The Oak Lord

by Catherine Cooper

  ‘Well we’ve got a very important mission too. Has Camelin explained our problem?’

  ‘He has. We need to locate the whereabouts of Peabody and escort him back to the safety of Ewell House.’

  Jack nodded and was relieved to see Camelin land in one of the trees at the edge of the forest. Motley had seen him too.

  ‘Forward, men, to the forest. We must find the missing Bogie.’

  Jack watched as the rats quickly broke ranks and raced over to the trees. Camelin swooped down but they bounded past him; in seconds they were lost from sight. Jack ran over to Camelin.

  ‘I’d better transform, we can cover more ground if we fly.’

  Soon they were airborne and weaving their way through the lifeless trees. They went deeper and deeper into the forest and only slowed down when they reached the inner circle. They landed next to one of the Gnarles.

  ‘We should ask the trees before we start searching, they might have seen something or even know what’s happened.’

  Camelin croaked loudly and rapped his beak several times on the bark of the nearest tree. It wasn’t quite how Jack would have woken the Gnarle but it was effective. Two sleepy eyes, halfway up the trunk, began to open. Jack waited until he knew they’d been seen.

  ‘Who’s there?’ a deep, sleepy voice asked.

  ‘It’s Jack Brenin and Camelin; we’re sorry to disturb you but we’re looking for the Bogie who lives in the Gnori. Have you seen him?’

  ‘The Bogie, now let me see, that would be Peabody. He’s not been in these parts for a while now.’

  ‘We need to find him, he’s gone missing.’

  The Gnarle chuckled loudly.

  ‘That’s a good one! A Bogie, gone missing! Well he won’t be lost; Bogies always know where they are. If you can’t find him it’s because he doesn’t want to be found.’

  Camelin nudged Jack with his wing.

  ‘I told you he’s sneaky, he’s probably hiding somewhere and watching us all searching for him. Let’s go home, this is pointless.’

  Jack cocked his head on one side and listened intently. The only sound in the forest came from Motley and the Night Guard as they scurried through the trees.

  ‘Anything?’ Jack called.

  ‘Nothing,’ replied Motley, ‘his front door is locked and there’s not a sound coming from inside. His trail just stops, not a sign of him anywhere, it’s like the ground just swallowed him up, don’t you know.’

  Jack sighed and turned back to the Gnarle.

  ‘I’m sorry we disturbed you. You’re probably right. We’re wasting our time if he doesn’t want to be found.’

  The Gnarle yawned and closed his sleepy eyes. Jack scanned the forest one last time for any sign of life. He was aware of Camelin rocking impatiently from side to side.

  ‘Come on, Jack, let’s go.’

  Jack nodded.

  ‘Back to Ewell House, everyone,’ he shouted to the Night Guard.

  When the rats were out of sight, he took off with Camelin. As they headed towards the edge of the forest where he’d left his clothes, Jack felt uneasy. He hoped Nora was going to be there when they got back to the house.

  By the time Jack reached Ewell House, Camelin and Raggs were sitting at the kitchen table with Nora. He could see, by the way Camelin’s head was drooped, he’d been told off.

  ‘I’m sorry for all the trouble,’ said Jack.

  ‘What’s done is done,’ said Nora. ‘I’ll send messages out to the trees to see if they’ve seen or heard anything. Unfortunately, not much information comes out of Newton Gill. I’ll summon the Fairies too. Don’t worry, it will sort itself out in the end, but for now I don’t want any of you going into Newton Gill Forest.’

  ‘I’ll go and inform Motley and the rest of the Night Guard,’ announced Raggs, as he picked up his stick. Nora helped him down onto the floor and held the door open for him.

  ‘It’s getting late,’ said Jack, ‘Grandad will be home by now. I ought to be getting back for my tea.’

  ‘Some of us haven’t had our lunch yet,’ grumbled Camelin.

  ‘You’ll enjoy your dinner even more then,’ Nora told him. ‘We’ll see you tomorrow, Jack, and hopefully by then I’ll have some news.’

  Jack said goodbye and made his way to the tunnel. The light was fading rapidly and he decided to run back to Brenin House. It had been a long time since breakfast and his stomach was rumbling.

