Spiros the Ghost Phoenix Read online

  BEAST QUEST

  SPECIAL EDITION

  SPIROS

  THE GHOST PHOENIX

  ADAM BLADE

  ILLUSTRATED BY EZRA TUCKER

  With special thanks to Michael Ford

  To three young heroes — Charlie, Alex, and Tom

  Contents

  Cover

  Title Page

  STORY ONE

  CHAPTER ONE: THE EVIL OF MALVEL

  CHAPTER TWO: A NEW BEAST

  CHAPTER THREE: THE GOOD DRAGON

  CHAPTER FOUR: SEARCHING THE KINGDOM

  CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMONING THE GHOST PHOENIX

  CHAPTER SIX: JOURNEY ABOVE THE CLOUDS

  CHAPTER SEVEN: DUEL IN THE SKIES

  STORY TWO

  CHAPTER ONE: THE LAND OF ICE

  CHAPTER TWO: THE UNDERWORLD

  CHAPTER THREE: THE CAVERNS OF DANGER

  CHAPTER FOUR: RESCUE!

  CHAPTER FIVE: THE FINAL FIGHT

  CHAPTER SIX: THE RETURN OF SPIROS

  CHAPTER SEVEN: FAREWELL TO THE PHOENIX

  Preview

  Character Guide

  Copyright

  STORY ONE

  CHAPTER ONE

  THE EVIL OF MALVEL

  “DO YOU REALIZE WHERE WE ARE, TOM?” SAID Elenna, as he helped her over a fallen trunk. Silver bounded over to stand beside Tom’s stallion, Storm.

  Tom peered through the dense trees. It had been raining, and the smell of damp leaves filled his nostrils. “In a forest?” he joked.

  “This is where we first met!” said Elenna.

  Tom thought back. He’d been on a mission to free Ferno the Fire Dragon from Wizard Malvel’s evil curse. “It was my first Beast Quest,” he said. “You were hunting rabbits with Silver.”

  “That’s right,” said Elenna, stroking Silver’s neck. “The forest doesn’t seem as frightening now.”

  Tom nodded. After all the Beasts they’d faced together, the darkness of the forest no longer made him shiver. He placed his foot in Storm’s stirrup and heaved himself up. Elenna climbed into the saddle behind him.

  “Once we clear the forest and cross the plains, it’s only a short ride to Errinel,” said Elenna.

  Tom smiled. “I can’t wait. It has been so long since I’ve seen my aunt and uncle. Something to eat and a soft bed is just what we need after all our adventures.”

  Silver barked and jumped up on his hind legs.

  “And there might even be some bones for you!” Elenna laughed.

  Tom steered his stallion across the mossy forest floor. But something was bothering him. He sensed that he and his friends were not alone. He let his hand drop onto the hilt of his sword.

  “What’s wrong?” Elenna asked.

  A sound like a crack of lightning splintered the silence, and a cloud of smoke appeared between the trees. Tom slipped from the saddle, unsheathing his sword and gripping his shield. Silver whimpered and Storm swished his tail.

  “Is it Malvel?” whispered Elenna, dismounting.

  But as the smoke cleared, a familiar figure emerged. He was wearing a cloak of faded blue-and-red silk.

  “Aduro!” said Elenna, rushing forward.

  Tom put away his sword. But the look in the old man’s gray eyes made Tom anxious. “What is it, Aduro?” he asked.

  “I had to come immediately,” said the good wizard.

  Even Silver had stopped leaping now, and Elenna fell back beside Tom.

  Aduro stroked his wispy beard. “Tom, Elenna, you must steel yourselves for terrible news,” he warned. “Malvel has committed his worst crime yet.”

  Fear crept over Tom’s heart. He felt Elenna’s fingers grip his arm.

  Aduro looked Tom in the eye. “A messenger arrived at King Hugo’s castle this morning with a dreadful tale. Last night, a weary traveler came to your village. The tavern owner thought there was something unusual about him, but your uncle Henry and aunt Maria, kind people that they are, gave him a meal and a bed for the night. This morning they were gone. And so was the traveler.”

  “Perhaps they offered to accompany him to his destination,” said Tom.

