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

by Marcus Alexander

  ‘My God, I would ask a favour of you,’ rumbled the Stoman Lord.

  ‘What would you ask of me?’

  The thing had no visible mouth, but nonetheless its voice thundered across the chamber and filled Crow’s head almost to the point of bursting.

  ‘My God, Bellania is almost mine for the taking, but still the pendant evades me,’ said Bane, ignoring Crow’s discomfort. ‘I believe this mortal has the will and desire to complete the task of fetching the pendant and crushing the Keeper girl, but while his mind is eager, his body is weak. I would ask that you augment this Human and make him capable of the task. I ask that this fleshy, pulpy Human be made a pawn in our game of power.’

  The face within the light stared at Mr Crow. Its hands spasmed and clasped at the air, insect-like. Suddenly the lawyer screamed. He could feel something icy and sibilant picking its way across his mind. Something that plucked and strummed its way through his memories. The God curiously studied details of the lawyer’s life. Cold and merciless, it forced its way deeper and deeper into Crow’s being with no apology for the pain it was inflicting.

  Finally the alien and corpse-like presence withdrew from Crow’s mind. His knees sagged in relief. Opening his eyes, he squealed in shock at the sight of Bane’s God only inches away. Its blackened face was almost pressed up against his own, eyes shining with some unspeakable hunger. Lunging forward, it snatched at the lawyer and pulled the struggling, skinny figure into his burning, reptilian embrace.

  Bane settled down to watch the show. He always enjoyed hearing the screams.

  41

  A Case for the Jade Circle

  ‘And how do you plan to do that?’ asked Azariah.

  ‘Do what, Azariah Keeper?’ said Dridif.

  ‘Sift fact from fiction. How do you plan to reveal the truth of the matter? Lady Narcissa is a well-known and well-liked member of this council. I doubt that any here would ever refute her word. And as for me and Charlie, we are both Keepers. Our word is considered sacred, so surely whatever we say must be considered the truth too. With all three of us being such honoured and respected individuals, prying the truth from the matter is going to be no easy task. So how do you intend to go about solving this case?’

  ‘With logic, of course,’ said Lady Dridif. ‘I would suspect that all of ya have amassed evidence and witnesses ta prove yer innocence and yer opponents’ guilt. By listening ta both sides I will be able ta deduce who is fabricating lies and who is innocent. Do not forget that I am Lady Dridif, the Royal Oak, and that I can sniff out the smallest of lies no matter how well hidden.’

  ‘But surely such a process is prone to error, not to mention being long and time-consuming …’

  ‘Azariah Keeper, I can see ya are trying ta lead me somewhere with dis. If ya have a better suggestion please just spit it out.’

  Azariah grinned at the First Speaker. ‘I’m sorry for beating about the bush, Lady Dridif, but old habits die hard. What I would like to suggest is that we use these …’ Azariah dug into his robes and pulled out the Isiris Bracelets.

  ‘See!’ hollered Nazareth triumphantly. ‘I told you Charlie Keeper used the Isiris Bracelets on Stones! Azariah has just proved Charlie’s guilt by his own hand. Quick, you there, arrest them!’

  ‘Nazareth, I’ve told ya once before! I will not tolerate any more outbursts! So sit down and be quiet!’ snapped Dridif.

  ‘But that proves my case. It does, I’m telling you it does! Guards! Get –’

  Dridif shook her head and sighed. With a distracted gesture she hooked her fingers together before flinging her hand forward. Nazareth squawked mid-sentence like a startled chicken before once again flying through the room to thud against the far wall. This time Dridif just left the councillor where he lay.

  ‘What are ya suggesting?’ continued Dridif as though she’d done nothing more strenuous than putting out the garbage.

  ‘Simple. You place the Isiris Bracelets on each of us in turn. All you have to do is hold the ring in your hand and instruct us to tell the truth.’

  ‘Ya know that I do not approve of those … pieces of jewellery,’ said Dridif with obvious distaste. ‘They are forbidden.’

  ‘Of course you don’t, because they are instruments that can too easily be used for wicked purposes. However, I’m sure that you would agree that they would be most suitable for solving our predicament.’

  ‘Hold on!’ interrupted Lady Narcissa hotly. ‘How can you think that I would consent to such an idea? Those bracelets are forbidden for good reason: they are wicked beyond doubt. I will not accept this. Use some other means for solving this argument.’

