All the garden gave a ripple of delight. The roses sang sweeter and the bells in the tower began to chime again but this time in glorious celebration. The cygnet tried to walk, fell over and tried again. It made a tiny squawk. At once the Swan gathered it into her flanks with her graceful neck, nuzzling it and comforting it.

When she looked up her eyes were bright. She looked full of joy, but her voice was still sharp.

‘So, Master Crow. I have to admit that you have brought me my heart’s desire. I suppose you want your reward now.’

The Crow was still staring at the cygnet with utter astonishment. He cleared his throat. ‘Well … Yes … It would be very…’

But at that moment every face turned to look over his shoulder and all the swans hissed as one.

Seren turned quickly.

A bedraggled figure stood there.

He was tall and thin and his dark coat was torn and his thin fair hair plastered to his skull. He was out of breath and his backpack hung empty and his walking stick was broken and there was a large bandage on his left big toe. But he looked triumphant.

‘Mordecai,’ he said, holding out both hands. ‘It’s me. I got here. I got here at last!’

12. Anything in all the world

12

Anything in all the world

Wish for love, wish for treasure

wish for someone else’s pleasure.

The Swan bristled. ‘Another thief in my garden? I’ll turn this one into a toad this time!’

‘No!’ the Crow gasped, astonished. ‘Don’t do that! He’s my brother, Enoch.’ With a twitch of his wing he waved Enoch over.

The tall man came quickly over the grass. He nodded a little nervously at the Swan. ‘I do beg your pardon, Ma’am … I don’t mean to trespass. I’ve been following them all and trying to catch up but there were a few … er obstacles.’

‘How on earth did you get through the thicket and over the mountain?’ the Crow demanded.

‘Well, I’ve learned a little magic, brother, after watching you over the years. I hope you don’t mind. They were very good obstacles, though, I have to say. I’ve rarely seen better.’

The Crow looked a little less annoyed.

The Swan narrowed its eyes. ‘Seeing as your friends have brought my son home I’ll overlook your presence here. This once.’

‘Much obliged.’ Enoch nodded to Seren, ‘Hello, Miss Seren. Very glad to see you.’

She bobbed a curtsey. ‘And you.’ It seemed a long time now since their first meeting in the railway waiting room, when he had given her the newspaper parcel, which contained the Crow.

‘You’ve been a great friend to my dear brother, you really have. And you, too, Master Tomos.’