The Lost Treasure of Annwn (12 page)

‘Find the tower, mount the stair,' Jack recited as he stepped back and looked up at the second entrance. This had to be it. If there were a staircase inside he'd climb up it. He wondered how he'd be able to tell the difference between a Druid's chair and an ordinary one. Jack took the path that led up to the higher level. It was overgrown and he doubted anyone had been this way for a very long time. This entrance, like the one below, had no door, but instead of the chamber being dark, sunlight filtered in through cross-like slits in the thick walls. At the far end of the empty room was a stone stair. Jack looked up before ascending. He couldn't see the top because the stone steps wound around the tower. On each new floor Jack looked around but each room was completely empty. Up and up he climbed until he had to stop for breath. He looked out of one of the window slits; he was a long way above the ground. For a second Jack felt dizzy. He didn't mind heights when he was flying but as a boy it was different. He hoped he was nearly at the top. As he rounded the next curve the staircase came to an abrupt end. In front of him was an old wooden door with large black hinges. He felt his token to make sure it was safe, just in case he needed it to enter the room. Jack took a deep breath and knocked. There was no answer. He tried the doorknob and needed both hands to turn it. The door creaked loudly as it swung inwards. The room was empty except for one object in the centre. Jack was staring at a large chair. Since he could go no further and it was the only chair in the room, this had to be the one he was looking for. Its arms were carved in the shape of two dragons and its tall back was arched. As Jack walked around it he could see there was no piece of the chair left undecorated. This had to be the Druid's chair. He wondered if the clue he needed was in the carvings but nothing he'd seen seemed to be helping. He decided to sit down and try to think. The great chair was facing the only window slit in the room. As soon as Jack sat down he knew he'd found what he'd been looking for. The view led his gaze across the treetops and down a ravine towards an archway on top of Falconrock. Jack sighed, he had known his task wouldn't be easy but he hadn't realised how far he'd have to travel.

 

 

THE DRUID'S LIBRARY

Jack walked over to the window slit and looked out across the ravine. There was no mistaking the pathway he'd need to take; there was only one in sight. Jack closed the heavy wooden door and wound his way down the stone steps. Camelin was waiting for him at the bottom. Jack knew from his expression he'd been waiting a long time.

‘It was a long climb to the top,' he explained.

Camelin rolled his eyes and held his right wing out towards the path Jack had seen from the top of the tower.

‘See you later then.'

Camelin nodded several times before taking off. He looped-the-loop twice before heading off over the treetops. Jack didn't think this was a new ravenphore message; it was more likely to be Camelin showing off.

As soon as he entered the forest the sunlight disappeared. The path was covered in a layer of pine needles and was soft underfoot. He felt as if he was walking on a cushion. The forest was dense and still, and the only sound Jack could hear was a few birds singing in the distance. He didn't have to choose which way to go, there was only one path. He knew that if he'd been left on his own in the middle of a strange forest a few months ago he would have been a bit apprehensive, but now he felt no fear. He was enjoying the walk until he came to the edge of the trees and saw a sheer rock face ahead. Jack's heart sank. It would be foolish and dangerous to try to scale the rock. There had to be a cave or a crack in the hillside, the path wouldn't have led him to a dead end. To Jack's relief, Camelin appeared above. He glided down and landed a little way to the left. He didn't look at Jack. Instead, he hopped to the rock face, pulled his wings back and thrust his head forward. Jack recognised Camelin's signal, it meant he had to go straight ahead and not up. Jack crossed the short distance to see what Camelin was showing him. There was a narrow crack that hadn't been visible from the path.

‘Thanks, I'll try not to be too long.'

Camelin chuckled. Jack wondered what he knew about this next part of his journey. It didn't take long to find out. Once he'd rounded the corner he entered a tunnel; within a few steps he found himself in total darkness. No light came from ahead or behind. He had no choice but to continue. He put his arms out by his sides and found he could touch both sides of the tunnel. The floor was uneven and Jack stubbed his toe more than once even though he was carefully inching his way forwards, one step at a time. The air felt thick, it had been like this in the tunnels inside Silver Hill only this time he was alone.

It was a relief when a shaft of sunlight lit the floor of the tunnel. He didn't need Camelin to show him the way when he stepped out into the light. Before him were giant stone steps that had been cut from the rock. The narrow sides of a steep gulley rose to the top of the stairway. The sides of the rock and all the steps were covered in moss. Jack had never seen anything like this before. It looked unearthly and magical as the sunlight lit the green walls. Ferns grew from crevices and Jack could hear water dripping from above. It looked beautiful but as Jack put his foot on the first step he realised it wasn't going to be easy to get to the top. The moss was slippery and there were no handholds. Jack spread out his arms and pushed his palms flat onto each side of the rock. The moss was wet through but at least he was able to steady himself. By the time he reached the top his hands and shoulders were aching. He sat down to get his breath and to have a look at his surroundings.

