Keeper of the Phoenix (17 page)

Ash glanced around wildly. “Can you see them?”

“Over there!” Taine pointed to where Rhyll and the men were standing near the castle walls. The boys ran over to the group, the phoenixes hovering close behind them.

“Everyone all right?” Ash asked.

“Thank goodness you’re here,” Rhyll said.

“We had a close encounter with the goblin leader but we managed to lock them into their machine room,” Duncan said. He and the other men stared up at the giant birds in wonder. “Are they the phoenixes?”

“Yes,” Ash said. “Pretty incredible, huh?”

Duncan simply nodded, seemingly lost for words.

“Are they friendly?” Lord Belgrave asked. Ash was surprised to see him looking frightened.

“Very,” Ash said. “Just don’t get in their way when it’s dinner time.”

“What?” Gentle Ben said.

Ash laughed and shook his head. “Never mind.”

“I don’t know how much time we’ve got before the goblins escape and come after us,” Rhyll said. “They were as mad as a swarm of bees and banging on that door pretty hard when we left them.”

“You can say that again,” Duncan murmured.

“So, how do we get over the ravine?” Taine asked.

Ash ran his hands through his hair. “I hadn’t thought of that.”

“You’d better think of something fast.” Duncan pointed to the chute that had opened near the far castle wall. Goblins were pouring out.

Rhyll slapped her forehead. “We forgot about the hatch!”

“Looks like they’re not giving up without a fight,” Taine said. “They’ve got weapons now.”

“I could carry you,” Gwaam suggested.

“You can’t carry us all,” Ash said. “You should save yourself.”

“I won’t abandon you to face the goblins alone.”

“We could fight,” Duncan said. Several others agreed.

“We have no weapons and we’re outnumbered,” Ash said.

“And there’s no way across the ravine,” Taine replied.

“Rhyll, you know some magic,” Ash said. “Got any ideas?”

Rhyll coloured under the scrutiny of Lord Belgrave. “Um, no, really I don’t know anything about magic.” She motioned to Lord Belgrave.

Ash shot Rhyll an apologetic look. “Sorry.”

“Young lady,” Lord Belgrave said, as he stood supported by Raymond and Gentle Ben. “I suggest that if you do know magic, you use it. I … I have been foolish to cut our village off from the power of magic, to deny that it exists. Since leaving Icamore I have realised my mistake. Certainly, there are those who will use magic for destructive reasons. Wizard Zadoc being one of them. But I have also witnessed instances of magic being used for good.

“So, if you do know how to harness magic to help us escape this torturous place, I suggest you employ it now. On my honour, you shall suffer no retribution for it.”

“Hear, hear!” came the mumbled agreement of the men.

“Well, then,” Rhyll said, reaching into her quiver and pulling out a long, thin stick.

“Is that a magic wand?” Ash asked.

Rhyll shot Ash an impish smile. “I believe it is.”

“Where did you get it?” Taine asked.

“I found it and thought I might borrow it. I didn’t want Zadoc having it anyway.”

“That’s stealing,” Taine said.

“Ahem.” Lord Belgrave cleared his throat. “Never mind where it came from, children.” He gave a strained smile. “Why not give it a go?”

“Yes, of course.” Rhyll glanced at the goblin army advancing towards them. “I’m not sure if the wand will respond to my commands but I’ll try.”

Rhyll pointed the wand at the ravine. “All right. I’ll see if I can make up some sort of spell. Um … fill into this void of space, a bridge to walk upon in its place. Make it sturdy, make it strong, fit only for humans to tread upon.”

Nothing happened.

The goblin army let out a mighty roar and charged towards the group, their spears and clubs held high. The villagers picked up rocks and anything else they could find to defend themselves.

“Try again,” Ash shouted.

“Fill into this void of space, a bridge to walk upon in its place. Make it sturdy, make it strong, fit only for humans to tread upon.”

Still nothing.

“It’s no use,” Rhyll groaned in frustration. “I can’t do it.”

“You
can
do it.” Ash smiled.

Gwaam stepped towards Ash. The phoenix laid his gigantic wing over Ash’s shoulder. “Perhaps if you help her she will have better luck. Teamwork has gotten us this far, maybe it can get us a little further.”

Ash returned Gwaam’s intent gaze. He felt a tiny jolt of warm energy and sensed something wonderful and magical pass from the bird and into him.

Ash stared at his open palms, clenching and unclenching them. He knew Gwaam had changed him somehow, but he didn’t have time to question it now. “Yes, of course,” he said then turned to Rhyll. “Let me help.”

