Erhalten Sie Zugang zu diesem und mehr als 300000 Büchern ab EUR 5,99 monatlich.
- Herausgeber: Firefly Press Ltd
- Kategorie: Für Kinder und Jugendliche
- Sprache: Englisch
All Ember wants is to fly with the golden flamebirds who stop every year at Bright Beacon before heading west across the seas to their mysterious home. Their fiery arrival is also the signal for the waiting Flame Chasers in theharbour below to get ready to follow the birds, whose glowing tail feathers grant the finder a wish. But when Pa tells Ember he is chasing without her, she is devastated. Can she find a ship and captain to help her find her father, and the flamebirds secret home?
Sie lesen das E-Book in den Legimi-Apps auf:
Seitenzahl: 293
Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2024
Das E-Book (TTS) können Sie hören im Abo „Legimi Premium” in Legimi-Apps auf:
Ähnliche
![Tintenherz [Tintenwelt-Reihe, Band 1 (Ungekürzt)] - Cornelia Funke - Hörbuch](https://legimifiles.blob.core.windows.net/images/2830629ec0fd3fd8c1f122134ba4a884/w200_u90.jpg)
i
An epic journey across dangerous oceans, part rescue mission, part treasure hunt, full of magic, thrills and breathtaking danger, superbly written. Claire Fayers
Galloped my way through this magical adventure barely pausing for breath. What a ride! Camilla Chester
Julie’s world building and magic systems are second to none! Louie Stowell
Flame Chasers is an absolute page turner … it carries you breathlessly across dangerous seas, swirling whirlpools and fiery volcanoes in search of the flamebirds, but at its heart this is also a story about the perils of individual greed and how much we must help each other and ‘connect’ to survive. Kate Wilkinson
A warm and original seafaring adventure … it has all the hallmarks of a children’s classic. Marie Basting
An exciting, enchanting read which ‘crackles with energy’ about family friendship and finding your heart’s desire, with an important conservation message about exploiting animals for personal gain. Mel Darbon
A thrilling seafaring adventure which bursts with heart and hope. Quite simply magical! Eloise Williams
Sweeping the reader along on an adventure of bravery, magic and hope. Finishing the final page, I can’t help wonder if the reader has a little bit of leftover magic glowing inside. Gill Lewis
Hope is a thing with feathers That flutters in my heart. She sings a song that spurs me on And never will depart.
vi
For Celyn, Trystan, and Osian, whose eyes shine with magic and adventure.
Contents
Chapter One
The Thrill of the Chase
Standing on the deck of the Happy Heart, a shiver of anticipation tingled up Ember’s spine. A cold breeze blew the tang of sea salt over her lips as she surveyed the food chests and water barrels that she and Pa had lugged on board. Double the amount they usually took when they sailed together. He’ d promised her an early birthday treat. After years of pleading with him to join the flame chase, was she about to get her heart’s desire?
Beneath a shining winter moon, sightseers crowded along the harbour wall, eager for a good view. Some stood, but most sat on blankets huddled in a cramped line, their legs dangling over the water’s edge. Above their steaming breaths, out towards the aviary at the end of the peninsula, gold and crimson light shimmered up from the flamebirds’ rocky hideaway. It swirled in the night like an aurora. A beacon of hope to all the flame chasers in the bay, eager for a wish. 2
The flamebirds had returned to Bright Beacon yesterday, after their long flight west across the barren plains and snow-capped mountains. Soon they would continue their journey home, shooting up from the rocks like glittering fireworks.
Whisking a tray of cinnamon buns from the top of a barrel, Ember picked her way between glowing deck lanterns towards the galley. She sighed happily, imagining herself flying with the flamebirds across the star-filled heavens. Of course, flying was impossible without a wish, but it would still be wonderful to chase their magic, wish-granting tails across the sea. And maybe, if she and Pa could chase them all the way to their land, she could find a tail feather and wish for her own flaming wings.
Ember stowed the tray in the galley and came back onto the breezy deck. She pulled her wool cap snugly over her red curls. Pa had always said no to flame chasing. He said no one had ever followed the flamebirds all the way home, their wings were too fast, and the Westward Seas were too rough. She shrugged, just because no one had done it yet didn’t mean it was impossible.
