Read Online Glasruhen Gate by Catherine Cooper - Free Book Online

stalls. Gwillam said there are story tellers, jugglers, games, races and singing at night round the home fires. There will be so much to see and do when we get there. I hope we can stay for a while.’
    ‘It sounds great.’
    ‘Oh it is. The Citadel’s on an island. I want to go across the river to see the Glass Palace. Gwillam told me there are white ravens in the Queen’s garden. What do you think Jack? Was he joking or do you think there really are white ravens?’
    ‘I don’t see why not. It all sounds amazing, I can’t wait to see it for myself.’
    ‘Come on you two,’ Elan called from the herborium. ‘We’re ready to begin.’
    ‘I’m afraid we need to ask you to help again Jack,’ Nora began. ‘My powers are fading fast. I don’t want to waste them on things I know you can do.’
    ‘But I don’t have the same kind of power as you.’
    ‘When you know all there is to know you will, I assure you. But for now I need you to find the pages we need from my Book of Shadows.’
    ‘What about me?’ asked Camelin. ‘Will I have a lot of power too?’
    ‘You are a Druid’s acolyte. When you’ve finished your training you’ll have magic too.’
    ‘But that’ll take years,’ grumbled Camelin.
    ‘What do you want me to do?’ asked Jack.
    ‘We need the instructions for binding the cauldron. I probably remember them correctly, but it’s been so long since I’ve done it, I’d rather make sure we get it right. Here’s your wand, I need you to help me remake it.’
    Elan got Nora’s Book of Shadows from the bookshelf and put it in front of Jack. His wand immediately turned smooth once it was in his right hand. He concentrated hard and let all his thoughts travel to the tip of his wand before tapping the book. It opened with a bang as the covers hit the table.
    ‘You’re a natural Jack,’ said Elan as she picked up the book and read the instructions for Nora:
    To Bind the Cauldron of Life Lay the plates around the yew,
First the pine then holly too,
Next the willow and hawthorn take,
Birch, ash, elm, oak are the first eight.
Beech and apple follow then,
Now the plates will number ten.
Hazel and rowan last not least,
Now lace the Cauldron for the feast.

    When Nora had finished lacing the plates together she stood back to admire her work. The cauldron was bigger than Jack had expected.
    ‘Now for the rim and handles.’
    Elan brought out a solid ring of metal, which had two loops hanging opposite each other. Nora placed it on top of the cauldron then turned to Jack.
    ‘We need the instructions for opening the portal into Annwn.’
    ‘What do I ask?’
    ‘The Western Portal lies hidden in the forest. Say its name and the book will open.’
    ‘But what name should I say?’
    ‘Glasruhen Gate,’ replied Elan.
    Jack didn’t know what the gate looked like but he knew the forest. He concentrated hard and put his wand on the book.
    ‘Glasruhen Gate,’ he commanded.
    The pages flipped until the book found what Jack had asked for. At the top of the page in ancient writing were the words:
    Glasruhen Gate
The Western Portal of Annwn
    ‘What else does it say?’ asked Camelin.
    Jack handed the book to Elan:
    The sacred wells you must locate,
From each collect a cauldron plate.
When they’re found and brought together,
Bind them up with thongs of leather.
    ‘We’ve done that now,’ said Camelin. ‘Even though it took a long time.’
    ‘What’s next?’ asked Nora.
    Elan continued reading:
    Tap three times on the cauldron’s rim,
Then ready you’ll be to begin.
With oak, beech, willow, birch and pine,
And acorn from the Sacred Shrine,
At sunset on the ritual date,
Lay them before Glasruhen Gate.
    ‘Are you ready Jack?’ asked Nora, ‘you need to tap the rim three times.’
    As Jack tapped, a green light began to radiate from inside. It spread through the plates until the whole cauldron glowed. The leather thongs seemed to melt into the metal and the rim shone brightly until the plates fused