Jack Shian and the King's Chalice by Andrew Symon Read Free Book Online

way up into the woods. Jack couldn’t resist shuffling the dead leaves on the ground, but Ossian turned round and glared at him to stop. After fifteen minutes or so, he paused and held up his hand. Jack and Petros halted abruptly, neither making any sound. Turning round, Ossian motioned to them to remain still. He then edged slowly towards a large oak. Standing erect, he called out in what he hoped was an authoritative voice, “I am Ossian. I crave the wisdom o’ the spirit o’ this great tree.”
    After a minute or two, the leaves of the tree began to shake, and a soft rumbling came up from the ground.
    “I am Ossian, son o’ Hart. I wish to consult the spirit.”
    The rumbling faded. Then, from somewhere deep inside the trunk, a booming voice came. “Speak, Ossian, son o’ Hart. But tell me, who are these strangers ye’ve broucht?”
    “Spirit, these are my cousins from Rangie. The great kelpie told me that you know what happened to Jack’s father, Phineas o’ Rangie.”
    “The kelpie had nae business tae be tellin’ ye this, Ossian, son o’ Hart. And ye’re very bold tae come this way yersel’.”
    “But can you tell him anythin’?” Ossian persisted.
    There was silence. Then, out of the corner of his eye, Jack noticed a tree root emerge slowly from the ground and edge towards Ossian’s feet. He stared in disbelief then suddenly darted forward, pulling his cousin back.
    “Look out, Ossian!”
    Ossian saw the root and instinctively leapt back, but instead of retreating with him, Jack stood there defiantly. Petros took half a pace forward, his arm out to restrain Jack, then stepped back.
    “I am Jack Shian from Rangie,” Jack called. “We have come for information. If you can tell me where my father is, I shall be grateful.”
    For a moment there was silence. Jack’s initial courage began to waver. Then the spirit spoke again.
    “Ye’re also bold, Jack Shian. Would ye tak’ the punishment that should have gone tae yer cousin?”
    “I would,” replied Jack, his boldness returning. “But I seek information. Do you have the information I ask for?”
    Another pause.
    “Yer bravery does ye credit,” the tree spirit said at last. “But the water horse exaggerated. Aye, the Oakshee hear mony things, and Phineas from Rangie was travelling north wi’ Konan the Brashat some years ago. They made camp near here, but mair than that I canna say. There are ithers who may ken mair than I. Seek ye Tamlina.”
    After a pause, the voice came again. “Now go. Jack o’ Rangie, yer courage will tak’ ye far. As for ye, Ossian, son o’ Hart, tak’ care. There are ways o’ consultin’ the Oakshee. This time, ye may leave in peace.”
    As the tree root disappeared, Jack turned to face the others.
    “Let’s get out of here.”
    Petros watched Jack sullenly as they walked along. While he admired his bravery, he resented Jack’s having taken the limelight. Unsure of what to say to Jack, Petros turned on Ossian instead as they untied the boat.
    “What did you do to upset it, Ossian? I thought you knew your way around these woods.”
    “I do. But we should’ve sent someone ahead to let the Oakshee know we were comin’. Like I said, they don’t always like visitors.” As he rowed, Ossian kept his eyes fixed firmly on his own feet.
    Who was Tamlina? Jack had heard the name before, but where? His grandfather? And how could she know about his father? It grated that others knew more than he did.
    As the boat approached the bridge, Ossian looked up at Jack. He gulped once or twice before muttering, “Thanks.”
    “No more ‘Rabbit’, then. OK?”
    Ossian nodded.

10
Tamlina
    The next few days passed in a haze of sunshine, rowing on the loch and playing on the outskirts of the woods. But all too soon the final day came, and after lunch Jack and the others went upstairs to pack. As Jack and Petros came downstairs, Ossian appeared at the front door.
    “I’ve a surprise for you. Come on, it’ll take a while