Glasruhen Gate

by Catherine Cooper

  ‘AVE!’ Coriss shouted as she made a fist with her free hand and beat it on her armour. ‘Who comes here disturbing my peace?’

  She pulled something out of the plume of her helmet and flipped it towards Nora.

  ‘I don’t take kindly to people throwing worthless things into my pool. If you’ve come for something, speak out, and it had better be worth my while.’

  The coin rolled to a stop at Nora’s feet. Instead of picking it up Nora smiled before slightly bowing her head.

  ‘What marvellous armour and such amazing weaponry. Very impressive!’

  Coriss straightened and thrust her shoulders back before bowing back.

  ‘It’s a matching set. The most magnificent gift I’ve ever had. Never had another gift like it, don’t expect I ever will.’

  ‘Is it Roman?’ asked Nora.

  ‘And why would you want to know that?’

  ‘We’ve been searching the land for the nymph who once lived in the spring at Viroconium. Many years ago she was given some armour as a gift.’

  ‘And why would anyone be wanting such a nymph?’

  ‘We have sworn to search until we find her. We have something belonging to that nymph, and she has something which belongs to us. We would like to undertake an exchange.’

  Coriss looked thoughtful. Nora stood to one side so Jack could step forward.

  ‘Do you remember this boy?’

  Coriss sniffed the air and looked intently at Jack.

  Nora patted him encouragingly on the back.

  ‘I gave you three cauldron plates the night you acquired your armour, could I have them back please?’

  ‘In exchange for what? I don’t give things back unless I’m offered something much better in return. And even then it depends. I might not want to exchange.’

  Nora signalled to Jack to unwrap the circular package.

  Coriss thrust her head forward, sniffed the air, then reached for the gift, but Nora took it from Jack and held it high so the sunlight glinted on its surface. Jack could see it was a hubcap from a car. In the centre were the letters VW.

  ‘A shield,’ shrieked Coriss. ‘Oh how magnificent! But what do the letters mean?’

  ‘They have a very important meaning. They stand for Viroconium Warrior. Only the most noble and distinguished may bear this shield.’

  ‘I’ll be back,’ said Coriss as she promptly disappeared beneath the water.

  ‘That’s amazing,’ said Jack. ‘How did you know she’d want the shield?’

  ‘We didn’t,’ Elan replied. ‘But even if she’d got one we knew it wouldn’t have VW on it.’

  ‘Do you think she has the plates?’

  ‘Oh yes,’ replied Nora. ‘She understood exactly what you’d asked her for. She’ll turn out every cupboard she has until she finds them.’

  They didn’t have to wait long for Coriss to reappear. This time there wasn’t any whirlpool, or grand entrance, she came straight to the edge of the pool and spoke to Jack.

  ‘Is this what you seek?’

  Jack’s heart skipped a beat. In her hand were the missing plates. He was too frightened to speak so he nodded vigorously. As she handed them to Jack, Nora gave her the shield. She slipped her hand through a strap, which had been fastened to the back, drew her sword and swaggered to the middle of

  the pool.

  ‘VIROCONIUM WARRIOR!’ she cried before a great surge of bubbles engulfed her. The whole pool began to swirl once more as Coriss slowly disappeared into the black hole in the centre. The last thing they saw was the tip of her sword.

  ‘Show off,’ grumbled Camelin.

  ‘It doesn’t matter. We got what we came for,’ said Nora. ‘Now we can remake the cauldron.’

  ‘As soon as we get back?’ asked Jack as he and Elan wrapped the cloth around the wet plates.

  ‘Yes,’ agreed Nora. ‘As soon as we get back.’

  ‘What about supper?’ asked Camelin.

  ‘Not until the cauldron’s remade, then we’ll celebrate,’ Nora told him.

  ‘I can’t wait to see what it looks like,’ replied Jack.

  Camelin had already flown off towards home. Jack presumed he’d be taking in a food stop on the way; he obviously didn’t want to have to wait for his supper.

  ‘She really liked the shield,’ he said as they walked back across the field.

