped open the chest.
It was full to the brim. Awe-struck, I stared at the shimmering gold coins before reaching in and picking one up. When I held it up, its shiny edge caught in the moonlight. I hefted it in my hands then raised it to my mouth, biting down on a corner in the same way I’d seen people do in films. Satisfied it was what I’d expected, I tossed the coin into the chest where it made a pleasing clink. Excellent.
I reached across, closed the chest and ensured the padlock was once again in place.
There was a rustle of leaves as Hester and Otis reappeared. ‘They’re on their way!’ Hester screeched. ‘Hugo is in the lead. He’s going to get to the treasure first!’
Otis buzzed his anxiety. ‘We can still return to the old lookout and hide there until all this is over. Nobody will ever know we were here.’
‘It’s too late for that.’ I smiled. ‘I was here first. I win.’
‘You’re out of the competition!’
I shrugged then spun on my heel and headed for a clump of bushes on the slope above the chests. I’d hide there for now; between the thick foliage and the dark sky it would be safe enough, though I doubted I’d stay hidden for long.
I made myself comfortable and adjusted my position until I had a clear view. The brownies joined me, their tiny bodies vibrating with anticipation. It was as well they did because seconds later I heard the crash of approaching footsteps.
Even without Hester’s warning, I’d expected Hugo to be first. Humphrey had never shown himself to be particularly fast or strong, and Hugo was an experienced treasure hunter who moved quickly and seemed to have a nose for precious metal.Maybe, I thought sardonically, that was what life was like when you were a high elf. The rest of us smelled flowers and shit. The likes of Hugo Pemberville smelled gold.
I was right. Before too long his familiar figure appeared at the top of the gentle slope opposite my hiding spot. His blue eyes immediately lit on the chests and a dimple formed in his cheek as he grinned to himself. My heart skipped a beat and I scowled. Then Hugo strode down to the chests and laid his hand on top of the nearest one, his expression full of triumph. Yeah, yeah. He’d won. Or at least he thought he had.
He wasn’t as far in front as I’d expected because moments later Humphrey appeared. I held my breath, watching carefully as he gazed down at Hugo. What would he do now?
‘You won, old chap!’ Humphrey called out. ‘Congratulations!’
Hmmm. He didn’t sound upset. I pursed my lips. Maybe I’d been wrong. Maybe I’d tied together a few pieces of circumstantial evidence and ended up at entirely the wrong conclusion.
‘Thank you,’ Hugo said.
‘In the end you were too good for me.’ Humphrey smiled. ‘I should have expected it. You’re the greatest treasure hunter this country has ever seen.’
