The Jack Brenin Collection

by Catherine Cooper

  ‘I’m sorry, what’s wrong?’

  Motley walked over to the lanterns.

  ‘These two here have valuable inside information but it’s not good news, not good at all.’

  Jack looked at the dragonettes then back at Motley and then at the rest of the Night Guard. No one spoke.

  ‘Will someone explain?’

  ‘Too upsetting for any of us to say,’ replied Motley and promptly went over to the rest of the rats and sat down next to Raggs.

  Jack looked at the dragonettes.

  ‘Camelin asked us about the monster, you know, the train,’ began Snook. ‘It runs from the top of Stonytop to the bottom of Silver Hill but it doesn’t have an engine, it rolls down its own tunnels until it comes to a stop at the terminus.’

  ‘How does it get back up without any power?’

  ‘Bright boy, bright boy,’ interrupted Motley.

  Norris sighed before continuing.

  ‘The last carriage is a cage and it’s full of what the Spriggans call pullers. Once all the passengers are off they harness them to the back of the last carriage and they pull the train all the way back to the top of the other hillside.’

  Jack tried to visualise the distance between Silver Hill and the crags.

  ‘That’s a long way to haul a train. How big are the pullers?’

  Snook looked at Motley before answering Jack.

  ‘The pullers are rats, the strong ones. All the small or weak ones go for eaters.’

  Fergus and Berry gasped and the rest of the Night Guard winced.

  ‘That’s awful!’ said Jack. ‘We’ve got to do something to help them.’

  ‘We’re not going back to Silver Hill again tonight are we?’ groaned Camelin.

  ‘No, not tonight, but I’m sure when Nora gets back she’ll think of a way we can rescue them. As you say Motley, Norris and Snook will have lots of valuable inside information. I’m sure between us we’ll be able to help them.’

  ‘Wait till you hear why the train was full of Hags,’ chuckled Camelin.

  Jack gave him a look. It didn’t seem right to be having a laugh when the rats were so upset. Jack looked at the two dragonettes.

  ‘I’d forgotten about the Hags,’ said Timmery. ‘There were lots in the train we saw.’

  ‘Hags have been coming into Silver Hill over the last two days,’ explained Norris. ‘The train’s been going up and down every hour. There are two passenger carriages and the last one’s where the r…’

  ‘Yes, yes, yes, we know what the last carriage is full of,’ interrupted Motley.

  ‘So how many come down from the crags at a time?’ asked Jack.

  ‘Eight,’ croaked Saige as she hopped out from behind Nora’s umbrella stand.

  ‘I wish she wouldn’t do that,’ complained Camelin. ‘You never know where or when she’s going to turn up.’

  Jack did a quick calculation.

  ‘That’s a lot of Hags. I didn’t think they liked each other’s company. Why would they be visiting the Spriggans?’

  ‘It’s for the banquet, for the Candleless Feast, the one they were going to roast us at,’ explained Norris. ‘They’re celebrating because they don’t need candles any more.’

  Snook picked something up from the bottom of his lantern and tossed it through the bars towards Jack.

  ‘All the main tunnels have these. It’s because of the new lights that we aren’t needed any more, they never go out, not like the candles used to.’

  Jack picked up the crystal. It looked familiar but he couldn’t think where he’d have seen anything like it before, apart from the tunnels inside Silver Hill.

  ‘And the Hags?’

  ‘They’re the choir,’ said Norris. ‘They’re going to sing at the banquet. We’ve heard them. They make a dreadful noise.’

  Jack wondered what the little dragonettes would say if they heard Camelin sing but now wasn’t the time to mention it, his own singing hadn’t been too good either today.

  ‘If they’re having a banquet, why didn’t they use you two to help barbecue the food?’ asked Jack.

  ‘No need,’ replied Snook, ‘they’ve got a barbecue pit in the big cave at the bottom of the mountain. They wouldn’t have much use for us two when there’s a dragonair down there.’

  ‘You mean the legend’s true? There really is a big dragon at the bottom of Silver Hill?’ asked Jack excitedly. ‘The dragon must be the big one the Spriggans were talking about.’

  Norris nodded and shook his wings till he was comfortable.

