The Jack Brenin Collection

by Catherine Cooper

  ‘What’s a dwindling door?’

  ‘It’s a special kind of door the Druids used to make long ago. You don’t see many of them these days. They were put in important places that weren’t used very often. If a stranger or unwelcome guest got through the door the Druids would know because each time it was opened without permission it got smaller. If this is a dwindling door you might need a special key to open it.’

  ‘I’ve got a special key, it’s magical key but I don’t want Camelin to know about it.’

  ‘I can keep secrets when I have to. I’ll never trade that piece of information to anyone, I promise.’

  Jack was very grateful to the little Dorysk. He went over to the chair where he’d left his trousers, fished in the pocket and pulled out the ordinary looking key. It was the same shape and size it had been the last time he’d used it in the herborium. To transport it over to Silver Hill he’d need to shrink it even more and put it around his neck. Jack couldn’t see any keyhole small enough in his room. He was contemplating looking in his Book of Shadows for help when he remembered something he’d got in his memory box. He opened the bottom drawer of the dresser and removed an old leather casket. Jack looked at it for a few seconds and ran his hand over the leather before lifting the lid. He rummaged inside until he found a small silver heart on a chain. In the middle of the heart was an open keyhole. It had belonged to his mum and was one of his most treasured possessions. His hand trembled. The key sparkled from inside. Tiny lights danced across the dull metal until the whole key shone. As he moved it towards the locket his fingertips tingled. The key began to shrink until it was a perfect fit. Jack undid the chain and slipped the key onto it before putting it back round his neck. It was smaller than the gold chain he wore, which held his acorn, but he knew it would be safe when he transformed and it was lost from sight in his feathers. Jack had only just replaced the box when Timmery flitted into the room.

  ‘Let me introduce you two,’ whispered Jack, but before he could get any further, Camelin flew in, landed heavily on the bed and made the Dorysk bounce up and down several times before he managed to regain his balance.

  ‘Dorysk … Timmery … Timmery … Dorysk,’ said Camelin grumpily, ‘you both know Jack and you both know me. Now can we get on?’

  ‘Thanks,’ said Jack. ‘And you’re right, we ought to get going.’

  ‘Oh I do love adventures,’ said Timmery. ‘I’m honoured to be included.’

  ‘I wish I could come with you,’ whispered Orin.

  ‘I’m sorry,’ said Jack. ‘A Spriggan tunnel is no place for any white rat.’

  ‘I know,’ sighed Orin. ‘You will be careful won’t you?’

  Jack stroked her head to reassure her before turning to Camelin.

  ‘Ready?’

  ‘Ready.’

  ‘Close your eyes everyone,’ said Jack before touching his forehead against Camelin’s.

  Once he’d shaken himself free of his pyjamas he turned to Timmery.

  ‘Hop on.’

  ‘Oh no you don’t,’ interrupted Camelin. ‘I’ll take Timmery, you can have the Dorysk. He wriggles about too much. We’ll see how you like it when you feel itchy all over and can’t have a good scratch.’

  Camelin had already left with Timmery and didn’t see the Dorysk shape-shift into another tiny bat. Jack tried not to laugh.

  ‘Our secret,’ the Dorysk said as he climbed onto Jack’s back. ‘We won’t tell the grumpy one!’

  Jack set off at speed after Camelin into the moonless night with his wand securely held in his beak.

  ‘Ow! Watch what you’re doing with that,’ Camelin grumbled as Jack landed bedside him on the narrow ledge in front of the small door.

  ‘Sorry, I’ve never flown with anything in my beak before.’

  The Dorysk wriggled out of Jack’s feathers and by the time he jumped onto the ledge he was a flea again. Jack looked around. There was a small path leading down the hillside. He gripped the end of his wand with his claws and made a light glow from the tip so they’d be able to see.

  ‘Look Camelin, down there, it’s wider on the path, come and help me transform, then I can get the door open.’

  Jack and Camelin hopped down to the lower level. For a split second the whole of Silver Hill lit up. Jack was grateful it was a dark night and no one was around, he wasn’t happy about being naked. He picked up his wand and ran back up the path leaving Camelin to follow. By the time Camelin reached the door Jack had already removed the silver chain and used Nora’s special key to unlock it.

