Keeper of the Realms: The Dark Army (Book 2) (37 page)

‘Wait!’ shouted Charlie, chasing after her. ‘Wait. There is a chance. There is. I have an army waiting out of reach. I just need your help to get it here.’

Marsila fixed Charlie with a questioning gaze. Having had a bellyful of death and destruction, she was uncertain as to whether the young Keeper was telling the truth or merely waving a vague promise of hope as a final banner to rally around. She turned to Jensen. ‘Is this true?’

‘Sweet Sap, yes it is, but we need ta make a move on dis while there’s still some city ta be saved.’

‘Then let’s get to it.’

‘Before ya go,’ urged Jensen, ‘cut the bridges. It’ll slow the tide and buy those folks some time. If we can …’ Jensen’s voice faded as he stared into the distance. He staggered to the side of the bridge to grab the railing with white-knuckled hands.

‘What is it, Jensen?’

‘Me, me tower …’ He pointed towards a clutch of buildings on the other side of the city. Jensen’s beautiful tower, taller than the others, was easy to spot.

A behemoth pulled itself above the forest canopy. Using Jensen’s tower as an improvised ladder it clambered upward until it was high enough to swing both feet on to one of the broad bridges. Pushing itself upright with mechanical motions it started to lurch towards the city centre, only to pause mid-stride. Slowly it lowered its foot then twisted round one hundred and eighty degrees until it faced back the way it had come.

‘No,’ whispered Jensen.

The behemoth lumbered back to the Willow Tower.

‘No, no, no …’

Slamming its fists like a wrecking ball, it tore free great chunks of debris from Jensen’s beloved home. Furniture, rare books, prized possessions and family heirlooms cascaded free to fall like an obscene waterfall into the forest fires far below. And still the behemoth didn’t stop. Battering away it shovelled its palms ever deeper until, with a great crack, the Willow Tower leaned drunkenly to one side. The behemoth paused. There was a glimmer of faint but excited motion as nearby Stonesingers spurred the giant into motion.
It raised one hand high and brought it chopping down. The few remaining supports snapped and Jensen’s tower came plummeting down.

Wide-eyed and heartbroken, the Treman stared at the broken stub of his once great tower. ‘Salixia?’ he gasped. ‘SALIXIA!’

50

Harsh Realities

‘She wouldn’t have been in there,’ insisted Charlie as she stared at the broken remnants of the Willow Tower. A pang of loss filled her as she realized she’d never again share breakfast with Jensen in his home or watch another sunrise from what she thought of as her bedroom balcony. ‘There’s no way the sister of Jensen the Willow would have remained at home in a battle like this. No way.’

Stuck in a stare, Jensen reached out to grab Charlie’s shoulder with a shaking hand.

‘Did you hear me, Jensen? I said there was no way Salixia would have been in your tower. Not at a time like this.’

With a great start Jensen shook himself free of the moment. ‘Yeah … yer right. She was always one ta think more about others than herself. She’ll be off with the healers or somewhere.’

Just how far had the bedlam and chaos reached? Even if Salixia hadn’t been in the tower would she still be safe? Was there anywhere in Sylvaris that was beyond Bane’s reach?

‘Bless me Leaf,’ muttered Jensen. Finding some strength in the words he said it again, ‘Bless me Leaf, Charlie, let’s get dis done! Let’s get that army of yers while there’s some
towers still standing!’ Grabbing her hand he dragged her over to Marsila. ‘No more waiting around. We’ve gotta go and we’ve gotta go now.’

Marsila, rocked from her lethargy by Jensen’s fierce expression, and armed with the hope that Charlie’s news brought, she gestured for Charlie to go ahead and open her Portal. As Charlie set her sights on the Jade Tower, Marsila sheared free the remaining bridges, slowing the approach of the Stoman army and buying the fleeing civilians some extra time.

‘Let’s go!’ called Charlie.

Together they leaped back to the relative safety of the Council Chamber.

There they found E’Jaaz gingerly testing his weight upon his wounded leg. By his side a Treman healer looked on thoughtfully, ready to offer his professional opinion, but it seemed that none was needed. E’Jaaz’s smile grew as he caught sight of Marsila.

‘Although I still think it a shame to hide such pretty eyes behind warpaint I’m glad it succeeded in scaring off the opposition and kept you alive for another day,’ he said with a roguish grin.

Marsila rolled her eyes. ‘What was that?’ she asked with a nod to his bandaged leg.

‘Arrow.’

‘Shame they missed your big mouth and stuck you in your scrawny leg,’ retorted Marsila. ‘How anyone could miss such a big flapping target is beyond me.’

