The Two Princesses of Bamarre: Part 4

By GAIL CARSON LEVINE

She would rescue me from a flaming dragon or a hungry ogre. When I was supposed to, I would shriek in terror that was half real; but when I could, I'd stay still and watch Meryl perform - that was what I loved.

Her favourite game was the Grey Death adventure. Oddly enough this one didn't frighten me. The Grey Death wasn't a monster or a spider I could see and shiver over. It was invisible. If I caught it, it would be somewhere within me, and while the outside world was full of danger, I knew my interior. I was certain I could oust an intruder there.

In the game I always portrayed the Grey Death's victim. For the first stage of the disease, the weakness, I'd begin to walk towards the worn nursery couch, growing weaker as I went. After a few steps I'd fall to my knees and begin to crawl. I'd drag myself to the couch but lack the strength to climb up on to it.

Illustrator: Mel Grant

Publisher: HarperCollins

Age group: 8-11 yrs


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