Even Lola, who in the normal way was always fidgeting, stared at the nest as if she had been turned to stone.
And then… then one of the geese began cackling excitedly.
And the other goose joined in.
They beat their grey wings, got off the eggs and retreated from them.
The eggs were growing, as if the breath of the foals were stretching their shells.
Soon the stable was full of shouts, cackles, and whinnies of joy.
The three eggs finally left lying in the nest, which was now almost too small for them, were so large that they reminded Ben of the eggs of the legendary elephant bird, thought to have been extinct for over three hundred years.
‘Good heavens!’ Barnabas whispered to him. ‘I think we’ll have to get a few ostriches flown in to keep them warm!’
‘I’ve already asked Inua to do that very thing,’ said Vita. ‘He’s sending two ostrich hens who are delighted to help. They’ll arrive this evening.’
The growing process had turned the eggs transparent again, and Ben and Barnabas couldn’t take their eyes off the foals. After all, the sight was new to both of them. Ouranos, Chara and Synnefo moved their wings, stretched legs that were as thin as drinking straws, and seemed unable to believe just yet that they had enough space again all of a sudden.
‘Suppose they go on growing?’ asked Guinevere. ‘We’ve used up half the contents of the quill!’
Twigleg, who had been brought back to the stable by the cries of joy, thought the foals were more than large enough already. In fact they were the right size for a homunculus – if he had ever ventured to ride a winged horse!
‘One more treatment should be enough,’ he told Guinevere, while Barnabas opened the stable door wide so that Hothbrodd and Tattoo could at least catch a glimpse of the Pegasus foals. ‘It’s said that Pegasus foals are not much larger than a chicken when they hatch!’
Guinevere thanked the homunculus with a smile of relief for his information. It would be wonderful to see three foals, not much larger than chickens, flying over the meadows around MÍMAMEIÐR.
‘What beautiful children, my friend!’ Barnabas said to Ànemos, as he wiped the condensation of deep emotion off his glasses.
Ben gently touched the egg in which Chara was pressing his nose against the shell.
‘Yes,’ he murmured. ‘Really, really beautiful.’
He sent a silent message of thanks to Shrii and TerTaWa, to Patah and Kupo and the Whispering Tree. Even to Roargh, although he hadn’t plucked out his feather entirely of his own free will. And he couldn’t wait to send Firedrake and Sorrel a photo of the foals.
‘What do you say?’ Barnabas whispered to him, as they made way for Winston and Berulu to take their place beside the nest. ‘Isn’t ours the best work in the world? Even if it does land us locked up inside a cage from time to time?’
‘The very best!’ replied Ben. ‘But now that this adventure is over,’ he said, lifting Twigleg up to his shoulder, ‘who are we going to rescue next?’
WHO’S WHO
Human Beings
David Atticsborough, FREEFAB specialist, and one of the most highly respected makers of wildlife films in the world.
Catcher, leader of the poachers looking for prey on the island of Pulau Bulu.
Inua Ellams, FREEFAB specialist in winged fabulous creatures.
Bagdagül Ender, childhood friend of Barnabas who has devoted her life to the conservation of endangered creatures in Turkey.
Barnabas Greenbloom, Ben’s adopted father and co-founder of FREEFAB, an organisation for the conservation of endangered fabulous creatures.
Ben Greenbloom, aged 14, lives with his adopted family, the Greenblooms, at MÍMAMEIÐR in Norway, and helps to study and conserve the fabulous beings of this world. Ben has a very special friend, Firedrake the silver dragon, whose dragon rider he became two years ago.
Guinevere Greenbloom, Ben’s adopted sister. She is mainly concerned with the water creatures of MÍMAMEIÐR. Until she meets the last Pegasus…
Vita Greenbloom, wife of Barnabas, mother of Guinevere and adopted mother of Ben. Co-founder of FREEFAB and expert on winged fabulous creatures.