Jack or Camelin. Jack smiled. They looked quite comical in their different poses.
âThatâs better. Now, whoâs in charge?â asked Jack.
All the starlings looked towards Camelin.
âI mean, in charge of the Flying Squad.â
âWho told you Iâd got a Flying Squad? A raven canât have any secrets around here, not even when heâs trying to help.â
Jack ignored Camelin and looked at each starling in turn. Heâd heard a couple of names mentioned as theyâd been arguing.
âWhoâs Crosspatch?â
âWho wants to know,â snapped the darker starling with a slightly orange beak.
Before Jack could answer the other four starlings began squabbling again.
âThis wonât do,â shouted Jack. âWe need some order.â
âThatâs what I told them,â interrupted Camelin. âThe one who just spoke to you is Crosspatch, heâs supposed to be in charge.â
âAre you that Jack Brenin?â asked Crosspatch, âThe one weâre looking out for?â
âThatâs me.â
âYou should have said, weâve sworn to spy and snoop and bring back information for you.â
All five starlings nodded, raised their heads, puffed out their chests and stood very still again.
âThatâs better,â said Jack, âIt would be easier if just one of you reported back at a time.â
âWe did. Weâre each watching one of those boys who donât like you. We didnât come back together. We came because each one of us has got something to report.â
Camelin turned to Jack.
âIâve got three shifts and a starling watching each one of the gang so itâs round-the-clock surveillance.â
Jack was impressed. Camelin had obviously been very busy.
âCould we have your reports, in turn, and maybe you could introduce yourselves too.â
Crosspatch hopped forward.
âMax is in his garden.â
Jack wasnât sure this was the kind of thing Camelin had in mind until the second starling joined Crosspatch.
âSnaffle, on Tank watch, heâs with Max in the garden too.â
âAre all five of them together?â asked Jack.
âThey are,â confirmed Snaffle. âChortle, Snatch and Grubber came to say the same.â
Camelin groaned.
âSo we know where they are but whatâs more important is what theyâre talking about.â
Snaffle squawked loudly and the other four joined in until Crosspatch hopped forward again.
âTheyâre plotting, about how to get their own back on Jack and Elan.â
Jack didnât feel too good. Heâd anticipated theyâd be after him and suspected they might want to pay Elan back too for what happened in the meadow; now his fears had just been confirmed.
âYouâd better get back and find out exactly what theyâre planning,â ordered Camelin.
Snaffle shook his feathers before speaking.
âNo need, second shift arrived, theyâll report back later.â
âThanks,â said Jack. Being forewarned would mean the boys wouldnât be able to surprise them. âYouâll have to excuse us, weâve got to go now. Camelin and I are needed in the herborium.â
Jack and Camelin watched the starlings take off.
âThat was great Jack, I couldnât think how I was going to get rid of them.â
âIt wasnât an excuse, we really do need to go down to the herborium. Nora wants to teach me how to visualise.â
Camelin humphed before hopping over to the window.
âYouâd better hurry up then or youâll keep everyone waiting.â
Jack didnât rush; he was lost in thought as he went back downstairs. There had to be a way to face up to the gang but five against two, even if Elan was strong, didnât seem very fair.
Â
âTry again,â Nora encouraged Jack, as he and Camelin transformed for the third time.
Jack saw Camelin