Keeper of the Realms: Crow's Revenge (Book 1) (27 page)

‘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.

‘Well, do you see anything?’ she asked.

‘Er … well … not really. But I can tell you that it looks sort of like an egg … or maybe it’s an acorn?’

‘I could have told you that! Isn’t there anything else you can tell us? Surely you must know something!’

‘Well, it does taste kind of good. Sort of Tarentellaberry
with a touch of hazelnut. I guess if you got hungry you could always suck on it. Does that help?’

‘How can you be a Winged One and not know anything?’ growled Charlie.

‘Children, children!’ interrupted Azariah. ‘There’s really no need to squabble. For every lock there is a key, for every puzzle there is a solution. We will in time be able to solve the pendant’s mystery. What any wise man would do now is take it to someone who has knowledge regarding Winged Ones’ artefacts.’

‘Are you such a person?’ asked Nibbler.

‘Unfortunately not. But there are many such scholars in the Jade Council. It shouldn’t be too hard to get an informed opinion. However, given recent developments with Lady Narcissa, getting a
safe
opinion might be a different matter. We desperately need to have your pendant examined by someone, otherwise we will never understand its mysteries, but we must ensure that we can trust them.’

‘And who would you recommend for that?’ asked Nibbler.

‘Lady Dridif,’ said Azariah. ‘She out of all the councillors is beyond doubt. Her great strength and passionate stubbornness for Bellania’s cause puts her beyond reproach. What is more, her knowledge and wisdom is second to none within this city. If anyone can unlock your pendant’s hidden knowledge it is her. Charlie, I hope that has answered your first question, so if you will, your second question.’

Charlie didn’t hesitate: ‘My parents, how can I free them from Bane’s Tapestry?’

‘Not easily, would be my simple reply. Bane’s Throne Room is perhaps the most heavily defended site in Bellania.
Whole legions of fanatically loyal Stoman soldiers prowl the Western Mountains, venomous packs of Shades haunt the palace and, according to legend, other more twisted creatures stalk the inner sanctums. And as if that were not bad enough, Bane very rarely leaves his citadel and when he does his Dark God guards his Throne Room in his absence. To enter such a fortified location would be folly in the extreme.’

‘What about opening a Portal to the Throne Room and quickly snatching Charlie’s parents from the Tapestry? If you did it fast enough I’m sure you could be in and out before anyone could react,’ suggested Nibbler.

‘A good proposal, Nibbler, but sadly an impossibility. Bane is no fool and will have had his palace, if not the whole of the Western Mountains, shielded from unauthorized travelling of the paths. The second point is that Bane’s Tapestry is immense, containing hundreds of his vanquished enemies. We could not possibly open a Portal large enough to transport such an object.’

‘So what can be done to get Charlie’s parents back?’

‘Unfortunately the only option is the most difficult,’ said Azariah. ‘Bane must be defeated. Only when Bellania is free from his cursed reign can we go about curing the land. With Bane removed we will have access to all of his trapped and imprisoned victims, including those in the Tapestry. There would also no longer be a force to block the imminent return of the Winged Ones. With their wise counsel and experience we could safely remove all of those bound to the Tapestry.’

‘And is there really no other way?’ asked Charlie.

‘I have thought long and hard on this subject and I can honestly say that I see no other option.’

‘What about if I trade my pendant for their release? Surely Bane would agree to such a deal?’

‘Indeed, he probably would, but then you would have traded away Bellania’s liberty.’

‘But I want my parents back!’ snapped Charlie.

‘I know, Charlie, I know,’ said Azariah. His lion-like face softened as he took in her anguish. ‘But if you were to hand over the pendant, what guarantee would you have that Bane would honour his side of the bargain? And even if he did, he might then take over the whole of Bellania, and what would stop him from going to Earth and trying his luck in that realm? Also please do not forget that as much as your parents love you they are Keepers. It is their – and your – duty to maintain peace and balance in Bellania. To hand over the last chance for freedom from Bane would be a betrayal of their beliefs, no matter how well intentioned.’

‘But I want them back,’ whispered Charlie, her voice cracking. ‘It’s not fair. It’s just not fair at all!’

‘Charlie Keeper, I know it’s not fair. But you must worry less about life’s little disappointments and concentrate your heart and mind on the good things that come your way. Just think of all the obstacles that you have overcome in your journey getting here. You have succeeded where so many would have fallen! You are an astonishing young lady and don’t you ever forget it.’

