by Jim Proctor
Venandi had told him they would reach Terrania today, where they would stop overnight at a port to refuel and perform some maintenance before flying on to Tenebris. Clearly the captain wanted to be ready to leave her port as soon as he collected his fee.
The sound of the engine changed, and Angus felt the ship slow and begin to turn. They had probably reached port. He didn’t care. Had he cut back on his drugs at the start of the trip, he might have made some attempt to slip off the ship and escape. He was in no condition to try that, now. Pulling the blanket over his head to shut out the light, he gave up his struggle to keep his grip on the real world and slipped into the dark dreams and hallucinations caused by his withdrawal.
Sometime later—he had no idea how long—a voice came to him. The words were familiar, but they failed to form any meaning in his mind. Light shone through his tightly closed eyelids, and a smell assaulted his nose. Then, as quickly as the light had come, it vanished.
* * * *
Dolus climbed the stairs to the wheelhouse.
“He’s in a bad way, sir. I think he’s sick, or something,” he said. “I took him his food and told him we had reached port, but he just groaned and pulled the blanket over his head again. He’s mumbling in gibberish, too.”
Venandi shook his head. “If he dies before we deliver him to the Black Witch, she may not pay us.”
“Why? We found him and brought him to her. We kept our end of the deal. It isn’t our fault if he dies,” Dolus said.
“She wants something of his, something called a cumulus. That is what we were tasked to get. Failing that, bringing Beaph to her was the contingency plan. She expects to question him and learn the location of the cumulus. If he dies, we have nothing,” Venandi said.
“Then I suggest we take on fuel and get to Tenebris as fast as we can, sir.”
Venandi nodded. “What is the condition of the ship, Dolus?”
“It’s overdue for its maintenance, sir, but she ain’t fallin’ apart yet,” he said.
“If we take on fuel and fly to Tenebris, are you confident that we can leave port as soon as she pays us?” Venandi asked. “I don’t want to stick around there doing repairs.”
Dolus nodded. “Yes, sir. I’ll get us out of there as soon as you say the word.”
“Very well. See to the fueling. I’ll make sure our guest doesn’t leave the ship,” the captain said.
“I doubt he can get out of bed on his own, much less walk, sir,” Dolus said as he turned and hurried out of the wheelhouse.
* * * *
Angus emerged from his dream, feeling the ship rock and move. There was a sound… he knew that sound… the engine was running again. They were leaving port. Before long, he would have to face her. Right now, he needed all the rest he could get. Rolling over, shaking uncontrollably, he drifted back into his dream world.
* * * *
Dolus guided the airship away from the port and beyond the holding pattern, and then began to climb as he turned north. Checking the GPS, he adjusted their course and headed for the Black Witch’s port. Venandi paced back and forth across the wheelhouse nervously.
“We’ll be there tomorrow, sir. He’ll be okay, you’ll see.”
Venandi stopped and glanced at his first mate. “I hope so. I’ve spent too much time and money chasing him. I don’t want to lose it all now, at the finish.”
“Do you want me to go and check on him?” Dolus asked.
“I think we should let him sleep. It’s probably the best thing for him, right now.”
“Right you are, sir.”
Venandi resumed his pacing while Dolus watched the sky ahead and checked the GPS periodically, making small course adjustments from time to time.
“Bloody hell!” Dolus yelled. “Take the wheel, sir.”
“What’s wrong, Dolus?”
“That bloody wizard just spoke to me inside my head!”
Without waiting for a reply, Dolus ran to the steps and took them two at a time. Ducking into the galley, he grabbed a bottle of water from the refrigerator and ran to Angus’ cabin. When he entered, the small man struggled to sit up. Dolus twisted the cap off the water bottle and handed it to him.
“Thank you,” Angus said weakly as he tried to grasp the bottle with shaking hands. Water sloshed from the open neck when he slowly brought it to his lips.
“You scared the hell out of me, a voice talking inside my head!” Dolus said.
