The Story Traveller by Judy Stubley Page B

went on ‘Right! Let’s get you properly kitted out.
    Magic wand make Lucy male,
    And tie her hair in a fine pigtail.
    Lilac silk would give her joy
    And compensate for becoming a boy!’
    Sparks flew energetically from Twinkle’s parasol and her little helpers all flew around Lucy, who found herself standing in what to her looked like a pair of lilac silk pyjamas. She put her hand up to her head and touched the tiny pigtail that stood out from the back of her head. She giggled.
    â€˜Will Yeh-Shen know I’m a girl?’ Lucy asked, certain she would not fool anyone for long.
    â€˜Yes, and she knows you’ll come dressed as a boy. She’ll be as interested in you as you’ll be in her. Your worlds are so different, but again Yeh-Shen knows what it’s like to be bullied.’
    Speed suddenly appeared and trotted up to his mistress.
    â€˜We’ve a very long journey Lucy,’ he told her, ‘so I suggest you get well wrapped up in your cloak and have a rest. I’ll wake you when we reach the Chinese border.’
    Twinkle handed Lucy her cloak.
    â€˜Now remember, you must keep that close to you all the time you’re in China. If you think our witches and wizards are scary, you wouldn’t want to meet some of the Chinese ghouls. Only when you are with the Wise Ones can you let go of it. Your pink magic is back in your cloak. I’ve got all the information I need and while you’re in China I’ll try to work something out. I must say it’s a brilliant idea and could save me, and my little helpers, hours of unnecessary flights.’
    Lucy carefully put the cloak round her and got on Speed’s back.
    â€˜Good, you are now quite invisible,’ Twinkle told her. ‘Speed will fly you to China. You have to cross many different countries, so stay well hidden. Speed,’ Twinkle told the impatient horse, ‘I suggest you wake Lucy at the Nepal Tibet border and take her to Mount Qomolangma.’ The horse whinnied his agreement. ‘Then when you get to the Yangtze River, our good friend Baiji will take Lucy to the Wise One, who will show her the way to Yeh-Shen. Now, off with you sweetheart and have a good time.’
    Speed didn’t waste a second and they were soon in the air. After all the excitement, Lucy was, however, fast asleep before they passed through the Happy Ever After Gate.
    ***
    â€˜Lucy, Lucy, wake up,’ Speed was urging Lucy to open her eyes. ‘I’ve something very special to show you.’
    Lucy stirred and glanced out of her hood. Speed had landed on a wild and rocky ridge. Everywhere was covered in snow and incredibly beautiful. It was also extremely high.
    â€˜I thought you might like to visit the highest point in your world,’ Speed told Lucy.
    â€˜Mount Everest! I’m on top of Mount Everest!’ Lucy couldn’t believe it.
    â€˜Well, we call it Mount Qomolangma, but I’m sure it’s one and the same.’
    â€˜It certainly is a beautiful sight, Speed,’ Lucy replied. ‘I believe it can be seen from space, as can the Great Wall of China. Will we fly over the Great Wall of China as well?’
    â€˜Not on this occasion. We won’t be travelling that far north.’
    â€˜So what year are we in now, Speed?’
    â€˜748AD – the Tang Dynasty. You’ll find China is a vast country with many wonderful things to see. But now I must get you to the Yangtze River to meet Baiji.’
    Speed rose up into the air and soon Mount Everest was just a picture postcard in the distance. By the time Speed landed again, the sun was beginning to rise. Lucy slid off and began to pull her cloak around her.
    â€˜Good morning Kai-ying,’ a gentle voice said. Lucy turned round and saw a smiling dolphin, with her head resting on the river bank.
    â€˜You’re Baiji?’ Lucy asked in surprise.
    â€˜I’m Baiji,’ the dolphin replied, ‘which means flag