The Professor and the Starlight Phoenix

by Nathan David Ward

  “If only I had listened to Kenneth, we could have escaped – all of us. But the Count would have taken the Phoenix...”

  As he said those words, the Phoenix had been watching from the arm of the sofa, somewhat curious as it turned its head and hopped down on to the carpet.

  There was a single Reaper laid under the bay window - its head was barely attached to its neck. Robin assumed he was one of Sapphire's victims by the way he seemed to have been attacked from behind. She must have been moments too late, but it still made no sense why she wanted to help him, no matter how unsuccessful she was. It was a sight he had become accustomed to seeing - but not in his own home, if he could even call it that anymore...

  The day had become a living nightmare so quickly. The price that had been paid for the Phoenix’s safety seemed too high a price to pay as he wiped his face and watched as the Phoenix stepped up to Kirsten, searching for her scent.

  “It never occured to me until now,” the Phoenix pivoted its head and listened, “- you’re my little Damsel. But it would seem I’m the one in distress.”

  Still pained by the gauge across its face, the Phoenix continued to stare up at Robin.

  “I knew what I was getting into. I knew, the moment I left the house yesterday morning. I guess I underestimated everything.”

  The cottage was silent. There was only the sound of rustling feathers, and the occasional floorboard creak as the temperature began to rise - melting the ice from the window sills.

  The sunshine shimmered in Robin's eyes as he finally found the energy to smile, “you look like a Damsel, you do.”

  The newly named Phoenix hopped on to Kirsten and made her way up to her wounds, treading carefully as Robin leaned in, watching with intrigue.

  “I don’t even think the old me knew if it was true. He always seemed uncertain in the books he wrote. Whether you could actually… save her.”

  Damsel was inspecting the flesh wound, then suddenly, Kirsten drew a breath.

  “Did you feel that? Did you hear?” he yelled, as hope ignited, “She’s still alive, isn’t she?” His eyes widened, then Damsel flapped her wings and peered down into the cursed burrow of flesh in her chest. Robin was calling to Kirsten, shuffling her body from the sofa and into a flat position along the carpet. Damsel closed her eyes, and a couple of tear drops appeared from the corner of her eyes and fell down in to the depth of Kirsten's wound.

  Some believed it to be a myth, the power of a Phoenix tear. But not only did the wound suddenly begin to clear, but Kirsten’s entire body began to absorb the healing elixir, ridding her of all her life long diseases and disabilities. She was slowly becoming brand new again, but still regenerating as her lungs refilled with air and her eyes fluttered open.

  “Robin?” she strained. Her throat was sore from the screaming, and dry from the cold.

  Robin ran his hand over her forehead and pulled her closer, gently.

  “I’m here, I’m back. There’s nothing to fear, now,” he assured her, turning her head away from the debris, and the assailants body.

  “Where did you go, Robin?” her eyes were weary, she looked like death, but colour was beginning to bloom in her cheeks as she gazed into Robin’s deep brown eyes.

  “We woke up and you were gone. Mrs.Jillings said it was work, but you never came back last night...” Kirsten was playing with the stubble on Robin’s chin. She always thought it suited him, but it wasn’t very fitting for his line of work - in his opinion, but his attention had been well spent - it was the very least of his priorities.

  “I wish it was simple enough to explain,” he replied, aware of Damsel in the corner of his eye, begging for attention.

  “You’re going to find out, though. Little by little. You’ll be quite amazed by the things I’ve seen and the people I’ve met.”

  Kirsten cracked a smile and wrapped her arms around Robin’s waist, “I love you,” she chuckled, feeling abnormally well.

  “Have you noticed my friend over here?” he asked, holding his hand out to Damsel, who rubbed her beak against his finger tip, before hopping on to his palm.

  “This is Damsel, she’s a very, very rare bird.”

  “She’s beautiful!” said Kirsten, cautiously turning her attention to the five black, beady eyes, “- but, why has she got… so many eyes?”

