Keeper of the Phoenix (11 page)

Ash stood up. He took a deep breath and let it slowly out. “Do you have a name?” he asked the butterfly.

“My name is Bath-eth-sheerah. It means colourful breeze.”

“I can see why.” Rhyll admired the creature’s vivid wings.

“Thank you,” Bath-eth-sheerah replied shyly. “I am sorry I cannot stay longer. I must return to my sisters. They will be worried about me. In return for saving me, I offer you this.” The butterfly lifted a beaded necklace from around her neck. It shimmered with the colours of the rainbow and a whistle-like pendant dangled from it. “Should you ever need me, blow on this and I shall come.”

“It’s beautiful,” Rhyll said. “Thank you.”

“It is I who must thank you,” Bath-eth-sheerah said, “for I am in your debt. Remember, if you need me, use the necklace.”

Then, with a flap of her wings, she was gone.

Rhyll studied Ash, concern etching her brow. “How are you?”

“I’ll be fine.” Ash sniffed. “Let’s keep moving. It’s getting late.”

The friends gathered up their meagre belongings and continued walking. When they eventually came to a small clearing, the sun was slowly seeping from the sky, taking its warmth with it.

“Let’s camp here for the night,” Ash said. “We can light a fire.”

Taine glanced around warily. “Do you think it’s safe to stay here?”

Ash shrugged. “Like you said, I don’t think any part of this forest is safe. What happened today proved that.”

“Why don’t we just get out of here, then?” Taine said.

“We don’t know how much longer the forest goes for,” Ash said. “I thought we were nearing the edge of it awhile back, but I was wrong. Besides, I’m exhausted and starving and I’m sure you two are as well.”

“I’m hungry too,” Gwaam said. “I need to eat. Please feed me.”

Rhyll dropped her pack on the ground and patted her bow. “I’m going to find us some food.”

“I’ll come with you,” Ash said. “Taine, you light the fire and look after Gwaam.”

Taine instantly bridled. “Why do I have to stay behind?”

Ash frowned. “Because you’re the best at using the flint stones and Rhyll shouldn’t go alone.”

Rhyll pulled a face. “I think I’ve already proved that I can look after myself. You don’t need to watch my every move, you know.”

“I know.” Ash held his hands up defensively. “I just want to keep busy so I don’t think so much about Trip.”

“Sure thing.” Taine nodded. “I understand.”

“Sorry,” Rhyll apologised. “I didn’t mean to snap.”

“Keep a careful watch while we’re gone,” Ash warned Taine. “If you see anything strange, call out.”

Taine gulped. “No problem. Hopefully it doesn’t come to that though, right?” He laughed nervously as he watched the advancing shadows.

“Right.” With a final salute to his friend, Ash followed Rhyll into the trees.

It was dark when Ash and Rhyll made their way back to the camp. Taine had lit a small fire that glowed orange in the night. When Taine saw them step into the firelight, he jumped up to greet them. Ash couldn’t help thinking that he seemed relieved to see them.

“How did you go?” Taine said. “Catch anything worth eating?”

“Rhyll did a great job,” Ash said. “Look at what she caught.”

Rhyll held up two dead rabbits.

“You’ve done well, sis,” Taine said. “Usual size too. All the better.”

Rhyll laughed. “At least
some
things are normal in this place.”

Ash tossed some yams at Taine. “I managed to scrounge these up. Found some berries too. We’ll be eating well tonight.”

“It’s about time,” Taine said, licking his lips.

After cleaning and preparing the rabbits, Taine set them up on roasting sticks. The three friends settled into the pine bedding Taine had arranged near the fire and watched the meat cook.

Gwaam fluttered his wings and hopped onto the basket handle. “Smells delicious. I’m very, very hungry.”

“They’ll be ready soon,” Ash said. “Here, have some berries while you’re waiting.”

“Thank you.” Gwaam gulped the berries down.

“Anything interesting happen while we were away?” Rhyll asked.

“Actually, I did hear some sounds in the forest. You know, leaves rustling and a twig snapping.”

“Probably just animals,” Ash said.

“Hopefully small ones.” Taine scanned the dark forest. “This place is spooky at night.”

“Only if you let it be,” Rhyll said.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Nothing. You just get yourself worked up sometimes, that’s all. Is that food ready yet?”

Taine checked the rabbits and the yams. “My esteemed lady and gentleman, dinner is indeed ready.”

Taine took the meat and yams from the fire then split it into four portions.

