Keeper of the Realms: Crow's Revenge (Book 1) Read online

  ‘Pendant?’ said Jensen, puzzled. ‘I don’t have the pendant, ya dopey idiot. Charlie has it!’

  Stix turned to Charlie. ‘Is this true?’ he hissed, his eyes glinting dangerously. ‘Have you led us on a wild-goose chase?’

  ‘That was no wild-goose chase! I came back to check on my friends, which you should have done anyway!’ she snapped, stamping her foot to emphasize her point. ‘Did you really expect me to leave them behind? If you had half a heart, you’d know what friendship means!’

  ‘Why, you …’ snarled Stix. The scar on his pale-green face turned a livid red.

  Suddenly he found himself face to face with seven irate Tremen and an oversized dog. Kelko raised an eyebrow at the Delightful Brothers as though daring them to step closer. Somehow all the Tremen had cudgels or bows in their hands.

  Stix eyed them all up. ‘Hurry up and pack your bags,’ he spat, taking a step back. ‘Time to get back to Sylvaris and Mother.’

  With a final furious look at Charlie, Stix and Stones turned and strode off down the path. Grabbing their bags, the Tremen trailed behind with Charlie in their midst.

  The portcullis clanged open. Bane marched into the damp and clammy Wyrm pen. A nervous warden, fat and greasy, with food stains splattered across his uniform, waddled up to Bane’s side.

  ‘Well,’ growled Bane. ‘Where is she?’

  ‘Your Highness, she isn’t here,’ squeaked the warden.

  ‘What, you scuttling cockroach! What do you mean she isn’t here?’ said Bane, his deep and threatening voice resounding across the dank and dripping room.

  The guardsmen did their best not to draw attention to themselves. Hunching their shoulders and shuffling backwards, they looked everywhere except at Bane and the terrified warden.

  ‘Bah! Open the grate!’ snapped Bane.

  Stepping up to the pit, Bane stared into the depths below. The Wyrms, half hidden in the darkness, coiled and slithered uneasily beneath his gaze.

  ‘I asked a question: where is she?’

  ‘I-I-I don’t know, my lord,’ stammered the snivelling warden. ‘Only two Wyrms came back.’

  ‘ONLY TWO WYRMS CAME BACK?’ roared Bane.

  The huge guardsmen, thick-skinned and war-bitten soldiers that they were, flinched at Bane’s ferocious shout. One of the more nervous guards dropped his sword, which landed with a sharp clang.

  Bane’s voice sank to a whisper. ‘You mean to tell me only two of Bellania’s most feared predators returned from a confrontation with a squishy little Human girl? Are you telling me a clueless, squirming brat got the better of fourteen tons of flesh and teeth?’

  ‘Er, she is a Keeper, my lord. Maybe she had the Keeper’s luck,’ whined the warden.

  ‘Well, luck is the one thing that you do not have!’ roared Bane. Picking up the warden by one of his legs, he shook him like a rag doll. ‘How dare you allow this to happen? You insolent piece of offal, you wriggling little toad! You promised me the Wyrms were ready for any task. ANY TASK!’

  With a thunderous shout, Bane threw the squealing warden into the pit. The shrieks and screams shattering out of the pit did little to lessen Bane’s fury. Raising his arms to the stone ceiling, he began to sing. With his glowing hands and his terrible rage pulsating around him like a black shadow, the guards quickly lost what little nerve they had left and sprinted for the exit.

  Cracks and fissures began to appear across the ceiling. Bane’s furious voice carried his song spitting and snapping around the circular room. Waves of black energy rolled back and forth along the shaft, through the pit and up into the stone ceiling. With a beast-like roar, Bane pulled the roof down around him. The shaft imploded to fall rumbling and booming into the dark pit, crushing the Wyrms and burying the torn and lifeless body of the warden.

  As the cloud of dust settled, Bane, the giant and furious Stoman Lord, was the only thing left standing.

  13

  Sylvaris and the Jade Circle

  ‘Not much further now, blossom,’ puffed Kelko. ‘Sylvaris is on the other side of dis hill. Hey, Jensen, is it me or does dis hill get bigger every time we climb it?’

  ‘Nope, it’s just yer fat legs keep getting bigger, ya lazy Treman,’ said Jensen. ‘C’mon now, hurry up. I wanna get ta the Jade Circle before we run inta any more mischief.’