  Robin smiled, “Because she’s rare. Something close to a myth to some, but if you trust your instinct, and ask yourself how you’re so well, the answer won’t be too outrageous.”

  Kirsten shuffled up against the sofa and ruffled her hand through her long brown hair.

  “Try adding two and two, and getting three. Two normal numbers, but one unlikely result. One normal work shift, plus one casual christmas, there’s been nothing but fireworks!”

  Robin wrapped his arm further around Kirsten as he carried on speaking.

  “There’s just so much I want to tell you, but our daughter needs us now.”

  “Where is she? Where’s Emily?” she panicked, realising she was taken by the intruders.

  She could barely remember what had happened...

  “She’s safe. Some friends are taking care of her.”

  “You have friends?” Kirsten looked surprised, “I’m sorry, you just always put work and us before a social life.”

  “I just met them. I guess I can’t really call them friends, but when you meet them, you’ll understand. When you’re ready, we’ll make our way back, because we can’t stay here anymore.”

  Kirsten had already come to terms with that, as she didn’t feel safe. Not after seeing the tall cloaked figures in her home, standing over her child.

  “Mrs.Jillings isn’t ok, is she?”

  Robin shook his head, “I’ve taken care of her. It wasn’t a pleasant sight. But I don’t think she suffered for long.”

  That image of her gaunt, ghostly face flashed before his eyes as he cast his memory back, reminded of the moment he stepped forth inside the kitchen. It wasn’t a memory he wished to cling to, that was for sure. As painful as it was, he could no longer remember the times they had shared. So much had happened - too much. Now he could only focus on getting back and away from the posed threat that was now watching over the town of Vinemoore.

  Robin opened up his coat pocket and prompted Damsel inside. Its turquoise coloured feathers rustled as she looked at Kirsten, then proceeded to climb inside the pocket, which had become like a temporary home for her.

  “Robin, I feel great. I honestly can’t remember when I last felt this way. Even when I was on the lowest dose of medication, it never had an effect like this.”

  Kirsten pulled apart her navy coloured dressing gown and began inspecting the wound in her chest, above her left breast.

  “You’ve never had anything like this. This medication is out of this world.” he smiled, pulling his spindly wooden wand from his pocket.

  Kirsten was still studying her wound and the miraculous lack of bruises discolouring her skin.

  “I don’t hurt, I don’t ache...I…”

  The emerald green glow of Robin’s wand finally caught her attention, stopping her mid sentence as the green shimmered across her eyes.

  “This is linked to those crazy ideas you had. All that speculation about the town.”

  “This makes them sound rather tame,” said Robin, humorously. “If you feel up to it, we’d best get a move on.”

  “But what about our clothes, our money, our… memories?”

  “We’ve never been materialistic. And the good memories have been very far and few between. We can create new ones.”

  Robin reached for her hand and drew it to his lips.

  “You’re right,” she replied, glancing at the ring on her finger, “This - you and our daughter is all we need. But if we’re moving, we’ll definitely need cash.”

  “Quite possibly. Or perhaps not,” he debated, as he cast his mind back to breakfast and all the food that manifested on the dining tables, “Where we’re going, money is t
he least of our concerns.”

  Robin raised his wand, then began to paint the Institute in his mind. Once he was satisfied with its appearance, he turned the handle of the wand and cleared his throat, before chanting, “Senteer.”

  CHAPTER 23

  Destination Unknown

  Magenta was already back at the Institute, but she had returned alone and had kept her word. Sapphire was far better off out of chains and opposing the Reaper uprise that they now had on their hands. Wherever she had gone, the help would always be well received, and the further from the Institute the better, in Magenta’s eyes. It had already taken a beating, and it showed as she crossed the entrance in a storm of pink feathers. Her body casually transforming back to its humanoid form with every stride, until finally her coat unravelled around her body, and her curls fell heavy over her collar.

  The ground was clearer now than when she had left with Robin. The bodies had been moved against the walls and covered over. The debris was being cast aside into heaps for easy repair, and the barricade was slowly being dismantled.

