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

  ‘And the key, what does it do?’

  Dridif glanced at Jensen. She cleared her throat. ‘No one knows,’ she admitted.

  ‘What?’

  ‘Yer parents were the only ones ta be told its purpose.’

  ‘So where are they, then?’ demanded Charlie. ‘If you know where they are, you’ve got to tell me!’

  As an uncomfortable silence settled across the chamber, even the sour-faced Nazareth managed momentarily to stop fussing.

  ‘Charlie, I’m truly sorry,’ said Dridif. ‘Bane took yer parents.’

  ‘What do you mean he took my parents?’

  ‘We aren’t a hundred per cent sure of the details, but according ta our sources they were abducted on their way here – ta the Jade Circle ta help us in our hour of need. The Shades took them ta the Western Mountains.’

  Dridif fell silent. A pensive expression crept across her face.

  ‘And?’ prompted Charlie.

  ‘They became part of Bane’s Tapestry.’ Again, Dridif fell silent, unable to meet Charlie’s questioning eyes.

  ‘Come on! Stop doing this to me!’ implored Charlie. ‘I’m obviously not from around here – I didn’t know about the Winged Ones – so I’m certainly not going to know about Bane’s Tapestry, am I?’ She stared around the Jade Circle, as some of the councillors squirmed uncomfortably on their seats. Many refused to even look at Charlie, yet for some inexplicable reason Nazareth appeared to be quietly smiling to himself.

  That was it. Charlie lost her temper. Slamming her hand down on the table, she shouted out, ‘Have none of you got the guts to tell me what happened to my parents?’

  There was a shocked silence, as if no one present could believe that a young girl would dare address the Jade Circle like that.

  Again, it was the hooded council member who had spoken out earlier in Charlie’s defence who broke the silence. His calm and collected voice resounded across the chamber. ‘Young Keeper, what the First Speaker fears to tell you is that Bane, in his sick and twisted way, has created a living art form that he saves for only his most valuable enemies and his most prized conquests. He sets his captives in an embryonic amber liquid, then freezes them in postures of his pleasing. Over the years he has accumulated quite a collection of fallen foes that he displays in his Throne Room for all to see and to know just how great and terrible his power is. Neither dead nor alive, the people that form his tapestry live in a state of, how should I say … suspended animation I think is the correct description.’

  Charlie flinched as the words sank in. The blood drained from her face, and pins and needles crept up and down her legs. With an effort she focused and did her best to compose herself.

  ‘How long have they been there?’

  Now that the worst had been said, Dridif found the strength to answer her. ‘Since the start of the Chrysalis Period. So nearly seven years.’

  ‘All that time? They’ve been stuck there for all that time … I can’t believe it,’ muttered Charlie. Then louder to the Jade Circle, ‘What have you done to save them?’

  ‘All that we could, Charlie, all that we could. Many have died trying ta save them, but now with Bane’s forces set against all of Bellania we no longer have the power ta try. I’m truly sorry, young Keeper, but if it is of any consolation, know that they still live and there remains a chance that they may yet be freed.’

  All that time, thought Charlie. After all the years of worry and loneliness, of sorrow and loss, now she knew what had become of her parents. Her mouth grew dry and her palms began to itch as slowly her sight dimmed and the room began to spin.

  Her parents …

  As Charlie slowly toppled over, Kelko and Jensen sprang forward, only just managing to catch her before she hit the floor.

  15

  The Willow Tower

  ‘C’mon, lass, wake up,’ said a voice that seemed far, far away. It was insistent and, to Charlie’s great annoyance, just wouldn’t go away. ‘C’mon now, me Hippotomi, just open yer eyes for me.’

  ‘Uuhh?’ groaned Charlie. She wasn’t ready to open her eyes, although she didn’t know why. She just knew that if she did then she would surely remember something that she would rather not, something that hurt.

  ‘Here, wave this beneath her nose,’ said a feminine voice. ‘I guarantee it’ll wake her up!’

  Charlie didn’t understand – why couldn’t everyone just leave her alone?

  All of a sudden she inhaled the most offensive smell she’d ever encountered.

  ‘Yuck!’ she yelped, sitting up with a start. ‘What is that? And … where am I?’

