Petronella & the Trogot by Cheryl Bentley

forwards. Petronella managed to reach for The Black Box given to her by The Hooded Horseman . The Black Box slowly opened and a light shone from it. Suddenly it was all over. Everything was still again. The whole cave was as quiet as a cemetery.
    They got up slowly and walked around, the glass crunching under their feet as they went. They came acroos a door. Big, wide, in solid oak. Percy looked up at Petronella, then tried the door handle. It creaked as he pulled it down firmly. Petronella helped him push the heavy door open.
    The bright light inside made them squint. Opening their eyes a crack, they saw right in front of them two large greyhounds. Though sitting down, they were taller than Percy. Petronella screamed again. She reached for The Black Box ...  
    â€œThere’s no need for that,” a large man said, entering the cave through another door. He waved his hand around to The Greyhounds . They stretched out and lay down making a whimpering sound. “That was an earthquake. One of the many we get down here. I’m sorry; but I have no power over these things.”
    â€œHow did you know about The Black Box ?” Petronella asked.
    â€œAll the guards down here in Trogot Caves know you are The Chosen One , Petronella. We also know that Percy is a Strincas and that you treat him as if he were your own son.”
    â€œWhat else do you know about us?” she asked.
    â€œWe know that The Strincas who were beheaded by Lord Fortesque’s soldiers have now gone back to living above ground. Since you two started your journey in Trogot Caves , more of them have risen and gone back to the exact places where they once lived in Fort Willow. A lot of today’s villagers have left. But the good people are staying and have even helped The Strincas.”
    â€œWhat else do you know about me?” she asked.
    â€œYou have a cat called Maalox . He dug up the head and torso of The Hooded Horseman and brought them to your cottage. The head is in the coal scuttle and the torso in the snail bunker. He also dug up other bones. The men of Fort Willow found the rest. Nearly all The Strincas who were buried there are out now. I cannot tell you anymore, we have other things to see to.”
    â€œWe would like to go home. Can you tell us how we can get out of here?”
    â€œYou have already been told by The Ferryman that you need to go all the way to the bottom of Trogot Caves before you can go up and then leave altogether.”
    â€œHow long shall it taketh?” Percy asked.
    â€œThat, I cannot say,” answered The Greyhound Man .
    â€œAre we the only visiting guests here?” Petronella asked.
    â€œIndeed you are. You are the only ones visiting Trogot Caves right now, but others have been on the journey before you. Now I’d like to offer you some food. You will need energy to proceed on your travels.”
    He clapped his hands and two female shadows appeared, as thin as paper dolls. They bowed their heads. “Go get the meal that has been prepared for our guests. Quick and be smart about it,” he ordered. Turning to Petronella and Percy, he said: “Please take your places at my table. You are my guests.”
    In no time at all, the table was set and the food served.
    â€œWho are the servants?” Petronella asked.
    â€œOh, two troublemakers. They were servants at Lord Fortesque’s castle. Of course, they helped soldiers catch Strincas peasants who were then tortured and killed. There are quite a few of these other women back in the kitchen. I say, each adult needs to stand up against the wicked instead of helping them. Now all these women spies will be here for ever. Cooking, and serving food, but never eating. Eternal hunger is their punishment.”
    â€œBut cannat they eateth whilst ye nat be looking?” Percy asked.
    â€œImpossible,” he said. “The tops of their stomachs have been tied up with strong metal bands.”
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