  Curious eyes had now begun to peep from behind the golden monuments set along the ceiling. Emily and Arlie were already best of friends, even though they were so different, at heart they wanted the same thing for each other. Emily didn’t care for looks, and Arlie was used to being one of very few Imps accepted to work in a building with so much history and function. Emily brought Arlie happiness, and Arlie made Emily feel safe, even suspended thirty feet off the ground.

  “Magenta, my dear. What news do you bring?” asked Grimtale on his approach.

  “He wasn’t joking around, Professor. Kenneth Brown warned that the Reapers were moving on innocents - Morient Innocents.”

  Grimtale frowned, and listened as Magenta continued to explain.

  “We were lucky enough to cross paths with a deserter, a female Reaper who helped fend off the threat, but they had already done a ridiculous amount of damage. We cleared the town as best we could, but no doubt they will regroup, reform and recruit more. We’ve only delayed the inevitable...”

  A million questions were begged for answers as Grimtale grasped and processed what he could.

  “But the one thing we have now, that we didn’t before, is time. Time that can be spent advancing the schools defences, and relighting the flame that so many have warmed to in recent years. The heart of the school will beat again, I promise you.”

  Grimtale glanced to the doors, “ Is Robin not with you?”

  The question stemmed interest from Sachester and Yuri, who were stood close behind him, clearing the last of the rubble.

  “He’ll be back for his daughter,” said Magenta, who wasn’t certain what had happened inside the cottage.

  “What about Kirsten and Ethel?” asked Grimtale, with concern growing in his eyes. Magenta slowly shrugged, “I’m not sure - I’m not sure that they made it,” she said, regrettably, “From what the Reaper described, it would explain why you haven’t heard anything from their housekeeper. I know you were fond of her, Grimtale.”

  “She was a very old friend - taught me everything I know,” he smiled, remembering his time as a student:

  There had been no wars back then. The only wars were those in the human world. The Morient realm had been largely peaceful. One hundred years had now passed since the very first recorded Morient war, and now it felt as if another was on the verge, brewing wherever the Count and his disciples had fled to...Grimtale was now tired, they all were as they continued to clear the foyer, looking forward to getting some well deserved rest.

  By the time Robin and Kirsten arrived at the Institute, it was nearing immaculate inside. The gates were still unhinged outside, and there were a few chunks of stone knocking around from the walls, but it was finally looking like home again, especially to Magenta, who watched with interest as Robin and Kirsten entered. Between them they carried Ethel Jilling’s body. There was no way he could have left her. He had to bring her home, where she belonged. It was the least he could do, and that way he knew the chances of a heart felt send off were far greater for Ethel and Kenneth.

  Robin was convinced that all the other bodies would end up in a furnace, forgotten. So he made it his first point of conversation upon entry, looking in to Grimtale’s weary eyes, as he released a sigh of relief. Robin and Kirsten’s safe return had to be better than none at all. But great sadness overwhelmed him as the lifeless shape of Ethel was carried closer.

  “Kenneth Brown - his body needs retrieving from the Dungeon,” said Robin, sadly,

  “- they’ll get a proper burial, won’t they?”

  Grimtale nodded, “Of course they will! What do you take us for, animals?”

  “I just don’t expect all of these other bodies will be given the respect of a place in either realm’s soil.”

  “They knew what they were signing up for. Cremation would have come in their terms and conditions.”

  Robin wasn’t feeling the humour, while Kirsten’s eyes were a blaze with wonder, dressed in her underwear and covered by her dressing gown that hung down to her ankles.

  “I’d like it if Kenneth could be taken to Vinemoore – some place local, for his family,” said Robin, lowering Ethel’s wrapped body on to the marble floor.

  “Don’t worry, Robin. I was going to have that done anyway. Everything is under control.” Grimtale smiled, then turned to Kirsten, “I didn’t mean to be rude, it’s a pleasure to meet you,” he added, to which Kirsten looked confused.

  “And, you are?” she asked.

