The Jack Brenin Collection

by Catherine Cooper

  Jack’s hand went up to his acorn.

  ‘I’m afraid that won’t be sufficient. You must confirm your identity.’

  Jack watched as Grannus took a pouch from his pocket and proceeded to open it. He produced a large coin and laid it flat on the palm of his hand before extending it towards Jack.

  ‘If you are a Brenin you’ll be able to make the mark. Touch the token and let’s see who you really are.’

  Jack extended the same finger on his right hand that he’d used to touch the stone at the base of Jennet’s well. As soon as his fingertip made contact with the cold metal there was a hiss of steam. Both Jack’s finger and the token began to glow. As Jack withdrew his hand they both looked at the mark he’d made.

  ‘A true Brenin,’ pronounced Grannus as he bowed once more to Jack, ‘take this token, keep it safe for you’ll need it later. Your destination lies deep within the labyrinth but it’s not an easy journey.’

  Jack took the token Grannus offered him. The metal was dull and no longer bore his mark. As he put it safely in his pocket he thought about the rhyme from his Book of Shadows.

  ‘How will I know what to do next?’

  ‘You’ll work it out. Would you be so kind as to put the lid back on and lock the padlock before you go? I don’t want any unexpected visitors.’

  Grannus didn’t wait for a reply. He disappeared back down the well. Jack peered inside but there was no sign of the gatekeeper any more. He wrestled the wooden lid back over the well, hooked the chain over the padlock and snapped it shut. Once he was back in the sunlight he examined the token. Both sides of the coin were the same; each bore the outline of a large oak tree. Jack shrank his key by putting it into the tiny padlock he kept on the chain before putting it back over his head. Grannus had said he would work out what to do next. There was no sign of Camelin so the answer must be in the rhyme.

  ‘Find the tower, mount the stair,’ Jack recited as he stepped back and looked up at the second entrance. This had to be it. If there were a staircase inside he’d climb up it. He wondered how he’d be able to tell the difference between a Druid’s chair and an ordinary one. Jack took the path that led up to the higher level. It was overgrown and he doubted anyone had been this way for a very long time. This entrance, like the one below, had no door, but instead of the chamber being dark, sunlight filtered in through cross-like slits in the thick walls. At the far end of the empty room was a stone stair. Jack looked up before ascending. He couldn’t see the top because the stone steps wound around the tower. On each new floor Jack looked around but each room was completely empty. Up and up he climbed until he had to stop for breath. He looked out of one of the window slits; he was a long way above the ground. For a second Jack felt dizzy. He didn’t mind heights when he was flying but as a boy it was different. He hoped he was nearly at the top. As he rounded the next curve the staircase came to an abrupt end. In front of him was an old wooden door with large black hinges. He felt his token to make sure it was safe, just in case he needed it to enter the room. Jack took a deep breath and knocked. There was no answer. He tried the doorknob and needed both hands to turn it. The door creaked loudly as it swung inwards. The room was empty except for one object in the centre. Jack was staring at a large chair. Since he could go no further and it was the only chair in the room, this had to be the one he was looking for. Its arms were carved in the shape of two dragons and its tall back was arched. As Jack walked around it he could see there was no piece of the chair left undecorated. This had to be the Druid’s chair. He wondered if the clue he needed was in the carvings but nothing he’d seen seemed to be helping. He decided to sit down and try to think. The great chair was facing the only window slit in the room. As soon as Jack sat down he knew he’d found what he’d been looking for. The view led his gaze across the treetops and down a ravine towards an archway on top of Falconrock. Jack sighed, he had known his task wouldn’t be easy but he hadn’t realised how far he’d have to travel.

  THE DRUID’S LIBRARY

  Jack walked over to the window slit and looked out across the ravine. There was no mistaking the pathway he’d need to take; there was only one in sight. Jack closed the heavy wooden door and wound his way down the stone steps. Camelin was waiting for him at the bottom. Jack knew from his expression he’d been waiting a long time.

  ‘It was a long climb to the top,’ he explained.

