The Golden Acorn - Catherine Cooper [32]
Camelin nodded his head. Although he’d been given a lot of information Jack still felt there was something else he hadn’t been told.
‘Is there anything else I should know?’
‘It’s about the window. It’s only going to be open for a few minutes. If we don’t get through it this time we’ll have to wait another hundred years. Nora can’t perform the ritual if it’s not in the right place and by then it will be too late. Arrana will be dead.’
An uneasy silence filled the room.
‘I’m scared I might fail.’
‘So am I,’ whispered Camelin. ‘I’m sorry I wasn’t very nice to you, only you don’t look very strong or brave and I think it’s going to be dangerous when we go back into the past. I was there. I know what Romans are like. It’s not going to be easy.’
‘I promise I’ll do my best.’
‘I know you will.’
They sat in silence. Jack thought about everything Camelin had said.
‘If we find the cauldron plates how are we going to get them back?
‘We don’t have to bring them back. We hide them somewhere safe and fly back through the window. Once we get back we tell Nora and Elan where we’ve put them and they’ll go and collect them. That’s the easy part.’
‘But where could we possibly put the plates so they’ll be safe for nearly two thousand years?’
‘In water. We find the nearest well or spring and drop them in. They’ll be very safe with the Nymphs to guard them.’
Jack couldn’t imagine anyone trying to steal anything from a water nymph, especially if they were all like Jennet.
‘How long do we have in the past before the window in time closes?’
‘Now that’s the good news. It doesn’t close from the other side. It doesn’t matter how long we’re there. We can fly back at any time.’
‘Well that’s a relief,’ laughed Jack.
Camelin bowed his head and looked thoughtful.
‘I was training to be a Druid you know. I was Gwillam’s acolyte but then everything changed. Gwillam was killed and I became a raven. I’d only been with him a few years. It took twenty-one years to train to be a Druid. Reading and writing didn’t come until near the end, and that’s why I never learnt. Anyway, I can see how useful reading could be now.’
‘Oh it is,’ agreed Jack. ‘I can find you some great books to borrow.’
Camelin pulled his face.
‘I was thinking more about the menu from the Chinese takeaway, unless you’ve got any good food books.’
Jack laughed.
‘I’ll see if I can borrow a cookery book. You’ll love the pictures.’
‘Before I forget, Nora gave me a message. She said you’ve got to remember to bring the golden acorn with you on Friday. She can’t perform the ritual without it.’
‘I wish she’d take it back. I’m frightened I might lose it.’
‘I think it’s what you’re supposed to do, you know, as The One. You’ve got to keep it safe, look after it to prove you’re worthy.’
‘Is there anything else you haven’t told me?’
Camelin pretended to think hard then shook his head. Just then Grandad called upstairs. Jack’s supper was ready.
‘It must be my supper time too, my stomach’s really empty.’
Camelin’s stomach always seemed to be empty. Jack wondered if he’d feel hungry all the time once he’d been transformed into a raven.
‘See you tomorrow,’ he called as Camelin took off.
Jack watched Camelin as he showed off his brilliant skills again; a backwards loop the loop followed by an amazing twisting dive. Jack sighed; it would be great to fly. He just wished he didn’t feel so afraid.
It was nearly bedtime before Jack got back to his room. He took out his wand, opened his Book of Shadows and was about to write to Elan when he heard a loud crash. It came from the greenhouse. Jack held his wand up at the window so he could see better, then hid it quickly when he saw Grandad making his way down the garden path. There was another crash, this time from the kitchen. It wasn’t Grandad; he was still outside. With his wand unlit, he cautiously made his way to the top of the stairs. Someone or something was definitely in the house. Jack carefully took one step at a time. If it was Peabody,