The Lost Treasure of Annwn (23 page)

‘Like what?'

‘Like they aren't going to tell you.'

‘Tell me what?'

‘About a lost treasure!'

‘What kind of treasure?'

‘If you stop asking questions I'll tell you. I went to the library. Winver and Hesta were pestering me and trying to get me to come down to the lake and help, so I said I had to go find Gwillam. I was really going to go for a nap. You know how quiet it is in a library.'

‘So what did you hear?'

‘I'm coming to that. I found myself a secluded little alcove and was just nodding off when I heard Gwillam talking to the librarian. I couldn't hear what they were saying at first but they got closer and eventually sat down together near where I was perched. Gwillam sounded concerned and so did the librarian. They were talking about a missing book but the librarian assured Gwillam no one had taken any books from the library.'

Jack thought back to Falconrock, they obviously had the same rule in Annwn as on Earth.

‘I don't think anyone's allowed to take any books out of a Druid's library,' said Jack.

‘They're not, but Gwillam thought one might have been taken without permission… sort of stolen rather than lost.'

‘Velindur was holding a book in my dream and in the Stone of Destiny.'

‘Stone of Destiny?'

‘Last night, when I'd shown the Blessed Council my destiny I saw Velindur in the stone. I showed it to Gwillam and he saw him too.'

‘No wonder Gwillam was worried.'

‘Why?'

‘Because the stone can only show what is to be.'

‘So Velindur has a book. It could be any book, it could be one that belongs to him.'

‘Not a chance. Gwillam says it was definitely from Annwn. He just needs to know which book it is and where he got it from.'

‘Could it be one from the throne room?'

‘The librarian asked Gwillam that too, but he said he'd checked there first. None of those books are missing. Gwillam's really concerned; he won't rest until he finds out. He told the librarian he'd rather there had been a book missing from the library. He said, What if Velindur has got hold of one of the treasures?'

‘But none of the four treasures are books.'

‘I know, it doesn't make sense. I wondered if you might know something.'

‘Not a thing. I could ask my Book of Shadows.'

‘Someone might hear and they'd see us if we went to get it. Can't you just ask?'

Jack remembered the crystal from Falconrock. Grannus had told him its magic would work for him if he were in need. If he needed to know something about Velindur, maybe he could summon the crystal and it would somehow tell them what they wanted to know. Jack opened his hand, stared at his palm, and concentrated hard.

‘Tell me about the treasures of Annwn,' he said in the most commanding voice he could muster.

When nothing happened he repeated the question. A blinding flash filled the small cellar. For a few moments Jack was unable to see. As his vision returned he could see the crystal suspended above his palm. It was spinning slowly.

‘Tell me about the treasures of Annwn,' Jack said again.

The crystal slowed to a halt. Jack thought it was about to disappear as the light from most of its facets dimmed and then without warning four beams shone brightly onto the cellar walls. The image of the Stone of Destiny was to Jack's left, ahead was the spear, to his right was the cauldron and as he turned his head he could see the sword on the wall behind him.

‘Aw Jack, you're just incredible. Ask if there are any more treasures.'

Before Jack could speak the images changed, then rapidly changed again.

‘Did you see them all?' asked Jack.

‘No, did you?'

‘There was Coragwenelan's blue cape, her staff, and a helmet.'

‘I saw the helmet, an old chest, and a two-wheeled chariot, but the rest went too quickly; ask it again only say to go a bit slower this time.'

Jack looked at the dimly glowing crystal and was about to repeat his question when it faded and disappeared. Jack shook his hand, held his palm flat and tried again but the crystal would not reappear.

‘That's it I'm afraid; Grannus did say it had a mind of its own.'

‘Did you see a book?'

‘No. Did you?'

Camelin shook his head.

‘The only thing we do know is that there are more than four treasures and Gwillam seems to think one of them is a book.'

‘Maybe we'll find out more tonight. I'm going to be given my quest before the feast.'

‘Oh no! Not a quest. That means you'll be off on your own again.'

‘I don't see why.'

‘It's that worthy thing again… you'll have to go and find something and prove you're the rightful king and I bet you have to do it on your own.'

Jack didn't answer. He'd had an awful thought. What if he had to find the book Velindur had in his hand? Jack remembered the look on Gwillam's face when he'd shown him the stone. If it only showed what was to be, even if Velindur didn't have the book yet, he would have it at some point and it must be important if Gwillam was worried.

‘We'd better be getting back or they'll start wondering where we are.'

‘I'll go first, so we're not seen together.'

Jack held the candle up so Camelin could see the stairs. He slowly counted to sixty and then made his way out of the cellar.