‘Be glad our enemy’s aim is so poor, otherwise I’d never have the opportunity to claim that dinner date you owe me.’

‘Keep dreaming, wool-for-brains.’

‘Dis is no time for idle flirting,’ snorted Lady Dridif. She stared sternly at the two Keepers. ‘Now, time is ticking. Are ya all aware of wot is required from ya?’

‘I think you’ve all been a little light on the detail, but I think I grasp the gist of what’s needed.’ E’Jaaz held up a hand to count off points. ‘One, dispense with years of training and teach Charlie how to initiate a Triad of Keepers. Two, cut a giant Portal to the far side of the Great Plains. Three, take control of some monster army, and four, transport them back to Sylvaris and save the day.’

The councillors, Lady Dridif, Marsila and even Jensen gave the man a dark stare for his disrespectful attitude.

‘What? Did I forget something?’ E’Jaaz made a pantomime of putting his hand over his mouth. ‘Oh yes: five, whisk Marsila off her feet and claim that kiss I’ve always been waiting for. What?’ he protested. ‘What better time for a kiss than the end of the world?’

The tower shook and in the distance someone screamed.

‘Enough tomfoolery,’ demanded Dridif. ‘Get ta it.’

‘Wait,’ urged Jensen. ‘The Winged Saddles. Get them out of storage; we’ll need them.’

Lady Dridif turned to the nearest footman. ‘Get them,’ she instructed. As the man scampered off with several soldiers and footmen in tow, the First Speaker gave the group a contemplative stare before her gaze rested upon Nibbler. ‘I won’t put all ma eggs in one basket,’ she muttered to herself.

‘What was that?’ asked Nibbler, who felt uncomfortable beneath the weight of her attention.

‘Charlie?’

‘Yes, Dridif?’

‘Give Nibbler the pendant.’

Charlie hesitated. ‘I don’t have a problem giving it to Nibbler, but are you going to tell me why?’

‘Should ya die today we need a second chance. A hope, no matter how faint, that Bellania will still recover from Bane’s shadow.’

‘You, ah … you lost me there.’

‘We don’t know if the pendant was intended for yer sole use or not. If ya perish then Nibbler is our one other hope of using that pendant and returning the Winged Ones ta our realm. If there are no other Keepers left then a Winged One would surely be the next logical choice.’

Charlie tentatively pulled the pendant from her pocket. ‘I’m, er, still not up to speed with what you’re trying to suggest.’

Dridif, her hard face a direct contrast to many of the other terrified people in the room, straightened. ‘I mean for yer companions ta split. Ya must send Nibbler and Jensen ta the Winged Mount with yer pendant. There they can pursue our hopes of reuniting the Winged Ones.’

‘Wot about Charlie?’ demanded Jensen.

‘Her chances are more than fair. She is a Keeper, joined by Keepers and she will have an army at her back.’

‘An army that might not be able ta match the might of the Stoman army!’

‘Precisely,’ said Dridif.

‘Huh?’ Jensen twitched his head to one side so he could better hear the First Speaker. He was certain that he had misheard.

‘Do not be naive, Jensen! Ya are the first Merchant Prince of Sylvaris. Yer wealth and business acumen is renowned across Bellania. Ya juggle figures and manipulate markets ta better reap profit. I know yer brain is not slow so open yer eyes and acknowledge the truth! We are more than dying! We, our people, our way of life, our hopes, dreams and fondest wishes are close ta extinction! We must prepare for every opportunity. We must allow every seed of our culture a chance ta take root. Charlie is but one seed. Nibbler, ya and the pendant are another. Two chances, two hopes, two dreams for our future are far better than a solitary gamble.’

‘Hang on –’

‘No!’ snapped Dridif, preventing any further protests. ‘I am the First Speaker and I have spoken!’

At that moment the footmen and soldiers returned dragging six ornate but overly large leather saddles.

‘We will only be needing three of those,’ commanded Dridif.

The exhausted footmen gratefully dropped three.

‘Where do you want these two sent?’ Marsila gestured at Jensen and Nibbler.

‘These
three
,’ corrected Crumble in an unexpected display of loyalty. ‘I’ll watch out for them, Charlie.’

Charlie, still perplexed by Dridif’s abrupt decision, nodded her thanks to Crumble Shard.

‘A day’s walk from the Winged Mount,’ said Dridif after a moment’s contemplation.

‘Wait!’ protested Jensen, a tortured look on his face. ‘Just wait a Blighted minute.’ He moved to Charlie’s side and with
a frustrated expression on his face pulled her into a tight embrace.

