In the morning Charlie would have to resume the burdens of being a Keeper but for now … it was time to party.
65
The Next Step
The silence of the stony plain was broken by the harsh sound of broken glass. Cursing and whimpering in pain, Mr Crow stepped down on to the rocky floor. Holding his hand up to the light, he was shocked to discover that he could see through his flesh. He could see the horizon through the palm of his hand and, looking down, he could see the craggy and dust-strewn ground through his feet. He had become shadowy, almost transparent, like a ghost. Mr Crow held back a sob of fear as he realized that he was no longer complete, no longer ‘real’.
Whimpering with terror, he bent down to grasp a rock. He half expected his hand to pass through the stone, but to his surprise he managed to pick it up. A puzzled look flashed across his face: what did this mean? Was he still alive? Did he still possess his amazing strength? There was only one way to find out. Clenching his hand into a fist, he attempted to crush the rock. He tensed his muscles and focused everything he had on the stone.
CRACK!
With a tooth-rattling crunch, the rock burst apart in a cloud of dust. Shards of stone stuck to his clothes and the rest fell with a tinkle around his feet. Mr Crow let loose a long, juddering sigh of relief. Shadowy and indistinct he might be, but he was still alive, still strong and powerful, and not the ghost that he’d feared he had become. He grinned and with a slight twitter and shake of his head he stared up into the sky.
He still had purpose.
Charlie Keeper hadn’t heard the last of him, not by a long shot.
‘Oh no, my filly,’ he whispered, ‘you don’t get off the hook that easily! I shall punish you for all the wrong that you have done. You and yours shall pay, my filly. You and your friends shall pay with blood and life and pain.’
Crouching down, he tensed his skinny thighs and sprang, leaping up into the air. With a wild caw, he burst apart into a shrieking pack of crows. Smaller than before, it was still a terrifying sight to behold. Fluttering their wings, the birds flew westward.
‘Are ya quite sure yer up ta dis?’ asked Lady Dridif.
Charlie resisted the temptation to roll her eyes. She’d already said yes a hundred times, but the old Treman lady seemed determined to mother her.
‘Yes, Lady Dridif, I’m sure. Don’t worry. I won’t be gone for long. Like you said, all I have to do is open the Portal, show Mr Darkmount the pendant, listen to his advice and then come back. Simple.’
The First Speaker looked pensive. ‘Young Keeper, surely ya should know after all yer experience that nothing is ever simple, especially in Bellania.’
‘I know that, but what can really go wrong? Nibbler will be with me, as will Jensen and Kelko, and I’ll have all those guards that you promised to send with me. So even if there is trouble, we’ll be ready for it.’
Dridif sighed. ‘Charlie, yer confidence is a great thing ta see, but nevertheless I wish that ya would display a little more caution.’
‘I promise to be careful.’
‘I know, Charlie, I know,’ said Dridif, rubbing wearily at her forehead. ‘Are ya sure that ya don’t want me ta go over dis one more time? Ya feel confident about opening a Portal all the way ta Alavis?’
‘Yes.’
‘And I must warn ya that opening a Portal over such a long distance will be a great strain. It will greatly wear ya out.’
‘I know, Dridif, you’ve already told me about twenty times!’
‘I’m sorry. I do not mean ta nag, but I feel terrible sending ya all the way out there on yer own.’
‘I’m not on my own! Look at everyone else that’s coming. Besides, I’m the only one in Sylvaris at the moment that can open a Portal and we both know it needs to be done if we are going to defeat Bane, right?’
Dridif’s large, wise brown eyes stared into Charlie’s. ‘Just be careful.’
‘I will.’
Dridif nodded. ‘OK, then.’ Standing up, she led Charlie from her study and together the two of them went to meet the others.
‘Are you sure that this is such a good idea?’ rumbled Stones.
‘What other choice do we have?’ rasped Stix. ‘This is the only way we can be sure of claiming our revenge.’
Stones was silent for a while. He stared moodily off into the distance while his fingers absently stroked at the tattered remains of his mother’s dress. Finally he laid the shred of cloth on the ground before standing up. ‘Very well, then, let’s do this.’
Stix’s yellow eyes blazed with a terrible anger. ‘Yes, let us do this. For Mother.’
‘For Mother,’ repeated Stones as the light in his eyes blossomed just like his brother’s.
The two of them turned their backs on Deepforest. With a fearsome rage flickering between them like a small thundercloud, they began to march towards the Western Mountains to offer their services to Bane, the Stoman Lord.
66
The Portal
The room that Dridif led them to was near the very top of the Jade Tower. Although the wide, circular space was magnificent, with hundreds of roaring dragons carved across every available surface, it was also very dusty and clearly hadn’t been used in some time. The Treman guards who were to accompany Charlie to Alavis illuminated the windowless room with flaming torches that they then slotted into holders around the walls.