Footsteps thumped up the ladder from the hold. Pa’s dark curls appeared above the rim of the hatch, 3and he clambered up beside her. ‘Any sign of them emerging?’ Not waiting for an answer, he jogged down the timber ramp onto the harbour wall.
She peered across the onlookers’ heads to the flamebirds’ aviary. The shimmering aurora was swirling faster. Ember clapped her hands in glee. ‘It won’t be long. They’ll start flying towards their home soon.’
‘I wish we had more time,’ Pa muttered, hefting a bulky sea chest onto his back. Stooped over, he stumped up the ramp and descended the ladder quickly.
Ember shook her head at him, a smile tickling the corners of her mouth. Pa hadn’t said they were flame chasing, but all this rush was definitely proof they’ d be chasing, instead of their usual leisurely sailing along the coast.
She scrambled onto a sturdy barrel and looked out toward the bustling bay crammed with boats of all sizes. There were the usual boats from Bright Beacon, but many were new, having sailed here just this week to join the chase. Their masts jostled together as they waited for the flamebirds to emerge.
Further in the distance, high, white-tipped waves rolled into the calm bay. Flat water, magic water, wished for fifty years earlier by the town’s mayor. Ember hugged herself, remembering stories of how the brave old woman had stood on the harbour wall 4and faced a raging storm. Holding aloft a flamebird’s tail feather she’ d called into the wind her heart’s desire: a wish for peace. As the feather sparked and crackled, the surging sea had calmed and the storm swept back from the shore, leaving the water as flat as a pond. There’ d been plenty of leftover magic from that wish; it was everywhere, always calming things down and would even separate people if they argued. No one seemed to mind, not if it kept the storm water away.
Time was getting on. They needed to finish loading supplies. She sprang down from the barrel and peered across the taffrail. Only her and Pa’s bulging canvas bags were left on the harbour wall. Striding down the ramp she grabbed the handles of Pa’s bag and tried to lift it. Goodness! He’ d packed loads of clothes. He must be planning to be away for ages. Wishing she’ d packed more into her bag, she leaned against its heavy weight and hauled the bag towards the ramp.
Pa touched her shoulder, a serious expression on his sweat-lined face. ‘Before the flamebirds leave, I want to give you that early birthday gift I promised. Wait here a second.’
Ember nodded, a bubble of excitement ballooning inside. She held onto it. Not wanting to let on she knew what was coming. 5
Pa carried his bag up onto the deck then jogged back down the ramp. A smile flitted across his face. ‘I know your heart’s desire. I know you want to fly with the flamebirds.’ A faraway look crept into his eyes, as his thumb rubbed an old scar on the palm of his hand. ‘But some wishes never come true, no matter how much we hope they will.’
Ember bit her lip. He’ d been saying that for as long as she could remember. But she didn’t believe it. If you wanted something enough, you’ d find a way to make it happen.
‘Is everything alright, Pa?’ She didn’t like to see him sad. Especially not today.
He shook the sadness away. ‘What I mean is, I can’t give you your wish, but I can give you the next best thing.’
Here it comes, thought Ember, trying not to bounce on her toes.
Casting an anxious glance towards the aviary, he slid a small velvet box from the pocket of his sailing trousers. ‘Happy Birthday, sweetheart.’ He put the box in her hand. ‘May it bring your heart’s desire.’
Ember blinked. Not what she was expecting. Maybe it held a compass, something useful for navigating their course? She lifted the lid. Gold, rubies and amethysts twinkled in the lantern light. Ember 6gasped. Inside the box was a pendant of a bird with a golden beak and long fiery tail feathers, its ruby wings spread wide in flight.
‘A flamebird,’ she breathed. ‘It’s beautiful.’ She’ d never seen a real one up close before. No one had. Was this what they really looked like? She longed to find out.
‘I know you love them and want to be near them every day, not just once a year.’ He lifted the pendant and secured the gold chain around her neck. ‘Now you can.’
The heavy weight settled over her heart. She caressed the rubies with trembling fingers, turning the flamebird from side to side to catch the light, imagining its glimmering tail filled with wishes. He hadn’t said so, but the pendant proved it. They were chasing the flamebirds home.
‘Thank you!’ She lifted shining eyes to his face. ‘I’ll treasure it always.’ Burying her face into the soft wool of his jacket, she breathed in his warm scent of sawdust and sweat. ‘Love you, Pa.’
He kissed the top of her head and hugged her close. ‘And I love you. All ways and always.’