Angus drank deeply. Finally, he said, “I’m sorry. I wouldn’t have made it to the galley myself.”
“That’s all right. No harm done. It was just a bit of a shock, that’s all,” Dolus said.
Angus managed a weak smile. “Are we on our way to Tenebris already?”
“Yes. We left port about twenty minutes ago,” Dolus said.
“Your captain said we would be staying in port overnight. I see light through the porthole. Did I sleep through an entire day and night?”
“No,” Dolus said. “We decided to finish our journey as soon as possible. We took on fuel and got under way. We were worried you were sick… and maybe needed some medical attention we couldn’t give you.”
Angus took another long drink from the bottle. He smiled. “Not worth much if I’m dead, I guess.”
“Well… to be honest, sir, yes. We figure she won’t pay if you die before we get there,” Dolus said.
“Knowing her, you’ll be lucky if she pays anyway,” Angus said. “She’s not very reliable when it comes to keeping promises. Be careful.”
“If you won’t be needing anything else, I’ll be getting back to the wheel,” Dolus said.
“Thank you. I’ll be fine. I think I can make it to the galley now. I’ll see if I can keep some food down,” Angus said.
“Are you sick?” Dolus asked.
“What do you think?”
Dolus rubbed his chin. “Well, beggin’ your pardon, but I had a friend once, couldn’t keep away from a certain recreational drug. He had to give it up when he ran out of money, and he went through hell. You kind of remind me of him.”
“When you’ve lived as long as I have, it’s hard not to be bored by everything. I tried something new,” Angus said.
“After what my friend went through, I’d suggest you give it up now, while you still can,” Dolus said.
“Sound advice. I shall certainly consider it.”
“I’ll go to the galley and fix you something light. Come along if you can. If not, I’ll bring it back to you in a few minutes,” Dolus said before he turned and left the cabin.
“Thank you. I’ll be along as quick as I can,” Angus said.
Dolus set a plate and utensils on the table. Turning around, he saw Angus standing in the doorway, clutching at the frame. He was visibly shaking, and Dolus was amazed he stand, much less walk here from his cabin. Dolus helped him onto the bench.
The plate contained a fresh apple, sliced and cored, some cheese, and a few crackers.
Dolus patted him gently on the shoulder. “Take it slow, let things settle. I think you’ll feel better when you have some food in you. If you want more, help yourself. I need to go back to the wheelhouse.”
“Thank you. I’ll call if I need your help,” Angus said.
“That’ll be fine, sir. However, if you don’t mind, just give a yell, if you have it in you,” Dolus said.
Angus nodded. “I’ll try.”
“What was that all about?” Venandi asked when Dolus reached the top of the steps.
“He needed some water. He looked a bit better after drinking it. He walked to the galley by himself. I fixed him a plate with a few things. I hope he’s on the mend,” Dolus said.
“If you’ll take the wheel, I’ll go down and keep an eye on him,” Venandi said.
“Yes, sir,” Dolus replied as he crossed the room and stepped behind the wheel.
Chapter 26
Captain Watson supervised closely as Jazeen brought the airship into Tenebris and set it gently on the landing pl
atform.
“Well done. You did it better than I could have,” he said.
“I’ve had a little practice with Angus’ control system,” she said.
“I didn’t see Venandi’s airship as we came around the port,” the captain said.
“Do you think we missed them?” Jazeen asked.
“We made good time on the crossing. I’m confident we made it here ahead of them. All we can do now is wait and see,” he said.
“I’ll shut down the flight systems, if that’s all right, Captain.”
Rupert nodded. “Yes, proceed. I’m going to my cabin to get some sleep. Keep an eye on other ships landing. Watch for Angus. We’re lucky they gave us the closest pad to town. They’ll march Angus right past us. Don’t do anything! Don’t call out to him. Don’t approach them. Just let them walk by and then wake me. Our business is with the Black Witch, not with the bounty hunter.”
“Yes, sir,” Jazeen said.
“Promise me you won’t do anything except wake me when you see Angus,” the captain said.