  “I’m afraid not,” said Aduro. “The traveler left behind a message….” The wizard pulled out a piece of parchment from his cloak and handed it to Tom.

  He unfolded the thin paper and read: “Dear Tom, your foolish quest will now hurt those closest to you. Malvel.”

  “Oh, Tom!” gasped Elenna.

  Tom felt sick. His hand clenched into a fist around the parchment. “I’ll rescue Uncle Henry and Aunt Maria,” he vowed. “I won’t rest until I get them back.”

  CHAPTER TWO

  A NEW BEAST

  TOM LOOKED AT THE GOOD WIZARD. “WHERE are they now?” he asked.

  Aduro shook his head sadly. “I’ve tried everything in my power, but I can’t see where Malvel has taken them.”

  Tom felt anger flood through him. “How dare he? The fight is between Malvel and me. There was no reason to involve my family.”

  “Malvel’s heart is dark,” said Aduro. “He will hurt you any way he can.”

  Suddenly, a breeze blew through the clearing, rustling the leaves. With it came the sound of a low cackle. Storm reared in fright.

  “Malvel!” said Elenna.

  Tom nodded. He’d recognize the laugh anywhere. “There must be some way to find out where they are,” he said.

  “What about the enchanted map?” said Elenna.

  Tom dashed over to Storm and unlaced his saddlebag. The magical map of Avantia had helped them locate all the Beasts on their previous Quests. Perhaps it would help him find his aunt and uncle, too.

  He knelt on the forest floor and unrolled the parchment. Elenna and Aduro stood over him. But no pulsing green line appeared to show him the way.

  “Malvel’s dark magic is strong.” Aduro sighed. “He has overcome the power of the map.”

  “But there must be something we can do!” said Elenna.

  “There may be one thing …,” the good wizard muttered. “No, no, it’s too dangerous.”

  “What?” said Tom. “I’ll do anything!”

  Aduro placed both hands on Tom’s shoulders. “If you want to rescue your aunt and uncle, you will have to undertake your toughest Quest yet. You must face another Beast, the likes of which you have never seen.”

  “I didn’t know there were any others,” said Tom.

  “I’m talking of a Beast not seen for generations. The lost seventh Beast of Avantia.”

  Elenna gasped. “A seventh Beast?”

  “Yes,” said Aduro. “As well as the six good Beasts that patrol Avantia, there was a seventh created to guard the skies. She was born after the others. Let me show you.”

  The wizard brought his hands together in a loud clap that echoed through the forest, then he rubbed his palms. Tom looked on, baffled, and even Storm and Silver stepped closer. A thin trail of smoke emerged from between Aduro’s clasped hands. It rose into the air, forming a cloud. Then, in the middle of the cloud, a shape emerged. It looked like a bird, but its wings were ablaze with a golden flame.

  “Is that the seventh Beast?” asked Elenna.

  “It is,” said Aduro. “Her name is Spiros the Phoenix. If anyone can help you find where Malvel has taken Tom’s aunt and uncle, it is Spiros. She is blessed with the power of All-Sight — magic that even I do not possess. It allows her to see into the far reaches of Avantia and beyond. Nothing is hidden from her.”

  The cloud of smoke evaporated into the forest, and with it the image of the phoenix.

  “Where can we find her?” asked Tom.

  Aduro frowned. “I wish it were that easy,” he said. “But Spiros hasn’t been seen in the skies of Avantia for many ye
ars. No one knows where she is.”

  “How can that be?” asked Elenna.

  “It was Malvel,” said Aduro, his face darkening. “Before he bewitched the first six good Beasts, he also cast a spell over Spiros.”

  “What did he do to her?” asked Tom.

  “He separated her body from her spirit,” said the wizard.

  Tom was confused. “How is that possible?” he asked. “Isn’t she dead?”

  “Not quite dead,” said Aduro. “But halfway there. Spiros is a ghost!”

  Elenna drew a sharp breath. A ghost phoenix!

  “If you challenge Malvel again,” said Aduro, “you will need all your bravery and wits to survive. It will be your most dangerous Quest yet.”

  But Tom had already made his decision. His aunt and uncle were his only family. He had to go. He looked at Elenna. She was pale but gave a defiant nod. It was settled, then.

