Magitech Rises (The Exceptional S. Beaufont Book 3)

by Sarah Noffke

  She knew they could start over with the training. Maybe that was what needed to happen. She already felt like such a failure. She really didn’t want to die as one too. The Australian Outback was supposed to be hard. If it wasn’t, it wouldn’t be such an important part of the training.

  To cure yourself, you just have to go over there and collect one of those dead spider bodies, mix it with some of the plants over there. He indicated a brightly colored bush in the distance. And then it’s a simple spell. So easy.

  “Cool,” Sophia agreed. “I’ll get right on that as soon as the world stops spinning.”

  So you and your dragon are mad at each other, Smeg stated, rather than asking.

  “Really, I’m just mad at him.”

  Oh, what did he do? Smeg asked. Did he steal your boyfriend? Talk about you behind your back? Put you off for another dragon?

  Sophia shook her head and wondered what the hell was wrong with this strange magical crocodile. “No, he saved my life.”

  No. He. Didn’t, Smeg said, punctuating each of the words.

  Sophia sighed. “I know it sounds dumb, but we are supposed to be a partnership, and I ride him because I’m little and can’t fly. He has the fire powers, and when everything is dire, he swoops in and saves the day. All I do is act sassy and navigate. I’m pretty worthless in this partnership.”

  Smeg nodded, seeming to understand her plight. Yeah, you don’t seem to be carrying your own weight.

  “Thanks,” she said dryly, biting on the word.

  Have you considered letting him ride you? he asked.

  Sophia gave the magical creature a long, annoyed stare. “You do get that there is a size difference, right?”

  Oh, sure, I guess if those are your limitations, he answered. I’m just trying to help you troubleshoot this problem.

  “There’s no troubleshooting it,” Sophia said melodramatically, her head feeling full of hot lava. “I’m the invalid human, and he’s the awesome dragon. He can fly. I can sit. He can hunt. I can get bitten. He can withstand the elements and know everything from the dragon’s consciousness. I can school him in a game of Mario Kart.”

  Sophia knew riders and dragons had been working together in a mutual partnership for hundreds of years. She’d never read anything in the Incomplete History of Dragonriders about ego problems and riders feeling marginalized. Yet, Sophia was the first female rider, and she had feelings. Maybe that was the problem, though, she reasoned. Maybe something would be in The Complete History of Dragonriders, although she was still waiting to get the book back from Trinity.

  When you put it that way, Smeg began, I totally get your point.

  Sophia nodded, wishing more than anything she had a glass of water. “Yeah, I’m the worst. He’s the best. I’m lame. He’s awesome, and—”

  Before the poison totally takes you out, you mind if I share something with you? Smeg asked.

  “Well, when you put it that way, yeah, whatever.”

  Dragons are much stronger and more powerful than magicians, Smeg explained. They are the strongest magical creatures on this planet. In comparison, magicians are extremely vulnerable.

  “Your speech isn’t helping as much as you might think,” Sophia remarked.

  I apologize. I dropped out of college because of a class I had to take for public speaking, the croc admitted. Anyway, regardless, why do you think dragons chose to be partnered with humans, knowing humans were the much weaker species?

  The poison in her body made it difficult to think, so Sophia simply shrugged. “I don’t know.”

  You have your own advantages, Smeg explained. He might be able to fly or withstand high temperatures or tear things apart with his claws. But humans, I think if you really meditate on this, you’ll find you offer something crucial for you two. Without it, not only would your dragon not live as long, but more importantly, his life wouldn’t be as fulfilling. It’s important when considering the value of a partnership that we do not get stuck on the strength one provides and overshadow the traits another gives. Reason can often be considered just as important as power. Strategic thinking, I’d contend, is a superior skill to prowess. Knowing how to combine the skills of a magician with a dragon, well, I think that’s something only a human can truly do because they know how to compromise, which is not something the dragon readily understands. If they do, it’s only because of the influence of said human.

  Smeg swam in a circle, flicking his tail playfully upon the surface of the water. Anyway, just my two cents for what they are worth. Really, what do I know? I’ve just been around for a few hundred centuries, having random conversations with tons of beings through time.

