The Jack Brenin Collection

by Catherine Cooper

  Jack looked up. He was surprised but relieved to see they were at the bottom of Stonytop Ridge. Tall bushes hid them from sight. He could see Nora’s car through a gap in the leaves. Nora and Elan put down their sacks and raised their arms in the air. They spiralled upwards and soon shape-shifted back to normal.

  ‘I suppose we have to wait ’til we get home to get rid of all this lot,’ grumbled Camelin.

  ‘You will,’ agreed Nora. ‘Your spell won’t wear off for a while but we can at least get rid of the smell.’

  Elan passed a small bottle to Jack.

  ‘A couple of dabs behind your ears should help.’

  Jack was amazed. Within seconds the revolting Hag smell had disappeared. Elan did her own ears and gave Camelin a good rub under his chin before passing the bottle to Nora.

  ‘Shall we go? I’ve got a lot of questions to ask our visitor before bedtime.’

  There was a muffled protest from the sack that lay on the grass and a lot of wriggling. Nora ignored the complaints as she stood Pyecroft up on his feet and led him to the car.

  ‘So what exactly were you doing here?’ Camelin asked the Dorysk.

  ‘An important job for Nora,’ he replied before following Elan.

  Camelin shuffled ahead. Jack wondered if he was going to try to get more information from the Dorysk but he wasn’t sure he’d learn much. Jack and Elan walked back to the car together.

  ‘We were worried about you,’ said Elan.

  ‘I was worried about us! I didn’t like the look of the Draygull, he frightened me.’

  ‘It’s a good job we used the Hag smell, Draygulls have an amazing sense of smell and they don’t like humans.’

  ‘They can’t have very good hearing. You should have heard the Hag choir! I’ve never heard such a dreadful sound.’

  ‘I’m sure Chief Knuckle will enjoy it, but it might spoil his fun if he finds out they’ve had uninvited guests tonight.’

  ‘There’s something I don’t understand; when we were in the great hall the whole cavern was filled with candles. Everyone’s been calling it the Candleless Feast. It doesn’t make sense.’

  ‘Norris and Snook told us all about that. Tonight, the Spriggans are celebrating their new light source. They’re burning every candle they have. The feast won’t end until the last flame goes out.’

  ‘I see; they’ll be candleless once they’ve all gone.’

  Nora took the sack from Jack and opened it so the rats could jump out.

  ‘Ready everyone?’ she asked.

  It wasn’t long before the car was on its way back to Glasruhen.

  Nora turned into the garage as the last light from the sinking sun disappeared below Glasruhen Hill.

  ‘We’d better transform you so you can get off home,’ said Nora.

  ‘Me first,’ croaked Camelin as he pushed in front of Jack.

  ‘It’s alright,’ said Jack, ‘do Camelin first.’

  ‘I can’t, he’s got a temporary disguise spell, which is different to yours. It’ll wear off soon enough.’

  Camelin humphed loudly before shuffling off, with his shoulders hunched, towards the house.

  ‘He’ll be fine in the morning,’ said Elan. ‘We’ll see you tomorrow after school and hopefully by then we’ll know exactly what’s been going on. I’ll take Pyecroft in while Nora transforms you.’

  Jack watched as Elan marched Pyecroft into the kitchen. Eight rats scurried around Nora’s feet. Jack recognised Whortle as he stood on his hind legs.

  ‘How can we ever thank you? We are very grateful.’

  Nora smiled.

  ‘When Motley gets back he’ll sort you all out. If you’ve got families to go back to we’ll get you there, if not, you’re welcome to live here.’

  Whortle wiped a tear from his eye.

  ‘I thought we’d end our days in those tunnels, many have before us.’

  ‘You’re safe now, make yourselves at home,’ Nora told the rats before turning to Jack.

  ‘Ready?’

  ‘Ready.’

  Although he was prepared, the jolt to his body made him jump. He began to stretch and grow while his nose shrank back to normal. He watched as the long claw-like fingers and long nails receded. Finally his spine straightened and he was back to his own body shape again.

  ‘I’m not sure I ever want to be a Hag again.’

  ‘I don’t think any of us do. Now, remove your wart and then you can be off, it’s getting late. If there’s any news I’ll send you a message.’

