Jack tried but nothing happened.
‘Don’t bother, I’ll do it myself,’ he grumbled as he closed his eyes.
Within seconds Camelin was dressed in a bright yellow jumper, green trousers and blue shoes. Jack pulled a face.
‘They’re a bit bright aren’t they?’
‘I like them… they’re not bad for a first attempt. I was listening and watching when Nora gave you the visualisation lessons but I never thought I’d get to have a go.’
‘You have shown great courage raven boy,’ the snake said as it reared before Jack.
Camelin jumped in front of Jack and extended his right arm. As he opened his hand an umbrella materialised, which he brandished at the approaching snake.
‘Keep away,’ he yelled.
‘I wish you no harm. I can see the bond of friendship is strong between you. When you thought your friend was in danger you were able to break through the veil between the here and now into the Land of Shadow. It takes great courage and determination to do what you’ve done.’
Camelin didn’t lower the umbrella.
‘Is this really Elidon?’ asked Jack.
‘It is, and I was sent to welcome you. There is one who would speak with you. He alone can help with your quest. It was something you were supposed to do alone but your friend has proven his worth and maybe he will be allowed to accompany you. Follow me, Kerne wishes to speak with you.’
‘Not Kerne, the Horned One,’ gasped Camelin as the umbrella shook slightly, ‘Lord of Elidon, Protector of the Wildwood?’
As Camelin spoke the snake lowered its head, Jack could see clearly the two curled horns. He still wasn’t convinced he was awake.
‘My Lord and Master awaits us, come this way.’
Camelin lowered the umbrella and turned to Jack.
‘I don’t think this is a dream. If he’s the servant of Kerne his name is Permeris, and I think we ought to do what he says.’
‘Ah! You know my name raven boy, we have known about you for a very long time. My master is impressed by your friend, the Brenin boy. He has done well to come so far in such a short time. We have watched your progress, for in Elidon we can see your world while only those with a key may gain access to the Land of Shadow. Your entry was most unusual, but not unheard of; your friend must have great power to be able to summon you.’
Camelin looked at the key that hung around Jack’s neck.
‘I’m afraid that kind of magic is useless here, there is something far older and more powerful in Elidon.’
‘Crystal magic,’ whispered Jack, as words formed in his mind. ‘The oldest and most powerful kind of magic throughout all the lands. It cannot be ruled and chooses its own path.’
‘Many underestimate crystal magic, it chooses who it will serve but none have been its master. You are wise for one so young,’
‘He swallowed a book,’ explained Camelin.
Jack frowned.
‘I didn’t swallow it, and I still don’t know what’s in it. Words just pop into my head.’
Permeris stopped and looked intently at Jack. He slithered around them slowly. His body was so long it surrounded them completely. Jack felt uncomfortable as he watched the snake’s body ripple and slither through the grass. Permeris had said no harm would come to them but he still wasn’t sure he trusted the snake.
‘I feel your doubts,’ Permeris hissed, ‘but I assure you, while you are here in Elidon you are in control. When you want to return to your world just wish yourself back and in the blink of an eye you’ll be there.’
Camelin closed his eyes and screwed up his face. He grumbled loudly when he opened them again.
‘Well that didn’t work.’
‘Jack is the master of your fate here, raven boy; you bound yourself to him when you answered his call and broke through the veil between the two worlds. I’m afraid wherever Jack goes you must go too.’
Jack could see Camelin was disgruntled but he didn’t openly complain any more. It was strange seeing Camelin as a boy again. When he’d chosen to be a raven in Annwn Jack thought he’d be like that forever.
‘This is Elidon,’ Permeris whispered, ‘here your friend will be his true self. No one can hide who they are from my eyes.’
‘Is Velindur here?’
‘I may see the truth but I am not bound to answer your questions. Kerne will tell you all you need to know.’
‘Do we have far to go?’ asked Jack.
‘We must enter the forest and make our way to the old well. My master will be waiting for us there.’
Jack watched as Permeris slithered on ahead before waiting for Camelin to catch up.