  ‘It used to be known as Howling Hill but that was a very long time ago. When the Spriggans first captured the dragonair it used to roar and stomp around. It used to make the whole mountain shake. I heard one of the Spriggans laughing once and saying it kept the nosies away. He meant people.’

  ‘Or Bogies,’ suggested Camelin.

  Norris and Snook exchanged looks.

  ‘There’s a Bogie moved in not so long ago. They wouldn’t normally let one in but this one’s been getting them things they need in exchange for gold. He’s the one who showed them where to get the crystals from,’ explained Snook. ‘They call him Pig Face behind his back.’

  ‘We know who that is, his name’s Pyecroft,’ said Jack. ‘We’ve had dealings with him before.’

  ‘He’s been doing a lot of bossing about recently and there’s a lot of Spriggans down there don’t like him,’ explained Norris.

  ‘I wonder if Peabody knows where his brother’s living?’ said Jack.

  Motley coughed to get everyone’s attention.

  ‘Podge, your report please, speak up now lad so we can all hear.’

  The roundest rat, with the darkest fur and longest tail stood up. He took a couple of steps towards Jack before speaking.

  ‘I’ve been watching the area northwest of Ewell House, commonly known as Newton Gill Forest. Nothing suspicious to report; Peabody’s been home for weeks and hasn’t left the forest. He’s not had any visitors either.’

  Jack nodded to Podge before speaking to the Night Guard.

  ‘I’m sorry but I’m not going to be able to do anything tonight, I’ve got to go now. We’ll just have to wait until Nora gets back. She’ll know what to do but I promise I’ll help you rescue the rats in Silver Hill.

  Camelin let out a great sigh.

  ‘I suppose that means I’ll be helping too.’

  Jack smiled.

  ‘I suppose it does, but that shouldn’t be too hard for a brave raven like you.’

  For once Camelin didn’t reply. Jack got up and stood by the kitchen door, everyone except Camelin waved goodbye to him. Jack walked down to the hedge alone. He wasn’t too worried if Camelin was annoyed with him, it meant he’d at least get an undisturbed night’s sleep. Jack ran all the way back to Grandad’s house.

  NEWS FROM ANNWN

  Jack woke to sunshine streaming through his open curtains. He’d been so tired he’d forgotten to draw them before falling asleep. He remembered telling Grandad he needed an early night and lying down on the bed but that had been last night and now it was morning. He squinted at his clock. It was nearly six o’clock. Grandad wouldn’t be up for at least an hour. Jack took a deep breath and let it out slowly. He’d not had time, over the last couple of days, to stop and think. Everything had happened so quickly. He wondered if Nora and Charkle were back, if they were they’d already know that Norris and Snook were safe. Jack smiled. He wished he could have seen Charkle’s face when he saw his brothers again. Jack went over to the window and looked out at the trees surrounding Ewell House. He stood lost in thought for a few moments and was just about to go back to bed when a high-pitched squeak above his head made him look up.

  ‘Timmery?’

  Jack grabbed his wand and came back to the window in time to see a long tail with a pointed end unfurl from the upside down bat.

  ‘Charkle! When did you get back? Have you…’

  ‘I come to thank you, to thank you from the bottom of my heart
. My brothers send their thanks too.’

  ‘You need to thank Camelin, Timmery and the Dorysk too, without them we’d never have rescued Norris and Snook. Have you had a chance to speak to your brothers yet?’

  ‘Not really, we got back this morning at first light. Nora’s released Norris and Snook from the lanterns and they’re sleeping now. She didn’t want me to disturb them. She said we’d have lots of time later to catch up but I couldn’t wait to come and thank you. Nora said it would be alright as long as I didn’t wake you, she said you’d probably be exhausted. She knows all about the rescue and how brave you’ve all been. Everyone’s asleep now so I came over to wait until you got up.’

  ‘Was it Camelin’s version of the rescue that Nora heard?’

  ‘Partly, but Timmery was there too and so were the Night Guard so Nora knows everything that’s happened since she’s been away. I couldn’t believe my eyes when we got back and saw Norris and Snook on the table. Thank you so much Jack Brenin, you truly are a friend to us all.’

  Jack didn’t know what to say. He didn’t want to change the subject but he desperately wanted news of Elan.

