The Golden Acorn

by Catherine Cooper

  ‘I’m on fire!’ he croaked.

  ‘I said they were extra strong,’ replied Jack trying not to laugh. ‘Spit them out.’

  The mints shot out of Camelin’s beak like rapid fire from a machine gun. They whizzed past Jack’s head and hit the back wall. For a moment Jack wondered if he’d been Camelin’s intended target.

  ‘I don’t need any more of them. They’re worse than chilli,’ gasped Camelin. ‘I’m going to need something nice after that.’

  ‘I haven’t got anything else.’

  ‘Well I’ll just have to break into my emergency rations,’ Camelin grumbled as he poked his beak inside a large wicker basket and began rummaging around.

  When he found what he was searching for he waddled over to the cat basket and settled down inside. Jack watched as he tossed a small bar of milk chocolate into the air and caught it on the way down in his beak. He thought he ought to change the subject.

  ‘I like your room. Your cat basket looks really comfortable.’

  ‘Its not a cat basket,’ replied Camelin indignantly. ‘It’s a raven basket and it was made to measure. Look.’

  He stood up, turned around twice and settled down again, only this time on his back with his legs sticking up in the air.

  ‘It’s a perfect fit.’

  Jack had to stop himself from laughing. He didn’t want to offend Camelin but the sight of him in the raven basket was very funny.

  ‘Was there anything else? Because I’d rather not have to get up again.’

  ‘I need to know about the window in time. Why can’t I climb through it?’

  Camelin shook with laughter.

  ‘You’d have to be very tall to do that, taller than the tallest giant. We’ve got to fly through because it’s up in the clouds, right over the top of Glasruhen Hill.’

  Jack felt shaken. This wasn’t good news.

  ‘Scared are you?’

  ‘Yes,’ Jack admitted. ‘I don’t like heights.’

  ‘Oh, that’s brilliant!’ exclaimed Camelin sarcastically. ‘The only one who can help and he’s scared of heights. Have you told Nora?’

  ‘No. Perhaps it could be our secret?’

  Camelin gave Jack a long look.

  ‘Ok,’ he said eventually. ‘We can trade. I’ll keep your secret if you do something for me, but you mustn’t tell anyone.’

  ‘I’ve said I’ll bring you food and I’ve already promised I won’t tell.’

  ‘No this is extra. The food’s for the lessons. This is for your secret; you mustn’t laugh. Agreed?’

  Jack wondered what he was agreeing to but, whatever it was, Camelin wasn’t laughing any more so it had to be important.

  ‘Agreed.’

  ‘I want to learn to read.’

  ‘You can’t read?’

  ‘No, nor write.’

  ‘Why didn’t you ask Nora?’

  ‘Because she’d want to know why and if she knew she’d say no.’

  Jack thought it might be rude to ask Camelin the reason but the raven continued.

  ‘I want a wand. If I can’t read and write I’m never going to get one.’

  ‘It’s not a problem. I’ll teach you. We can do a bit each day.’

  ‘And you won’t tell Nora?’

  ‘I promise. It will be our secret.’

  Camelin gave a dismissive flick of his wing and Jack presumed he wanted him to leave. As he was making his way down the ladder Camelin called to Jack.

  ‘You can tell Nora my empty stomach’s made me realise how sorry I am for eating her pie.’

  ‘OK. Will I see you later?’

  ‘I expect so.’

  When Jack got back to the kitchen he gave Camelin’s message to Nora. She laughed.

  ‘I doubt he’s sorry at all and he certainly isn’t joining us for lunch. He can sit up there and starve for a bit longer.’

  Jack was certain Camelin wasn’t going to starve. Nora obviously hadn’t seen inside the wicker basket where Camelin stored his emergency rations.

  Nora began to ladle steaming soup into three bowls which she had ready on the table.

  ‘After we’ve eaten I’d like you to go to Newton Gill Forest to meet the Gnori. It’s important you go on your own. It will help you understand what’s going to happen to Arrana and the whole of Glasruhen Forest if we don’t succeed. You’ll be able to get home from Newton Gill so take your things with you. Elan will show you the way and tell you how to get home.’