  Jack had to squint to see the long hair sticking out from the end of his nose.

  ‘Why didn’t it disappear in the transformation?’ he asked Nora.

  ‘It was your spell so you need to remove it,’ she explained.

  Jack took his wand and closed his eyes. He thought hard about the wart no longer being on the end of his nose. A small popping sound told him it was gone.

  ‘Well done,’ said Nora. ‘Soon you won’t need a wand for that kind of magic.’

  Jack didn’t really understand, he thought he needed his wand for every kind of magic. He wanted to ask Nora what she meant but it was getting late and he really ought to go home.

  Jack ran all the way back to Grandad’s. It felt good to be a boy again. He wished he could have stayed to listen to the information the Bogie had about the Caves of Eternal Rest and the stolen crystals but he knew he’d have to wait. He was happy Nora and Elan were back, even if it was only for a short time. He knew they’d have to go back to Annwn to save the Druids. He was glad he wasn’t going to have to go back to Silver Hill again in a hurry. As Jack reached the bottom of Grandad’s garden he stopped in his tracks. There’d been so much going on he’d forgotten all about the other dragon in Silver Hill, the big one, and the Night Guard were inside there now. If he wanted to help rescue them he’d have to go back again, and soon.

  THE DAY OF BAD OMENS

  Jack’s last day at school seemed to last an eternity. His teacher had promised they’d have some fun and although he’d enjoyed the games and quizzes he couldn’t wait for the day to be over. His mind was preoccupied with thoughts of the strange owl-like man that Camelin had called a Draygull. The big dragon they had to rescue was worrying him too. He knew it wasn’t going to be easy but it was vital if they were to help the Druids.

  After lunch he began to wonder about the important job the Dorysk had been doing for Nora and no matter how hard he tried he couldn’t stop thinking about the three dragonettes. He’d spoken to them all briefly after the rescue but since then he’d not seen them at all. Jack suddenly realised that all the things he’d been thinking about started with the letter D. It must be an omen. He’d even spread damson jam on his toast while Grandad had been telling him about his double dahlias. He wondered what Camelin would have to say when he told him.

  It was a relief when the end of the day finally arrived. He’d be at the secondary school after the holidays, which he really wasn’t looking forward to. He wanted to get home as quickly as possible but he had too much to carry to run. He was really happy when he saw Grandad waiting by the school gate.

  ‘Pass me some of your things. I thought you might need a hand.’

  ‘Thanks,’ replied Jack as he began to work out the best way to ask Grandad if he could go to Ewell House.

  ‘I had a visitor today, your young friend Elan came to see me.’

  ‘Is she alright?’

  ‘Oh yes, everyone at Ewell House has been invited to a barbecue tonight and they wondered if you’d like to go with them.’

  ‘Could I?’

  ‘You can, but as I explained to Elan, it’s the County Flower Show on Sunday and tomorrow morning I’ve got to be up nice and early to help with the marquee. Would you mind staying the night? Then it won’t matter what time you get back.’

  ‘I’d love to,’ replied Jack as he tried to contain his excitement.

  ‘The barbecue isn’t ’til later so I’ve got some doughnuts we can have with a cuppa be
fore you go.’

  ‘Doughnuts!’

  ‘Don’t you like doughnuts?’

  ‘I love them, you just surprised me.’

  ‘See you tomorrow night,’ Jack called as he set off.

  ‘I’ll come along as soon as we’ve finished but it won’t be ’til late, have a good time,’ Grandad called back.

  Jack turned and waved when he reached the gap in the hedge. He could feel his spine tingling. The leaves brushed against his legs and almost pulled him into the hedge as if they were eager for him to be on his way. As he made his way to Ewell House, Jack tested his memory trying to recall everything he’d read in Nora’s Dragon Lore book. She wouldn’t have lent it to him if it hadn’t been important. He couldn’t wait to hear what they’d got planned. The rescue had to be tonight, the barbecue must be an excuse so he could stay over.

  Jack felt slightly disappointed when he stepped into Nora’s garden. He’d expected Camelin to be there to meet him but the garden was deserted. The herborium and kitchen were empty too.

