Keeper of the Realms: Crow's Revenge (Book 1) by Marcus Alexander Page B

theirimmense strength, but it is also their one weakness. Bane has surely timed his rise ta power for dis reason. If his plans succeed, he will have conquered all of Bellania during their absence, but, worst of all, with Bellania at his feet, Bane could quite feasibly bar the Winged Ones from ever returning. Without the presence of the Winged Ones and their wisdom, Bellania is doomed ta live in darkness.’
    ‘And the key, what does it do?’
    Dridif glanced at Jensen. She cleared her throat. ‘No one knows,’ she admitted.
    ‘What?’
    ‘Yer parents were the only ones ta be told its purpose.’
    ‘So where are they, then?’ demanded Charlie. ‘If you know where they are, you’ve got to tell me!’
    As an uncomfortable silence settled across the chamber, even the sour-faced Nazareth managed momentarily to stop fussing.
    ‘Charlie, I’m truly sorry,’ said Dridif. ‘Bane took yer parents.’
    ‘What do you mean he took my parents?’
    ‘We aren’t a hundred per cent sure of the details, but according ta our sources they were abducted on their way here – ta the Jade Circle ta help us in our hour of need. The Shades took them ta the Western Mountains.’
    Dridif fell silent. A pensive expression crept across her face.
    ‘And?’ prompted Charlie.
    ‘They became part of Bane’s Tapestry.’ Again, Dridif fell silent, unable to meet Charlie’s questioning eyes.
    ‘Come on! Stop doing this to me!’ implored Charlie. ‘I’m obviously not from around here – I didn’t know about theWinged Ones – so I’m certainly not going to know about Bane’s Tapestry, am I?’ She stared around the Jade Circle, as some of the councillors squirmed uncomfortably on their seats. Many refused to even look at Charlie, yet for some inexplicable reason Nazareth appeared to be quietly smiling to himself.
    That was it. Charlie lost her temper. Slamming her hand down on the table, she shouted out, ‘Have none of you got the guts to tell me what happened to my parents?’
    There was a shocked silence, as if no one present could believe that a young girl would dare address the Jade Circle like that.
    Again, it was the hooded council member who had spoken out earlier in Charlie’s defence who broke the silence. His calm and collected voice resounded across the chamber. ‘Young Keeper, what the First Speaker fears to tell you is that Bane, in his sick and twisted way, has created a living art form that he saves for only his most valuable enemies and his most prized conquests. He sets his captives in an embryonic amber liquid, then freezes them in postures of his pleasing. Over the years he has accumulated quite a collection of fallen foes that he displays in his Throne Room for all to see and to know just how great and terrible his power is. Neither dead nor alive, the people that form his tapestry live in a state of, how should I say … suspended animation I think is the correct description.’
    Charlie flinched as the words sank in. The blood drained from her face, and pins and needles crept up and down her legs. With an effort she focused and did her best to compose herself.
    ‘How long have they been there?’
    Now that the worst had been said, Dridif found the strength to answer her. ‘Since the start of the Chrysalis Period. So nearly seven years.’
    ‘All that time? They’ve been stuck there for all that time … I can’t believe it,’ muttered Charlie. Then louder to the Jade Circle, ‘What have you done to save them?’
    ‘All that we could, Charlie, all that we could. Many have died trying ta save them, but now with Bane’s forces set against all of Bellania we no longer have the power ta try. I’m truly sorry, young Keeper, but if it is of any consolation, know that they still live and there remains a chance that they may yet be freed.’
    All that time , thought Charlie. After all the years of worry and loneliness, of sorrow and loss, now she knew what had become of her parents. Her mouth grew dry