  ‘Ha! That seems ta have done the trick!’ said Dridif. Leaning over Jensen, she took the small bottle from his hands and tucked it back into her skirts. ‘Hello, young Keeper. I’m Lady Dridif and yer in the Council Chamber of the Jade Circle. In Sylvaris. Do ya remember?’

  As Charlie looked around, everything came rushing back to her. Her parents had been imprisoned by Bane! She wanted to scream and shout, to cry her eyes out, but she couldn’t – not here. Not in front of all these strangers. Wrestling with herself, Charlie pushed back her grief, pushed it back into the dark hole within her heart. She would deal with it later.

  ‘Are ya OK, blossom?’ asked Kelko.

  ‘Of course she’s OK,’ said Dridif. ‘She’s a Keeper. It might be hard, but I’m sure she can cope with any news, good or bad. C’mon, young lady, up on yer feet.’ Dridif held out her hand.

  Charlie grabbed hold and stood up. She couldn’t help but blush after fainting like that. I must look like a real wimp, she thought, and blushed even harder.

  ‘First Speaker,’ said Jensen, ‘I’m not sure the First Maid should be looking after Charlie in some cheesy guest room. It would be no problem for her ta stay the night in the Willow Tower with me and me sister. That way she’ll be with friends.’

  ‘Agreed,’ said Dridif after some thought. ‘But bring the young Keeper back ta the Jade Tower tomorrow by ten o’clock sharp. We must decide wot ta do about the pendant.’

  ‘What?’ snarled Nazareth in disbelief. ‘You’re going to let this girl out of our sight with the pendant? Are you mad? I thought it was supposed to be the one thing that could definitely defeat the Western Menace. How can you possibly let it go unsecured?’

  ‘Nazareth, I warn ya ta treat me more courteously. Do not make me lose me temper,’ said Dridif. ‘I’d hate ta have ta give ya a lesson in manners!’ Something hard and dangerous flashed in her eyes. ‘She’ll be safe enough within Sylvaris. Bane ain’t so strong that he can send his Wyrms here without us knowing of it. The pendant can wait one more day. Charlie Keeper, ya will return ta us tomorrow, when we will discuss wot ta do with ya. Until then, I bid ya farewell.’

  As Kelko and Jensen led Charlie from the Jade Circle, she felt all the councillors’ eyes on her back. She stood a little straighter and resisted the urge to run from the room. She relaxed only when the large doors swung silently shut, sealing the Council Chamber behind her. Suddenly the pressure dropped from her shoulders. She no longer felt as though she had to impress anyone. But, even so, now wasn’t the time to cry for her parents. Especially while there was still a chance they could be saved. Sic Boy, sensing her internal dilemma, nuzzled up against her side and licked her fingers.

  ‘Thanks, boy,’ she said under her breath, scratching him behind the ears.

  Jensen and Kelko turned to Charlie. Both of them gave her encouraging smiles.

  ‘Ya did very well in there, me little Hippotomi,’ said Jensen. ‘Very well indeed.’

  ‘We’re proud of ya, blossom.’ Kelko grinned, his teeth flashing in the afternoon sun. ‘Not many who meet the Jade Circle fare as well as ya did today. More than a few strong men and women have trembled and stuttered in their presence.’

  ‘Methinks it’s time we took ya home,’ said Jensen. ‘It’s been a long day and I’ve still got ta sort out me business details. So, little lass, wotcha say … wanna come and see the Willow Tower?
’

  ‘Willow Tower?’ asked Charlie.

  ‘It’s me family home. Well, ta be honest, me and me sister, Salixia, are the only ones who stay there now, but it’s where the Willow family have always lived.’ Turning to Kelko, he added, ‘And ya, ya fat wobbly lardball, are ya coming too?’

  ‘Watch who yer calling lardball, ya skinny bag o’ bones! I’m a perfect example of Treman manliness,’ smirked Kelko as he rubbed his portly stomach. ‘Nah, I won’t be coming with ya.’ His cheerful face grew serious as more sober thoughts came to his mind. ‘If yer looking after Charlie, then methinks it’s best that I go and break the terrible news ta Stotch’s family, then to Toddit’s, Leold’s, Jipit’s and Bandol’s,’ he offered, and Jensen nodded in appreciation. ‘And someone’s gonna have ta look after Sic Boy now,’ he added, patting the giant dog on the head. ‘Methinks that person is gonna be me. Let’s face it, we both think with our stomachs! So, Charlie, come here and give me a big fat hug. I’ll see ya tomorrow!’