  PROCLAMATION

  ‘What do you want to do today?’ Jack asked Camelin as he entered the kitchen at Ewell House.

  ‘I’m grounded and Nora says we’ve got to wait here for a very important visitor who’s got a very important message.’

  ‘Do you know what it’s about?’

  ‘I’m not included in anything these days. The Dragonettes and even Timmery went into Annwn with Nora and, what’s more, they haven’t come back yet.’

  Camelin snapped his beak shut when he heard Nora’s voice. She was talking to someone outside in the garden. Jack tried to make out what was being said but they were too far away to be heard. The voices stopped and were replaced by footsteps.

  When the door opened, Camelin humphed loudly.

  Jack was surprised to see a jet-black squirrel scamper onto the kitchen table. It was dressed in a tabard with a small leather dispatch bag over its shoulder, both of which bore the Royal arms of Annwn. The squirrel was also wearing a pair of spectacles. As it approached Jack it flicked its tail from side to side.

  ‘Dorysk?’ asked Jack.

  Camelin tutted loudly before the Dorysk could answer. Nora gave him a disapproving look as she sat down next to Jack. She smiled and nodded at the Dorysk several times before she spoke.

  ‘I’ve waited a long time for this moment. You’d better tell us all why you’re here.’

  The Dorysk coughed daintily into his little paw before reaching into the bag. He pulled out a small scroll.

  ‘In recognition of my past services, the Queen of Annwn has done me the great honour of making me a Royal Envoy to the three worlds. I have been entrusted with a proclamation, which must be read before Samhain, throughout the lands.’

  Camelin yawned loudly.

  ‘We’ll be delighted to hear your proclamation,’ said Nora.

  The Dorysk untied the small ribbon from around the scroll. Once it was loose, the tight coil of paper sprung open. Much to Jack’s amazement it began to grow wider and considerably longer.

  ‘It’s going to take forever to read all that,’ grumbled Camelin.

  The Dorysk paid no attention and waited for Nora to pick up the scroll. She unwound it and held it out for him to read. He bowed low before beginning.

  By the power vested in me as Royal Envoy to

  Coragwenelan, Queen of Annwn,

  I, Theodore Sniffler, Dorysk of Glasruhen,

  do hereby proclaim, on behalf of the Queen,

  and the Blessed Council,

  that the torc of kingship has been found.

  The coronation of

  The rightful King of our realm

  can now take place in the throne room of the

  Glass Palace at Samhain.

  From sunset on that day,

  every portal into Annwn will be open.

  The inhabitants of Earth and Elidon

  are hereby invited to attend the coronation.

  Camelin sighed loudly and was about to speak when the three Dragonettes flew into the room. Each of them wore tabards that were secured with sashes around their bodies, and which also bore the Queen’s insignia. They each circled around the Dorysk’s head three times before pulling long slender trumpets from out of their tabards, which they proceeded to blow.

  ‘Da da da da-da da daaa.’

  The sound of the royal fanfare was deafening. When they stopped, both Jack and Nora clapped loudly. Camelin glared at the Dragonettes.

  ‘Oh, for the love of the forest! That was a bit over the top, wasn’t it? It’s not as if we didn’t know all that already.�
�

  ‘It was a surprise for Jack,’ said Nora.

  Camelin humphed.

  ‘Some surprise.’

  ‘It was wonderful,’ Jack told the Dorysk and Dragonettes, who seemed to be waiting expectantly for him to speak.

  ‘Oh! Thank you, thank you,’ cried the Dorysk.

  He bowed so low that the tip of his bushy black tail touched the table. The Dragonettes also bowed before putting their trumpets back inside their tabards.

  ‘You’d better be on your way,’ said Nora, ‘you’ve got a lot of places to visit before the end of the week.’

  After exchanging farewells, the Dorysk scurried off the table.

  Once the Dorysk and Dragonettes had gone, Nora brought her Book of Shadows over to the table. She opened it at the first page before speaking.

  ‘We have a problem.’

  ‘Is the torc safe?’ asked Jack. ‘Raggs thought Peabody was carrying something when he followed him yesterday.’

  ‘He was,’ said Camelin.

  Jack felt a cold shiver run down his spine, but Nora leant over and patted him reassuringly on the shoulder.

