The Lost Treasure of Annwn (28 page)

‘There used to be a grove of Silver Birch trees here,' said Permeris, ‘sadly they are no more.'

Jack looked at the pale peeling bark and the brittle branches. The forest floor was littered with broken twigs that crunched underfoot as they made their way deeper into the gloom. Permeris stopped and turned to Jack and Camelin.

‘I must leave you for a while. You'll find the hazel well in the clearing ahead. My master will join you shortly.'

‘Come on Jack, I know where it is, I'll show you the way,' said Camelin as he pulled Jack's arm.

Jack turned to thank Permeris but the snake had vanished. He let himself be led through the trees until they came to the edge of a clearing. Large boulders, covered in moss, surrounded an old well. It looked like Jennet's except that the tree beside it wasn't alive. It didn't seem as gloomy in the clearing. As he looked around he could see why: a thin shaft of moonlight was doing its best to break through the veil between the two worlds.

‘Who's Kerne?' Jack whispered in Camelin's ear.

Instead of answering Camelin pointed towards the light. Between the trees and moss-covered stones, the silhouette of a great stag appeared. It stretched its neck, tipped its head back and bellowed loudly. Jack had never been so close to a stag before. The noise was deafening and it made Jack's heart race. The stag's magnificent velvet covered antlers looked like a pair of gigantic hands. Jack held his breath and didn't dare move. He could see Camelin was very still too. Should they bow or say something? He wished Permeris hadn't gone. If the snake were here, he'd have been able to introduce them.

‘You need no introductions,' the stag said as it took a step towards them. Its voice was deep and soft and although the creature towered above them, Jack felt no fear.

The stag carefully chose a path between the rocks and as it got closer, Jack could see it was completely white. It also appeared to be getting smaller as it approached. With each step the stag changed. First its antlers shrank, and then its body changed from that of a stag to a man. Jack and Camelin exchanged a glance when the transformation seemed to be complete. A young man with two antlers moved nimbly over to one of the mossy rocks beside the well and sat down. He crossed his legs then held out his left hand. Permeris slithered towards him. When the snake reached the young man he reared before bowing his horned head.

‘Master, your guest has arrived and one who is worthy accompanies him.'

Camelin moved close to Jack and whispered in his ear.

‘That's Kerne, Lord of Elidon, Protector of the Wildwood known by some as the Horned One, and the worthy one is me?'

‘That's right raven boy,' said Kerne, ‘if you were not worthy you would not be standing before me.'

Jack bowed and nudged Camelin to do the same.

‘Come and sit with me,' said Kerne. ‘We have a lot to discuss.'

As Jack and Camelin made their way towards the well he wondered why Kerne looked familiar. Part way through his transformation, when he'd been half man and half stag, Jack had been reminded of a story his mother had once told him but now the transformation was complete he knew he'd seen the Lord of Elidon somewhere before. As he sat before the horned man a memory came flooding back. He was standing behind the Prefects' office in Viroconium; in his hand was a bronze cauldron plate, and on it was a picture of a young man sitting cross-legged holding a snake. Jack concentrated hard until he could see the plate in his mind. The seated figure had antlers and was wearing a torc around his neck, in his left hand was a horned snake, and in his right, another torc. Camelin nudged Jack as Kerne opened his arms wide. Permeris moved closer to his master. Kerne reached out and closed his hand around the snake's body. Permeris instantly changed. His body shrank and became a rigid staff. Jack looked expectantly at Kerne's right hand but it remained empty. The Lord of Elidon lifted his head as the shaft of moonlight shone directly onto him. Something glinted. As Jack looked closer, he could see a heavy golden torc around Kerne's neck.

 

 

KERNE

‘Welcome to Elidon,' Kerne said as he slowly gestured towards the forest with his right hand. ‘You seek the lost treasure of your ancestor, I believe?'

Jack waited expectantly to be presented with the piece of torc he'd come for. When it wasn't forthcoming he realised Kerne was waiting for an answer.

‘I seek knowledge from Elidon so that I might find the two missing pieces of my ancestor's torc. I have one part already, given to me in Annwn by Gwillam, leader of the Blessed Council.'

‘You have the freedom to go wherever you wish in my land but you may only enter three times before Samhain.'

Jack bowed his head and nudged Camelin to do the same.

‘Can you tell me where the piece of torc is hidden?'

‘Alas no, it is not that easy. I do not have the knowledge you seek. You must find Sabrina, for only she can help you. What I do know is that you must find the torc, for without it there can be no coronation. Only the rightful heir has the power to remake it, so if someone else finds the pieces, they would be of no use.'

‘Easy peasy,' said Camelin. ‘Gwillam said it was only a formality. Once we've got the pieces, and you've remade it we can…'

Camelin stopped in mid-sentence when Kerne banged his staff against one of the rocks. He sighed deeply before speaking again.

