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.’
Sinuous shadows detached themselves from the murky darkness. Snaking their way across the floor, they removed Narcissa from the guard’s grasp. Enveloping her in their sinister embrace, they began to make their way from the Throne Room.
Bane stared after Narcissa as she was borne away by the Shades. ‘Do not fail me,’ he snarled after her.
The room fell into a deep silence as Bane settled back into the cold embrace of his Devouring Throne. Nothing moved apart from the gentle flicker of mist and shadows that hugged the chamber’s floor. Guards and footmen stood at attention, almost statue-like, their attention focused solely on their lord.
It was only after the passing of several hours that Bane once again moved.
‘Shades, attend me. I wish for you to bring me that filthy, greedy magpie of a Human from Charlie Keeper’s home. Bring me that sneaky lawyer, Mr Crow. I think it is time for him to be put to some use. He will make a most perfect and suitable servant to attend to these matters at hand. Go.’
38
The Law Comes Knocking
Charlie awoke with a groan. As ever, bad dreams haunted her sleep. Pushing her messy hair from her face, she struggled into a sitting position. Nibbler still lay coiled and snuggled up at the foot of the bed.
Swinging her feet out from beneath the bedcover, she stood up and shuffled over to the window. The sun was rising and as usual Sylvaris looked gorgeous. The city was a vision she never grew weary of.
There was a soft knock at the door. Azariah popped his head in. ‘Ah, I see you’re up. Excellent. I have just sent a runner to inform the Jade Circle that they should expect us. So if you please, get dressed and meet me downstairs.’ Azariah pulled the door shut, but his voice shouted back a moment later, ‘Oh, and there’s food for the two of you on the kitchen table. Help yourselves!’
A little later, after a belly-swelling breakfast of Landlion-Bark Brownies and Calice-Goldenberry Cakes, Charlie felt ready to face whatever new challenges the day would bring. Nibbler had feasted on Thrice-Spiced Kangol Rump, but he had been a bit too greedy when drinking his portion of Ferral and Bokonut Iced Tea and had spent the last ten minutes burping so loudly that he sounded like a foghorn. Fortunately, as his stomach finally digested his bountiful breakfast, the burping had diminished and had now thankfully stopped.
‘So are the two of you ready?’ enquired Azariah. Charlie and Nibbler both nodded. ‘Good. But before we go, a quick word of warning. Not everyone will be thrilled to hear our accusations against Lady Narcissa. She is a well-respected and, though I know this is going to sound odd, a well-loved member of the Jade Circle. She has over the years presented such a kind and caring façade that just about everyone on the council has fallen for it, hook, line and sinker. So when we do raise our accusations against Narcissa don’t be too shocked if there’s a lot of shouting and anger.’
Charlie nodded determinedly. She wasn’t going to let Narcissa deceive the council any longer, but would they really believe what she had to say? Maybe it would be like trying to convince her teachers back home about how horrible Mr Crow was. Because he paid them so well and always wore a false smile in their presence, they consistently ignored her claims.
‘Do not worry,’ said Azariah, seeing her concern. ‘With all of the evidence that we have at hand, it shouldn’t take long to open the councillors’ eyes to the truth. Hopefully by the day’s end Narcissa will be behind bars and we can proceed with investigating your pendant.’
A loud