  Charlie kept quiet and carried on climbing the forested hillside. The loss of Stotch still preyed on her mind. She was tired, hungry and didn’t feel safe with Stix and Stones nearby. All she wanted to do was reach the Jade Circle, find her parents and get back to check on her gran. She was so intent on watching her feet and thinking about home that she walked straight over the crest of the hill and started down the other side without looking up.

  ‘Whoa! Whoa there, lass!’ hollered Jensen. ‘Charlie, rest up a minute. Yer missing the sight of a lifetime!’

  ‘What?’ said Charlie. Glancing up from her weary feet, she looked back up the hill to where Jensen, Kelko and the others were quietly standing. ‘Where?’

  ‘Ha! Behind ya, lass!’ snorted Jensen.

  Turning, Charlie let out a gasp as she took in the view that lay spread beneath her.

  Sylvaris.

  The forest rolled across the contours of the land, still lush and vibrant, its colours mesmerizing and bewitching. Thrusting its way from the foliage was the Treman city. Tall spires and minarets reared above the forest canopy. Graceful bridges spanned the gaps between buildings and joined together to form floating highways that stretched high across the rustling green sea of leaves. Flowers flourished everywhere, on the bridges, down the sides of the buildings and even across the rooftops. Huge flocks of exotic birds soared on the thermals that eddied between the bridges and flying buttresses. And floating across the wind was the rhythmic sound of Treman song, rising and falling in lilting melodies. Sylvaris called to Charlie and strangely she felt like she was returning home.

  ‘Now ya know why Sylvaris is known as the Flower of Deepforest,’ said Kelko with a gentle smile. ‘C’mon, lass, not much further now. The Jade Circle waits on us.’

  Walking down the hill they stepped on to a pathway that weaved its way between the great trees and buildings that lined the outskirts of the city. Sic Boy bounded ahead, regaining some of the enthusiasm that he’d lost since Stotch’s death.

  ‘That’s odd,’ said Charlie, wrinkling her forehead in puzzlement. ‘If Sylvaris is a city, where are all the people? There’s hardly anyone about.’

  ‘That’s because no one lives at ground level,’ said Jensen. ‘The city proper is up above.’

  ‘But how do we get up there? None of the buildings have doors in them!’

  ‘Over here, blossom!’ laughed Kelko.

  The Treman led her to one of the huge tree trunks. Placing his hand against the bark, he sang softly and to Charlie’s astonishment a doorway creaked open. Inside was a spiral staircase that rose through the centre of the tree. Kelko chuckled quietly at the look on Charlie’s face.

  ‘Hurry up, fatty,’ growled Stix. ‘We ain’t got all day.’

  Kelko hunched his shoulders, but didn’t reply. Quick to support her friend, Charlie threw Stix a withering look but for once managed to keep her mouth shut. Stepping on to the smooth wooden steps, she followed Kelko up. The comforting smell of sap and pine accompanied them all the way to the top.

  Charlie got her first view of the city proper from an intricately carved walkway that ran between the trees and the buildings. Sylvaris seemed to be a bustling metropolis.

  Tremen were everywhere, singing and tending to the trees and flowers, passing this way and that, going about their daily business. Charlie was surprised to see a few Humans engaged in conversation with Stomen or walking past. The Stomen seemed comfortable wearing as little as possible, leaving their gnarled ivory-coloured skin open to the elements. Precious stones and heavy jewellery seemed to be in fashion among the giant race, jangling against their rippling muscles as they walked among the smaller Humans and much smalle
r Tremen. And, unlike Stones, all the Stomen that Charlie could see appeared to be capable of smiling.

  As Jensen and Kelko led the way deeper into Sylvaris, saying hello to friends and acquaintances as they went, Charlie continued to marvel at the city and its inhabitants. Everywhere she looked bright colours and strange sights filled her vision: Treman children running and playing games, shopkeepers selling exotic wares, minarets and spires soaring into the clear skies, brightly plumed birds and giant butterflies fluttering about. They even passed a crowd of wildly cheering spectators watching a game of K’Changa that was taking place on a cramped and narrow walkway.

  ‘Hey, Charlie, stop daydreaming. We’re here,’ said Jensen, nudging her shoulder. He pointed up to an enormous tower sporting green flags and pennants that snapped and shook in the brisk afternoon wind.

  Walking across the lowered drawbridge, they approached a huge doorway. Treman guards waved them through, smiling and chatting to Jensen and Kelko as they passed into the tower. Charlie noted that the guards pointedly ignored Stix and Stones.

