Magitech Rises (The Exceptional S. Beaufont Book 3)

by Sarah Noffke

  “I haven’t, my child,” Mae answered. “However, the answer lies in your hands.”

  Sophia’s eyes darted from side to side, trying to understand what the mysterious woman meant. “Huh?”

  “I mean that literally,” Mae stated.

  Pulling the phone away from her ear, Sophia looked at it, expecting a message to be scrolling across it. There was nothing new there, just the wallpaper of Sophia with Clark and Liv standing arm and arm.

  “I meant the other hand,” Mae said.

  Sophia put the phone back to her ear and looked down at her other hand, which held her father’s book. “You mean the answer to where to find Papa Creola’s monster is in my father’s book?”

  “Yes, that’s exactly what I mean, dear,” Mae said, sounding satisfied. “I can tell you what page, but if you’d rather find it on your own…”

  “No, tell me,” Sophia encouraged. She wanted to read every word in the book, but time was important, and she’d already spent a lot of it on side missions. It would be best if she got to the next mission sooner rather later.

  “It’s on page one-twenty-six,” Mae Ling stated.

  “But the pages aren’t numbered,” Sophia argued.

  “And yet, I’m certain you know how to count,” Mae said and then hung up.

  Sophia placed the phone on the table and began flipping through the pages, counting.

  “That sounded like an important call,” Mahkah observed casually.

  “It was,” Sophia answered, paging through the book, nearing the one-twenty-six.

  “And you’re searching for a monster,” Mahkah continued. “What is it guarding?”

  She flipped up her head. “Why does it have to be guarding something?”

  “Well, why else would you go after a monster that you don’t know where it’s located?” Mahkah questioned. “If it was creating havoc, then you’d know where it was and go after it to protect. But since you don’t, then that means it’s protecting something.”

  Sophia pursed her lips to the side, strangely impressed by the dragonrider’s logic. “Yeah, it’s guarding something. I can’t really go into details.”

  “I figured that much,” Mahkah stated, taking a sip of tea. “As long as it’s not a dragon, I have no interest.”

  On page one-twenty-six, Sophia read her father’s notes:

  The beast who guards the save point is none other than Hydra—the dragon with seven heads and a spirit that would be hard for one magician alone to defeat.

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  Sophia nearly choked even though she wasn’t even drinking tea right then. Mahkah noticed her attempts to gasp for breath and leaned forward, curiosity written on his usually placid face.

  “Everything okay?” he asked.

  She glanced up from her father’s book, weighing her options. “Dragons, you say?”

  He nodded, tilting his head to the side. “Is the creature you’re going after a dragon?”

  She checked the book again. “Well, sort of.”

  “What do you mean?” he asked.

  “Well, it appears to be a mythical type of dragon,” she explained. “Not the kind we’re used to or anything.”

  Mahkah’s eyebrows raised. “You’ve got my attention.”

  Sophia could go after Hydra with Lunis and maybe be successful. Getting the token was important, and she didn’t want anyone else to know about her mission to find The Complete History of Dragonriders. She didn’t know anyone who talked or inquired less than Mahkah, and she also didn’t know anyone who had a better knowledge of dragons. If she was honest, trying to defeat Hydra, the dragon with seven heads that grew back after being severed, scared her worse than any other task she’d encountered thus far.

  “What would you think about going with me to fight the legendary Hydra?” Sophia asked quietly. Her eyes darted around; she was afraid they might be overheard.

  Mahkah stood at once, his hands pinned on the table. It was rare to see the enthusiasm in his eyes, almost making him bounce up and down. “I’ll go. Let’s do it.”

  Sophia drew in a breath and sat back in her seat. “First, we have to talk.”

  Mahkah got control of himself and took his chair once more. “Of course. What is it?”

  He was still vibrating with excitement.

  “I have to recover something from Hydra, and you can’t ask about it,” she said carefully, watching his micro-expressions for signs he might resist.