The phoenix’s appetite was as strong as ever. He gulped down the food. Afterwards, Gwaam seemed to have grown larger and his feathers radiated silky blackness in the firelight. He became more alert and even had the energy to practise flying, standing on his tiptoes and flapping his wings as if trying to take off.

“How much longer before you’re fully grown?” Ash asked.

“A lot more food yet,” Gwaam replied.

“Can’t you wish for some food to appear or something?” Taine said. “Does your magic work like that?”

“I do not possess those types of powers. My kind usually rely on our chosen Keepers for food,” Gwaam explained.

“What about Wizard Zadoc? Did he feed you?” Taine asked. “Was he your Keeper?”

“Suela and I never chose or accepted Zadoc as our Keeper,” Gwaam said. “He forced himself upon us. While we are young and weak he makes us eat by using his magic. We have no choice.”

“Have you always needed Keepers to survive?” Rhyll asked.

“No. Once we phoenixes roamed our own land as nature intended. But over the centuries humans killed us, drove us from our home, sold us and mistreated us for their own gains. Only two of us remain now and we’ve lost the skills nature instilled in us, so we must rely on humans to keep us alive.

“Many years ago some good humans formed an alliance called the Keepers to protect us. They passed the secrets of our care, and our powers, on to others when it was time. Now the Keepers are all gone. The last one was killed by Wizard Zadoc when he captured Suela and me.”

Ash frowned. “How long before we reach Zadoc’s castle?”

“Two more days at most,” Gwaam said.

“What do you propose we do once we get there?” Taine asked.

“Free Suela, defeat Zadoc and release the curse on your village, of course,” Gwaam said.

“Oh, of course.” Taine rolled his eyes. “I should have known.”

“Indeed,” Gwaam said drily. “I am tired and must rest. Thank you for the meal. Gwaam will sleep now.” With that the phoenix tucked his head under his wing and fell fast asleep.

“I don’t like the sound of this,” Taine said.
“I wish there was a way we could help our families without taking on Zadoc.”

“The only way to free Icamore is to break the spell,” Ash said. “But this mission is about more than just saving our families. We have to help Gwaam and Suela too. We can’t let Zadoc kill them.”

“I’m scared,” Taine said. “What else is waiting out there for us?”

“We have to do the right thing and save the phoenixes,” Rhyll said. “Wizard Zadoc sounds utterly evil. Look what he did to the forest creatures we’ve met along the way. Not to mention how easily he plunged our village into that black snow. He could do that to the entire kingdom if he wanted to. Maybe he will. Who knows what evil things he’ll do if he has eternal life?”

“I’m afraid too,” Ash admitted. “But we can’t give up. Not when so much is at stake.”

“This is all Gwaam’s fault,” Taine said. “He endangered the village, he’s endangering our lives by asking us to take on Zadoc. When you think about it, it’s his fault Trip was killed. If you ask me, it’s Gwaam we’ve got to be careful of, not Zadoc.”

Ash shook his head. “Taine, you say some dumb things.”

“What? I’m being honest, aren’t I?”

“Without Gwaam, we can’t find Zadoc,” Ash explained. “And if we don’t find Zadoc, we can’t release Icamore from the black snow.”

Taine picked up a twig and snapped it in half. “So now you’re calling me dumb. Maybe you don’t need my help on this quest after all.”

“I never said that.”

“Not in so many words. But maybe it’s the truth.”

“Taine,” Rhyll said. “You’re not making any sense.”

“Now you’re ganging up on me, are you?”

“We’re not against you,” Ash said. “We’re in this together.”

“Maybe you and Rhyll are. You’re both useful and smart and brave. I’m none of those things.
I don’t know why I came along in the first place. You’d be better off without me. Admit it.”

“Keep your voice down.” Ash was trying hard not to get angry. He didn’t want to fight with Taine. “We don’t want the Seekers to find us. And don’t be silly, we wouldn’t be better off without you. We need you.”

“You’re just saying that,” Taine insisted.
“I know I’ve been useless to you. Otherwise you’d have taken me hunting, not left me to make the fire like an old woman.”

“It wasn’t like that,” Ash said. “And you know it.”

“You always take Rhyll’s side,” Taine said. “You’re always doing things with her. Why don’t you just say you prefer her to me?”

“That’s not true,” Rhyll said. “
I’m
always the
outsider. I’m the girl, remember? Today was
the first time Ash hasn’t treated me like I was your little sister tagging along for fun.” Rhyll leaped to her feet. “You’re really getting under my skin, Taine. I’m going for a walk.” She strode off into the dark.