  She and the others were made to wait in a corridor hung with garlands of flowers and fresh herbs, while Jensen went in to speak to the Jade Circle. Soon they were shown into a vast circular chamber – all except Sic Boy, who was made to wait outside.

  A large, round table of the most amazing greeny-blue colour almost filled the room. Seated around it were a variety of Tremen, Stomen and Humans, all dressed in green robes of state. Many wore jade jewellery woven through their hair or draped around their necks.

  All the solemn faces turned at the sound of their entrance. Charlie felt like a bug under a microscope, as everyone seemed to be staring solely at her. She had to struggle not to fidget beneath the weight of their combined gaze.

  An old Treman lady, wrinkled and with grey hair, stood up, opening her arms in greeting. ‘Charlie Keeper, Sylvaris and the Jade Circle bid ya welcome.’

  Aware that all eyes were on her, Charlie stood a little straighter and did her best to be polite, but her nerves were beginning to fray. ‘Er, thank you, ma’am. It’s a … erm, pleasure to be here.’ She immediately felt stupid. That wasn’t the best response in the world and now everyone would think of her as a stuttering little girl. Her cheeks began to blush a deep crimson.

  ‘This is the Keeper?’ asked a scowling Human with bushy eyebrows. His thick grey beard seemed to bristle with bad temper. ‘She holds the pendant? This little girl holds our lives in the balance? Pah! I say turn over the pendant immediately and let the Tower Treasury hold it for safekeeping!’

  Other members of the Jade Circle nodded in agreement. Charlie was shocked when several of those seated turned and gave her a hard look. Her hand darted to her necklace. Taking a deep breath to steady her nerves, she tucked it deeper into her T-shirt and glared back.

  ‘Nazareth, where are yer manners?’ said the old lady. ‘Charlie Keeper has only just arrived. We must show her all due respect. Her family has done great things for the Jade Circle and it does no harm ta be polite. We will discuss the pendant presently, but for now, Nazareth, keep a grip on yer tongue.’

  ‘This matter is too important to wait for the others, Dridif,’ grumbled Nazareth.

  ‘That is not for ya ta decide. No matter of importance has ever been decided without a full vote,’ snapped the old lady. ‘Now be silent.’

  Nazareth, thick eyebrows quivering in tune with his bad mood, harrumphed loudly but managed to do as he was told.

  ‘Who’s she?’ asked Charlie as she leaned over to whisper in Jensen’s ear. ‘She’s really impressive.’

  ‘Lady Dridif, the Royal Oak and First Speaker of the Jade Circle,’ whispered Jensen. ‘Famous for her iron will and quick tongue!’

  ‘Charlie Keeper,’ said a soft, lilting voice.

  Charlie gasped as she turned to the new speaker. She was Human, with snow-white hair and lily-coloured skin, and was the most beautiful woman Charlie had ever seen.

  ‘Welcome to Sylvaris. Please forgive our outbursts, for now is a time of strife and hardship across our lands. Nazareth meant no harm and merely expressed concern for our safety and continued peace across Bellania. It is a feeling that many of us within the Jade Circle share, for you do indeed hold the key to our success – or perhaps our downfall.’

  ‘Lady Narcissa …’ said Dridif with a raised eyebrow, as if in warning.

  ‘But as the First Speaker has so kindly informed us,’ continued Lady Narcissa, as though Dridif had never spoken, ‘now is not the time to raise the subject of the pendant. You must be weary after your journey, and from what I can gather your journey was not uneventful, so please accept our hospitality and for now relax. Perhaps we could reconvene tomorrow, giving you adequate time to rest? No decisions shall be made until then.’

  ‘Lady Narcissa, it is not for ya ta be making such decisions without consultation,’ said Dridif, ‘but I agree. Charlie, we shall allow ya a day’s rest before we decide wot ta do with yer pendant. Kelko, take Charlie ta see the First Maid. Instruct her ta lodge and take care of our guest.’ Standing up, the elderly First Speaker indicated that the audience was at an end.

  ‘Wait!’ said Charlie. ‘I have questions. Jensen promised me you would answer them. I want to know what happened to my parents!’

  ‘Now is not the time,’ said Dridif, an odd look crossing her face.

  ‘Not the time?’ snapped Charlie. ‘Everyone keeps saying that! Not now, Charlie. I’ll tell you later, Charlie. I can’t tell you, Charlie! Well, I’m not leaving until you tell me, and you can certainly forget about the pendant! No one touches it until I know what happened to my parents.’