  He didn’t, though. Instead, Mahkah agreed at once, nodding. “I figured as much. You have a mission. Hydra is a part of it. I’ll help. No questions as long as you can guarantee whatever this mission is about only helps the world at large.”

  Sophia thought for a moment. “I believe so. I mean, it should further our purpose as dragonriders.”

  “Okay, then there will be no questions from me,” Mahkah promised. “I trust you, Sophia.”

  “The other part,” Sophia began slowly, sensing this was going to be the rub. “Is that we have to kill Hydra.”

  And there it was, Sophia realized, watching as Mahkah’s excitement faded immediately. “But it’s…”

  “An ancient and powerful mythical creature,” she completed his sentence. “I get that. And I know you probably value it.”

  “I didn’t even know it was still alive,” he stated.

  She nodded. “It’s working for Papa Creola, but he wants me to relieve it of its duties. In doing so, I have to defeat it.”

  “So, regardless of whether I accompany you…”

  Sophia drew in a breath. “I’m going to try to kill it whether you help me or not.”

  He nodded. “I thought so. Well, then I’d rather see this incredible creature, even if it’s only in death.”

  Sophia leaned forward, a smile on her face. “Now, I don’t suppose you have any ideas about how to actually kill the thing, do you?”

  “I absolutely do,” Mahkah affirmed, sharing a victorious smile.

  “You do, what?” Hiker asked, standing squarely in the archway to the dining hall with a skeptical expression on his face.

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  Sophia tensed. Hiker was the last person she wanted to see right then. She stuffed a scone into her mouth and muttered through the crumbs, “Nofing, sir.”

  “Well, I’m glad to see you both at the Castle,” Hiker said, coming into the room and eyeing the assortment of goodies on the tray. “If you’re taking tea, it means you’re ready for a mission.”

  Sophia grimaced. This was going to be harder than she’d expected. “Actually, sir, I just stopped off here to refuel and recharge.”

  He lowered his chin and regarded her with a long, cold stare. “You’re not ready for an adjudicator mission, then?”

  “I want to be,” she said, grinning widely. “But I have to go and do a thing first.”

  “A thing for Papa Creola, right?” Hiker asked as Ainsley buzzed out of the kitchen, holding an empty tray.

  “Oh, sir, are you taking tea too? This is like Christmas at the Castle,” Ainsley babbled excitedly.

  “We’re not having Christmas at the Castle,” Hiker grumbled. “And no, I’m not taking tea. I simply noticed two of my dragonriders slacking off in here when they don’t have the time or inclination for missions.”

  “But I made scones,” Ainsley said. “Actually, I didn’t. The Castle did. But I chatted with it the entire time. Therefore, I feel like I made them.”

  “Would you leave us be?” Hiker asked the housekeeper.

  “My name is Ainsley,” the shapeshifter elf said, rolling her eyes and giving Sophia a look. “You’d think he’d know that by now, but I don’t think he’d recognize me if I slapped him in the face. Maybe I should go and test the theory.”

  “You can try,” Hiker said, a warning in his voice.

  Ainsley sped off for the kitchen. “First time I have a few down for afternoon tea, and none of them are being fun about it. No pinkies in the air. No pleasant talk about the mo
or. No giggling with mouths covered. Just dirty dragonriders, smelling up the place.”

  Hiker blanched, discreetly lifting his arm and sniffing. “I’m not dirty.”

  “Nor am I, sir,” Mahkah agreed.

  Sophia shrugged, smelling her gardenia soap still fresh on her skin. “You both could be a bit cleaner, but whatever.”

  “You are off on another mission for Father Time, is that right?” Hiker asked, his hands on his hips and his light-colored eyes narrowed on Sophia.

  She nodded. “It shouldn’t be that big an ordeal. I promise when I return, I’ll be ready to take on anything you want.”

  “It might be for you to pack your bags and find another place,” Hiker threatened.

  Sophia, used to his threats, picked up her tea and took a sip.

  The leader of the Dragon Elite turned his attention to Mahkah. “Well, it is a good thing I can count on my most reliable dragonrider to take on missions for me, or this place would go to hell.”

