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

by Marcus Alexander

  ‘Yes, but that was not in the bargain – the trade was to be tonight! You will come with me to see our lord.’

  ‘What? You must be joking! See the Western Menace? In person? I think not!’

  ‘I do not joke.’

  ‘Well, I don’t care if you don’t know how to joke – in fact, I couldn’t care if you found it impossible to laugh or even squeeze out a chuckle. Because I absolutely, most positively have no intention of stepping foot in the Western Mountains.’

  At that moment the Shade did find it possible to squeeze out a dry, chuckling cough of a laugh, but it was all at Lady Narcissa’s expense. ‘You act as though you have a choice in the matter,’ he hissed. ‘Brethren, take her!’

  The rustling pack of Shades rolled forward. Reaching out with dark tendrils and shadowy appendages, they picked up Lady Narcissa.

  ‘Put me down this instant! Put me down!’ she shrieked. A shocked look of panic flashed across her face. ‘Stix! Stones! Help!’

  The Shade’s hoarse, dry laugh echoed throughout the room. ‘Your precious sons aren’t here. Stix has been drugged by the Keeper girl and Stones, so full of brotherly love, has hastened to his side. It would appear that you have been left unattended.’

  ‘Put me down. Please put me down. Please. We can discuss this. We can come to an agreement,’ babbled Lady Narcissa. Her beautiful lily-white face became even paler with fear. ‘Please don’t take me there, not to the Western Mountains!’

  ‘Too late for pleading, Lady Narcissa,’ the Shade mocked. ‘Far, far too late.’

  The Shades gripped Narcissa’s arms and legs and gagged her mouth by stuffing their black, cloudy flesh between her teeth. She struggled vainly to free herself, but the Shades were simply too strong. Clutching their prize, the writhing shadows slammed open one of the large stained-glass windows that lined the room and, flowing outward, they scuttled down the tower’s side.

  Far faster than one would have thought possible, the Shades transported their catch down from the Treman city and into the dark, sour-smelling crevasse that scarred the leaf-strewn soil of Deepforest. From there they transported her far underground to meet her fate in the Western Mountains.

  As Charlie and her new companion walked briskly along the walkway and on towards the Jade Tower, she recounted her recent adventures and explained how she had come to be in Bellania. Passing empty squares and quiet roads, the duo travelled through sleeping Sylvaris, the sound of lonely owls and nocturnal bird twitter from the forest below accompanying them along their way. Every once in a while Charlie would turn to stare at Nibbler. She still couldn’t get over the fact that he was real. A real dragon! He might call himself a Winged One, but he would always be a dragon to her.

  After a short trek they reached the Jade Tower, where several Treman guards stood on watch.

  ‘Hi, guys. I’m Charlie Keeper and I was, er … am a guest of Lady Narcissa and I was, er …’

  ‘What she means to ask in her roundabout way is how do we find the lodgings of Azariah Keeper?’ asked Nibbler, stepping from the shadows to stand by Charlie’s side.

  ‘Winged One,’ greeted one of the guards. He and the others briefly bowed their heads. ‘This is a most unusual occurrence, even for a youth such as yourself. Is everything OK?’

  Nibbler nodded serenely. ‘I have been woken with something urgent to attend to. In fact, if you could be discreet about my arrival I would be most grateful.’

  Charlie grinned at the dragon’s use of such formal language.

  ‘Of course,’ answered one of the guards. ‘You will find Azariah Keeper’s dwelling on the Seventh Avenue in the Merchants’ Quarter. Just off to the left down this main walkway here. It’s the only building that ain’t a shop.’

  ‘Thank you,’ said Charlie.

  ‘Please send our fondest regards to Lady Narcissa when you see her next,’ added the guard as they turned to leave.

  ‘Oh, I certainly will!’ said Charlie through gritted teeth.

  The two of them followed the guard’s directions and headed back through the city.

  ‘Why is it that everyone thinks Lady Narcissa is such a nice woman when she’s nothing more than a horrible witch?’

  ‘I wouldn’t know, would I?’ said Nibbler. ‘But it does sound as though she has been very good at deceiving people, doesn’t it? I wonder how she gets away with it. If she’s really as bad as you say she is, surely word would have got around by now that she’s a nasty piece of work. Maybe she’s had help in maintaining a good image.’