  “We’re ready,” said Tom.

  Aduro smiled. “I knew your courage would not fail. Now I must leave.”

  There was a flash near Aduro’s feet that made Tom and Elenna step back. A curtain of smoke rose up, concealing him. When it disappeared, Aduro no longer stood before them.

  “He’s gone!” said Elenna.

  “Come on,” Tom said. “We need to track down Spiros. Let’s get out of the forest.” He led Elenna quickly through the trees, with Silver and Storm right behind them.

  “But how are we going to find her?” asked Elenna. “She could be anywhere in Avantia. It might take years!”

  Elenna was right. Even riding Storm at full gallop, there was no telling how long their search would take.

  Tom took out the map again. It showed the whole kingdom, as far as the icy plains in the north. “There must be a way!” he said. Then his eyes rested on the mountain where Ferno the Fire Dragon lived. It gave him an idea. “Wait, what if we used …”

  “… the good Beasts!” Elenna finished.

  “Yes!” said Tom. “Avantia’s too big for us to search quickly on our own, but with the help of the Beasts, it might be possible.”

  “Which one should we call first?” asked Elenna.

  Tom pondered for a moment. “Ferno’s mountain is close by. If this ghost phoenix patrols the skies, Ferno can help us search there. Perhaps the other Beasts will be able to help, too.”

  Tom rubbed the dragon’s scale in his shield. But nothing stirred in the silence of the forest.

  “Try again,” said Elenna. “The Beasts won’t let you down.”

  Tom did as she said, but not even a bird rustled in the branches.

  Just as he was about to give up, a screech filled their ears, and ashes fluttered down around their feet. A shadow drifted above the trees.

  “It’s Ferno!” said Tom.

  CHAPTER THREE

  THE GOOD DRAGON

  FERNO CIRCLED ABOVE THE TREES, HIS JAGGED black wings blotting out the sun. Tom remembered how terrified he had been the first time he had seen the colossal creature’s bloodred eyes, but now he was filled with pride.

  Ferno opened his scaly wings to slow his descent. He landed gracefully in the clearing and strode toward them, his claws flattening the grass and his thick tail dragging across the ground. He towered above them, as tall as ten houses.

  “Thank you for helping us!” shouted Tom.

  Ferno lifted his head and blew out a stream of fire, filling the air with the bitter smell of sulfur. Storm whinnied a greeting.

  The Beast folded his legs and lay on his stomach, leaving one wing extended toward them.

  “He wants us to climb up,” Tom said to Elenna.

  “What about Storm and Silver?” she asked.

  “There’s room for them as well,” said Tom as he scrambled up Ferno’s wing. The scales felt hard and slippery beneath his hands. Elenna led Storm and Silver, and soon they were settled in the hollow between the dragon’s shoulders. Ferno rose to his feet and opened his huge wings.

  “Hold on tight!” Tom said.

  Ferno charged through the clearing. The trees on the far side approached quickly, but the Beast showed no signs of slowing. Just when it seemed they would smash into the trees, Ferno launched himself into the air. Tom whooped as the treetops fell away below them. The day was beautifully clear and he could see for miles. To the south, King Hugo’s palace stood over the great city. Beyond that was Tom’s home village of Errinel. Avantia looked so beautiful beneath them. It was difficult to think that Malvel’s evil was once again at work.

  “We need to find Spiros!” shouted Tom to Ferno. “We must search the skies.”

  The fire dragon seemed to understand, flying up beyond the clouds and circling in wide arcs. They searched until the sun reached its highest point, then they headed north. The temperature began to dip. Tom scanned the sky for any sign of the ghost phoenix, but he could see nothing apart from the occasional eagle.

  Soon Ferno’s wings were beating with less energy.

  “It’s too cold,” said Elenna. “And Ferno’s tired.”

  Tom patted the fire dragon’s neck. “You’ve done enough, friend.”

  Ferno snorted and wheeled in the air, taking them back toward the grassy plains. A herd of cattle was grazing on the long grass. They scattered, letting out startled moos, when the mighty dragon dropped out of the sky and came to a stop.

  Tom, Elenna, Storm, and Silver climbed down from Ferno’s back, while the great Beast stood patiently.