‘We’re going to an old well in Newton Gill forest.’
‘That’ll be the hazel well. Nora got her wand from that old hazel tree. It used to be the tree where Cory lived a long time ago, before Allana died. I don’t have to explain what happens when a forest hasn’t got a Hamadryad do I?’
‘We’ve put all that right now. The young Hamadryads are growing rapidly into strong healthy trees.’
‘You have, but it will be a long time before Newton Gill will live again.’
Jack knew Camelin was right. He looked around at the trees. He hadn’t been into Newton Gill forest by this path before but the rest of the landscape was familiar. Jack tried not to laugh when he glanced back at Camelin. He looked very bright in his choice of clothes.
‘Why the umbrella?’
‘Nora always says you should never go anywhere without an umbrella. It was the first thing that came into my head. It worked didn’t it? That creepy snake didn’t attack us, did he?’
‘Shhh! I don’t want him to overhear us. I think he can read minds, at least he seems to know what I’m thinking.’
‘You know this isn’t a dream don’t you? You dragged me from my warm raven basket. The last thing I’d expected was to be walking through Elidon tonight. You’re going to have to say it was your fault if Nora finds out.’
‘She’ll know all about it by morning.’
‘I don’t see how, the trees from this place can’t tell her anything.’
‘No, but I can, and will. She needs to know.’
‘I’ll be in trouble.’
‘Why? When Nora finds out what you did, she’ll be impressed.’
‘She grounded me earlier, told me I wasn’t to leave the house unless she knew where I was going.’
‘Need I ask what you did?’
Camelin sighed.
‘She found out I’d been for a second supper.’
‘You won’t be in trouble for helping me out, I promise.’
Jack could see Permeris not far ahead. He waited for them to catch up with him. Together they walked in silence through a meadow. They’d almost reached the edge of the field when a man came towards them, walking a dog. Both Jack and Camelin stopped but Permeris slithered into the undergrowth. The dog stopped and sniffed Camelin’s foot. The man turned round. Jack was sure he was going to speak to them but he whistled his dog back and they both carried on.
‘Couldn’t he see us?’ asked Jack, when the snake reappeared.
‘No, you are in the shadows here. You are able to see your world through the veil. It might look a bit fuzzy around the edges but from the other side it’s almost impossible to see into Elidon. Animals and fairies can usually see both worlds quite clearly, that’s why I hid, I didn’t want to scare the dog. Shall we proceed?’
When they reached the edge of the meadow Jack’s heart sank. The sight of the lifeless trees in Newton Gill forest made him feel sad. He looked for faces in the trunks but he couldn’t even see any Gnarles. This part of the forest was completely dead.
‘There used to be a grove of Silver Birch trees here,’ said Permeris, ‘sadly they are no more.’
Jack looked at the pale peeling bark and the brittle branches. The forest floor was littered with broken twigs that crunched underfoot as they made their way deeper into the gloom. Permeris stopped and turned to Jack
and Camelin.
‘I must leave you for a while. You’ll find the hazel well in the clearing ahead. My master will join you shortly.’
‘Come on Jack, I know where it is, I’ll show you the way,’ said Camelin as he pulled Jack’s arm.
Jack turned to thank Permeris but the snake had vanished. He let himself be led through the trees until they came to the edge of a clearing. Large boulders, covered in moss, surrounded an old well. It looked like Jennet’s except that the tree beside it wasn’t alive. It didn’t seem as gloomy in the clearing. As he looked around he could see why: a thin shaft of moonlight was doing its best to break through the veil between the two worlds.
‘Who’s Kerne?’ Jack whispered in Camelin’s ear.
Instead of answering Camelin pointed towards the light. Between the trees and moss-covered stones, the silhouette of a great stag appeared. It stretched its neck, tipped its head back and bellowed loudly. Jack had never been so close to a stag before. The noise was deafening and it made Jack’s heart race. The stag’s magnificent velvet covered antlers looked like a pair of gigantic hands. Jack held his breath and didn’t dare move. He could see Camelin was very still too. Should they bow or say something? He wished Permeris hadn’t gone. If the snake were here, he’d have been able to introduce them.
