The Jack Brenin Collection

by Catherine Cooper

  Jack wished he’d read the rules before he’d agreed to enter the race. It had all sounded exciting when Grandad had told him about the races he’d been in but now Jack was involved he’d didn’t feel quite the same. He knew he wasn’t strong enough to push the buggy uphill on his own and using magic would be out of the question.

  ‘Will you or Elan be driving?’

  ‘I don’t know. It’s not something we’ve discussed.

  ‘We used to have a rule, whoever was the strongest pushed and the lightest would be the driver.’

  ‘Elan’s a lot stronger than me.’

  ‘Really! She looks such a delicate little thing.’

  Jack smiled. He’d never really thought of Elan as delicate.

  ‘I’ll talk to her about it over the weekend.’

  ‘Best thing to do is for you both to have a go. Driving isn’t for everyone. Those buggies pick up a lot of speed on the downhill and whoever’s riding the tailgate needs to be a good runner too. We’ll all go over to Monument Hill next week so you can get a feel for the route. We’ll have time to make any adjustments and give her a second coat of paint before the race.’

  ‘Were you ever the driver?’

  ‘Oh yes, I was a slip of a lad like you when I was young, I didn’t weigh much in those days. The lighter the driver, the easier it was for the others to push, not so much weight to get up to the top of the hill.’

  Both Jack and Grandad sat in silence for a while and admired the Comet. Eventually Grandad stood up and handed Jack his mug before taking the wedge out from under one of the doors.

  ‘I think it’s time we went in, don’t you?’

  Jack had almost finished packing when he heard a gentle tapping on the window. As he looked round he could see Orin was already at the windowpane. He could tell from the way her tail curled at the end that it was someone she was happy to see.

  ‘Come in Motley,’ said Jack as he opened the window.

  ‘Don’t mind if I do, don’t mind if I do.’

  Orin greeted her brother and when Motley stood to attention she ran up Jack’s arm and settled down on his shoulder.

  ‘Is this an official visit or did you want to see Orin?’

  ‘Oh official, but it’s not something I’ve discussed with Camelin so I’d appreciate your discretion.’

  ‘Is there a problem?’

  ‘Not so much of a problem, more of an annoyance. Camelin’s set up this raggle taggle band of starlings, calling themselves the Flying Squad. An undisciplined rabble if you ask me.’

  Jack smiled, Motley’s description was very accurate but the squad had taken their duties seriously.

  ‘Is there something you’d like me to do?’

  ‘Oh yes! I hear they listen to you, Camelin’s got no power of command, likes to be in charge but no natural ability for it. There’s going to be a meeting before you go to Annwn tomorrow night. While you’re away Nora’s putting me in charge. I just want you to make sure the so-called Flying Squad understand it’s me they need to report to when Camelin’s not here.’

  ‘Are you sure you want them to report to you? They’re a noisy lot.’

  ‘I’ll soon have them in shape once they know it’s me they have to answer to. Can’t have enough eyes and ears watching, and reporting, but the air forces must have the same kind of discipline as those on the ground. As long as you tell them they need to report to me, I’ll make sure they’re sorted out. We’ll have three efficient, well-disciplined squads by the time you get back.’

  ‘I’ll have a word with them.’

  ‘Thank you kindly, knew I could rely on you. Better be off, got things to do, don’t you know.’

  ‘Before you go, is there any news about the gang?’

  ‘They’re all together at this very minute behind closed doors. The Dorysk has infiltrated their headquarters and will report back later. Something’s brewing. I can feel it in my whiskers. Well, can’t stand here talking all night.’

  ‘Thanks,’ said Jack as Motley scurried through the open window onto the ivy. ‘I can feel it too Orin, it’s been too quiet and I don’t think they’re going to give up that easily.’

  ‘Now are you sure you don’t mind staying at Ewell House till Sunday?’ Grandad asked Jack, as he was ready to leave.

  ‘I’ll be fine; there’ll be lots to do.’

  ‘I’m not going to be home till late but you’ve got your key if you’ve forgotten anything, just remember to lock up if you do come back.’

