The Lost Treasure of Annwn (27 page)

Jack yawned. He still felt sleepy. He half opened one eye then shut it again. He couldn't see any daylight so with any luck he'd get a few more hours of sleep. A draught made him shudder. He must have left the window open. He reached for the covers but they weren't there. He rolled over and groped around with his hands but instead of the soft mattress Jack felt grass. He rolled back again; there was grass on the other side too. He must be dreaming; where had his bed gone? He reluctantly opened his eyes. He was still in his pyjamas lying on his back in a meadow near a tall tree. This wasn't just any meadow, he could see the fairy mound close by and he was next to the old thorn tree. There wasn't total darkness but there wasn't any light in the sky either. He rubbed his eyes. Was he dreaming or had he been sleepwalking? It wasn't something he'd ever done before but there was always a first time for everything. He reached out and touched the bark of the tree. It felt solid enough. He looked at his bare feet and wriggled his toes. If it was a dream why wasn't he dressed? He wasn't in the habit of going outside in his pyjamas but dreams weren't always predictable. He tried to visualise himself in his black tracksuit and trainers. In an instant his bare feet were shod and his pyjamas gone. This still didn't prove anything, he could still be dreaming. The last thing Jack had seen before he'd fallen asleep was the spinning crystal. He stood up, opened his hand and willed the crystal to appear. The dimness around him grew brighter as the crystal hovered above his palm. It rotated slowly at first but soon it was spinning so fast it became a ball of dazzling light. There was a flash. Jack blinked. When he could see again, the crystal was still. One single beam of light shone directly onto a knot in the bark of the thorn tree. As he watched, the light spread until the bark in front of him disappeared. He couldn't take his eyes away from the light as it expanded. When it finally stopped, an arched opening of shimmering light appeared within the trunk. He felt compelled to step into it. With each step forward the light dimmed. As he stepped out of the trunk on the other side he was once again in the half-light. He tried to make sense of what had just happened. The crystal and the light had gone. He was still in the meadow. He turned around to look at the archway, but that too had vanished.

‘Welcome to Elidon,' a breathless voice whispered.

Jack turned around slowly. A moment before there'd been no one in the meadow, but someone, or something, had spoken. Jack nearly jumped out of his skin when he felt something touch his leg.

‘Don't be afraid,' the voice hissed. ‘No one is going to hurt you. Open your eyes and the veil of disbelief will fall. Let yourself believe and you will see me.'

Jack didn't know what the voice meant. His eyes were already open. Or were they? Maybe he was just dreaming he was awake? He made a conscious effort to open his eyelids wide. When he saw what blocked his path he hoped he wasn't awake. An enormous snake lay on the ground before him. On its head were two twisted horns. Jack caught a glimpse of two sharp fangs inside the snake's partially open mouth. He shut his eyes quickly and stood very still. When nothing happened he opened his eyes a fraction. The snake was still there, swaying from side to side. Jack felt very alone. He wished Camelin were with him. Jack swallowed hard and tried to work out what he could do. If this wasn't a dream and the snake was real he was in big trouble.

A muffled sound reached Jack's ears. It sounded a long way off but he knew it was the call of the raven owl. He instinctively looked up. The very indistinct outline of a raven flew above him. It circled around and around, hooting as it flew. Jack knew it was Camelin but he couldn't see him clearly. Jack caught a sudden movement out of the corner of his eye as the snake began to slither towards him.

‘Run,' Camelin screeched, as the snake reared.

Jack's heart pounded. His feet wouldn't move. He felt transfixed by the snake. Camelin flew towards them at speed with his extended claws aimed at the snake. There was a rush of air. The snake moved easily to one side and avoided Camelin's attack. A loud moan came from the ditch. Jack ran over to the stream where his friend had crash-landed. He was surprised to see a boy rather than a raven rise from the water.

‘Camelin?'

‘What's happening?'

‘I think I'm dreaming. This can't be real.'

‘I assure you it is,' hissed the snake as it slithered towards them. ‘You are both in Elidon but only one of you was invited.'

‘I'm naked,' wailed Camelin. ‘If this is a dream can't you think me some clothes.'

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.