Glasruhen Gate (12 page)

‘I know, I’m a boy. We haven’t got time to go through all that; tell us what you know and how you got in. And more importantly, can we get out?’

‘Wait a minute,’ said Jack. ‘Didn’t you find a candle near those sacks? At least we’ll be able to have a bit of light now.’

Charkle’s flame gave Camelin enough light to find the candle again. When it was lit they sat around it.

‘So, can we get out?’

‘Not without help. I knew you were in trouble when I heard the call but I didn’t imagine you were in this kind of trouble. How did you end up in the dungeon in the first place?’

Camelin coughed.

‘It’s a long story and we haven’t got time now. Can you get out again and go and find Nora?’

‘I’ll go and wait by the door. I got in when someone went out. It’s bound to be opened again sometime soon.’

‘Did you see Timmery?’ asked Jack.

‘No, but I wasn’t looking for him.’

‘Find Nora, tell her where we are and beg her to come and get us out of here,’ said Camelin.

‘Where should I go and look?’

Camelin spread out one of the sacks and started sprinkling birdseed on it until he’d outlined some of the places they’d seen from the hill. He pointed to one of the piles of seed. Charkle sat on his shoulder and watched.

‘Do you remember that tree near the mountains?’

‘The Mother Oak?’

‘Yes, that’s where Nora and Elan were going first. When they’ve been there and collected the acorns they’ll go and see Gwillam, over here by the Northern Gateway.’

‘How do you know she’ll go to Gwillam’s? She’s got to go to the Crochan tree hasn’t she?’ interrupted Jack.

‘The Crochan tree is in Gwillam’s garden and even if she didn’t have to get the acorns she’d go and see him anyway. He is her brother after all.’

‘Brother?’ said Jack and Charkle together.

‘I haven’t got time to explain family trees now, we’ve got far more important things to worry about. Now, do you think you can find them?’

‘I hope so, I’m sure Nora will have you out of here in no time. I’ll be back with help as soon as I can.’

Charkle flitted through the grill in the door and was gone.

‘What now?’ asked Jack.

‘We wait.’

‘I’m getting hungry.’

‘Me too, but I’m not eating birdseed. Go ahead if you want some.’

Jack shook his head. He wondered how long it would be before help arrived.

The creaking of a door in the distance broke the silence inside the dungeon. Jack and Camelin strained to listen for footsteps. A key turned in a lock a long way off.

‘Do you think Charkle got out?’ asked Jack.

‘Oh he did, he did,’ an excited voice said from the other side of the grill.

Timmery flittered into the cell.

‘We didn’t get chance to say anything but I saw him and he saw me. Is he going to get help?’

‘We hope so,’ said Jack.

‘Why’ve you come back,’ asked Camelin.

‘I had to, I thought you’d want to know what was going on. It’s not good, not good at all.’

‘Oh thank you,’ grumbled Camelin.

‘Never mind him, just tell us what you found out.’

Timmery fluttered around their heads. Jack could see something had upset him.

‘You’re in deep trouble, both of you. The guard went up to the Citadel and got taken to a big chamber. This important looking man came in, the guard bowed and I nearly fell out of his hood…’

‘Never mind the details, just tell us the important stuff. How much trouble are we in?’ asked Camelin.

‘I’m coming to that. The guard called the man
Sire
. I thought you only called a king Sire?’

‘You do,’ agreed Jack.

‘Well who was he?’ asked Camelin.

‘His name is Velindur.’

Camelin looked puzzled.

‘Annwn’s never had a king, something’s not right.’

‘He’s the one who’s in charge,’ continued Timmery. ‘He was furious when the guard told him one of the ravens in the dungeon was now a boy. He shouted, called you a shape-shifting spy and said you’d have to be interrogated.’

‘What about me?’ asked Jack, ‘what did he say about the other raven?’

‘They think you stole the food; he said you were a thief and would have to be tried. He’s going to call the Blessed Council together. He said they’d decide how you’re both going to be punished.’

‘This isn’t good,’ sighed Camelin. ‘We really are in deep trouble. If we’ve got to stand trial Nora won’t be able to do anything. The Blessed Council will decide our fate. It’ll be even worse when they find out we came through Glasruhen Gate…’

‘… and uninvited too,’ added Jack. ‘They’ll say we’ve trespassed, won’t they?’