  ‘She must be really proud of her armour. Did you notice how well she’d looked after it,’ replied Elan.

  ‘It looks better on her than it did on the Camp Prefect,’ chuckled Jack.

  ‘We’ve got something important to discuss before you go home tonight but Camelin will need to be there too,’ said Nora.

  Jack felt excited; it wouldn’t be long before they could go into Annwn.

  When they arrived back at Ewell House, Camelin was waiting for them on the picnic table. Jack was sure he could see some cheese stuck to his beak. Nora went straight into the herborium. Jack followed her and watched as she put the last three plates into position. She ran her hands over each one of them in turn.

  ‘At last! This is wonderful, after all the years of waiting. And it’s all down to you Jack.’

  ‘And Camelin, I couldn’t have done it without his help.’

  ‘And Camelin,’ agreed Nora. ‘Would you go and fetch him, then we can make a start?’

  As he left the herborium Jack searched his pockets for a tissue.

  ‘Nora wants you, but you can’t go in with a blob of cheese on your beak. Hold still while I wipe it off.’

  ‘Pizza cheese is so sticky, it gets everywhere. I’ve been trying to get it off.’

  Jack cleaned Camelin’s beak.

  ‘Thanks, I’d have been in trouble if Nora had seen it.’

  ‘Come on. Nora’s waiting to lace the plates together.’

  ‘I can’t wait to go into Annwn. You can eat as much as you want there and it’s all free, you don’t have to pay for anything. Gwillam used to tell me about the pies, he said they melted in your mouth. And the sausages were the best he’d ever tasted. They have a fair at festival time and a big market with lots of stalls. Gwillam said there are story tellers, jugglers, games, races and singing at night round the home fires. There will be so much to see and do when we get there. I hope we can stay for a while.’

  ‘It sounds great.’

  ‘Oh it is. The Citadel’s on an island. I want to go across the river to see the Glass Palace. Gwillam told me there are white ravens in the Queen’s garden. What do you think Jack? Was he joking or do you think there really are white ravens?’

  ‘I don’t see why not. It all sounds amazing, I can’t wait to see it for myself.’

  ‘Come on you two,’ Elan called from the herborium. ‘We’re ready to begin.’

  ‘I’m afraid we need to ask you to help again Jack,’ Nora began. ‘My powers are fading fast. I don’t want to waste them on things I know you can do.’

  ‘But I don’t have the same kind of power as you.’

  ‘When you know all there is to know you will, I assure you. But for now I need you to find the pages we need from my Book of Shadows.’

  ‘What about me?’ asked Camelin. ‘Will I have a lot of power too?’

  ‘You are a Druid’s acolyte. When you’ve finished your training you’ll have magic too.’

  ‘But that’ll take years,’ grumbled Camelin.

  ‘What do you want me to do?’ asked Jack.

  ‘We need the instructions for binding the cauldron. I probably remember them correctly, but it’s been so long since I’ve done it, I’d rather make sure we get it right. Here’s your wand, I need you to help me remake it.’

  Elan got Nora’s Book of Shadows from the bookshelf and put it in front of Jack. His wand immediate
ly turned smooth once it was in his right hand. He concentrated hard and let all his thoughts travel to the tip of his wand before tapping the book. It opened with a bang as the covers hit the table.

  ‘You’re a natural Jack,’ said Elan as she picked up the book and read the instructions for Nora:

  To Bind the Cauldron of Life

  Lay the plates around the yew,

  First the pine then holly too,

  Next the willow and hawthorn take,

  Birch, ash, elm, oak are the first eight.

  Beech and apple follow then,

  Now the plates will number ten.

  Hazel and rowan last not least,

  Now lace the Cauldron for the feast.

  When Nora had finished lacing the plates together she stood back to admire her work. The cauldron was bigger than Jack had expected.

  ‘Now for the rim and handles.’

  Elan brought out a solid ring of metal, which had two loops hanging opposite each other. Nora placed it on top of the cauldron then turned to Jack.