  The chubby Treman walked off, trying to appear cheerful despite the weight on his shoulders of the bad news he had to deliver. Sic Boy, dangerous as ever, kept pace beside him, leaving Charlie and Jensen alone.

  ‘All right, lass. I know ya’ve had a rough day, but I hope me home’ll cheer ya up. C’mon, it’s dis way.’

  The two of them walked along the sweeping bridges of Sylvaris, past suspended fields of flowers and hanging gardens, between the great soaring minarets and spires of the city. The floating sounds of Treman song followed their footsteps.

  ‘Here we are,’ said Jensen with a note of pride in his voice. ‘Me home, the Willow Tower. Wotcha think?’

  Charlie blinked in astonishment. The Jade Tower had been impressive, overpowering even, but this was something else.

  Jensen’s tower soared into the turquoise sky, twice as high as any other she had seen. Graceful and elegant, it twisted and turned, like a piece of coral she remembered seeing from one of her few trips to the beach. Delicate stained-glass windows dotted its sides and blankets of flowers hung off curved balconies.

  ‘Awesome!’ she breathed.

  ‘Ha! Yeah, well, I guess ya could say that. Me great-great-great-great-great-great-grandmother grew it and it’s been in the Willow family ever since.’

  ‘She grew it?’

  ‘Yup. Word has it she was one of the great Tree Singers. It takes a real voice ta sing a tower like dis.’

  ‘You mean she sang it into … Hang on, let me get this right. She built this tower by singing?’

  ‘Yup.’

  Charlie craned her neck right back to see where the tower’s summit flowed outward like the petals of some huge flower. ‘Wow, now that’s got to be magic!’

  Jensen rolled his eyes. ‘Wot is it with ya Humans? Blight me Leaf! No matter how many times I try ta tell ya! It’s not magic, it’s tree song – it’s wot we do! Tremen sing ta the trees and Stomen sing ta the stones! That’s wot we do and blah, blah, blah, it’s still not magic!’

  ‘It is magic!’ insisted Charlie.

  ‘Hhmpf!’ muttered Jensen, and crossed his arms. ‘I’m telling ya, it’s not magic. Besides, treesinging ain’t always perfect. Look over there, just behind me tower. Ya see that? They call that the Torn Bridge.’

  Charlie looked to where Jensen was pointing. She could see it straight away: it was one of the many bridges that formed part of Sylvaris’s highways. Graceful and beautiful, but it was unfinished, stopping abruptly before it reached the other side of the gap it was supposed to span. A good quarter of it was clearly missing.

  ‘What happened there?’

  ‘Well, again that was down to me great-great-great-great-great-great-grandmother. She put so much of her song inta making dis tower that she neglected ta do a proper job on the bridge. Because all her time and energy went inta building a great home for her family, she ran outta juice when it came ta the bridge. And look wot happened! The worst thing is, no one’s been able ta finish it since, so hence the name Torn Bridge.’

  ‘What can Humans do?’ asked Charlie.

  ‘Apart from picking yer noses?’

  ‘Ha-ha!’ muttered Charlie sarcastically. ‘But seriously – can Humans do anything like that?’

  ‘Most Humans? No,’ said Jensen. ‘But Keepers? Maybe. But I can’t tell ya wot exactly.’ He raised his hand in protest. ‘Now, before ya start stompin’ yer foot –’ Charlie’s foot was just in the process of being raised for some serious stamping – ‘ya should know that ya can only be told by another Keeper.’

  Charlie slowly lowered her foot, but couldn’t quite stop herself from scowling.

  ‘Just like a Willow can only be taught about Moreish powder by another Willow, ya Keepers have special knowledge held within yer families. So how about I show ya around me Willow Tower!’ And before Charlie could object Jensen swept her inside to show her the wonders of his family home.

  Bumping into his sister, he made swift introductions. Salixia, with a soft spot for Keepers, offered to make up a bed for Charlie while Jensen gave her a tour. ‘Hey, honey, there’s food in the kitchen for whenever ya want it. Make yerself at home,’ she said as she left them to look around.