  ‘What, like a public relations officer for deceiving witches?’ Charlie laughed. ‘Well, I don’t care. As soon as we see Azariah we can go back to the Jade Circle and warn everyone that she’s working with Bane. We’ll see who gets the last laugh then! Here, this is the Seventh Avenue. I think this must be the place.’

  Azariah’s house was made largely from a rich, copper-coloured wood that had been polished and lacquered until it shone. A path wound its way through a beautifully kept garden, up and over a small bridge that spanned an ornamental pond and finally to a wide wooden door that had been carved into the shape of a leaf. Charlie and Nibbler ventured up the path and she knocked on the door.

  A light suddenly glowed from one of the first-floor windows, shortly followed by a sharp click-clack from within as many locks were drawn. The door swung inward to reveal Azariah holding a large candle in one hand. He was still dressed in his robe, but here in the comfort of his own home his hood was drawn back to reveal his shaved head. Charlie was fascinated to see peeking out from beneath Azariah’s solemn-looking robe a pair of fluffy red slippers. She had to refrain from giggling. Slippers like those really didn’t go with his wise-man image.

  ‘Charlie Keeper, this is a surprise, especially at this hour,’ he exclaimed in his rich golden voice. His eyes widened slightly as he caught sight of Nibbler standing on all fours by Charlie’s side. ‘And you have a Winged One with you too, a Hatchling if I’m not mistaken. How strange. But this is not the place for me to start asking questions. Please do come in.’

  Azariah swept open the door and invited the two guests into his house. Charlie gazed around with interest as he led them to the large drawing room. It was tidy and simply furnished yet still managed to give off the impression of being very welcoming. A cheerful fire crackled and popped merrily in the centre of the living space and well-worn carpets and rugs muffled the wooden flooring. Across the width of one wall was an immense oil painting of an exotic-looking woman and on the opposite wall hung a large branch of a flowering cherry tree that was in full bloom, giving the room an enticing scent.

  ‘So, young Charlie, before you tell me why you arrive at my doorstep at such a late hour in such a bedraggled state, and with a Winged One that should be fast asleep many leagues from here … could I perhaps offer you a hot drink and a sweet pastry?’

  Charlie’s rumbling stomach supplied her answer.

  ‘I’ll take that as a yes.’ He smiled. ‘And for you, Winged One, can I tempt you with a bowl of Larva-Larva fruit?’

  ‘You’ve got Larva-Larva fruit?’ Nibbler licked his lips with his long golden tongue and rubbed his two front paws together in anticipation. ‘Oh, yum! Yes please!’

  As they waited, Charlie settled herself into one of the large, cosy armchairs. Nibbler sat on the carpet by her feet and coiled himself into a ball. The two of them gazed in comfortable silence at the flickering flames and, for the first time in days, relaxed.

  Azariah returned with a steaming mug of hot chocolate and a fat almond croissant stuffed with vanilla cream for Charlie, and for Nibbler a large selection of glowing red fruits that smelt wonderfully of peanut butter and peach.

  He sat down in one of the other comfortable armchairs. ‘Now then, Charlie. I suspect you have a story to tell. Please tell me what has happened since we last met, and know that you may safely speak your mind in my house.’

  So Charlie did.

  35

  A New Master

&nb
sp; Lady Narcissa was dropped like a sack of potatoes before the dais of the Devouring Throne. Desperate to hide her terror and striving to retain her dignity, she struggled to her feet. Sucking in a deep breath of the cold, clammy air that sluggishly moved around the room, she slowly raised her head.

  Bane, the Western Menace, was seated upon the throne. A flickering black halo of anger pulsed and writhed menacingly around him.

  ‘So you failed to deliver on your promise?’ he growled.

  Lady Narcissa did her best not to tremble, but her fear got the better of her. ‘My, m-m-my lord, I am sorry, truly. But, b-b-but –’

  ‘Be quiet, worm. I do not want to hear any of your bumbling, pathetic excuses. I do not need to hear how you failed in your task, all I need to know is that fail you did.’

