Silver Hill (18 page)

‘Rescue a dragon,’ laughed Jack. ‘It used to be the other way round. Knights would fight a dragon to rescue a princess, I’ve never heard of a dragon being rescued before.’

‘Oh yes you have. We dragonettes were rescued and will be forever grateful.’

‘Let’s hope the big dragon will be grateful too, it isn’t going to be easy. I’ve read Nora’s book about Dragon Lore and dragonairs are notoriously bad tempered. They used to roast people first and never bothered to ask any questions. They’re very partial to barbecued human.’

‘But they wouldn’t roast another dragon.’

‘How do you know?’

‘Dragons can smell another dragon from quite a distance away. I told you I could smell dragon’s breath through the doorway in Silver Hill.’

‘Dragon’s Breath! I helped make a cauldron-full for Nora. She said we’d need all the help we could get if we were going to look for dragons but I thought she meant dragonettes.’

‘She did, but it’ll work just as well for big dragons.’

Jack felt dizzy; he went and sat on the bed. He’d read all about dragonairs so he knew what they’d be dealing with. Nora would too. If they were relying on the potion he’d made, to protect them from the dragon in Silver Hill, he hoped he’d made it right. If he hadn’t they’d be in trouble. Charkle flitted into Jack’s room and fluttered around his head.

‘Are you alright? You don’t look too good.’

‘I’m fine but I’ve got to get ready now, it’s the concert this afternoon. I expect Nora’s forgotten. I really wanted her to come but she’s got enough to do.’

Before Charkle could answer Grandad’s alarm started ringing. Charkle fluttered around Jack’s head one last time before heading for the open window.

‘We’ll see you later Jack.’

‘Yes, see you later.’

Jack’s head was spinning. He needed to concentrate on the concert, dragons and druids were going to have to wait until later but no matter how he tried he couldn’t put them out of his mind. A knock on his bedroom door made him jump.

‘Oh good, you’re up,’ said Grandad as he poked his head round the door. ‘Here’s your white shirt and bow tie for the concert, now mind you don’t get them dirty, come down and have your breakfast first before you get dressed.’

‘I’ll be down in a minute,’ Jack said.

He needed a moment to steady his legs.

Jack could feel his stomach churning as he stepped out of the school hall and led the rest of the choir towards the stage that had been set up underneath the trees at the back of the field. He held his back straight, as his teacher had asked, and walked with confidence even though he felt very nervous. The dress rehearsal had been a disaster and the fear of not being able to sing his best was worrying him badly. When he passed the front row of visitors he saw his Grandad. The smile on his face helped, and the reassuring nod he gave Jack made him feel a lot better, but the seat where Nora should have been sitting was empty. Jack wished she could have come but he understood why she’d not been able to make it. He scanned the trees but there was no sign of Camelin either.

Once the choir was seated the orchestra arrived and positioned themselves in front of the stage. The head teacher stepped out and welcomed everyone and then came the three taps of the teacher’s baton on the music stand that was the cue to begin. The orchestra played four pieces. Jack knew they’d only got one more to play before it was his turn. His solo was sung unaccompanied at the beginning of the choir’s performance. He began to feel hot under the collar. He wasn’t used to wearing a bow tie but he couldn’t loosen it, they’d all been told not to fiddle with them. As the audience applauded the orchestra’s performance, Jack saw Nora walking around the side of the seating. She sat down next to Grandad and gave Jack the most welcome smile he’d seen in a long time. From the corner of his eye, in the tree by the school gate, he saw Camelin and next to him on either side sat four small birds. As he watched, a fifth bird fluttered down onto the branch and joined them. Now Jack knew he could sing his best because he’d be singing for his friends. He wanted the Gnarles in Newton Gill Forest and the Dryads to hear him too.

As soon as the applause died down and the choir stood, Jack stepped forward. He hit the first note perfectly and the sound of his voice rang, as clear as a bell, towards the forest. He knew the trees were listening, he could see their branches swaying, even though there wasn’t any breeze. He sang as well as he could for all his friends and when he reached the very last note a great sense of pride swelled up inside him. For once he’d done something special on his own, without using magic or relying on Nora. The applause was deafening. The teacher had to wait until everyone was quiet before the rest of the concert could proceed. Jack sang like he’d never sung before. It was a wonderful feeling.

The concert finished with the orchestra playing and the choir and the whole school singing together. Most of the audience joined in too. The head teacher thanked everyone for coming and Jack led the choir back to the hall to another round of rapturous applause. He couldn’t wait to see Nora. As soon as they were dismissed he ran across the field to Grandad. Nora wasn’t there. He glanced up at the tree. Camelin and the other small birds had also disappeared. He felt very disappointed but didn’t want Grandad to notice.

‘Did you like it?’ he asked.

‘Like it? I loved it, you sang beautifully. I told you it’d be alright didn’t I.’

Jack nodded. His heart was beating fast and he couldn’t tell if it was from running or excitement.

‘Did Nora enjoy the concert too?’

‘Of course she did, she’s invited us both for tea. I’ll come in for a cuppa but I’ve got to get back and start watering the plants. You can stay as long as you like and we’ll have a bit of supper later if you’re hungry.’

‘That would be nice,’ said Jack.

It was a beautiful afternoon and they walked the short distance to Nora’s in silence. Jack was lost in thought. He knew Camelin wouldn’t be pleased that he was going to miss out on tea but he couldn’t sit at the table with Grandad there. He had so many questions to ask Nora too, but they’d have to wait until they were alone.

‘You took your time,’ grumbled Camelin once he was allowed back in the kitchen. ‘I hoped you’d save me something.’