  ‘Blossom –’ began Kelko, but he was cut off by Lady Narcissa.

  ‘Charlie is a Keeper and deserves to know the truth.’

  ‘The child is weary from her travels. Perhaps now is not the time,’ insisted Dridif.

  ‘She is a Keeper,’ said Nazareth, his beady eyes glaring out from beneath his thick eyebrows. ‘I second Lady Narcissa on this matter. Any Keeper deserves the truth.’

  ‘Yes, but we all know you second Lady Narcissa on most matters,’ said a softly spoken Stoman. His voice sounded like a whale song, melodic and warming. Charlie thought his muscular body was at odds with his gentle and wise face.

  ‘Nevertheless, the motion has been seconded,’ Nazareth pointed out. ‘Will a third finalize the matter?’

  ‘I will!’ said Jensen.

  ‘Be quiet, Jensen!’ snapped Dridif. ‘Yer not a member of the Circle and ya should know better!’

  ‘But I promised her she would know the truth!’

  ‘Now is not the time. Be quiet or be removed from the chamber.’

  ‘I will third the motion,’ said a deep, powerful voice whose owner was hidden beneath a cowled hood and sat in the shadows. ‘I understand you are trying to shield the girl, Dridif, and I applaud you for your nobility, but delaying the matter will only add to her discomfort. Please tell her.’

  ‘Very well,’ said Dridif, obviously displeased. ‘The Circle has decided, Charlie. I will tell ya wot happened ta yer parents.’

  14

  The Truth

  Bane’s footsteps thundered across the room. Still furious, he stamped up on to the blood-red dais and seated himself on the Devouring Throne. His silent anger and irritation flickered around him like a pale, ghostly mist.

  ‘Shade, come here.’

  At his lord’s bidding, a Shade materialized from the shadows. Flowing across the floor, it crouched by Bane’s feet.

  ‘The young Keeper is obviously headed for Sylvaris. You and your brethren will go there. Seek her out. Bring her and the pendant back to me. I do not care what condition you bring her back in, remove her limbs if you wish, just ensure she can still talk! Do. Not. Fail. Me.’

  Hissing its agreement, the Shade slunk off.

  ‘Very well, then, Charlie Keeper: the truth,’ said Dridif. The chamber fell silent as everyone waited to hear what she would say. ‘Seven year
s ago yer parents, Mya and Elias Keeper, went ta the Winged Ones ta seek their advice and ta ask for their help against Bane, the Stoman Lord. The Winged Ones in their wisdom hastened ta provide wot aid they could. Although time prevented them from mustering all their might and force against Bane, they were able ta give yer parents a key of great power ta be used in their absence. A key that now hangs round yer neck, Charlie Keeper.’

  ‘Wait a minute,’ interrupted Charlie. ‘You’re going too fast for me. Who are the Winged Ones?’

  ‘The Winged Ones,’ explained Dridif, ‘have governed and kept the peace within Bellania throughout the ages. They are, so ta speak, Bellania’s watchguards, neutral in all aspects other than keeping the balance between the three races.’

  ‘So why did they give my parents a key to their power? Why couldn’t they act themselves?’

  ‘Keeper!’ snorted Nazareth in indignation. ‘Your education is sorely lacking!’

  ‘Yeah, so everyone keeps telling me,’ muttered Charlie under her breath.

  ‘Nazareth, please! Allow me ta finish – dis is not a matter ta be treated lightly,’ scolded Dridif, her gentle face breaking into a scowl. ‘I’m sure anything Charlie’s parents chose not ta tell her was for her own good.’ She turned back to Charlie. ‘The Winged Ones have managed ta survive through the millennia, their formidable strength and intelligence leaving them unaffected by Time’s passing. But, as with everything, there is a price ta pay. Every twenty-one years the Winged Ones must withdraw from the face of Bellania ta renew and regenerate themselves. They must endure a seven-year hibernation, wherein they shed their old skin and hatch anew. Dis they call the Chrysalis Period. Dis is the key ta their immense strength, but it is also their one weakness. Bane has surely timed his rise ta power for dis reason. If his plans succeed, he will have conquered all of Bellania during their absence, but, worst of all, with Bellania at his feet, Bane could quite feasibly bar the Winged Ones from ever returning. Without the presence of the Winged Ones and their wisdom, Bellania is doomed ta live in darkness.’