Phoenix Burning

by Bryony Pearce

  “I’ll never say.” He wanted to sound more confident than he did.

  “Barnaby was on Gozo, so she can’t be far. Where is she? Palermo? Catania? Monastir? Comino? Malta?”

  Toby said nothing.

  “Most likely Comino or Malta,” Judy mused. “But again, which side – Valetta?”

  Toby gave no sign that he heard her.

  Judy sighed. “Toby, I will have you flogged.”

  “You have no idea what we’ve been through recently,” Ayla scoffed. “That’s no threat.”

  Judy rubbed her face. “I wanted our relationship to get off to a better start – I don’t want to have to do this. Just tell me where the Phoenix is.”

  Toby set his chin. Ayla was right, what was a flogging compared to being chained in the salt?

  “Toby, I’m your mother, I know what to do to make you talk.”

  Toby laughed. “You’ve not seen me in ten years – you don’t know me at all.”

  Judy shook her head. “But I know the man who raised you.” She grabbed Ayla’s arm and shoved her towards the waiting crowd of Greymen. “Whip the girl.”

  Toby surged forwards but two Greymen grabbed him by the shoulders and forced him to his knees.

  Ayla sneered. “Do you think I can’t take a flogging? I’m Nell Wright’s daughter.” She raised her voice. “Hear that, you cowardly dogs? I’m the daughter of the woman you burned. There’s nothing you can dish out that I can’t handle. Bring it on.”

  “Ayla, be quiet!” Toby twisted in the grip of Greymen, but they pressed him harder into the deck until his knees screamed and he dropped to his hands for support. He focused on Judy. “If you do this, I’ll never forgive you.”

  “All you have to do is tell me where the Phoenix is.” Judy crouched next to him, her faded blond hair whipping in the breeze. A gap opened up between the Greymen, clearing his line of sight. For the first time he was grateful for the spots in front of his eyes. They had Ayla tied to a post with her hands over her head. The sheet pooled at her waist, only her breast band remained to protect the skin of her back.

  “Don’t tell them anything,” she called. “I betrayed you – you owe me nothing.”

  “Please don’t.” He turned his eyes on his mother.

  “Tell me where the Phoenix is.”

  He hung his head. “I can’t say. Ayla, I’m sorry.”

  “Don’t be,” she shot back.

  A big woman, muscled like a wrestler, started to remove her uniform jacket.

  “I don’t like to hit children.” She cracked her knuckles.

  “You should get your commander to do it.” Ayla tossed her head. “She burns them alive.”

  The woman picked up a long thin piece of cable, wrapped with leather to make a handle. She swung it experimentally then looked at Judy.

  Judy caught Toby’s chin and forced him to face her. “Last chance, son. Tell me where the Phoenix is. It doesn’t belong to your father – he stole it. It’s time to return it to the rightful owners.”

  “I’m no son of yours.” Toby tore away from her fingers.

  Judy shook her head. “I’m sorry you’re forcing me to do this.”

  “I’m not forcing you to do anything,” Toby replied. “This is all you.”

  “You have to know I’d never willingly hurt you,” Judy said. “But my deal with Hopewell protected you only as long as you were on board the Phoenix. If he comes for you… Well, my way is better.”

  He tried to turn, to beg, but the Greymen tightened their grip on his shoulders. “Just let us go – tell Hopewell you never found us.”

  “His agent already knows. Hopewell will sail from St George on the next tide. He’ll need the location of the Phoenix before his ship leaves the channel. Give it up, Toby.”

  Toby looked one more time at Ayla. She shook her head vehemently and he clenched his fists.

  “Remember, this is your own fault.” Judy nodded and the woman raised her whip.

  Ayla set her jaw as the cable whistled through the hot air and cracked against her bare back. She twitched, but made no sound.

  “Again,” Judy called.

  “Harder this time,” Ayla shouted wildly. “Are you trying to tickle me to death?”

  “Ayla…” Toby’s voice cracked and the whip came down. This time Ayla flinched slightly, but still made no sound.

  “Again.”

  “Stop,” Toby begged.

  “You’ll tell me?” Judy asked softly.

