Free The Lost Treasure of Annwn by Catherine Cooper, RON, COOPER Page A

roll his eyes. They were standing behind a screen at the far end of the herborium and so far Jack had not managed to imagine himself wearing anything. The bright light as they touched their foreheads together was putting him off.
    â€˜Just concentrate on one outfit, something simple, something you are familiar with,’ said Nora.
    Jack lowered his head and made a picture in his mind of his black tracksuit. He squeezed his eyes tightly shut when he and Camelin were almost touching. He tried not to think about the bright light as their foreheads met. Even when he felt himself transforming from a raven into a boy, he kept the image of the dark tracksuit firmly in his mind.
    â€˜Wow!’ exclaimed Camelin. ‘You did it, look!’
    Jack opened his eyes and looked down. He had done it; he was fully clothed except for his feet. He came out from behind the screen to show Nora.
    â€˜That’s very good, Jack. Once more, and try for some shoes this time.’
    Camelin sighed.
    â€˜When can we go to Falconrock? You promised Jack and I could have whole day together.’
    â€˜Ready,’ said Jack.
    They transformed back into ravens then immediately changed back again. As soon as Jack opened his eyes he knew he’d done it.
    â€˜Look!’ he cried as he moved the screen so Nora could see.
    There was a round of applause, not only from Nora but also from Orin and the whole Night Guard, who were now on Nora’s long table.
    â€˜Bravo, Jack Brenin,’ shouted Motley. ‘I knew you’d do it.’
    â€˜Thanks,’ said Jack, as he admired the pair of black trainers he’d managed to visualise. ‘Do you think I’ll be able to do it every time now?’
    â€˜Oh undoubtedly,’ replied Nora, ‘you have fairy magic inside you now. Each time you transform it will get easier. I think you’re ready to go now.’
    â€˜At last!’ grumbled Camelin.
    â€˜Now don’t forget,’ continued Nora, ‘Camelin will wait for you by the exit. He’s not allowed to speak to you so you’ll be on your own once you land.’
    â€˜Can we go now?’ asked Camelin.
    â€˜Yes you can, take care.’
    â€˜We will,’ Jack assured her.
    For the umpteenth time that morning Jack and Camelin transformed. Once they were airborne Jack felt the raven in him take over. He loved flying; it made him feel totally free, and without a care in the world. He tried to focus on the task ahead but the excitement of speeding through the air with the wind in his feathers made it hard to think about anything else.
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    â€˜Nearly there,’ Camelin shouted as he circled around Jack.
    In the distance was the sheer cliff face he’d seen in his Book of Shadows. The top was densely forested but until Jack got closer he wouldn’t be able to tell what kind of trees they were. He knew there wouldn’t be any Dryads here, maybe they’d return when the young Hamadryads he and Nora had planted were fully-grown.
    â€˜See the cave in the rock face about half way up?’ asked Camelin.
    Jack scanned the hillside and nodded when he’d located the hole in the orangey-red rock.
    â€˜That’s where you’ll come out so I’ll meet you there later.’
    To Jack’s surprise they didn’t fly towards the cliff top, instead Camelin veered right and headed towards an equally high rock. As they got closer Jack could see a deep ravine; on either side a castle had been built into the rock. It wasn’t easy to see as its walls had been made from the same red rock as the cliff. He quickly said the rhyme his Book had shown him, this must be where he’d find the tower and the Druid’s chair. The trouble was, the castle had more than one tower.
    â€˜What you mumbling about?’ asked Camelin.
    â€˜Nothing, it’s just a rhyme.’
    Camelin tilted his body and swerved.
    â€˜Going down!’
    Jack did the same. They flew down and