The Lost Treasure of Annwn (7 page)

INVESTITURE

Jack and Elan found Nora in the kitchen when they arrived back at Ewell House. The smell of freshly cut mint filled the room.

‘I didn't expect you back so soon,' said Nora.

‘Jack wants to find out more about crystal magic.'

Nora's eyebrows rose slightly.

‘I knew you'd want to visit Falconrock one day but I didn't expect it to be so soon. Is there a special reason?'

‘My Book of Shadows told me I need to look in the Druid's library. Elan said it was at Falconrock.'

‘It is, but it's hidden, and I'm bound by secrecy not to tell anyone how to get there, not even you. Falconrock is an ancient place. A long time ago it would have had at least one visitor every day. Druids brought knowledge to the archivist or went to seek answers. There's a rule in the library, known to every Druid. Books with visible titles on their spines are available for anyone to use but books with blank spines are special. They will only reveal their secrets to those who are worthy. Each journey is different and you cannot leave by the door through which you entered. It's a one-way trip and not for the fainthearted, you never know what you might find in the labyrinth. If you make it through to the outer door whatever knowledge you discover inside will be yours to keep forever. If you get lost and need a guide, you'll forfeit anything you may have learnt.'

‘Will I be able to open the door with my key?'

‘You can open any door, your key just turns the lock, but before you can enter the library you have to find it. There's one last thing you need to know. Once you step onto Falconrock, magic won't help you. You'll need to trust your instincts and make good judgements.'

None of Nora's words had weakened Jack's resolve. He just knew it was something he had to do. He looked pleadingly at Nora.

‘When can we go?'

‘If you've not got anything else planned, you could go tomorrow. It's not far; you can fly there with Camelin.'

‘But I thought you said I'd be on my own?'

‘You will be once you get to the rock. Camelin can wait for you by the exit.'

Jack let out a long slow breath. At last he would get some answers. He had no idea what might be inside the labyrinth but having come face to face with Velindur, a fire-breathing dragon, and a fearsome Draygull, he thought he was probably better prepared than most to face whatever it might hold. Jack's thoughts were interrupted by Camelin's arrival through the patio doors. He swerved round Nora and did a figure of eight before landing gracefully on the back of one of the chairs.

‘Glad you could join us,' said Nora. ‘You know we've got a busy afternoon.'

Camelin humphed.

‘You've got plenty of help now Jack and Elan are back.'

Nora shook her head and frowned.

‘I need you to take this bucket and find at least twenty grubs. You know the Dorysk has a healthy appetite.'

‘Why can't Jack do it?'

Elan laughed.

‘You're the best grub collector – Jack wouldn't have a clue where to look.'

‘That's true,' said Camelin as he hopped down to the floor and opened his beak for the bucket.

‘Thanks,' said Jack when Camelin had gone, ‘I really wouldn't know where to look. Why grubs?'

Nora smiled and passed Jack a selection of cutlery so he could help lay the table.

‘It's the Dorysk's investiture as an officer of the Night Guard later this afternoon. It would be rude not to have his favourite food on the table.'

Jack wrinkled his nose.

‘Will they be… wriggling?'

Elan laughed.

‘Just don't eat the little green parcels. It's Nora's special recipe, but grubs wrapped in mint leaves aren't my idea of a feast either.'

‘Does that mean I'm invited too?'

‘Of course you are,' said Nora. ‘I did mention it to your grandad but you'd better go back and remind him you're staying for tea. You can collect your wand and Orin at the same time. Didn't your grandad say anything to you about sleeping here for a couple of nights?'

‘No, but it was so busy this afternoon at the Cricket Club we didn't get a chance to say much at all.'

‘He's got a really busy week coming up, it's the local flower show next weekend and he's got to help set up the marquee. I suggested you might like to stay for a couple of nights this week and the whole of next weekend.'

‘That'll be great, thanks.'

‘What'll be great?' asked Camelin as he shuffled in with the bucket.

Nora looked inside before replying.

‘Jack's coming to stay for a couple of nights.'

‘Aw great! Can we go out flying?'

‘You can, in fact you can go tomorrow.'

‘On our own, without Elan?' asked Camelin as he winked at Jack.

‘Yes, without me. You'll be going over to Falconrock.'

Camelin sighed.

‘I had plans.'

‘And so does Jack,' said Nora.

Jack shrugged his shoulders and tried to give Camelin an apologetic look.

‘I need to visit the library.'