Ash and Taine exchanged glances.

“I’d better go after her,” Taine said.

“No, I’ll go.”

“Yeah, right. I’ll keep the fire going,” Taine muttered.

Ignoring him, Ash slipped into the forest after Rhyll. He found her leaning against a tree, staring up through the branches at the night sky. “Are you okay?”

“Go away.” Rhyll turned her back to him.

Ash saw her shoulders tremble. He hesitated, not sure what to do. “Um, don’t cry. Everything will be all right.”

“I said, go away.” Rhyll’s voice was muffled and tearful.

Ash put his hand on Rhyll’s shoulder. She spun around and threw herself into his arms, sobbing.

“I’m sorry.” Rhyll sniffed into Ash’s shirt. “I don’t normally cry. I’m just exhausted and frightened and being silly.”

“That’s okay. I think we all feel the same.” Ash let her cry for a while then said, “Come on. We’d better get back.”

Rhyll nodded, bowing her head to wipe her tears away. When Ash turned he saw Taine watching them. Without a word, Taine marched back to the fire, threw himself on his makeshift mattress of pine needles and went to sleep.

It was raining. When Ash woke, he found himself cold and damp. He’d been dreaming about giant spiders and Trip. When he realised Trip wasn’t there, the memory of his death came rushing back to him.

Shivering with cold, he pushed the sad thoughts from his mind and set about starting the fire, relieved the kindling was still dry enough to burn.

Rhyll heard him moving about and sat up. “Morning. Where’s Taine?”

Ash shrugged. “Call of nature?”

Rhyll glanced over at Taine’s sleeping place. Her forehead creased in confusion. “His things are gone.” She leaped up and paced around the fire. “His pack, his water. Everything.” She stared at Ash for a moment then ran into the trees. “Taine! Taine! Where are you?”

Ash strode up behind her. “I’ll go look for him. Stay by the fire with Gwaam and keep warm. Someone should be here in case Taine comes back.”

Ash searched the forest, looking for Taine. After a while, he had to admit defeat. He couldn’t find his friend anywhere.

How am I going to tell Rhyll? Ash wondered. She’ll be beside herself.

Rhyll jumped up from her seat by the fire as he walked back into the clearing. “No luck?”

“None. I did find these dove eggs though.” He sat them on the ground near the fire. “But no Taine. He’s gone.”

Rhyll paced back and forth. “Where did he go? And why?”

“I’ve got no idea. All I know is that we can’t wait here to find out. We have to keep going.”

“We can’t leave him,” Rhyll said. “It’s too dangerous.”

Rhyll’s right, Ash thought. This forest
is
dangerous. And what sort of friend would I be to leave Taine? But we have to keep moving. Almost three days have passed. Time is running out.

“This isn’t an easy decision to make,” Ash said. “I hate the idea of leaving Taine, but we have no choice. We have to save Icamore. I don’t know why Taine left, but hopefully he’s alive and well and he’ll find his way out of the forest and maybe even home.”

“What if someone came and took him in the night?”

“Why would they take just Taine? Besides, the only tracks around here are ours. I checked.”

“I’m not leaving him.” Rhyll sat down in protest with her legs crossed and her arms folded.

“Look, Rhyll, I want to keep searching too, but I don’t think we’ll be able to find him. He may have taken off back home because of our argument last night. He’s probably got several hours head start on us. We’ve no hope of catching up to him.”

Rhyll cradled her head in her hands. “It’s all my fault. I said things last night I shouldn’t have. I didn’t realise he’d take them to heart.”

“We all said things we shouldn’t have,” Ash said. “We’re all freaked out by what’s happening. I guess that’s natural. But it’s no excuse for Taine to disappear. He should know better.”

Rhyll stared at the ground.

“We have to keep going,” Ash said. “Your father, my mother, the entire village is depending on us.”

Rhyll nodded, her head still bowed.

“Good. We’ll eat then get moving. With any luck Taine might come back before we go.” He squeezed her shoulder. “Don’t worry. I’m sure Taine can look after himself.”

“What if he’s lying hurt somewhere?” Rhyll persisted.

Ash sighed. “I hope he isn’t hurt, I really do. He took his pack, Rhyll. He’s not coming back.”

Ash cooked the dove eggs and shared them with Rhyll and Gwaam. As usual, the phoenix ate greedily. Rhyll sat in silence, picking at her meal while she fretted for her twin.