‘Redigo.’
Jack lifted the shield from the tomb with ease. Once it was upright it covered his whole body.
‘Behind me!’ Jack shouted, as a blow from the sword crashed into the shield.
The two guards crouched close to Jack, their spears pointing forwards. Even though the shield was big it wasn’t going to give the two guards enough protection.
‘Use the bigging spell,’ Camelin shouted as he swooped overhead.
‘Amplio!’ commanded Jack, as he deflected another blow from the sword.
The shield doubled in size. There was enough protection now for Jack, the guards and the all the rats.
‘Advance!’ yelled Camelin. ‘Forward three steps.’
Jack obeyed. Between them they edged Velindur towards the Glasruhen tunnel. Although they were safe, Jack couldn’t see how they were going to resolve the situation.
‘Use my tidy spell on the sword,’ shouted Camelin.
Jack concentrated hard and hurled his words at Velindur’s right hand.
‘Expolio!’
The sudden clank of metal on stone told Jack the sword was safely back in the scabbard by Alindyne’s side.
‘This isn’t the end!’ yelled Velindur.
‘He’s run off,’ shouted Camelin. ‘We’ve won.’
Jack lowered the shield.
‘We haven’t, he’s still got the Book of Sorrows and I know he’ll open it if we don’t stop him. We’ve got to go after him.’
Jack saw Timmery fly down the tunnel after Velindur. As the two guards stood to attention, Jack suddenly recognised them.
‘Jed? Teg?’
‘Yes, Sire,’ said Jed, as he bowed low.
‘We’re unable to help you further as we cannot leave Annwn,’ said Teg. ‘Our guard’s oath prevents us from leaving our post.’
‘I will go alone,’ said Jack, ‘the rest of you get back to the Citadel and raise the alarm.’
‘No need,’ said Camelin, ‘the Dragonettes will have heard the call of the raven-owl and will know there’s a problem. Help will soon be on its way.’
‘I don’t have time to wait, I have to stop him from opening the Book.’
Jack touched the shield. He was about to reduce it when Timmery flew back into the chamber.
‘You’ll have to be quick, he’s running fast.’
‘Stay here,’ Jack told the rats.
He put the shield on the floor, climbed on, closed his eyes and spoke one word.
‘Fly.’
The shield quivered, then shot off the ground. Jack sat at the front and gripped the curved edge in his left hand. It flew off at speed down the tunnel with Camelin following close behind. Jack steered the shield with ease and emerged from the Mound directly behind Velindur. Jack didn’t want to lose him in the forest or give him the opportunity to open the Book, so he stayed as close behind him as he could.
‘He’s heading for Newton Gill,’ shouted Camelin, as he circled around Jack.
‘We’ve got to stop him from entering Elidon.’
As they reached the edge of the forest, Velindur slowed. He darted to the right and then stopped and turned. Jack hovered a short distance away. It was a place he was familiar with. Behind Velindur stood Uriel’s well. On either side he saw the two grotesque stone faces of the gargoyles.
‘Ha!’ laughed Velindur. ‘So you think you’re clever with your spells and charms? You’re cornered now; there’s no escape. I have a surprise for you and your raven. You’ll never leave this place again. Once you’re powerless I shall unleash destruction on mankind, relieve you of the torc and take my rightful place as King.’
Velindur chuckled to himself. Jack didn’t take his eyes off the Book. He wondered if he’d be able to put a sticking spell on the pages, but it might not prevent Velindur from ripping it open.
‘Awaken from sleep, my demon friends,’ commanded Velindur, and without looking at the gargoyles he raised his arm.
Jack realised what Velindur had in mind. He was going to use Agye to petrify them. Camelin landed next to Jack.
‘He’s trying to wake Agye,’ he whispered, ‘but she won’t do anything, she promised —’
‘… never to turn bats, rats or ravens, into stone again. But I’m not a raven now, she’s never seen me before.’
‘It’s no good whispering and plotting, it’s too late for that. Your doom awaits you,’ hissed Velindur.
Jack didn’t look at Agye. Instead he raised the shield.
