Jack Shian and the Destiny Stone by Andrew Symon Read Free Book Online

and fell over. The others had all stepped back in amazement as the fish, landing on the ground, exploded into several smaller fish. These now began to squirm and flip down the bank to the water’s edge. Reaching this within seconds, they slid quietly into the dark water.
    There was a moment of absolute silence: the fishermen stood transfixed by what they had seen; the ‘laird’, still on the ground, stared, open-mouthed at the now still water. Without warning the fish – restored to its swollen size – poked its head out of the water, and uttered a deep roar that echoed across the loch. Then, sliding down into the water again, it swam away. The ‘laird’ looked as if he was about to die.
    Ossian laughed wildly, rocking the boat from side to side.
    â€œThat’ll teach ’em to brag about the one that got away,” he said, wiping tears from his eyes. “They’re boastful, that lot, always goin’ on about how they nearly broke the record. Serves ’em right.”
    â€œTime to get the charmstone,” said Stram matter-of-factly, and he and Gilravage rowed to within a few feet of the shore. Jumping out of the boat, Gilravage made his way determinedly towards the stunned fishermen.
    If the exploding fish had been cause of enough surprise and shock, the sight of a two-foot man emerging from the loch put paid to all notions of a peaceful night’s sleep to come.
    â€œHe’s stayed Shian size,” hissed Jack. Having been so used to growing to human size when in the human parts of Edinburgh – and on Ilanbeg – Jack had almost forgotten how much smaller Shian were than humans.
    Gilravage strode boldly up to the ‘laird’, and bent down. With a flick, he produced a small knife, and swiftly cut the chain holding the amulet. Then, grabbing the laird’s hip flask, he made an exaggerated swigging motion with his right hand, before heading back for the water and – to the watching humans – disappearing.
    As Gilravage clambered back into the boat, Ossian and Stram took the oars. All four were laughing uproariously.
    â€œCan’t they hear us?” asked Jack through tears of laughter.
    â€œAye, but they still can’t see us,” replied Stram happily. “What’re they goin’ to say? A big fish exploded into lots of wee fish, and yelled at ’em? Then a wee man appeared and stole his lordship’s charm? That’s one story they won’t tell; nobody’ll believe ’em.”
    â€œThat’s Phase One complete, Jack. Glad you came? Now we can go and find Caskill.”
    Â 

7
Waking Caskill
    As Ossian and Stram rowed along the loch, Gilravage turned the amulet over in his hands, delighted with his prize. Still being Shian size, the amulet more than filled his hand.
    “How’d you know his lordship had the charmstone?” asked Jack.
    “Your tutor’s been comin’ along this last while,” replied Gilravage. “You’ll see him soon.”
    My tutor? Jack’s mind whirled. It must be Murkle. That’s it! He told us about the crescent moons.
    “It does look like a pot,” said Jack.
    “It’s a cauldron, not a pot,” replied Gilravage. “And those aren’t runes. But it is Norse, I know that much.”
    “The Norsemen came all the way down this coast, hey? I mean, Dunvik’s not far from here, is it?”
    “They left behind all sorts. This should be worth a bit.”
    A jetty at the mouth of the loch appeared out of the mist, and the boat nudged into it. They all clambered ashore.
    “They’ll be waiting for us. Come on.” Stram took the lead, striding quickly through the dusk.
    The mist had settled, taking visibility down to a few yards, and Jack could barely see Ossian ahead of him as they made their way through dense undergrowth. Jogging to keep up, he gradually became aware of the sound of cascading water.
    “What’s that?”
    “It’s whit keeps most folk out o’ the cave o’ the wells,”