  ‘We need the instructions for opening the portal into Annwn.’

  ‘What do I ask?’

  ‘The Western Portal lies hidden in the forest. Say its name and the book will open.’

  ‘But what name should I say?’

  ‘Glasruhen Gate,’ replied Elan.

  Jack didn’t know what the gate looked like but he knew the forest. He concentrated hard and put his wand on the book.

  ‘Glasruhen Gate,’ he commanded.

  The pages flipped until the book found what Jack had asked for. At the top of the page in ancient writing were the words:

  Glasruhen Gate

  The Western Portal of Annwn

  ‘What else does it say?’ asked Camelin.

  Jack handed the book to Elan:

  The sacred wells you must locate,

  From each collect a cauldron plate.

  When they’re found and brought together,

  Bind them up with thongs of leather.

  ‘We’ve done that now,’ said Camelin. ‘Even though it took a long time.’

  ‘What’s next?’ asked Nora.

  Elan continued reading:

  Tap three times on the cauldron’s rim,

  Then ready you’ll be to begin.

  With oak, beech, willow, birch and pine,

  And acorn from the Sacred Shrine,

  At sunset on the ritual date,

  Lay them before Glasruhen Gate.

  ‘Are you ready Jack?’ asked Nora, ‘you need to tap the rim three times.’

  As Jack tapped, a green light began to radiate from inside. It spread through the plates until the whole cauldron glowed. The leather thongs seemed to melt into the metal and the rim shone brightly until the plates fused together. Jack stood with his mouth open, his heart pounding in his chest.

  ‘You did it. You’ve remade the cauldron Jack,’ Camelin croaked as he hopped around the table. ‘We’ll be in Annwn in no time now.’

  Jack looked at Nora and Elan but neither spoke.

  ‘You can open the portal can’t you?’

  ‘We can, with your help,’ replied Nora.

  ‘I’ll do whatever you want,’ said Jack.

  ‘We owe both of you a great deal and there are many who will be grateful to you forever,’ added Elan as she exchanged glances with Nora. ‘There’s something important we have to discuss.’

  The tone of her voice told Jack that something was wrong.

  ‘We’ve had to change our plans, we can’t wait until Samhain.’

  Camelin hopped around excitedly.

  ‘So when are we going?’

  ‘We’re opening the portal tonight. It couldn’t be more perfect, they’ll be celebrating Midsummer in Annwn.’

  ‘A festival!’ cried Camelin. ‘How long can we stay?’

  Nora sighed.

  ‘I’m sorry, but you won’t be able to go.’

  ‘What d’you mean, I won’t be able to go? You promised. It’s not fair if Jack gets to go and I don’t. Not after all we’ve been through together.’

  ‘Jack can’t go either.’

  There was silence. Jack wanted to ask why. He too wanted to say that it wasn’t fair, but he could see the pain in Nora’s eyes. Elan reached over and gently stroked Camelin’s feathers.

  ‘We’re sorry, but if we don’t go soon it will be too late.’

  ‘But why can’t we come with you?’ asked Camelin.

  ‘Only the Fair Folk or Druids may enter Annwn without permission. Mortals are only allowed to pass through the gate at Samhain, it’s the law and we have to obey it.’

  ‘It’s a stupid law,’ grumbled Camelin.

  Jack couldn’t speak.

  ‘If you turn over that last page in my book Jack, it might help to explain.’

  Jack raised his wand and turned the page. He couldn’t see to read for the tears which had welled up in his eyes. Elan took the book from him:

  Between the archway will be seen,

  A gleaming gateway, tall and green,

  No humankind may enter here,

  Except at Samhain every year.

  The Law of Annwn does decree,

  For trespass there’s a penalty.

  For crimes committed in the Land,

  Before the Council you must stand.

  ‘We can’t wait until Samhain. We’ve got to collect the acorns tonight. Arrana is fading fast and my magic is almost gone, I need to drink the elixir. Elan must renew her strength too before it’s too late. You do understand don’t you, we’d take you with us if we could.’