‘Dis is the Keepers’ Room of Travel,’ explained Lady Dridif. ‘It is the place traditionally reserved for Keepers ta use for the safe opening of Portals on behalf of the Jade Circle. Unfortunately, in these times of unrest, Keepers in Sylvaris have become something of a rarity. Still, that is no excuse for the apparent lack of cleaning. I shall be having a very firm word with the First Maid dis afternoon.’
‘You clearly haven’t seen my bedroom!’ joked Charlie before Lady Dridif could work herself into a temper over the chamber’s untidy state. She heard Kelko and Nibbler snort with amusement behind her.
‘Hhmm?’ said Dridif, and then realized that Charlie was trying to lighten the mood. ‘Ha, well, yes. There are more important matters to worry about.’ She led Charlie into the centre of the room. ‘So, let us recap. The twin Human cities, Alavis and Alacorn, are in the west, halfway between here and the Western Mountains. West is that direction,’ said Dridif, pointing with her outstretched arm. ‘The University of Dust is in Alavis and the courtyard is in the university. Can ya picture it based on what Nibbler described ta ya? Can ya see the Chancellor’s Courtyard in yer mind?’
‘Yes,’ said Charlie, who was startled to realize that she could indeed picture it and picture it very well.
‘Good. Now focus on it. Breathe it in. Imagine the smell of the courtyard, the feel of the flagstones beneath yer feet. Feel the weight of the university around ya. Have ya got it? Can ya see it?’
‘Yes.’ Charlie grinned with sudden enthusiasm. ‘Yes, I can!’
‘Now open yer Will. Use it, focus it and –’
Dridif’s words stuck in her throat as Charlie’s hands exploded into flares. Warm golden light illuminated the chamber, much brighter than daylight, and with a shimmering, rippling motion the Portal opened.
‘Er, yes, well done, Charlie,’ murmured Lady Dridif, surprised by just how easily Charlie had managed her Will.
‘That’s it, then?’ asked Kelko, as he looked through the Portal to the rain-spattered courtyard beyond.
The square was of a very different design from Treman architecture. It appeared almost Roman in style. Tall, graceful columns soared upward to meet the sloping rooftop of the university building. Mighty statues of scholars and warriors stood at intervals throughout the main square.
Charlie peered through. It was just how she’d pictured it. She could imagine students and teachers wandering across its flagstones in quiet contemplation. Now, however, the square was silent and empty.
‘Er, why is it so quiet?’ asked Jensen. ‘Shouldn’t there be more people there?’
‘S
eems perfectly reasonable ta me,’ said Kelko. ‘It’s raining and there’s a siege going on. If I was an intelligent student ya wouldn’t catch me outside on a day like that!’
‘Captain!’ snapped Dridif, and beckoned over the fully armoured Treman guard.
‘Yes, ma’am?’
‘Take yer men through the Portal and secure the square. Make sure there’s nothing sneaky lying in wait.’
‘Ma’am,’ saluted the captain.
Motioning his squad forward, they stepped into the shimmering space. Once through, the men spread rapidly across the courtyard, bows drawn and swords at the ready. After a minute the captain stepped back into the Keepers’ Room of Travel.
‘All clear, ma’am. Not a soul in sight.’
Dridif nodded. ‘Very well, then. I’d just like ta say –’
‘Urgh,’ groaned Charlie through clenched teeth. ‘If we can maybe speed things up? I can’t keep this open all day. It, uh, it feels really heavy.’
Dridif flashed an apologetic smile. ‘I’m sorry. I just wanted ta ensure yer safety first,’ she said. She gave Jensen and the captain a go-ahead gesture. ‘Charlie Keeper?’
‘Yes?’ grunted Charlie, sweat beginning to break out across her brow.
‘Good luck.’
‘Thanks,’ said Charlie.
Then, motioning Jensen, Kelko and Nibbler forward, Charlie threw Lady Dridif a hasty wave and jumped towards the courtyard’s flagstones. The Portal shivered shut behind her.
For a long minute Dridif stared silently into the space where the Portal had been, thoughts tumbling through her head. Then with a grunt she turned and walked from the round chamber. She had matters to attend to, a city to run and a council to uphold.
As she strode down the spiralling flight of stairs a footman rushed to her side.
‘Lady Dridif?’
‘Yes, wot is it?’
‘The guards, as instructed, have arrested Councillor Flint. Would ya like ta speak ta him now or later?’
‘Later. He has caused more than enough trouble and his treachery needs ta be punished. Throw him inta gaol. Let’s give him time ta think about all the wrong that he has done. Tell him that if he behaves we’ll see about giving him a trial by the end of the month.’
‘Very good, ma’am. And wot should we feed him?’
Dridif thought for a moment, a smile creeping across her face. A touch of Charlie’s cheekiness came to mind. ‘Oh, methinks a good helping of stale, mouldy bread and pond water should do him fine.’
‘Excellent,’ said the footman. He hesitated before going on his way.
‘Yes?’ asked Lady Dridif.
‘Well, ma’am, I’m not too sure wot ta do about another matter …’
‘Spit it out, man.’