  ‘Don’t worry, it wasn’t the torc, I can assure you that’s perfectly safe.’

  ‘No, it was my dustbin. That sneaky, snidey, double-crossing, thieving, good-for-nothing Bogie, must have gone up to my loft and taken it.’

  ‘Are you sure it isn’t buried under something?’ asked Jack.

  ‘I’ve tidied up; it’s gone, and nothing else is missing.’

  Jack felt relieved that the torc was safe but he wondered why Peabody would want the dustbin. There were far more valuable things in the house he could have taken.

  Nora tapped her book.

  ‘I’m afraid we have a much bigger problem than a missing dustbin. I’ve been helping Gwillam and the Druids search the Palace Library in Annwn, in the hope of finding something that might help us understand why Velindur stole the Book of Sorrows. Unfortunately, we’ve not found anything. Gwillam thinks Velindur must have learned something vital and then destroyed the book or scroll he found it in. It seems the only explanation.’

  Jack gasped. He couldn’t believe anyone would destroy something from a library.

  ‘Do you really think he would do that?’

  Nora sighed deeply.

  ‘I think he’s capable of anything. He’s obviously stolen one of Annwn’s most precious books. No one else would have done such a thing. I’m going to have to visit Falconrock, it’s the only place left that might hold the information we seek.’

  Nora picked up her wand.

  ‘I’ll write now and let Cloda know I’m on my way.’

  When Nora finished writing, she closed her Book of Shadows and returned it to the bookshelf.

  Jack sighed.

  ‘Doesn’t Mortarn know anything? He’s the gatekeeper. Surely he knows something about the Book of Sorrows?’

  ‘He was only able to confirm what we already knew. The Book has never been opened. Each Druid transfers the sorrows they’ve endured during their lifetime into the safekeeping of the Book, before entering the Caves of Eternal Rest. Only a soul free of troubles can sleep in peace.’

  ‘Is there anything Camelin and I can do to help?’ asked Jack.

  ‘You need to stay here in case anyone brings news about Peabody. Timmery was out last night with the Night Guard and the Flying Squad are searching now. If any word comes through I want you to send a message to Cloda. I’m travelling light and I won’t be taking my Book of Shadows with me. I don’t want you two leaving the safety of the house, not until we find out what’s going on. Now, I must fly.’ Jack watched as she raised both arms in the air and began to spiral downwards until a large falcon appeared.

  ‘I’ll be as quick as I can.’

  Jack opened the door for Nora. He watched until she was lost from sight. A shiver ran down his spine at the thought of Velindur.

  ‘I hope they find my dustbin,’ grumbled Camelin.

  ‘What was in it?’ asked Jack.

  ‘Only empty sweet wrappers.’

  ‘You could magic yourself a new dustbin.’

  ‘It wouldn’t be the same.’

  ‘After Hallowe’en you can have my cauldron.’

  ‘Thanks, but I’d like my dustbin back.’

  Jack thought he’d better change the subject.

  ‘Do you know what’s going to happen at my coronation?’

  ‘Not really, except the coronation starts at sunrise. I only know that because I heard Nora discussing it with the Dorysk, before he got all high and mighty. You’ll find out more from your Book of Shadows. All that kind of stuff would have been recorded in the Book of Law centuries ago. I’m just looking forward to the feast afterwards. Do you think they’ll let me have a party in Annwn when it’s my birthday?’

  ‘I don’t see why not. When I’m King, I’m sure I’d be able to arrange it.’

  ‘Do you really mean that?’

  ‘Of course I do. Without your help we wouldn’t be having a coronation. I’m sure you’ll be able to have your favourite storyteller too.’

  Camelin began his shuffle dance. Jack stood up and joined in too. They were laughing so loudly Jack didn’t see Motley until he joined Camelin on the table. Jack stopped abruptly when he saw the worried look on Motley’s face. Camelin was in mid-turn when he stopped too.

  ‘You have some news?’ asked Jack.

  Motley nodded and stood to attention.

  ‘Nothing good, nothing good, I’m afraid. There’s deep unrest throughout Newton Gill and not one of the Fair Folk to be found. Midge, Lester and Morris have all brought back tales from the crawlers and scurriers of the forest floor. They tell of airborne creatures disappearing without trace. Nothing definite but the Fairies are nowhere to be found.’