  Jack ate his soup slowly. He wasn’t in any hurry to meet the Gnori whatever it might be.

  THE GNORI

  After lunch Jack checked that his wand was securely in place before putting the Book of Shadows into his backpack. He said goodbye to Nora and followed Elan to the gap in the hedge at the bottom of the garden. She stood aside to let Jack go through.

  ‘Go right instead of left but don’t leave the path. After you’ve been to Newton Gill Forest and you’re ready to come back just turn around and the path will lead you home.’

  ‘Can’t you come with me?’

  ‘No, this is something you need to see and do for yourself.’

  ‘How will I know where to find the Gnori and what am I looking for?’

  ‘The path will lead you. When you can’t go any further you have arrived.’

  Jack wanted to ask Elan what he would say to the Gnori but she’d already disappeared.

  ‘Bye,’ she called from the other side of the hedge. ‘See you tomorrow.’

  Jack looked around. He’d hoped Camelin might have been flying overhead but he couldn’t hear him. He took a deep breath and set off to find Newton Gill Forest. Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the canopy as Jack walked along the path. He could see the trees whispering to one another. Unlike Camelin Jack didn’t mind Arrana and Nora knowing where he was. He didn’t feel alone with the trees for company.

  The changes were so gradual that Jack didn’t notice them until a sudden shiver went up and down his spine. The light was fading even though it was still early afternoon. The leaves had disappeared. Thick bare branches lined each side of the path and none of the trees swayed or whispered. He didn’t like the deepening gloom. It was different from Glasruhen; here nothing moved. There were no nymphs peeping out from behind the trees. As Jack peered through the shadows he thought he could see gnarled, sad-looking faces on every trunk. Jack’s heart felt heavy. He didn’t want to go any further.

  ‘Hello,’ he whispered.

  He held his breath. There wasn’t a sound.

  ‘Hello,’ he called more loudly. ‘Is anyone here?’

  A cracking branch made Jack swivel round. He wasn’t sure but the face on the tree next to him seemed to move. Jack reached out and touched its twisted misshapen nose with his finger. Immediately a pair of eyes opened. Jack jumped backwards.

  ‘I’m sorry,’ he gasped. ‘I didn’t realise you were alive.’

  ‘I wouldn’t call this being alive,’ the tree replied. ‘There aren’t many mortals who come here and even fewer who talk to me. Who are you?’

  ‘I’m Jack Brenin. Nora sent me to look for the Gnori of Newton Gill Forest. Is that you?’

  ‘Goodness no! You’re in the forest but to find the Gnori you’ll have to go further in. If I’m not mistaken you’re the Brenin we’ve been expecting.’

  Jack shouldn’t have been surprised. Everyone and everything seemed to know who he was.

  ‘Do you have a name?’

  ‘Not any more. We’re all the same. We’re Gnarles. Dead wood. This is what happens to trees when the Hamadryad dies. The Gnori you’re looking for is a hollow tree now. Dead wood. It used to be Allana the Beautiful.

  ‘I’m so sorry,’ Jack replied. ‘I’ve met Arrana so I understand.’

  Without Allana we are nothing. Once Arrana is no more the Gnarles will disappear too. All the Dryads left Newton Gill a long time ago. We’re all alone now.’

  Jack felt sad as he watched a tear trickling down the gnarled face.

&
nbsp; ‘Is there anything I can do to help?’

  ‘I doubt it. There isn’t much life left in any of us now. For a while the Dryads used to come back and sing but that was a long time ago. I can’t remember the last time we heard any singing.’

  ‘I can sing something for you.’

  More eyes had opened and were staring hopefully at Jack. This really was something he could easily do. He’d been in the school choir since he was six. He thought about the beautiful music he’d heard in Glasruhen and he knew some hymns that were similar. The Gnarles might like one of them. He closed his eyes to concentrate and sang the tune without the words. His voice rang through the forest pure and clear. When he’d finished he heard a great sigh from the Gnarles. Each wore a strange crooked smile and tears were in all their eyes.

  ‘That was beautiful. You sing as well as any Dryad.’

  Jack didn’t think this was true but he was pleased the Gnarles liked his song.