This time Rhyll and Ash held the wand together, one hand each on the stick. They pointed the wand towards the ravine.

The goblins were getting closer every second. Their shouting grew louder.

Ash concentrated on the void in front of them as he and Rhyll shouted the words in unison, “Fill into this void of space, a bridge to walk upon in its place. Make it sturdy, make it strong, fit only for humans to tread upon.”

Ash closed his eyes, hoping the spell would work. He felt power surge through his body, from the pit of his stomach along his arm and out his fingertips into the wand. His power merged with Rhyll’s like two lightning bolts smashing together. It was a mighty force that almost knocked him off his feet.

Ash opened his eyes. Rhyll staggered slightly as she stared at him in wonder. She’d felt it too!

The wand responded to Ash and Rhyll’s combined magic. A blast of brilliant yellow light shot from its tip, lighting up the gathering dark and striking the edge of the cliff. One by one rocks gathered from the ravine below, flying up into the void and melding together to form a compact, sturdy platform. Before long, an entire bridge had formed, stretching across the ravine to fill the space with solid stone.

Ash blinked, not believing what he saw. “We did it.”

“We sure did.” Rhyll grinned.

“It looks like you’ve inherited some magical abilities from your mother,” Ash said.

Rhyll’s eyes twinkled. “And it looks like you’ve been gifted some magical abilities from Gwaam.”

“Are they temporary or permanent?” Ash asked Gwaam.

The giant bird shrugged. “Only time will tell,” he replied mysteriously.

I sure hope they
are
permanent, Ash thought. Magical powers might come in handy.

Taine coughed. “Ah, Ash, sorry to break up the party but …”

“Right. Yes. No time to stop,” Ash said. “Now we have a bridge we may as well use it. Go!” Ash pushed Rhyll, Taine and the others onto the rock platform while he and Duncan brought up the rear.

Gwaam and Suela took off into the sky, the only ones capable of flying across the ravine.

Ash glanced over his shoulder. The goblin army was almost at the bridge. “They’re going to follow us to the other side,” he said.

But their spell had been a perfect one. As soon as the goblins stepped on the bridge, it vanished beneath their feet. Some fell into the ravine below while the others were left standing on the cliff, shouting angrily after the escapees.

Ash was the last one across the bridge. He had to run hard so the platform didn’t disappear beneath him. When he reached the other side he jumped the final distance onto safe ground. He lay where he landed for several moments, panting and heaving as he got his breath back.

Strong hands pulled him up. He found himself surrounded by Taine, Rhyll, Duncan and the men, their heavy thuds of thanks on his back. Ash grinned with relief and pride.

“We made it,” he said, hardly able to believe it himself. “We actually made it.”

With a flap of their giant wings, Gwaam and Suela landed beside the group. The circle of men broke apart respectfully as Gwaam stepped forwards to address Ash.

“If it please you,” Gwaam said, “Suela and I will go now. We must first ensure Wizard Zadoc’s exile then finally return home to nest.”

“Of course,” Ash said. “You have important matters to tend to.”

Gwaam nodded.

“Who will take care of you?” Rhyll said. “Don’t you need a Keeper?”

Gwaam shook his feathered head. “Now that Zadoc is defeated, we will return to our homeland in peace,” he said. “There is a place no one else knows about. We will go there and re-learn all we have forgotten these past centuries since we have been bound to Keepers.

“Ash Rover, you have saved our kind from destruction. We will never forget your kindness or your bravery.” He turned to glance at Rhyll and Taine. “Nor that of your friends.”

Rhyll blushed and chewed her lip while Taine beamed with pride.

“Should we ever need you,” Gwaam continued. “I will come for you.”

The men gave Ash three cheers while he stared at his boots, embarrassed by all the attention.

“Good luck,” Ash said. He knew Gwaam had to go, yet he couldn’t help feeling sad at their parting. Finding a phoenix had changed his life. He wasn’t sure he wanted things to return to normal. “I won’t ever forget you.”

“Nor I, you.”

Gwaam and Suela flapped their wings and took to the sky. Everyone lifted their hands to wave farewell.

The phoenixes circled overhead, dark majestic shapes in the moonlight as they flew back to the castle to collect Zadoc.

Then they were gone.

It took over a week for the travellers to make their way back to Icamore. Because Lord Belgrave was so ill, they had to make sure he rested throughout the journey. The men, too, had been weakened by their imprisonment so they couldn’t rush the trip home.