  ‘Hello, anyone there?’ he called from the patio.

  ‘We’re in the library,’ Elan shouted, ‘come through. Leave your bag, you can take it up later, we’ve got far more important things to sort out first.’

  Jack found his wand and made his way to the library. The first thing he saw as he entered the room was Pyecroft sitting on a chair by the open window. He didn’t look at all pleased. His legs were bound to the chair with ivy, which trailed into the room through the window. It was wound around his waist and both arms too. The table was spread with a large sheet of paper and Nora was busy writing. A pile of books stood next to several rolls of paper and the Dragon Lore book was open on top.

  ‘We have a problem,’ explained Nora. ‘Our friend here has been very helpful but I’m afraid it isn’t good news.’

  Pyecroft began to struggle at the use of the word friend. Another tendril of ivy crept in through the window and wound itself around his chest. Nora looked over at the Bogie and sighed.

  ‘The more you struggle the worse it will be and after what you’ve told us I can’t believe you’d be in any kind of a hurry to return to Silver Hill.’

  The Bogie stopped struggling and glowered at Nora but didn’t say a word.

  ‘What kind of bad news?’ asked Jack.

  Nora gestured for him to sit on the chair next to Elan.

  ‘It seems Pyecroft isn’t in charge after all, the Big One is.’

  ‘That doesn’t make sense. How can a big dragon be in charge when it’s a prisoner?’ asked Jack.

  ‘The Big One isn’t the dragon, in fact the Big One has deceived them all into believing he can shape-shift into a wasp whenever he wants and sting them any time he chooses.’

  Jack gasped.

  ‘You mean Velindur’s inside Silver Hill?’

  ‘He is. It’s no wonder there wasn’t any news of him. It seems he entered the hill through a keyhole in one of the doors. Once the transformation spell wore off he soon made his presence felt. Pyecroft here had a nice little trade going with the Spriggans in return for a place to live, until Velindur arrived. Now, it seems, he’s been turned into Velindur’s servant.’

  Jack looked over at Pyecroft. He could see his legs shaking beneath the ivy. Velindur must have frightened the Bogie badly.

  ‘Is that how Pyecroft found out about the crystals? Did Velindur tell him?’

  Elan nodded and sighed deeply before speaking.

  ‘If only I could have been back in Annwn sooner none of this would have happened. I’m afraid Velindur must have taken advantage of his position when he set himself up as King. In the palace library are many ancient books, which contain all the secrets of Annwn. Knowledge is a powerful thing, especially when you don’t possess magic. I suspect Velindur learnt all he could over the years and now he’s in a better position than we are. I don’t think he made his way to Silver Hill by accident. I think he was looking for it.’

  ‘But why?’ asked Jack.

  Nora began tapping the table with her wand.

  ‘Do you remember the story about Howling Hill?’

  ‘I do. Timmery thought it might be more than a legend.’

  ‘We think Velindur must have come to the same conclusion. He’s probably known for a long time that the dragon inside Silver Hill was real. In the story the dragon guards a priceless treasure, those who’ve tried to find it have never returned. It looks like the dragons set up their home in front of the tunnel which leads to the fifth gateway. They couldn’t have known they were guarding a secret entry into Annwn as well as their own horde of treasure. Velindur knew about the fifth gateway but he couldn’t have known about the other inhabitants of Silver Hill. We can only presume that once he’d found the only surviving Dragon tethered, and the gateway open, he set about using the Bogie and Spriggans to further his own ends.’

  ‘Which were?’ asked Jack.

  Elan sighed again and walked over to the window before answering.

  ‘He wants to destroy the Druids completely. He knows they can’t survive inside the Caves of Eternal Rest without the life-giving magic the crystals provide. He knows where the fifth gateway into Annwn is located. He’s known all the time. When he swore he’d have his revenge it wasn’t a hollow promise, he knew exactly what he was going to do. He must have been overjoyed to find the Spriggans inside Silver Hill and a willing fool to do his bidding. Pyecroft’s been paid handsomely for his part in all this with Spriggan gold. They think he found the crystal cave especially for them. It seems they don’t like the Bogie but they’re grateful to him for the new lights. I doubt even they know they’ve been part of a bigger plan. Thanks to Pyecroft and the Spriggans, Velindur hasn’t had to lift a finger to get his revenge and if we don’t act soon he’ll succeed.’