  Sophia swayed, the scenery in front of her blurring as her vision dimmed. “Yeah, what do you know, O strange figment of my imagination?”

  Sophia, Smeg insisted, I’m real. Everything I’ve said is true. If it weren’t, then how would I know every dragon and rider has gone through similar internal conflicts?

  She pointed at him, feeling drunk. “Because that’s what I want you to tell me, so I don’t feel like such a failure.”

  But you aren’t, Smeg argued. You, just like Hiker Wallace and Bell, are going through the first feud of many.

  Sophia laughed. “Oh, good job, subconscious. You had the imaginary talking croc bring up Hiker and Bell to legitimize the strange message from my made-up hallucinations. Good one.”

  Okay, I can see you’ve already figured this all out, Smeg said, churning something under the water and making the lake swirl.

  “Yeah, that’s right,” Sophia said triumphantly. “I can’t fool myself.”

  No, you can’t. A large clump of something like seaweed shot out of the water beside Smeg and landed with a splat next to Sophia.

  She was so out of it she hardly budged when the pile of wet weeds landed just behind her on the rock. “What’s that for?”

  For when you pass out, so you don’t bust your head open on the rock, Smeg said thoughtfully.

  She smiled. “Thanks. But I’m okay. I’m going to hang out with you, my alter ego, and talk for a bit longer.”

  Sounds good, Smeg said. I like talking.

  Sophia swayed and thought how nice it was her hallucination had created a pillow for her, although she wouldn’t need it. Then her hand slipped out from under her, and her eyes closed as she fell into blackness.

  Chapter Eighty-Seven

  The sopping mossy thing under Sophia’s head smelled like fish. She was lying flat on the rock, sort of.

  “Hold still, would you?” a familiar woman’s voice said just in front of Sophia.

  The bright sunlight made it incredibly hard for Sophia to open her eyes. The searing pain on her leg made it a lot easier when she sprang up to a sitting position, clutching her calf.

  “Now, now,” the woman said. “Leave me to it, would you?”

  Sophia blinked. She really was hallucinating to find Bermuda Laurens, the giantess author of Mysterious Creatures, hovering and casting a shadow down on her.

  “Oh, first a talking croc and now this,” Sophia said, throwing herself back, the seaweed cushion softening her fall.

  Bermuda, who was wearing a brown safari outfit and hat, turned for the lake. “Smeg was here? Of course, he was! That chatty Kathy. I bet he talked your ear off.”

  Sophia pushed up to a sitting position. “When I die, will the hallucinations stop?”

  Bermuda shrugged. “I don’t know. It will be a while before you have an answer since today isn’t the day you die. Nor anytime soon, I believe.” The giantess was still tending to Sophia’s leg, although it progressively hurt less with every passing moment.

  “What do you mean?” Sophia asked. “I’ve been bitten by a magical Outback spider. I’m going to die from this unless I can gather that plant over there and mix it with the dead spiders and a bit of magic.”

  “Right,” Bermuda chirped, shaking off her hands after bandaging Sophia’s leg. “Which is what I’ve done.”

&n
bsp; Sophia’s vision cleared all at once, and she realized what she was seeing was actually real. “You’re here! You are actually here with me in the Outback!”

  Bermuda looked around, shaken by Sophia’s sudden outburst. “Do you mean me?”

  Sophia nodded profusely. Her vison was clear, although her mouth still felt like chalk.

  “Of course, I’m here,” Bermuda confirmed. “And a good thing. I found you passed out, minutes away from a coma. Strangely, I don’t remember the path which took me to you or how I got here entirely.” Her gaze redirected as she looked to where Lunis was still hiding by the tree. “Oh, but of course, dragons can do all sorts of things when they want to save their rider, like call to those who can help to them by using the chi of the dragon…”

  “What?” Sophia asked, looking around. “Lunis called you here? But you can’t be here. I’m on a walkabout. He is too. Did you use magic on me? Oh no, it’s all over!”

  Bermuda watched as Sophia threw her fist down on the rock and then grimaced from the act.

