Keeper of the Phoenix (18 page)

It was a lot for Amelia to take in. Worst of all, and hardest for her to accept, was the news that her husband was dead. She sat there for a long time weeping softly and shaking her head. No amount of consoling from Ash or Duncan comforted her.

Ash knew it would be a long time before his mother would be well again. The thought saddened him, as did the knowledge that his father would never be coming home. He felt a deep emptiness at the loss of his pa, Trip and Gwaam. Life would never be the same.

Duncan nudged him with one of his huge fists. “Should we get ready for tonight’s celebrations? Do you feel up to going?”

“Not really,” Ash admitted. “But I think Lord Belgrave will expect us there.”

“I suppose you’re right,” Duncan agreed. Ash bathed and put on his clean clothes. He fixed his mother something to eat then sat with her as she ate slowly.

“Will you come with us tonight, Ma?” he asked.

Amelia shook her head. “I’m not ready yet,” she sniffed. “Just give me a little time to come to terms with things, Ash.”

“Do you want us to stay home with you, Ma?” Duncan asked.

“No. Definitely not.” Amelia was adamant. “You boys go. It’s your duty and you deserve to be recognised for all you’ve done.”

Ash and Duncan left soon after. They walked silently into the village, each lost in his own thoughts. When they arrived at the manor, they were greeted by Lord Belgrave.

“I’ve reserved a place for you at the head table,” Lord Belgrave told Ash. “Taine and Rhyll will sit beside you, Duncan beside Raymond.

“That’s very kind of you, my lord,” Ash said. “Thank you.”

“After all your family has done for me it is the least I can do.”

The great hall had been decorated with colourful banners and flags. Musicians strolled around playing tunes. Jugglers worked the crowd, entertaining everyone with their antics. The hall buzzed with laughter. Everyone was enjoying themselves.

Everyone, that is, except Morgan. When Ash saw his cousin wedged between his mother and Mrs Tattle at a long table, he couldn’t help smiling. Morgan caught Ash grinning at him and scowled back. Ash shrugged. He knew Morgan would never call him small and weak again.

When a blast of trumpets cut across the noise, the crowd hushed. Lord Belgrave rose to speak. Despite having bathed and dressed in fresh clothes, he was still pale and sick looking. Clearly, he was not the same man who had left Icamore twelve months ago.

Before he’d left for the war he had been a stern and distant figure, known for his cruelty but never his kindness. Now, watching Lord Belgrave, Ash realised that what he’d been through had changed him forever.

I guess what I’ve been through has changed me too, Ash thought.

“Thank you all for coming,” Lord Belgrave began. Though his body was wasted his voice was clear and strong. “We owe our lives to three young people seated at my table tonight. Ash Rover and Taine and Rhyll Piggins.”

Several men nearby gave a cheer. Ash blushed and shifted in his seat, embarrassed.

“These brave adventurers journeyed far and faced great hardships to defeat the evil Wizard Zadoc and rescue my men and I. Not to mention, the rescue of two rare and rather remarkable phoenixes …”

Much foot stomping and applause followed this announcement. Lord Belgrave held his hand up for silence.

“So tonight, we honour these three courageous young people. Their tale will be recorded in our history, their story woven into our tapestries and our songs.” Lord Belgrave paused. “And in return for their bravery, I offer them a reward.”

Three small but heavy chests of gold were carried in and placed in front of the table.

Ash glanced at the twins. “Thank you my lord, but this is too generous,” he said. “It’s not necessary.”

“Nonsense,” Lord Belgrave said, his firm tone brooking no argument. “You deserve it.” He turned to the crowd. “There is something else I need to tell everyone and that is, if it wasn’t for the help of magic, we would not have escaped Wizard Zadoc’s castle. I have learned much on my recent travels and so, from this day on, I revoke my decree. Magic is no longer outlawed in Icamore and I will strive to make amends for any I have wronged on that score.”

Lord Belgrave’s gaze rested meaningfully on Jordie Piggins before he continued.

“Now, I won’t bore you with any more formalities. While the war still rages in the north, for now we are home and we are safe. So, tonight I ask only one thing. That you enjoy this feast to honour our rescuers and those we lost along the way. I open my home to you all.”

More thunderous applause and foot stomping. The music started up again and trays of roast lamb, turkey and vegetables were brought out.

All the while, Ash couldn’t help thinking how lucky he was. Lord Belgrave was right: he had been on an amazing adventure. And he’d made it back alive.

Ash was relieved that Lord Belgrave had revoked his ban on magic. Ever since he and Rhyll had used Zadoc’s wand to form the bridge, he had felt a new power was welling inside him. The thought both frightened and excited him.

In time, he hoped to fully explore the gift Gwaam had bestowed on him. He would always remain a Keeper of the Phoenix, as Gwaam had said. Even if he wasn’t needed by his phoenix, he could still work on his developing powers.

But only for good purposes, he thought. Always for good.

Ash smiled to himself as he turned to study his two best friends.

Taine was still in shock about the gold. So much so that he’d hardly touched a thing on his plate. Not even his favourite dish, the roast turkey.

Rhyll sat with a grin plastered from ear to ear.

Yes, I’m lucky, Ash thought to himself. My heart aches at the loss of Pa, but I still have Ma and Duncan. And I’ve got the best and bravest friends in the world. I think everything will be all right. I
hope
it will be.

Later the three friends snuck out to Lord Belgrave’s garden.

“You did it,” Rhyll said. “You really did it. All is good in the village of Icamore again.”

Ash squeezed Rhyll’s hand. “
We
did it. I couldn’t have done it without you. You were great.”

“What about me?” Taine pretended to be hurt.

Ash held Taine’s hand and gazed at him dreamily. “You too.”

“Get off me.” Taine laughed as he pulled away. Ash grabbed Taine in a bear hug, the two boys play-wrestling. As they mucked around they stumbled into an apple tree, causing something to fall and hit Ash on the head.

“Ouch!” He rubbed the spot where he’d been hit.

Ash stooped to pick up the object. It wasn’t an apple as he’d had expected, but a stone box decorated with intricate etchings of strange creatures with elongated eyes, flowing beards and long flowing legs. When Ash traced one of the etchings with his finger it came to life, its legs moving as if blown by the wind, its body glowing bright orange.

“What is it?” Rhyll asked.

“I have no idea,” Ash groaned. “But I’m sure we’re going to find out.”

Aleesah Darlison writes picture books and novels for children and young adults, both in the contemporary fiction and fantasy genres. She also reviews books for
The Sun Herald
.

When Aleesah isn’t working on her next book, she’s usually chasing after her three energetic children or her frisky dog, Floyd.

Keeper of the Phoenix
is the first book in the Ash Rover series.

I’d like to thank everyone who has helped me develop Ash Rover and make the story that started out as a seed in my imagination into a real book.

I’ve been very lucky to have a supportive family, wonderful author and illustrator friends, an astute agent in Jacinta di Mase, a fantastic editorial team headed by Mary Verney and an awesome publisher in Walker Books.

I can only hope that children, and adults, will enjoy reading this first instalment in the Ash Rover series as much as I have enjoyed writing it.

All my best,

Aleesah Darlison

To my nephew, Taine. Of course
. AD

Look out for other books in the

Taker of the Kraken
Sentry to the Centaurs