  ‘I ought to go and find the Gnori now.’

  ‘You will come back and sing to us again sometime, won’t you?’

  ‘I will. I promise.’

  ‘If we can help you in any way just let us know.’

  The Gnarles gave a great collective sigh and one by one their eyelids closed. Jack continued along the path. It wasn’t long before he stood before what had once been a great oak, just like Arrana. It was still, tall and proud. Its branches touched each of the other dead trees around it but all of them were strangely still. Jack bowed as he had done to Arrana. He went over and touched the bark. He could feel the hollowness, the emptiness, and knew the whole tree was dead. He was overcome with sadness. If he didn’t succeed Arrana would become a Gnori too and the whole of Glasruhen Forest would die. He now knew why Nora had sent him into Newton Gill Forest. He couldn’t let this happen again. The bottom of the great oak had already begun to decay. He looked inside. It was hollow as far as he could see. He needed to go home; he’d seen enough. As he stood he caught a glimpse of something red behind the Gnori. Then it moved.

  ‘Hello. Is anyone there?’

  ‘Who wants to know?’ came the reply.

  Jack stepped back in surprise. On a rock sat a small man in a dark green suit. A bent black feather had been tucked under the headband of his bright red hat. A pair of glasses were perched on the end of his long pointed nose. He glowered at Jack then leapt up and blocked his exit with his knobbly walking stick.

  Jack tried a smile, which didn’t help.

  ‘I didn’t think anyone lived here.’

  ‘You’re trespassing. This is my tree now.’

  The little man looked angry. He raised his stick in the air and waved it about.

  ‘I’ve got permission to be here,’ replied Jack.

  ‘Well, if you want to pass you’ll have to give me something. If you don’t I’ll beat you. There’s no escape and there’s no one here to help you.’

  The stick came very close to Jack’s head. He took another step backwards. Was this strange little man like Jennet? Did he want something shiny? Jack felt relieved he’d put a small silver dolphin in his pocket. It used to be on a key ring. He’d thought it might appeal to a water nymph if he ever needed help.

  ‘Something shiny would be most acceptable,’ the old man crooned as if he’d read Jack’s thoughts. ‘I’m sure you’ll have something I’d like.’

  Jack produced the dolphin.

  ‘Silver, bah! I need gold. Give me your gold.’

  Jack had no intention of handing the only golden object he possessed to this angry little man. What could he do? He seemed very confident he could prevent Jack from getting past. Did he have some special kind of power or did he just rely on his own strength? He wasn’t like any man Jack had ever seen before. He was sure he could outrun him if he got past the man’s knobbly stick. Jack felt worried but then had an idea.

  ‘I’ve got something in my backpack you can have.’

  The little man’s face crinkled. His eyes became slits as he stepped eagerly towards Jack.

  ‘Take that!’ exclaimed Jack as he whipped his wand out of his backpack.

  Sparks erupted in an uncontrollable shower. Each one made the little man jump and shout as it singed his skin. Jack didn’t waste any time. He dodged sideways to avoid the stick and ran as fast as he could down the path. To his surprise the little man was faster than he’d imagined and Jack could hear his footsteps not far behind. The fallen twigs and branches crunched noisily as they ran along the path. Jack saw the Gnarles blinking their eyes as the light from his wand lit the murky grove. There was a loud crash. Jack looked back. The little man lay face down on the path. His pointed nose was stuck in the ground and he was beating his fists wildly. A large branch pinned him to the ground.

  ‘Stinking Gnarles,’ the man cried. ‘I’ll beat you sore for this.’

  Jack looked at the trees. He didn’t want them to suffer on his behalf.

  ‘Don’t worry, he can’t hurt dead wood,’ the Gnarle next to Jack explained. ‘We’ll keep him here for a while. He won’t be bothering you again in a hurry.’

  ‘Thank you,’ said Jack and gently touched the Gnarle’s face. He replaced his wand, fastened his backpack and set off briskly. He sang for the Gnarles until he came to the end of Newton Gill Forest.