  The giantess said, “When you’re done, I have something to say.”

  Sophia squirmed for several moments before making her face straighten. “What is that? And are you certain you’re not a figment of my imagination?”

  “Quite,” Bermuda answered. “And you didn’t use magic. Neither did Lunis, although he is magic, so it’s hard for him not to use it. Just feeling things, like what he did that drew me to you, is magic. That’s the way of dragons. But you shouldn’t have to worry about it ruining your training. You didn’t perform magic to heal yourself. I found you passed out and fixed you without your consent. You can’t be blamed for that.”

  Sophia nodded and wiggled her toes, noticing the feeling coming back in her leg. “What are you doing in the Outback?”

  “I can’t tell you that,” Bermuda said flatly, holding out a cup to Sophia. “You can have this because I’ve given it to you, and if you don’t drink it, I’ll knock you out, and you won’t survive the Outback.”

  Sophia didn’t need many reasons for water when she was parched, but she was grateful Bermuda was making her feel less like a loser for having help on her walkabout.

  “You really found me, and your help is okay?” Sophia asked, draining the cup.

  Bermuda took it back when it was empty. “Yes, and in the future, you’ll want to boil the water in this lake for your supply, especially if Smeg was in it.”

  “Thanks,” Sophia said, feeling more herself, although her stomach growled almost on cue to remind her its needs hadn’t been met yet. “I don’t suppose you can feed me without breaking the rules too?”

  Bermuda shook her head, surveying the area. “No, I’m sorry, I can’t do any more in good conscience. You were moments away from passing out just now from dehydration, hence the water. The injury, well consider that coincidence. I’ve done this all for you so far, and therefore you can’t be blamed. But if this is a real walkabout, the challenges you face and overcoming them are part of your journey. I can’t short you of that.”

  “Well, I did slaughter a hundred spiders,” Sophia confessed.

  “Yes, the rarest Spindle spider,” Bermuda said bitterly. “I’d be angrier about this except after decades of searching for the creature I have some samples I can study. At least I’ve made progress, although I’m certain you’ve just moved them from endangered to extinct.”

  “Oops,” Sophia said. “Blame Lunis. He killed the momma.”

  “That’s why he’s over there sulking,” Bermuda observed. “Dragons are so very sensitive.”

  “They are?” Sophia asked and then shook her head. “No, he’s over there sulking because I’m a jerk who got mad at him for saving my life.”

  For all Bermuda Lauren’s calloused behavior, she nodded quite sympathetically. “It’s hard being the more vulnerable one in a relationship which is supposed to be a partnership. But the shortcoming is yours, my dear. Once you realize your unique gift, your importance, then all those problems will disappear. For now, you’re wrestling with your demons, not his.”

  Sophia mulled that over, recognizing how much sense it made the more she thought about it. The advice was very similar to what Smeg had told her.

  She was grateful Bermuda was there and had found her. She wanted to talk to the wise giantess more and have her explain this new realization to Lunis and share other insights. “Will you stay for dinner? I don’t know what we’re having, but I’m obviously cooking.”

  Bermuda backed away and shook her head. “Oh, no. I have an expedition awaiting me, and you have a walkabout to continue. You’re entitled to a guest here and there on your travels, but at the end of the day, it needs to be just you and Lunis. But I’ll see you again soon, Sophia Beaufont. There is little that can keep our paths from intertwining.”

  “So, it’s okay that we spoke?” Sophia asked, still worried she’d done something wrong to end her training.

  “It’s impossible for a person such as yourself to go anywhere, even a place as remote as the Outback, and not meet someone,” Bermuda explained.

  “But I was told I couldn’t speak to anyone,” Sophia argued.

  “Yes, meaning you couldn’t seek out anyone, but so far, it seems as though I’ve been the one talking to you.” She shrugged. “Besides, a walkabout is not about being away from others. It’s about learning how to be with yourself, which it sounds like you’re getting a new course on.”

  “Yes, my demons have come out on this trip.”

  “Embrace them,” Bermuda offered. “Invite them in and talk with them. It’s only then you can send them on their way.”