  ‘So what’s the news from Annwn?’ he said as casually as he could.

  ‘Oh Jack, they’ve got an awfully big problem, bigger than even Nora, Elan, Gwillam and the whole Blessed Council can solve.’

  ‘What kind of problem?’

  ‘A desperate one. Nora summoned me to try to melt a hole into the ice sheet, the one that seals the front of the Caves of Eternal Rest. Do you remember when we went and looked at the caves when we were in Annwn?’

  Jack nodded.

  ‘I don’t understand. Why would they need a hole in the ice?’

  ‘Gwillam’s been dream messaging with Mortarn, the Gatekeeper of the caves. Most of the Druids want to be woken so they can help the Queen put Annwn to rights. Gwillam arranged for the Blessed Council to meet and perform the wakening ceremony.’

  ‘Wakening ceremony? That’s a lot of Druids to waken at once.’

  ‘They use a ritual to awaken the Gatekeeper first. He then goes and turns the big diamond-shaped crystal, it’s the key to the caves and melts the ice that seals the entrance. Once the cave is open the Druids can be woken. The ones who wish to leave can, and those who wish to remain sleep again when the cave is resealed. The Gatekeeper can never leave the caves. He has to stay there for eternity.’

  ‘That still doesn’t explain why you needed to make a hole in the ice.’

  ‘When the Blessed Council got to the cave entrance it was so dim inside they could hardly see anything. They couldn’t wake the Gatekeeper and nothing they did would unseal the entrance. They’re all very worried. Something dreadful must have happened for the light to fade.’

  ‘Is that why Nora left for Annwn in such a hurry?’

  ‘It is. Elan tried to help but none of her magic was strong enough. She thought if everyone tried together they’d be able to at least make a hole in the ice and let some air in.’

  ‘But isn’t there plenty of air inside the cave?’

  ‘There was when the crystals were working properly. They not only give out light but they also keep the Druids alive. Without the light from the crystals the cave will become a tomb. That’s why Nora needed me to try to melt the ice. Even a little hole would have helped but it was impossible. The magic seal is too strong. Unless Mortarn wakes and turns the crystal key all the sleeping Druids inside the caves will die.’

  ‘That’s terrible. Do you think if you went back with Norris and Snook you might be able to melt the ice? Three dragons breathing fire together would be better than one.’

  ‘I already suggested that to Nora this morning but she says we’re going to need a much bigger dragon.’

  ‘I know where we can find a bigger dragon.’

  ‘I presume you mean the one inside Silver Hill.’

  ‘Yes. Does Nora know about it?’

  ‘She does now. She’s waiting till Norris and Snook wake up so she can get as much inside information as possible. Camelin wasn’t pleased when Timmery suggested we rescue the dragon but Nora seemed to think it was a good idea.’

  ‘Rescue a dragon,’ laughed Jack. ‘It used to be the other way round. Knights would fight a dragon to rescue a princess, I’ve never heard of a dragon being rescued before.’

  ‘Oh yes you have. We dragonettes were rescued and will be forever grateful.’

  ‘Let’s hope the big dragon will be grateful too, it isn’t going to be easy. I’ve read Nora’s book about Dragon Lore and dragonairs are notoriously bad tempered. They used to roast people first and never bothered to ask any questions. They’re very partial to barbecued human.’

  ‘But they wouldn’t roast another dragon.’

  ‘How do you know?’

  ‘Dragons can smell another dragon from quite a distance away. I told you I could smell dragon’s breath through the doorway in Silver Hill.’

  ‘Dragon’s Breath! I helped make a cauldron-full for Nora. She said we’d need all the help we could get if we were going to look for dragons but I thought she meant dragonettes.’

  ‘She did, but it’ll work just as well for big dragons.’

  Jack felt dizzy; he went and sat on the bed. He’d read all about dragonairs so he knew what they’d be dealing with. Nora would too. If they were relying on the potion he’d made, to protect them from the dragon in Silver Hill, he hoped he’d made it right. If he hadn’t they’d be in trouble. Charkle flitted into Jack’s room and fluttered around his head.

  ‘Are you alright? You don’t look too good.’