‘Finding the pieces of the torc will not be easy but the most dangerous part of your quest will be keeping them safe until the coronation, for whoever enters Annwn at Samhain, and presents the Queen with the Lost Treasure will be crowned. I can see into your heart Jack Brenin, and I know kingship was the furthest thought from your mind the day you found the golden acorn. However, there is one who desires to be king and will stop at nothing to regain the position he believes belongs to him. You know of whom I speak?'

‘Velindur,' said Jack and Camelin together.

At the mention of his name, Jack's heart beat quicker. He remembered his nightmare. Velindur was the one person he never wanted to meet again. Without thinking, he blurted out the same question he'd asked Permeris.

‘Is he here in Elidon?'

‘And what does your heart tell you?'

‘That he is here and that he somehow knows I've got to come here too.'

‘Velindur did not arrive by choice; he was transported to Elidon by crystal magic. You will find many creatures here, some are fair folk and some not so fair but all have chosen this realm as their home. Beware, however, any men you may encounter for they are here against their will. All were banished from their homes for past crimes. If they should repent and prove they are sorry they will find peace and maybe return to the life they once knew. The fate of the unrepentant is sealed and they are condemned to remain in the shadows forever.'

‘I can't see Velindur ever saying sorry,' said Camelin. ‘From what little I know of him he always thinks he's right.'

‘That may be so,' replied Kerne, ‘but Permeris tells me he's been trying to enlist help from some of the immortals who dwell on Earth. I advise caution. He is not to be trusted.'

At the mention of Permeris, Jack had glanced at the staff in Kerne's hand. The snake had assured him he could be trusted but how could Jack be certain. He still felt afraid of the snake, even when it wasn't moving.

‘You need not worry about Permeris,' laughed Kerne. ‘He is my trusted companion, a bit like yours.'

Camelin frowned at Jack but was prevented from saying anything when Kerne continued.

‘You'll not find another ram-horned snake in any land. Permeris abides with me in Elidon and is my faithful friend. He sees all, can read men's thoughts and sees into their hearts. That is why you have nothing to fear from him, he knows you are honest and true.'

Jack felt happier knowing the snake liked him and meant him no harm. It was one less thing to worry about. However, even though he'd entered Elidon he was still no wiser about the task that lay ahead of him. The Blessed Council and the Queen had complete faith in his ability; they didn't understand how daunted he felt by the quest. It wasn't something he'd ever done before, and having been told he couldn't use magic he felt very vulnerable in this strange land. If he were not alone it might help. Jack became aware Kerne was waiting for him to speak.

‘Permeris said Camelin might be able to accompany me. Would that be possible?'

‘True friendship is a rare gift. Camelin has proved his loyalty and concern for you beyond doubt. He may stay at your side and help in any way he can.'

Jack could see Camelin out of the corner of his eye. He didn't know if he was smiling or smirking but whichever it was, Camelin looked pleased with himself.

Kerne smiled encouragingly at Jack.

‘The torc is the symbol of kingship, and if the Blessed Council were in any doubt as to your worthiness or ability to locate the missing pieces, you would not have been given this task.'

‘I don't know what to do or where to begin.'

‘This is where you start, right here, which is why you were brought to this place. When you've drunk from the well and eaten the nuts from this tree you will be empowered with the knowledge you need to find Sabrina. She alone can tell you what happened to the torc after it was broken.'

‘Who's Sabrina?' asked Jack.

‘Don't you know anything,' grumbled Camelin before Kerne could answer. ‘She's the nymph of the Gelston River, the most knowledgeable of all water nymphs, and she can shape-shift, unlike the nymphs who live in wells and lakes.'

‘That is true,' agreed Kerne, ‘but she can also cross through the veil which separates our worlds for the river flows through both. However, on Earth, she can only appear as a great fish. Over the centuries many men have tried to catch her. None have succeeded for she is the river too, and can shape-shift into water in an instant.'

As Jack listened to Kerne's description he looked at the tree that stood next to the well. It was dead wood. Even on Earth it would not be alive. How was he going to be able to eat hazelnuts from a dead tree?

‘The answer to your question lies within you,' explained Kerne.

Camelin gave Jack a puzzled look.

‘The tree is dead. I don't know the answer.'

‘If I'm not mistaken, Arrana empowered you before she faded away. You have the gift of life to give this tree, if only for a short time. For you it will bear its fruit.'

‘How? What do I have to do?'

‘Step up to the tree and do exactly what you did when you transferred each Hamadryad spirit into the acorns from Annwn.'

Jack approached the hazel tree. He placed one hand on the rough bark and held his golden acorn in the other. As he breathed gently onto the dead wood he felt warmth travel from his acorn, through his body and out through the hand that touched the bark. There was a slight movement within the tree. He kept his hand firmly pressed against the bark, and watched in amazement as small buds appeared, followed quickly by long pale catkins. From every branch leaves burst from the buds, rapidly followed by small clusters of green nuts, which quickly turned a yellowish brown. Within seconds, ripe nuts began falling to the ground, some fell into the well from the nut-laden branches that overhung the water but most were strewn around Jack's feet.