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

landed in the bottom of the ravine.
    â€˜Is this where I’ve got to start?’
    â€˜It is but from now on my beak is sealed. We’d better transform so you can get going.’
    Jack concentrated hard as they touched foreheads; he visualised his black tracksuit and trainers. To his relief, when he opened his eyes, he was fully dressed. He turned slowly to have a good look at his surroundings. On one side of the ravine the castle walls and turrets loomed above him, on the other side there was a single tower. Jack could see two arched entrances, one just ahead and one higher up. He looked at Camelin for confirmation.
    â€˜I think I’ll look inside this tower first.’
    Camelin nodded vigorously. Jack smiled as he started off; Camelin’s ravenphore had begun. He felt grateful he wasn’t going to be alone. As he reached the entrance he looked round but Camelin was nowhere to be seen. There was nothing else he could do now but enter the building. The room was circular, like the towers around the palace in Annwn but with one big difference, there were no windows. Jack shivered, it felt cool and damp and he could hear water dripping. He waited until his eyes were accustomed to the dim light before looking around. There were no stairs. To get to the upper floors he’d have to use the higher doorway. He wondered why Camelin had indicated that this was the way to go. As he turned to leave he noticed a circular piece of wood, about the size of a bicycle wheel, on the floor. He knelt down to get a closer look. There must be something below because it looked like a lid. Jack put his ear to the wood. The only sound he could hear was that of dripping water. His cheek brushed against cold metal. Across the lid was a chain and at the end of the chain was a padlock, both were secured onto a huge metal ring. Jack took the silver chain from around his neck and pointed the tiny key towards the padlock. It immediately began to grow until it fitted perfectly into the lock. Jack hesitated. Should he open the lock or not? If he didn’t there didn’t seem any point in having come into the room. He turned the key slowly. The padlock sprang open and Jack struggled to lift the lid. He peered into the darkness, and although he couldn’t see it, he suspected there was water at the bottom.
    â€˜Hello,’ Jack shouted.
    â€˜â€¦Hello… hello…’ came the reply as his voice bounced off the wall.
    â€˜Who’s there? …there… there… ’ a deep, grumpy voice replied.
    Jack nearly jumped out of his skin. He’d not expected an answer.
    â€˜I’m Jack Brenin, and I’m looking for the entrance to the Druid’s library… library… library.’
    â€˜A Brenin, you say! Well you won’t find the library down here… here… here.’
    Jack didn’t know what else to say. The conversation seemed to be over. Maybe he ought to put the lid back and be on his way. If a water nymph appeared he wouldn’t be able to ask for any help, and besides, he didn’t have anything shiny to trade for information. He couldn’t part with his key or his golden acorn.
    Jack heard water from below begin to bubble; he backed away from the hole. The silence was broken when the voice boomed and bounced off the walls.
    â€˜Who sent you… you… you?’
    Jack thought he ought to give Nora her proper name.
    â€˜The Seanchai, Keeper of Secrets and Ancient Rituals, Guardian of the Sacred Grove, Healer, Shape Shifter and Wise Woman.’
    â€˜Stay where you are, I’d like to see who the Druid has sent to Falconrock… rock… rock.’
    A spray of water shot out of the opening. Whoever was down the well was rising rapidly to the top.
    Jack had expected to see a water nymph. He was surprised when an old man with pale skin, a long grey beard, and a mass of grey curly hair, appeared. He bowed majestically to Jack. Jack bowed back. He