The Lost Treasure of Annwn (19 page)

Orin greeted her brother and when Motley stood to attention she ran up Jack's arm and settled down on his shoulder.

‘Is this an official visit or did you want to see Orin?'

‘Oh official, but it's not something I've discussed with Camelin so I'd appreciate your discretion.'

‘Is there a problem?'

‘Not so much of a problem, more of an annoyance. Camelin's set up this raggle taggle band of starlings, calling themselves the Flying Squad. An undisciplined rabble if you ask me.'

Jack smiled, Motley's description was very accurate but the squad had taken their duties seriously.

‘Is there something you'd like me to do?'

‘Oh yes! I hear they listen to you, Camelin's got no power of command, likes to be in charge but no natural ability for it. There's going to be a meeting before you go to Annwn tomorrow night. While you're away Nora's putting me in charge. I just want you to make sure the so-called Flying Squad understand it's me they need to report to when Camelin's not here.'

‘Are you sure you want them to report to you? They're a noisy lot.'

‘I'll soon have them in shape once they know it's me they have to answer to. Can't have enough eyes and ears watching, and reporting, but the air forces must have the same kind of discipline as those on the ground. As long as you tell them they need to report to me, I'll make sure they're sorted out. We'll have three efficient, well-disciplined squads by the time you get back.'

‘I'll have a word with them.'

‘Thank you kindly, knew I could rely on you. Better be off, got things to do, don't you know.'

‘Before you go, is there any news about the gang?'

‘They're all together at this very minute behind closed doors. The Dorysk has infiltrated their headquarters and will report back later. Something's brewing. I can feel it in my whiskers. Well, can't stand here talking all night.'

‘Thanks,' said Jack as Motley scurried through the open window onto the ivy. ‘I can feel it too Orin, it's been too quiet and I don't think they're going to give up that easily.'

 

‘Now are you sure you don't mind staying at Ewell House till Sunday?' Grandad asked Jack, as he was ready to leave.

‘I'll be fine; there'll be lots to do.'

‘I'm not going to be home till late but you've got your key if you've forgotten anything, just remember to lock up if you do come back.'

‘I'm sure I've got everything, I'll see you at the show.'

‘That's fine. Nora knows which marquee we're in. I'm hoping my dahlias are going to do well this year, be nice to add a rosette to my collection.'

Jack smiled. Grandad had quite a collection of cups and rosettes from various shows but this seemed to be the most important one of the year.

‘I hope you win.'

‘Thanks. There'll be a lot of competition, keep your fingers crossed for me.'

Jack showed Grandad his crossed fingers before he went out of the back door. As soon as he entered the tunnel he took Orin out of his pocket. She'd asked if she could run on ahead. It wasn't often she got the chance to have a long run and Jack could see her enjoyment as she scurried down the path. It wasn't long before she was out of sight. Jack didn't rush; he wanted time to think before he reached the bottom of Nora's garden. He was hours away from returning to Annwn and he was feeling a mixture of excitement and apprehension. It would be great to see everyone again but this wasn't just a visit to see friends. He'd been summoned and was due to stand before Coragwenelan and the Blessed Council. Somehow they expected him to prove to them that he was their rightful king. Elan had said it was only a formality but he'd no idea what he was going to say. He didn't feel he had the right to be a king, if he'd been born a prince he'd probably feel differently but he was just a boy. He still found it strange to think of Elan as anything other than Elan. Tonight she'd transform into the Queen of Annwn but it was only yesterday that they'd both been covered in dust and grease working together in his grandad's shed. A rustling in the hedge made Jack look up. He could just see Camelin's beak sticking through the leaves.

‘Come on slowcoach, I've been waiting for days for you to arrive and now you're dawdling… fancy a flight this afternoon?'

There was nothing Jack wanted more.

‘Did you have anywhere in mind?' he asked Camelin.

‘No, why? Is there somewhere you'd like to go?'

‘Monument Hill.'

‘What you want to go there for? Oh! Don't tell me, it's for the buggy race.'

‘Well it is but I thought if we looked at the route together we could see where you could perch during the race without being seen.'

‘You mean I can be there for the race.'

‘Of course you can. I'm sorry you've not been able to help during the last few days, I've missed you.'

‘Oh! I've been busy, not had time to miss you at all. You will hurry up, won't you? I'll see you in the loft.'

