Keeper of the Realms: Crow's Revenge (Book 1) by Marcus Alexander Read Free Book Online Page A

when the two worlds got separated. The Tremen, Stomen and a few of ya Humans decided ta move ta dis side, but the bulk of ya Humans decided to stay put where they was. There are still protected paths between the two sides, but travel and interaction hasslowed over the years. Now it’s just us merchants and a few adventurers who cross over. Me and me boys are one of the more successful merchant groups out there. In fact, we was just about ta cross over again when we stumbled inta ya.’
    ‘You keep telling me you’re a merchant, but what do you trade?’ asked Charlie. ‘I don’t see you guys carrying anything to sell.’
    ‘Ha! Ya got good eyes, me stompin’ Hippotomi, but not that good! Here, take a look at dis,’ said Jensen. Reaching for his backpack, he pulled out a plain-looking leather pouch.
    Opening it, Charlie peered inside. It contained a light-blue powder that sparkled in the sunlight and had the most unusual smell. It reminded Charlie of all the great food that she had ever eaten, all the wonderful home-made pastries that Gran had baked her and all the most refreshing drinks that she had ever had.
    ‘What is it?’ she asked.
    ‘That, me dear, is me little something-something and it’s guaranteed ta make anything, absolutely anything in the whole world – Bellania or Earth – taste yummy.’
    ‘Your little “something-something”?’ said Charlie, looking doubtful.
    ‘It’s Moreish powder,’ explained Jensen, with a wicked twinkle in his eyes. ‘Made from Lindis flowers. It’s an ancient Willow family recipe, made by me great-great-grandma and passed down from generation ta generation … ta yers truly, Jensen the Willow.’
    ‘Moreish powder?’ said Charlie.
    ‘Sure Moreish powder. Once ya’ve had a little, yer gonna want more. More … more-ish … Moreish! It makes for atop-seller and all yer big manufacturers pay serious money for it. Ya Humans can’t produce good grub without it!’
    ‘Are you trying to tell me that you supply all the biggest food corporations in the world with this? Do you honestly expect me to believe that?’ said Charlie.
    ‘Sure, and why not?’ asked Jensen, the grin on his face getting even bigger. ‘Ever wonder why ya always feel like having another ice cream straight after yer first, or why one chocolate is never as good as two? Do ya really think it’s just down ta good baking and cooking skills? Of course not! It’s because me Lindis plants produce the best Moreish powder and, wot’s more, I’m the only one who knows the secret ta producing it!’
    ‘You’re lying!’ said Charlie, convinced that Jensen was pulling her leg.
    ‘Ah-ha! But I bet ya didn’t believe in Tremen, or doors that led ta Bellania, or Bane until ya saw them, right?’ said Kelko, coming to Jensen’s aid.
    Charlie, who was just about to answer back, snapped her mouth shut with an audible click. ‘Er … Well, how come I’ve never heard of, let alone seen a Treman before now?’ she said, changing the subject.
    ‘That’s one of the laws that all Bellanians follow,’ Jensen explained. ‘Bellania and Earth were separated a long, long time ago and they’re supposed ta stay separate. If Humans ever found out about Bellania, how long d’ya think it would take them ta mess things up? They ain’t got no respect; they just ruin and waste everything. Besides, if the two sides were whole again, the risk of another cataclysm would be too big.’
    ‘But what about the people you trade with? Surely the corporations know who they deal with?’ said Charlie.
    ‘Well, of course they do! But it’s only a handful of people, the very big bosses and the top executives, that know the truth, and they certainly aren’t gonna spill the beans on their products, are they? Can ya really see them admitting that they get their secret ingredients from little green men?’ chuckled Jensen.
    ‘Hmm … well I guess that kind of makes sense. Although I think it’s weird no one has