  Toby shook his head. “I can’t. I just need you to stop.”

  Judy sighed again. “Tell me what I need to know and it’ll all be over.”

  “Don’t you bloody dare!” Ayla yelled. “Hit me again.” She half-twisted towards the Greyman. “Come on, do it.”

  Judy nodded and the whip slammed down. The tip caught Ayla’s chin and blood gleamed in the rays of the setting sun.

  Toby groaned and closed his eyes.

  “Look at her, son. Doesn’t she at least deserve that you watch what you’re doing to her?”

  For a long moment Toby kept his eyes closed; then he lifted his head and opened his eyes.

  “Let me up.” His voice was calm. “I won’t go anywhere.”

  Judy gestured and the Greymen lifted him to his feet. Toby shoved them away and stood mast straight. His fixed his eyes on to Ayla’s. “Again,” he said. He looked briefly at his mother, before turning back to Ayla. “And don’t call me son.”

  The whip cracked down again and again, but Toby refused to look away. Blood formed on Ayla’s back as welts split and she sagged. Only the rope against her wrists held her upright. Still she made no sound, and the mad gleam grew in her eyes as she focused all of her attention on him. Toby kept his eyes on hers as though he could hold her upright with sheer will.

  “What do you think,” Toby said eventually, without removing his eyes from Ayla’s. “Is this working?”

  Judy growled. “Perhaps not yet.” She waved at the woman to stop.

  Ayla raised her head, breaking eye contact with Toby for the first time. “What’s the matter,” she whispered. “Your arm got tired?”

  Tears gathered in the corner of Toby’s eyes and he turned his face to the sky as he tried to force them back in. Then he frowned. His sight was still blurry, probably always would be, but he was certain that something flashed across the sky – something that reflected the evening sun as it flew.

  Polly. She was circling high overhead, he was sure of it – despite his damaged vision.

  “Untie the girl.” Fury filled Judy’s voice and Toby quickly looked back at her. “Put them in the brig together – let my son get a good look at her injuries. Once he’s thought about what he’s done we’ll have another talk.”

  The muscled woman pulled the ropes from Ayla’s wrists.

  She immediately collapsed and the woman lifted her up in her arms like a baby. “Idiot girl,” she whispered, barely loud enough for Toby to hear.

  Ayla smiled weakly.

  The woman marched towards an open hatch that led into the depths of the Grey ship. Left with no choice, Toby followed.

  TWENTY-NINE

  “I’m so sorry.” All Toby could see were the bruises and clotting blood that covered Ayla’s back. She lay on her belly, breathing shallowly.

  “That wasn’t much fun,” Ayla whispered, “but you did the right thing. If the Greymen get Barnaby and the Phoenix, we’ll all be screwed.” She gasped as blood trickled down her side. “Think what he could invent for them.”

  “That doesn’t make this right.”

  “It makes it necessary.” Ayla lifted her head. “If it makes you feel better, I’ll punch you in the face as soon as I can sit.”

  “Don’t move.” Toby said. “It looks like she was careful not to hit your left shoulder.”

  “Yeah, the woman’s a peach.” Ayla dropped her cheek to the cold deck. “If this gets infected…”

  “It won’t.”

  “It might.” Ayla swallowed.
“Do you think they’ve got an Uma on board?”

  “Bound to.” Toby forced brightness into his voice.

  “Either way, I don’t think they’ll let me see a doctor,” Ayla murmured.

  Toby leaned down and pressed his lips to her ear. “I saw Polly.”

  Ayla’s eyes flew open. “Are you sure?”

  Toby nodded. “She can’t fly far.”

  “If the Phoenix is near, this’ll all be for nothing.” Ayla grimaced.

  “No, it means they’re going to attack soon, before the fleet arrives. That’s something Judy hasn’t prepared for.”

  “Do you think…” Ayla started.

  “What?”

  “If Polly saw us both, if she told Barnaby… Do you think there’s a chance he got a message to Nell?”

  “I don’t know. Maybe.”

  Ayla raised her chin again. “Let’s hope so, because if Nell knows Judy Ford is in these waters, the Banshee won’t stop till she’s at the bottom of the ocean.”