By the time they reached Icamore, their village had well and truly returned to normal. Gone was the black snow that had frozen everyone and everything. In its place was a town alive with activity, the residents bustling about as if nothing had happened. And for all the villagers knew or could remember, nothing
had
happened. Zadoc’s spell had ensured that.

Ash felt an enormous rush of pride and relief as he strode through the village streets. He was glad to be home. Right now, Icamore seemed like the best place in the world. He couldn’t wait to see his mother again, but he knew he had business to attend to first.

As he led the bedraggled group to Lord Belgrave’s manor, an excited crowd began to gather around them.

“Is it them?” the villagers whispered. “They look so different.”

The group stopped at the manor gates. The gatekeeper, a grumpy old man named Denzil Garton, greeted Ash. “Is that you, Master Rover?” he asked.

“Yes, it is,” Ash replied. “I’m here to see Lady Belgrave.”

“What be your business, lad?” Denzil peered blindly at him. “Do you have news of the war, then?”

Ash grinned. “I’m here to deliver Lord Belgrave.”

“You don’t expect me to believe one of this sorry lot is Lord Belgrave do you?” Denzil asked sternly. “I’ve never heard such nonsense.”

Lord Belgrave limped slowly forwards. “Denzil, my dear fellow,” he said. “The lad is telling the truth. It is I, Lord Belgrave, returned at last.”

Denzil’s rheumy eyes bulged. “Why, sir, I didn’t recognise you. A thousand pardons for my insolence.” The gatekeeper bowed low. “My mind hasn’t been the same these last few weeks. I can’t explain why. I barely know what’s going on any more.”

Lord Belgrave waved him away. “Apology accepted. Open the gates, man. We’ve journeyed far.”

Denzil hurried to open the gates and the party filed into the great hall. Servants scattered to fetch food and drinks, medicine and clean clothes. Lady Belgrave swept in moments later, Opal following in her wake.

“Robert! Raymond!” Lady Belgrave flew into her husband’s arms then hugged her son close. “You’re home at last.”

Lord and Lady Belgrave remained in each other’s embrace for several long minutes. Remembering himself, Lord Belgrave pulled away from his wife to address his followers.

“Men and
lady
,” he nodded to Rhyll, “I know you must be keen to see your families. Once you have replenished yourselves with something to eat and drink, I give you leave to go. But I bid you, return tonight for a celebration in your honour, a celebration like no other.”

Cheers went up from the crowd. Lady Belgrave stepped forwards. “Ashfield Rover, I see you and your companions fulfilled your mission.” She smiled warmly at each of the children in turn. “Thank you for doing what I asked.”

Ash nodded. “Any time.”

“You’re welcome, my lady,” Rhyll said, curtsying long and low.

“It was nothing,” Taine said, his cheeks turning red with embarrassment. “Well, it wasn’t nothing, not exactly, but–”

“Shush.” Rhyll grabbed his arm to stop him.

Taine coughed into his fist. “Um, yeah, like Ashfield said. Any time.”

Ash, Taine and Rhyll parted soon afterwards, promising to meet later that evening at the manor. When they arrived home, Ash let Duncan enter first. As usual, Amelia was at her stove. At the sound of boots scraping on the doorstep she looked up. “Duncan? Is that you?”

“Yes, Ma.” Duncan grinned through the grime on his face.

Amelia threw herself at Duncan, kissing him on both cheeks and hugging him. She caught sight of Ash standing behind Duncan and pulled him into her embrace. “And Ash. Last I heard, Lady Belgrave sent word that she sent you on a mission. I’ve been worried sick. You never even said goodbye.” Far from admonishing Ash, Amelia simply hugged him all the more fiercely. “Thank goodness I have both my sons back again.”

Ash had never seen his mother so affectionate. “And your father?” She gazed at Duncan eagerly. “What of him?”

Duncan’s voice caught in his throat. He stared helplessly at Ash.

“He didn’t make it, Ma.” Ash choked back tears.

Amelia’s mouth clamped shut. She nodded slowly. Tears trailed down the lines of her cheeks and her chin trembled.

“It’s all right, Ma.” Ash led her to a chair. “It’s all right. Let it out.”

Amelia slumped to the chair, her shoulders heaving as she sobbed for her husband. Ash and Duncan held her for a long time. They told her all that had been happening. About Wizard Zadoc and the Draygonians. About their father’s last moments.