by Jim Proctor
“I’ll do the pre-flight checks, then,” she said as she stood.
“I’ve already done the checks, Jaz,” Angus said. “Take the wheel and let’s go.”
The airship rose from the pad and headed west across the dunes toward the Great Ocean. Angus and Rupert sat at the chart table while Jazeen flew.
“There’s just one thing I don’t understand,” Jazeen said. “If you knew your cumulus would render the witch powerless, why didn’t you give it to her centuries ago?”
“At first, running from her bounty hunters was exciting. Over time, I got better at hiding, and even that became boring. Also, as I have said, positive magical energy can cause negative things to happen. Given the amount of energy in the cumulus, I was afraid something terrible might result. I’d finally had enough of running and hiding, and I decided to risk it. My plan was to get her angry and worked up before my cumulus arrived. I wanted her to absorb the energy right away. Then she would finally learn that my power was useless to her. I could leave, and she’d have no more interest in me. You arrived before I had a chance to really anger her, but, as it turns out, you angered her enough to make her absorb my cumulus. The flaw in my plan was I hadn’t counted on Emmett and Eric being trapped there with enchantments. I couldn’t leave them there, so I told Emmett that killing her would break the enchantments. There was no other way, under the circumstances.”
“Wait a minute… so… you set me up to follow you and bring it to her?” she asked.
“Oh, Jaz, I would never do that to you,” Angus said.
“I was supposed to bring the cumulus here,” Rupert said.
Jazeen looked at him. “You two had this all worked out ahead of time?”
Rupert nodded. “We worked it out while towing Venandi’s ship to port. You were never a part of the plan. When you arrived in Port Zebron with Angus’ ship and the cumulus, it saved me a lot of time and effort. I was waiting for the next airship run to the South Sea resort. I was going to rent a boat and go to Angus’ island.”
“I didn’t tell you that I had the cumulus,” Jazeen objected.
“I knew you would have it. What else could you possibly think you might exchange for Angus’ freedom?” Rupert asked.
“What if I was a stupid, scatterbrained girl who ran out of Angus’ house without it? What if we came all this way and I didn’t have it?” she asked.
“You’re not a stupid, scatterbrained girl. I had faith in you,” Rupert said with a smile.
Angus spun around in his seat. “Rupert, go out on deck and look behind us. I think someone is following us.”
Rupert ran out of the wheelhouse. A moment later, he came back.
“There’s an airship chasing us,” he said.
“Push the throttle and pitch up, Jaz. Let’s outrun them,” Angus said.
“Who are they?” she asked.
“It’s one of the port security ships,” Rupert said.
“You mean, like the police?” she asked.
“They work… they worked for the Black Witch. They’re her hired thugs who keep things under control in the port. They probably had standing orders to stop us if we left port,” Angus said.
Jazeen pulled the throttle back, and the ship slowed to a stop.
“Captain Watson, please take the helm,” she said. “Hold our position.”
“What are you going to do?” Rupert asked.
Ignoring him, she strode toward the door. She gave a shrill whistle. Occisor spread his wings, flew across the wheelhouse, and then landed on Jazeen’s shoulder.
Turning to Angus, Rupert asked, “What’s she doing?”
Angus shook his head. “Don’t ask, and don’t get in her way. She’s angry as hell.”
“Are you going out there with her?” Rupert asked.
“Are you kidding? She kicked the Black Witch down the dungeon steps! I’m not going out there,” Angus said.
Jazeen stood at the railing waiting for the other airship to come alongside.
“What do you want?” she yelled.
“You need to return to port. You are under arrest,” a man in a black uniform yelled back.
The other airship was directly beside them, now. Jazeen held out her arm, turned her head, and closed her eyes.
“Occisor, light the fire, please,” she said.
“What did they say?” Rupert asked as Jazeen stepped into the wheelhouse.
“They said we are free to go on our way,” she said.
The dragon flew back to his perch in the corner.
Rupert looked at Angus. The wizard smiled and shrugged. Rupert pushed the throttle forward and increased the pitch of the propellers. The airship accelerated.
Angus climbed down from his stool and went to his cabin. Jazeen followed. She watched as he opened a drawer and retrieved something. He was unscrewing the cap of a small, brown bottle as he turned around.
