Glasruhen Gate (3 page)

PROLOGUE

‘We’re back,’ croaked Camelin as he flew over the tall hedge that surrounded Ewell House.

Jack wasn’t far behind. He could see Motley and the Night Guard scurrying towards the kitchen door as he too flew over the hedge. Gerda hurried onto the patio and two small bats flitted around the doorway.

‘We’re back, we did it!’ Camelin announced to everyone who’d come to welcome them.

‘Where’s Orin?’ Jack shouted to Motley as he made his descent.

‘Up here!’ an excited, squeaky voice replied from the open window of Camelin’s loft.

Jack saw Camelin land on the grass and proudly strut towards the waiting group. Seconds later, he too had landed. Orin appeared at the kitchen door and rushed over to them. Timmery and Charkle fluttered around their heads. Everyone was asking questions at once. Camelin flew onto the picnic table and swaggered up and down, and then he threw back his head and loudly made the call of the
raven-owl
. Everything went quiet as they waited for him to speak. He puffed out his chest feathers, cocked his head to one side and slowly looked at each face. Jack could see the rats were desperate to hear what Camelin had to say.

‘We’ll tell you everything, but not until after we’ve had breakfast. I’m starving.’

There was a groan of disappointment and then they all turned to Jack.

‘I’m starving too.’

‘We’d better eat then,’ Nora announced as she and Elan joined the group.

Gerda cackled loudly then stopped abruptly and turned towards the lake. Another goose could be heard in the distance.

‘You have a visitor,’ Elan explained.

Jack smiled. Gerda was going to be one very happy goose when she got to the lake and found Medric waiting for her. They all watched as she hurried away.

‘A visitor,’ piped Timmery. ‘Oh I love visitors.’

Camelin humphed but no one seemed to notice. All the rats were looking at Nora.

‘You’ll find out who it is soon enough. Shall we go and eat now?’

‘Great!’ croaked Camelin taking off and swooping into the kitchen.

There was a scampering and a flittering and soon only Nora and Jack were left on the patio.

‘I’m going to need to know everything. And I mean everything.’

Jack nodded. He knew they’d have to tell Nora about the Roman soldiers, what they had done to Camelin, and about their narrow escape from Viroconium. She’d find out eventually, even if they didn’t tell her. There was a rustling of leaves from the hedge. Jack watched as a message made its way from the great yews to the trees beyond. Soon it would be in the depths of Glasruhen Forest.

‘When can we go and see Arrana?’

‘After breakfast. We’ll go there first and collect the three cauldron plates the Dryads have been guarding. Then we’ll go and see Jennet and get back the ones you found.’

‘Could I transform first? I’m feeling all squashed.’

‘Of course you can. Fly to the loft and I’ll send Camelin up. He’ll just have to wait a bit longer for his breakfast.’

Jack hopped in through the loft window. The two raven baskets were in the centre of the room. His clothes were in a pile by the beanbag where he’d left them. It felt as if he’d been away for weeks rather than hours. He was so pleased to be back. His thoughts were interrupted by Camelin’s arrival.

‘Come on, let’s get on with it. I’m hungry.’

They touched foreheads. Even with his eyes tightly closed the blinding light still hurt. When Jack could see again Camelin was already perched on the windowsill.

‘You will hurry up won’t you? Nora says we can’t start without you.’

Jack dressed as quickly as he could and then dashed down the stairs and along the corridor. When he entered the kitchen everyone clapped and cheered. Jack felt his cheeks burning as he made his way to the only empty chair. Camelin’s voice croaked above the noise: ‘Can we start now?’

RECOVERY

Jack let Camelin tell everyone about their journey into the past, adding bits here and there whenever Camelin missed anything out. Jack could see that Nora didn’t look pleased. It was obvious that Camelin was enjoying being the centre of attention and if he’d seen the looks Nora was giving him, he’d chosen to ignore them. There’d been a lot of questions, especially about Medric, so it had taken a long time to get to the end.

‘And then we had breakfast,’ Camelin said as he bowed.

The rats cheered. Orin scrambled up to sit on Jack’s shoulder and rubbed her soft fur against his cheek.

‘Again, again,’ piped Timmery flitting around Camelin’s head. ‘Tell us the bit about Jennet again.’

Camelin took a deep breath.

‘Jack put the three cauldron plates into Jennet’s hand. She didn’t like the look of them and dropped them in the spring. Then she saw the Camp Prefect in all his shiny armour. She got really excited. One minute he’s there, the next he’s gone. Then he’s back again, all dripping wet and dressed only in his tunic. You should have seen his face after Jennet stripped him of every bit of shiny metal he possessed. He was shaking all over.’

