Silver Hill

by Catherine Cooper

  ‘Is it a Spriggan door?’ he asked.

  ‘Naw, Spriggans don’t have much use for doors,’ replied Camelin.

  ‘It’s about the right size for a dragonette,’ piped Timmery excitedly. ‘Perhaps you should knock and see if anyone answers.’

  ‘I’ve tried that, and I’ve shouted through the keyhole,’ said Charkle. ‘That’s when I heard the roaring and growling.’

  ‘This door’s too small for a big dragon,’ said Jack.

  ‘Move over,’ grumbled Camelin as he bent over and put his eye to the keyhole. ‘Let me see.’

  ‘Oooh listen!’ cried Charkle excitedly. ‘There it is again.’

  Jack listened intently but he couldn’t hear anything. Then a distinct low rumbling began in the distance. As the sound grew, the ledge on which they stood began to vibrate.

  ‘What can you see?’ Jack asked Camelin.

  ‘It’s a monster with great big eyes coming towards the door and…’

  Camelin’s words were lost as a thunderous noise filled the crevice. It seemed to bounce off the rocks and echo around inside Jack’s head.

  ‘Oh my poor ears,’ said Charkle from underneath his wings. ‘Now do you believe me? That’s a dragon if ever I heard one. It might know where my family went. We need to get the door open. We need to and go and look for it.’

  ‘… it was really big and long and moved really quickly,’ gulped Camelin. ‘I thought it was going to come straight through the door.’

  Jack could see Camelin was shaken. He was too. He wasn’t in any hurry to open the door and find out what was on the other side. He needed to ask his Book of Shadows more questions before they made any rash decisions. Nora had made them promise they wouldn’t have any more unplanned adventures. Once they stepped through the door into the unknown he’d have a problem explaining why he’d gone, but if they planned it carefully, he wouldn’t have broken his promise. After all, she’d said he was allowed to help Charkle. They could easily find the door again when they were better prepared.

  Jack looked at the horizon. It was still dark. With any luck if they set off now they’d be home before dawn. He tried to work out how much sleep he’d be able to have before it was time to get up for school. He knew it wasn’t going to be enough. He didn’t know how he was going to convince Charkle to come back with them. Jack decided a firm command would be best.

  ‘Time to go. We’ll make plans tomorrow and come back when we can.’

  Much to Jack’s surprise Camelin took off without any argument.

  ‘Follow me everyone,’ he croaked.

  ‘Do you both want to climb on?’ Jack asked Charkle and Timmery.

  ‘No need,’ replied Charkle, ‘we’ve been getting around just fine. Watch!’

  Timmery grabbed the pointed end of Charkle’s tail and wrapped himself around it.

  ‘Dragonettes can fly for hours without getting tired,’ he explained.

  ‘Isn’t it hard work with Timmery on your tail?’

  ‘Not at all, dragonette’s tails are really strong and besides, Timmery doesn’t weigh much at all.’

  Without another word Charkle sped off after Camelin. Jack was amazed by how fast the little dragon could fly, even with Timmery suspended from the end of his tail.

  Jack found the flight back difficult. He could see Camelin trying hard to keep up with Charkle but in the end even he had to drop back. Jack smiled as Charkle did a triple loop-the-loop. He wondered if the little dragonette knew Camelin wasn’t able to keep up and was showing off on purpose. Charkle circled above Jack’s head before flying alongside.

  ‘We’ll get back if you don’t mind, it’s nearly dawn. See you tomorrow.’

  ‘See you tomorrow,’ Jack called as Charkle sped away.

  Jack peered at the sky. It was dark now, but he knew Charkle was right, it would soon be light. He wished he could fly faster and be home sooner. All he wanted to do was climb into bed and sleep.

  Thankfully it wasn’t long before the familiar sight of Glasruhen Hill appeared. As they flew over the summit the sky began to lighten. Jack needed to be back in bed before the sun came over the horizon. He brought his wings down powerfully, summoned every ounce of energy he had left and caught up with Camelin.

  ‘As soon as we get back I have to go to bed. I’ll come round tomorrow after school.’