  Camelin rolled his eyes and held his right wing out towards the path Jack had seen from the top of the tower.

  ‘See you later then.’

  Camelin nodded several times before taking off. He looped-the-loop twice before heading off over the treetops. Jack didn’t think this was a new ravenphore message; it was more likely to be Camelin showing off.

  As soon as he entered the forest the sunlight disappeared. The path was covered in a layer of pine needles and was soft underfoot. He felt as if he was walking on a cushion. The forest was dense and still, and the only sound Jack could hear was a few birds singing in the distance. He didn’t have to choose which way to go, there was only one path. He knew that if he’d been left on his own in the middle of a strange forest a few months ago he would have been a bit apprehensive, but now he felt no fear. He was enjoying the walk until he came to the edge of the trees and saw a sheer rock face ahead. Jack’s heart sank. It would be foolish and dangerous to try to scale the rock. There had to be a cave or a crack in the hillside, the path wouldn’t have led him to a dead end. To Jack’s relief, Camelin appeared above. He glided down and landed a little way to the left. He didn’t look at Jack. Instead, he hopped to the rock face, pulled his wings back and thrust his head forward. Jack recognised Camelin’s signal, it meant he had to go straight ahead and not up. Jack crossed the short distance to see what Camelin was showing him. There was a narrow crack that hadn’t been visible from the path.

  ‘Thanks, I’ll try not to be too long.’

  Camelin chuckled. Jack wondered what he knew about this next part of his journey. It didn’t take long to find out. Once he’d rounded the corner he entered a tunnel; within a few steps he found himself in total darkness. No light came from ahead or behind. He had no choice but to continue. He put his arms out by his sides and found he could touch both sides of the tunnel. The floor was uneven and Jack stubbed his toe more than once even though he was carefully inching his way forwards, one step at a time. The air felt thick, it had been like this in the tunnels inside Silver Hill only this time he was alone.

  It was a relief when a shaft of sunlight lit the floor of the tunnel. He didn’t need Camelin to show him the way when he stepped out into the light. Before him were giant stone steps that had been cut from the rock. The narrow sides of a steep gulley rose to the top of the stairway. The sides of the rock and all the steps were covered in moss. Jack had never seen anything like this before. It looked unearthly and magical as the sunlight lit the green walls. Ferns grew from crevices and Jack could hear water dripping from above. It looked beautiful but as Jack put his foot on the first step he realised it wasn’t going to be easy to get to the top. The moss was slippery and there were no handholds. Jack spread out his arms and pushed his palms flat onto each side of the rock. The moss was wet through but at least he was able to steady himself. By the time he reached the top his hands and shoulders were aching. He sat down to get his breath and to have a look at his surroundings.

  The path split three ways. If he turned left or right he’d be heading down and since the arch was on top of Falconrock it would seem logical to take the one that continued upwards. His choice was confirmed when Camelin hopped out onto the path in front of him. They walked together in silence with sunlight beating down on their heads. Jack wished he’d brought his hat and a drink. He felt even more parched when he heard running water.

  ‘I’m really thirsty, is this water safe to drink?’ Jack asked as they reached a small waterfall. The clear water cascaded down the rock into a large stone pool. It looked a bit like Jennet’s well only much bigger.


  Camelin didn’t answer; instead he dipped his beak into the water and drank. Jack knelt, cupped his hands and quenched his thirst.

  ‘Who drinks from my well?’ boomed a voice from the top of the waterfall.

  Jack looked up. He couldn’t see anyone and even Camelin had gone.

  ‘Who drinks without permission?’ the voice continued.

  ‘Jack Brenin. I’m sorry, I didn’t know I had to ask, I was thirsty.’

  ‘Mmm! Jack Brenin you say. That wouldn’t be the same Jack Brenin who opened the well in the Red Tower would it?’

  ‘It is.’

  ‘Well drink your fill Jack, I’m glad you’ve made it this far.’

  ‘Grannus?’

  ‘The very same,’ the old man replied as he surfed down the waterfall. ‘When you’ve quenched your thirst you’ll be ready to pass through the second gateway.’