They all laughed, except Nora.

‘You promised you’d come straight back through the window in time if you were in any danger. I thought you always kept your promises Jack.’

‘I do. But I also promised to help find the missing cauldron plates.’

‘You should have left the plates.’

‘How could I when so much depends on you remaking the cauldron?’

‘If I’d known you were going to end up in Viroconium I’d never have asked you to go in the first place.’

Camelin pulled a face.

‘The prophecy said we’d succeed, remember?
That which was lost is found again
. Jack’s
The One
. You said so yourself.’

‘But you could have been hurt.’

No one spoke. Jack thought he’d better try to change the subject.

‘Can we go and see Arrana soon?’

‘We can, but there’s something we have to do before we go into Glasruhen,’ Nora replied. ‘We need to lay the cauldron plates out in order so I can lace them all together when we bring the others back.’

She led the way out of the kitchen to the herborium.

‘This won’t take long, and then we’ll go to collect the three plates from Arrana. On the way back we’ll make an exchange with Jennet for the ones Jack gave her.’

Jack searched his pockets.

‘I haven’t got anything to give Jennet for the exchange.’

Elan laughed and pulled a small bottle out of her pocket before handing it to Jack.

‘Don’t worry. We’ve given this a great deal of thought. I don’t think she’ll be able to resist this.’

Jack examined the bottle.

‘It’s nail varnish!’

‘It’s very special nail varnish, look.’

Elan wriggled her fingers. The varnish was dark green, about the same colour as Jennet’s hair. Her nails shone and sparkled as tiny specks of glitter caught the light.

‘Oh wow! She’ll love that.’

‘Here we are,’ Nora announced when they were all gathered around the long table in the middle of the herborium.

At one end Jack could see a pile of leather thongs. At the other end was a pile of cauldron plates similar to the ones he’d had in his hands only hours before.

Nora took a book from the shelf and flicked through the pages until she found what she was looking for. Jack felt excited. He realised it wouldn’t be long before he’d see the whole cauldron. Elan put the large round base plate, embossed with the yew tree, in the centre of the table.

Nora offered the book to Jack.

‘Maybe you could read this while Elan and I arrange the plates we’ve got.’

The book was heavy, and like all the other books at Ewell House it was handmade. The page he was looking at was beautifully decorated and showed all thirteen plates laid out around the circular base plate. He read each name in order, starting at number one, which was the pine.

Nora and Elan sorted through the six plates and laid them around the base as Jack read their names. They left spaces for the ones they hadn’t got. When they’d finished Nora smiled.

‘I’d almost given up hope of ever seeing the cauldron whole again. We’re going to be able to use it for the feast at Samhain now. Shall we go?’

Without waiting for an answer, Nora strode out of the door and made her way to the bottom of the garden. Jack and Elan followed, while Camelin flew on ahead.

Jack had first gone into Glasruhen Forest only a few weeks ago, but it felt like he’d known it for years. He watched the now familiar sight of Nora standing before the blackthorn hedge. As her hands came together she raised them in a circular motion. This time, when the hedge parted, Jack’s knees didn’t tremble. He was eager to speak to Arrana. Desperate for her to know that he’d kept his promise and succeeded. Now the forest would be saved. Once the cauldron was remade, they could go into Annwn. Nora could collect acorns from the Mother Oak for Arrana and leaves from the Crochan tree for the elixir. Arrana could pass on her knowledge and a new Hamadryad would take her place in the sacred grove. Nora would be fine once she’d drunk the elixir again.

Jack stepped into the tunnel. There was rustling. Without looking back he knew that the hedge had sealed itself.

‘Don’t be long,’ Camelin croaked as he flew overhead before disappearing out of sight.

The dense yews blocked out the sunlight and made the forest look gloomy. It was stuffy inside the tunnel but the swaying branches created a slight breeze. Needle-like leaves brushed Jack’s shoulders. Was it his imagination or were the great yews reaching out to touch him? He was so deep in thought that he didn’t see Elan stop and he nearly bumped into her.

‘Something’s wrong,’ she whispered.

‘What is it?’

‘Over there. Look.’

In the distance Jack could see a group of Dryads. They were swaying from side to side. When he got closer Jack could see that they didn’t look happy. The nearest nymph stepped forward and bowed her head before speaking to Nora.