‘Whatever for, aren't there enough books here?'

Nora frowned.

‘That's enough. If you don't want to show Jack the way to Falconrock Elan can.'

Camelin raised his head and gave Nora his superior look.

‘Jack can't transform without me.'

‘That means I'll be naked!' groaned Jack. ‘Isn't there a spell I can use so I don't have to wander around without any clothes on?'

Nora nodded.

‘It's not a spell as such; you have to learn how to visualise.'

‘Visualise?' asked Jack.

‘I can teach you but it's not easy. It can sometimes take years of practice to get it right but I'm sure you'll get the hang of it.'

‘Didn't you know, he's a natural,' muttered Camelin.

Jack ignored him and spoke directly to Nora.

‘If you show me how, I'll practise till I get it right.'

Camelin humphed again and grumbled under his breath.

‘You can watch if you want to,' said Jack.

Nora picked up the bucket and tipped the grubs out into a dish.

‘Off you go to your grandad's and I'll sort out these little delicacies. By the time you get back we should be ready to start.'

‘Don't eat anything that's wrapped up,' Camelin warned Jack as he reached the kitchen door, ‘you never know what might be inside.'

‘I won't,' Jack assured him.

 

By the time Jack and Elan returned to the kitchen the table was laden with all kinds of food. Jack could see several dishes at one end of the table, each piled high with tiny leaf parcels. In Camelin's place was his favourite bowl, already full of his favourite things.

‘Nora said I could choose first if I helped,' explained Camelin when he saw Jack looking at his bowl.

‘I didn't mean before everyone arrived,' said Nora.

‘I don't have to put it all back do I?'

‘Eurgh! No!' replied Elan. ‘We don't know where your beak's been.'

Camelin puffed out his chest feathers.

‘I'll have you know I keep my beak perfectly clean.'

Jack smiled. He didn't think it was the right time to remind Camelin about the pizza cheese that quite often got stuck on it.

‘Any sign of the Dorysk?' asked Nora.

Jack heard a loud buzzing and a tiny voice.

‘Did someone mention my name?'

He watched as the Dorysk shape shifted twice in mid-air before his feet touched the floor. His usual prickly form hurried over to Nora. He bowed low to her, then to Elan and finally to Jack.

‘What about me? Don't I get a bow?' grumbled Camelin.

The Dorysk ignored him and offered Jack something very small. Jack could barely hold it between his finger and thumb.

‘What is it?'

‘For the great Jack Brenin, an invitation,' replied the Dorysk as he bowed again.

Camelin frowned and began muttering to himself.

‘The great Jack Brenin, what about the magnificent Camelin?'

‘Oh you're not included. I was instructed to give it to Jack.'

Camelin hunched his wings and glowered at the Dorysk. Jack held the paper up to the light and tried to examine it more closely. Nora got out her wand.

‘I think we need to make this a bit bigger so you can see what it says, don't you?'

She carefully aimed at Jack's fingers. As she whispered, Amplio, the tiny paper began to grow until Jack could see it was a small delicate envelope. The front was covered in strange writing. Camelin flew up onto Jack's shoulder to get a better look.

‘Not again, doesn't anyone use proper letters? What was the point of me learning my alphabet when no one else uses it?'

‘It's fairy script,' explained Nora. ‘If you'd paid more attention over the years you'd have recognised it.'

‘Fairies,' grumbled Camelin, ‘worse than Timmery for twittering and wittering, usually about nothing.'

‘And how would you know that?' asked Nora, ‘I didn't know you'd shared food with them.'

Jack smiled as Camelin tried to put on his innocent look. If Camelin had sampled fairy food, it would explain his warning about the small green parcels. He could ask Camelin about it later when they were alone. Right now, Jack was too excited; his heart was racing as he looked at the writing on the front of the envelope.

 

‘I can tell you what it says,' said the Dorysk, ‘I'm an expert in all kinds of languages both written and spoken.'

Camelin rolled his eyes but Nora shook her head.

‘I think we'll let Jack try to read it first.'

Jack concentrated hard on the letters. As he scrunched his eyes he found he could read the words…

To

The Great

Jack Brenin

‘Oh well done Jack,' said Nora.

‘Well done Jack, well done Jack, it's always well done Jack,' grumbled Camelin. ‘Open it up, oh great one, and read what it says.'

Jack turned the envelope over. It was similar to the one he'd had from Annwn but instead of a letter A under the seal, there were two capital letters on either side of a white flower.