Read Online Glasruhen Gate by Catherine Cooper - Free Book Online Page B

Camelin as he skipped over to Nora.
    ‘A real barbecue, but not for everyone, just for us. We’ll celebrate properly when we get back with the acorns. We’re not eating until everything is ready, so you can come and help me cut some rhubarb. Elan can go with Jack.’
    ‘Oh great, I love rhubarb pie.’
    ‘It’s not for us, I haven’t got time to make pies tonight. It’s to take into Annwn. We have to take a gift of something they don’t have. They only grow apples, any other kind of fruit is most welcome. The cauldron is the only way of transporting things from this world into Annwn. It will have been a long time since they’ve had any rhubarb.’
    Jack smiled when he saw Camelin begin to sulk again. They parted ways at the dovecot; Nora and Camelin went off to the kitchen garden, while Jack and Elan went down to the hedge.

    ‘I’m really sorry you aren’t coming with us,’ said Elan as they walked through the yew tree tunnel from Ewell House to Grandad’s.
    ‘You will come back, won’t you?’
    ‘I will, but there are things I have to do in Annwn. I might not come back with Nora tonight, it depends what we find. I might have to stay a little while.’
    ‘I’m not going to see you as you really are now, am I?’
    ‘You will at Samhain. Once we’ve opened the portal I’ll be free to come and go between Earth and Annwn. Both you and Camelin can visit in October. It’ll be a great birthday present for you.’
    ‘Is it really as wonderful as Camelin says?’
    ‘Even Camelin will be amazed when he sees it. The Citadel and the Palace stand in the middle of a lake, each of its four towers are made of glass and you can see them glinting in the sunlight for miles.’
    ‘Is it true about the white ravens?’
    ‘Yes, it’s true. They live in the Queen’s garden at the Citadel.’
    Jack sighed. The four months before he could go and see everything for himself would pass very slowly. As they emerged from the hedge Grandad looked up from where he was planting peas.
    ‘You’re back early. I wasn’t expecting you ’til supper time. And you’ve brought Elan with you.’
    ‘Hello Mr Brenin. I’ve come to ask if Jack can stay a bit later tonight, we’re going to have a barbecue. He’ll be home about 10 o’clock, if that’s alright?’
    ‘Of course he can, but you’ll need to change out of your school clothes, Jack. You don’t want them smelling of smoke for school tomorrow, do you?’
    Jack left Elan with his grandad in the garden and went upstairs to change. No matter how hard he tried he couldn’t help feeling disappointed.

    Jack saw Camelin waiting by the rockery when they came back through the hedge.
    ‘You took your time,’ he croaked.
    ‘Is there anything we need to do?’ asked Elan.
    ‘Naw, we’ve done it all. Nora said we could start the barbecue as soon as you got back so come on, what you waiting for? It’s grub time.’
    Camelin took off and flew towards the house. As Jack passed the herborium he noticed a huge bundle of rhubarb, which had been neatly cut into sticks of about the same length, sticking out of the cauldron. By the time they reached the patio Camelin was arguing with Nora.
    ‘But I want to,’ he croaked.
    ‘It’s too dangerous, you’ve not had any practice. Let Jack do it.’
    Camelin turned to Jack.
    ‘She won’t let me light the barbecue. I can do it, I know I can. I’ve watched you make sparks and I’ve already made some. Please Jack, please let me try.’
    Nora shook her head and looked at Jack. He raised his hand to the tiny bald spot, where his hair used to stick up.
    ‘It’s OK with me if Camelin wants to do it, as long as he points his wand towards the barbecue.’
    ‘Aw Jack, you’re a real friend,’ said Camelin as he hopped around Jack’s legs before diving into the kitchen. Seconds later he was back with his wand.
    ‘Stand back,’ warned Nora.
    Camelin flew onto the picnic table and then shuffled into position. Jack smiled when he heard