“I promise,” she replied.
Captain Watson descended the steps. A moment later, she heard his cabin door close.
After shutting down the flight systems, Jazeen took a chair out onto the deck and sat near the railing. Fluffy came out and sat beside her. Occisor flew up to his perch atop the balloon. On the trip over, they talked about trying to hide the distinguishing features of Angus’ airship, but decided against it. Even if Venandi recognized the ship, he had business with the witch and wouldn’t change his plans, provided Jazeen and Captain Watson didn’t interfere.
She sat and watched, wondering how long they could hold this platform before the port master asked them to leave. Standing and looking across the port, she could see several empty pads. As long as there were empty pads and she was willing to pay the pad fees, she didn’t see any reason why they would be chased off. Easing into her chair once again, she went back to watching the walkway leading to town.
After a while, she found she had to walk along the deck to stay awake. Fluffy walked with her for a while, and then curled up in the sunshine near Jazeen’s chair. Hours passed. She was tired, hungry, and thirsty when Captain Watson eventually came out on deck.
“No sight of him, I assume,” he said.
“No, sir.”
“I’ll take over. You get something to eat and then go to bed,” he said.
“How will we know if they take Angus to the witch during the night?” she asked.
Captain Watson shook his head. “Nobody disturbs the Black Witch during the night. Not if they want to live. They’ll visit her during broad daylight.”
Jazeen went into the wheelhouse and filled Occisor’s bowl. The dragon, hearing the clink of coal on his metal bowl, flew through the door and landed on the perch. Followed by Fluffy, she went to the galley where she put down a large bowl of water and a chunk of meat before fixing herself something. Barely able to keep her eyes open, she ate quickly and then went to her cabin. As she prepared to climb into bed, she heard a sniffling sound under the door. When she opened it, Fluffy trotted past her and leaped onto the bed. As she closed the door, Occisor flew through the narrowing gap and landed on the headboard. She climbed in. Snuggling against the big cat, she fell asleep to the increasingly familiar sound of purring.
* * * *
Jazeen rolled over and looked at the porthole. The orange light of sunrise, though still faint, filled the eastern sky. Dressing quickly, she went to the galley and fed herself and Fluffy. After climbing to the wheelhouse, she filled the dragon’s bowl, then went outside and sat by the railing. Nearly three hours passed while she watched the path, all the while thinking about the witch and how to deal with her. One of the first things she decided was that Captain Watson would be of no use in her negotiation with the witch. If possible, she would slip away without him and make sure he didn’t follow. The second thing she considered was whether she should take the cumulus with her. If the witch wanted it, she might not let Angus go on the promise of getting it later. Also, she wondered if Angus might be able to use the stored power to defeat her.
Before she had time to decide, she saw them—Angus and a tall man walked along the path heading toward town. Angus looked weak, and the tall man occasionally steadied him with a hand on the wizard’s shoulder. Neither man paid any attention to her or the ship. She watched as they walked out of sight. Dashing back inside, she went quietly to her cabin and looked at her backpack. Captain Watson seemed to think it was a bad idea to have it here, much less to take it to the witch. In the back of her mind, she wanted to believe that Angus would use it against the witch. Slinging the backpack over her shoulder, she went back to the wheelhouse. Fluffy padded up the stairs and caught her as she stepped out onto the deck. Turning to face the cat, she got down on her knees and took Fluffy’s face into her hands.
“I’m going to rescue Angus. I want you and your brother to stay here. Protect Captain Watson, but don’t let him follow me,” she said.
Fluffy stepped closer and rubbed her face against Jazeen’s cheek. She could only hope the cat understood her. Not wanting to run the motors that extended the gangplank for fear of waking the captain, she climbed over the railing and shimmied down one of the mooring lines. Then, with a wave to Fluffy, she set off along the path leading toward town.