  ‘I’m sure I’ve got everything, I’ll see you at the show.’

  ‘That’s fine. Nora knows which marquee we’re in. I’m hoping my dahlias are going to do well this year, be nice to add a rosette to my collection.’

  Jack smiled. Grandad had quite a collection of cups and rosettes from various shows but this seemed to be the most important one of the year.

  ‘I hope you win.’

  ‘Thanks. There’ll be a lot of competition, keep your fingers crossed for me.’

  Jack showed Grandad his crossed fingers before he went out of the back door. As soon as he entered the tunnel he took Orin out of his pocket. She’d asked if she could run on ahead. It wasn’t often she got the chance to have a long run and Jack could see her enjoyment as she scurried down the path. It wasn’t long before she was out of sight. Jack didn’t rush; he wanted time to think before he reached the bottom of Nora’s garden. He was hours away from returning to Annwn and he was feeling a mixture of excitement and apprehension. It would be great to see everyone again but this wasn’t just a visit to see friends. He’d been summoned and was due to stand before Coragwenelan and the Blessed Council. Somehow they expected him to prove to them that he was their rightful king. Elan had said it was only a formality but he’d no idea what he was going to say. He didn’t feel he had the right to be a king, if he’d been born a prince he’d probably feel differently but he was just a boy. He still found it strange to think of Elan as anything other than Elan. Tonight she’d transform into the Queen of Annwn but it was only yesterday that they’d both been covered in dust and grease working together in his grandad’s shed. A rustling in the hedge made Jack look up. He could just see Camelin’s beak sticking through the leaves.

  ‘Come on slowcoach, I’ve been waiting for days for you to arrive and now you’re dawdling… fancy a flight this afternoon?’

  There was nothing Jack wanted more.

  ‘Did you have anywhere in mind?’ he asked Camelin.

  ‘No, why? Is there somewhere you’d like to go?’

  ‘Monument Hill.’

  ‘What you want to go there for? Oh! Don’t tell me, it’s for the buggy race.’

  ‘Well it is but I thought if we looked at the route together we could see where you could perch during the race without being seen.’

  ‘You mean I can be there for the race.’

  ‘Of course you can. I’m sorry you’ve not been able to help during the last few days, I’ve missed you.’

  ‘Oh! I’ve been busy, not had time to miss you at all. You will hurry up, won’t you? I’ll see you in the loft.’

  Hurry was one thing Jack was not able to do with a full backpack and heavy holdall.

  ‘See you in a bit,’ he called as Camelin took off.

  Jack felt good with the sunshine on his back and the wind in his feathers as he and Camelin flew towards Monument Hill. He’d expected Nora to say they couldn’t go but instead she’d told them to enjoy themselves. Everything was ready for their visit to Annwn. She wanted them back by late afternoon and ready to make their way to Glasruhen Gate before sunset. Jack wasn’t sure that Nora’s idea of enjoyment was the same as Camelin’s and he suspected that at some point, while they were out there would be a search for food.

  Jack had never flown in this direction before. Below him lay fields, and in the distance ahead was a steep-sided hill. Camelin swooped past.

  ‘That’s Monument Hill, it’s not far.’

  ‘What’s on the top?’

&nb
sp; Camelin chuckled and flew in a huge circle.

  ‘Aw Jack! You make me laugh! It’s a monument.’

  ‘Of what?’

  ‘Some man or other. It wasn’t always there. A long time ago there used to be a standing stone on the top with lots of little ones around it, you could see the big stone for miles. Had a hole in it just like the one on Glasruhen Hill, you know, the one Cory put her hand in when we went to collect the cauldron plates.’

  ‘What happened to it?’

  ‘Don’t know, it used to be called Liller’s Hill but that was a very long time ago… ready to have a look around?’

  ‘Ready.’

  ‘We’ll start over there, that’s the Cricket Club.’

  They landed on the pavilion roof. A large field lay at the foot of the hill.

  ‘The buggy race starts over there,’ Camelin said, using his ravenphore signal for Jack to look to the right. ‘They don’t all start at once… it’s a long way round the course and the final push up that hill takes forever, but once you get to top, there’s a long downhill stretch.’