‘Ha! You think a thin piece of metal will protect you from a gargoyle’s stare? Think again! Agye, do your worst.’
‘That’s right, Agye, do your worst,’ Jack shouted as he angled the shield. There was a cracking sound as the gargoyle’s glare hit the boss. A cry of despair followed as her gaze bounced back at Velindur. Jack lowered the shield and saw a frozen look of surprise on his face. Jack’s sense of relief vanished when he saw the Book begin to slip from Velindur’s raised hand.
‘The Book!’ he shouted. ‘Don’t let it fall.’
Camelin flew up and grabbed the spine with his claws.
‘It’s too heavy for me. Do something.’
Jack raced over to help Camelin but was overtaken by the three Dragonettes. They positioned their outstretched wings underneath the Book and guided it slowly down to the ground.
‘That was close,’ said Jack as he bent over and picked it up. We need to get this back to Mortarn. I’ll feel a lot happier once it’s safely inside the Caves of Eternal Rest.’
He turned to the gargoyles.
‘Thank you, Agye. I was worried I might not get the angle right to deflect your glare.’
‘You didn’t,’ replied Agye, ‘it wasss Timmery who told me where to look.’
‘Timmery!’ exclaimed Jack and Camelin.
The little bat appeared from behind Agye’s head.
‘I hitched a ride on the shield when you set off down the tunnel. When I saw where Velindur had brought you I knew exactly what he’d try to do. I told Agye to aim for the shiny dome on the shield. I knew it would reflect her stare back at Velindur.’
‘You’re a very clever bat,’ said Jack.
‘And who saved the Book?’ asked Camelin.
‘We did,’ the Dragonettes replied.
‘With a lot of help from me,’ grumbled Camelin.
‘We need to deal with Velindur,’ said Jack, ‘we can’t just leave him here.’
‘I think I can be of assistance,’ said Nora, as she hurried towards them. ‘You’ve had us all worried, but it looks as if you’ve got everything under control now.’
Jack watched as Nora took out her wand. She twizzled it around and brought two ivy tendrils out from the side of Uriel’s Well. She wound them around Velindur’s arms.
‘Now, before we send him down to spend his days with Uriel, I’d better warn her to stand clear.’
Nora knelt by the edge of the well. She put her lips to the water and called Uriel’s name.
‘Guard this man well, Uriel, the new King of Annwn is counting on you.’
Nora gave a final flourish of her wand. The ivy tightened and toppled Velindur’s frozen body backwards. There was a huge splash as it hit the water and promptly sank. Jack breathed a sigh of relief. He looked up at the sky. Was it his imagination or was the sky getting lighter? Nora looked up too.
‘We must hurry, dawn is almost upon us and we have to get you to the throne room before sunrise.’
Camelin, Timmery and the Dragonettes flew off towards Glasruhen. Jack handed the Book of Sorrows to Nora before climbing onto the shield.
‘Jump on!’ he told her.
She gave him one of her looks but didn’t argue.
‘Fly,’ Jack commanded the upturned shield.
They sped through the forest and the shield didn’t slow down until it came to a halt by Alindyne’s tomb. Jack quickly restored the shield to its former size and Nora helped him put it back on top of the carved figure.
‘We must make haste
to the tent at the crossroads where your ceremonial robes are waiting.’
‘What about Raggs?’ asked Jack, as they hurried down the passage. ‘Has anyone rescued him from the Draygull?’
‘Raggs is safe, and there’ll be time enough, once you’re crowned, to hear all about his rescue. Right now we need to get you to your coronation.’
JUBILATION
With the first step into Annwn, Jack’s black tracksuit and trainers immediately transformed into the tunic and leggings he’d worn the last time he’d been there. Jack had been expecting the escort to be waiting at the end of the tunnel, but when he and Nora emerged from the Mound no one was there.
‘They’ve all gone on ahead,’ explained Nora. ‘They too have to be ready so they can escort you to the ceremony and we can’t afford to be slowed down. The sky is getting lighter and we must make haste. They’ll be ready and waiting for us at the crossroads.’