  Jack nodded. Nora and Elan turned to Camelin. He hung his head, and then slowly nodded too.

  GLASRUHEN GATE

  ‘It’s lucky we didn’t have too much trouble getting the plates back this afternoon, we’ve got a lot to do before sunset,’ said Nora. ‘We’re going to need you both to help.’

  Camelin’s head slumped. He shuffled down to the end of the table and turned his back on them all. Nora sighed and continued speaking to Jack.

  ‘I know it’s a lot to ask, but we’re not going to be able to open Glasruhen Gate without you. I need to have some magic in reserve to make the elixir once we’re in Annwn.’

  ‘Will you open the gate for us?’ asked Elan.

  ‘Me! How can I open the gate?’

  ‘You have all the power in your wand. It began life as an acorn from the Mother Oak in Annwn, the portal will recognise its power and will open to it.’

  ‘So why won’t your wands do the same, they came from Annwn didn’t they?’

  ‘Ours are earthly wands. Mine’s from the hazel tree and Elan’s is birch wood,’ explained Nora.

  Camelin slowly turned.

  ‘You mean my wand’s better than yours?’

  Nora laughed.

  ‘Yes Camelin, yours and Jack’s are both better than ours. Now we’ve got lots to do. First, Jack will need to go home and ask his grandad if he can stay till later Tell him we’re back from visiting and we’re going to have a barbecue.’

  ‘A barbecue, a real barbecue?’ croaked Camelin as he skipped over to Nora.

  ‘A real barbecue, but not for everyone, just for us. We’ll celebrate properly when we get back with the acorns. We’re not eating until everything is ready, so you can come and help me cut some rhubarb. Elan can go with Jack.’

  ‘Oh great, I love rhubarb pie.’

  ‘It’s not for us, I haven’t got time to make pies tonight. It’s to take into Annwn. We have to take a gift of something they don’t have. They only grow apples, any other kind of fruit is most welcome. The cauldron is the only way of transporting things from this world into Annwn. It will have been a long time since they’ve had any rhubarb.’

 
Jack smiled when he saw Camelin begin to sulk again. They parted ways at the dovecot; Nora and Camelin went off to the kitchen garden, while Jack and Elan went down to the hedge.

  ‘I’m really sorry you aren’t coming with us,’ said Elan as they walked through the yew tree tunnel from Ewell House to Grandad’s.

  ‘You will come back, won’t you?’

  ‘I will, but there are things I have to do in Annwn. I might not come back with Nora tonight, it depends what we find. I might have to stay a little while.’

  ‘I’m not going to see you as you really are now, am I?’

  ‘You will at Samhain. Once we’ve opened the portal I’ll be free to come and go between Earth and Annwn. Both you and Camelin can visit in October. It’ll be a great birthday present for you.’

  ‘Is it really as wonderful as Camelin says?’

  ‘Even Camelin will be amazed when he sees it. The Citadel and the Palace stand in the middle of a lake, each of its four towers are made of glass and you can see them glinting in the sunlight for miles.’

  ‘Is it true about the white ravens?’

  ‘Yes, it’s true. They live in the Queen’s garden at the Citadel.’

  Jack sighed. The four months before he could go and see everything for himself would pass very slowly. As they emerged from the hedge Grandad looked up from where he was planting peas.

  ‘You’re back early. I wasn’t expecting you ’til supper time. And you’ve brought Elan with you.’

  ‘Hello Mr Brenin. I’ve come to ask if Jack can stay a bit later tonight, we’re going to have a barbecue. He’ll be home about 10 o’clock, if that’s alright?’

  ‘Of course he can, but you’ll need to change out of your school clothes, Jack. You don’t want them smelling of smoke for school tomorrow, do you?’

  Jack left Elan with his grandad in the garden and went upstairs to change. No matter how hard he tried he couldn’t help feeling disappointed.

  Jack saw Camelin waiting by the rockery when they came back through the hedge.

  ‘You took your time,’ he croaked.

  ‘Is there anything we need to do?’ asked Elan.