‘They will.’

‘What will they do to us?’

‘I don’t know, but I’m not in any hurry to find out.’

INTERROCATION

‘What’s that?’ asked Timmery as a low rumbling noise made him jump.

‘Camelin,’ explained Jack.

Timmery looked at Camelin.

‘Sorry, it’s that piece of charcoal. It’s really upset my stomach.’

‘You don’t think it might have anything to do with the piece of fudge and seven sausages you ate?’ enquired Timmery.

‘How d’you know it was seven sausages?’

‘Jack told me.’

‘Thanks Jack.’

They sat in silence except for the occasional rumbling of Camelin’s stomach. A jangling of keys gave them a start.

‘On yer feet, nice an easy, don’t want no trouble,’ the guard said as he unlocked the door.

Jack could see Jed and Teg behind their jailor.

‘Ready with the net Teg?’

‘Ready.’

Teg jumped into the room holding what looked like a large fishing net. The guard held the flaming torch towards Camelin while Teg netted Jack.

‘Hold yer hands out boy,’ said Jed.

Camelin did as he was told. Cold iron bracelets were clamped shut on both wrists. Jed tugged at a chain attached to each cuff and pulled Camelin towards the door.

‘His Lordship wants to interrogate you.’

The guard pointed at Jack.

‘The bird too?’

‘Yep, the bird too. He said bring both the prisoners an’ we does as we’re told.’

Jack didn’t feel good. He heard a great gurgle coming from Camelin’s stomach. He didn’t think it was the charcoal this time. Teg grabbed one of the sacks, tipped the net upside down and shook Jack into it. He quickly tied the top then slung it over his shoulder.

Camelin was right, it was itchy inside the sack but at least Jack managed to peck a hole in the bottom so he could see out. He wondered about trying to escape as they made their way up the rock staircase, but he couldn’t leave Camelin on his own. He knew he’d broken the Law of Annwn and would have to face up to what he’d done. He wished he’d asked his Book of Shadows more questions about the law, but it wasn’t something he’d been planning to break.

By the time they entered the Glass Palace Jack felt seasick. He wished all the bouncing up and down would stop. It did, abruptly, when Teg came to a halt before two great golden doors. A guard, dressed in a yellow and red uniform stepped forward.

‘Prisoners for King Velindur,’ announced Teg.

The great doors swung open and Jack could see a beautiful chamber. Its circular walls were made of glass; they must be in one of the towers. A stern looking man sat on a throne towards the back of the room. His dark hair flowed past his shoulders and his thick eyebrows almost met in the middle. He looked neither old nor young. Jack didn’t think he looked very pleased to see Jed and Teg.

‘Enter,’ he commanded. ‘Put the prisoners in the cage and leave.’

Teg and Jed bowed low and then quickly made their way to a silver cage at the far end of the room. The cage looked big enough for a man to stand up in. As they opened the door a guard stepped towards the glass wall and drew a long curtain. Jed pushed Camelin inside and Teg threw the sack in after him. Jack landed with a thud on the stone floor. Camelin quickly bent over and untied the sack.

‘That will be all,’ the man told the guard.

It was the first time Jack had seen Camelin properly. It felt strange seeing someone he knew in a different body. If they’d been standing next to each other as boys, Camelin would have been a good head taller than Jack. His hair was very dark and thick. He looked more like a street urchin than a Druid’s acolyte, his long arms and legs were very grubby and the sack didn’t fit too well. Jack wondered if Camelin felt strange being a boy again as Jack had felt strange the first time he’d changed into a raven. His thoughts were interrupted when the man left the throne and circled around the cage. Was this King Velindur or one of the Blessed Council? Jack got his answer when the man spoke to Camelin.

‘I expect my subjects to bow before their King.’

Neither of them replied. Camelin stood with his mouth open.

‘No matter, there’s no place for anyone who spies or thieves in Annwn. You will both stand trial before the Blessed Council, they can decide your fate. But in the meantime, I’d like some answers.’

Velindur held up his hand and counted off the questions on his fingers, one by one, as he spoke.

‘Who are you? How did you open the Western Portal? Who sent you? Why did you come into Annwn? I’m going to leave you to think about those questions and when I return I will have your answers. Understood?’