  ‘I’m fine but I’ve got to get ready now, it’s the concert this afternoon. I expect Nora’s forgotten. I really wanted her to come but she’s got enough to do.’

  Before Charkle could answer Grandad’s alarm started ringing. Charkle fluttered around Jack’s head one last time before heading for the open window.

  ‘We’ll see you later Jack.’

  ‘Yes, see you later.’

  Jack’s head was spinning. He needed to concentrate on the concert, dragons and druids were going to have to wait until later but no matter how he tried he couldn’t put them out of his mind. A knock on his bedroom door made him jump.

  ‘Oh good, you’re up,’ said Grandad as he poked his head round the door. ‘Here’s your white shirt and bow tie for the concert, now mind you don’t get them dirty, come down and have your breakfast first before you get dressed.’

  ‘I’ll be down in a minute,’ Jack said.

  He needed a moment to steady his legs.

  Jack could feel his stomach churning as he stepped out of the school hall and led the rest of the choir towards the stage that had been set up underneath the trees at the back of the field. He held his back straight, as his teacher had asked, and walked with confidence even though he felt very nervous. The dress rehearsal had been a disaster and the fear of not being able to sing his best was worrying him badly. When he passed the front row of visitors he saw his Grandad. The smile on his face helped, and the reassuring nod he gave Jack made him feel a lot better, but the seat where Nora should have been sitting was empty. Jack wished she could have come but he understood why she’d not been able to make it. He scanned the trees but there was no sign of Camelin either.

  Once the choir was seated the orchestra arrived and positioned themselves in front of the stage. The head teacher stepped out and welcomed everyone and then came the three taps of the teacher’s baton on the music stand that was the cue to begin. The orchestra played four pieces. Jack knew they’d only got one more to play before it was his turn. His solo was sung unaccompanied at the beginning of the choir’s performance. He began to feel hot under the collar. He wasn’t used to wearing a bow tie but he couldn’t loosen it, they’d all been told not to fiddle with them. As the audience applauded the orchestra’s performance, Jack saw Nora walking around the side of the seating. She sat down next to Grandad and gave Jack the most welcome smile he’d seen in a long time. From t
he corner of his eye, in the tree by the school gate, he saw Camelin and next to him on either side sat four small birds. As he watched, a fifth bird fluttered down onto the branch and joined them. Now Jack knew he could sing his best because he’d be singing for his friends. He wanted the Gnarles in Newton Gill Forest and the Dryads to hear him too.

  As soon as the applause died down and the choir stood, Jack stepped forward. He hit the first note perfectly and the sound of his voice rang, as clear as a bell, towards the forest. He knew the trees were listening, he could see their branches swaying, even though there wasn’t any breeze. He sang as well as he could for all his friends and when he reached the very last note a great sense of pride swelled up inside him. For once he’d done something special on his own, without using magic or relying on Nora. The applause was deafening. The teacher had to wait until everyone was quiet before the rest of the concert could proceed. Jack sang like he’d never sung before. It was a wonderful feeling.

  The concert finished with the orchestra playing and the choir and the whole school singing together. Most of the audience joined in too. The head teacher thanked everyone for coming and Jack led the choir back to the hall to another round of rapturous applause. He couldn’t wait to see Nora. As soon as they were dismissed he ran across the field to Grandad. Nora wasn’t there. He glanced up at the tree. Camelin and the other small birds had also disappeared. He felt very disappointed but didn’t want Grandad to notice.

  ‘Did you like it?’ he asked.

  ‘Like it? I loved it, you sang beautifully. I told you it’d be alright didn’t I.’

  Jack nodded. His heart was beating fast and he couldn’t tell if it was from running or excitement.

  ‘Did Nora enjoy the concert too?’

  ‘Of course she did, she’s invited us both for tea. I’ll come in for a cuppa but I’ve got to get back and start watering the plants. You can stay as long as you like and we’ll have a bit of supper later if you’re hungry.’

  ‘That would be nice,’ said Jack.

  It was a beautiful afternoon and they walked the short distance to Nora’s in silence. Jack was lost in thought. He knew Camelin wouldn’t be pleased that he was going to miss out on tea but he couldn’t sit at the table with Grandad there. He had so many questions to ask Nora too, but they’d have to wait until they were alone.