She put her hands on her hips and glared. “No more,” she said.
Angus looked at her and then at the bottle. “Jaz… I need this.”
“It almost got you killed!” she said. “I didn’t come all this way to rescue you just to have you die of a drug overdose!” She held out her hand.
Reluctantly, Angus handed her the bottle.
“Is this all of it?” she asked.
Angus nodded.
She went through the wheelhouse, out onto the deck, and crossed to the railing with Angus following close behind. He watched as she dumped the pills into the ocean. She then dropped the bottle and cap after them.
Turning to him, she said, “I know it’ll be rough. I’ll help you, night and day. I’ll stay with you around the clock until you’re past the withdrawal.”
“That could take weeks,” he said.
She got down on her knees and pulled him into her arms. “I’m not leaving you alone until you are over this.”
Epilogue
A gentle breeze from the south flowed up the slope bringing the scent of the sea to Angus’ back porch. The rising sun was mostly blocked by the trees to Jazeen’s left, but she could see the orange tint reflecting off the clouds straight ahead.
“How are you feeling this morning?” she asked as Angus stepped out and sat beside her.
“Better than yesterday,” he said. “Each day is better than the day before.”
“It’s been nearly a month. Any regrets?” she asked.
“No, of course not. The withdrawal was rough, but I’m glad to be done with that stuff,” he said.
Jazeen put her arm around him.
“Thank you, Jaz. I wouldn’t have done it without you,” he said.
“You would have pulled through, I’m sure,” she said.
“I’m not talking about the withdrawal. I’m talking about quitting. I had no reason to quit without you,” he said. “When you’re centuries old and hide away in a place like this with nothing to do, it’s hard to find meaning in life. I tried the drug for a new experience, to combat the boredom. I liked it, at first.”
“I understand. So what do I bring into your life that allows you to give up the drugs?” she asked.
Angus smiled. “Youth. I get to see the world through your eyes and share your new experiences. I watch you learn, and I feel your excitement.”
“I guess when I’m a bit older and have experienced more of life, that thrill will be gone,” she said with a smile.
Angus frowned. “Jaz… please understand something. I’ve watched a lot of friends grow up, grow old, and die. Too many. I’ve lived centuries alone, in hiding, not just from Carissime.”
Jazeen looked puzzled. “Who is Carissime?”
“I’m sorry. That was my wife’s given name. It means—”
“It means dearest,” Jazeen said.
Angus nodded. “She changed her name to Venefica after she left me.”
“That’s fitting, anyway,” she said.
“What I’m saying is, I’ve also been hiding from people. I’ve lost so many friends I didn’t think
I could stand to lose another.”
“I see. So, what you’re saying is, it would be best if we weren’t friends?” she said.
“What? No! Of course not,” he said. “It’ll break my heart worse than ever to lose you, but I’ll gladly endure that in exchange for the time we have together. You’ve reminded me what all those friends gave to me—the gift of friendship, the gift of living life rather than simply existing. The cost was losing them, but it was worth it. Now, that’s enough about me. How are you doing?”
“I’ve remembered a lot more about Milla. I’ve had several new dreams, and more waking memories, too. I love Milla more each day, and at the same time, I miss her more and more.”
Angus nodded. “Maybe we’re both coming to terms with the cost of loving someone.”
Jazeen smiled. “I guess so. Speaking of coming to terms, when I go back to the mainland, I’m planning to visit my father at the university. I want to know that he and Mother are okay.”
Angus smiled. “That sounds like a good plan.”
“Plus, he has a reputation to uphold. He can’t make a scene there if my visit is unwelcome.”
“I’m sure he’ll be glad to see you.”
Jazeen shook her head. “I didn’t tell you about one of my dreams. My parents regretted having me and Milla. I think he would be happy if I stayed out of his life. Mother, too.”
“I’m glad you’re strong enough to give it a try,” Angus said.
“I’m going in with low expectations,” she said with half a smile.
“Do you like it here, Jaz? Here on my island, I mean.”
“I love it. It’s a wonderful place to escape from the world for a while,” she said.
“Ah. But not a place where you would enjoy living,” he said.
She sighed. “No, I don’t think I could be happy here permanently.”
“I thought so,” he said. “That’s why I’m thinking of looking for a house near Sharpstown.”