Hurry was one thing Jack was not able to do with a full backpack and heavy holdall.

‘See you in a bit,' he called as Camelin took off.

 

Jack felt good with the sunshine on his back and the wind in his feathers as he and Camelin flew towards Monument Hill. He'd expected Nora to say they couldn't go but instead she'd told them to enjoy themselves. Everything was ready for their visit to Annwn. She wanted them back by late afternoon and ready to make their way to Glasruhen Gate before sunset. Jack wasn't sure that Nora's idea of enjoyment was the same as Camelin's and he suspected that at some point, while they were out there would be a search for food.

Jack had never flown in this direction before. Below him lay fields, and in the distance ahead was a steep-sided hill. Camelin swooped past.

‘That's Monument Hill, it's not far.'

‘What's on the top?'

Camelin chuckled and flew in a huge circle.

‘Aw Jack! You make me laugh! It's a monument.'

‘Of what?'

‘Some man or other. It wasn't always there. A long time ago there used to be a standing stone on the top with lots of little ones around it, you could see the big stone for miles. Had a hole in it just like the one on Glasruhen Hill, you know, the one Cory put her hand in when we went to collect the cauldron plates.'

‘What happened to it?'

‘Don't know, it used to be called Liller's Hill but that was a very long time ago… ready to have a look around?'

‘Ready.'

‘We'll start over there, that's the Cricket Club.'

They landed on the pavilion roof. A large field lay at the foot of the hill.

‘The buggy race starts over there,' Camelin said, using his ravenphore signal for Jack to look to the right. ‘They don't all start at once… it's a long way round the course and the final push up that hill takes forever, but once you get to top, there's a long downhill stretch.'

Jack looked over to Monument Hill. He could see what Camelin meant; the path that led to the top of the hill was very steep.

‘There's nowhere for you to sit here, or anywhere on the top, everyone would see you.'

‘What about that tree over there?'

Jack tried not to laugh as Camelin made an exaggerated gesture with his other wing.

‘That looks perfect.'

‘Can we fly over the whole bridleway now?'

‘Follow me,' said Camelin as he took off and flew low up the steep path that led to the top of the monument.

Jack had to use all his flying skills as he followed Camelin. They flew close to the ground and sped around the course. Eventually Camelin soared and flew over a long stretch of trees. Occasionally Jack could see the pale path below. The route looked long and challenging. It was going to be a bumpy ride. There wouldn't be any problem for Camelin, he'd be able to follow the race and find plenty of places to perch. When they reached the top of Monument Hill Camelin landed on the ground.

‘See over there?' he said, as he unfolded his wing slowly and pointed beyond the pavilion.

‘It's Glasruhen Hill!'

‘Well don't sound so surprised, you've been up there often enough.'

‘I know, but there's just so much to see from up here, it's hard to know what you're looking at.'

‘We'd better be getting back. I know where we might get a burger if we're lucky.'

Jack didn't argue. It was hungry work being a raven.

 

Nora and Elan were waiting for them in the kitchen. The cauldron was on the table and Jack could see it was full of jars of blackberry jelly. Balanced on top was a large pie. Camelin hopped over and inspected it. Nora gave him a disapproving look.

‘That's for later. Go and get yourselves ready, we'll be setting off soon. Oh and Jack, don't forget your acorn, invitation, wand and Book of Shadows.'

‘He doesn't need that wand these days,' grumbled Camelin.

‘He'll need it in Annwn,' said Elan. ‘It needs to be verified.'

‘Verified?' asked Jack.

‘Only a formality,' explained Nora. ‘Your wand will prove you are who you say you are. It's not something you could have just picked up off the ground, only a Hamadryad could have given it to you.'

‘The Blessed Council will give you a task to perform, but it won't be too difficult. It's written in the Book of Law so they have to follow the rules, there are no exceptions,' explained Elan.

‘It's most important that they know exactly who you are if they're going to crown you king,' Nora added. ‘Now, off you go, be back here in ten minutes.'

‘Race you,' Camelin called to Jack when he was halfway through the patio doors. Jack flew after him.

Once he'd transformed and was back in his room he checked the contents of his backpack. When he was sure he had everything he went back down to the kitchen. Elan was on her own.

‘Are you alright?' she asked.

‘A bit nervous.'

‘You'll be fine, just be yourself. There'll be a better welcome for you this time, we're expected.'