  “This is the school's headmaster, Professor Grimtale. He made sure our daughter was safe.”

  Emily had already spotted her Mother and Father. She was on her way down as Kirsten began to search the foyer, completely ignoring Grimtale now, as her thoughts rested only with her missing daughter.

  “Mum!” yelled Emily, as she jumped off the final step and raced past Yuri and Lillian. Kirsten fell on to one knee and threw out her arms as Emily leapt, and latched herself on to her waist, burying her head against her furry gown.

  “My brave girl.” Said Kirsten, as she wrapped her arms around her daughter.

  “Have you made a new friend?” she whispered, noticing Arlie standing anxiously behind, kicking up dirt from the last few piles of dust and rubble.

  Like Emily, Kirsten wasn’t concerned. There was an Imp stood before her eyes, and it was okay. She was still incredibly overwhelmed by how well she felt, and her ability to walk again, without aid, that she was willing to accept anything - even peculiar looking creatures, wearing humorous headwear. Emily raised her face from the comfort of her Mother's dressing gown and waved to Arlie, calling him over.

  “He’s my friend, he’s called Arlie.” Emily smiled, beaming as she reached out to him.

  “Arlie is pleased to meet you. Arlie did all he could to protect young Emily.”

  Kirsten rubbed her eyes then continued to stare at Arlie.

  “Robin! Why didn’t you tell me about all this?”

  He walked over, and looked down at the bundle of joy that was grinning and excited to have her parents back.

  “To tell the truth, everything happened so fast. Turns out it was a lot safer here than back home.”

  Yuri was listening in as he swept the floor, “The stone won’t be removed again. No unwelcome visitors will get by!” said Yuri, much to the amusement of Magenta, who made no conscious effort to shield her laugh.

  “We were living with the Count for months while that charm was active. I was sleeping in the same bed as him!”

  Arlie distracted Emily as the conversation took a sudden turn.

  “I knew you were on to him, Grimtale.”

  Magenta suddenly felt rather distressed. It was the thought of everything that had been done to her by the Count, and realising it could have been averted sooner...

  “I had suspicions, but nothing concrete enough to act. You must remember where I stand. I am the Headmaster, a figure of security and safety to my students.
I am yet still a pawn to the Minister and the Sovereign.”

  There was nothing else Grimtale could do or say, he felt guilty enough as it was. He even felt guilty that he was tired.

  “I’m just mad - at myself,” Magenta confessed, turning away and burying her head in her hands.

  “There is plenty of rebuilding to do. Plenty of physical repairs, and most importantly, mental healing required for all of us. There can be a future, but now, we must plant the seed of virtue, and step across the void we find ourselves slipping into.”

  Everyone could agree on one thing - time would carry on ticking, the sun would set and rise again. The only thing standing in their way was banished, at least, for now.

  “Grimtale, we don’t have much time. The Minister will be expecting an update from his informant,” said Sachester, reminding Grimtale of the urgency.

  “We need to get you on your way, Robin.”

  Grimtale thanked Sachester as he passed, making his way over to Kirsten and Robin, “the Minister wants that Phoenix, and so does the world. You won’t be making many friends, but there are those who will help with your journey, to find a peaceful settlement for your family.”

  Robin always suspected deep down he wasn’t going to be returning to the cottage he had spent the last few years of his life. It was no surprise that from this moment on, they were homeless. They still owned the cottage. It was in Kirsten’s family name, but it was no longer safe, and the Institute was no place for war. Children would be allowed to return for classes come spring. Besides that, the Minister would expect the Phoenix to be there. It had to be taken somewhere secret, under the supervision of Robin and his family, where it could live in peace, away from ill intentions, with people it now trusted.

  Robin nodded, understanding what was expected of him.

  “Security is about to tighten inside these walls, so I say to you all: My friends, my love. Be clever, and don’t lose contact.” Grimtale looked everyone in the eye one last time, then proceeded in saying his farewells, starting with Emily whose eyes were still aglow with innocent excitement.