  Starting the tour, Jensen explained how generations of Willows had added their own personal touches to the building. Ancient trophies, keepsakes, fine pieces of art and exotic wonders from across Bellania lay scattered throughout the interior. There were elaborate suits of Treman armour made from polished bark that glistened and shone, Stoman stone spires that whispered when stroked and ancient tapestries woven from caterpillar silk by gifted Humans. To Charlie’s delight and astonishment, a whole wall was covered with shelves containing decades’ worth of glass Coke bottles. Jensen embarrassedly muttered that they were something of a family addiction and were smuggled from Earth to Bellania on a regular basis.

  Charlie loved the fact that each member of the family had left their mark, making the tower a homely hotchpotch of styles. Seeing all the wonders inside, Charlie could appreciate how years of trading Moreish powder had made the Willow family rich.

  The tour went on, but the unspeakable horror of her parents’ fate kept coming back to worry Charlie. Jensen finally noticed how tired his young guest was and guided her up a spiral staircase to a softly lit passageway. Pushing open an ornately carved door, he ushered her into a bedroom.

  ‘Dis, little Hippotomi, is yers. Make yerself at home. If ya need anything while I’m out, just give Salixia a call. I shall see ya in the morning, but for now I got some important business details ta attend ta.’ Jensen ruffled Charlie’s messy hair and gave her a cheeky grin before heading off. ‘I hope ya sleep well, Charlie Keeper. And, please, if ya’ve got any love for me … no stompin’ or stampin’ in me tower!’

  Charlie listened to his jolly laughter float down the stairway before shutting the door. Sighing, she leaned with her back against the doorframe and put her head down.

  Her parents …

  Charlie did her best to fight the wave of bleakness that threatened to overwhelm her but it was no use. The horrendous truth of the matter was simply too powerful to deny. She and her family were in dire trouble. How was she ever going to free her parents from Bane’s nightmare? And her grandma, was she really safe back home? Could Mr Crow be trusted? She felt viciously torn between responsibilities. Should she try to make her way home to look after her gran or should she stay strong and push forward to … well, to do whatever could possibly be done for her parents?

  She could feel tears pooling beneath her eyelids. Crossing the room, she threw herself on to the welcoming plumpness of her mattress and pulled the covers over her head. Finally she allowed the tears to fall free and trickle across her cheeks.

  With no one watching, she could afford to show her true feelings. Yet buried beneath the turbulent waves of emotion a slow rage and anger began to smoulder as she considered the damage that Bane and Mr Crow had done to her family.

  They had a lot to answer for.

 
But before she could mull things over any further fatigue took over and she tumbled into a deep, deep sleep.

  16

  A Moonlit Chase

  Night-time brought darkness to Sylvaris and Deepforest. Far beneath the city in the matted and leaf-littered undergrowth of Deepforest the soil began to tremble and gently ripple. The tremors grew in strength and ferocity. A great creaking and cracking noise thundered through the forest, frightening nocturnal creatures and scaring sleeping birds into flight. The ground began to tear and rupture. With a final groan, the surface split asunder to form a crevasse that led into the bowels of the earth.

  Slowly and cautiously, the blackness within the fissure began to pulse and move as a shadow detached itself and slunk over the crevasse’s rim to sniff at the air. It was soon followed by another shadow, then another … and another. Eventually eleven of the colourless entities crawled and slunk around, pawing at the air and scratching at the soil.

  As one, the eleven Shades turned to stare up at Sylvaris far, far above them. The largest of the pack turned and addressed the others. ‘She is somewhere up there. Come, we must do the master’s bidding.’

  The largest Shade took point and led the way as they darted between the tree trunks towards the broad base of one of Sylvaris’s many towers. Gripping on to the sides with clawed talons, they swiftly climbed upward and into the city. Jumping noiselessly on to one of the sweeping bridges, the Shades paused to sniff and lick at the air, testing and tasting for the scent of the Human girl.

  There it was, the scent that they wanted. Snuffling and snarling, they crept deeper into the sleeping city until at last they had the Willow Tower in their sights. Jumping the gap from bridge to tower, they slunk through an open window and silently entered the building.

  The girl was so close they could almost taste her blood, almost sense the beating of her Human heart. Lashing themselves in eager anticipation, they burst up the final flight of stairs. As the bloodlust took over, they began to hiss and cackle with excitement. The girl would be theirs …