Voyages of the Flying Dragon

by Ben Chandler

  ‘Don’t you get it?’ Heidi demanded. ‘If this Demon King starts a war with humanity, it’s going to affect all of us!’

  ‘Yes, but –’

  ‘Didn’t it ever occur to you to warn us about it?’

  Missy felt her mouth hanging open again and closed it. ‘But we’re going to stop it.’

  Heidi snorted. ‘And if you don’t? Look, all of a sudden I’m starting to see things clearly, you know? And what I see is that Karasu is working for the Demon King by trying to stop you from getting these orbs or stones or whatever they are that you need so you can fight against him, but what about the rest of us, Missy? This war isn’t going to wait for you to get these magic rocks. Karasu already started it when he destroyed –’ a blank look flashed across Heidi’s face and vanished just as suddenly ‘– the war has already begun!’

  Missy knew she had to put a stop to this. She didn’t remember telling Heidi that Karasu was working for Ishullanu, but it wasn’t fair to let her keep thinking there was a connection. Whatever the mercenary was after, Missy doubted it had anything to do with the Demon King and his coming war, and Heidi’s sudden clarity was disturbing, too. Missy thought she knew where it came from. ‘Heidi, wait, I think you should –’

  ‘I don’t know what’s going on here.’ Heidi turned aside and started pacing backwards and forwards across the road. ‘I don’t know who Karasu is. I don’t know who Ishullanu is.’ With each point she gesticulated more wildly with her arms. ‘I think Fronge just got caught up in the middle of something. Something big. Whatever it is, we’re not ready for it.’

  Missy was trying to follow the girl’s thoughts, but they were all over the place. She was drawing connections, making plans, fitting her ideas together in various combinations. What she wasn’t doing was factoring in the horrors of what she had seen in Fronge. Those images were absent from her mind, and with them the emotional connections Heidi should have been making but wasn’t. It was as if they didn’t factor into her thinking, which, Missy realised with a sickening feeling, they probably didn’t.

  ‘Me. Fronge. Heiligland. All of us!’ Heidi continued her rant. ‘None of us are ready. Look at what happened to Fronge. There was no resistance. Karasu took the town in a single morning. We aren’t ready to fight this, but you are.’

  ‘Heidi, please –’

  ‘They’ll listen to you!’ Heidi stopped pacing and rounded on Missy. ‘Don’t you see? They think you’re Magni, the goddess of war. If you call them to arms, they’ll listen. They’ll prepare for war!’

  Missy was finally starting to make sense of the girl’s raving. ‘You want me, as Magni, to tell your people to prepare for war?’

  ‘Of course!’ Heidi grabbed her shoulders, just as she’d done back in the tunnels under Njord’s temple. Missy glanced at Kanu, but the boy stood, silently watching the exchange. ‘Please! They’ll listen to you. They have to!’

  There was no mistaking Heidi’s sincerity. Once more Missy found herself staring into the girl’s eyes. The feeling of hopelessness began to rise in her again, but this time she thought about Heidi’s words. Could she do it? Would they listen to her? The Warlord of Shinzō was preparing for the coming war with the Demons, but he could do little alone. If they had any hope of defeating Ishullanu, they were going to need more allies.

  The idea was tempting, but to pull it off Missy would have to keep deceiving people, to make them believe that she was a god. She would have to pretend that what Karasu did to Fronge was part of Ishullanu’s plan. She would have to keep lying to Heidi, to make her believe that the Demons were ultimately responsible for Karasu’s actions. It was tempting, so very tempting, but there was something wrong about it. Missy was filled with doubt. How could she do such a thing? How could she take advantage of Heidi’s pain like that? But there was no pain. Heidi had blocked it out, forgotten it, sealed it deep inside herself. Missy knew the girl would never be talking like this if she hadn’t. To Heidi’s new way of thinking, Fronge was little more than a strategic misstep. And Missy was at least partially responsible for that.

  ‘You’re not thinking clearly,’ Missy said to her, staring into her eyes, trying to make her see.

  ‘I’ve never been able to think so clearly in my life.’

  ‘And you don’t see that as a problem?’

  Heidi shook her head. ‘Not really. Ever since you helped me in that chamber I knew –’

  ‘What?’

