Blood and Fire (Book 3)

by Marcus Alexander

  Charlie’s face flushed and she felt her palms tingle with excitement.

  ‘Charlie of the Keepers?’

  ‘Yes, Torn Moon?’

  ‘My thanks for saving the realm.’

  Lost for words, Charlie merely nodded. Torn Moon’s wings eclipsed the sun, then with rapid beats she took to the skies.

  Charlie made to return to Nibbler’s side but paused when Rocksteady stretched out a paw to bar her way. ‘Lady Dridif wishes a word with you.’

  Charlie looked to the Jade Tower, then back to the huddle of Winged Ones that surrounded her best friend. ‘What about Nibbler?’

  ‘Nibbler will survive,’ said Rocksteady. ‘And as much as we appreciate your loyalty to our brother, we require some time with him alone.’

  ‘Why?’

  ‘Before we send him into the world of mortals we must share some last words of wisdom with him. Knowledge and words intended only for the ears of Winged Ones.’

  Charlie pulled a sour face but felt unable to offer a compelling argument that would allow her to butt into a private matter. ‘I … OK. I’ll go talk to Dridif but tell Nibbler I’ll be back as soon as I’m done.’

  ‘I shall,’ said Rocksteady, then stopped Charlie as she turned to depart. ‘Charlie of the Keepers, your loyalty is to be commended. Our little brother is lucky to have you as a friend.’

  Charlie blushed. ‘I’m sure it’s the other way around but, er, thanks.’

  Rocksteady smiled.

  ‘Will he be OK?’ asked Charlie.

  ‘Yes. He is not the first of our kind to make the change. He will always bemoan the loss of his wings but the joys of being a Keeper do offer advantages that will, with time, bring a smile to his face.’ Rocksteady took several steps, then paused. ‘I look forward to seeing you tonight.’

  ‘Why?’ asked Charlie. ‘What’s happening tonight?’

  ‘Ha! If you do not know then I will not tell you. I’m not one for spoiling surprises so I will wait for Lady Dridif to inform you.’

  Having said all that he would, Rocksteady left her and returned to his brethren.

  Charlie jumped through a Portal to land lightly in the Keepers’ Room of Travel at the top of the Jade Tower. Curious as to what Lady Dridif had to say, she jogged down the spiralling stairs and tugged open a door, only to slip across a freshly mopped floor. A hand flashed out and grabbed her by the forearm, preventing her from falling flat on her face. Once she regained her feet Charlie smiled, then faltered when she saw that her assistant was none other than Constantina, Lady Narcissa’s daughter. She was dressed in a maid’s uniform, a mop in her free hand and a bucket of suds at her feet. It appeared that the First Maid was still putting her newest assistant to work cleaning the stairs to the Keepers’ Room of Travel, a poetic justice of sorts.

  Charlie didn’t know what to say. The older girl had been a real thorn in her side and had always seemed to act with malicious intent. She also couldn’t help but notice that Constantina had not relinquished her grip upon her sleeve.

  ‘Thank you,’ said Constantina, breaking the awkward silence. The words were so heartfelt and at such odds with how Charlie remembered the girl that her mouth dropped open in astonishment. Seeing Charlie’s expression, Narcissa’s daughter grimaced. ‘Look, I know things are never going to be right between you and me. You killed my mother, though from what I hear I understand it might have been an accident. I also know now that Bane was in some way involved. Still, that doesn’t change the fact that my mother died at your hand.’

  ‘Constantina –’ began Charlie.

  ‘Let me finish,’ insisted Constantina. ‘That act is always going to hang over our heads and I promise you this: you and I will never be friends. But I’ve learned a lot recently and I’ve been forced to look at myself too. To say it’s been a steep learning curve would be an understatement.’ She paused to take a big breath. ‘Look, I was wrong to challenge you and I was wrong to try and take the pendant from you. You were the one meant to carry it and I’m glad you did. It was you who saved Sylvaris and it was you who returned the Winged Ones to Bellania … so thank you. Really.’

  Having said her piece, Constantina pushed her hand into Charlie’s and gripped it in some kind of handshake. Then, blushing furiously, she picked up her mop and returned to scrubbing the floor. Charlie scratched her head in wonder. She didn’t know what to say to that or even how to start making a reply.