‘Oh Great Seanchai, Keeper of Secrets and Guardian of the Sacred Grove, we cannot deliver our messages. Arrana the Wise, Protector and Most Sacred of All will not awaken.’

‘This isn’t good news,’ Nora muttered.

The Dryads clung to each other.

‘It took us ages to wake her up the last time Camelin and I came to see her,’ said Jack.

The tallest Dryad stepped forward.

‘We’ve already tried singing to her.’

Nora looked worried.

‘I don’t think we have much time. As Arrana fades my magic will weaken too. We must hurry.’

The Dryads moved quickly, it was impossible to keep up with them and they were soon out of sight. As they neared the centre of the forest they heard a low mournful sound.

‘Hurry,’ urged Nora.

They came to an abrupt halt in the clearing. The sound was coming from the Dryads who had surrounded Arrana. Worried faces turned towards them but they didn’t stop their sorrowful song. The circle parted to let Nora through, Jack and Elan followed. Camelin flew down to join them.

‘Shall I sing?’

‘No Camelin, I don’t think that’s going to help,’ replied Nora kindly. She stood in front of the great Hamadryad and raised her head.

‘Arrana, The Wise, Lady of the Wood and Most Sacred of All, we have good news for you.’

The forest was silent. Every face turned towards Arrana. Nora tried again but the great oak didn’t stir so she took out her wand.

‘I was hoping I wouldn’t have to use this,’ she muttered to herself. ‘Come help me Jack. Take the golden acorn and hold it in your palm. When it begins to glow, try to direct the light towards Arrana.’

Jack opened his hand. The golden acorn felt warm and heavy. Tiny red sparks spluttered from the tip of Nora’s glowing wand.

‘
Deffro hun
,’ she commanded.

A shaft of golden light burst from the acorn. He heard a gasp from the Dryads. His hand trembled as he tried to control the light. Nora raised her wand and pointed it directly at the Hamadryad’s branches. Again, she repeated the words.

‘
Deffro hun
.’

A green flash from the wand lit the grove. A slight movement from Arrana’s trunk made them all hold their breath.

‘
Deffro hun
,’ repeated Nora.

This time the trunk began to waver. It shimmered and shook as it gained momentum, until at last, Arrana stood before them. As she shook her hair, leaves cascaded to the ground. They all bowed.

Jack could see the concern in Nora’s eyes. Arrana looked so thin you could see right through her. Almost all of her leaves had fallen. Her long hair looked thinner too. When she spoke her voice sounded weary.

‘You have news?’

‘We do,’ Nora replied. ‘That which was lost has been found again. We are ready to remake the cauldron.’

There was rustling and whispering. The Dryads and trees all seemed to be talking at once. Arrana listened to what they had to say before turning to Jack.

‘You did well Jack Brenin. Come nearer.’

Jack obeyed.

‘We are all very grateful to you for finding the lost cauldron plates. Because of your courage the forests will be saved. I still have strength enough to grant you a reward.’

Jack bowed low to Arrana before speaking.

‘I don’t need a reward. I wanted to help.’

He could feel the colour rising in his cheeks. He didn’t want to take all the credit.

‘I couldn’t have done it without Camelin.’

‘And he couldn’t have completed the quest without you. You may ask for anything that it is within my power to grant.’

Jack shook his head. He really had been glad to help. It wouldn’t be right to take something for himself.

‘Could I ask for something for someone else?’

‘You may.’

‘Could you give Camelin a lath?’

Everyone looked at Jack. Camelin’s beak fell open and his eyes grew as big as saucers.

‘It would be my pleasure, but what use would a lath be to an acolyte who never finished his training? Camelin may have his lath when he can read and write.’

Jack smiled as Camelin shuffled in front of Nora. He picked up a stick in his beak and wrote his name in the soft loam.

‘Camelin,’ he read, and then puffed out his feathers.

Arrana looked at Nora.

‘Jack’s been teaching him to read but I didn’t know he could write as well.’

‘Your wish is granted Jack.’

Arrana turned to Camelin.

‘Take this twig and use it well. A part of Annwn will always be with you.’

Camelin took the gnarled twig from Arrana and bowed low.

‘Thank you,’ said Jack.

‘Now is that all? I grow weary. You have many things to do and so little time.’

‘We need the plates you’ve been keeping safe,’ said Elan.

‘Oh yes. The plates.’

Arrana turned her head slowly and pointed towards a tall willowy Dryad with pale green skin and long chestnut hair.