  “That’s lovely advice,” Sophia said.

  “And it’s all you get until the next time, my dear.” Bermuda looked out at the seemingly endless terrain and sighed. “Do try to not die or get maimed. The world needs you, Sophia Beaufont.”

  She offered a tentative smile. “I’ll try.”

  “Well, goodbye for now.” The giantess gave her a rare smile and strode away, the Australian Outback swallowing up her large form as she disappeared into the unforgiving landscape.

  Chapter Eighty-Eight

  Sophia was hesitant to slide off the rock and onto her injured leg but knew she couldn’t hang out by the lake forever, like a lost mermaid.

  Lunis was waiting for her. She needed water. And there was a lot more they needed to do if they were going to survive the Australian Outback together. But first, Sophia had to eat crow and say some things to her dragon.

  She felt like the proverbial mermaid taking her first step onto the ground. To her surprise, her leg wasn’t throbbing. A bandage covered the wound, which would hopefully keep it clean from infection. It also kept it away from Sophia’s eyes, which was probably a good thing.

  Her first step was a bit wobbly, but when she resigned to trusting her leg and whatever Bermuda had done to heal her, the next several steps were much smoother.

  With a tentative glance back at the lake, Sophia said in a hush, “Thank you.”

  If it hadn’t been for Smeg and Bermuda…well, she’d be heartbroken and close to dead. She really didn’t think Lunis would let her die there on the rock, but with the anger boiling inside of her, there was little he could do to get her cooperation.

  Sophia understood then how resentment and bitter feelings spoil relationships. They wall off the heart so little good can come through. Without heart, a person simply grows cold inside, losing track of what matters most—love.

  Being cold right then in the actual sense would have been good. Instead, it was the peak of the day, and with the sun barreling down on her, she thought her boots might melt right off.

  The tender expression full of hurt and longing Lunis flashed Sophia as she approached nearly made her crumble like her leg was giving out. She knew what he was feeling because she was feeling it too, not just because of their connection but because she’d caused it.

  “I’m sorry,” she began when closer. “I—”

&n
bsp; We only say sorry when we’ve done something wrong, Lunis interrupted.

  The smell of the roasting spider carcasses was disgusting. Sophia waved away flies and the smell. “I did do something wrong,” Sophia admitted. “I lost sight of what’s important.”

  I don’t know how frozen yogurt came into this, he teased, instantly lightening the mood.

  Sophia flashed him an amused expression. “Lun, what is with you and fro-yo, lately?”

  It’s the heat making me think of cooler things, he answered.

  “I thought you liked things hot, like lava.”

  He thought for a moment. I like both. I can withstand the heat, but that doesn’t mean I prefer it. I was built to withstand many extremes, but when all is said and done, I prefer our comfortable life together, not because of the posh couches and amenities, simply because of you.”

  “Thank you,” Sophia began again, hoping Lunis let her get out her rehearsed speech before she forgot it. “I realize my ego—”

  It’s a good speech, he cut in again, a sneaky expression in his eyes. But I’ve already heard it.

  She sighed, knowing keeping things from him was nearly impossible. Lunis knew her thoughts almost at the same time she thought them. Only in conversation when they were bantering back and forth did she give him any surprises.

  “Fine, well, I’d know what you were thinking in response to my excellent speech, but I was passed out, and my head is still swimming from the poison,” Sophia admitted.

  I wasn’t going to let you die, he insisted.

  “No, you magically called Bermuda Laurens over to save me.”

  He swished his tail back and forth, creating a welcomed breeze. She wasn’t too far away, and I knew she’d want to see the Spindle spiders.

  “Yeah, she’s not as mad as I figured about taking them out.” Sophia gazed around at the disgusting mess of dead spiders and wondered why they were hanging out there when they could be just about anywhere else in the Australian Outback.

  The other dragons are still of the old mind, Lunis began, his voice careful and very intentional with every word. They prefer the Cave cold and hard because they believe dragons can’t have luxuries, or it makes us soft. They prefer the harsh cold or extreme heat. They crave battle. They think our suffering makes us better, but I think they’re wrong.