  ‘Ya weren’t bothering Charlie Keeper, were ya, Constantina?’ called a voice from further down the hallway. It was the First Maid, a well-padded lady with a crisply ironed uniform. Charlie noticed that Constantina gritted her teeth as the First Maid approached and her cheeks blushed an even deeper shade of red.

  ‘Uh, no,’ said Charlie. ‘She was being very helpful … and, er, she was doing a good job.’

  She was surprised to find herself coming to the rescue of her old foe. So too was Constantina, if her face was anything to go by. But Charlie shrugged it off; it had been one of those days and she had long since learned that life spun in funny circles.

  71

  Celebrations

  As Charlie trotted towards the chamber of the Jade Circle the Treman guards opened the large doors and waved her through with cheerful smiles.

  The chamber was empty apart from Lady Dridif and the two strangers who stood by her side. The woman on Dridif’s left was tall and graceful, with the darkest of skins. She was attired in green and brown clothing that in Charlie’s mind was reminiscent of the sort of thing that Robin Hood or his companions would have worn. The man on Dridif’s right was Asian-looking with grey dreadlocks bundled into a mound atop his head, a wild-looking grey beard, saffron-coloured robes and an apparent fondness for beaded jewellery.

  ‘I asked the councillors ta give us some privacy,’ explained Dridif with a welcome smile and a gesture that Charlie should join them. ‘Dis is Tosin Keeper –’ she introduced the woman, who gave Charlie a polite nod – ‘and dis is Haiku Keeper.’ The man smiled brightly and bobbed his head in a move that sent his dreadlocks swaying.

  ‘We have heard of all your accomplishments,’ said Tosin in a dulcet voice. ‘As Keepers, you have done us proud.’

  ‘You do your parents much honour,’ added Haiku, underlining Tosin’s compliment. ‘And we have you to thank for our freedom.’

  ‘Tosin and Haiku were imprisoned in one of the lower dominions,’ said Dridif by way of explanation. ‘With the return of the Winged Ones and the demise of Bane’s guardians, they were able ta escape. I have asked them here today not only ta meet ya but ta tie up loose ends.’

  Lady Dridif crossed over to the Jade Table. Summoning her powers as First Speaker, she placed her hands upon the turquoise surface of the table. The colours shifted, revealing the entombed body of Azariah Keeper lying within the very table. With his arms folded across his chest and a serene expression on his face, he looked the very embodiment of a buried knight.

  ‘Our friend has lain here throughout the battles that have struck at our city and we have taken comfort from his presence,’ said Dridif. She stroked the table over Azariah’s face with fondness. ‘But the time has come for him ta find his true resting ground.’

  ‘With the two of us,’ said Tosin, ‘and you, we can form a Triad. Together we can send Azariah through to the Nether Realm where he can find solace amongst the other heroes of our land.’

  Charlie’s heart fluttered at the thought. The idea had first been mentioned to her at the time of his death but without other Keepers present it had not been a possibility. Now that it was, it certainly seemed a suitable undertaking for her fallen mentor.

  ‘Or,’ said Dridif, ‘ya can wait for yer parents ta awake and do it with them.’

  Charlie’s mouth dropped. Although the Winged Ones had promised that her parents would awake soon, the possibility of forming a Triad with them was something that had never occurred to her.

  ‘I … if you don’t mind, I’d like to wait for my parents,’ said Ch
arlie. It seemed more fitting to send Azariah on his way with the aid of Elias and Mya Keeper, more personal.

  ‘Good,’ said Haiku with a beaming smile. ‘If Azariah were with us now I’m sure he would take comfort from knowing it is his friends who will send him through to the Nether Realm.’

  ‘We will leave you now,’ said Tosin, ‘but we look forward to seeing you tonight.’

  ‘Er … wait, what’s happening tonight?’ asked Charlie.

  ‘I’m sure Lady Dridif will tell you,’ said Tosin with a smile.

  ‘Wait!’ urged Charlie. ‘Before you go, my friend Nibbler was a dragon but –’

  ‘We have heard,’ said Haiku. And surprised Charlie by not remonstrating with her for calling Nibbler a dragon. ‘And do not worry. He is not the first to have been changed, nor will he be the last. Although young Nibbler might take a while to adjust to his new form, adjust he will.’ He graced her with another big smile. ‘See you tonight, Charlie.’