They hurried along the pathway. Jack had decided a long time ago to count the standing stones that marked the path’s boundary, but there was no time now. His legs had to work twice as hard as usual to keep up with Nora’s long strides. The whole landscape was still. They’d not seen another person or creature since they’d entered Annwn.
It wasn’t long before Jack could see a hexagonal white tent. It had been erected over the place where all six paths met. The side they were approaching was open. The flaps had been tied back with a silver cord. Jack presumed each side of the tent could be opened in a similar way. As soon as they reached the tent, Nora hurried Jack inside and closed the two flaps. Several large bowls had been positioned on the floor, each with a candle burning inside it. They were almost burnt out. The draught from the tent flaps made the light flare, and the nearest candle to Jack spluttered and then went out.
‘We’re just in time,’ said Nora, ‘the candles will burn out at sunrise. Hurry now, change your clothes, brush your hair and meet me on the other side.’
Once Nora had left through the opposite opening, Jack quickly changed into his white coronation robe. He tied the golden sash around his waist and tried to look as regal as he could. Although he’d run a brush through his hair, he knew without looking that it hadn’t made much difference. He put the green cape around his shoulders and secured it at the front with the golden clasp he’d found next to the brush. The tent had a low table on which had been placed several dishes containing nuts, fruits and other kinds of treats. A jug of water and glasses had also been provided. Jack’s throat suddenly felt very dry. If he were going to have to make a speech he’d need to be able to speak clearly. He poured himself a glass of water and drank it quickly.
‘Are you ready?’ called Nora.
Jack opened the flaps, stepped out and then beamed when he saw the sight that greeted him. Gerda and Jed stood on one side of the entrance, with Medric and Teg on the other. Each of them wore a golden sash, on which were emblazoned the arms of Annwn. To the left stood the Night Guard, each wearing a smaller version of the same sash, as did Camelin, who stepped forward to greet him.
‘You took your time. We’ve been waiting here for ages.’
‘Shall we go?’ said Nora, as she pointed her wand upwards and sent a spark skyward. When it disappeared from sight, it exploded and burst into a shower of golden light. She nodded her approval. ‘Now they’ll know we’re on our way.’
If it had been dark, the sparks from Nora’s wand would have been spectacular, but the sky was far too bright. In response, from the Citadel four more sparks shot skyward and cascaded down. In the distance, Jack could hear a low droning sound begin. It was joined in turn by three other notes of different tones. He knew the long slender trumpets with the gaping animal mouths were being played to herald his arrival in Annwn. Gerda and Medric set off and Nora urged Jack to follow.
‘You were meant to make a long, slow procession from the Mound to the Glass Palace, but I’m afraid we don’t have time for that. Our boats are waiting for us at the lake. Follow me.’
Nora took her place at the front of the procession and set the pace, while Jed and Teg brought up the rear. Camelin took flight.
‘See you at the water gate,’ he called, as he circled before heading off towards the lake.
When they reached the water’s edge, Jack could see the Night Guard were out of breath. Motley called them to attention as Gavin came over to greet them.
‘We were worried you wouldn’t be here in time. We’re at your service to ferry you over to the water gate, where Gwillam is waiting.’
Nora and Jack got into Gavin’s boat while the rest of the escort split themselves between the other two. Before they’d gone far, Camelin returned. He landed without saying a word and positioned himself in the prow of the boat.
‘Is everything all right?’ asked Jack.
‘Girl alert!’ replied Camelin, as he thrust his head forward in the direction they were travelling.
Jack followed Camelin’s gaze. He laughed when he saw two familiar white ravens perched on either side of the gate by the jetty. Gwillam looked relieved as they alighted from the boats.
‘Is all well?’ he asked Nora.
‘It is now. We will explain later, after the coronation. Sunrise is almost upon us so we must hurry to the throne room.’