As she went, she wished she had been able to leave sooner to follow the men to the witch’s house. She wondered how she would find it. Then she crested a hill along the path and stopped. There was no question which house belonged to the witch. On a small rise on the edge of town stood a large, stone building. It wasn’t exactly a castle, not by classical standards, anyway. It was, she thought, a modern version of a castle. It didn’t have towers or battlements, but the stone walls looked stout, and formidable. There was no moat, just a stone path leading to a heavy oak door with iron straps across it and large bolts holding it all together. At the highest level, maybe ten meters above ground, was a round wall with a series of doors all around. There was no balcony or even a ledge. All the doors that she could see opened to a deadly drop. Looking around, Jazeen found a thicket of bushes a short way off the path and made her way toward it.
Settling in under a large bush, she peered out through the branches and watched the door. After a while, she took a water bottle from her pack and drank slowly.
* * * *
Captain Watson walked to the galley and saw the dishes Jazeen had used for her breakfast. He proceeded to prepare a meal for one. After eating, he climbed the steps and headed for the door. Fluffy was sitting in the doorway.
“Good morning, girl,” he said. He bent down and rubbed the big cat’s head. Fluffy purred. He straightened up and tried to step around the cat, but Fluffy hissed.
Rupert jumped back. “What’s gotten into you?”
Fluffy simply stared at him.
He made to step past her again, and she hissed more loudly.
“You stop that!” he said.
Fluffy opened her mouth and bared her teeth. The captain looked through the side window, expecting to find Jazeen sitting by the railing. The deck was empty.
“She’s gone after him, hasn’t she?” he asked the cat.
Fluffy gave him a smug look that practically said, “Yes.”
The captain tried to rush past the cat, but Fluffy lunged and knocked him to the wheelhouse floor. Standing over him, she put a paw on his chest, nails extended just enough to be felt through his shirt.
“So, I’m not allowed to go after her,” he said.
Fluffy licked his face and went back to sitting in the doorway.
“You’re going to have to sleep sooner or later,” the captain said.
Occisor screeched loudly from his perch on the other side of the wheelhouse.
Getting to his feet and facing the dragon, he said, “Oh, so you’re in on this conspiracy, too.”
To his astonishment, the dragon nodded. Captain Watson waved his arms about.
“Fine. I’ll stay here. I just hope the girl doesn’t end up dead. But, if she isn’t back in two days, I’m going after them.”
If Fluffy was considering this statement, she didn’t give any indication of her feelings on the matter. The captain turned and went down the stairs to his cabin.
Chapter 27
Venandi stood looking through the window of Venefica’s office. Whenever he was here, he realized, he always looked to the outside world, perhaps to remind himself that it still existed, or maybe it was his subconscious telling him that he shouldn’t be here.
Angus sat in a chair, seemingly exhausted by the walk from the port. The bounty hunter had been surprised to be greeted by a new servant. Eric, the boy had said his name was. He had seen no sign of Emmett, and guessed the boy was his replacement. He tried not to imagine what might have happened to his predecessor.
Hearing a sudden gasp behind him, he spun around.
The Black Witch was staring at Beaph, but spoke to Venandi. “You actually found him! Venandi, I must commend you on your skill as a bounty hunter. I’ve lost count of how many have failed before you.”
“Thank you, my lady,” Venandi said with a bow that went unseen.
“And what of the cumulus?” she asked.
“He would not reveal its location, my lady.”
“He’ll reveal its location to me,” she said. Then, moving to stand before Angus, she said, “We meet again, after all these years.”
Angus’ head lolled as he tried to look up at her.
“Oh dear. Venandi, have you drugged your quarry?” she asked.
“No, my lady. I believe him to be ill, though I know not the nature of his disease,” Venandi said.
The witch moved close to Angus and placed a hand on his forehead. With her other hand, she gently lifted one eyelid and laughed.
“He is going through withdrawal. Oh, Angus, what have you been doing to yourself?” she asked.
Weakly, Angus replied, “A man has to have a hobby to keep him entertained.”
“Yes, quite so. You are in bad shape. What’s wrong? Did you run out of your recreational drug?”
