Jack Shian and the Mapa Mundi Read Free Page A

right thing and for the right reason. Sharing the treasures was part of the agreement; even the Brashat, when the time comes, will be allowed access.”
    â€œThey were let off lightly. Three years suspended for all they did? They should never be allowed out.”
    â€œThe Chalice belongs to everyone, Jack. Fair shares. And part of the deal is to take care of Fenrig and his sister. Their whole family is suspended, so they’ve no one.”
    â€œRana said their mother’s dead. Is that right?”
    â€œShe died when Fenrig was very young. Like you, he grew up without a mother.”
    â€œHe still had his father!” Jack shouted.
    â€œI’m sorry: I didn’t put that very well. I just meant he’s had to cope with loss, like you. I grant you he’s charmless, but sometimes there are reasons for these things.”
    Jack said nothing.
    â€œAnyway, the Congress has decided that we should keep an eye on Fenrig and Morrigan. They wintered with the Elle-folk, but they don’t really belong there, so they’ll stay in the square. Mawkit’s left, but Olbeg and his wife are moving into that house; they’ll look after them. Morrigan will work with Gregora the baker, so she’ll be with Purdy. Fenrig will continue at Gilmore’s.”
    Jack stared at the contents of the cabinet. He didn’t like what he was hearing, and sought some comfort from the Stone and the Chalice.
    â€œAre you getting the Stone’s buzz?” asked Grandpa softly.
    Jack was feeling it: he couldn’t deny that the Stone made him feel warm. It was even stronger than when he’d first seen the Stone the previous summer. The Chalice being there seemed to double the effect.
    â€œIt’s a nice fuzzy feeling. But there’s still something missing. What are we going to do about the Sphere?”
    â€œWell, now that winter’s coming to an end, we can start again. We couldn’t do much once the snows came. The manuscripts Fenrig stole – well, evidently his father took them. We should have established where they were before suspending him.”
    â€œAnd what about my father?” Jack’s voice dropped low as he spoke.
    â€œWe keep looking. Never give up hope, Jack.”
    â€œCan’t we go and interrogate Konan?” Jack’s mind flitted to the Brashat warrior, now merged with a large oak tree near the cave at Dunvik.
    â€œI don’t think that will produce much, unless you can find a way of unlocking the charm that put him there. But you never know.” Grandpa Sandy stood up now. “We have the Oestre festival soon. We’ll go back to Rangie for that. And we could always consult Tamlina.”
    Realising that his grandfather wanted to leave, Jack asked, “Can’t we stay a bit longer? We’ve only just got here.”
    â€œAnother time,” replied his grandfather. “We should get back; it’ll be supper time. Aren’t you hungry?”
    Jack was hungry, but the prospect of Aunt Katie’s cooking was no match for time with the Stone. However, Jack could see that his grandfather was preparing to leave and, reluctantly, he stood up. With a click of his fingers, Grandpa Sandy made the chairs vanish. Holding his sceptre up to the vaulted ceiling, he switched the surveillance cameras on again.
    Grandpa then wrapped his cloak around Jack, clutched his sceptre firmly and struck the floor. A red glow was followed by a rushing sense, and Jack found himself next to his grandfather back in the Shian square.

3
Oestre
    Within two days the snow was disappearing, leaving behind damp streets and gardens that squelched deliciously: the Blue Hag had resumed her annual ritual. While Lizzie complained that they hadn’t got to see the cailleach transform, Jack consoled himself that the festival in Rangie was only three days away.
    Midsummer was the highpoint of their year for most Shian, but for Jack it was Oestre. Seeing the world come