  As Motley spoke, Jack had a mounting feeling of unease. A nagging thought crept into his mind. Did the unrest in the forest have anything to do with Velindur? He hoped not. He went over to his bag and pulled out his wand and Book of Shadows. He opened it on the first page and was about to write to Cloda at Falconrock when Elan entered the kitchen. It was an unexpected surprise, but a very welcome one.

  ‘Any news?’ Elan asked Motley.

  Jack listened again as Motley repeated his report.

  ‘I was just going to send a message to Cloda when you came in,’ he told Elan when Motley had finished.

  ‘Nora knew I was on my way so I think we’ll wait until she gets back. We’ve got a bigger problem than we first thought. I’ve been in Glasruhen Forest and none of the Dryads have seen any of the Fairies for a while now. Jennet wasn’t able to give me any information either. She suggested we ask a Bogie.’

  ‘He’s missing too,’ mumbled Camelin.

  ‘I know,’ replied Elan, ‘let’s hope Nora finds something at Falconrock.’

  ‘Where do you think the Fairies are?’ asked Jack.

  ‘I think they’ve been taken, but where, by whom and why, I just don’t know.’

  ‘I could try to summon my crystal. If I ask it where the Fairies are, it might be able to show us.’

  Jack held out his hand and closed his eyes. He concentrated hard, visualised the crystal and called to it with his thoughts. It wasn’t long before he felt something materialise on his outstretched palm. He looked deep into the facets of the crystal and formulated his question. It began to spin slowly and as it rose into the air it filled the kitchen with a bright light. When it stopped spinning, they all looked at it intently.

  ‘There’s Netty,’ croaked Camelin. ‘Look!’

  ‘I can see Rhoda!’ exclaimed Elan.

  Jack too could see one of the Fairies. It was Twink. She was imprisoned in a jam jar with both of her hands pressed against the glass.

  ‘Twink’s trapped,’ said Jack.

  ‘So is Rhoda,’ replied Elan.

  Both Jack and Elan looked at Camelin.

  ‘Netty too, she’s in a glass jar.’

  There was a bright flash of light
that made Jack blink. He lost his concentration; when he could see again, the crystal had gone.

  ‘Fairynapped,’ said Camelin, ‘and you were worried about the Bogie. This is a lot more serious. Who’s taken them?’

  ‘Is Velindur behind this?’ asked Jack.

  ‘I fear so,’ replied Elan, ‘but I don’t know why he would do such a thing.’

  ‘Where do you think they are?’

  ‘From what Motley said, they’ve probably been snatched from the other side and are being held captive in Elidon.’

  ‘Is it because they can see into the Land of Shadows?’

  ‘I would imagine so. If Velindur is planning to do something with the Book of Sorrows he won’t want anyone to know. The Fairies might have seen something.’

  ‘You don’t think he’d harm them, do you?’

  ‘I don’t know what he’s capable of doing, but I know that a Fairy trapped inside a glass jar is powerless. I think you might be right, Jack, they must have seen or heard something.’

  ‘Is there anything we can do?’

  A small cough made them turn towards Motley.

  ‘May I make a suggestion?’

  ‘Of course you can,’ said Elan.

  ‘We need to evacuate Newton Gill Forest, that’s where all this napping seems to be happening, nothing’s safe in there at the moment. Don’t want any more disappearances, do we now? Evacuation’s the only answer.’

  Camelin groaned.

  ‘I’m not flying anything out of there if they’re going to make me itch like they did last time.’

  Elan ignored him. She seemed lost in thought. Jack didn’t like to interrupt her but it seemed like an age until she spoke again.

  ‘I agree with Motley, we need to evacuate the forest. Once everyone’s safe we’ll try to rescue the others from Elidon.’

  ‘How can we evacuate a whole forest? There must be hundreds of small creatures living in the trees and undergrowth.’

  ‘There are,’ agreed Motley, ‘but they need to be brought out.’

  ‘And just where do you think they could go?’ asked Camelin.

  ‘To a place of safety,’ said Elan. ‘I think I know just where that might be, but I’m going to need your help.’

  ‘Just tell us what to do,’ said Jack.