The Lost Treasure of Annwn (11 page)

Camelin groaned.

‘So we know where they are but what's more important is what they're talking about.'

Snaffle squawked loudly and the other four joined in until Crosspatch hopped forward again.

‘They're plotting, about how to get their own back on Jack and Elan.'

Jack didn't feel too good. He'd anticipated they'd be after him and suspected they might want to pay Elan back too for what happened in the meadow; now his fears had just been confirmed.

‘You'd better get back and find out exactly what they're planning,' ordered Camelin.

Snaffle shook his feathers before speaking.

‘No need, second shift arrived, they'll report back later.'

‘Thanks,' said Jack. Being forewarned would mean the boys wouldn't be able to surprise them. ‘You'll have to excuse us, we've got to go now. Camelin and I are needed in the herborium.'

Jack and Camelin watched the starlings take off.

‘That was great Jack, I couldn't think how I was going to get rid of them.'

‘It wasn't an excuse, we really do need to go down to the herborium. Nora wants to teach me how to visualise.'

Camelin humphed before hopping over to the window.

‘You'd better hurry up then or you'll keep everyone waiting.'

Jack didn't rush; he was lost in thought as he went back downstairs. There had to be a way to face up to the gang but five against two, even if Elan was strong, didn't seem very fair.

 

‘Try again,' Nora encouraged Jack, as he and Camelin transformed for the third time.

Jack saw Camelin roll his eyes. They were standing behind a screen at the far end of the herborium and so far Jack had not managed to imagine himself wearing anything. The bright light as they touched their foreheads together was putting him off.

‘Just concentrate on one outfit, something simple, something you are familiar with,' said Nora.

Jack lowered his head and made a picture in his mind of his black tracksuit. He squeezed his eyes tightly shut when he and Camelin were almost touching. He tried not to think about the bright light as their foreheads met. Even when he felt himself transforming from a raven into a boy, he kept the image of the dark tracksuit firmly in his mind.

‘Wow!' exclaimed Camelin. ‘You did it, look!'

Jack opened his eyes and looked down. He had done it; he was fully clothed except for his feet. He came out from behind the screen to show Nora.

‘That's very good, Jack. Once more, and try for some shoes this time.'

Camelin sighed.

‘When can we go to Falconrock? You promised Jack and I could have whole day together.'

‘Ready,' said Jack.

They transformed back into ravens then immediately changed back again. As soon as Jack opened his eyes he knew he'd done it.

‘Look!' he cried as he moved the screen so Nora could see.

There was a round of applause, not only from Nora but also from Orin and the whole Night Guard, who were now on Nora's long table.

‘Bravo, Jack Brenin,' shouted Motley. ‘I knew you'd do it.'

‘Thanks,' said Jack, as he admired the pair of black trainers he'd managed to visualise. ‘Do you think I'll be able to do it every time now?'

‘Oh undoubtedly,' replied Nora, ‘you have fairy magic inside you now. Each time you transform it will get easier. I think you're ready to go now.'

‘At last!' grumbled Camelin.

‘Now don't forget,' continued Nora, ‘Camelin will wait for you by the exit. He's not allowed to speak to you so you'll be on your own once you land.'

‘Can we go now?' asked Camelin.

‘Yes you can, take care.'

‘We will,' Jack assured her.

For the umpteenth time that morning Jack and Camelin transformed. Once they were airborne Jack felt the raven in him take over. He loved flying; it made him feel totally free, and without a care in the world. He tried to focus on the task ahead but the excitement of speeding through the air with the wind in his feathers made it hard to think about anything else.

 

‘Nearly there,' Camelin shouted as he circled around Jack.

In the distance was the sheer cliff face he'd seen in his Book of Shadows. The top was densely forested but until Jack got closer he wouldn't be able to tell what kind of trees they were. He knew there wouldn't be any Dryads here, maybe they'd return when the young Hamadryads he and Nora had planted were fully-grown.

‘See the cave in the rock face about half way up?' asked Camelin.

Jack scanned the hillside and nodded when he'd located the hole in the orangey-red rock.

‘That's where you'll come out so I'll meet you there later.'

To Jack's surprise they didn't fly towards the cliff top, instead Camelin veered right and headed towards an equally high rock. As they got closer Jack could see a deep ravine; on either side a castle had been built into the rock. It wasn't easy to see as its walls had been made from the same red rock as the cliff. He quickly said the rhyme his Book had shown him, this must be where he'd find the tower and the Druid's chair. The trouble was, the castle had more than one tower.

‘What you mumbling about?' asked Camelin.

‘Nothing, it's just a rhyme.'

Camelin tilted his body and swerved.

‘Going down!'

Jack did the same. They flew down and landed in the bottom of the ravine.

‘Is this where I've got to start?'

‘It is but from now on my beak is sealed. We'd better transform so you can get going.'