  Several of the councillors rumbled their agreement.

  ‘Come now, Lady Narcissa,’ reasoned Azariah. ‘Surely you of all people wouldn’t use such a poor excuse for sidestepping the one thing that can guarantee us the truth in the matter?’

  ‘Truth? You will get no truth from using such evil tools!’ scorned Narcissa.

  ‘That didn’t stop you from using them on me, though, did it?’ accused Charlie. ‘Don’t try and act all innocent! Put on those bracelets and see what I had to put up with! We’d find out the truth soon enough then, wouldn’t we?’

  Lady Narcissa ignored both Azariah and Charlie and turned her attention back to Lady Dridif. ‘I shall have nothing to do with this. Why can we not simply use our traditional methods of presenting material evidence and providing trusted witnesses?’

  ‘Because we all know you’ve just faked everything!’ snapped Charlie. ‘If you’re too scared to use the Isiris Bracelets, I’ll wear them first! Come on, then, I dare you! We’ll soon see who’s telling the truth and who’s the liar.’

  In all honesty, Charlie couldn’t stand the sight of the bracelets. But right now she was so furious she was willing to go through anything to prove Narcissa’s guilt. Even if it meant wearing them one more time.

  ‘A moment of the council’s time, if I may,’ rumbled Flint, his heavy jewellery rattling as he spoke. ‘I for one do not agree that the Isiris Bracelets should be used. We have banned them from Sylvaris and Bellania for good reason. If we are to start using them now, no matter how fitting we believe the circumstances are, we would still be betraying our ideals.’

  ‘Nonsense!’ snorted a wrinkled old Treman councillor. ‘I believe that dis is the perfect time ta use the Isiris Bracelets. It will solve who is lying and who is not and, more importantly, it will do so in a very short period of time. They are the perfect solution! I say we should boldly stride ahead and use them … Besides, I don’t know about all of ya lot, but I’m dying ta know who the liar is!’

  Once more the Jade Circle erupted into shouted arguments. The councillors were obviously divided in their opinions. Lady Dridif wearily pinched the bridge of her nose as though she were doing her best to hold a large and painful headache at bay. She stared first at Lady Narcissa, then at Azariah Keeper. Slowly she held her hands up for silence.

  ‘We are all getting distracted from the matter at hand. There is without doubt a traitor in dis room. Now put aside all ya foolish passions and pride and let us push ta the heart of dis matter. Azariah proposes that the Isiris Bracelets be used ta uncover the truth. Now, I can see that many of you, perhaps wisely, oppose dis idea, so as the law demands, we shall put the proposal ta the vote.’

  Throughout this exchange Lady Narcissa’s finger had been tapping on the table. Looking down the table at Azariah, then over to Dridif, she struggled to reach a decision. Her finger began to tap faster. Perhaps now would be the time to implement Bane’s instructions.

  Her finger stopped. Lady Narcissa stood.

  ‘Sit down, Narcissa,’ instructed Dridif. ‘We are about ta vote.’

  ‘No,’ said Narcissa.

  The table fell silent. Dridif frowned. ‘Excuse me?’

  ‘I said no.’

  ‘Now ya listen here –’ began Dridif, but Narcissa interrupted her.

  ‘I have no confidence in this council! I believe th
at some of you have been corrupted by Bane. I believe that some of you are traitors. Therefore I cannot allow myself to be hostage to any vote. I lay claim on my rights to be judged by a Winged One.’ She looked at Nibbler scathingly. ‘A real Winged One.’

  A mutter of disbelief swept through the council members.

  ‘Narcissa.’ Dridif wearily pinched the bridge of her nose again. ‘There are no Winged Ones other than dis Hatchling. And although their Chrysalis Period is almost at an end, they are not due to return for another twenty-one days. And that is being optimistic. If worse comes ta worst, Bane could block their return.’

  ‘Nevertheless, it is my right to demand a trial by Winged One.’

  ‘Foolishness!’ snapped Dridif.

  Lady Narcissa shrugged.

  ‘As bizarre as the request is,’ said Flint, ‘it is her right.’