A bell clanged wildly as cheers rang out. Pa’s arms squeezed tight as if he never wanted to let her go.
Ember’s head snapped up to see the sky glow and flicker with fire. ‘The flamebirds are flying! Oh, 7look Pa, look how beautiful they are!’ He put his arm around her shoulders, and together they gazed towards the peninsula as a hundred flaming birds thronged the velvety night sky.
Lilting above the sound of the onlookers’ ‘ooohs’ and ‘aaahs’, Ember caught snatches of the flamebirds’ song. Her heart yearned to join them. The cheers grew louder as the brilliant creatures circled across the town and swooped majestically over the harbour. Ember craned her neck, mesmerised by their enormous flaming wings. A warm wind brushed her face as they soared low and swept out to sea, their feathers sparkling golden light across the dark water.
An excited breath caught in her throat. ‘Quick, Pa! We’ve got to cast off.’
He stepped back onto the ramp and held her at arm’s length on the stone wall. Unhappy lines crinkled his eyes and pulled down the corners of his mouth. ‘I’m sorry, sweetheart. I must flame chase alone.’
The bubble of excitement burst. Cold disbelief engulfed her like a wave. ‘But … I’m coming with you!’
‘I’m sorry. I couldn’t bear to tell you before.’ He pulled an envelope from his pocket and thrust it into her hand. ‘This letter explains everything.’ He let her go and stepped backwards. ‘I’ll be home as soon as I can.’8
Confusion scattered Ember’s thoughts in all directions. ‘Pa … we always sail together. I have to come.’ She joined him on the ramp.
‘Not this time. The Westward Seas are full of storms and dangerous leftover magic. If anything happened to you, my heart would break.’ He took another step back, then another. ‘I’ll make it up to you when I get home, I promise.’
She frowned: none of this made sense. ‘If the seas are bad, you’ll need my help.’
‘What I need is for you to be safe. I’ve arranged for you to board at school until I get back.’ He pointed to a shadow standing further along the wall. ‘Mrs Appleby is waiting to take you there.’
Ember half turned to see her teacher, wrapped in a thick cloak, holding Ember’s canvas bag, trying not to look guilty.
The crowds cheered loudly as the flame chasers in the bay spread their sails to catch the breeze. Pa cast a distracted glance at the diminishing flamebirds. ‘I have to go, or I’ll lose them.’ He jumped down onto the deck. ‘Ember, please go back to the wall. I’ve got to throw off the ramp.’
‘Just wait.’ She marched towards him. She had to convince him to take her.
‘My mind is made up. Don’t come any closer! If 9you do, the town’s leftover magic will take you away.’ A pained look washed across his face. ‘I’m sorry. This is my fault. I should have told you before. I don’t want us to part like this.’
She shook her head, not willing to believe magic could separate them. The old Mayor never intended her wish to do this. Ember reached the end of the ramp. ‘We don’t have to part at all. Just say I can come.’ She lowered a determined foot towards the deck.
Upset and miserable, Pa shook his head. ‘I wish I could take you, but you can’t—’
‘Don’t say it, Pa!’
He raised his voice as he finished his sentence, ‘…you can’t come onboard!’
The instant her foot touched the timbers a jangling ache shot up her leg and across her body. Pa and the Happy Heart disappeared.
Suddenly Ember was back home, lying on her bed, staring up at the rafters. She looked at Pa’s letter clutched in her hand. She didn’t want to read it; she wanted to be with him. Springing to her feet she burst out of her room and sprinted along the landing towards a tall window overlooking the bay. The flamebird pendant hammered against her heart.
Her frantic eyes searched the harbour. There!
Pa had tossed the ramp and was already five 10feet from the harbour wall. Her fingers dug into the sharp points of the pendant’s long tail. It wasn’t a gift to celebrate their flame chase. It was Pa’s way of saying goodbye!
Snatching her spyglass from the windowsill she held it to her eye. The Happy Heart slipped past the sea wall and glided into the bay. Heartsore, she watched Pa join the flotilla of lantern-lit sails making their way to the rolling waves. She stared and stared until her eye ached with the effort of keeping him in view.
The flamebirds were leaving. Pa was leaving. A longing to fly to them blazed inside like fire. She didn’t know how, but she would find a way to follow. As if aware of her thoughts, Pa turned his sad face towards her. He touched his heart, kissed his fingertips and blew the kiss towards her.