  The two exited from the chamber, leaving Charlie with Dridif.

  ‘So what is happening tonight?’ asked Charlie.

  ‘Can’t ya guess?’

  Charlie squirmed uncomfortably. ‘A celebration parade?’

  ‘Ya got it in one,’ said Dridif. ‘I know ya’re not one ta enjoy being the centre of attention but Kelko and Jensen, not ta mention all the councillors, were most insistent … come ta think of it, so were Torn Moon and Hotstepper. So there will be a celebration parade tonight and ya, Charlie Keeper, will be our guest of honour. Now, we can’t be sending ya out dressed like that so if ya would, please come this way.’

  Dridif led her to a side room where a selection of clothes had been laid out.

  ‘I had our seamstresses put these together using measurements from yer old clothes so they should fit. Pick wot ya want, then meet me back in the Jade Chamber.’

  Charlie couldn’t help but grin as she stared at the selection of clothes. She wasn’t normally swayed by the ebb and flow of fashion but this was different. There were baggy trousers with discreet dragon motifs, shimmering shirts with seams of silver, dark-hued jackets with scrollwork across the shoulders and rows of boots and shoes, some made from a fabric that seemed to suck at the light and others tailored from a material that was as tough as stone but as light as a feather and as comfortable as silk. Arranged on a table was a selection of jewellery – bracelets made from lionbark, rings of idlefire, necklaces hammered from strange metals – and of course, in true Treman fashion, a further selection of bright feathers with which to secure her topknot in place.

  Feeling as though she could get used to this life after all the hardship she had endured, Charlie pulled on the funkiest clothes that she could find, wrapped a silver bracelet round one wrist, a leather bangle round the other, then fixed her hair with a verdant green feather. Leaving the rings and necklaces behind, she checked her reflection in a large mirror, grinned, then headed back into the Jade Chamber.

  ‘Surprise!’ shouted Kelko, followed moments later by everyone else.

  Charlie gaped in astonishment. All her friends were there: Crumble Shard, Jensen, Kelko, Sic Boy, Nibbler (looking uncomfortable in his new skin), Salixia and, arranged behind them in two rows, all the Jade councillors. A generous spread of foods and drinks had been laid across side tables and footmen dressed in their finest were waiting with trays of delicacies.

  ‘I, er …’ stuttered Charlie, not sure where or how to begin.

  Lady Dridif stilled her tongue with a waved hand. ‘We have one more surprise for ya, Charlie.’

  The councillors parted to reveal –

  ‘Grandma!’ Charlie ran across the room and pulled her gran into a fat hug.

  ‘Sweetness,’ said her gran, ‘you’ve grown.’

  Trying to decide whether to continue holding her grandmother or to stand back so she could better admire her, Charlie asked, ‘Are you OK? Is everything …? I mean, I’ve been worrying about you for –’

  ‘I’m fine, Charlie!’ said her gran with a laugh that tinkled delightfully across the room. ‘Really I am. After that horrid Mr Crow disappeared I got a little bit lost but the neighbours took me in and they were wonderful. I got my medicine back too.’

  Charlie peeked over her gran’s shoulder at Lady Dridif; the wise councillor nodded back to verify everything that her gran had said.

  ‘Wow … awesome!’ said Charlie, still a little breathless.

  ‘Are you going to tell me what you’ve been up to?’ asked Charlie’s gran.

  ‘Sure, Grandma, and … wait a minute. You’re OK with being here in Bellania? It’s not a shock to you?’

  ‘No, sweetie, of course it isn’t. I’ve been here many times with Mya.’

  Bits and pieces of the jigsaw of Charlie’s life began to fit into place. It did, after all, make sense for her gran to know about Bellania; you didn’t live in a house like theirs without learning about both realms.

  ‘How did you get here, Grandma?’

  ‘Ya have Tosin and Haiku ta thank for that,’ said Dridif. ‘I sent them round ta check yer house. They cleared it of a couple of Shades that had been lurking in wait, then found yer gran. After all yer family have done I wanted ta make sure ya were reunited before yer parents are woken.’

  ‘And do I have you to thank for this gathering?’

  ‘I thought ya’d appreciate a more private party before tonight’s parade,’ said Dridif with a gentle smile. ‘So, shall we get ta it?’