Charlie was genuinely surprised by his words. She thought that perhaps he was teasing her, but one look at his strong, proud face told her otherwise. Azariah Keeper meant every word that he’d just said.

‘Now, the hour is very late and I insist that you go to bed soon. So, if you please, your last question.’

What Charlie had really wanted to ask Azariah ever since leaving Lady Narcissa’s miserable tower was if he would teach her how to open Portals and Gateways. After Stix and Stones had given her a brief and tantalizing glimpse into what she could achieve, she really, really wanted to learn as much as possible. The idea of being able to open magical Gateways was as though all her wildest dreams had suddenly come true. But for now there was something she urgently needed help with, something that just had to be asked first.

‘Will you help me to prove to Jensen and Kelko that I was forced to say those horrible words to them on the drawbridge? I would never say anything to hurt them, especially something as cruel and as spiteful as that. Will you help me show them I’m still their friend? Please?’

Azariah’s face softened. ‘Of course, Charlie. It would be a pleasure to help you with such an endeavour. But now it is long past the time for you to be in bed. If you and Nibbler would be so good as to follow me, I will show you to your sleeping quarters.’

37

Penance

Lady Narcissa gasped as she stood swaying painfully from side to side beneath the Devouring Throne. Her beautiful dress was ruined and hung in tatters. Dark circles had formed around her bloodshot eyes and a layer of sweat caked her forehead.

Her punishment had been intense. Very intense.

A large Stoman guard held her arm in a steel-like grip. It was hard to tell if the guard was there to secure Narcissa or simply there to hold her up in case she fell.

‘Little squishy Human, the pain that you have tasted tonight was just a fraction of what I will give you should you fail me again,’ said Bane in his stony voice. ‘Do not make any more mistakes.’

Narcissa’s face, if it were possible, went an even paler shade of white.

‘Now that we understand one another, listen well to my instructions. This is what I want you to do when you return to Sylvaris …’

Lady Narcissa did indeed listen carefully to her new master. She would be very, very sure to do exactly what he wanted. She never again intended to go through the
agonizing and degrading punishment that Bane’s servants had devised for her. She would follow his instructions to the letter.

‘… so I expect you to use their feeble Sylvarisian Law to further my goals,’ continued Bane. ‘Once you have gone ahead with these commands I will send a Shade to deliver my further instructions. Is that understood?’

‘Yes, my lord,’ whispered Narcissa. ‘But my daughter … must you include her in your plans?’

‘I will use any tool I deem necessary.’

‘But, my lord, she’s barely sixteen. She –’

‘Enough! Six or sixteen, adult or child, I care not. I claim your family and hold them beneath my fist. All that is yours is mine to command. Now, will you do as I instruct or must I send you back to the Halls of Silence for further punishment?’

‘No, my lord. I-I will do as you see fit.’ She would have curtsied but she doubted her body could manage it. Shivers of pain still shook her from within, so instead she bowed her head in deference. ‘It shall be done as you command. If I may … I have one request to ask of you, lord.’

‘I strongly advise you not to push your luck any further. I doubt your feeble body could withstand any more pain,’ growled Bane. ‘But if you wish to speak go ahead. Just remember that I will not accept any insolence.’

Narcissa blanched slightly. Bane’s constant threats were incredibly unnerving. Taking yet another deep breath, she gathered what little courage she had left and pushed ahead. ‘Stoman Lord, this is regarding the young Winged One. It is unquestionably powerful and its entrance came as a
surprise. Surprises, especially ones like this, could be a thorn in your side. I will need an ally to aid me in Sylvaris, someone with powers to match those of a Winged One. Someone who is also strong enough to counter any interruption should another Keeper be stupid enough to get in the way.’

‘Hhmm. Not such a foolish request after all. Very well, then, I shall arrange for a … suitable … servant to come and give you such aid as you might need.’

‘When will this servant come to me? I might need assistance sooner than we expect.’

‘Pale little maggot, do not worry yourself. He will arrive in plenty of time for my plans to succeed.’ Bane clapped his hand together. ‘Shades, remove this wriggling wretch of a Human, take her back to Sylvaris and make haste, for she must be there by sun-up.’