  Jack didn’t know what to say. Nora had been right – the news wasn’t good.

  ‘What are we going to do?’ he asked.

  Nora pointed at the map.

  ‘Tonight, we rescue the dragon. Once we have it outside the hill, Elan and I will take it through the Western Gateway into Annwn. We’ll see if its fiery breath can melt the ice sheet. If we could make even the smallest hole we’d be able to save the Druids.’

  Elan nodded in agreement.

  ‘Once we’ve opened the caves, with Cora and Gwen’s help, I can put the crystals back. The magic will be replaced and we’ll be able to awaken the Druids who wish to return to Annwn. Those who choose to stay inside the caves will once more have an eternal resting place.’

  ‘It’s not going to be easy to collect all the crystals,’ said Jack, ‘they’re everywhere inside the tunnels.’

  ‘On the contrary,’ replied Nora, ‘we’ve got nearly all the crystals back already.’

  ‘How!’

  ‘Last night while we were Bogie-napping, Charkle, Norris and Snook, along with the Dorysk, were crystal collecting,’ explained Elan. ‘The dragonettes are incredibly strong for their size and were able to fly back here with the sacks they’d filled. When the candles finally burn down in the great hall, the whole of Silver Hill will be in darkness.’

  Jack smiled.

  ‘That’s brilliant. The Spriggans are really frightened of the dark. It’ll make it easier to travel along the tunnels when we go in to rescue the dragon. How can Camelin and I help?’ Jack looked around. ‘Where is Camelin? I haven’t seen him yet.’

  Nora laughed.

  ‘He’s in his loft. He’s not been down, not even for his meals. Today is known as the Day of Bad Omens and he seems to think he’s been cursed.’

  Jack wondered what terrible thing could have happened to make Camelin stay in his loft all day. There was only one way to find out.

  ‘Is it alright if I go and see him now?’

  ‘Of course it is,’ said Nora. ‘When you’ve sorted him out come back down and we’ll tell you all about our plans for tonight.’

  ‘Hello,’ Jack called as he got to the bottom of the ladder that led up to Camelin�
��s loft.

  ‘You can come up but you’ve got to promise not to laugh.’

  ‘Laugh at what?’

  ‘I’ve been cursed. I knew when I woke up it wasn’t going to be a good day but I didn’t think it would be this bad.’

  ‘Nora says it’s the Day of Bad Omens,’ replied Jack as he poked his head through the hole into the loft. ‘Wow! Fergus and Berry really did do a good job!’

  There wasn’t anything on the floor except the two soft cat baskets that Camelin insisted were raven baskets and Jack’s beanbag. Camelin was nowhere to be seen.

  ‘Shh! Nora thinks I did it.’

  Jack looked in the direction Camelin’s voice had come from and could just make out a black shape in the far corner.

  ‘Did you get your wand back?’

  ‘No.’

  ‘Why are you hiding?’

  ‘Hasn’t anything strange happened to you at all today?’

  ‘I suppose it did earlier, everything I thought about started with the letter D.’

  ‘Like doom, disaster and destruction?’

  Jack laughed.

  ‘You promised you wouldn’t do that. Besides what’s so funny?’

  ‘I meant Druids, dragons, Draygulls, Dorysks, dragonettes, damson jam, dahlias and doughnuts!’

  ‘Oh!’ said Camelin. ‘I bet you haven’t still got your wart on your nose, have you?’

  As Camelin stepped out from the shadows Jack could see why he was so upset. There on the end of his beak was the three-hair wart. Jack had to suck his cheeks in tight to stop himself from laughing.

  ‘It’s a punishment, I know it is,’ wailed Camelin. ‘I’ve had so many bad omens I shouldn’t have been surprised when I saw it.’

  ‘What kind of bad omens?’ Jack managed to ask.

  ‘Well, walking under a ladder without realising it.’

  ‘Where did you find a ladder to walk under?’

  ‘I was hungry last night and when the Hag spell wore off I went out for a snack, I didn’t know I had this on my beak, no wonder they shooed me off.’