  ‘I was there, Missy. It happened in my head. After what Karasu did to Fronge, I was destroyed. Can’t you understand that? I couldn’t function. I was shutting down. The grief was so strong I felt as though my throat was going to close up and suffocate me. I tried to block it out, to be strong, and when you came, great Magni,’ Heidi chuckled, ‘I drew strength from you, that you would choose me to lead you. But you aren’t a god, and when I found that out my resolve faltered. In the chamber I could feel myself crumbling again, but god or not you were still there and somehow made me strong again. And now it’s just … gone. I don’t have to fight so hard to block it out. You did that for me.’

  Heidi hadn’t released her this whole time. Missy felt trapped by her gaze. ‘B-but we can take down the barrier and –’

  Heidi gave her a little shake. ‘Don’t you dare. I don’t want to take it down. Not ever. It’s not hurting me and I don’t want to have to deal with what’s behind it. I like the fact you took that pain away from me. I thank you for it. But will you help me now, like you promised? Will you lend Magni’s power to the people of Heiligland?’

  It was a good plan. Missy could see how it could work. They had to stop Ishullanu, after all. They couldn’t do it alone. If they could stir up the Heiliglanders’ outrage, convince them that Magni was calling them to war to avenge the people of Fronge, then they would gain a valuable ally in the coming war. Wasn’t it worth it?

  ‘All right,’ Missy said, and Heidi’s grasp tightened. ‘I’ll do it.’

  But a part of Missy quailed inside her.

  Heidi stepped back abruptly, and Missy rubbed her shoulders. The girl had already left bruises there the last time she had grabbed her.

  ‘Good.’ Heidi turned and kept walking as though nothing had happened.

  ‘Are you sure you’re all right, though?’

  Heidi glanced back over her shoulder. ‘Definitely. Now come on. We need to get you ready. You can’t speak to everyone dressed like that. You look like a child.’

  Missy blushed and hurried to catch up with the Heiliglander. ‘Wait a minute. We have to speak to the captain about this.’

  ‘Why?’

  ‘Because he’s my captain. I can’t just go off on my own.’

  ‘Fine.’

  Half an hour later Captain Shishi stood on the bridge and looked at the two girls in silence. He had listened to Heidi’s plan without comment and was now considering it. A part of Missy hoped he would spurn the idea and give her an excuse to pull out. He would demand she reveal the truth to Heidi, that Ishullanu had nothing to do with what Karasu had done. Heidi would be furious that Missy had manipulated her, but she would understand. She had to. The whole thing was madness! No one would ever truly believe Missy was a god. Not for long, anyway.

  Her desire to come clean warred with the knowledge that the people of Heiligland had to be warned about the coming war. Would they believe her if they didn’t think she was Magni? Would they turn to face the Demons if they knew the truth, or turn their attentions to hunting down Karasu? The deception was the only way of making sure they were prepared.

  ‘The idea has merit,’ the captain said at last. Missy translated for Heidi, who grinned in response, but Missy’s own heart sank. What would the captain think of her for manipulating the Heiliglanders? She suddenly realised that what he thought of her was pretty important. ‘I have perhaps been too focused on our own mission to consider the wider repercussions. With Apsilla now gone, Ishullanu could launch his offensive at any time and from any quarter. Humanity must be prepared
to meet him when the time comes. Miss Clemens, when we reach Erdasche you will have your chance to convince Duke Freyrsson that you are Magni.’

  ‘Erdasche?’ Missy asked.

  ‘To the north. It is the capital of Heimat Isle,’ the captain replied. ‘We have decided to ferry everyone there. The duke must be informed of the destruction of Fronge. It is well known that Karasu is a member of the Shōgo clan. We must take steps to convince Duke Freyrsson that Karasu was acting independently of the Warlord to ensure blame is not laid on Shinzō. Miss Baumstochter’s plan will aid in that. You must persuade the duke that Karasu’s attack was the vanguard of Ishullanu’s invasion.’

  More lies. The whole thing felt wrong, but Missy knew the captain spoke wisely. If she could pull off the deception it could save people’s lives. It would be worth it.

  ‘Yes, sir,’ Missy said. ‘I will try my best.’