‘There’s plenty left,’ said Nora. ‘Help yourself.’

For an instant Camelin looked shocked.

‘You mean I can have what I want, and in any order?’

‘You can, just this once, but make sure you mind your manners, I hear you’ve let them slip a bit while I’ve been gone.’

Camelin didn’t reply. He was too busy sorting out the cheese sandwiches.

Nora turned to Jack.

‘You know how grateful we all are, don’t you Jack. What you did was very brave.’

Camelin’s head shot up.

‘I was brave too.’

‘So were the Dorysk and Timmery,’ added Jack.

Nora smiled and nodded.

‘You all were, but you shouldn’t have had to do all that on your own. I’m sorry I was gone so long, I think Charkle has told you about our problem in Annwn.’

Nora paused and looked thoughtfully at her teacup.

‘I’ve had a long chat with Norris and Snook. They know the tunnels inside Silver Hill really well. We need a plan to rescue the dragon. A fully grown, fire-breathing dragon will surely be able to melt a hole in the ice sheet.’

‘I don’t want to have to fly over to Silver Hill again,’ grumbled Camelin.

‘You won’t have to,’ replied Nora. ‘Next time I’ll drive us all there.’

‘I think the dragon might be a bit too big to get in the car,’ said Jack.

Nora laughed.

‘I wasn’t thinking of bringing it back here but I believe we have some rats to rescue too. We’re going to need all the help we can get.’

‘We couldn’t have rescued Norris and Snook without the Dorysk and he said he’d help us again any time,’ said Jack.

‘Help you,’ corrected Camelin.

‘No,’ said a familiar voice from the patio, ‘he’s going to help us all.’

‘Elan,’ cried Jack, ‘I didn’t know you’d come back.’

‘I’ve been gathering some support for our rescue mission at Silver Hill. I’ve just had a very interesting conversation with the Dorysk. He’ll be here later tonight. He’s very grateful to you Jack for all your help.’

Jack felt his cheeks reddening.

‘It was nothing,’ he mumbled.

‘You were great this afternoon. I loved your solo,’ said Elan.

‘But how did you hear it?’

‘Didn’t you see five little birds sitting with Camelin?’

Jack nodded.

‘Nora used a temporary transformation spell, the dragonettes and Timmery were changed into sparrows and the fifth one was me! I wouldn’t have missed your solo for the world.’

‘I’m really glad you heard it. It’s the best I’ve ever sung.’

‘The dryads were impressed too. I’ve been to see them this afternoon.’

Camelin coughed.

‘Don’t you think we ought to be sorting out a plan?’

Nora started to clear the table.

‘You’re right, but thanks to Jack we’ve got our protection sorted out.’

‘Thanks to Jack, thanks to Jack. It’s always thanks to Jack. What about all the brave things I’ve done.’

‘From what I hear you refused to help Jack make the potion. If you’d helped I’d be thanking you too,’ replied Nora. ‘Without Jack we wouldn’t have a whole cauldron of Dragon’s Breath. It’s going to protect us all from being roasted.’

At the mention of the potion Camelin pirouetted and began to cough and choke.

‘I’d rather be roasted than drink what’s inside the cauldron.’

Nora and Elan started to laugh and Jack joined in too.

‘What’s so funny, you won’t be laughing when you smell it.’

‘It’s not for drinking! Jack made it into a shampoo, we’re going to smear it all over our hair and let it dry. It’ll wash off later. Jack can help you get it off your feathers in the bath when you get back.’

Camelin hunched his wings and looked annoyed. Jack presumed he didn’t like having a bath.

‘Have you any idea why the lights have faded inside the caves?’ asked Jack.

‘None at all, crystal magic is the most powerful kind of magic, it shouldn’t fail. It’s almost as if the crystals aren’t there any more,’ replied Elan.

Jack felt a shiver run down his spine. He suddenly realised why the crystal, he’d taken from the tunnel in Silver Hill, looked so familiar. He stood up quickly and looked around the kitchen. It had to be here somewhere. Everyone was looking at him.

‘What’s wrong?’ asked Nora.

Jack turned to Camelin.

‘Where’s the light I brought back from Silver Hill?’

‘In my loft, where else would it be?’

‘What kind of light Jack?’ asked Elan.

‘It’s like a crystal and I think I know where I’ve seen something like it before.’

‘You’d better go and fetch it,’ said Nora. ‘I think we need to see this light.’

Camelin didn’t hurry. He waddled slowly to the door before taking off for his loft. Jack hoped he was wrong but when Camelin returned and dropped the crystal onto the table, a soft light glowed from its centre.

Nora reached over and picked it up.

‘Oh my goodness! Look Elan it’s the same. How on earth did the Spriggans get hold of this?’

Jack swallowed hard.

‘Most of the tunnels inside Silver Hill are lined with them. That’s what the Candleless Feast is all about, they don’t need candles any more now they’ve got the crystals.’

Nora looked very carefully at the crystal again before speaking.

‘Someone else is behind this. The Spriggans wouldn’t have been able to do this on their own.’

Jack remembered the conversation he’d had with Snook.

‘The one they call Pig Face has something to do with the lights, he seems to be in charge and he’s the one who’s organised the feast, it has to be Pyecroft.’

Nora began pacing up and down.

‘This is more serious than I thought. How did anyone get in? It can only have been through the Western Portal, the other three gateways haven’t been opened yet.’

‘Four,’ croaked Saige.

Everyone looked at the little frog as she hopped across the kitchen floor. Elan gently picked her up.

‘How many portals are there into Annwn?’ she asked.