The Lost Treasure of Annwn by Catherine Cooper, RON, COOPER Page A

openings that seemed to lead into tunnels. They all looked very much the same and he had no idea which one to take. All he needed to do was to get to the exit, where he knew Camelin would be waiting. The sensible thing to do would be to go down the first tunnel to his right. If this was a dead end he could retrace his steps and try the next one. The tunnel walls were the same as those in the cavern except that the light from the crystals looked brighter in the smaller space. After a few steps Jack knew he wasn’t walking in a straight line. The walls curved gently to the left. It wasn’t long before he entered a large cavern. The wooden library door was opposite him on the other side of the cavern, confirming that it was the same one he’d left just moments before. He’d emerged from the second entrance; he turned and went down the third. This one proved to be a dead end and Jack had to retrace his steps. As soon as he entered the fourth tunnel his body tensed. Something felt different. The tunnel roof was lower and the space inside wasn’t as wide. The air felt warmer too. He felt very alone.
    Jack quickened his steps; the sooner he got out of the tunnel the better. He lost his concentration and didn’t see a rock sticking out of the wall until it was too late. He stubbed his toe and almost twisted his ankle as he tried not to fall. He leant against the side of the tunnel to steady himself. He became aware of a sound in the distance. He wasn’t alone; someone, or something else, was also in the labyrinth. Jack strained to hear. The sound was muffled, and although it wasn’t coming towards him, it echoed down the tunnel. A chill ran up and down his spine as his dream about Velindur came flooding back to him. Was this where the crystal magic had transported him? Was he about to come face to face with the one person he never wanted to see again? Jack’s heart was beating fast. He took several deep breaths and tried to tell himself not to be frightened, but he was, and nothing could change that. He knew he couldn’t stay in the tunnel forever. He could go back and try a different one or return to the library door and ask for help, which meant he’d lose the knowledge he’d gained. Jack put his hand up to the golden acorn that hung around his neck and squeezed it tightly. He shut his eyes and wished whatever was in the tunnel would go away. To Jack’s relief there was silence but it didn’t last long, the sound of a taunting laugh echoed around the tunnels. Jack gritted his teeth. He knew the labyrinth was a test of his courage and he didn’t want to fail. Reluctantly he took a step forward and set off towards the unknown.
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    The laughter stopped abruptly, only to be replaced by the sound of footsteps. Jack stood still until he was sure the footsteps weren’t coming towards him. As he made his way down the path he could still hear shuffling and the occasional laugh. It wasn’t long before the tunnel widened and Jack stepped out into another chamber. It was similar in size to the one he’d first entered, but this one wasn’t empty. Pillars of rock of all shapes and sizes rose from the cavern floor. A loud peal of laughter broke the silence and echoed around the chamber. Jack held his breath. He caught a glimpse of a slight movement from behind one of the pillars. He stood very still and hoped he was hidden from sight. The laughter stopped. Whoever was there stepped out, casting a gigantic shadow on the cavern wall.
    â€˜Come out Jack Brenin, I know you’re there, I saw you come in.’
    The man’s voice didn’t sound unfriendly, and it definitely didn’t belong to Velindur.
    â€˜Grannus?’ said Jack as he stepped out from behind the pillar.
    â€˜The very same. I see you found the right tunnel.
    â€˜Come closer,’ he continued. ‘There’s something else you must do before you leave the labyrinth.’
    As Jack