  ‘Good. Miss Baumstochter can assist in your preparations.’ The captain paused and then pulled something out of his robe. It was the Quillblade. ‘I have my misgivings, Miss Clemens, but perhaps you will need this to complete your guise. I suggest you speak with Lord Tenjin before attempting to use it again.’

  He handed Missy Raikō’s shintai. She took it reluctantly. The thing had some sort of power over her, and she didn’t like that. She tucked it quickly inside her coat and tried to forget about it.

  ‘Is there anything else, Captain?’ she asked.

  ‘Have you and your brother had a chance to speak with Kanu?’

  How had she forgotten about that? Kanu had remained so silent during their discussion of Heidi’s plan that Missy had all but dismissed him from her mind. ‘Yes, Captain. He can speak the common tongue, it seems.’ She didn’t tell him how he had learned it. ‘But I’m afraid he doesn’t know anything that can really help us.’

  The captain cocked an eyebrow at the strange boy. ‘I see. We shall let this go for now. The situation here should be our primary concern. I suggest you begin your preparations.’

  ‘Yes, sir.’ Missy bowed and left the bridge, Heidi trailing along after her. Kanu followed them both.

  Lenis returned to the engine room in a foul mood. He considered going through the galley to fetch Suiteki but decided against it. She might have been able to make him feel better, but he didn’t want to inflict his bad temper on her. His walk had done little to ease his frustration. He had seen Missy, Heidi and Kanu speaking with the captain up on the bridge as he crossed over the deck but hadn’t wanted to join them. When he entered his room the sight of the engines stilled his inner turmoil. They needed checking. He hadn’t had a chance since they landed. He had to be sure the first use of the dual-Bestia system hadn’t caused any damage. That was far more important than whatever was going on up on the bridge.

  ‘Looks like things are back to normal,’ Lenis muttered under his breath as he began to check the pressure valves. ‘No one tells me anything.’

  ‘No one tells you anything about what?’ a voice asked from the doorway, causing Lenis to jump so high he nearly banged his head on a pipe. It was Shujinko. The cabin boy was the last person Lenis wanted to see. In fact, Lenis didn’t want to see anyone just now.

  Lenis ignored his question. ‘Did you want something?’

  The cabin boy was peering around the engine room, taking in the Bestia hutch, the engines, and Lenis’s unmade bunk. No doubt his bunk was perfectly made up. ‘I have come to see when you wished to resume your training. You have done nothing for several days.’

  Lenis had to grit his teeth to keep from snapping something back. It wasn’t as though Lenis had been doing nothing for the past few days. He’d stowed away on an enemy’s airship and crept into a frozen temple, all with little sleep and no food. Not to mention being captured, and then everything that had happened with Kanu and his sister.

  ‘Well?’ Shujinko prompted.

  ‘I’m a little busy,’ Lenis growled. It was true, too. It’s not as if he could just drop everything he was doing because the cabin boy wanted him to. Besides, he probably just wanted the pleasure of knocking Lenis to the deck again.

  The other boy made a small noise in his throat. ‘A true warrior hones his skills every day.’ He turned to go but looked over his shoulder. ‘A true warrior does not make excuses.’

  Lenis felt his anger flare up and had to struggle to hold onto it. If he let it get the better of him, allow it to get out of control, he didn’t know what it would do. Smash the little brat against the wall, a small part of him said. Throw him overboard. Show him that he’s the weakling for being afraid of heights.

  A sound broke through Lenis’s raging thoughts. One of his Bestia was whimpering. Suiteki wasn’t the only one attuned to his feelings. Lenis’s anger subsided as he moved around the engine block to check on his charges. Shujinko left without another word. Atrum was sleeping in one corner of the hutch, his tail wrapped around himself several times. He was slowly recovering but still pretty weak. Lenis was happy to let him remain where he was, curled up between the other Bestia. As long as he was kept warm he’d be okay.

  Ignis was the one who had whimpered. He was standing up in the hutch, resting his paws on its lip. His stubby tail shook as he wriggled around in distress. When he saw Lenis approach he jumped out of the hutch and up into Lenis’s outstretched arms, where he continued to tremble. The flame Bestia had been scared by Lenis’s temper, but even though he now had it under control, Ignis was still concerned for him. Lenis held Ignis close and allowed the Bestia to lick his face. In Ignis’s excitement his tongue burned hotter than normal.

