Chapter One; The message.
Jane sat on her bed at home, listlessly flicking through a magazine. Mother called her up the stairs, saying there was a phone call for her. She scrambled of her bed and hurried down the stairs. Covering the mouthpiece with her hand Mother handed it to her.
"It's Merry." Jane's heart leapt. It had been almost a year since any of them had heard from their great uncle. Not since he had left them on top of a mountain in Wales with Bran and Will. Jane smiled softly to herself as the picture of those two came into her head. Bran the Pendragon, a white haired, pale skinned Welsh boy with a soft accent who had saved her from the Anfanc of the bearded lake. She shuddered at the memory, but the memory of Will's kind face soon cast it aside. Will was an Old One, one born to prevent the Dark from taking over the earth. He had brown hair and dark eyes, which easily changed from laughter to stern wisdom. Both the boys were around her age, perhaps a bit older. She lifted the handset to her ear
"Gumerry!" The childish nickname slipped out, for he wasn't really her great uncle, but the oldest of the Old Ones and Will's mentor. He had guided them on their first quest and guarded them on the second and last quests as well.
"Jane. You must find Will." His voice was oddly clipped as if he was exhausted or in great danger. "I have only this small amount of time in which I can contact you. You must go to Buckinghamshire in the Thames valley. Go to Hunterscombe."
"But…" Jane broke in
"You will have protection don't worry, as one of the six you have always had protection. Find Will and tell him that the Dark is trying to break the circle of signs at the battle of Badon by the Spell of Helm and that the six must be gathered. Everything has been arranged for, our parents think you are visiting an old school friend. The boys will meet you and Will and Paddington to go to Wales." Merriman's voice has risen and sped up all through their one sided conversation. "Jane I must go. Be careful."
Before he could put the phone down Jane cut in fearfully, but her tone brooked no complaints, she could not be put off by empty platitudes, She wanted the truth.
"Are you alright?"
"Yes Jane, I am merely weak and somewhat weary."
"oh" Jane had never pictured her great uncle being weak. He was always standing behind them, strong and erect. His bristling brows and shock of white hair had always seemed so reassuring to Jane and her brothers. His voice came over the line once more, softer this time
"This is your quest Jane, yours, Bran's and Will's especially but Simon and Barney will have an important part to play. Goodbye."
"Bye," Jane stood by the phone, stunned. She had to go and find Will all by herself and pass on Merriman's grim message.
Mother came out of the kitchen, wiping her hands on a towel, in the tone of one who has reminded many times she asked
"Are you sure you are all packed?"
"Packed?" Jane echoed
"To go and visit Rachel tomorrow? Your father will drop you at the station quite early. The first train to Buckinghamshire leaves at ten past six.
"Mmm." Jane replied non committaly.
"Just go and check then," Jane turned and climbed the stairs. Picking up her bag from under her bed, deep in thought she began to pack.