  “In that case we’ve got to get out of here – we don’t want to be locked in the brig of a sinking ship.”

  Ayla grimaced. “We should get out of here anyway. I don’t want to spend the rest of my life being tortured by Greymen.”

  Toby looked at the bars that trapped them inside. “I haven’t got my tool belt, I can’t jimmy the hinges.”

  “They think we’re children.” Ayla touched his hand. “They’re going to underestimate us, so let them.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Tell Judy you want to talk. But demand medical attention for me first.”

  “Then what?”

  “Then we see what tools they bring us.”

  Toby hammered on the bars and yelled for help. Behind him Ayla curled up and sobbed piteously, all the time watching him out of one eye.

  “She needs help,” Toby shouted.

  After a minute Judy entered the passageway wearing a grey uniform with stripes on the shoulder and a sad smile. Her hair was pulled into a severe bun, making the hard lines of her face even harsher. “You know what my answer will be, Toby.”

  “I tell you where the Phoenix is and you’ll let Ayla see a doctor?”

  Judy nodded.

  “Fine. Just don’t let her die.”

  Judy pulled out a book of recycled paper and a pen. “Tell me.”

  “Sort Ayla out first.”

  “Toby, I’m not stupid.”

  “And I’m not a liar.” He pressed his face to the bars. “I can’t think with her making that noise. There are a few places the Phoenix could be – if you want me to remember the coordinates correctly…”

  Judy sucked air in through her teeth. “I bring the doctor in and you give me the coordinates?”

  “Once I know she’ll be all right.”

  “Fine.” She wheeled on her heel and pressed a button on the wall. “Send the doctor down.”

  Then she leaned on the wall as Ayla writhed and wailed and Toby held his hands over his ears.

  The doctor was the shortest man Toby had ever seen. His nose was flat and each breath whistled out of his nostrils. He held a black bag similar to Uma’s and, although Toby knew that Ayla planned an ambush, he hoped she would allow the doctor to treat her first.

  Toby stepped to one side as Judy opened and relocked the door. The doctor kneeled by Ayla. He shook his head as he looked at her wounds. “This is bad.”

  Toby held his breath. “Can you do anything?”

  “I’ve seen worse.” The doctor pulled a jar of cream from his bag and began to rub it on Ayla’s back. Genuine relief softened her face and guilt stabbed him in the heart as he stepped in close and bent down to the doctor’s bag. If he was like Uma, he would keep a set of scalpels and thread close to hand. Toby peered in and, sure enough, there it was – he lunged and grabbed the roll of material covering the blades. Swiftly he unrolled it, grabbed the largest and held it to the Doctor’s throat.

  “What are you doing?” Judy shouted.

  Ayla held out a hand and he passed her the rest of the roll.

  “I figure you don’t have a spare on board.” Toby tilted his head at his mother.

  “Put the knife down, Toby. You have no idea what you’re doing.” She gripped the bars.

  “And you have no idea who you’re dealing with,” Toby retorted. “Let us out.”

  “Where are you going to go?” Judy sneered.

  “Wherever the hell we like,” Ayla snapped. “Open the door.” She stabbed her own blade into the doctor’s leg and he screamed.

  “Any closer and that would have been my artery!” He clamped his hand over the wound.

  “You’re not the only one with anatomy skills, doctor,” Ayla said. She looked up. “Your son might have been raised by a ‘soft’ man, but I wasn’t. You taught my family well, Judy – we don’t know the meaning of mercy. And now I’m armed. Maybe Toby wouldn’t kill the doc, but I won’t lose a second of sleep over it.”

  “Commander…” the doctor begged.

  Judy sighed and unlocked the door. Behind her a trio of Greymen crowded into the passageway.

  Toby helped Ayla to her feet, then he dragged the doctor to his. Ayla put the scalpel against his throat. “Tell them to get out of our way,” she rasped.

  Judy gestured and the men retreated. “I thought you said you weren’t a liar.” Judy glared at her son.

  Suddenly there was a wail – a high-pitched scream that shivered through Toby’s bones like ice.

  “What the…?” Judy said.