  Jack looked around. He couldn’t see a doorway or anything that looked like a gateway. Grannus glided over to Jack and waited until he’d drunk his fill.

  ‘The gateway you seek is hidden from sight. On the far side is a path, follow it and it will lead you to the bridge, beyond which is the landmark you seek.’

  Jack repeated the directions. He wondered why Grannus was helping him or maybe he helped everyone who came to Falconrock.

  ‘You won’t get into trouble for telling me which way to go, will you?’

  Grannus laughed loudly.

  ‘As the gatekeeper I decide who’s worthy to have safe passage. Once you’ve got what you came for you’ll have to enter the labyrinth, it’s the only way out. That will be your final test. If you make it to the last gateway, without help, you’ll be able to keep all the knowledge you’ve gained from your visit here. Before you leave the labyrinth you’ll be sworn to secrecy.’

  ‘And if I don’t pass this test?’

  ‘You’ll go home empty handed and forget you ever came here.

  ‘This next part of your journey measures your determination and endurance, the library will test your character, and the labyrinth your worthiness. When you leave the library you’ll be completely alone, not even your companion can enter there.’

  Jack looked over at the tree Grannus had nodded towards. He could see Camelin hiding in the branches.

  The water in the well began to bubble. Grannus laughed loudly before diving into the waterfall. Jack turned slowly in a circle as he looked for the gateway. He walked around the edge of the well to examine the waterfall more closely. Behind the curtain of water was an entrance. Jack stepped into the pool. The last time he’d gone through a waterfall was when they’d escaped from Silver Hill. He took a deep breath before walking through the cascading water.

  He shook himself. It was only when he went to wring his sleeve that he realised his clothes weren’t wet. He’d forgotten that he’d visualised the black tracksuit and trainers. Jack looked around. He was standing in a short passage that had been cut through the rock. Blinding sunlight streamed in through the opening. He’d nearly reached his destination; he could see the ruined arch with Camelin perched on top. As he stepped out of the passage the bright sun shone straight in his eyes, for a moment he was blinded. He blinked then froze when he saw what lay ahead. Before him was a narrow wooden bridge, only wide enough for one person to cross at a time. It had been made from a single tree trunk with what looked like a small rickety fence on either side. It didn’t look safe but if he wanted to reach the arch he knew he’d have to cross it. He could feel beads of sweat running down his back. He knew he shouldn’t look down and tried to focus on the arch. He gripped the supports and tried to step forward but his body went rigid. He looked at his foot and willed it to move but nothing happened. Out of the corner of his eye he could see how far above the ground he was. He knew if he wanted to find out about crystal magic he had to get across. He’d come all this way and he couldn’t fail now. A sharp peck on his ankle made him jump. Camelin stood looking at him with his head cocked to one side.

  ‘I don’t suppose we could transform, could we?’

  Camelin shook his head.

  ‘I could fly over this so easily. I don’t know if I can walk over. The ground is such a long way down and my legs don’t want to move.’

  Camelin turned slowly, thrust his head forward, raised his beak in the air and began to shuffle across the bridge.

  Just imagine you’re flying, Jack told himself.

  He took a deep breath, raised his head, extended his arms outwards, and followed Camelin’s example. Jack didn’t look down or stop until he could feel the grass under his feet. He whooped for joy when he looked back at the bridge. He sat down on the grass and watched while Camelin did his victory dance.

  The arch was made from blocks of red and white stone. Jack went and stood in the centre and looked straight ahead. Directly in front of him, a little way off was another arched entrance leading into the rock. This must be the final part of the rhyme his Book had given him. He’d climbed the gorge and crossed the bridge; all he had to do now was to enter the tunnels under the ridge.

  ‘This is it,’ he told Camelin, ‘I’ll see you on the other side.’