  “Thanks, old friend,” said Tom. “You can go back to your mountain now.”

  With a farewell roar, the fire dragon took to the skies again.

  Watching him fly away, Tom felt deflated. The golden chain mail he had won in his last Quest was meant to give him strength of heart, but right now he didn’t feel like it was working. How would he ever find his aunt and uncle?

  “We have to widen our search if we’re going to find Spiros,” he said. “What about the plains?”

  “But they’re vast,” said Elenna. “Storm is strong, but even he can’t cover so much ground.”

  “I know a Beast who can!” said Tom, and rubbed the fragment of horseshoe embedded in his shield.

  After a few moments, the cattle began to crowd together.

  “Something’s spooked them,” said Elenna.

  Beneath Tom’s feet, the ground quaked. The cows suddenly split into two groups, and a path opened up between them. A shape appeared on the horizon.

  “Tagus!” Tom shouted. The soft rumble of hooves became louder as the horse-man galloped toward them. With the body of a stallion but the torso of a giant, he stood three times as tall as Storm. Shaggy black hair grew in a tangled mess on his head. He slowed in front of Tom and Elenna, his chest heaving as he pawed the ground.

  “Welcome, Tagus,” said Tom. “We have to find Spiros the Ghost Phoenix. Can you help us?”

  Tagus couldn’t speak, but he seemed to understand, and lowered himself to his knees so that Tom and Elenna could climb onto his back.

  “Storm and Silver can stay here,” Tom said as they mounted. “We’ll have to go alone.”

  Storm was grazing contentedly, and Silver was already darting off into the long grass. Tom’s legs gripped the Beast’s middle and they set off at a canter over the plains.

  Soon they were galloping through the grass at incredible speed. The feeling of power beneath Tom was immense. It was impossible to speak over the thunder of Tagus’s hooves, but he felt Elenna’s fingers digging into his sides.

  Tom scoured the grasslands for signs of Spiros and was beginning to give up hope, when he heard a wailing sound from behind a hillock. Tagus slowed to a trot. Could it be the ghost phoenix?

  “That way!” shouted Tom. Tagus set off up the incline. As they neared the top, a howl pierced Tom’s ears, followed by a low growl. A flash of brown appeared to their right. But it wasn’t Spiros.

  “Hyenas!” cried Elenna, placing an arrow to her bow.

  Another creature skulked to their left, lifting its nose to s
niff the air. Tagus swiveled on his hooves as Tom counted ten hyenas fanning out around them. He knew they wouldn’t normally attack a Beast the size of Tagus, but weighed down with two humans, he must have seemed an easier target.

  One of the ugly creatures darted at Tagus’s leg and received a kick that sent him sprawling. Another followed, but Elenna fired an arrow, and with a yelp the hyena limped away.

  “Good work,” said Tom, then turned to see a large hyena bounding toward them. It leaped through the air, mouth slavering. There was no time to draw his sword, so Tom smashed his shield into the hyena’s head. The creature fell to the ground, then dragged himself away, followed by the rest of the pack.

  “That was close,” said Elenna.

  “Let’s get away from here and keep searching,” said Tom.

  He steered the centaur toward the highest part of the plains, a plateau scattered with giant rocks. When they arrived at the top, Tom slipped from the Beast’s back and clambered up one of the largest boulders, staring out across the plains. His golden helmet, safely locked away in King Hugo’s castle, had given him the power of enhanced vision, and he trained it on every corner of the plains, desperately looking for a sign of the ghost phoenix.

  “Anything?” Elenna asked.

  Tom shook his head. “Nothing. And I’m not even sure how I’ll recognize Spiros if she’s a ghost.” Tagus stood waiting for further commands. Tom turned to him. “Thank you, but you should go back to protecting your cattle.”

  Rearing onto his hind legs, Tagus roared, then galloped away, leaving Tom and Elenna alone.

  “What now?” asked Elenna.

  Tom smiled. “I have one more idea,” he said. “Perhaps to find a phoenix, we need to use a phoenix.”

  “You don’t mean …” began Elenna.

  “That’s right,” said Tom. “We need Epos!”

  CHAPTER FOUR

  SEARCHING THE KINGDOM