‘You need no introductions,’ the stag said as it took a step towards them. Its voice was deep and soft and although the creature towered above them, Jack felt no fear.
The stag carefully chose a path between the rocks and as it got closer, Jack could see it was completely white. It also appeared to be getting smaller as it approached. With each step the stag changed. First its antlers shrank, and then its body changed from that of a stag to a man. Jack and Camelin exchanged a glance when the transformation seemed to be complete. A young man with two antlers moved nimbly over to one of the mossy rocks beside the well and sat down. He crossed his legs then held out his left hand. Permeris slithered towards him. When the snake reached the young man he reared before bowing his horned head.
‘Master, your guest has arrived and one who is worthy accompanies him.’
Camelin moved close to Jack and whispered in his ear.
‘That’s Kerne, Lord of Elidon, Protector of the Wildwood known by some as the Horned One, and the worthy one is me?’
‘That’s right raven boy,’ said Kerne, ‘if you were not worthy you would not be standing before me.’
Jack bowed and nudged Camelin to do the same.
‘Come and sit with me,’ said Kerne. ‘We have a lot to discuss.’
As Jack and Camelin made their way towards the well he wondered why Kerne looked familiar. Part way through his transformation, when he’d been half man and half stag, Jack had been reminded of a story his mother had once told him but now the transformation was complete he knew he’d seen the Lord of Elidon somewhere before. As he sat before the horned man a memory came flooding back. He was standing behind the Prefects’ office in Viroconium; in his hand was a bronze cauldron plate, and on it was a picture of a young man sitting cross-legged holding a snake. Jack concentrated hard until he could see the plate in his mind. The seated figure had antlers and was wearing a torc around his neck, in his left hand was a horned snake, and in his right, another torc. Camelin nudged Jack as Kerne opened his arms wide. Permeris moved closer to his master. Kerne reached out and closed his hand around the snake’s body. Permeris instantly changed. His body shrank and became a rigid staff. Jack looked expectantly at Kerne’s right hand but it remained empty. The Lord of Elidon lifted his head as the shaft of moonlight shone directly onto him. Something glinted. As Jack looked closer, he could see a heavy golden torc around Kerne’s neck.
KERNE
‘Welcome to Elidon,’ Kerne said as he slowly gestured towards the forest with his right hand. ‘You seek the lost treasure of your ancestor, I believe?’
Jack waited expectantly to be presented with the piece of torc he’d come for. When it wasn’t forthcoming he realised Kerne was waiting for an answer.
‘I seek knowledge from Elidon so that I might find the two missing pieces of my ancestor’s torc. I have one part already, given to me in Annwn by Gwillam, leader of the Blessed Council.’
‘You have the freedom to go wherever you wish in my land but you may only enter three times before Samhain.’
Jack bowed his head and nudged Camelin to do the same.
‘Can you tell me where the piece of torc is hidden?’
‘Alas no, it is not that easy. I do not have the knowledge you seek. You must find Sabrina, for only she can help you. What I do know is that you must find the torc, for without it there can be no coronation. Only the rightful heir has the power to remake it, so if someone else finds the pieces, they would be of no use.’
‘Easy peasy,’ said Camelin. ‘Gwillam said it was only a formality. Once we’ve got the pieces, and you’ve remade it we can…’
Camelin stopped in mid-sentence when Kerne banged his staff against one of the rocks. He sighed deeply before speaking again.
‘Finding the pieces of the torc will not be easy but the most dangerous part of your quest will be keeping them safe until the coronation, for whoever enters Annwn at Samhain, and presents the Queen with the Lost Treasure will be crowned. I can see into your heart Jack Brenin, and I know kingship was the furthest thought from your mind the day you found the golden acorn. However, there is one who desires to be king and will stop at nothing to regain the position he believes belongs to him. You know of whom I speak?’
‘Velindur,’ said Jack and Camelin together.