  ‘But wot good can that do?’ protested Dridif. She turned her scrutiny back to Narcissa. ‘There are no Winged Ones ta judge you and if you insist on following dis antiquated law you must realize that if no Winged One appears within seven days the right ta judge you falls back ta the Jade Circle. At best you are only giving yerself some breathing room. At worst you are raising suspicion and doing nothing ta eliminate any possible treachery within the council.’

  ‘I don’t care,’ hissed Narcissa. ‘I feel unsafe. After Charlie Keeper’s actions last night, which I can only assume were orchestrated by Azariah Keeper, I have no doubt that some councillors have been seduced by the Western Menace. I cannot and will not place my trust in the Jade Circle. I demand my right to trial by Winged One.’

  Dridif gave Narcissa a long, level stare. ‘If ya wish ta take dis road, Councillor, so be it.’

  ‘What?’ stormed Charlie in disbelief. ‘You’re going to let her just walk away?’

  ‘It is her right,’ explained Flint.

  ‘Right?’ Charlie couldn’t believe it. ‘Look, we all know she’s guilty, but you’re going to let her get away with it? That’s crazy.’

  ‘Charlie Keeper,’ snapped Dridif, ‘dis is the Jade Circle. We have rules and laws that must be followed. Without law there is chaos. Narcissa has claimed her right ta trial by Winged One. I will stand by the law and allow her dis. And in seven days’ time, if no Winged One appears, I will reconvene the meeting and get ta the bottom of dis.’ Her stare grew steely and she turned to look at each member of the council. ‘But beware, each and every one of ya. I strongly suspect that there is foul work at play. Be it Charlie Keeper, Azariah, Narcissa, Nazareth or any of ya who are guilty of working with Bane, know that I will find the darkness hidden within dis council and I will, believe me, cut it out.’

  ‘You can’t –’ protested Charlie, but Dridif cut her off.

  ‘Silence! I have spoken.’ Dridif looked furious and Narcissa’s jubilant smirk quickly disappeared. ‘Know that I am not happy with dis. It would appear that Sylvaris is entering dark times and ta safeguard the city I shall triple the guards that patrol the streets. Furthermore, bear in mind that all of ya will be under me scrutiny. If I find one of ya is a traitor, ya will feel me wrath. Now get outta here. Dis meeting is adjourned.’

  42

  Crow Gets His Wings

  As usual the Throne Room was silent. Yet this time there was a sense of expectancy, a feeling of suspense that crept and sneaked throughout the imposing chamber. It showed in the impatient fidgeting of the heavily muscled Stoman guards standing sentinel by the large doorways. It showed in the slight turning of heads as the cowled and liveried footmen stared towards the dark recess at the rear of the Throne Room. Even the Shades were restless, rustling and writhing as they haunted the misty shadows. Their attention was also focused upon the archway that led to their God’s lair. Eventually their patience was rewarded.

  A sound echoed out from the gloomy tunnel, growing in volume as a tall silhouette strode into the Throne Room. The footsteps drew nearer to the dais, where Bane sat patiently. The guards stopped playing nervously with their swords, the footmen held their breath and the Shades finally grew still as a lanky figure stepped out from the shadows and into the torchlight.

  It was Mr Crow, but it was quite obvious that there was something very different about the skinny lawyer, something in the way he held himself and the way he moved. No longer did he cower in Bane’s presence, he walked with purpose in his stride. And his eyes, if they were dark before, were now like deep oily pits. Black as the night, unwavering and unblinking. When he stared at anything, he did so with a hungry and carnivorous expression. Truly this was no longer the old Mr Crow. No longer was he a secretive, grubbing and spineless scavenger. He had the look of a predator.

  A hungry predator.

  He stared briefly at the Shades, footmen and guards before dismissing them as being unworthy of his attention. He focused his gaze upon the throne and its occupant.

  ‘Crowman, come here.’

  Mr Crow did as he was told. Moving forward with silky grace, he approached the Devouring Throne’s steps.

  ‘You remember Charlie Keeper, do you not?’

  The lawyer nodded, his head moving with a quick, jerky motion.

  ‘Excellent. You are to go east, to Sylvaris, the Treman city,’ commanded Bane. ‘Once there you will aid Lady Narcissa with her task. She has been instructed to deliver to me Charlie Keeper and her pendant. You will ensure that this task goes smoothly and to plan. Do you understand my demands?’