  ‘My lord –’

  ‘SILENCE!’ roared Bane. The thunderous force of his voice sent Narcissa’s white robes fluttering as though caught in a gale. ‘Be grateful that I have not stripped your flesh from your bones. Rejoice in the fact that I have not torn your skull from your spine and scooped out your innards, you useless wretch!’

  Rising to his feet, Bane descended from his throne to stand above his quaking, shivering and terror-stricken victim. Petrified, Lady Narcissa had to tilt her head back to stare up at the giant’s cowled face.

  ‘You have failed to fulfil your side of the bargain. The price for this crime is your soul and your liberty! You now belong to me.’

  ‘But, my lord …’

  Bane grabbed Narcissa by the jaw and squeezed her mouth shut so that nothing more than a gurgled squawk could pass her lips. Casually, he picked her up so that she dangled like a rag doll from his upraised arm.

  ‘Be quiet, maggot. There is no haggling or debate in this matter – my word is law. You are now mine. My puppet. My slave. My toy. And to think otherwise is to face a fate much worse than death.’ Bane dropped Lady Narcissa and, striding back up to his throne, he sat down. ‘As my slave my first commandment to you is to ensure that you bring me this Charlie Keeper and her pendant.’

  Narcissa was clearly stunned at how fate had twisted her luck. How could she have gone from being one of Sylvaris’s most powerful councillors to this: someone else’s slave? How could things have gone so wrong, so fast? This would teach her to make deals with the devil, she thought regretfully. However, Lady Narcissa was no shrinking violet and she was determined to wring the best from any situation, no matter how bad it was.

  ‘And my reward for doing this? Does the initial deal still stand?’

  ‘What!’ bellowed Bane in disbelief. ‘You have the cheek to push your luck in such a matter? I should have you thrown to the Shades for such impudence!’

  Amazingly Narcissa’s greed got the better of her fear. ‘Consider it as an incentive, to speed things up, so to speak.’

  Bane was silent for a brief moment. ‘You may have the opportunity for reward should you succeed in bringing me the girl –’

  ‘Thank you, my lord, thank you! You will not regret this, I promise!’

  ‘But for your blundering, inexcusable mistake,’ continued Bane, ‘you shall be punished.’

  ‘Wh-what? B-but I thought …’ stammered Narcissa.

  ‘You thought that I would forgive your error?’ growled the Stoman Lord. ‘Or did you merely think that I would simply forget? Clearly you do not quite grasp the fact that I am now your master. It is I who shall decide when to reward you and when to punish you. And I shall do so whenever I feel fit. And now, now you are to be punished for failing me. Guards! Take her to the Chambers of Silence and be sure that she receives a most suitable punishment … But do not damage her beyond repair, for she has yet to complete her tasks.’

  A pair of muscular Stoman guards forced the squirming, screaming and clearly terrified woman to the floor. Swiftly they bound her legs and feet, trussing her up like a turkey ready for the oven.

  ‘B-but … please! Please, my lord, don’t do this!’ squealed Narcissa. ‘I’m sorry, I’m so sorry. I’ll never fail you again. Never! I promise. Just please don’t do this to me. Please!’

  ‘Silence her,’ commanded Bane.

  One of the guards forced a length of cloth into Narcissa’s mouth until only a faint whimper could be heard.

  ‘Good. When you return from your penance, we will discuss what you are to do to obtain the Keeper girl and her pendant!’

  36

  Words of Wisdom

  ‘… So that’s how we got here.’

  ‘It sounds like you’ve had quite an adventure,’ said Azariah, the wooden beads in his beard clacking as he leaned back in his chair. ‘I have always had my doubts about Lady Narcissa – something about her perfect image never seemed to ring true. But for her to turn out to be such a twisted piece of work still comes as quite a shock. In fact, I will go so far as to say that I’m sickened to think that this woman has shared a seat in our council and has sat there unsuspected for so long. I hate to think what atrocities she has got away with in the name of the Jade Council over the years! Still at least we now know the truth. If I have my way the Jade Circle will imprison her and her wayward sons for the rest of their lives!’

  ‘Surely that won’t be easy,’ said Nibbler from where he lay snuggled up on the carpet. ‘She sounds like a major player. I’ll bet she’s got powerful connections that will shield her from Charlie’s accusations.’

