Bezpłatny fragment - The Golden Summer

Arrival in Lower Silesia

The air at Dublin Airport buzzed with the excitement of travelers, the rhythmic hum of rolling suitcases blending with the occasional announcement. Antek stood near the gate, clutching his boarding pass and grinning from ear to ear. Beside him, Liam, Oliver, and Jakub leaned on their backpacks, each filled with essentials for what they had been assured would be the adventure of a lifetime.

“I still can’t believe your grandparents live near a castle,” said Liam, adjusting the strap of his bag. His fiery red hair glinted in the fluorescent lights.

“Not just any castle,” Antek corrected, his Polish accent becoming more pronounced in his excitement. “Książ Castle. It’s massive, and there are stories about hidden treasures under it.”

Oliver raised an eyebrow, his expression skeptical but intrigued. “Hidden treasures? Like actual gold?”

Jakub, the quietest of the group, smiled faintly. “Sounds like something from a movie,” he said in his soft Czech accent.

Antek nodded enthusiastically. “You’ll see. There’s more than just the castle. The whole countryside is full of old secrets.”

The boys exchanged a glance, each wondering what lay ahead. Boarding was called, and they hurried onto the plane, their chatter a mix of excitement and playful teasing.

After hours of travel, the group finally arrived in Lower Silesia. Stepping out of the car, Antek and his friends were greeted by the sight of a sprawling countryside that seemed like something out of a storybook. Rolling green hills stretched into the distance, dotted with forests that glimmered in the golden light of the setting sun.

Antek’s grandparents’ house stood at the edge of a small village, its red-tiled roof and ivy-covered walls exuding rustic charm. The smell of freshly baked bread wafted through the air as Antek’s grandmother, a petite woman with a kind face, emerged from the house, wiping her hands on her apron.

“Antek! Witaj!” she called, her voice warm and welcoming.

Antek ran to embrace her, switching seamlessly to Polish. His grandfather, a broad-shouldered man with a booming laugh, followed behind, shaking hands with each of the boys in turn.

“So, these are your famous friends,” said Grandpa in accented but clear English. “Welcome to our home. You’ll be having adventures soon, I think!”

Liam beamed. “That’s what we came for!”

The boys quickly settled into the rhythm of life in the Polish countryside. Meals at the long wooden table became a daily ritual, filled with hearty dishes like pierogi and bigos. Liam marveled at the variety of flavors, while Oliver, despite some initial hesitance, found himself devouring seconds of everything. Jakub, already familiar with similar dishes from home, enjoyed explaining to the others what they were eating.

“This,” he said one evening, pointing at a golden dumpling, “is a pieróg. Inside is potato and cheese. My babička makes something like it.”

“Delicious,” said Oliver, his mouth full. “I could eat these all day.”

After dinner, they explored the village with Antek as their guide. The cobbled streets and timber-framed houses seemed to whisper stories of bygone times.

One evening, as the group sat in the living room by the crackling fire, Grandpa leaned forward in his chair, his eyes twinkling with mischief.

“Now,” he began, “have I told you boys about the Golden Train?”

Antek’s eyes lit up. “You have to tell them, dziadek. They need to know!”

“The Golden Train?” Liam echoed, sitting up straighter.

Grandpa nodded, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial tone. “It’s a legend from the war. The Nazis, as you may know, were in this area, and they were said to have taken treasures — gold, jewels, priceless art — and hidden them in underground tunnels. Some say the train carrying these treasures disappeared near Wałbrzych, not far from here.”

“Wait,” interrupted Oliver, his skepticism returning. “People actually believe this?”

Grandpa shrugged. “People have searched for years, even dug into the mountains. No one has found it yet, but… who knows?”

The room fell silent, the boys hanging on every word.

“There are other stories too,” Grandpa continued. “Secret tunnels under the castle, caves filled with gemstones, even a treasure guarded by a ghost.” He leaned back with a chuckle. “You’ll find out soon enough. This place is full of mysteries.”

That night, lying in their shared bedroom under the sloping roof, the boys couldn’t stop whispering.

“What if we actually find something?” Liam said, his voice barely audible.

“Don’t be daft,” Oliver replied, though his tone lacked conviction. “There’s probably nothing but dirt and old rocks.”

“Even so,” Jakub said thoughtfully, “it would be fun to look.”

Antek, staring at the wooden beams above, smiled to himself. For the first time, he felt like he was sharing a piece of his heritage with his friends. This summer was going to be unforgettable.

As the days unfolded, the boys explored the fields and forests, gathering hints of the adventures to come. Antek showed them the small stream that ran behind the house, promising it was perfect for panning for gold. They followed trails that twisted through the woods, finding odd-shaped rocks and abandoned wells. And every time Grandpa mentioned another story — about the castle, the train, or long-lost treasures — their excitement grew.

What started as a quiet countryside holiday was quickly transforming into something much more.

This was no ordinary summer.

This was the beginning of an adventure.

The Mystery of Książ Castle

The day dawned bright and cool, with wisps of mist clinging to the hills as Antek, Liam, Oliver, and Jakub piled into the old van. The air buzzed with excitement, fueled by Grandpa’s tales from the night before. Today was the day they would visit Książ Castle, the fabled fortress perched on a hill above the forest.

“This place is legendary,” Antek said, practically bouncing in his seat. “It’s over 700 years old and has been through wars, kings, and… Nazis.”

Jakub leaned forward. “Do they still think the Golden Train is near here?”

Grandpa, who was driving, chuckled. “People have been searching for it for decades. They say there are tunnels under the castle that might hold all sorts of secrets.”

Liam grinned. “And we’re going to find them, right?”

“Only if you don’t get caught,” Grandpa said, winking at them through the rearview mirror.

When they arrived, the boys were awestruck. Książ Castle loomed above them, its towers piercing the blue sky. The sprawling structure was a blend of Gothic and Baroque, with ivy climbing its stone walls. As they entered through the grand archway, their footsteps echoed against the stone floor.

A guide greeted them and began leading the group through the castle’s ornate rooms. The boys tried to pay attention to the history — the stories of Princess Daisy and the Prussian kings — but their curiosity was drawn elsewhere.

“I want to see the dungeons,” Liam whispered to Antek.

“They’re coming,” Antek replied, his own heart pounding with anticipation.

When the group descended a winding staircase into the lower levels, the atmosphere shifted. The air was cooler, the walls rougher, and the light dimmer. The guide spoke about the castle’s use during World War II, mentioning the secret tunnels supposedly dug by forced laborers.