The Lost Treasure of Annwn (29 page)

‘You can stop now,' said Kerne softly, as he put his hand on Jack's shoulder.

As soon as Jack removed his hand the green leaves began to turn yellow and drop from the tree. The nuts on the ground were covered with autumnal leaves before they crumpled and disappeared completely.

‘The hazelnuts have gone!' exclaimed Camelin. ‘It's as if it never happened.'

‘Not all the hazelnuts,' replied Kerne as he lowered his hand into the well and scooped several out of the water. ‘You did well, Jack Brenin, we have just the right amount here, you'll need to crack all nine nuts open, eat them and then drink from the well.'

Jack laid the hazelnuts on top of a flat rock and found a stone. He proceeded to crack open each shell. When all nine were in his hand, he began to eat. He was glad he was able to scoop water from the well because the nuts were dry and difficult to swallow. When he'd finished eating, Jack felt dizzy. The whole world appeared to be spinning. He closed his eyes but it made him feel worse. He'd felt like this in the library at Falconrock after his
book rush
experience.

‘Don't worry,' said Kerne. ‘Sit down for a moment, the feeling will pass.'

‘What's wrong with him,' asked Camelin.

‘Your friend is adjusting to a surge of wisdom, it won't take long.'

‘I'm fine,' announced Jack as he stood.

‘Are you sure? You don't look too good,' said Camelin.

‘Positive, and I know exactly where we've got to go and how to get there. I must speak with Sabrina before sunrise, for she is only a nymph at night.'

Jack felt sure he was right but he'd no idea how he knew about Sabrina. The hazelnuts and water from the well, must have worked. He could see in his mind the place where Sabrina lived and he knew they'd find her on an island in the middle of the Gelston River. He was still trying to make sense of this new skill when Kerne began speaking.

‘Before you go I must warn you. This land is inhabited by those who find it difficult to live on Earth. Unfortunately there is a mean-spirited Hag between here and the river.'

‘We don't have to disguise ourselves, or use that vile shampoo again, do we?' grumbled Camelin.

‘There'll be no need for a disguise; I have a gift for you both, hold out your hands.'

Kerne laid his staff on the floor, closed his eyes, and clapped his hands together twice.

Something heavy landed on Jack's open palm. When he examined the object he found it was a stone with a hole through its middle. A very long leather thong had been looped through the hole. Jack could see Camelin had one too.

‘Wear these hag stones whenever you enter Elidon,' said Kerne.

‘What's a hag stone?' asked Jack.

Camelin sighed.

‘Hag stones are almost impossible to find. We could have done with some when we went into Silver Hill. They make you invisible to Hags.'

Kerne nodded slowly.

‘That's true, but they don't hide your smell and you can still be felt even if you can't be seen.'

‘I'm not frightened of any Hag,' said Camelin.

‘This isn't just
any Hag
, this one is a lot more vicious and cantankerous than the ones you meet on Earth, that's why she's here. Keep upwind of her and mind your ankles, this Hag bites.'

‘Thank you,' said Jack as put the hag stone around his neck. He nudged Camelin to do the same.

‘Yes, thank you,' he mumbled.

‘May good fortune be with you on your quest, Jack Brenin. Be mindful, take heed of your instincts and be careful what you wish for. You have the power of crystal magic within you, use that power wisely. I hope we meet again soon.'

Jack bowed his head. When he looked up again Kerne had begun to transform. Already his legs had changed, and instead of two, he now had four cloven-hoofed feet. As he shook his hair a mane appeared and his antlers grew longer. In seconds the transformation was complete. A great white stag stood before them. It stamped its right foot and bellowed loudly. The discarded staff began to transform too. It wasn't long before Permeris slithered at their feet. He reared and slightly bowed his head.

‘Farewell, until we meet again,' he hissed softly. ‘And remember, when you want to go home, wish it and it will be so.'

‘Thank you,' replied Jack. ‘We ought to be going.'

Without warning the great stag turned and galloped off into the forest. Jack held his breath as he watched the stag weave in and out of the trees until he disappeared from sight. When he looked around, Permeris was gone too. He and Camelin were alone.

The quest had begun.

 

‘So… what now?' asked Camelin.

‘We need to find Sabrina. Have you ever met her?'