Ember shook her head, refusing to say goodbye. An urgent question flapped around her head. Why was he flame chasing alone? He’ d never wanted to follow the flamebirds before. It was her heart’s desire, not his. He always said he didn’t need a wish. That’s why he’ d named their boat the Happy Heart.
Cheers roared around the harbour as, in the distance, the flame chasers reached the high rollers. Pa’s boat surged up a wall of water and … disappeared over the top.11
A sob tore from Ember’s throat.
She couldn’t believe it. Pa was flame chasing without her.
Chapter Two
Bright Beacon
(One Year Later)
Seagulls screamed. They wheeled above Ember who was sat cross-legged on a barrel on the harbour wall, her eyes fixed on the rolling waves in the distance. In her hands she folded and unfolded Pa’s letter. She knew it off by heart and word for word.
Ember, please forgive me.
I’ve tried so many times to tell you I’m sailing with the Flame Chase. These last few days have been torture, knowing I’m leaving you. I can see a smile dancing in your eyes because you think we’re chasing together. I can’t bear to see it die.
If I do tell you, my resolve will weaken, and I’ll take you with me. It’s a dangerous voyage, littered with leftover magic. Too dangerous even for me, but I mustgo. I need a magic feather for a very important wish. You’ve heard me say a thousand times that 13some wishes never come true. I hope with all my heart mine will. Until it does, I’ll miss you every day.
Please don’t be upset. I promiseto make it up to you. I’ll bring back a magic feather for you, and then I’ll see your dancing smile again as your own wish comes true and you soar skyward to fly with the flamebirds.
Never forget, you are the light of my life – all ways and always.
Pa xxx
She imagined his deep voice speaking the words. Somehow, it made him feel closer. She longed to hug him and ask him the questions that still burned deep. Why did you chase? Why did you leave me? Clearly he needed a wish. But what was so important that he’ d risk his life to get it and why hadn’t he told her what it was?
Months before, when she’ d started watching the distant waves for Pa’s return, she hadn’t been alone. Everyone on Bright Beacon knew someone on the chase. But when the chasers had come straggling home, always empty handed, the watchers dwindled away. Ember secretly hoped Pa had found the flamebirds’ home and he might return at any moment in a blaze of magic. But that 14all changed last month when the Happy Heart was found wrecked in the Westward Seas. The harbour master declared Pa lost at sea. Her school friends had asked her to come away from the wall then, but Ember shook her head. Pa was out there somewhere. Perhaps another boat had picked him up? He was a strong swimmer. Maybe he’ d washed ashore on an island somewhere? Her heart simply couldn’t stop hoping she’ d see him again. After a while her friends had realised Ember wasn’t waiting for Pa, she was waiting for a boat to agree to take her flame chasing so she could look for him.
A fishing trawler crested the wave and slid down into the grey-blue bay. Screeching in delight, the seagulls sped towards it, eager for breakfast. Ember winked an eye shut and peered through her spyglass, searching for the boat’s name on its paint-peeled hull. The Salty Caper.
Her shoulders sagged. Captain Anders had only been gone a day and she’ d already asked him to take her on the next flame chase. Twice. His answer had been the same as everyone else’s. ‘Sorry young’un, I can’t break my word to your pa. He made me promise not to take you.’
The seagulls landed on the trawlers’ bulging nets and ripped chunks of fish into their beaks. Anders 15blustered out of the wheelhouse holding a cup. He waved his arms about, sloshing tea down his jumper. Ember lowered the spyglass. Lucky gulls. They’ d only been waiting a day for the trawler to come back. She’ d been waiting a whole year. The flamebirds were returning tonight! Time was running out to find a boat skipper who would take her on the chase. She slid the spyglass shut with a snap. There had to be a way to join the chase, she just hadn’t found it yet.
Casting a last look at the distant waves, she pushed the spyglass and Pa’s letter into her school trouser pocket and surveyed the boats in the crowded harbour. With the flame chase just a day away there were double the usual number, all busy loading supplies for the voyage. She scanned the waterfront, hoping to see a new arrival.
There was old Crawford’s rusty tug, The Sturdy Seafarer. He’ d said no to taking her on the flame chase. ‘Your pa didn’t take you for a very good reason.’ He’ d squeezed her shoulder. ‘I know you miss him. We all do. But he made us promise not to take you out there. I can’t break it. Especially now when … when he isn’t coming back.’