“Honestly, I’m not happy in Sharpstown,” she said. “I moved there to be near Terrin. I have nothing to keep me there.”
Angus looked at her for a moment. “Where were you thinking of going?”
“I might try living near Port Zebron. I’m an airship pilot, after all,” she said with a broad smile. “Maybe I could get a job on one of the airships that ferry tourists to the resorts.”
“To tell you the truth, I wasn’t thrilled about Sharpstown,” he said. “Now, Port Zebron… I think I could be happy there.”
Jazeen pulled him closer. “Then you would be close to Rupert. Now that he’s retired, you two can spend more time together. Maybe he’ll buy that boat he always wanted, and you two can go fishing whenever you want.”
“I’d like that. Do you like fishing?” he asked.
She shook her head. “Not really.”
“Good. Then you’ll have a break from me from time to time.”
“I was thinking you would have a break from me,” she said with a laugh.
“If I buy a house there, I’ll surely have room for you, too,” he said.
“I’d like that. Of course, we’d have to do something about your library. We’ll have to have a decent romance section.”
“Easily done,” Angus said with a laugh.
After a moment, Jazeen said, “Angus, I was wondering… the witch… she used her magic to change her appearance.”
“Ah, yes. And you’re wondering why, if I can change my appearance, I’d choose to look like this.”
“It’s not that I don’t like the way you look. You’re very handsome. I was just thinking that life would be easier for you if you were taller. For one thing, you wouldn’t have to stand on a vegetable crate to fly your airship,” she said.
“The witch changed her appearance because it suited her desires. She was vain, longed to be beautiful, and she loved to use her body to torment her slaves. Me… I’ve never had any desire to look like anything other than exactly what I am. This is me, Jaz. Real. Would you find my appearance more pleasing if it were a lie?”
“I think you’re perfect just as you are. I wouldn’t want you to change,” she said. “In fact… I’m falling in love with you, Angus Beaph.”
He looked into her eyes. “I’m glad, because I’m falling in love with you, Jazeen Florence.” His hand stroked her cheek gently. Moving closer, he kissed her.
Hearing the fluttering of wings, they looked around. A bird landed on a branch just a few meters away. Looking at Jazeen, it cocked its head.
“Well, now,” Angus said, “I’ve never seen one of them here before. They don’t fly this far out to sea.”
“I used to see birds like that at home. One used to land on my balcony and look in through the glass. Sometimes, when I would go outside, it would sing to me. What kind of bird is it?” Jazeen asked.
Angus looked at her and smiled. “It’s a skylark.”
She stared at him, and then at the bird. “You don’t suppose… I mean… it’s silly, right?”
“I’ve seen lots of things by the light of the sun and stars that others would call silly,” Angus said.
The bird spread its wings and flew to Jazeen, landing on her knee. It looked at her for a moment, sang briefly, and then flew away.
Jazeen smiled. “I’ll choose to believe.”
The End
For Rebecca
A mighty warrior strode to war, sword and shield in hand.
An evil foe, strong and fierce, had come into her land.
He built a secret stronghold from whence to wage his war.
Her armor gleamed as she marched to his mighty door.
Though deep inside she was afraid, she would not let it show.
Head held high, she raised her sword and dealt a might blow.
For months she fought the bitter war, ever in the fray,
Burning down his fortress strong and driving him away.
When the smoke of battle cleared and embers dimmed to black,
She sheathed her sword and staggered home, shield upon her back.
Laying down her shield and sword and shedding her chain mail,
She nursed her wounds and spread the news that she had prevailed.
Months passed on into a year with peace throughout her land.
Still she watched for her foe, sword and shield at hand.
As the second year wore on the enemy came back.
No one knew from whence he came to launch a new attack.
Once again, she drew her sword and fought with all her might.
Yet he had come back ten-fold strong, eager for the fight.
On she fought with all she had through weariness and pain.
Against her ever-growing foe she could make no gain.
Those who loved her watched in fear as she lost the war.
Cancer took our precious friend whom we did adore.
Though we must endure this time that we are apart,
Know that you will always be living in our hearts.
* * *
[1]A tribute to the late Sir Terry Pratchett, who will always be one of my favorite authors. Ook!