  ‘Yes!’ hollered Kelko. ‘Party!’

  ‘Paaaaaarty!’ echoed Jensen in their time-honoured fashion.

  ‘Paaaaaaaaarty!’ shouted Nibbler, getting carried away with the moment enough to forget his lack of wings.

  ‘Grrrroof!’ barked Sic Boy.

  ‘Party?’ said Charlie’s gran. ‘Ooh, yes please! Who’s for a dance?’

  Charlie grinned.

  During a lull in the party Nibbler gestured for Charlie to follow him out on to one of the balconies that lined the Jade Tower. Still laughing at one of Jensen’s outrageous jokes, she joined him. Her grin faltered when she saw him looking nervously at her with his piercing blue eyes.

  ‘What is it, Nibbler?’ she asked with sudden concern.

  ‘I … uh, well …’

  ‘It’s not like you to be shy with words. What’s the matter?’

  ‘Well … it’s just that we haven’t really had a chance to talk since I changed. Since I became Human.’

  ‘I know, it’s been crazy, hasn’t it? There’s been so much going on that –’ She stopped talking when she realized how anxious he appeared. ‘Nibbler? Are you OK?’

  ‘I wanted to know if you and me are still good?’ he blurted, his unusual face looking anguished. ‘Do you think, well … has being Human changed our friendship?’

  Charlie’s jaw dropped open.

  ‘What? No, how can that have changed anything? You’re still you …’ She faltered as she realized that wasn’t exactly true. ‘OK, you might not have your wings any more and you might be walking around on two legs instead of four but you’re still Nibbler. You’re still my boy.’

  It was such a simple thing to say but she said it with such heartfelt honesty that it instantly silenced any of Nibbler’s doubts. He released a big breath and grinned unreservedly at Charlie.

  ‘Whew, that’s good to know. I’d been getting more and more worried about that as the day drew on. So does this mean you’re going to help me out with learning to become a Keeper?’

  Charlie laughed in delight. After all the physical changes he had undergone his personality hadn’t changed at all. ‘Help you become a Keeper? Well, I’m not sure if I’m even halfway there myself but, yes, of course I’ll help you become a Keeper.’

  ‘Awesome! And do you think we’ll get the chance to travel around Bellania together? You know, see all the sights and places that we haven’t visited yet? Like the Scented Mountains and the Dream Isles?’

  ‘That would be amazing. We should ask my parents when …’
Her voice trailed off. She still wasn’t certain how things were ultimately going to work out with her parents’ wellbeing.

  ‘They’ll be fine,’ said Nibbler. His eyes blazed with certainty. ‘Torn Moon has already got the Elders working on reviving them. Who knows? In a couple of months, when everything has calmed down, we might get the chance to see some of the places with them as guides.’

  Charlie smiled gratefully at her friend.

  ‘Hey!’ said Jensen, poking his head through the door that led back into the tower. ‘Will ya two stop flirting and come help me with Kelko? He’s teamed up with some of the councillors and they’re challenging me ta a K’Changa match. I need some skills on me side and I figure ya two likely suspects would fit the bill. Wotcha say? Are ya coming ta help Jensen the Willow in his hour of need?’

  ‘Hour of need?’ said Nibbler with a cheeky shake of his head. ‘You mean hour of desperation.’

  ‘Wot? How could ya say such a thing?’

  ‘Well, you’ve got to be desperate to ask someone who’s never played K’Changa to help you out.’

  Jensen narrowed his party-fuelled eyes as his overwhelmed wits struggled to catch up with the words coming from his mouth. ‘That’s right, yer’ve never played before, have ya? Ha! Well, there’s a first time for everything. Look, if the worst comes ta the worst and ya think ya’re gonna fall flat on yer face, just make sure ya fall on top of one of the opposition. Got it?’

  ‘Got it!’ said Nibbler with wild enthusiasm.

  As Jensen lurched back into the building Nibbler went to follow but was pulled up short.

  ‘Huh?’ he said. He looked down at Charlie’s restraining hand upon his forearm, then looked into her eyes.

  ‘You don’t get off that easily,’ she said.

  ‘What? But I haven’t even had a chance to get into trouble yet!’ he protested.

  ‘No, not that,’ said Charlie with a ferocious shake of her head. ‘You’ve still got something to say.’