Keeper of the Phoenix (5 page)

When Ash returned home that evening, he found Amelia pacing the earthen floor of the cottage and wringing her apron between her hands.

“What is it, Ma?” he asked, rushing to her side.

“Have you still got that bird, Ash?”

“Yes, he’s right here.” Ash sat Gwaam on the kitchen table. The bird flapped its wings and paced up and down the timber tabletop, pecking here and there at crumbs.

Amelia reached out her hand as if to touch Gwaam then seemed to change her mind. “I went to see your Aunt Pyrenia today.”

“Is something wrong?” Ash poured her a mug of water from a jug and handed it to her.

“As well as could be expected, I suppose.” Amelia sipped the water and sat down at the table. Ash sat with her. “Your aunt was as beautiful as ever. Not a hair out of place, her cheeks plump and rosy, her silk skirts shining and spotless. I have to admit, I was jealous seeing her looking so lovely. We’ve trod such different paths, my sister and I.”

“She could never be as beautiful as you, Ma,” Ash said, desperately wanting his mother to feel better. He hated seeing her upset.

Gwaam squawked and flapped his wings. “Or as good a cook.”

Amelia laughed. “Thanks for the support, you two.” She touched Ash’s face. “You’re a good boy, Ash, if a little short-sighted.” She dropped her hand and gave a heavy sigh. “I spoke to her about Morgan.”

Ash’s stomach tensed. “And?”

“At first Pyrenia didn’t believe that Morgan had been picking on you, but I convinced her to speak to him. I hope that means he’ll leave you alone from now on.”

“Me too,” Ash said.

“And I mentioned your bird to her.”

Ash’s heart pounded faster and his palms prickled with sweat. “Already? I thought you were going to give me a week before you told anyone.”

What if Aunt Pyrenia tells Morgan about Gwaam? he wondered. Would he and his mates come after the phoenix? Try to steal him?

“I needed to speak to someone about it,” Amelia said. “Gwaam is so
unusual
. I needed Pyrenia’s advice.”

“What does she know about things like this?” Ash picked Gwaam up and held him protectively against his chest. The bird squawked but didn’t resist.

“I’ve never told you this before,” Amelia said, “but when Pyrenia and I were young we were playmates with Elwyn Piggins. Just like you and her children are now.”

Ash’s face set in an angry frown. All this time, she had discouraged him playing with Taine and Rhyll when she’d been friends with their mother! “What? That’s not fair.”

Amelia held up her hand to silence him. “Hear me out,” she said. “Elwyn had a book. I saw it with my own eyes. So did Pyrenia. That book was her undoing … Anyway, I didn’t want to excite you any further than you already were, but I thought I knew what type of bird this is. I had to speak to Pyrenia to make sure I was right, that I remembered correctly.”

Was it the same book Rhyll has? Ash wondered. I bet it is. That means Ma probably knows Gwaam is a phoenix. Will she make me give him up?

Ash cleared his throat. “What sort of bird do you think he is, Ma?”

Amelia leaned forwards to whisper. “I think he may be a phoenix.”

“You don’t have to whisper, Ma. We’re alone.”

“Yes, well, I hope so,” Amelia said. “But you can never be too careful.” She paused for a moment before speaking again. “I asked Pyrenia to speak to Lady Belgrave about Gwaam.”

Ash jumped up. “Why? He’s not ready. We need to make sure of what he is before we tell anyone. It might be dangerous otherwise.”

“I know the use of magic is forbidden in Icamore, but I was hoping that given the present circumstances this bird might come in handy. Maybe Lady Belgrave will be willing to use his magic to find her husband. Do you see what I mean?”

“Yes. I see.” Ash nodded slowly. “But it’s still a dangerous thing for you to do. And, have you thought about Gwaam at all? He might not want to help Lady Belgrave. Phoenixes might have more important things to do. Isn’t that right, Gwaam?”

“Yes. Yes,” Gwaam said as Ash sat him back on the table. “Very important indeed.”

“See?” Ash appealed to his mother.

“He came to us for a reason, Ash.” Amelia was firm. “And while he’s here, eating our food, we’re going to make good use of him.” She wandered over to the fire to stoke it. “It’s the only sensible thing to do. I’m convinced of it.”

Ash wasn’t convinced that telling people about Gwaam was a good idea. Not when he was so special. So
rare
.