  Jack looked over to Monument Hill. He could see what Camelin meant; the path that led to the top of the hill was very steep.

  ‘There’s nowhere for you to sit here, or anywhere on the top, everyone would see you.’

  ‘What about that tree over there?’

  Jack tried not to laugh as Camelin made an exaggerated gesture with his other wing.

  ‘That looks perfect.’

  ‘Can we fly over the whole bridleway now?’

  ‘Follow me,’ said Camelin as he took off and flew low up the steep path that led to the top of the monument.

  Jack had to use all his flying skills as he followed Camelin. They flew close to the ground and sped around the course. Eventually Camelin soared and flew over a long stretch of trees. Occasionally Jack could see the pale path below. The route looked long and challenging. It was going to be a bumpy ride. There wouldn’t be any problem for Camelin, he’d be able to follow the race and find plenty of places to perch. When they reached the top of Monument Hill Camelin landed on the ground.

  ‘See over there?’ he said, as he unfolded his wing slowly and pointed beyond the pavilion.

  ‘It’s Glasruhen Hill!’

  ‘Well don’t sound so surprised, you’ve been up there often enough.’

  ‘I know, but there’s just so much to see from up here, it’s hard to know what you’re looking at.’

  ‘We’d better be getting back. I know where we might get a burger if we’re lucky.’

  Jack didn’t argue. It was hungry work being a raven.

  Nora and Elan were waiting for them in the kitchen. The cauldron was on the table and Jack could see it was full of jars of blackberry jelly. Balanced on top was a large pie. Camelin hopped over and inspected it. Nora gave him a disapproving look.

  ‘That’s for later. Go and get yourselves ready, we’ll be setting off soon. Oh and Jack, don’t forget your acorn, invitation, wand and Book of Shadows.’

  ‘He doesn’t need that wand these days,’ grumbled Camelin.

  ‘He’ll need it in Annwn,’ said Elan. ‘It needs to be verified.’

  ‘Verified?’ asked Jack.

  ‘Only a formality,’ explained Nora. ‘Your wand will prove you are who you say you are. It’s not something you could have just picked up off the ground, only a Hamadryad could have given it to you.’

  ‘The Blessed Council will give you a task to perform, but it won’t be too difficult. It’s written in the Book of Law so they have to follow the rules, there are no exceptions,’ explained Elan.

  ‘It’s most important that they know exactly who you are if they’re going to crown you king,’ Nora added. ‘Now, off you go, be back here in ten minutes.’

  ‘Race you,’ Camelin called to Jack when he was halfway through the patio doors. Jack flew after him.

  Once he’d transformed and was back in his room he checked the contents of his backpack. When he was sure he had everything he went back down to the kitchen. Elan was on her own.

  ‘Are you alright?’ she asked.

  ‘A bit nervous.’

  ‘You’ll be fine, just be yourself. There’ll be a better welcome for you this time, we’re expected.’

  Jack’s mind went back to their unexpected visit through the Caves of Eternal Rest. At least this time they’d be going into Annwn through Glasruhen Gate. He didn’t want to think about the last time they’d been through the portal either… that visit had ended with a trial. He hoped his visit to the Council Chamber wouldn’t be as gruelling this time.

  ‘Ready?’ called Nora from the garden.

  ‘Ready,’ they replied.

  ‘Camelin’s flown on ahead. The portal is hidden in the clearing near the standing stones. He’ll wait for us there.’

  Jack wanted to ask Elan some questions but Nora chatted all the way about the arrangements she’d made at the meeting earlier. Jack suddenly remembered he was supposed to tell the Flying Squad they were to report to Motley.

  ‘Should I have come to the meeting?’ he asked Nora.

  ‘No need, it was only to make sure everyone knew what to do while we were away.’

  ‘I promised Motley I’d speak to the starlings and I didn’t.’

  ‘I did,’ said Elan, ‘Orin told me what Motley had said and I called them all over while you were out.’

  ‘Thanks, I completely forgot.’

  Elan giggled.