Camelin flew onto Nora’s shoulder. Jack looked over to where Winver and Hesta had been perched, but they were no longer there. He presumed they’d gone to inform Coragwenelan of their arrival. Before them was the beautifully decorated silver gate that marked the entrance to the Queen’s garden. Gwillam opened it. The garden was even more beautiful than Jack had remembered, with the familiar smell of honeysuckle hanging heavy in the air. They hurried past the fountain, the stone benches and apple trees. Jack had expected to go through the high gates at the far end of the garden but Gwillam led them straight into the building. This was a part of the Glass Palace that Jack had never been in before. They walked quickly along a curved passage until they came to an arched doorway. It had the same carved oak leaves and acorns on it as Glasruhen Gate, except this one was made of gold. Gwillam raised his staff and rapped on the door three times. It was opened from within and they stepped into the throne room. The glass walls were open and a crowd had gathered around the circular wall. When they saw Jack they began to cheer loudly. In the middle, facing the crowd, were two thrones. One was silver and the other gold. Each was carved with intricate knotwork designs.
The crowd fell silent when Gwillam raised his staff. Everyone bowed low as Coragwenelan entered the room. Jack bowed too. She acknowledged the crowd, crossed the room to the silver throne and sat down. Jack could see she was wearing the silver crown of delicate leaves and flowers. Her blue cape fell in soft folds over the sides of the throne. She raised her right hand and beckoned to the open doorway. The Blessed Council entered the room and Gwillam went over to join them. Jack glanced back over his shoulder, but Nora and Camelin were gone and he stood alone. He scanned the room until he could see them. Nora gave him a reassuring nod. Jack turned his attention back to Gwillam as he banged his staff again and addressed the throng.
‘Before you stands the heir to the throne of Annwn. He has proved beyond doubt that he is worthy to be crowned. He has the knowledge of Arrana, the wisdom of Alindyne and all the qualities needed to be a good king. His actions have demonstrated his true nature. He is compassionate, just, courageous and strong. Through his deeds he has proved he is a loyal friend to us all. Without him, our days would have been numbered. We would no longer have a Queen and we’d have been isolated until the end of all time. As a final proof of his worthiness to be King of our land and people, he was charged with a quest to find the lost treasure of Annwn. He has found and remade the torc of kingship, which he has brought before you. It will be placed around his neck and he will be hailed as the true Brenin we have waited for. The crown, which has been forged and fashioned by Lloyd the Goldsmith, will be a lasting symbol of his right to sit on the golden throne, next to our Queen, so they may jointly
rule this fair land of ours.’
Gwillam bowed to the Queen and took a step back. Coragwenelan stood.
‘Where is the one who bears the torc of kingship?’
‘I am here, Your Majesty,’ said Jack, as he bowed low.
‘Come forward.’
Jack went and stood before the Queen. One of the Druids brought a green velvet cushion over to Jack. As he placed the torc on it, the crowd erupted into cheers. The Queen raised her hand for silence and the noise subsided. She extended her other hand and indicated for Jack to sit on the throne next to her. It was far too big for him and his feet dangled halfway down the front. The Queen turned to Gwillam.
‘Who bears the crown for our King?’
‘I do,’ said a high-pitched voice from behind the Blessed Council.
Jack gasped as Peabody stepped forward. He also held a green velvet cushion, upon which sat a golden crown. Jack could see it was identical to the one they’d been shown by the Stone of Destiny. Golden stems had been entwined to make the circlet. Each bore golden oak leaves and acorns. The Bogie began to walk towards Gwillam. Jack glanced over at Camelin. He too looked shocked. For a moment, the appearance of Peabody had distracted Jack and he almost missed the question Gwillam was asking.
‘Do you swear to abide by the laws and customs of Annwn as they are written in the Red Book of Law, to work with our Queen, to care for the people and to uphold justice for all?’
Jack straightened his back and took a deep breath.
‘I do,’ he pronounced, ‘and I promise to do my best at all times.’
Gwillam picked up the torc and held it up for all to see.
‘This is your birthright. Wear it with pride, knowing that you are the true Brenin.’
Jack sat up as tall as he could and stretched his neck so Gwillam could place the torc around it. It felt heavy but its weight made him feel strong. He watched as Gwillam stood in front of Peabody and lifted the golden crown carefully with both hands.
‘By the power vested in me by Coragwenelan, Queen of Annwn, I do hereby crown you King.’
The Jack Brenin Collection Page 98