I’ve only just found this bird, Ash thought. And now I might lose him. If what Rhyll says is true, there could be people looking for him right now. People who want to hurt him. And who knows what Lady Belgrave will do if she finds out about Gwaam? We could be cast out of Icamore, just like Taine and Rhyll’s mother.

Filled with worry and dread, Ash sat slumped at the table, wondering what he should do.

The summons arrived in the form of Squire Renshaw Gilking.

“Lady Belgrave wishes to see Master Ashfield Rover,” Renshaw announced on the doorstep early the next morning. “His bird is to accompany him.”

Ash stared at his mother. I wonder what Aunt Pyrenia told Lady Belgrave, he thought. What am I going to say when I see her?

“Best get yourself to the manor,” Amelia said. “You mustn’t keep Lady Belgrave waiting. Make sure you wear your clean shirt, now.”

Ash knew there was no point arguing so he deposited the bird in the basket, changed his shirt then carried Gwaam outside.

“Leave the dog here,” Renshaw told Ash.

“But he always comes with me,” Ash said.

Renshaw shook his grey head. “Not today.”

“All right. Stay, Trip,” Ash said.

Trip whined but did as he was told.

“What does Lady Belgrave want?” Ash asked Renshaw as they set off towards the village.

“She wants to see your pet phoenix, of course,” Renshaw said. “The one you found at
home
.”

Ash chewed his lip, not liking to be thought a liar. “Who told you it was a phoenix?”

“Never you mind, lad,” Renshaw said. “Now, we’ll stop to collect your two friends along the way. Lady Belgrave wishes to interview them also.”

Once inside the manor, Renshaw Gilking regarded Ash and his friends gravely. “I trust you know how to behave in Lady Belgrave’s presence?”

They nodded in unison.

“And keep that bird under tight control.” Renshaw pointed to Gwaam.

Ash shielded the bird protectively with his hand. His heart thudded. He hoped this wasn’t a trick and that Lady Belgrave was going to hurt Gwaam. “Uh, I will,” he said hesitantly.

“Good.” Renshaw swung the huge door open, allowing Ash and the others a clear view of Lady Belgrave’s room with its carpeted floors, vibrant wall tapestries and heavy, polished furniture.

“I don’t think I’ll come in.” Taine’s face was ashen. “I’m not feeling well.”

“There might be food,” coaxed Rhyll.

“I’m not hungry,” Taine said. “In fact, I’m feeling rather ill. I’ll stay here to get some fresh air by the window. Yes, that’s what I’ll do.”

“Lady Belgrave wanted to see all three of you,” Renshaw said.

Taine turned paler. He patted his stomach. “I’d hate to be sick in front of my lady,” he said.

“Fine,” Renshaw growled at Taine. “But don’t go anywhere and don’t touch anything.”

The squire led Ash and Rhyll into Lady Belgrave’s private chamber. When the doors clicked shut behind them with an eerie finality, Ash couldn’t help glancing over his shoulder and wishing he’d stayed with Taine.

“Come in, children,” Lady Belgrave greeted them from her chair by the fire. She was dressed in a long, white robe with a woollen coat pulled lightly around her shoulders. Her dark curly hair was pulled back from her face and piled high on her head. Although Lady Belgrave smiled warmly at her visitors, Ash felt uneasy.

He had never been so close to such a beautiful, powerful woman before. Nor had he felt more out of place than in these lavish surroundings. Despite his clean shirt, Ash felt dirty. He stared down at his muddy boots, wishing he’d taken the time to clean them.

An elbow in the ribs from Rhyll made him look up. Ash cleared his throat and stepped forwards. He bowed stiffly, hoping he’d gotten it right. Beside him, Rhyll curtsied neatly, as if she’d been doing it all her life.

Ash tried not to feel envious of Rhyll’s confidence.

“Come closer.” Lady Belgrave waved to them. “Now show me this bird of yours.”

Ash held the basket out so Lady Belgrave could peer inside. Gwaam hunched his shoulders and crouched down low, not enjoying the inspection.

“Are you certain this is a phoenix?” Lady Belgrave asked in a stern voice. “It’s nothing like I expected.”