  ‘I’m sorry, boy,’ Lenis crooned. ‘It’s okay now. It’s okay.’

  But another part of Lenis wondered if it was.

  ‘There, that’s a bit better,’ Heidi said, running a critical eye over Missy’s new outfit.

  She didn’t sound too enthused, but the girls hadn’t had much to work with. Missy was wearing a leather jerkin over a loose-fitting, ankle-length dress. The dress had probably once been white, but even a thorough wash hadn’t been enough to restore the smoke-damaged garment to its former lustre. Heidi had torn it to give it a more battle-ready look, or so she said, but Missy was self-consciously aware of how much leg she was showing.

  Missy’s teeth chattered together. ‘I’m freezing.’

  ‘Gods don’t get cold,’ Heidi noted unsympathetically.

  ‘I’m not going to look much like a god if I’m shivering to death,’ Missy countered. So far all of their conversations went like this. Missy couldn’t tell if the other girl was trying to torture or help her.

  ‘Hmmm. Good point.’ Heidi handed her a thin woollen garment. ‘Wear this underneath. It’ll help warm you up. A bit.’

  Missy clenched her teeth against the cold and took off the jerkin before pulling the dress off over her head. She stood practically naked behind the burnt remains of a small cottage as she struggled into the woollen shift Heidi had given her. Then she put the dress and jerkin back on.

  She didn’t feel any warmer. ‘This isn’t going to work.’

  ‘Okay,’ Heidi said, and held out another piece of clothing. ‘Put this over the top.’

  It appeared to be some sort of long skirt made out of strips of leather. ‘What is it?’

  ‘It’s a battle kilt,’ Heidi told her. ‘It’ll block some of the wind.’

  ‘Why didn’t you give this to me before?’ Missy demanded as she tied the leather cord that held the skirt on. Her fingers were so numb she could barely form the knot, much less pull it tight enough to hold the kilt on properly. It proved to be heavy. With an impatient hiss, Heidi grabbed the ends of the cord and yanked them tight. Missy yelped as the leather cut into her waist.

  ‘Shush.’ Heidi crossed her arms and scrutinised Missy again. ‘Gods don’t carry on like little girls. And I didn’t give you the kilt before because Magni wears a white dress into battle. I told you. Gods don’t feel the cold, or pain for that matter.’

  ‘Well, this one does.’

/>   ‘You aren’t a god.’

  Missy gritted her teeth to keep from retorting. Heidi had a right to be angry with her, she supposed. Better just to let it pass. ‘Well, how do I look?’

  ‘You’ve got it on backwards.’ Heidi stepped forward, grabbed the waistband and gave it a tug, nearly pulling Missy off her feet. ‘That’s a little better.’

  ‘Great.’ Missy suppressed a sigh. Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea after all. She felt completely ridiculous, and she was still freezing! There was no way this was going to work.

  ‘We’ll have to find you some thicker boots,’ Heidi noted, more to herself than to Missy, who agreed that this was an extremely good idea. ‘And we’ll have to do something about your hair.’

  ‘My hair?’ Missy reached up and grabbed her tail.

  ‘Magni wears it loose, secured by a golden circlet. I suppose we’ll have to improvise.’ Heidi reached back and grabbed the cord from around Missy’s hair. Missy squawked in protest. ‘What did I say about carrying on like a little girl? Do you want someone to hear you?’

  Heidi ran her fingers through Missy’s hair, separating the strands.

  Missy bore the administrations as best she could. ‘I don’t look anything like Magni, do I?’

  ‘How would I know? I’ve never seen her.’ Missy opened her mouth to say something, but Heidi went on, ‘I’m sure no one else has either. The last war was hundreds of years ago. I’m just going by what the priests say, and by the tapestries.’

  ‘So you’re making it up as you go?’ Missy demanded.

  ‘At least you look less like a foreigner!’ Heidi countered. ‘Where were you born, anyway?’

  ‘Pure Land.’

  ‘With your colouring you must have some Heiliglander blood in you.’

  Missy had never thought of that before. For most of her life she had been a slave, and no one cared where a slave came from as long as they did what they were told. ‘Do you think?’