  ‘Fine, but what about my breakfast?’

  ‘I’m sure you’ll find something.’

  Jack could hear Camelin grumbling as he followed him through his open bedroom window.

  The blinding flash as they transformed woke Orin.

  ‘I’m sorry I’ve got to go to bed, I’ll tell you everything later,’ Jack told her as he yawned deeply. He could hardly keep his eyes open as he got back into his pyjamas. He was vaguely aware of Camelin whispering to Orin as he crawled into bed. Exhaustion overtook him as his head hit the pillow.

  ‘Here you are sleepyhead,’ said Grandad as he put a glass of milk by the side of Jack’s bed. ‘Feeling any better today?’

  Jack felt groggy but he wasn’t about to say that to Grandad. He needed to get ready for school.

  ‘I’m fine, I’ll come down for breakfast.’

  ‘Breakfast! It’s lunchtime!’

  ‘But I’ve got to go back to school. If I don’t, they won’t let me sing in the concert.’

  ‘Don’t you worry about that, getting better is more important. Let’s have a look at your spots before we make any decisions.’

  Grandad drew the curtains and came back to inspect Jack.

  ‘Well I never, they’ve gone!’

  Jack shot out of bed and looked in the mirror. His face was clear. He pulled up his pyjama top. There wasn’t anything on his chest or back either.

  ‘That’s amazing,’ said Grandad. ‘Looks like someone magicked them away in the night.’

  Jack wondered if Camelin had somehow got his wand back and done something to him but that was unlikely. It must have happened when they’d transformed. The main thing was that he felt well, looked fine and knew Grandad couldn’t keep him at home any longer.

  ‘Can I go back for the afternoon?’

  ‘I don’t see why not. Get yourself ready, we’ll have some lunch and then I’ll walk down to the school gate with you.’

  Once Grandad had gone Jack picked up Orin and hugged her.

  Jack dressed quickly, found his wand and started to tell Orin about the night’s events.

  ‘We found Charkle.’

  ‘I know, Camelin told me all about it, he stayed for ages after you’d gone to sleep. The dragon sounded scary, it’s a good job Camelin was able to stop it from breaking the door down.’

  Jack laughed.

  ‘Is that what he told you?’

  ‘You mean there wasn’t a dragon?’

  ‘I don’t know what it was but it made the ledge we were standing on shake. We need to go and find out what it was for Charkle’s sake. I’d better get a move on or I’m going to be late.’

  ‘I think you had a message in your book this morning, I heard a buzzing.’

  ‘Why didn’t you wake me up?’

  ‘Camelin told me not to disturb you.’

  Jack lay on the floor and wriggled under his bed until he could reach the book. He’d pushed it right to the back where he hoped it wouldn’t be seen. As he pulled it out it vibrated rapidly in his hands. He flipped the cover to reveal the first page and saw Elan’s name appear at the top.

  We have a big problem here in Annwn and need Charkle’s help.

  Ask him to go through Glasruhen Gate tonight at dusk.

  Nora says he’ll find the portal in the forest by the standing stones

  and she’ll meet him on the other side of the Western Gate.

  Jack was disappointed. He’d waited all this time for a message and when it had come it wasn’t really for him and didn’t tell him anything. What was the big problem? Why did they need Charkle’s help and not his or Camelin’s? Worse still Elan hadn’t said when
Nora might be back. Jack decided to ask and quickly wrote back.

  What’s wrong?

  He waited for what seemed like an age for the answer to appear.

  Nora and Charkle will come back tomorrow night.

  She’ll explain everything then.

  Hopefully Charkle will be able to help and the problem will be solved.

  Jack sighed. Elan still hadn’t told him what was happening in Annwn. He wouldn’t be able to deliver the message himself, he’d have to ask Camelin to go and see Charkle later. It would mean the little dragonette wasn’t going to be able to go back to Howling Hill for a while. In a way Jack was relieved, it meant he didn’t have to go back either, at least not until Nora got back. She’d know what they ought to do. For now Jack was going to put any thoughts of dragon hunting far from his mind, he had a concert to think about.

  ‘I’ll see you later,’ he told Orin as he grabbed his school bag and set off downstairs.