  Jack had an uncomfortable feeling that the strange little man knew about the golden acorn. Maybe it wasn’t just by chance they’d met in the forest. He ought to tell Nora. He hesitated when he reached the gap in Nora’s hedge, but instead of going back to Ewell House he decided to write to Elan as soon as was back in his room.

  Jack got quite a shock when he eventually opened the door of his bedroom. He’d got a visitor. Camelin was waiting for him.

  ‘You took your time,’ he grumbled. ‘Got any more cake in the bag?’

  ‘No, only my Book of Shadows and my wand.’

  Camelin looked disappointed.

  ‘You had the last piece this morning. There isn’t any more. Anyway, what are you doing here and how did you get in?’

  ‘You left the window open, which is like leaving the front door open, so I hopped in.’

  ‘Has Nora sent you?’

  ‘She thinks I’m still in the loft.’

  Jack doubted that. Nora would probably know where they both were by now.

  ‘I thought we might start my lessons. No time like the present.’

  ‘I’ve got to write to Elan first. It’s important.’

  While Jack got out his book and wand Camelin rummaged around the room. He poked his beak into drawers, looked under the bed and peeked inside the wardrobe.

  ‘Where’s your basket?’

  ‘Basket?’

  ‘For your emergency supplies.’

  ‘I don’t have one.’

  ‘Don’t have one!’

  Camelin looked genuinely shocked.

  ‘What do you do if you’re hungry between meals?’

  ‘I don’t usually get hungry.’

  ‘You will when you start flying. I keep telling Nora it’s hungry work being a raven but she doesn’t believe me.’

  Jack watched as his message to Elan faded into the page. Her answer came back straight away.

  …We’ll investigate.

  Nora thinks she knows who it might be.

  She says to keep your window closed.

  ‘Can we start now?’

  There wasn’t any paper in Jack’s room. There weren’t many of his belongings here at all. He’d only brought one suitcase with him. The sensible thing would be to use his wand in the book.

  ‘OK, let’s start with your name.’

  Jack wrote Camelin’s name out in big letters. Under the capital ‘C’ he drew a cat.

  ‘C is for Camelin and cat.’

  ‘I don’t like cats. Can’t you draw something else?’

  ‘What do you like that begins with the letter C?’

  ‘Cake.’

  Jack laughed as he drew a cake with icing and a cherry on top underneath th
e C.

  ‘a is for apple pie.’

  Camelin nodded in approval.

  ‘m?’

  ‘Macaroni. I just love macaroni. It’s much easier to eat than spaghetti.’

  After half an hour Jack had successfully drawn egg foo yung, a lollipop, ice cream and noodles and Camelin was able to sound out his name using the pictures of his favourite foods as clues.

  ‘Does Nora cook egg foo yung for you?’

  ‘Oh no, we don’t have any Chinese food at home. I know a really good takeaway though. I’ll show you when you can fly. We can go there together.’

  ‘Do you steal the food?’

  ‘Naw, they feed me. They think I’m lucky. I do a bit of a dance for them round the back where the kitchen is and eventually they bring a tray out for me.’

  ‘I hope I learn to fly as quickly as you’re learning to read.’

  ‘Oh I doubt it. You don’t look the type to be able to fly and besides you said you don’t like heights.’

  Jack didn’t reply. As he stared down at his book a message from Elan appeared.

  ‘Look!’ exclaimed Camelin when he saw Elan’s name. ‘Egg foo yung, lollipop, apple and noodles…

  E l a n… it’s from Elan.’

  Jack was impressed. Camelin really was a fast learner.

  ‘What’s it say?’

  ‘It says Nora is looking for you. She’s got a job she needs doing and you’re to go back to Ewell House straight away.’

  Camelin sighed.

  ‘I’ll see you tomorrow,’ said Jack as Camelin took off from the window-sill but instead of flying over to Nora’s he swooped high above the trees and circled back.

  ‘Watch this!’

  To Jack’s astonishment Camelin flipped over and flew upside down. He circled again then soared higher and higher before plunging back towards Jack’s window. He did a triple loop the loop and went straight into a barrel roll. He finished the display by landing neatly on a nearby branch.

  ‘That’s amazing! How long did it take you to learn to fly like that?’