  Mahkah stood at once, his hands clapping to his side as he bowed slightly to Hiker. “Sir, I regret to inform you, but I want to accompany Sophia on her mission.”

  The growl that escaped Hiker’s mouth felt large enough to blow Sophia’s hair off her shoulders.

  “Is this a joke?” Hiker asked Mahkah.

  “No, sir,” he answered. “It’s just, this is a great opportunity, and I’d really like to be part of it.”

  Hiker turned his seething gaze on Sophia. “You’re taking one of my riders on one of your Papa Creola missions? Do you wish to tell me anything now?”

  “I don’t know the details, sir,” Mahkah answered for Sophia. “Just that there are monsters that interest me very much. I hope it’s okay.”

  Sophia gave Hiker an apologetic smile when he rotated to face her again.

  “Sooner or later, Sophia,” Hiker began, “you’re going to have to tell me what you’re up to.”

  “I’d be happy to,” Sophia sang, taking a bite of her scone and thinking of holding The Complete History of Dragonriders and relishing in the look on Hiker’s face.

  “Okay,” he said, drawing out the word. “You two, do what you must. It is in your favor that I’m still researching and don’t have any real pressing matters at the moment.”

  He looked around the empty hall, undeniable regret in his eyes. “I do look forward to when…if we recover from this mess.”

  Sophia couldn’t help but feel the sadness. The dragonriders were almost extinct. They had lost their way, and their leader’s confidence was waning.

  She wanted to believe this would pass, but she had no way to confirm that. All Sophia Beaufont had was an unwavering spirit and the desire to do everything possible to bring the Dragon Elite into a new era.

  And for some strange, irresistible reason, she firmly believed it started with finding The Complete History of Dragonriders.

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  The location in Sophia’s father’s book wasn’t specific, but according to Mahkah, it didn’t have to be.

  “There is only one Mountain of Truth,” he stated, standing next to Tala. The waning sunlight streaked across the Expanse, making her brown scales appear almost red.

  “I don’t understand,” Sophia asked, brushing her hand over Lunis. “You know where this Mountain of Truth is?”

  Mahkah nodded, mounting his dragon. “Yeah, but portaling there will be a little different.”

  “Why?” Sophia joked, laughing. “Is it on a different planet?”

  With a serious expression, Mahkah nodded. “Actually, yes. Oriceran is absolutely a different planet.”

  “Wait.” Sophia tensed. “Are you serious? I can’t portal to a different planet.”

  “Think of it as a different realm,” Mahkah amended. “Pretty much the same planet, just a different space and time. Father Time sent you on this mission, right?”

  Sophia nodded. “Well, yeah.”

  “And he knew you’d have to find Hydra?” he questioned.

  “Well, yeah,” she repeated.

  “Then you can get to the Mountain of Truth,” he confirmed. “I doubt I could, but I’m thinking he’s granted you that portal capability if he knew you’d need to find whatever Hydra is guarding.”

  “Yeah, but Papa Creola couldn’t even tell me where the location was,” Sophia argued.

  Mahkah grabbed the reins on Tala. “Couldn’t or wouldn’t?”

  Sophia thought for a moment. The way everything had lined up with her finding her father’s book with the location of Hydra being recorded in there was a bit coincidental. “Yeah, he probably knew and was just leading me on this goose chase. Do you think I’ll be able to open the portal to this Mountain of Truth?”

  Mahkah held out a hand, almost like presenting. “Only one way to find out. I’ll follow.”

  “Do you think we can breathe on this Oriceran?” Sophia asked, preparing to ride Lunis.

  “I think so,” Mahkah said, holding back a laugh.

  “Anything else you can offer about this place that I should know?” Sophia asked.

  “I’ve never been there, obviously,” Mahkah offered. “I hear the queen who is in charge is very kind, her kingdom full of peace, and all the chaos she didn’t want to deal with is hiding on the peaks of this mountain which is not at all what it seems, full of monsters, tricksters, and treasures.”