“As certain as I, ah, can be.” Ash’s voice squeaked like a wheel that needed oiling. Renshaw made him nervous enough. Lady Belgrave made his throat seize up. “I know little about them myself, ah, as such things are forbidden ever since Lord Belgrave’s, ah, proclamation, my lady.”

Lady Belgrave arched an eyebrow. She straightened up. “Indeed, you are correct, young Master Rover.”

Rhyll cleared her throat. “The bird talks, Lady Belgrave,” she said. “It might talk to you directly if you speak to it.”

Looking uncertain, Lady Belgrave leaned forwards in her chair to address Gwaam. “Tell me, bird, are you truly a phoenix?”

Gwaam glanced up at Ash.

“It’s fine,” Ash said. “You can speak.”

Gwaam ruffled his feathers and turned his head towards Lady Belgrave. “It is true, my lady. I may not look much in my current state, but I am a phoenix that lives and dies then lives again.”

“And do you possess magical powers, dear phoenix?”

“Please, call me Gwaam. Aside from reincarnation, any powers I possess, I am forbidden to speak of.”

Lady Belgrave frowned. “Since we are discussing forbidden subjects, I will tell you something. Once, when I was a girl, so that was a very long time ago,” she paused to smile momentarily, “I saw a phoenix, though it was much larger, much more colourful than you.”

Ash and Rhyll both gasped.

Did Lady Belgrave just admit to having knowledge of magical things? Ash wondered. What would her husband think?

“I tell you this because I find it difficult to compare your sparrow-like features with the bird I saw,” Lady Belgrave finished.

“It will not take me long to develop into a bird you would recognise as a phoenix, my lady. With proper care, of course.”

“Of course,” Lady Belgrave replied, as if she knew precisely what Gwaam meant. She fixed Ash with a serious gaze. “Where did you find Gwaam?”

Ash glanced at Renshaw. “Near my home, my lady. I found the egg, which Gwaam hatched out of.”

“Very rare indeed.” Lady Belgrave nodded. “You must be a special boy to be chosen to look after a phoenix.”

Ash blushed as he puffed out his chest. “Ah, er, I don’t think I was chosen,” he stammered. “Not exactly.”

“What do you want with Gwaam?” Rhyll asked Lady Belgrave.

“How dare you address my lady so bluntly?” Lady Belgrave’s daughter, Opal, stepped out from behind her mother’s chair where she had been hiding. “Where are your manners?”

Opal was about the same age as Ash, perhaps a little older. She was tall and slender, and her long jet-black hair shone like silk and hung all the way down her back. Ash had heard Opal was spoiled and rude. Though he had never met her before, his family knew several servants who worked in Lady Belgrave’s kitchen. No one ever said anything nice about Opal.

I suppose that comes from being given everything you want from the moment you’re born, Ash reasoned. Sometimes being rich doesn’t make you a nice person.

Catching Ash staring at her, Opal glared, her eyes flashing. Ash quickly looked away before he too felt the sting of Opal’s tongue.

“Opal, you shouldn’t have been hiding,” her mother said. “That’s not polite either.”

With a shrug, Opal turned to address Rhyll. “Well, where are your manners, girl?” she pressed.

“My apologies.” Rhyll gave a stiff curtsey. “I forgot myself.”

Opal smiled smugly. “Don’t let it happen again. You must remember your place at all times, farm girl.”

Ash saw Rhyll’s fists clench at her sides. He knew it was taking all of her self-control not to snap back at Opal. Despite Opal’s overbearing manner, Rhyll had no fear.

Lady Belgrave patted her daughter’s hand. “And so must you learn your place, Opal dear.”

Opal crossed her arms and plonked onto the arm of Lady Belgrave’s chair. “Ha!” she muttered, then idly swished her slippered foot to and fro, making her satin skirt rustle.

“Since you have asked, Miss Piggins,” Lady Belgrave’s steady gaze made Rhyll squirm, “I will come to the point of our interview.” She once more addressed Ash. “As you know, Lord Belgrave and his men are missing, your father and your brother among them.”

Ash nodded.

“Though we have few men left in the village we have sent several search parties after them with no success. My last intelligence from the King’s messengers, though they are few and far between, was that the battle to keep the Draygonians out of Krell continues along our borders. Amid this chaos, the battalion of fine Icamore men that my husband led off to war has vanished. Including my beloved son, Raymond.”