The Lost Treasure of Annwn by Catherine Cooper, RON, COOPER Read Free Book Online Page B

especially from Camelin, but Jack thought that was probably because he knew the speeches were now finished and they were going to be able to eat. Jack saw Camelin lower his beak until it was almost touching a large cheese sandwich, which was resting on the top of his pile of food. His beak remained open when Nora stood up again, nodded to Motley and began another speech.
    â€˜Thank you to one and all. It is my pleasure to invest Theodore Sniffler, Dorysk of Glasruhen, as a member of the Night Guard.’
    Nora sat down and everyone clapped. They continued clapping as four dragonettes, one smaller than the others, burst into the kitchen and began a fiery aerobatic display. The smallest dragon landed between Jack and Camelin.
    â€˜Oh isn’t this exciting, Nora’s transformed me into a dragonette for the night,’ Timmery explained. ‘Wait till you see the next bit, I’ve been watching them practise, it’s brilliant.’
    Camelin humphed as the three dragonettes each flew in tight circles, breathing fire as they revolved. There was more applause as they hovered in front of the Dorysk and bowed their heads.
    â€˜Oh bravo, bravo!’ he cried. ‘I am so honoured.’
    â€˜And I’m so hungry,’ grumbled Camelin.
    â€˜Shall we eat?’ said Nora.
    Camelin was already halfway down his bowl by the time Jack picked up his first ham sandwich.
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    â€˜Oh wasn’t that wonderful,’ said the Dorysk as he and Jack walked down to the bottom of Nora’s garden.
    â€˜It was,’ replied Jack. ‘Did you see Camelin’s face when Nora told him he’d have to wait until everyone else had finished their meal before he could have a second helping?’
    The Dorysk laughed and changed into a large beetle.
    â€˜It’ll be easier to keep up with you if I fly, and it won’t matter if we bump into anyone on the back lane.’
    â€˜Is there any way we can get to the meadow without having to go down the lane? There are some boys I really don’t want to meet.’
    â€˜We could go through the fields if you like.’
    â€˜That’d be great. I didn’t know you had a real name.’
    â€˜All Dorysks do. We keep them secret; names are very powerful things you know. You can still just call me Dorysk, there’s only ever one in any area. We get together every so often and swap stories and information. That’s how I ended up living next door to the fairies. They’ve always let us use their mound for our meetings and when I heard the badgers next door had moved out, I moved in. I sort of keep an eye on the place for them when they’re not around.’
    Jack could see they were nearly at a stile in the hedge. The fairy mound was in the next field. He began to feel a bit nervous. What would he say? There was also the small matter of having to eat something. Nora had given him a bag to deliver with some leftovers from the party, including the rest of the mint parcels. As they neared the mound he swallowed hard.
    â€˜What do I do? How am I going to get through the door?’
    â€˜Oh, don’t worry about that, you’ll be told what to do. Wait here.’
    There was a quiet popping sound as the Dorysk changed back into his usual form. He shook his prickles before scurrying down the burrow. Jack heard a knock followed by the sound of the tiny fairy door opening and closing. Jack was alone in the meadow; he looked around, just in case they’d been followed, but the fields were empty. He looked up to see if Camelin was around, but he was nowhere to be seen. He lay on the grass, took out his wand and pointed it down the tunnel. Once the tip was glowing he could see the green arched door and the large silver doorknob. Last time he’d been to the mound he had leant forward, so he decided to put his head a bit further in. The doorknob rippled, two pointed ears popped out and a tuft of hair sprang from the top. Two small eyes,