Reaching for her flamebird pendant, she rubbed her thumb across its jewelled tail. Pa would come back. And if she couldn’t find him, then she would 16flame chase all the way to the flamebirds’ home and find a magic feather to wish for him.
Beside the tug was the squat houseboat Safe Haven. It wasn’t built for the high seas, but that didn’t stop Skipper Kris chasing. Ember didn’t fancy the old boat’s chances of sailing far, but it was worth asking again, especially if Kristina was going to offer her another slice of cherry cake to soften the blow of saying no.
Along from the houseboat the freshly painted Swashbuckler stood proud on the water. Like every year, the sleek yacht sailed down the coast from Fish Rock for the flame chase. Should she ask Captain Lars to take her again? Ember wondered if third time really was lucky. Swashbuckler had the best chance of following the flamebirds all the way home. If Lars said no, she planned to stow away. But it wasn’t a good plan. When he found her, he’ d be upset and that would ruin everything. If he found her before they sailed out of the calm waters of Bright Beacon, the leftover peace magic would whisk her off the yacht faster than she could say sorry, just like the night Pa left.
The harbour master’s bell clanged nine times. Rats. She’ d have to hurry. She didn’t want to be late for school. Again. The last thing she needed was Mrs 17Appleby keeping her behind after class. Not on the day the flamebirds were coming back.
Tucking her pendant back inside her scarf, she jumped down from the barrel and ran along the harbour wall to the promenade. She sprinted past makeshift stalls decorated in gold and crimson chicken feathers, painted to look like flames, all ready for the Flamebird Festival. Last year the same stalls had made her tingle with excitement. Now they made her anxious.
The end-of-school bell clanged in Ember’s ears as she ran along the cold, shadow-filled street. Rounding a corner onto the promenade she squinted into bright sunlight hanging low on the horizon. Its warm rays added to a growing feeling of hopefulness. She’ d been ten minutes late to class this morning, and although Mrs Appleby had frowned across the top of her geography book she hadn’t made her stay after school.
The promenade was thronged with sightseers, their sun-washed faces bright with anticipation. Ember walked between the stalls, inhaling spicy smells of hot chocolate, caramel and cinnamon. 18Gulls strutted among the crowd searching for sweet pickings. Ember gazed longingly at a stack of toffee and chocolate shortbread. Her stomach rumbled. School would be serving dinner for the boarders soon, but she wasn’t going back. There was no way she was missing the flamebirds arriving. Pulling off a woollen glove, she rummaged in her jacket pocket for some coins.
Glancing around the harbour, her hand stilled. There, wrapped in golden sunshine was the tall silhouette of a single-masted sloop. Finally, a new boat had moored in Bright Beacon.
Forgetting all about the shortbread, she jogged along the harbour wall for a closer look. Furled cherry and orange sails fluttered in the breeze, eager to be free of their ropes. She scanned the sloop’s hull for its name. Sea Quest. It looked a fast boat and best of all, its skipper hadn’t promised Pa not to take her on the chase.
Candle lanterns gleamed in the window of the deck cabin and along the walkways surrounding a raised hatch leading down to the hold. Sea Quest must have been a cargo runner, but now it had the homely feel of Kristina’s houseboat. The raised hatch was draped in thick rugs and bright cushions. Beside it a brazier crackled with a welcoming fire. A plum-coloured 19tarpaulin was thoughtfully strung over the top to keep the worst of the weather off. The cosy scene reminded Ember of Pa’s Happy Heart. The back of her nose tingled. Ember rubbed it away. She wouldn’t cry. Not out here where everyone could see.
A wiry boy with straight dark hair brushing the tops of his shoulders walked out of the cabin. He was pulling on a thick jumper. A woman dressed in baggy sailing trousers and a heavy drawstring blouse strode after him. Her thick brown hair rolled down her back like a wave. In her hands she carried a navy scarf with a yellow stripe. It looked like the one Ember was wearing.
‘Here, put the school scarf on, Stanley,’ said the woman, trying to wrap it around the boy’s neck.
He grimaced and ducked away. ‘Leave off, Ma. I’m warm enough in this jumper.’
