Keeper of the Realms: Crow's Revenge (Book 1) (34 page)

Stix and Stones shared a look. ‘Do you think Constantina is capable of the task?’ Stones asked his mother.

‘Yes, I do. With Constantina’s K’Changa skills, Charlie Keeper won’t stand a chance.’

‘And wot would sir like done with the lady’s old clothes?’ asked the wizened old shopkeeper.

‘Burn them,’ replied Azariah.

‘A most wise decision, sir,’ agreed the wrinkled Treman. Stooping down, he picked up Charlie’s discarded, torn and smelly clothes before hobbling off to the rear of the shop to dispose of them.

Charlie was too busy admiring herself in the polished bronze mirror to be bothered by the loss. Azariah had bought her the most amazing set of new clothes. Not even in her dreams did she ever think she would wear anything as luxurious as this. According to the shopkeeper, her midnight-blue shirt was made from orchid-flower silk, her
soot-black trousers from eastern Bellanian wire wool and the snug-fitting boots from a leather-like fabric that seemed to suck at the light. A single ribbon of tempered silver tidied her hair into a topknot and around her wrist was a bracelet of woven lionbark. But that was not all. In a large parcel that sat on the chair next to her was a second and third set of clothes, each as impressive as the one she was now wearing. Azariah had refused to say how much everything had cost but Charlie got the impression that it had been a lot.

‘Wow, Azariah! No one has ever bought me stuff like this before … I just don’t know what to say.’

‘Well, how about thank you?’ suggested Azariah.

Charlie smiled apologetically. ‘Azariah Keeper, thank you so much for your gifts,’ she said with a very sincere expression. ‘I … I think these are the best clothes anyone has ever given me. Thank you.’

Azariah beamed with delight at her words. ‘I’m glad you like them, young Keeper. The style suits you and it is a pleasure to see you out of those old clothes. They were practically falling apart! Now then, if you would be so good as to follow me, it is time for us to go to the Willow Tower.’

With a farewell nod to the shopkeeper, the two departed the luxurious shop and headed across the sweeping bridges of Sylvaris.

‘While you are not by my side I have arranged for Sic Boy to act as your bodyguard until Nibbler returns from Alavis and Alacorn. You will be quite safe.’

‘When will I see you again?’ she asked.

‘Oh, not to worry – you will see me every day. I will expect you at my house no later than eight o’ the clock each
morning. You have much to learn about your heritage, young Keeper, so your mornings will be spent with me for tuition, and the afternoons are yours to enjoy with those two rascals Jensen and Kelko. Then you will spend your nights in Willow Tower with Salixia, Jensen and Sic Boy.’

‘What will you be doing in the afternoons?’

‘I shall be playing the political game. I must warn as many of the councillors about Narcissa’s treachery as possible. It is vital that I prevent the rot from spreading across the Jade Circle. If I can stop Narcissa from turning too many of the councillors towards Bane, then perhaps Sylvaris can survive. If not …’

‘What? Do you think that Narcissa could really damage Sylvaris?’

‘Yes, I do,’ Azariah admitted as they crossed a narrow walkway. ‘She is a most formidable opponent and if she is left unchecked she could cause real harm to this city. And with Bane involved, who knows how far or how quickly that could spread. I simply cannot allow it.’

Charlie fell quiet as she mused over Azariah’s words. The two of them continued in a thoughtful silence as they proceeded through Sylvaris. Reaching the Willow Tower, Azariah lifted the heavy knocker and pounded on the door.

‘Bless me Sap!’ exclaimed Jensen when he opened the door. A wide grin spread across his face. ‘Charlie, ya look great. Cor! Just look at yer new clothes. Now ya really look like a Keeper.’

Charlie blushed shyly at his words. ‘Thanks, Jensen. Azariah bought them for me. As a reward for all my hard work.’

‘Well, he’s got a great eye when it comes ta buying clothes!’ said Jensen. Throwing an arm over Charlie’s
shoulder, he pulled her aside. ‘Er … ya haven’t told anyone else about the incident in the bathroom, have ya?’