  “Your ship’s still floating, so I know you’ve never heard the Banshee’s wail before.” Ayla fixed her eyes on Judy as she spoke. “I reckon my mother is excited to reunite with her old ‘friend’.”

  Judy’s eyes widened. “How did they…?”

  “Commander.” Another Greyman burst into the passageway. “The Phoenix just rounded the Maltese peninsula.”

  Relief broke over Toby. “If you want to know her exact coordinates, just let me know.”

  Judy straightened. “This ship is armed with weapons your father designed, Toby. One attacking ship or two, it doesn’t matter, they don’t stand a chance. Get back in your cell.”

  Toby laughed. “Hopewell’s bringing a whole fleet to deal with the Phoenix! What do you think? Will he get here in time to pick the debris of your ship out of the salt?”

  Judy pressed her lips together. “You’ve forgotten one thing.”

  “And what’s that?” Ayla jeered.

  “I’ve got you on board. Neither of your captains will attack as long as they think it puts their children at risk.”

  Suddenly there was a loud clang and the ship juddered. “What was that?” Judy shouted.

  “That was my mother … not attacking.” Ayla cocked her head to one side. “You underestimate how much she hates you. If she knows you’re on this ship, she’ll tear it apart to get to you, whether I’m on board or not.”

  Judy shouted. “All hands to battle stations!” She ran for the end of the passageway. “I don’t have time to deal with you now. Go where you want – there’s no escape.”

  Toby shoved the doctor away from them. He limped down the passageway, reproach in his eyes. “She’s right, you know. You’re trapped on a ship full of Greymen with nowhere to go.”

  Ayla laughed again. “That’s where you’re wrong, doc. Your Greymen are trapped on the ship with us. Oh, and before you go – hand me your jacket will you?”

  Toby and Ayla watched the Banshee approach through portholes in the empty mess. The ship still screamed and Toby pressed his hands over his ears. It was as though Ayla barely heard it.

  “There’s Nell!” She had to shout over the wail. Toby followed her pointing finger. Ayla’s mother looked almost exactly as he had first seen her – she had one leg on a pile of ammunition and her long coat whipped out behind her in the wind of their passage.

  The Phoenix was turning behind the Banshee, drawing closer with every heartbeat. Her orange paintw
ork glowed in the sunset and the Jolly Roger snapped.

  “They haven’t fired again,” he yelled. “They’re going to try and board.”

  Ayla nodded, then the floor beneath them started to shake and a giant cannon slid into view.

  “It’s aimed at the Banshee.” Toby curled his hand around Ayla’s. “We can’t just stand here while they sink your ship and steal mine! If I can get to the engine room, I should be able to do something.”

  “If we can find the engine room.”

  “If this ship was designed like the Phoenix, it’ll be in the bowels.”

  Ayla nodded. “Then we go down.”

  The passageways of the Grey ship were almost empty as they raced towards the ladders that led down into the gut of the ship.

  The few Greyman they saw ignored them, more concerned with the coming battle. Finally they came to a sliding vault door. Toby touched a mechanism on the wall beside it.

  “This is a failsafe – it shuts the corridor off. We’re here.”

  Ahead of them the boiler room door was closed. A glass window in the metal was dense with condensation.

  “There’ll be Greymen in there,” Ayla said as they tiptoed along the griddle. “And they will try and stop us.”

  Toby nodded. “There shouldn’t be more than three.”

  “We’ve got surprise on our side, but there’re only two of us … and I’m injured.” She flinched as the doctor’s jacket rubbed against her bleeding skin.

  Toby stared. He’d never heard Ayla admit that she might not be able to handle a fight. “You’re right – we won’t be able to beat them in a fight.” He paused, his mind racing. “And we can’t fool them … but I do have an idea. Do you think you can maybe keep them off me for half a minute?”

  “That’s all the time you’ll need?” Ayla sounded surprised.

  “A boiler’s a delicate beast.” Toby grinned. “And I know where to stab it.”

  Ayla stood at the door and closed her eyes. The hand that held her scalpel was trembling.

  Toby touched her wrist with light fingers. “We don’t have to do this,” he murmured.