For all explorers of words and stories
Published by Barrington Stoke
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HarperCollinsPublishers
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First published in 2025
Text © 2025 Vashti Hardy
Illustrations © 2025 Rebecca Sheerin
Cover design © 2025 HarperCollinsPublishers Limited
The moral right of Vashti Hardy and Rebecca Sheerin to be identified as the author and illustrator of this work has been asserted in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, 1988
ISBN 978‑0 00 868072 5 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
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CHAPTER 1
A Picture in the Post
Mabel Greystone heard Aunt Lucy arrive before she saw her.
“I’ve got it! I’ve got it!” Aunt Lucy called from the street outside.
Mabel leaned out of her bedroom window and saw Aunt Lucy waving a large brown envelope. She looked up at Mabel, beaming.
Mabel’s heart skipped a beat. She hoped that the envelope held evidence that the amulet of Hath had been found. They’d been waiting for this news ever since their last trip.
The whole family peered at the photo on the table.
“Zephra is a fascinating area, famous for the way kings and queens long ago created technology to protect their realm. They loved making cryptic symbols and puzzling objects. That way, only the wisest could make it past their riddles and be worthy of any treasures.
“One king, Veros, adored treasure, and it’s said he made the amulet to protect the location of his city, Hath. According to legend, he also created one special piece of technology called the Face of Wisdom, but nobody knows what it is or why the land of Hath disappeared.”
Mabel stared at the symbols on the amulet, grinning as she imagined finding more forgotten technology and unknown treasure. A few of the symbols looked like animals of some sort. “What do they mean?” Mabel asked.
Aunt Lucy pointed to the three animal symbols as she replied, “The book helped us realise the ancient people of Zephra worshipped
“I mean, can we go, Mum? Dad?” Mabel asked. “Aunt Lucy will look after us,” she added, putting her hands together. She was willing to beg her parents if she had to.
Will adjusted his blue silk bow tie. “We did do rather well in Marvolia with finding Umber.”
Mum and Dad exchanged a glance. “Any new discoveries would be brilliant for my research,” said Dad. “But Zephra does has dangerous desert areas.”
“We’ll take great care,” Aunt Lucy said, giving Mabel and Will a smile. “And we’ll bring Grimm to keep us in check.”
Grimm was Aunt Lucy’s stuffed cat, who was always cautious.
Mum and Dad nodded.
“All right,” said Mum. “It’ll certainly be more interesting than being stuck at home while we work!”
* Mabel, Will and Aunt Lucy arrived at Ravenlock Natural History Museum at midday.
They were met at the help desk by a lady with a tight bun and semicircle glasses. “Albert Smith isn’t working today,” she said when Aunt Lucy asked for him.
“Then perhaps you could help,” Aunt Lucy replied, leaning in. “I’m Dr Lucy Greystone.”
“Of the famous Greystone relic hunters,” Mabel added.
“Albert arranged for me to borrow the amulet of Hath,” said Aunt Lucy. “Would you be able to fetch it for us, please?”