The Gnarlacre Quartet
For Years 4-7
The faerie queen studies the wounded girl’s thigh.
Arcadia pauses then gives a deep sigh.
‘The poison is deadly. Her chances are poor.
To counter the venom I’d have to have more.’
Delphi has spent years teasing Birdy about her tiny wings. Now, Delphi is dying. The faerie may be a tease but she doesn’t deserve to die. Birdy has a plan that could save her tormentor’s life. But first she needs to persuade Bod
to join her. And Bod’s not keen.
A story from childhood has scuttled to mind
of a many-eyed monster, not pleasant or kind.
Her friend knows the story and most of it’s bad.
She tells Bod her plan. He replies, ‘Are you mad?
Octavia’s huge. I’ve heard, when she meets them,
she ties faeries up, then slowly she eats them!’
Bod’s worried. He adds, ‘Let’s not be too hasty.’
‘We’ll take her a gift,’ Birdy says. ‘Something tasty.’
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