is the Fusian tea, “The Tea of Life’’ in English. As for the biscuits, there’s a Welcome just round
the corner!’’
“Wha….’’ Lily started.
Before she could finish, Quebek snapped his fingers and a Welcome appeared before her eyes.
The whole yurt transformed, as well, into an alluring mansion.
“No!’’ Lily exclaimed, stunned.
“Oh, yes! I’m a magic nomad. Ever wondered how I could speak English? All the other nomads
speak a native language.’’ Quebek answered.
Lily pondered for a moment.
“So, why am I here?’’ Lily finally asked.
“You see our whole village is magic. I have the ability to foretell the future, I saw that you
would come to save us all from our enemies.’’
The next day, when Lily woke up, all was silent. Everyone else was sleeping. She strolled over
to the tent flap and went outside. Suddenly, a hand clapped across her face. It was a bulky, hirsute
man. He smelled like ale and whiskey. Quick as a flash, he grabbed a knife and set it to her throat.
Then a thought flashed through Lily’s mind…enemies! Before she could speak, he carried her off to
a cave and whisked her inside. It was dark and smelly inside and smelt like rotting flesh.
The man shouted in a gruff voice, “You will co-operate or die!’’
Then, he released his grip on her and told her to go into a room and eat something. He led her
through passageways, until they came to a door. He pushed it open, threw her in and locked the
door behind him. The sound of footsteps drifted away (it had been a trick!) and she was left alone.
Alone? Dimly, she became aware of thousands (okay, not that many!) of eyes looking at her. Then,
the little light that was left, faded and they were in darkness.
A few hours later, Lily woke up to the sound of grating in the keyhole. She crept closer and
whispered, “Hello!’’ Her heart was beating as loud as a drum and her head was filled with crazy
thoughts: “What if it’s that man come back to kill me?’’ but it was only a mouse! Then, the reality
began to set in. Casting her mind back, she realised she had been so absorbed in her thoughts that
she hadn’t thought if her parents and brother, Sam were missing her. They would be panicked now
searching for her. And, what of Quebek, Yulsey and their funny little troupe, they would think
that she had just abandoned them. She felt that she was doomed, she sat down and started to cry.
For days and nights, she stayed in that dark cell with nothing to eat or drink. She survived by
licking moisture off the condensation pipes.
Then, lo and behold! The door burst open, “Quebek!’’ Lily shouted, and then she woke up.
It had all been a dream! As she rushed, upstairs, she caught sight of a small, shiny rock in her
pocket, and smiled.
Not everything is as it seems!...