‘What bathroom incident would that be?’ asked Charlie teasingly.

‘Ya know!’ groaned Jensen. He threw a hasty look over his shoulder to make sure no one else was listening. ‘The one with the Portal …’

Charlie chuckled loudly, she couldn’t help it. ‘Don’t worry, Jensen, I promise not to tell anyone else that you like to relax with bath salts, girlie bubbles, orchid leaves or … that you own a little rubber duckie!’

Azariah snorted in the background, but when Jensen spun around to confront him the old Keeper appeared to be examining one of the cherry trees that grew along the side of the small entrance bridge. Frowning, Jensen turned back to Charlie.

‘Well, ya know, I find it relaxing. Helps me focus me mind, so I can really concentrate on important matters. Running me company, especially in these troubled times, is no easy matter.’

‘Oh, sure.’

‘And the bath salts, they’re really for me aching back, soothe me muscles something wonderful.’

‘Hhmm. Sure.’

‘And the orchids clear me sinuses out.’

‘Oh, of course,’ sniggered Charlie. ‘And the rubber duck?’

Azariah snorted much louder, but when Jensen furiously snapped his head round the bearded Keeper had his nose pressed firmly into the cherry blossom and was obviously enjoying the scent. Jensen threw him a suspicious look before slowly turning his attention back to Charlie.

‘The duck?’ said Jensen with a perfectly innocent look. ‘I never saw a duck. Perhaps it was yer imagination?’

‘Oh no,’ insisted Charlie. ‘I’m quite sure I saw a little yellow duck.’

‘Nah, surely it must have been yer fancy that saw it. I reckon Azariah must have been overworking ya too much.’ Jensen blushed. ‘I’d never keep a rubber duck in m–’

‘I hate to interrupt,’ said Azariah, appearing beside them, ‘but I don’t have time to hang around all day and listen to you two squabble about whether or not there was a duck in your bath. Jensen of the Willow, I must be off about my business. I leave Charlie Keeper in your care and I shall expect her at my door no later than eight o’clock tomorrow. Furthermore, I look forward to seeing her safe and well.’

‘You can count on that,’ said Jensen.

With a final nod for Charlie, Azariah strode off.

Before Jensen could close the door, a familiar voice shouted out, ‘Hey, Charlie!’

Charlie and Jensen turned to find Kelko strolling up the bridge towards them. Sic Boy ambled along by his side with a huge bone in his mouth.

‘Hi, blossom, how ya doing?’ Kelko smiled and gave Charlie a big hug. ‘Methinks the time has come for me ta show ya around.’

Sic Boy nuzzled his head beneath Charlie’s armpit and rumbled a low growl as a way of greeting. Charlie absentmindedly scratched him behind his huge ears.

‘That’ll leave Jensen some time ta sort out his business and then in the evening we’ll both take ya for some K’Changa practice. Wotcha say?’

‘What do I say?’ Charlie grinned in delight. ‘Sounds like a deal to me!’ After the morning’s hard work with Azariah, she was looking forward to a fun afternoon. ‘Lead on!’

47

A Conversation with Constantina

‘Yes, Mother, what do you want?’ asked Constantina sulkily. ‘I hope it’s important, because you know how much I dislike stopping in the middle of K’Changa practice. And did you have to bring Stones?’ she complained, staring at the Stoman. ‘Couldn’t you have sent a footman to get me? It’s just so embarrassing to see that clumsy oaf stomp all over the playing field.’

Lady Narcissa sighed. She was very proud of her daughter, but sometimes she wondered if she overindulged her. Perhaps she should cut back on her allowance for a bit. Maybe if she went without clothes-shopping for a week or two she might develop some proper manners.

‘Do I really need to remind you that Stones is your brother? Don’t you think you should show him some more respect?’

‘He’s not my
real
brother,’ replied Constantina with a grimace.