  ‘You’re getting a bit good with that wand,’ said Camelin. ‘I’ve got a lot of catching up to do when I get mine back.’

  Jack removed the key and slipped the chain back over his head when Camelin wasn’t looking. Thankfully the door opened inwards but it squeaked noisily. Jack closed it behind them as quietly as he could. The hat the Dorysk had seen earlier was still on the hook, but to Jack’s delight, hanging underneath it was a coat. It wasn’t the best fit but at least Jack didn’t feel so exposed with it on, especially when he realised it wasn’t pitch black inside. As the Dorysk had said, a soft glowing light filled the warm tunnel. There was an inviting smell of cooking too, which hadn’t gone unnoticed.

  ‘Barbecue!’ croaked Camelin excitedly.

  ‘You don’t think we’re too late do you?’ said Jack.

  ‘Too late for what?’ asked Timmery.

  Jack turned and frowned at Camelin.

  ‘You didn’t tell Timmery, did you? You could have told him everything on the way over.’

  ‘Needed all my breath for flying, don’t do small talk.’

  Jack sighed and shook his head. He had far more important things to worry about than being cross with Camelin. He quickly told Timmery everything the Dorysk had seen and heard. By the time Jack finished, Camelin had already made his way to the end of the tunnel. His beak was open and Jack knew he was enjoying the lovely smells.

  ‘You don’t think that’s roast dragon do you?’ Jack asked him again.

  ‘Naw, that’s sheep. Spriggans will nab one if they can. If it’s an important feast they’ll have more than one down there.’

  ‘But I thought the feast was tomorrow night,’ gasped Jack.

  ‘That’s what they said,’ confirmed the Dorysk. ‘Let me go see what I can find out.’

  ‘Can you see in this light?’ Jack asked Timmery.

  ‘No problem at all, it’s only like dusk or dawn, not too bright at all, I can see just fine.’

  ‘That’s a relief,’ grumbled Camelin. ‘After I brought you all this way it’d be such a shame if you had to wait outside in the dark.’

  ‘This is getting us nowhere fast,’ said Jack. ‘We need to act quickly and get back to Glasruhen as soon as we can, preferably with two dragonettes.’

  ‘I’ll send Timmery back as soon as we find them,’ the Dorysk said as he changed into the form of a moth. They were both soon lost from sight as they flitted off down the tunnel.

  Jack leant against the wall. He’d thought of a plan while they’d been flying but he wasn’t sure it would work. He knew he couldn’t do it on his own and was going to need Camelin’s help.

  ‘How much weight can you carry in your beak?’ Jack asked as innocently as he could.

  ‘Lots, I can lift Nora’s small cauldron when it’s empty.’

  ‘So, do you think you could fly with a dragonette in your beak?’

  ‘No need, why would you want to carry a dragonette when it can already fly?’

  ‘You’d have to if it was sealed inside a lantern like Charkle was.’

  ‘You mean … we’re going to … that’s brilliant … but can you fly all the way back to Glasruhen with a dragonette, a lantern and your wand in your beak too?’

  This was the question Jack had been asking himself. It was the only problem he could see with his plan. He didn’t know if he had the strength to fly all the way back with an extra passenger. The only way he’d find out was if they success
fully rescued the dragonettes.

  They seemed to wait in the tunnel for ages. Jack was worried about Pyecroft showing up and demanding his coat back but the only sound they heard was a low rumbling coming from deep within the hillside.

  ‘They’re all eating,’ grumbled Camelin. ‘I can’t smell cooking any more.’

  Jack sniffed the air. He was sure Camelin was right as he knew more about food and how it was cooked than Jack did but he was more worried about the Dorysk and Timmery than his stomach.

  ‘Do you think they’re alright? They seem to have been gone ages.’

  ‘They’ll be fine, how couldn’t they be? A shape-shifter and such a brave bat…’

  ‘Oh, so kind, so kind,’ came a voice from the mouth of the tunnel. ‘Now, are you two ready? The coast is clear and the Dorysk has found the dragonettes. The good news is they’ve not been roasted. The bad news is they’re in the Spriggans’ larder, in a big cauldron full of marinade.’