 

A great crowd had gathered around the Monolith. A platform had been raised in front of it and as Jack and Gwillam approached, the outer ring of people parted to let them through. A great cheer went up. Jack saw the four animal headed horns above the heads of the people. As they reached the steps an ear-splitting sound from the instruments drowned the cheers and cries of the crowd. Jack followed Gwillam onto the platform. He watched as Coragwenelan and the other twelve members of the Blessed Council mounted the steps at the back. When they were all on the platform Coragwenelan raised her arms. The sound stopped and the people bowed their heads.

‘People of Annwn, we are gathered here tonight to give our thanks to the one who stands before you. Without him you would no longer have a Queen. Without him, death would have invaded our land. He saved the lives of Eleanor, Seanchai, Keeper of Secrets and Ancient Rituals, Guardian of the Sacred Grove, Healer, Shape Shifter and Wise Woman. He breathed Arrana's life force into the acorns from the Mother Oak and ensured there will always be Hamadryads to watch over the forests of Earth. He is known to you as Jack Brenin, Raven Boy, and Friend to All. He has been granted the freedom of our land. He may enter and leave as he chooses and none may hinder his passage.'

Coragwenelan waited until the cheers from the crowd subsided.

‘Is there any here who dispute this title?'

No one made a sound. Jack felt awkward. He wasn't used to having so many people looking at him. Coragwenelan stepped to one side and Gwillam went and stood next to Jack. He banged his staff on the platform three times before speaking.

‘The Druids of Annwn wish to thank Jack Brenin for his help.'

Another great cheer rose from the crowd. Gwillam banged his staff again.

‘The Queen and Blessed Council are pleased to inform you all that Jack Brenin, the one who stands before you, is the true heir to the throne of Annwn. He is hereby charged with the quest to find the lost treasure of Annwn and return it to us at Samhain.'

Another roar from the crowd gave Jack chance to look for Camelin. He was on Nora's shoulder. They exchanged a look. Jack felt apprehensive as Gwillam spoke again.

‘He must locate the three parts of the King's torc, for without it there will be no coronation. Should he fail, he will only ever be crowned King of the Festival, as was his ancestor before him, until the day he can recover the torc.'

Gwillam reached into his pouch and produced a curved and twisted piece of gold. He turned and held it aloft for the crowd to see. Jack expected the crowd to cheer again but a hush fell.

‘Your quest, Jack Brenin, is to find the other two pieces of this torc. Only he who is worthy to be King will be able to find and remake the lost treasure. This is the first piece, the second can be found in Elidon, the Land of Shadow, and the third is on Earth, hidden in the Land of the Living.'

Jack swallowed hard. He didn't know if he was supposed to say anything. Gwillam passed him the piece of gold. As soon as it was in his trembling hand the horns blared and the crowd began cheering again. Gwillam patted Jack on the shoulder and Coragwenelan shook his hand. One by one the members of the Blessed Council filed past him and each smiled before bowing their head. Jack hoped someone was going to tell him where to begin.

Coragwenelan stepped forward and raised her arms.

‘Let us make our way to the amphitheatre, it is time for the Feast to begin.'

Jack watched as the Queen blew into a small silver whistle. The two of them looked towards the mountains. Jack strained his eyes until he saw Ember's silhouette appear in the sky. It wouldn't be long before the crowd saw how truly magnificent she looked. Every face turned upwards as she flew over. Jack smiled when he saw her land on top of the middle hillside where the amphitheatre was. She stretched out her wings, lowered her head, breathed a great flame, and lit the barbecue. Jack bowed to the Queen as she left the platform. He remained to watch the procession as it moved from the Monolith towards the amphitheatre.

‘Come on,' Camelin called from the bottom of the platform, ‘if we don't get a move on we'll miss the start of the festival.'

Jack reluctantly climbed down the stairs. When he reached the bottom Nora gave him a hug.

‘I know it's a lot to take in but you'll be fine. Camelin is right, it's time to go.'

Jack nodded. He knew it was useless to try to speak. He blinked back the tears that were welling up in his eyes. In his heart he knew Camelin was right about something else too, he knew he'd be expected to complete his quest alone.

 

 

SABOTAGE

The First Fruits Feast itself was almost the same as the one Jack had attended at Midsummer. There was plenty of food, entertainers and storytellers, but this time Jack's thoughts were elsewhere and he wasn't able to enjoy himself. He wished the Blessed Council had given him his quest after the feast and not before. The enormity of the task that lay ahead had overwhelmed him. Doubt, concern and worry filled his mind. Camelin was oblivious to Jack's problem; he'd eaten his fill, laughed at the jugglers and listened intently to the stories. As it grew late Camelin hopped over to Jack.