  Jack had been expecting lessons so it was a big surprise when he was told the choir and orchestra were rehearsing all afternoon. His teacher had been overjoyed to see him and Jack was secretly pleased when she’d told him no one else could have sung the solo as well as he could. They’d all been given last minute instructions about the dress rehearsal, which they’d be performing to the rest of the school the following afternoon. The concert would be the day after on the school field, as long as it didn’t rain.

  On his way back to Grandad’s Jack wondered if Nora would be back in time to hear him sing. She’d not said anything about it all the time he’d been ill. He really did want her to be there. He was lost in thought when he met Grandad on the back lane.

  ‘You can come straight home I’ve been over to Ewell House and fed all the birds.’

  ‘Oh... er…thanks,’ replied Jack. It was the last thing he’d expected to happen and try as he might he couldn’t think of a reason for going back to Nora’s that he could give Grandad. Grandad carried on talking but Jack wasn’t really paying attention until he was asked a direct question.

  ‘Did you check the kitchen before you left yesterday afternoon?’

  ‘Yes, why?’

  ‘You had to have seen it with your own eyes to believe it, I don’t know how it got in but that raven was in there. Didn’t want to come out either. I had to chase him with the broom. He must have hopped in there without you noticing.’

  Jack didn’t know whether to laugh or not. The thought of Camelin being chased around his own kitchen and not being able to complain bitterly about it would have been a sight to see. Then it occurred to Jack he’d probably hear all about it later. That was, if he was able to think of a reason to go back.

  ‘Sorry. Had he done any damage?’

  ‘Not that I could see. He didn’t seem too interested in the bird seed I put out for him you’d have thought a big bird like that would have been hungry.’

  Jack had to pretend to cough as he fought to keep himself from laughing. While Grandad chatted on about watering Nora’s plants in the herb garden, Jack had a thought, a reason for going back to Ewell House.

  ‘Did you check the herborium?’ he asked Grandad.

  ‘I only fed the birds, why?’

  ‘Nora left me instructions to do a job for her and I left it all in the herborium. Would you mind if I went and checked, just to make sure everything’s alright?’

  ‘You can go over after tea. I’ll come with you if you like.’

  ‘It’s OK, I’ll be fine.’

  As they reached the gate, Jack heard a rustling from one of the trees in the field opposite. He thought he knew who it might be. When he looked up he could see Camelin perched on one of the lower branches. He didn’t look at all pleased. Jack tried to look sorry but it didn’t seem to have any effect. He heard several loud caws and humphs before Camelin flapped his wings noisily and took off in the direction of the shops.

  ‘I’m really sorry,’ Jack told Camelin when he arrived at Ewell House.

  ‘Bird seed! Doesn’t your Grandad know anything about ravens?’

  ‘I didn’t know he was coming round until he’d already done it.’

  ‘I’ll have you know I’ve had to go to the burger bar again. And this time it was your fault.’

  ‘I didn’t think you’d starve. I brought you a cheese sandwich, just in case, but if you don’t want it…’

  ‘Aw Jack, you’re a pal, I’ve always got room for a cheese sandwich.’

  Jack pulled out a neatly wrapped package from his pocket. It was a bit misshapen but he was sure Camelin wouldn’t mind. Within seconds it was gone.

  ‘Now, we’ve got things to discuss,’ croaked Camelin.

  ‘We do, I’ve had a message from Elan.’

  ‘A message! Nora’s not coming back early is she?’

  ‘No why?’

  ‘Er… I’ve got a job to do before she gets back.’

  ‘What kind of a job.’

  ‘Well Nora paid a little visit to my loft and saw the dustbin.’

  ‘Did she find out what you’d done?’

  ‘No she said she was pleased I was being responsible and was glad I’d decided to get a dustbin and have a good tidy up.’

  ‘And did you?’

  ‘I didn’t. How was I to know she’d come and check?’

  ‘Was this before or after she confiscated your wand?’

  ‘After, but before she left, she said I’d got to tidy it all up by the time she got back or there’d be trouble.’

  ‘And you haven’t.’