  Camelin nodded before taking off and flying over the top of the cliff. Jack crossed to the entrance and peered into the darkness. If he’d had his wand, he could have made the tip glow and seen where he was going. Instead, he had to put his hand on the side of the rock and feel his way along the tunnel. Once his eyes grew accustomed to the darkness he was able to see the way ahead. A faint light was coming from somewhere and as he rounded a corner he entered a circular chamber with three round windows. Each had a design outlined in heavy black lead. The middle window was clear but the two on either side were filled with coloured glass. Jack went closer and stood in a pool of coloured light. He stood on tiptoe so he could look through the middle window. He could see for miles. In the distance was Glasruhen Hill. A muffled sound to his right made him spin around.

  ‘Is anyone there?’

  Jack waited and peered into the shadows but nothing moved. The sound came again and Jack realised it was coming from somewhere behind the wall. He walked over and felt the rock with his hands. It didn’t feel rough or cold; instead it was smooth and warm. He traced the outline of a wooden door by touch. It wasn’t visible but he knew it was there. He took his silver chain off and held the key. He pointed it towards the door in the hope it would grow to the size of the keyhole. The key vibrated between his fingers and not only began to change shape but began to pull his hand towards an invisible keyhole. As soon as the bottom of the key disappeared a large door began to materialise. Jack didn’t know whether to knock or just turn the key. Since there seemed to be someone in the room he decided that it would be more polite to knock. He tapped the door three times and waited. A muffled voice, from inside, eventually called to him.

  ‘If you can open the door you can come in.’

  Jack turned the key with ease and since there was no doorknob, he withdrew his key and pushed. It creaked noisily as it swung inwards. A figure in a long hooded robe came shuffling towards him.

  ‘I’d heard we had visitors, and what might you be?’

  ‘Jack Brenin, Raven Boy, friend of Eleanor Ewell, Druid of Glasruhen Hill.’

  ‘Are you now?’

  As the figure brushed the hood back, Jack could see the librarian was a small woman. She peered over the top of a pair of glasses that were perched on the end of a hooked nose and leant towards Jack. Her piercing eyes held his gaze for a few seconds then flicked from side to side as she examined him. Her lips were pursed and very tightly closed and she didn’t look at all friendly. Jack didn’t know what to say.

  ‘No noise in here, this is a library and I’ll need to see your pass before you can enter.’

  Jack fished in his pocket and pulled out the token Grannus had given him.

  ‘No, that’s for when you leave, I need to see your identification.’

  Jack realised she must mean his golden acorn. He pulled h
is chain out and let the archivist examine it.

  ‘Forged in Annwn, work of Lloyd the Goldsmith. You’re mighty young to be wearing such a valuable object.’

  ‘It was a gift from Coragwenelan.’

  The old woman half closed her eyes. She tilted her head sideways and looked at Jack.

  ‘One last question, just to verify that you are who you say you are. What would my name be?’

  Jack mentally rehearsed the name Elan had given him before speaking.

  ‘Cloda, Sylph, Archivist, Guardian of Ancient Knowledge and Keeper of Secrets.’

  ‘You missed Shape-shifter.’

  ‘Elan didn’t tell me about that.’

  ‘No matter, you got most of it right, you may enter.’

  Jack followed Cloda into a vast chamber. One of the walls had circular windows; sunlight streamed in and gave the room a warm glow. The rest of the walls were covered in bookshelves that reached from floor to ceiling. The books were all different shapes and sizes, and handmade, just like the ones in Ewell House. Both the shelves and books looked very dusty. There was a lectern by one of the windows, similar to the one in Nora’s library, and next to that was a desk. It was piled high with yellowing papers. An inkpot with a quill was the only other object Jack could see. The quill looked very old and bedraggled. Cloda walked around the back of the desk to the only chair and sat down. She picked up the quill, dipped it in the ink, shook it a few times, and then began to write. Jack could see the yellowing papers were parchment. The nib made a scraping sound as Cloda wrote. She didn’t look up and Jack wondered what he was supposed to do. He’d no idea where to start looking or even if he was allowed to get books off the shelves. His throat felt dry and when he spoke his voice came out in a hoarse whisper.

  ‘Excuse me, but could you tell me where I need to look to find out about crystal magic?’

  ‘That’s a big subject for such a small boy but if that’s what you’ve come all this way for you’d better follow me.’