Camelin nodded. Jack thought it was best to pretend he hadn’t understood any of the conversation. King Velindur turned and strode away. He passed through a smaller door that led into another chamber. As soon as he’d gone Jack heard the fluttering of wings above the cage, more than one pair of wings.

Timmery said: ‘Don’t look up and don’t say anything, just in case anyone’s watching. Charkle’s got some news.’

‘I was waiting by the dungeon door so I could get back in to tell you the good news. When the door opened you were coming out so I followed you here.’

Jack watched Camelin frown. He too wished Charkle would hurry up and tell them the news.

‘I found Nora at Gwillam’s house. I’ve told her everything and she says not to worry. But you must answer every question truthfully, and if possible, Jack’s not to say anything at all. The longer Velindur thinks he’s just a raven the better. Camelin, you must tell him you’re Gwillam’s acolyte, and then they’ll have a better chance of getting you out of here. I’m taking Timmery back with me to Gwillam’s house; Nora’s got plans for us. Don’t worry. Just remember to tell the truth.’

Camelin let out a big sigh. The two little bats flittered towards the doorway and attached themselves to one of the tall columns by the golden doors. They didn’t have long to wait. A loud knock brought Velindur out of the side chamber and back to his throne. Once he was seated he commanded the doors to be opened. A servant entered carrying something on a silver tray, followed by another carrying a small table. The table was placed before the throne and a delicious smelling apple pie was presented to the King. Jack had been watching the servants, so he hadn’t noticed Charkle or Timmery leave. He hoped no one else had either.

Velindur ate the whole pie. Jack and Camelin watched every mouthful disappear. A low rumbling sound came from Jack’s stomach. He realised he was hungry. He’d not eaten since they’d come through the portal.

When he’d finished Velindur paced up and down the room.

‘Now for some answers. Who are you?’

Camelin gulped and tried to speak, his throat was dry and his voice came out as a hoarse whisper: ‘I’m Camelin, acolyte to Gwillam, High Druid and Keeper of the Shrine in the Sacred Grove by the Holy Oak Well.’

‘You lie. Gwillam does not have an acolyte, neither is he the keeper of any shrines or holy wells.’

‘I’m Gwillam’s acolyte,’ Camelin announced again more forcefully than before.

‘How did you open the Western Portal?’

‘I didn’t.’

‘Again, I say you lie. How else could you have come through Glasruhen Gate into Annwn?’

‘The gate was already open when I came through.’

Jack could see Velindur was getting angry.

‘Who sent you?’ he shouted and banged his fist on the bars.

‘No one sent me. I came because I wanted to.’

‘Why?’

‘Because I wanted to go to the fair.’

‘That’s the worst pack of lies I’ve ever heard from anyone. I say you are a shape-shifting spy. Try to deny that.’

‘I can’t shape-shift and I’m not a spy.’

Velindur’s face turned red and he glowered through the bars at Camelin. Jack tried not to take any notice, but he jumped when Velindur’s fist hit the cage again.

‘GUARD!’

The golden doors swung open and one of the guards stepped in and bowed.

‘Fetch Tegfryn and Jedwyn. NOW!’

The guard left hurriedly and returned shortly with Jed and Teg.

‘Take this prisoner back to the dungeon. He is to have no food or water. The Blessed Council have been summoned. He can come before them when they’ve assembled. I don’t care if he rots in his cell, understood? When you’ve done that come back, I’ve got a job for you both.’

Jed and Teg fumbled with the key before they managed to unlock the cage and tug Camelin out. They walked him backwards to the door, bowing as they went. Teg thrust Camelin’s head down and made him bow too.

Once they’d gone Velindur paced up and down the room, muttering to himself. Jack wondered if the two guards were coming back for him. If he wasn’t going back to the dungeon, what were they going to do with him? Did they eat ravens in Annwn?

Velindur seemed preoccupied. Jack hoped he’d forget about him altogether.

When they returned, Jed and Teg stood nervously before Velindur. Jack could see he wasn’t pleased.

‘Who came through the Western Portal?’

Jed and Teg looked at each other.

‘It’s a simple question,’ growled Velindur. ‘Who came into Annwn?’

‘The prisoners Sire,’ replied Teg.

‘Anyone else?’

‘No Sire.’

‘Who opened the gate?’

‘It opened on its own Sire,’ said Jed nervously.

‘Portal Gates don’t just open on their own. Did you see the boy open the doors?’