  ‘Are they hurt?’ asked Jack. ‘Did you ask them their names?’

  ‘I didn’t see them or have time to talk to them but when I left the Dorysk was explaining about the rescue, so maybe he’s asked them.’

  ‘What kind of marinade?’ asked Camelin.

  Jack glowered at him.

  ‘Are you coming or would you rather stay here?’

  ‘Just asking, a raven’s allowed to ask the odd question isn’t he?’

  ‘Lead the way Timmery, we’re coming.’

  Jack was grateful the little bat had such a good sense of direction. The tunnels twisted and turned downwards. The small lights on the sides of the tunnels gave out a warm glow and made it easy for them to follow Timmery. Even though Jack could see where he was going he knew he wouldn’t be able to find his way back without a guide. Timmery didn’t even hesitate when they came to a junction. It meant they were able to move deeper into the hill quickly and quietly. Eventually Timmery stopped outside the doorway of a well-lit room.

  ‘It’s too bright for me in there. I’ll wait out here and keep watch. This is the larder, the others are inside.’

  Jack cautiously crept into the room. He was surprised to see rows of tables, all laden with food. He turned and gave Camelin a warning look.

  ‘Over here,’ called the Dorysk.

  Jack looked around and saw the Dorysk fluttering above a large cauldron, which sat by the hearth. Jack ran over and looked inside. To his relief the two dragonettes looked alright, considering their circumstances. Their cages had been tied to the cauldron rings and were immersed in the mixture. They were having difficulty keeping their heads above the surface.

  ‘Don’t worry,’ Jack told them. ‘We’ve come to rescue you. I’ll have you out of there in no time. I’m Jack Brenin and this is Camelin.’

  ‘We know,’ one of the dragonettes managed to say as it struggled to keep its head out of the marinade. ‘We’re very grateful you’ve come… they were going to…’

  ‘It’s alright,’ interrupted Jack. ‘We’ll talk later, but what are your names?’

  ‘I’m Norris and this is Snook,’ the other dragonette replied.

  ‘Won’t Charkle be pleased,’ said Camelin as he hopped around the cauldron. ‘Now I’ll be able to have my wand back.’

  ‘Charkle!’ cried both dragonettes.

  Jack felt so happy for the two brothers.

  ‘Yes, Charkle. He’s safe and we’ve heard a lot about you two, but let’s save all that for later, we need to get you out of here. We’ve got a long flight ahead of us once we get out of the tunnels.’

  ‘So what’s the plan?’ asked Camelin.

  ‘We all need to get away from here as quickly as possible,’ explained Jack. ‘Timmery can lead and the Dorysk can bring up the rear, in case we need to use Plan B, but first I need to get you two out of this cauldron and find something to tie onto the ends of these ropes or they’ll notice you’ve gone.’

  ‘What’s Plan B?’ asked the Dorysk as Jack looked around the larder.

  ‘You might have to shape-shift into a dragonette. Do you think you can do that?’

  ‘I’ll have to keep my glasses on or I won’t be able to see where I’m going.’

  ‘That won’t be a problem, it’s only in case we’re seen and need a diversion. If that happens, Camelin and I will transform, that will be the signal to start Plan B. The light will be so bright it will blind the Spriggans for a few seconds. You’ll need to make sure they see you. They’ll think the dragonettes are loose and will hopefully follow you. If you lead them off in the other direction it’ll give us enough time to get out of the door, then, as soon as you can, shape-shift into a moth and get back to us on the ledge. We won’t leave without you.’

  ‘We won’t!’ said Camelin.

  ‘No, we won’t,’ confirmed Jack as he looked around the room for two heavy objects to put into the marinade, in place of the lanterns. ‘Hopefully we’ll be out of here before anyone finds you’re missing.’

  ‘You’ll need to hurry,’ said Snook, ‘they’ve been coming in and out all night.’

  ‘They’ve not had their pudding yet,’ said Norris as he nodded towards one of the tables. ‘They never go without their pudding, no matter how much they’ve eaten.’

  ‘Spriggans!’ piped Timmery as he flew into the kitchen. ‘There are two of them and they’re heading right this way.’

  THE MONSTER OF SILVER HILL

  ‘Quick! Hide!’ whispered Jack.