  ‘You’re quite right – it won’t be an easy endeavour. But I think that we have more than sufficient proof to put her away. Charlie’s word as a Keeper will be considered iron-clad. If she accuses Narcissa of committing evil deeds, at the very least the Jade Circle will have to sit up and take note. Secondly, we have Charlie’s dishevelled appearance to consider. If Lady Narcissa was her custodian, how did Charlie manage to wind up in such a bruised and battered state? Thirdly, and most importantly, we have the Isiris Bracelets. By Sylvarisian Law these are forbidden objects. The fact that Narcissa owns and has used a pair should see her sent to the deepest, darkest prison we have for a minimum of twenty years. And finally, Nibbler, we will have your testimony that you saw Shades on the roof of the Ivory Tower. This will indisputably point to Narcissa’s dealing with Bane and her betrayal of Sylvaris.’

  ‘Great!’ Charlie grinned. ‘Payback time!’

  ‘Indeed, young lady, it would appear so. Yet it saddens me greatly to think that Bane has managed to reach so far into our culture and way of life. Everywhere I look I see the threat of war drawing closer. These are truly dark and unsettled times.’

  ‘Azariah?’

  ‘Yes, Charlie?’

  ‘May I ask a question?’

  ‘You may, but our deal still remains in place: you may only ask three questions of importance at any one time.’

  Charlie groaned, although she should have expected no less. Wriggling deeper into her armchair, she took a long slurp on her hot chocolate and composed her thoughts.

  ‘OK, my first question is … what is so important about my pendant? The Jade Circle wants it and I know Bane definitely wants it, but what does it do?’

  ‘Hhmm, good question, Charlie. What does it do indeed? Well, to be honest with you … I’m not too sure.’

  ‘What?’ cried Charlie. ‘You’re not sure! But you’re a Keeper. I thought you would know everything.’

  ‘Ha!’ Azariah chuckled, his golden-brown eyes beaming with good humour. ‘I wish that I did indeed know everything, but unfortunately such a delicious wish is not a possibility.’

  ‘But surely you must know something about my pendant?’

  ‘Well, yes, I do know certain details, but these are all based on mere whispers and rumours that I have heard over the years. You must not take these as proven fact, but I will share what I know.’ He made himself comfortable in his chair. ‘So, then … Bane, with great cunning, timed his rise to power so that it coincided with the Winged Ones’ Chrysalis Period, which as you know is the era during which Bellania has no guardians. This has in effect given
Bane nearly seven years to wage war, conquer new lands and consolidate his power without the Winged Ones being present to oppose him.’

  ‘What does consolidate mean?’ enquired Nibbler with a puzzled frown.

  ‘In this case it means to increase the strength and stability of his armies and to secure his hold over conquered lands. In other words, Bane has used these years to grow more powerful.’

  Nibbler nodded and grinned his thanks.

  ‘Good, now … You should know that Bane’s suspicious behaviour prior to the Chrysalis Period did not go entirely unnoticed. The Winged Ones, fearing that Bane would attempt to consolidate his might and influence while they were away, apparently drew up plans to be used in their absence – plans that would bring about Bane’s defeat. The whispered rumours suggest that the Winged Ones created a secret weapon powerful enough to wipe Bane from Bellania’s surface. These whispers also go on to hint that your pendant is the key that will lead to this hidden weapon’s whereabouts, which is precisely what makes it so desirable. The Jade Circle wants your pendant so that they can find this weapon, stop the war and bring peace back to the land. While Bane must, at all costs, find and destroy it to ensure he stays in power. Your pendant, young Keeper, can tip the balance of power either way. The fate of Bellania rests, quite literally, around your neck.’

  ‘Wow!’ breathed Charlie. She pulled the pendant from beneath her T-shirt and gave it a good examination. ‘Nibbler, do you know anything about this?’ she asked, running her fingers along its bumpy surface.

  ‘Me? No, first I’ve heard of it. But can I have a look, see if there’s anything that looks familiar?’

  ‘Sure,’ said Charlie, getting out of her seat and going over to Nibbler. She held up the pendant.

  The young dragon sniffed it, licked it, prodded it and made Charlie hold it up to the firelight so he could examine it all the better.