‘Nope. I don't like the Gelston River, it's a dangerous place and this raven doesn't swim.'

‘You're not a raven now.'

Camelin shrugged his shoulders and stuck out his bottom lip.

‘How are we going to get there before sunrise? It's a long way to the river and we can't fly there.'

‘I can use the crystal, I know it will work.'

‘Let me change first.'

‘Change?'

‘It won't take a minute.'

Jack watched as Camelin screwed up his eyes and concentrated hard. His shoes changed into wellingtons, a bright yellow sou'wester appeared on his head, and a waterproof cape covered his clothes.

‘Is all that really necessary?'

‘I'm being practical.'

‘Well at least you won't need the umbrella.'

From underneath his cape Camelin produced the brolly.

‘Nora always says you should take an umbrella with you wherever you go…'

‘I know… it might come in handy.'

‘Well it might.'

‘Are you ready now?'

‘Ready.'

Jack opened his hand and visualised the crystal. He closed his eyes and formed its shape in his mind.

‘You did it Jack, look it's spinning over your palm.'

Jack opened his eyes. He felt a rush of excitement. Should he ask the crystal out loud or just visualise the place he wanted to go to? He decided to use his mind to show the crystal where they needed to go. He held out his free hand to Camelin.

‘You'd better hold my hand.'

Camelin wrinkled his nose and held out the pointed end of his umbrella.

‘I'd rather you held this.'

Jack didn't have time to disagree. He grabbed the end and showed the crystal the place where he knew Sabrina lived. In an instant the landscape changed. They hadn't moved or flown through the air, it was as if the Gelston River had come to them. They were standing on a grassy bank. Before them a wide river flowed swiftly. It looked deep, and the dark swirling water felt menacing. In the middle of the river was a small island.

‘Wow Jack! That was amazing, you really are a natural.'

‘Thanks, shall we go and see if the Lady of the River will speak with us?'

‘How do you know her proper name?'

‘I don't know, I just do. The same way that I know Sabrina lives on that island over there.'

‘It's those hazelnuts you ate. I suppose you're going to be a know-it-all now.'

‘I can't help what I know.'

‘So how are we going to get across, you'd better tell your crystal to take us over.'

Jack tried to summon the crystal but nothing happened.

‘I think we might have to get ourselves over to the island.'

‘We need a boat, can't you wish for a boat?'

Jack took a deep breath before he spoke.

‘We need a boat to get across to the island.'

From nowhere, a small round boat appeared on the bank behind Camelin.

‘We have a boat,' announced Jack and nodded for Camelin to turn round.

‘Boat! Call that a boat. It looks like someone's done my bigging spell on a basket!'

‘It's a coracle.'

‘A what?'

‘A boat the fishermen have used for generations on the Gelston River, it's…'

‘Stop, please! It was bad enough when you swallowed the book, now you're the fount of all knowledge.'

‘I just know what it is.'

‘Well get it changed, it looks unstable and I don't want to get wet.'

Jack tried to visualise Nora's rowing boat but the coracle stayed the same.

‘I think this is what we're meant to use. Are you coming?'

Camelin grumbled to himself as he helped Jack take the small boat to the water's edge. He held it still while Jack climbed in. The boat wobbled violently from side to side as Jack leant over to pick up the paddle.

‘Are you coming?' Jack asked again.

Reluctantly Camelin got into the boat and gripped the sides. When the boat steadied he looked down at Jack's wet feet.

‘You should have got yourself a pair of wellingtons.'

Jack didn't answer. He was trying to concentrate. He instinctively knew how to use the paddle but he didn't have the strength in his arms to make it go where he wanted. After three failed attempts Camelin sighed loudly.

‘Give me the oar. We'll be here for hours if you're going to paddle like that.'

Jack didn't complain. Camelin was much stronger. It wasn't long before the coracle was heading across the river towards the island where Sabrina lived.

 

SABRINA

‘Are you sure this is the right island?' said Camelin, as they got out of the coracle.

‘It feels right; we're going to have to trust in crystal magic because without it I wouldn't have a clue where to begin.'

‘There's only a clump of trees, a few bushes and lots of grass. Who'd want to live here?'

‘Maybe that's the point. If it looks uninhabited you won't get people calling on you.'

Camelin sighed loudly when they'd heaved the coracle onto the grass.