  Timmery and the Dorysk immediately flitted off towards the darkest part of the tunnel. Jack turned to speak to Camelin but he was nowhere to be seen. The voices from the tunnel were getting louder and Jack knew if he didn’t find a hiding place soon he’d be discovered. He wished he’d learnt an invisibility spell or could shape-shift like the Dorysk. There weren’t many places to hide in the room. None of the tables had cloths so it wouldn’t be safe to hide under them. The cupboards looked too small, even for Jack to squeeze into. He had no idea where Camelin had gone or where he could go. Jack could hear footsteps now as well as voices. He was contemplating using his wand to send the two Spriggans rolling back down the tunnel, but if he did, they’d know straight away that someone was in their larder. A hissing sound brought Jack to a halt.

  ‘Psst!’

  ‘Is that you Camelin?’

  ‘Who else would it be?’

  Jack spun around.

  ‘Where are you?’

  ‘Inside the chimney, come on in, there’s room in here for both of us.’

  Jack looked at the hearth, it had been carved out of the rock and above it was a wide flue.

  ‘What you waiting for? Get in or they’ll see you,’ whispered Camelin.

  Jack stepped around the remains of the fire as best he could and put his hand inside the chimney. To his surprise the flue was craggy; it too had been carved from the rock. Although it was dark, Jack managed to find enough handholds to climb part way up. He had just managed to pull his feet up out of sight when the first Spriggan entered the room. Jack wondered how Camelin had climbed up into the flue as there certainly wasn’t enough room to fly. His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the first Spriggan complaining bitterly in its high-pitched voice.

  ‘Carry this, fetch that, why us? I ask you Grabble, why us?’

  ‘Cos we’s the cooks Dugmore, that’s why.’

  ‘Cooks yes, servants no!’

  ‘Well at least we’ve got us some help for the banquet tomorrow.’

  ‘And not before time I says. Took six of us to get that sheep barbecued tonight and we’s got four of thems to do tomorrow.’

  ‘And two dragonettes don’t forget. They’ll have to be cooked up here, can’t put them into the big barbecue, be nothings left of thems if we did, then we’d be in trouble again.’

  ‘You’re right Dugmore. We’d better check on them.’

  Jack heard the Spriggans shuffle over to the side of the hearth. He presumed they were roped together.

  ‘I’ll do this one, you d
o the other Grabble.’

  Jack held his breath. He’d no idea what the Spriggans were going to do. Should he jump out and surprise them or not? He decided to wait and listen. The longer the Spriggans were unaware of the rescue party the more chance they had of succeeding. He could hear coughing and spluttering and a lot of splashing.

  ‘There you are little ’uns. That’s got yous nice and coated, won’t be long now. A couple more hours in there and you’lls be the tastiest treat Chief Knuckle’s had in a longs time.’

  ‘Come on Grabble we’s better gets the puddings. Don’t want to keep Pig Face waiting.’

  Jack heard both Spriggans twittering and chittering loudly. He presumed they were laughing.

  ‘Better not let him hear you call him Pig Face, you knows we’s not supposed to mention his nose. It’s the Big One what worries me, I don’t want to get on the bad side of that one.’

  ‘Only having a bit o’fun Dugmore, but you’re right and we’s better gets this lot downstairs. It’s going to take us a few trips.’

  After a few more grumblings and a clattering of plates the Spriggans’ voices began to grow quieter. Jack could hear the sound of their footsteps receding.

  ‘They’ve gone,’ announced the Dorysk as he flitted into the hearth.

  ‘Thanks,’ said Jack. ‘We’d better get out of here and get Norris and Snook to safety before they come back.’

  ‘Give us a bit of light in here so I can see what I’m doing,’ whispered Camelin.

  Jack made the tip of his wand glow dimly. He looked around expecting to see Camelin but he was alone.

  ‘Where are you?’

  ‘Down here, in the side oven.’

  As Jack lowered his wand, he could see Camelin’s head poking out of an alcove in the rock.

  ‘Thought you’d have crawled in the other one,’ he said and nodded towards another opening on the other side. ‘It doesn’t look very comfortable up there.’

  ‘It isn’t. If I’d known about the side ovens I’d have got in.’

  ‘Well you’ll know for next time.’