The Golden Acorn by Catherine Cooper Read Free Book Online Page A

forget,’ laughed Jack. ‘Bye.’

    Jack wasn’t alone until after dinner. He excused himself, went up to his room and took out his Book of Shadows. He couldn’t decide what to do first, write to Elan or try to find out more information about Annwn. He touched his name with his finger and watched as the silver writing glowed brightly. Without warning the book opened and pages began to flip over, slowly at first, then quicker until the book lay still. Beautiful flowing writing began to appear.
    The Law and Annals of Annwn.
    Jack plucked up courage to ask about the Otherworld.
    ‘Where is Annwn?’
    Beyond the four Portals of the mortal world.
    ‘What is my task?’
    Jack’s hands trembled. He was scared and fascinated at the same time. The book didn’t answer straight away so he repeated his question.
    ‘What is my task?’
    You must return to the past and find the three missing cauldron plates which were lost. Once the cauldron is remade the ritual can be performed and the Western Portal on Glasruhen Hill can be opened again.
    This must be the ritual Nora spoke about.
    ‘How can I return to the past?’
    The answer came straight away.
    You must fly.
    ‘Fly!’
    This was the second time he’d heard that word today but before he could ask the book anything else it snapped shut with a resounding thud. Try as he might, Jack couldn’t get the book to open again beyond the first page. He decided to write to Elan.
    …I’ve got some answers but I think I’ve broken the book.
    I can’t get it to open again.
    It wasn’t long before Elan’s reply appeared.
    …It won’t be broken. Bring it tomorrow and Nora will answer your question.
    Jack lay awake. He kept replaying everything he’d seen and heard again and again. He didn’t know if he wanted the responsibility Arrana had given him. He was worried he would fail. The word fly filled him with fear. He hated the flight from Greece to England and he really didn’t like heights. There must be a mistake; he’d have to talk to Nora about it.
    Eventually he fell asleep.

    A tapping on the window woke Jack. His head hurt and his eyes didn’t want to open. Reluctantly he got out of bed to investigate. When he drew back the curtain there was Camelin perched on the window ledge about to tap the window again with his beak.
    ‘Rise and shine!’
    It was obvious Jack had been asleep. He was sure Camelin was pleased he’d woken him.
    ‘What do you want at this time in the morning?’ grumbled Jack as he opened the window.
    ‘I’ve got a message from Nora. You’re invited for lunch so you can come round straight after breakfast. She’s already asked your Grandad and he said it would be fine.’
    Jack stifled a yawn.
    ‘Don’t forget to bring something with you,’ added Camelin.
    Without waiting for a reply he flew off in the direction of Ewell House.
    It was still early but Jack decided to get up instead of going back to bed. Last night he’d found two loops on the spine of his Book of Shadows where his wand could be stored. He made sure it was securely in place before putting it into his backpack.
    He could tell Grandad was impressed when he walked into the kitchen.
    ‘I’m glad you’re up and dressed early,’ he began. ‘You’ve been invited over to Ewell House for the day.’
    Jack was about to say he already knew and only just managed to stop himself in time. Explaining to Grandad that he’d been told by a talking raven was probably not a good idea.
    ‘I’m glad you’ve made a friend already,’ Grandad said as he started breakfast. ‘If you’re going to be out I can crack on in the garden. There’s a lot to do.’

    Before Jack left he went back into the kitchen. There wasn’t any cheese in the fridge and he hoped Camelin wouldn’t be too disappointed. He searched around the pantry and found a piece of fruitcake, which he wrapped up and put in his backpack.
    ‘I’ll see you later,’ he called to Grandad, who was already working in his vegetable