  ‘Camelin won’t recognise them when he gets back, Motley will have them trained up into an efficient squad in no time.’

  Jack thought Motley really would have his work cut out. The starlings didn’t seem to have very good memories. They’d probably forget everything in a couple of days.

  It was a short climb to the edge of the bushes that surrounded the standing stones. Three Dryads were waiting for them. Jack recognised Cory but he didn’t know the other two.

  ‘Is all well?’ asked Nora.

  ‘All is well,’ replied Cory, as she touched one of the leaves on the nearest bush. ‘We knew you were on your way and thought we’d come to meet you.’

  The bushes parted and Jack could see the ring of stones in the centre of the clearing. Camelin was just outside the circle.

  ‘This way,’ called Nora.

  Jack turned round to say goodbye to Cory but the bushes had already closed and all three Dryads were gone. He followed Nora up to the top of the meadow.

  ‘Would you like to open the portal?’ Nora asked Jack as she gave him her Book of Shadows.

  Jack looked at the page and read aloud.

  To open up a Portal wide,

  Into Annwn’s fair countryside,

  Hold the Treasure from the shrine,

  Then let the golden acorn shine.

  The words were slightly different. Last time Elan had laid branches and Nora had performed a ritual before the two sentinel oaks.

  ‘Hold your acorn in one hand and your wand in the other,’ Nora told Jack as she and Elan held up the cauldron.

  Jack took his chain off and laid his golden acorn on his palm before picking up his wand. A blaze of golden light burst from the acorn. As the beam of light extended in the direction of the cauldron, two gnarled oak trees began to appear.

  ‘Now, point your wand between the trees, keep a steady light,’ said Nora.

  Last time Jack had aimed his wand between the sentinel oaks his hand had trembled. This time was different; he felt in command of both his wand and emotions. He closed his eyes before the blinding flash appeared. He felt the explosion of light through his eyelids. When he opened his eyes the tall arched doorway had materialised. The golden leaves and acorns on the green door shone in the light from his acorn.

  The door fascinated Jack. It was incredible to think something so big could be hidden from sight.

  ‘Shall we go through?’ asked Elan.

  ‘About time,’ grumbled Camelin, as he shuffled towards the closed door. ‘If you hadn�
��t hidden it I could have been through half an hour ago.’

  Nora frowned at him.

  ‘Tonight Jack must go through first, he’s the one with the invitation, you’re just here as a guest, as I am.’

  Camelin looked annoyed but he stood away from the door. Jack took one step forward and extended his hand. He was about to push when a low rumbling noise began. The two halves of the door parted before he touched the wood. A glowing green light shone beyond the portal. Jack took a deep breath and stepped into Annwn.

  THE COUNCIL MEETING

  With each step Jack took, the glowing green light faded. He screwed up his eyes in anticipation of bright sunlight but Annwn was in darkness. As his eyes became accustomed to the dark, he turned and watched Elan and Nora step through the portal followed by a disgruntled looking Camelin. Nora reached into the cauldron and brought out her wand. She held it above her head and sent a blaze of golden light high into the night sky. It exploded into a shower of tiny sparks that cascaded to the ground. As the first landed on the grass in front of Jack’s foot a low sound began. It filled Jack’s head, and seemed to echo around the hills. Another sound, slightly higher than the first joined in, followed by two more. Four columns of golden light from different locations rose into the night sky, before each exploded into showers of red, blue, green and silver. As the last faded, the sound stopped. Jack turned to Nora; he knew she was smiling.

  ‘Your welcome has begun. This is how expected visitors used to be received. The old ways have returned once more to Annwn.’

  ‘What happens next?’ asked Jack.

  ‘We’ll make our way to the top of the hill that overlooks the citadel. By the time we get there we won’t have long to wait.’

  Jack could see Camelin was swaying impatiently from side to side but he couldn’t see Elan.

  ‘She’ll be back soon,’ explained Nora. ‘She’s gone on ahead. As Queen of Annwn she has to welcome us officially to her land. I’m afraid you’ll have to help me with the cauldron now she’s gone.’