‘Well, it’s Constantina of the Narcissa family. She’s been screaming and shouting outside the Council Chamber for hours and hours. Reckons she’s innocent. She’s been begging for an audience with yer ladyship but the clerks refuse to announce her until she goes through the proper channels. But …’
Lady Dridif sighed. She could see where this was going. ‘There are always loose ends ta tidy up, aren’t there?’
‘Er, yes, ma’am.’ The footman coughed and gave her a rueful look.
‘Very well, then. I will see her, but not today, nor do methinks dis week. She can learn the meaning of patience. However, I do not think the child is really guilty of treason or of evil intent –’
The footman threw her a startled glance.
‘I sees that me opinion surprises ya. Why, may I ask, is that?’
‘Er, well, ma’am, surely if she’s Lady Narcissa’s daughter she must have been somewot involved with all the treasonous plots ta sell our city ta the Western Menace? Surely ya can’t believe that such a spoilt, malicious brat could be innocent of such crimes?’
‘Being malicious or being the daughter of an evil woman does not necessarily mean that she is evil herself,’ said Lady Dridif with a frown. ‘I believe that she has simply been misled by her mother and therefore I am prepared ta give her another chance ta redeem herself. Ensure that she is returned ta school and that she has a suitable guardian in the Jade Tower. Tell her she may expect a meeting with me some time soon. However, I’d like ya ta warn her that I expect her ta earn her keep from now on and that the Jade Council has frozen her mother’s assets. No longer will she have such a lavish and opulent upbringing, so please instruct the First Maid that she has a new chambermaid.’
‘Very good, ma’am.’ Bowing to Lady Dridif, the footman made to depart.
‘Wait.’
‘Yes, ma’am?’
‘Today is not a schoolday, is it?’
‘No, ma’am.’
‘Excellent, in that case ya can show Constantina ta the Keepers’ Room of Travel. Ask the First Maid ta meet her there with a bucket and mop. Our new chambermaid can start earning her keep. Immediately.’
The footman grinned. ‘Very good, ma’am!’
Turning, he scampered down the stairs.
‘Oh, and if she gives ya any trouble,’ Dridif called after the footman, ‘please remind Constantina that I have only suspended the traditional penalty for losing the Silent Duel due ta the turbulent events clouding the games. But if she causes grief I can still see ta it that she spends the full year repeating her sins in the Halls of Echoes. I’m sure the threat of a year in a cold cave should curb her tongue.’
The footman’s laugh of delight echoed back up the staircase and resounded pleasingly in Dridif’s ears.
It was an end, no doubt, to Constantina’s spoilt and petulant upbringing.
The Chancellor’s Courtyard was devastatingly quiet.
‘Bah!’ snorted Kelko as he sheltered from the rain beneath the outspread arms of a large statue. ‘Ya would have thought that dis moody old Bishop Darkmount could have kept an eye out for us. I mean, where exactly are we supposed ta go from here?’
Charlie stared at the Treman soldiers taking up positions around the edge of the square. Something just didn’t feel right to her.
‘Hey, Nibbler, what did Edge Darkmount say exactly? That we should open a Portal here and then what?’
Nibbler shuffled over to where Charlie was huddled with Jensen and Kelko, his waterproof scales protecting him from the drizzle.
‘He didn’t say anything else. All he said was that we should come here, he’d meet us and then examine the pendant.’
‘So why isn’t he here?’ asked Charlie. ‘We’ve been here for a while now. Surely someone must have noticed we’ve arrived?’ A sense of alarm was beginning to tug at the back of her brain, demanding attention. ‘There’s something a little too odd about –’
Charlie’s words were cut short by the sudden clatter of feet as hundreds of Stoman warriors burst into the courtyard. The horrid sound of twanging bowstrings cut across the flagstones, shortly accompanied by soft groans as the Treman guards fell to the floor with dozens of arrows sprouting from their sides. Fierce-looking Stoman soldiers with gruesome axes swiftly circled Charlie, Kelko, Jensen and Nibbler, fencing them in with a ring of steel. The soldiers chuckled nastily as they eyed their catch.
A Stoman colonel, looking proud and fierce in polished, blood-red armour and bearing a baton of command under his arm, strolled into the rain-splattered square. Grinning with silent mirth, he stared at the companions.
‘Charlie Keeper, I arrest you in the name of our Great Lord, may history carry his name on winds of thunder from now until eternity!’
Smiling cruelly, the soldiers began to beat their swords and axes against their armour, chanting a single word over and over until the sound became deafening.
‘BANE!’
‘BANE!’
‘BANE!’
‘BANE!’
‘Blight me Leaf! He’s gone and betrayed us!’ cursed Jensen, his green face turning pale with shock. ‘Edge Darkmount has sold us out!’
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Original edition published as Who Is Charlie Keeper? by Troubador Publishing Ltd 2008
First published in this revised edition 2012
Text and character illustrations copyright © Marcus Alexander, 2008, 2012
Illustrations by Lobak Oren
Map by David Atkinson
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Keeper of the Realms: Crow's Revenge (Book 1) Page 32