Jack concentrated hard as they touched foreheads; he visualised his black tracksuit and trainers. To his relief, when he opened his eyes, he was fully dressed. He turned slowly to have a good look at his surroundings. On one side of the ravine the castle walls and turrets loomed above him, on the other side there was a single tower. Jack could see two arched entrances, one just ahead and one higher up. He looked at Camelin for confirmation.

‘I think I'll look inside this tower first.'

Camelin nodded vigorously. Jack smiled as he started off; Camelin's ravenphore had begun. He felt grateful he wasn't going to be alone. As he reached the entrance he looked round but Camelin was nowhere to be seen. There was nothing else he could do now but enter the building. The room was circular, like the towers around the palace in Annwn but with one big difference, there were no windows. Jack shivered, it felt cool and damp and he could hear water dripping. He waited until his eyes were accustomed to the dim light before looking around. There were no stairs. To get to the upper floors he'd have to use the higher doorway. He wondered why Camelin had indicated that this was the way to go. As he turned to leave he noticed a circular piece of wood, about the size of a bicycle wheel, on the floor. He knelt down to get a closer look. There must be something below because it looked like a lid. Jack put his ear to the wood. The only sound he could hear was that of dripping water. His cheek brushed against cold metal. Across the lid was a chain and at the end of the chain was a padlock, both were secured onto a huge metal ring. Jack took the silver chain from around his neck and pointed the tiny key towards the padlock. It immediately began to grow until it fitted perfectly into the lock. Jack hesitated. Should he open the lock or not? If he didn't there didn't seem any point in having come into the room. He turned the key slowly. The padlock sprang open and Jack struggled to lift the lid. He peered into the darkness, and although he couldn't see it, he suspected there was water at the bottom.

‘Hello,' Jack shouted.

‘…Hello… hello…' came the reply as his voice bounced off the wall.

‘Who's there? …there… there… ' a deep, grumpy voice replied.

Jack nearly jumped out of his skin. He'd not expected an answer.

‘I'm Jack Brenin, and I'm looking for the entrance to the Druid's library… library… library.'

‘A Brenin, you say! Well you won't find the library down here… here… here.'

Jack didn't know what else to say. The conversation seemed to be over. Maybe he ought to put the lid back and be on his way. If a water nymph appeared he wouldn't be able to ask for any help, and besides, he didn't have anything shiny to trade for information. He couldn't part with his key or his golden acorn.

Jack heard water from below begin to bubble; he backed away from the hole. The silence was broken when the voice boomed and bounced off the walls.

‘Who sent you… you… you?'

Jack thought he ought to give Nora her proper name.

‘The Seanchai, Keeper of Secrets and Ancient Rituals, Guardian of the Sacred Grove, Healer, Shape Shifter and Wise Woman.'

‘Stay where you are, I'd like to see who the Druid has sent to Falconrock… rock… rock.'

A spray of water shot out of the opening. Whoever was down the well was rising rapidly to the top.

Jack had expected to see a water nymph. He was surprised when an old man with pale skin, a long grey beard, and a mass of grey curly hair, appeared. He bowed majestically to Jack. Jack bowed back. He wanted to ask the man what he was but knew that would be rude.

‘I haven't got anything to give you in exchange for information and I'm not allowed to have any help.'

The man laughed loudly.

‘I am Grannus the gatekeeper, I'm not offering you help or information. It is my permission you need before you can begin your journey.'

Jack's hand went up to his acorn.

‘I'm afraid that won't be sufficient. You must confirm your identity.'

Jack watched as Grannus took a pouch from his pocket and proceeded to open it. He produced a large coin and laid it flat on the palm of his hand before extending it towards Jack.

‘If you are a Brenin you'll be able to make the mark. Touch the token and let's see who you really are.'

Jack extended the same finger on his right hand that he'd used to touch the stone at the base of Jennet's well. As soon as his fingertip made contact with the cold metal there was a hiss of steam. Both Jack's finger and the token began to glow. As Jack withdrew his hand they both looked at the mark he'd made.

‘A true Brenin,' pronounced Grannus as he bowed once more to Jack, ‘take this token, keep it safe for you'll need it later. Your destination lies deep within the labyrinth but it's not an easy journey.'

Jack took the token Grannus offered him. The metal was dull and no longer bore his mark. As he put it safely in his pocket he thought about the rhyme from his Book of Shadows.

‘How will I know what to do next?'

‘You'll work it out. Would you be so kind as to put the lid back on and lock the padlock before you go? I don't want any unexpected visitors.'

Grannus didn't wait for a reply. He disappeared back down the well. Jack peered inside but there was no sign of the gatekeeper any more. He wrestled the wooden lid back over the well, hooked the chain over the padlock and snapped it shut. Once he was back in the sunlight he examined the token. Both sides of the coin were the same; each bore the outline of a large oak tree. Jack shrank his key by putting it into the tiny padlock he kept on the chain before putting it back over his head. Grannus had said he would work out what to do next. There was no sign of Camelin so the answer must be in the rhyme.