Jensen began to hobble down the stairs at a swifter pace than before.
Charlie couldn’t get the image of Constantina out of her head. ‘She seemed a bit … different.’
‘Working under Dridif and the First Maid will do that ta a person. Those two won’t suffer fools.’
‘But it was like she was scared and humble at the same time.’
‘Like I said, Dridif is a hard taskmaster. She could scrape barnacles off a ship with her tongue. Knocking an air of superiority off one spoilt brat probably didn’t take too much effort on her behalf.’
‘And the fear?’
Jensen paused to look at Charlie, but before he could answer the tower was fiercely rocked from side to side. Charlie staggered, lost her balance and nearly fell over the narrow railing. Crumble grabbed her wrist and pulled her back to safety.
‘Wot the b-bloomin’ –’ stuttered Jensen.
‘Lady Dridif has been told of yer arrival,’ announced a pale-faced footman who raced up the stairs to greet them. ‘She requests that ya meet her and the councillors with all due haste.’ Tugging at his collar, the Treman appeared quite agitated. ‘Please do hurry.’
The companions shared a look then bustled into motion. Moving at speed, they raced down the the stairway and passed beneath the long line of arched doors that led to the Council Chamber. Two stony-faced guards pushed open the last door and then they were there, back once more in the Jade Circle.
The room was unusually crowded. Important-looking people were pressed against the walls, scrolls and notes clutched in white-knuckled hands. The beautiful circular Jade Table was covered with maps and military markers.
Oddly enough considering the crowd, several seats were noticeably empty. Flint, Lady Narcissa’s and several other seats had not been filled.
‘Charlie Keeper,’ said a familiar voice. ‘It is good ta see yer still amongst the living. Yer a most welcome sight indeed.’ Lady Dridif appeared from amongst the throng looking harassed but determined.
‘Wot news do ya bring us?’ asked the old lady as she moved hastily round the table. ‘And have ya uncovered the pendant’s secret?’ Clasping Charlie’s hands with her own Dridif smiled, delighted to see the young Keeper return. Her smile changed as she examined Charlie’s face. ‘Ya’ve changed since we last met. Are ya well?’
‘My trip didn’t go too smoothly, but we uncovered the pendant’s secret. We’ve also –’
Charlie was interrupted as a smoke-smudged soldier burst into the Council Chamber. ‘Brace yerselves!’
There was a hubbub of urgent voices and someone screamed. Before Charlie could ask what was going on the tower shook yet again. With a groan of terror everyone held on to the table and walls, desperate to keep their balance. The shaking stopped as suddenly as it had started.
Lady Dridif cut him short. ‘Young lady, ya have the pendant?’
‘Yes, but –’
‘And ya have the secret?’
‘I do, but –’
‘Good. Good! Maybe we have a chance yet,’ said Dridif, a wild spark of determination ignited in her eyes. ‘It is a weapon is it not?’
‘No, it’s not a weapon.’
Dridif’s jaw muscles clenched, but she kept her disappointment in check. ‘Go on.’
‘It’s a key that we can use to release the Winged Ones.’
‘I’ve been reliably informed that Bane has succeeded in blocking their return. Knowing dis would the pendant still be of use?’
‘The Winged Ones figured that Bane would seal their Gateway so they prepared an alternative, but it needs the pendant in order to be opened.’
‘How long would it take you ta get there?’
‘I … I don’t know. It’s somewhere close to the Winged Mount in a place called the Serpent’s Tail.’
‘I’ve never heard of such a place. How close does it lie ta the Winged Mount?’
‘I don’t know. The god –’
‘God?’ said Dridif with a startled look.
‘Long story,’ said Charlie with a dismissive wave of her hand. She doubted Dridif really had time for a step-by-step account of her adventures. ‘The god said it was somewhere within the Winged Mount’s shadow.’
‘I journeyed ta the Winged Mount once when I was young. It’s a huge peak and its shadow even longer and that’s not accounting for the passage of the sun nor the movement of the shadow throughout the day. That’s a vast amount of ground ta cover.’
‘And if Bane has blocked the Gateway,’ said Jensen, adding his thoughts, ‘that would mean he’s garrisoned a large force there ta protect his interest.’