all kinds of languages both written and spoken.â
Camelin rolled his eyes but Nora shook her head.
âI think weâll let Jack try to read it first.â
Jack concentrated hard on the letters. As he scrunched his eyes he found he could read the wordsâ¦
To
The Great
Jack Brenin
âOh well done Jack,â said Nora.
âWell done Jack, well done Jack, itâs always well done Jack,â grumbled Camelin. âOpen it up, oh great one, and read what it says.â
Jack turned the envelope over. It was similar to the one heâd had from Annwn but instead of a letter A under the seal, there were two capital letters on either side of a white flower.
Â
âM M?â he read before looking at Nora.
âMeadow Mound,â she explained. âIf it was FM it would be Forest Mound, fairies always put the initials of the meeting place on the back. Each mound has its own special symbol too.â
Jack showed it to Nora.
âThatâs definitely from the fairy mound in the meadow.â
Jack carefully broke the seal. As the flower split in two a cloud of sparkling dust cascaded to the floor. Jack could see every colour of the rainbow in it as it fell.
âHmm! Fairies,â grumbled Camelin.
âWhatâs it say Jack?â asked Elan.
He screwed his eyes up and concentrated on the letters.
Â
âPlease call tonight at dusk.â
âWho taught you how to do that?â asked Camelin.
âNo one; if you concentrated hard youâd be able to read it too. Itâs upside down and back to front!â
Camelin tossed his beak in the air and flew over to the windowsill.
âWhy does everyone get excited at the mention of fairies?â
No one answered, but Jack knew Camelin was right, he felt excited at the prospect of being able to see the Fair Folk who lived in the meadow. The Dorysk coughed and bowed low again to Jack.
âIâm invited too and I can be your guide.â
âThat would be great, thanks.â
âUrgh! Iâm glad they didnât invite me,â mumbled Camelin as he looked over at the pile of little green parcels on the table.
âWeâve got guests arriving,â said Elan.
They stood and watched as a group of rats, with Motley at the front, marched across the patio. Raggs hobbled along at the rear as he tried to keep up.
âHalt!â ordered Motley.
The rats obediently stood very still.
âAll present and correct! Permission to enter?â
âCome in, come in,â said Nora. âEverythingâs ready.â
Orin ran over to the patio and waited patiently while Motley dismissed the Night Guard. She went and sat with them, at the far end of the table, on the upturned beakers. Nora had placed a small cushion for the Dorysk to sit on at the head of their small table.
âWhereâs Timmery?â Jack whispered to Elan.
âHeâs coming along with the entertainment later, itâs a surprise for the Dorysk.â
When everyone was seated, Nora tapped her glass with a spoon. Jack expected her to invite them all to eat but instead she thanked the Dorysk for all his help and listed his many skills. Camelin yawned loudly and looked longingly at his bowl.
âNo one said anything about speeches,â he whispered in Jackâs ear.
Motley stood up and carried on when Nora had finished and explained what an important asset the Dorysk would be to the Night Guard. When heâd finished, the Dorysk stood and bowed.
âI canât thank you enough for your friendship and kindness. It will be my honour to join the Night Guard, now Raggs has other duties.â
âHold up your right paw,â ordered Motley. âDo you swear to do your best at all times, to protect all who live in and around Ewell House, and to obey the rules and regulations of the Night Guard?â
âI do,â replied the Dorysk, solemnly.
A great cheer went up from everyone at the table,
Tim Lahaye, Jerry B. Jenkins