‘Once yer’ve finished off Bane’s army –
which I know ya’ll do
– I want ya ta keep an eye out for me sister and that fat oaf of an Oak, Kelko.’

The clash of arms sounded closer.

‘I promise,’ whispered Charlie, clasping her friend as tightly as she could.

‘I love ya, me little Hippotomi.’

‘Charlie –’ began Nibbler. Behind him stood Crumble, eager to get one last word in too.

‘There’s no time for dis!’ said Dridif, brusque and formal. ‘Every second is someone’s life! Marsila, get ta it!’

As much as Marsila sympathized with Charlie’s tangled emotions, she couldn’t help but agree with the First Speaker’s prognosis. She opened a Portal. Fresh air, cool mountain scents and the call of birdsong flooded into the chamber.

‘Go!’ commanded Dridif.

‘Charlie come for us as soon as –’

‘Go!’ insisted Dridif, cutting Nibbler’s words short.

Nibbler, Crumble and Jensen forlornly made an exit.

‘If there be any man or woman here that cannot wield a sword I command that ya leave too.’

There was a rumble of vague protest.

‘This is no time for empty words. Survival is at stake! Hericho, Jaylance, Treddit. I know yer minds are sharp, but it has been years since ya took part in any sport. Go! Pheranice, Lago and Stupper – yer services over the years have been great, but it is time for ya ta take yer leave.’ One by one she singled out councillor and servant alike until
there was a steady stream of old faces retreating from the room. ‘Captain.’

‘Ma’am?’

‘Send a third of yer men and the wounded who can walk with them. I would see that our young Hatchling has some protection on his quest.’

‘Ma’am.’ The captain barked some orders and soon armed figures joined the others on the far side of the Portal.

‘Charlie!’ cried Nibbler. ‘I –’

Marsila let the Portal go, cutting short any further goodbyes. Charlie scowled, but Marsila ignored the look.

‘Where’s this army of yours?’

Charlie stood tall, realizing that she had duties to attend to rather than bemoaning absent friends. ‘Let me show you.’

She opened a Portal then staggered beneath the sudden weight.

‘Be careful,’ muttered Marsila. ‘Open too many Portals too quickly and your energy will swiftly deteriorate.’

‘Uh,’ grimaced Charlie. ‘Yeah, I’m kinda familiar with that.’

‘Captain, take those saddles through,’ said Dridif.

Once the guards had deposited the saddles they tried to return, but Dridif held up her hand. ‘Stay with the Keepers, assist them with the saddles then aid them as best ya can.’

‘Is this it?’ enquired Marsila. ‘Are we good to go?’

Dridif nodded. ‘Ya are.’

‘Any last words of wisdom?’

‘Grind the enemy ta dust.’

Marsila gave the First Speaker a grim smile. ‘You’ve got it.’

51

Triad

It was still raining on the Great Plains.

The stone soldiers, standing in the long ranks where Charlie had left them, disappeared into the gloom.

‘Seven Heavens,’ muttered E’Jaaz, ‘those are big.’

Marsila spun around in a slow, disbelieving circle as she tried to count the gargorillas in their entirety. ‘It’s like one of those fairy armies the Winged Ones used to tell me about when I was a child.’

A roll of thunder boomed overhead.

‘Let’s get to it,’ said Charlie, a determined expression on her face. She could feel the seconds ticking by and with it came a helpless sense that Sylvaris, beyond the horizon and beyond her reach, was being crushed into oblivion.

The Treman captain instructed his men to fasten the saddles round three of the silent gargorillas. Once their task was complete he hesitantly approached Marsila.

‘Wot of us, my lady?’

‘Wait until we’ve gone through, then you and your men can take care of any stragglers that this lot leave behind.’

The captain nodded gratefully then went to attend to his men, leaving Charlie alone with the two Keepers.

‘All right, Charlie,’ began Marsila. ‘I don’t know what training you’ve had, if any, but working with two other Keepers to form a Triad is not something that is easily learned. And today of all days, time is the one thing that we don’t have …’

‘Just tell me what needs to be done.’

‘We need to share our Wills: one common goal, one shared ambition.’

Charlie, growing more and more impatient as each minute passed, had to subdue the urge to scream with frustration. She had to stay calm. She had to stay focused. If she lost her cool now people would pay for her mistakes. But knowing that didn’t help; if anything it only added to her overwhelming sense of burden. Biting her lip and digging her nails into her palms, she did her best to control her breathing. ‘OK: one goal, one ambition. I’ve got that.’