  Crow silently nodded.

  ‘Good.’ Bane rose to his feet. Stretching out his arms, he opened his mouth and in his deep craggy voice he began to sing. The dais began to shiver, the stone floor quivered in soft waves which rippled, fanning out across the room, rocking the Shades and forcing the footmen and guards to fight, like drunkards, for their balance. Crow, however, remained unaffected and silently rode out the tempest that rocked the chamber. The ripples ran up the walls and into the darkness, disappearing into the shady heights of the vaulted ceiling. Bane’s voice grew stronger, deeper. The song intensified and the soft glow in his hands blossomed, then violently burst into fierce flames. With a great cracking and growling, the heavy ceiling tore itself open into a massive chasm that cut through a layer of bedrock, revealing the night sky twinkling far, far overhead.

  Bane lowered his flaming arms and sat back on the Devouring Throne.

  ‘There, Crowman, is your exit. Take it and make your way east. Fulfil my commands and, should you succeed, know that I will reward you in ways that you never dreamed possible.’

  The lawyer bowed once more to his lord, then with a hop and a bound launched himself into the air. Flapping his lanky arms, he hurled back his head, arched his spine and opened his mouth to reveal newly sharpened teeth before bursting apart into a hundred black and evil screeching birds. The creatures flapped, cawed and clawed their way from the hidden bowels of the earth where Bane kept his kingdom, up the chasm and out into the unsuspecting night sky.

  The footmen and guards stared after the swiftly disappearing Mr Crow in morbid fear and sickened astonishment, while Bane, the Western Menace, laughed in delight.

  Charlie was fuming as she, Nibbler and Azariah left the Council Chamber and walked the long corridors of the Jade Tower.

  ‘So what, she just gets away with it?’ she stormed. ‘What kind of stupid law lets her walk free like that? How can Lady Dridif let that happen?’

  ‘Because Lady Dridif believes in the law,’ answered Azariah. ‘She upholds it even when it doesn’t work smoothly.’

  ‘But why?’ insisted Charlie.

  ‘Because she believes that without law there is chaos. Sticking to the law is Dridif’s way of fighting against corruption.’

  ‘Well, it obviously doesn’t work that well, does it?’ said Nibbler. ‘I mean, if Narcissa can walk free as easy as that, then something’s wrong.’

  Azariah sighed. ‘Dridif believes in the big picture. Today Narcissa might walk free but in seven days’ time Lady Dridif is certain she’ll find the truth. It might h
ave cost Dridif in the short term, but she always, always looks at the long term.’

  ‘But that gives Narcissa an extra seven days to cause trouble!’ complained Charlie. ‘Your laws are seriously messed up.’

  ‘I have been to Earth several times in my life,’ admitted Azariah, ‘and I do not believe that the laws in your realm are foolproof either. I remember hearing stories of legal battles going on for years. I have seen how the large corporations in your realm bend the law to their gain. Life, young Charlie, as you well know by now, is not always fair.’

  Charlie scowled. ‘So we just stand around and let her get away with it?’

  ‘No! Of course not. The law is for Lady Dridif and the Jade Circle. You and I are Keepers and young Nibbler here is a Winged One. We do not uphold the law. We uphold what is right.’ Azariah flashed Charlie a reassuring smile.

  Charlie hesitantly returned it. ‘So what are we going to do?’ she asked.

  ‘We are going to have a discreet word with Lady Dridif. Come, we shall go and talk to her in her study. This way.’

  Charlie and Nibbler obediently followed the old Keeper as he led the way through the maze of corridors and into the grand hallway.

  ‘Look, the war is killing me!’ said a familiar voice. ‘If I don’t get me Moreish powder flowing back along the Spice Route and through ta the markets of Alavis and Alacorn, me business is doomed!’

  ‘Wot about, ya know, popping over ta the Other Realm?’ suggested another familiar voice.

  ‘The Other Realm? Oh, sure, no problem apart from the tiny, incy, wincy fact that Bane has got his blooming Shades watching all the Gateways. I’ve got no choice but ta ask the Jade Circle for help.’

  Rounding the corner, Charlie came face to face with Jensen and Kelko.

  They stopped and stared, first at the sight of Nibbler, but then at Charlie.