The woman rolled her eyes. ‘Suit yourself. But you’ll have to wear it tomorrow.’ She disappeared back into the cabin. ‘Give me five minutes. I want to get changed before we go ashore.’ Her voice sailed through the cabin door, ‘At least comb your hair and tie it back. You want to make a good impression.’
‘No, I don’t,’ muttered Stanley, scowling as he went about the deck blowing out the lanterns. Glancing up, he noticed Ember watching him. He half smiled and 20walked towards her. As he took in her school uniform the smile turned back to a scowl. ‘Who are you? The welcome party?’
Ember bit back a sharp reply. If she was going to persuade them to take her flame chasing she needed to get on their good side. She opened her hands in a friendly gesture. ‘Welcome to Bright Beacon.’
Stanley leaned across the taffrail and whispered, ‘Look I don’t want to be rude, but would you mind shoving off before Ma comes out? The flamebirds will be here soon. There’s no point getting her hopes up. I’m not staying.’
Ember smiled to herself. Whatever his problem was, if he wasn’t staying, he must be chasing.
Stanley’s ma came back on deck. She’ d changed her trousers for a long skirt and a multicoloured patchwork cape. Her long hair was bundled up in a smart hat. Pulling on a sleek pair of leather gloves, her polished boots clipped along the deck towards them. ‘Hello. Can I help you?’
Stanley muttered. ‘She’s from school.’
The woman beamed. ‘Oh, did Mrs Appleby send you to show us the way? How thoughtful.’
Ember groaned silently. That didn’t sound promising. ‘No, she hasn’t sent me. I was … um…’ She searched for something to say. ‘I was admiring 21your sails. Red and orange, nice and bright … did you rig them to celebrate your flame chase?’ she asked hopefully.
The woman glanced up at the sails. ‘Thank you. So much brighter than the usual drab white, don’t you think?’ She looked across at the brightly coloured stalls along the promenade. ‘I suppose they do go rather well with the festival decorations. But we’re not flame chasers. We’ve sailed here from Drabhampton in the north with our last cargo. Now we plan to settle down.’
‘Settle down?’ A wave of disappointment dashed Ember’s hopes. ‘Oh … I thought you’ d be chasing with a boat name like Sea Quest…’ Her voice trailed away.
‘Stanley chose the name.’ The woman put her arm around his shoulders.
His eyes lit up. ‘Are you chasing then?’
Ember shook her head. ‘I wish I was.’
The light left Stanley’s eyes.
The woman tilted her head thoughtfully, then reached a welcoming hand across the gangway. ‘I’m Captain Agatha Hansen.’ She gestured towards Stanley. ‘And this is my number one, first mate and son, Stanley.’
He nodded a reluctant greeting.22
Ember stepped onto the gangway and took Captain Agatha’s friendly clasp. ‘Ember,’ she said. ‘Pleased to meet you.’
‘What a lovely name. And very fitting for the festival too.’
Ember looked down at her boots, thinking of Pa. He always liked to joke he’ d named her in honour of the flamebirds.
‘Here’s an idea,’ continued Captain Agatha. ‘We’ve got a ringside seat of the flamebirds’ aviary from here. You’re very welcome to stay and watch them arrive. Afterwards we can share a bite of supper. And of course, your family too.’ She glanced along the harbour wall as if expecting them to appear.
Ember’s nose tingled again. No one asked about her parents anymore because everyone knew. Ma had died when she was a baby, before she and Pa moved to Bright Beacon, and Pa was … somewhere else. ‘My family aren’t here, Captain Hansen. I’m boarding at school.’
‘Call me Aggie.’ Ember felt her hand squeezed as Aggie drew her down onto the deck. ‘That settles it then, you’re definitely staying for supper. I’ll let Mrs Appleby know when I see her.’ She let go of Ember’s hand and turned to Stanley. ‘And as for you, you scamp. I’ll let you off school enrolment, on condition you stay here and keep Ember company.’23
Stanley glanced away. ‘Thanks, Ma.’
If they weren’t flame chasing, Ember couldn’t see the point of staying; she knew loads of great viewpoints to watch the flamebirds arrive. She was about to say so when the harbour bell clanged four times. Aggie glanced at the setting sun. ‘Goodness I’ d better hurry. I don’t want to be late. Mrs Appleby’s welcome letter underlined the importance of prompt attendance.’ Gathering up her long skirt, she stepped onto the gangway.