‘That may be true, but nevertheless he is still family and I expect you to treat him accordingly.’

‘I’ll think about it,’ said Constantina, and stuck her nose
up in the air to show she had no real intention of following her mother’s suggestion.

Narcissa rubbed at her forehead. How could it possibly be that plotting to overthrow the Jade Circle was far easier than managing her own family? ‘We shall talk about you and your brothers later.’ Narcissa frowned. ‘Now tell me, have you heard about a young girl called Charlie Keeper?’

‘Wasn’t she the one who stayed at our tower while I was visiting Alavis? The one who drugged Stix and painted his face like a clown?’

The corner of Narcissa’s mouth twitched in irritation at the memory. ‘That’s right.’

‘Well, there have been some rumours floating around at school. I’ve heard she’s half royalty and is engaged to marry a Winged One. Oh, and she’s supposed to be working with the Jade Circle to destroy Bane. Is this true, Mother?’

Narcissa rolled her eyes. How was it that simple facts always got twisted into such wild tales?

‘Well, is it, Mother? Is it true?’

‘Not quite, Constantina. Close but not quite. Charlie Keeper is a wilful brat who is not even slightly royal. Although she has the acquaintance of a young Hatchling, she isn’t, I believe, engaged to a Winged One.’

Constanina shrugged. ‘How disappointing.’

Narcissa continued. ‘However, you are right about her working with the Jade Circle. She carries a pendant from the Winged Ones that supposedly holds the key to stopping Bane’s attack on Bellania. The necklace is what makes her so special.’

‘But she’s the same Charlie who burned our roof and drugged Stix?’

‘Yes, one and the same.’

‘Well, if she’s supposed to be the one who’s going to save us from the Western Menace, how come she caused so much trouble here?’

‘How? Because she’s a dangerous, evil-minded brat! She’s a manipulative, scheming little spider and she has somehow managed to trick the Jade Circle into thinking that she is the most suitable candidate to use the pendant against Bane. I, however, think that there’s someone closer to home who could do a better job. Someone who could rise high enough to become the hero that Sylvaris so desperately needs.’

‘Who?’ asked Constantina breathlessly.

‘Why, my dear, I would have thought that
you
would prove to be a perfect candidate,’ suggested Narcissa.

‘Me? Really, do you think so?’ gushed Constantina. ‘Do you think I could be … Well, hang on, of course I could! Now that I think about it, I can see that you’re absolutely right, Mother! I should be the one who holds the pendant. It should definitely be someone from our family who leads Sylvaris forward. After all, we are the most prestigious Human family in this city, not the Keepers.’

‘That’s my girl!’ Narcissa smiled. Her face shone with beauty, yet deep within her eyes something nasty glittered as she watched her plans begin to unfold.

‘But how are we going to get the pendant?’

‘How? Well, my dear, that is a very good question. Now, let me tell you …’

48

The Challenge

‘All right, then, lass, enough of the touristy stuff,’ said Kelko as the evening approached. ‘Methinks it’s time ta see something that’s a bit more special.’

‘Kelko,
everything
I’ve seen so far has been special. All these sights that you’ve shown me … Well, I’ve never seen anything like it before, ever!’

Charlie’s head was still spinning. Kelko, with Sic Boy at his side, had been taking great delight in showing her around the city. It felt like she’d explored every last inch of Sylvaris. She’d seen the Great Bazaar, where almost every imaginable item was for sale or trade. Even some unimaginable items were there too, like the Lacquer Tea Step, a tool for making tea that doubled as a footstool, or the Spiral Telescope Picker, which allowed star-gazers to watch the night skies and discreetly pick their nose at the same time.

She’d been to the Whispering Heights – Sylvaris’s tallest buildings, which made mournful sounds when the strong southern wind blew – and she’d walked through the Vanilla Orchid Fields. She’d applauded the daring acts of the street acrobats and trapeze artists who busked for money along the Crooked Silver Bridge and she’d even admired the great
piles of teeth that were on display in the shop windows down Dentist Street.