Jack Shian and the Destiny Stone Read Online Free PDF Page A

ally,” explained Marco, “which is why the Kildashie will never expect an attack then. And while they have formidable allies, you have great strength here too. Jack, please come forward.”
    Jack hadn’t expected this, and he blushed as Rana shoved him to make him stand up.
    “Most of you know how Jack came to be here,” proclaimed Marco. “Wisely, he entrusted this to me.” Marco now reached into a sack and withdrew the Mapa Mundi .
    There was a general buzz among the crowd, as the more recent arrivals whispered amongst themselves and strained to see the treasure. Jack walked slowly towards Marco, feeling the eyes of all there upon him. He glanced nervously up at his grandfather, then across at his father. His father smiled.
    “The Sphere: the Mapa Mundi , that shows its holder their true path,” announced Marco. “It has already shown Jack the route to the north islands. Jack is clearly meant to go; and his father and grandfather too. You have seven boats, as you know. The McCool leader of each of these will now name his crew.”
    As Marco tied the flag around Jack’s neck, Enda faced the crowd, and announced in a clear voice, “Jack, his cousin Petros, and their grandfather; Armina, Gilmore and Barassie; and Fenrig.”
    Barassie and Fenrig?! Jack felt his stomach turn, but his disgust was overtaken immediately by a loud explosion from the harbour. The sheet of flame that shot into the night sky drew gasps of astonishment …
    The boats!
     

5
Stowaways
    After the explosion came the confusion, as almost the entire crowd rushed to the harbour. Though it was too dark to assess the full damage, accusations, claims and counterclaims were hurled, resurrecting old resentments. The night passed with mutterings and talk of conspiracies.
    By morning, few had managed to get much sleep; but at least the situation was clearer. Only one boat had been destroyed, more a result of luck than intention. The charges that had been placed along the quayside had failed to ignite after the first explosion.
    “Amateurs!” spluttered Finbogie as he surveyed the scene in the early dawn light. “Whoever it was, I hope it wasn’t someone I taught.”
    “It is clear that someone does not wish this venture to succeed,” said Grandpa as he walked back up to the house with the youngsters. “But we cannot let that delay us. We only have three days in which to reach Nebula. We must catch the morning tide.”
    Rana and Lizzie hung back. Jack had been puzzled the previous evening by their quiet acceptance of the news that they had not been selected to travel. After a perfunctory ‘It’s not fair!’ (… almost their theme tune , Jack had thought …) they had retreated to their tent and had not been seen again before breakfast.
    Jack wound the Sintura belt around his waist, and checked its contents: jomo bag – good, I’ve got three dirts in there now – the lucis powder and Tamlina’s ring. Then he strapped Trog’s steel knife to his calf, stuffed his few belongings into a satchel, and went to the house to say goodbye to Marco and Luka. He found them waiting by the door.
    “The news that someone here does not wish your quest to succeed will not have reassured you, Jack. But wear the Mapa Mundi as you did when you first got it. And use Tamlina’s ring to tie it,” said Marco.
    Jack did as he was bid, and was astonished to see the flag around his neck vanish as he pushed the ring up towards his neck. He couldn’t even feel it.
    “Don’t forget it’s there. There’ll be times when you’ll need it.”
    “Go well, Jack,” said Luka kindly. “And know that you serve a just cause. Keep that always in your heart. Our brother will help to guide you.”
    Jack looked in puzzlement at the two of them. “You mean Matthew’s coming?”
    “No, not Matthew,” smiled Marco. “Remember I told you there were four of us? Our brother John will be watching you, from a distance.”
    “Is he … a shape …”
    Luka smiled. “I think