  ‘I haven’t. I thought I might have got my wand back by now. You could give me a hand and magic it all clean and tidy.’

  ‘I haven’t brought my wand with me. I only came to tell you about Elan’s message.’

  ‘I’m going to have to do it all by beak. You’ve no idea how much tidying up there’ll be.’

  Jack smiled. He knew exactly how much rubbish Camelin had in his loft.

  ‘Elan has asked me to get a message to Charkle. They’ve got a problem in Annwn and need his help.’

  ‘His help! Not ours? What’s he got that we haven’t?’

  ‘I don’t know but they want him to fly through Glasruhen Gate tonight at dusk and Nora will meet him on the other side.’

  ‘I suppose you want me to take the message.’

  ‘Please.’

  ‘Where’s the gateway?’

  ‘By the standing stones.’

  ‘Alright but when I get back we’ll talk about my bit of business.’

  ‘When you get back I’ll be at home.’

  ‘See you later then.’

  Before Jack could say anything else, Camelin was airborne. It suddenly crossed his mind that the business Camelin had mentioned might be something other than opening the cupboard in the herborium or tidying up the loft. No doubt he’d find out later.

  VISITORS

  Jack watched for Camelin from his bedroom window. There was no sign of him and Jack had no way of checking if he’d delivered Elan’s message to Charkle. In a couple of hours it would be dusk and Nora would be waiting in Annwn by the Western Gateway. He opened the window wider and waved in the hope that Camelin would see him and fly over. Jack sighed before picking up his wand and Book of Shadows. At least there were plenty of things to learn from his book while he waited. He was about to ask it a question when Orin gave an excited squeak.

  ‘What is it?’ asked Jack.

  ‘It’s Fergus, on the window ledge, look!’

  As Jack turned he saw Fergus, then Berry climbing in through the open window. Jack wondered if they’d come to apologise to Orin but neither of them spoke. Seconds later the two young rats were joined by Motley.

  ‘Are the rest of the Night Guard with you?’ Jack asked.

  ‘No, no, no, certainly not, wouldn’t do to take them away from their duties. No, we’re here on business. Something I need to get to the bottom of and these two youngsters seem to think you know something about it.’

  Jack tried not to laugh
as Motley marched up and down in front of the two smaller rats. They both hung their heads so Jack presumed they’d done something wrong. Motley stopped in front of Fergus.

  ‘It wouldn’t go amiss if you spent a bit more time grooming, you don’t get sleek fur like mine in two minutes you know.’

  Fergus hung his head even lower. Jack felt sorry for the little rat. He knew what it was like to have unruly hair; no matter how long he spent at the mirror his hair never looked good. When Motley finished inspecting Fergus and Berry, he turned back to Jack, cleared his throat and thrust out his chest before continuing.

  ‘We, the rest of the Night Guard that is, are on a very important mission for Nora. I left these two youngsters in charge at the house, I gave them some important jobs to do, jobs I wanted doing. They now tell me they’ve been helping Camelin find a missing key. When questioned further, I find, not only have they not done the jobs I gave them, but they went and cleared up the mess in Camelin’s loft instead.’

  Motley stood to attention, narrowed his eyes and stared at Jack.

  ‘I know they were helping Camelin to look for a key, but I didn’t know anything about them helping him tidy the loft,’ said Jack.

  ‘Help! Help! They tell me they were left to do it all on their own and it was such a mess it’s taken them hours. They also tell me that Camelin promised you’d give them some biscuits, gingerbread ones to be precise, in exchange for all the work they’d done. Is that true? I came back to check on the jobs they should have done and found them on their way here. Have you got gingerbread for them? Have you been encouraging some of my junior Night Guard to neglect their duties?’

  Jack looked at Fergus and Berry. He felt very sorry for them.

  ‘I had no idea about the loft clearing or about the biscuits.’

  Motley turned to Fergus and Berry and started tapping his foot.

  ‘What have you got to say for yourselves now?’

  ‘Camelin promised Jack would have some biscuits for us, didn’t he Fergus?’ Berry said so quietly Jack could hardly make out what he was saying. Fergus nodded in agreement.