War on Whimsy (Space Brigade 3)

"Oh, yes, I see what you mean." Henry lay down on his stomach to examine the water against the wood. "That is lovely! If I only had my sketch--oh my, we appear to be moving!"

The Space Brigade had all picked up the makeshift oars they had created out of tree branches and were paddling furiously.

The raft sped off bumpily down the river. It rocked around a lot, and Nicola noticed water was seeping through the gaps in between the branches, but apart from that it was quite stable.

"Well done, you two," she said to Tyler and Greta.

"Thank you," said Tyler.

"Yes, well, that's why I think everyone should be a Girl or Boy Scout," said Greta. "It should be a requirement of Space Brigade membership. It teaches you so many useful skills."

"Goodness! We're moving so quickly! The shore is just whipping by! I've never experienced a sensation like it!" Henry Sweet sat up in the middle of the raft with an enchanted expression on his face like a toddler on a merry-go-round. "We'll reach Griddlemill in no time! We're moving--and yet my legs are still!"

"Can I ask you a question, Henry?" said Tyler.

"Certainly!" said Henry agreeably.

"Has your planet invented the wheel?"

Henry frowned. "The wheel? Wheels?"

Tyler struggled to explain what he meant. "It's like a circular, ah, disc--and it spins on an axis. It's sort of the basis of all transport."

"That sounds like a very interesting object," said Henry, obviously trying to be polite.

"You really need to invent the wheel," said Tyler. "It would change everything."

"Yes, well, we'll certainly look into it," said Henry vaguely.

"Oh, my goodness, we must be going by the Village of Song already! Listen! They sing throughout the night and sleep through the day."

They listened, and an angelic sound filled the night air. It sounded like a young boy's voice holding one high, sweet note. It was so unbelievably pure it gave Nicola goosebumps. Then other voices joined in, their voices harmonizing to create a rainbow of sound.

Katie dropped her oar on the raft. Tears rolled down her face.

"I must go there," she said. "I have to go there!"

She dived off the side of the raft and began to swim toward the shore.

"Katie!" shrieked Nicola. "What are you doing?"

"Ah, well, if she appreciates music that's the last you'll see of her," said Henry. "Music appreciators find it impossible to leave the Village of Song. Your friend will grow old there."

Without a word, Sean and Shimlara dropped their oars and dove into the river to bring her back.

"Leave me alone!" cried Katie, when she saw them coming after her. "I must get to that music!"

"Stuff her ears with leaves!" called out Henry, as the sound of singing grew even louder. "It's the only way!"

Shimlara scooped up some leaves floating by, grabbed Katie, and pushed them into her ears.

"No, no! I must hear it! Let me hear it!"

"I'm sorry! I'm sorry!" Shimlara was almost crying, as Katie fought against her like a drowning person.

"It's for your own good," said Sean, grabbing Katie in the lifesaving hold.

He and Shimlara dragged Katie back onto the raft.