At the mention of his name, Jack’s heart beat quicker. He remembered his nightmare. Velindur was the one person he never wanted to meet again. Without thinking, he blurted out the same question he’d asked Permeris.
‘Is he here in Elidon?’
‘And what does your heart tell you?’
‘That he is here and that he somehow knows I’ve got to come here too.’
‘Velindur did not arrive by choice; he was transported to Elidon by crystal magic. You will find many creatures here, some are fair folk and some not so fair but all have chosen this realm as their home. Beware, however, any men you may encounter for they are here against their will. All were banished from their homes for past crimes. If they should repent and prove they are sorry they will find peace and maybe return to the life they once knew. The fate of the unrepentant is sealed and they are condemned to remain in the shadows forever.’
‘I can’t see Velindur ever saying sorry,’ said Camelin. ‘From what little I know of him he always thinks he’s right.’
‘That may be so,’ replied Kerne, ‘but Permeris tells me he’s been trying to enlist help from some of the immortals who dwell on Earth. I advise caution. He is not to be trusted.’
At the mention of Permeris, Jack had glanced at the staff in Kerne’s hand. The snake had assured him he could be trusted but how could Jack be certain. He still felt afraid of the snake, even when it wasn’t moving.
‘You need not worry about Permeris,’ laughed Kerne. ‘He is my trusted companion, a bit like yours.’
Camelin frowned at Jack but was prevented from saying anything when Kerne continued.
‘You’ll not find another ram-horned snake in any land. Permeris abides with me in Elidon and is my faithful friend. He sees all, can read men’s thoughts and sees into their hearts. That is why you have nothing to fear from him, he knows you are honest and true.’
Jack felt happier knowing the snake liked him and meant him no harm. It was one less thing to worry about. However, even though he’d entered Elidon he was still no wiser about the task that lay ahead of him. The Blessed Council and the Queen had complete faith in his ability; they didn’t understand how daunted he felt by the quest. It wasn’t something he’d ever done before, and having been told he couldn’t use magic he felt very vulnerable in this strange land. If he were not alone it might help. Jack became aware Kerne was waiting for him to speak.
‘Permeris said Camelin might be able to accompany me. Would that be possible?’
‘True friendship is a rare gift. Camelin has proved his loyalty and concern for you beyond doubt. He may stay at your side and help in any way he can.’
Jack could see Camelin out of the corner of his eye. He didn’t know if he was smiling or smirking but whichever it was, Camelin looked pleased with himself.
Kerne smiled encouragingly at Jack.
‘The torc is the symbol of kingship, and if the Blessed Council were in any doubt as to your worthiness or ability to locate the missing pieces, you would not have been given this task.’
‘I don’t know what to do or where to begin.’
‘This is where you start, right here, which is why you were brought to this place. When you’ve drunk from the well and eaten the nuts from this tree you will be empowered with the knowledge you need to find Sabrina. She alone can tell you what happened to the torc after it was broken.’
‘Who’s Sabrina?’ asked Jack.
‘Don’t you know anything,’ grumbled Camelin before Kerne could answer. ‘She’s the nymph of the Gelston River, the most knowledgeable of all water nymphs, and she can shape-shift, unlike the nymphs who live in wells and lakes.’
‘That is true,’ agreed Kerne, ‘but she can also cross through the veil which separates our worlds for the river flows through both. However, on Earth, she can only appear as a great fish. Over the centuries many men have tried to catch her. None have succeeded for she is the river too, and can shape-shift into water in an instant.’
As Jack listened to Kerne’s description he looked at the tree that stood next to the well. It was dead wood. Even on Earth it would not be alive. How was he going to be able to eat hazelnuts from a dead tree?
‘The answer to your question lies within you,’ explained Kerne.
Camelin gave Jack a puzzled look.
‘The tree is dead. I don’t know the answer.’
‘If I’m not mistaken, Arrana empowered you before she faded away. You have the gift of life to give this tree, if only for a short time. For you it will bear its fruit.’
The Jack Brenin Collection Page 77