  Sophia grabbed her own reins, giving Lunis a look of uncertainty. “Sounds about like every other Tuesday. I say we make haste.”

  Chapter Thirty-Five

  The air always felt different outside the Barrier. Not like it was colder, but denser, like everything inside the Gullington was lighter.

  Sophia knew what she had to do, but she also had a great deal of doubt surrounding it. How was it she could create a portal to another planet?

  You’re riding a dragon, and you doubt you can open a portal to another planet? Lunis asked in her head.

  Well, you are from Earth, Sophia argued.

  As far as you know, he countered.

  Ha-ha, she said with no humor. It’s just strange I should be able to do this. I didn’t even know this Oriceran place existed.

  Most don’t, he said.

  Wait, you know about it?

  There is limited information in the collective consciousness about the planet, he explained. Apparently, Earth and Oriceran are connected through magic.

  Awesome explanation, Sophia said with zero enthusiasm. Just chalk it all up to magic, and no other details are needed.

  What do you want, science? Lunis snorted with laughter in her head. Again, you’re riding a dragon. Oh, and you’re talking to one too…in your head.

  Because of this connection between Earth and Oriceran, I can open a portal there, you think, Sophia questioned.

  Only one way to find out, but yes, it makes sense Papa Creola granted you this gift for your purposes, Lunis assured her.

  He could have told me, she grumbled.

  When have you ever known the man to be forthcoming with information?

  She sighed. I’m holding out hope that being an elf will change him.

  I don’t think you can stick around on Oriceran long, Lunis mused. I believe it would cause an imbalance of sorts. The same is true for going to other time dimensions, from my recollection.

  So when I get this token and visit the save point in the past, I shouldn’t stick around in the past, Sophia asked.

  I wouldn’t, Lunis answered. So you shouldn’t. We are always meant for our own time and place of origin.

  What if Liv didn’t help mortals to see magic and everything did have to be reset to before the Great War? Sophia questioned.

  Then we would have all gone back to that point, Lunis explained. It would have been a collective restart, and therefore it would be fine. When you find the token, then just you will be traveling into the past. You have to do what you need to do to find the book, but then you must leave. Otherwise, I think you could cause problems.

  I mean
, Sophia said, thinking over the idea, I should at least browse around and see how things were.

  I think in small doses, it will be fine, Lunis stated. Nothing is going to happen until you open that portal to Oriceran.

  Sophia realized she’d been stalling long enough. They were well past the Barrier now. She gave Mahkah a tentative expression.

  He nodded in confirmation, his look seeming to say, “You can do this.”

  Gulping, Sophia lifted her hand and focused on the Mountain of Truth. A hundred yards ahead of them, a portal opened, shimmering blue and green around the edges.

  Sophia didn’t know where it would take them, if it would work or what they would find on Oriceran. She was growing accustomed to trusting her instinct and embracing risks.

  She held her breath as they slipped through the portal.

  Chapter Thirty-Six

  The air, wherever they were, was a stark contrast to Scotland. It smelled of smoke and ash and was thick with humidity.

  The portal had stuck them in a cloud of pinks and greens. Sophia coughed, at first worried she couldn’t breathe on this strange planet. After sucking in a sip of air, she realized she could breathe, but it did feel different than what she was used to.

  The clouds obscured the terrain below them, but in the distance, Sophia noticed a peak edging out of the swirling pinks and greens. She glanced back, relieved to find Mahkah riding behind her, a cautious expression on his face.

  She slowed Lunis to allow Mahkah to ride up beside her. Before they had left, he’d briefly told her how they would defeat Hydra. She knew from the legends Hydra had seven heads. When sliced off, the heads grew back. The way to defeat the monster was to cut off the head and seal it with dragon fire instantly before it could regrow. Mahkah had advised that Sophia be in charge of slicing off the heads, and he and Tala would seal them. It seemed like such a straightforward plan, Sophia felt confident they would defeat the beast in no time.