Keeper of the Phoenix Read Free Page A

his stomach, Ash told Trip to stay close. Together they pushed through the milling groups of women and children and moved towards the river, glad to leave the rabble and the noise behind.
    At the corner of Miller’s Row, Ash heard shouting. Trip, who had been padding obediently alongside his master, chose that moment to chase after a broken-tailed stray cat. Both quickly disappeared around the corner.
    “How many times do you have to be told? You’re not welcome here,” a voice jeered. “You’ll bring a pox on us all.”
    Ash rounded the corner and saw his friend, Taine, standing with his fists clenched as three boys cornered him. Behind Taine stood his twin sister, Rhyll, defiance glinting in her green eyes.
    “Leave us alone, Morgan,” Taine growled.
    Ash’s cousin, Morgan, and his two pals, Orford Tailor and Burke Reeve, were always picking on someone.
    “Or what?” Morgan sneered.
    “We’ll put a spell on you.” Rhyll curled her lip.
    A look of intense fear flashed across Morgan’s face but he swiftly recovered. “You know witchcraft is forbidden in Icamore. Lord Belgrave has declared it the work of idle hands. We’ll tell on you if you dare use it and then you’ll be locked up. How would you like that?”
    Rhyll became even more defiant. “You won’t be able to tell anyone if I cast a spell to glue your lips together,” she said.
    “You wouldn’t dare.” Orford gulped, turning pale at Rhyll’s threat. “Would you?”
    Ash stifled a laugh. He crept closer.
    “Of course she wouldn’t,” Morgan growled as he punched Orford. “She’s bluffing.”
    “But their mother was a witch, wasn’t she?” Burke glanced nervously from Morgan to Rhyll and back again.
    “It got her thrown out of Icamore.” Morgan laughed harshly. “Old Maggot Magdeth said your mother taught you witchy spells and potions, but I’m not afraid. You can’t hurt me. You’re a girl.” He stepped closer, leaning over Rhyll. “And you’re pathetic.”
    Rhyll’s face flamed to rival her red hair. “You don’t know anything about me.”
    “Oh yeah?” Orford said. “Magdeth told us all about you and your freakish mother. What she said would make your ears bleed if you heard it.”
    “That does sound serious.” Taine smacked his lips dryly. “I hope you weren’t too scared, little Orfie.”
    Orford bristled. “Not likely.”
    Ash stowed his basket behind a fence and tiptoed up behind Morgan. He reached out and tapped his cousin on the shoulder.
    Morgan spun around. “Well, if it isn’t Manure Face come to help his hexing mates.”
    “Leave them alone, Morgan.”
    Morgan glared. “Why should I?”
    Ash returned his cousin’s stare, wondering how they could be so different. There was no mistaking their physical resemblance. They had the same yellow curling hair, the same round face and pale blue eyes. But that was where the resemblance ended. Although he was only a year older, Morgan was much taller and broader than Ash. He was a whole lot meaner too.
    “Mind your business, Manure Face. This has nothing to do with you.” Morgan gave an exaggerated sniff and leaned towards Ash. “When was the last time you had a bath?”
    “When was the last time you had an intelligent thought?” Ash shot back.
    Orford sniggered. Morgan, his face erupting with rage, slammed his fist into Orford’s arm.
    “What was that for?” the boy whined.
    Morgan poked his chin out at Ash. “You’re just a coward, aren’t you? You’ve got a smart mouth but there’s no muscle behind it. You’re weak.”
    Ash prickled with anger. He tried to stay calm, knowing Morgan was goading him.
    Why does he always want to fight? Ash wondered. Why does he love stirring up trouble?
    “You’d be no good in the war, would you?” Morgan continued. “I bet if you ever got near a battle with the Draygonians, you’d run and hide like a baby. Probably cry like one too.”
    “I would not.”
    “I bet you would.” Morgan leaned in close.