The path split three ways. If he turned left or right he'd be heading down and since the arch was on top of Falconrock it would seem logical to take the one that continued upwards. His choice was confirmed when Camelin hopped out onto the path in front of him. They walked together in silence with sunlight beating down on their heads. Jack wished he'd brought his hat and a drink. He felt even more parched when he heard running water.

‘I'm really thirsty, is this water safe to drink?' Jack asked as they reached a small waterfall. The clear water cascaded down the rock into a large stone pool. It looked a bit like Jennet's well only much bigger.

Camelin didn't answer; instead he dipped his beak into the water and drank. Jack knelt, cupped his hands and quenched his thirst.

‘Who drinks from my well?' boomed a voice from the top of the waterfall.

Jack looked up. He couldn't see anyone and even Camelin had gone.

‘Who drinks without permission?' the voice continued.

‘Jack Brenin. I'm sorry, I didn't know I had to ask, I was thirsty.'

‘Mmm! Jack Brenin you say. That wouldn't be the same Jack Brenin who opened the well in the Red Tower would it?'

‘It is.'

‘Well drink your fill Jack, I'm glad you've made it this far.'

‘Grannus?'

‘The very same,' the old man replied as he surfed down the waterfall. ‘When you've quenched your thirst you'll be ready to pass through the second gateway.'

Jack looked around. He couldn't see a doorway or anything that looked like a gateway. Grannus glided over to Jack and waited until he'd drunk his fill.

‘The gateway you seek is hidden from sight. On the far side is a path, follow it and it will lead you to the bridge, beyond which is the landmark you seek.'

Jack repeated the directions. He wondered why Grannus was helping him or maybe he helped everyone who came to Falconrock.

‘You won't get into trouble for telling me which way to go, will you?'

Grannus laughed loudly.

‘As the gatekeeper I decide who's worthy to have safe passage. Once you've got what you came for you'll have to enter the labyrinth, it's the only way out. That will be your final test. If you make it to the last gateway, without help, you'll be able to keep all the knowledge you've gained from your visit here. Before you leave the labyrinth you'll be sworn to secrecy.'

‘And if I don't pass this test?'

‘You'll go home empty handed and forget you ever came here.

‘This next part of your journey measures your determination and endurance, the library will test your character, and the labyrinth your worthiness. When you leave the library you'll be completely alone, not even your companion can enter there.'

Jack looked over at the tree Grannus had nodded towards. He could see Camelin hiding in the branches.

The water in the well began to bubble. Grannus laughed loudly before diving into the waterfall. Jack turned slowly in a circle as he looked for the gateway. He walked around the edge of the well to examine the waterfall more closely. Behind the curtain of water was an entrance. Jack stepped into the pool. The last time he'd gone through a waterfall was when they'd escaped from Silver Hill. He took a deep breath before walking through the cascading water.

He shook himself. It was only when he went to wring his sleeve that he realised his clothes weren't wet. He'd forgotten that he'd visualised the black tracksuit and trainers. Jack looked around. He was standing in a short passage that had been cut through the rock. Blinding sunlight streamed in through the opening. He'd nearly reached his destination; he could see the ruined arch with Camelin perched on top. As he stepped out of the passage the bright sun shone straight in his eyes, for a moment he was blinded. He blinked then froze when he saw what lay ahead. Before him was a narrow wooden bridge, only wide enough for one person to cross at a time. It had been made from a single tree trunk with what looked like a small rickety fence on either side. It didn't look safe but if he wanted to reach the arch he knew he'd have to cross it. He could feel beads of sweat running down his back. He knew he shouldn't look down and tried to focus on the arch. He gripped the supports and tried to step forward but his body went rigid. He looked at his foot and willed it to move but nothing happened. Out of the corner of his eye he could see how far above the ground he was. He knew if he wanted to find out about crystal magic he had to get across. He'd come all this way and he couldn't fail now. A sharp peck on his ankle made him jump. Camelin stood looking at him with his head cocked to one side.

‘I don't suppose we could transform, could we?'

Camelin shook his head.

‘I could fly over this so easily. I don't know if I can walk over. The ground is such a long way down and my legs don't want to move.'

Camelin turned slowly, thrust his head forward, raised his beak in the air and began to shuffle across the bridge.

Just imagine you're flying, Jack told himself.

He took a deep breath, raised his head, extended his arms outwards, and followed Camelin's example. Jack didn't look down or stop until he could feel the grass under his feet. He whooped for joy when he looked back at the bridge. He sat down on the grass and watched while Camelin did his victory dance.