She paused to watch Ember and Stanley eye each other warily. ‘I’ll bring back some of that delicious smelling toffee for dessert, shall I? And after supper we can have a cosy chat about what it’s like to live in a town with peaceful leftover magic. Ember, I’m sure you have many stories to tell.’
Stanley dug his hands into his pockets.
Shaking her head at him, Aggie hurried away.
‘You’re welcome to stay,’ he said. ‘But I really don’t want to hear how lovely it is to live here.’
‘Suit yourself.’ Ember turned to stare at the red disc setting into the sea, annoyed with herself for feeling hopeful again for no reason. Mrs Appleby hadn’t kept her after class because she had an appointment with Aggie, and the reason Aggie wasn’t chasing was because Stanley was going to school. 24
A new thought struck her. ‘What did you mean when you said you weren’t staying?’
Stanley flushed.
Before he could answer, a shout rang out. ‘The flamebirds are here!’
Ember’s heart leapt and she spun to face east. Cheers rang out as the sapphire sky was sprinkled with a line of bright fiery specks. The line grew longer and longer. More specks appeared, glowing in the dusk like a river of golden light. Yearning to be amongst them Ember snatched the spyglass from her pocket and held it to her eye, revelling in the closer view. The flamebirds’ majestic wings rippled with fire as they flew across the snowy mountains making straight for the peninsula.
Her hand crept to the pendant nestled beside her heart. She held it tightly, wanting more than anything to share the moment with Pa. One by one the birds glided down into their rocky aviary. Their collective light grew brighter until a swaying aurora lit up the darkening sky once more.
Ember sighed deeply and lowered the spyglass. She turned to see Stanley blowing out the last lantern before bounding onto the gangway. ‘Where are you going?’ she asked.
He kept walking. ‘Like I said, I’m not staying. I’m off to get a magic feather and make a wish.’25
‘You’re what?’ Ember stumbled after him. ‘You can’t do that!’
‘Watch me. It’s the only way to avoid Ma sending me to school.’
‘No, I mean it. You literally can’t do that.’ She ran across the gangway after him. ‘The leftover magic won’t let you upset the flamebirds and get away with it.’
Still walking away, he glanced back and winked. ‘Who said anything about upsetting them?’
‘Don’t do it. Please.’
Stanley darted into the crowd on the promenade.
Ember ran after him. If he spooked the flamebirds they might leave and never come back. Losing Pa was bad enough, she couldn’t lose them too.
Chapter Three
The Flamebirds’ Aviary
The twinkling lanterns of the town receded behind Ember as she sprinted along the coast path. Not far in front, bathed in moonlight, Stanley was running full pelt. With his eyes fixed on the flamebirds’ swaying aurora, he couldn’t see he was on the long path to the end of the peninsula.
Ember veered off the footpath and trod the steep slope of a barely there shorter track she knew like the back of her hand. Ten minutes of hard climbing brought her to the top. Pausing to catch her breath, she looked across to the handful of families milling about, bundled in hats and coats, their upturned faces glowing in the swirling featherlight. They kept well back from the fence surrounding the flickering glow in the rocks. Along the fence KEEP OUT signs reminded Bright Beaconers of the rule everyone except Stanley knew. The flamebirds must absolutely not be disturbed while they were resting.27
The flame chase brought a lot of tourists to the town. No one was allowed to jeopardise that, even for a wish. After the flamebirds flew away, only then would the mayor inspect the aviary in the hope one had shed a tail feather.
Ember edged closer to the aviary, mesmerised by the shimmering light. She imagined the birds resting in the chasm below, their heads nestled under their flaming wings, their magic tail feathers spread out like a lady’s fan.
Memories of Pa surrounded her like a warm hug. He would often talk about Ma up here. Ember loved hearing his stories but couldn’t remember anything about her. After she’ d died, Pa said he’ d wished and wished for her to come back. After a while he’ d stopped wishing, resolving to be happy as he was.
She walked around the streaming light to a set of wide steps cut into the rocks. Jogging on the spot to keep warm, she tugged her scarf tighter, folded her arms and waited for Stanley.
The flickering featherlight brought back her favourite memory of being with Pa when she was little. She hugged herself as she heard his deep voice float through her memory. ‘If you found a magic feather, what would you wish for?’28
Her eyes had shone. ‘To fly with them,’ she whispered.
He shivered. ‘You’ d be cold up there.’
