The Golden Acorn - Catherine Cooper [37]
‘This way,’ she beckoned.
She led Jack into Glasruhen and left him where the oak trees began. The faces of the Dryads he’d seen on his first visit peered at him from behind the trunks of the gnarled trees. They darted in and out of the oaks and flitted on and off the path. Jack followed them deeper and deeper into Glasruhen. His thoughts went back to Newton Gill. It must have been exactly like this before their Hamadryad faded into nothingness and became a hollow tree. He understood why the Gnarles were so lonely and missed the Dryads.
They led him to the clearing; it wasn’t long before he stood in front of Arrana again. He bowed low and held the golden acorn flat on his palm towards the Hamadryad. He didn’t speak aloud. He spoke with his heart as he had before.
‘Arrana the Wise, Protector and Most Sacred of All, I need your help.’
Jack watched as the trunk of the massive oak shivered and quaked. He heard the Dryads whispering. As the trunk became a blur, everyone, including Jack, held their breath until Arrana towered above them. She smiled and nodded.
‘You’ve done well since I saw you last. You’ve shown compassion and great courage. You’ve used the twig I gave you well.’
‘I don’t want to fail you.’
‘You won’t.’
‘But I’m afraid. I don’t think I’m going to be able to fly.’
‘You’ll feel differently when you’ve been transformed. Camelin felt exactly the same at first. He had to learn to fly without anyone to teach him. He spent the first few months on Nora’s shoulder. He was so frightened he wouldn’t even try.’
‘But Camelin doesn’t mind heights.’
‘And neither will you. Once you’re a raven you’ll have the instincts of a bird. You won’t feel like a boy.’
Arrana’s words made Jack feel a lot better. If the ritual worked he’d overcome his fear. If Camelin had, he could too.
‘The ritual will work if you want to be a raven with all your heart.’
‘I do. I want to save you.’
Jack remembered the Gnori, the hollowness and emptiness of the dead tree. Tears ran down his face.
‘I don’t want you to become a hollow tree or the forest to die. I don’t want Nora to die either. I want this to work with all my heart.’
‘And so it will Jack Brenin.’
The forest erupted with song. Jack turned to see the Dryads. He could hear their beautiful voices, only this time he understood their song. They were singing about him! When he turned around to thank Arrana she was gone. The Dryads parted for Jack to reach the pathway and return home.
They kept him company until he reached the gap in the hedge. He quickly darted past so no one would see, but Elan called to him from the other side of the hedge. Jack froze. How could he have been so stupid? Nora would have known straight away he’d been through the yews. He knew how Camelin felt now.
‘I’m sorry,’ he said as he entered the garden.
‘There’s nothing to be sorry about. I’ve been waiting here to give you something to take home with you. After you’d gone Motley came to speak to Nora and we didn’t think you’d mind.’
Next to Elan was a large cage and inside was Orin.
‘Nora’s already spoken to your Grandad and he says it’s all right. You can keep Orin in your room. He was really pleased you wanted a pet.’
‘But Orin’s not a pet!’
‘We know that but Grandad doesn’t have to.’
Orin looked pleadingly at Jack.
‘I want to help but Motley won’t let me be in the guard. He said I’d be safe with you and I can keep you company and watch from your window at night if you’ll have me.’
‘Of course I will, and I promise to look after you.’
‘Good, that’s settled,’ said Elan