The straps tore. Percival fell.
“No!” Geist shouted, her voice hoarse. The parachute ripped again and Geist plummeted after him.
She hit the ground sooner than she thought, leaving her dazed. Geist couldn’t move. All she could do was stare up at the canopy of leaves above her. Everything hurt, but every agonizing breath told her she was still alive. The shredded cloth of the parachute hung from the branches above and swayed with the breeze.
Her father’s voice echoed in her ears. The worthless stay down.
Geist scrunched her eyes closed as she forced herself to roll over and stand, no matter the pain that flared throughout her body. I’m getting up, she thought, half reassuring herself and half in defiance. I won’t stay down.
Standing on unsteady feet, Geist braced herself against a nearby tree. A throbbing agony filled her head. She pressed the palm of her hand over her forehead and tried to focus.
Percival.
The light of the crescent moon couldn’t pierce the canopy of leaves. Geist couldn’t see more than a few feet ahead of her. She stumbled forward, determined to find Percival before anything else could happen. Within a few seconds, she found him under a tree, sprawled out on his back.
Despite his ragged uniform and scuffed knees, Percival appeared unharmed. Geist breathed a sigh of relief.
He gazed up at her, his expression one of disbelief and worry.
“I can’t believe we did that,” Percival murmured.
“Man was never meant to fly,” Geist replied, her tone dry. She looked him over. “Are you okay?”
“I thought we were going to die.”
“Well, we didn’t. But we’re not safe yet.”
“I didn’t think fighting in the war would be like this.”
“Like what?”
Percival pushed himself up onto his elbows. He frowned. “Like… this.” His melancholy tone reminded Geist of a hundred other soldiers who shared the same sentiment.
“Get up,” she commanded. “We need to go back.”
Percival sat silent and unmoving.
Geist held out a hand. “C’mon. I can’t do this without you, Battery.”
He turned to her with a furrowed brow. “What did you call me?”
“You heard me. Get up. I’m not going to repeat myself again.”
CHAPTER SEVEN
FORT DOUAUMONT
BATTERY PATTED AT HIS BELT. When he came up empty-handed, he glanced around. Geist watched him search the surroundings, but she had no idea what he was looking for. Before she could ask, Battery jogged over to the nearest tree and scooped up a Lancaster pistol nestled between two exposed roots.
“Good thinking,” Geist said. “I lost my weapons during the fighting. We’ll need something to protect us.” She felt around her waist. Even her knife had disappeared during the confusion of the airship battle. Fortunately, she still had a trench dagger—a little dull, and used more for cutting cloth or leather, but it could still kill.
“It’s out of bullets,” Battery said with a half-chuckle. “But this pistol was my grandfather’s. I don’t want to lose it.”
He tilted the gun, allowing the moonlight to spotlight the custom grip and ornate finish. It was a handmade weapon. Each Lancaster pistol was one-of-a-kind, and Battery’s had four barrels.
“Your grandfather gave it to you?”
Battery let out a long sigh as he tucked the weapon back into its holster. “No. He gave it to Victory.” He returned to Geist’s side and kept his gaze down. “Even though I’m the one named after him.”
“So you stole it.”
Battery glared. “I didn’t steal it.” After a few moments of silence, he relaxed and continued. “Victory gave it to me before he left for the Ethereal Squadron. He said it should’ve been mine from the beginning…that he felt guilty having it.”
“That was noble of him.”
“Yeah,” Battery said with a scoff. “I’m sure that’s what he’d want you to think. But forget I said anything. Let’s get going.”
Geist hiked up her pants, suddenly lost in thought. She couldn’t relate. Her younger brother gave her all sorts of gifts when they were younger, especially after she had been scolded by their father.
I wonder how he’s doing now.
She shook her head. Without the stars or lights on the horizon, Geist knew they had bigger problems. “I got turned around when we fell. Do you know the direction back to the French lines?”
“I have a compass.”
“Those aren’t standard issue.”
“I always carried one, even before the war.”
Battery withdrew a brass Cruchon & Emons compass from his breast pocket. The device fit in the palm of his hand, and as he flipped open the lid, he brought it close to his face.
“If we’re behind enemy lines,” Geist said, “we need to head southwest.” Her body felt heavy, as though soaked in water and dragging her down. Push through it. Just push through it.
Battery pointed. “That way.”
The trees blocked their path, but together they marched around them.
The longer they walked, the slower Geist became. She fell behind, her body drained and weak. At times her knees would give out, causing her to half-stumble, but she managed to catch herself before falling. When she rested against the trunk of a tree, Battery stopped and turned.
Neither spoke. Battery walked back and offered his shoulder. Geist hesitated—she didn’t like getting too close, but the parachute ride down had thrown that excuse out the window. They had practically become one with the force of their freefall embrace.
After a long, silent moment, Geist leaned her weight against Battery’s shoulder. He tucked his arm around her back and brought his hand up the side of her ribs. Too close. On instinct, she shoved him away and recoiled, her arms folded tight across her chest.
“What’s wrong?” Battery asked.
Her injured arm stung with the sudden movement. Geist half-doubled over and gritted her teeth. What am I going to tell him?
“I need to rest,” she said, curt.
“Right now?”
“Yes.”
“But the sooner we get you to Cross, the sooner—”
“I can’t,” she interjected.
Again, silence settled between them. Battery took in a deep breath and then exhaled. “Okay. You’re in charge. What should we do?”
“We should move away from the front. Find a place to hide.”
“You want us to go in the opposite direction?”
Geist forced herself to nod. The farther they were from active troops, the less likely they would get caught. Despite the darkness, Geist knew a soldier or two would have spotted the parachute. Even a small team of scouts could kill them given the state they were in.
If only Battery had studied any school of magic other than potentia.
“Can you walk by yourself?” he asked.
“I’ll get far enough… Just lead the way.”
Battery held his compass close. “All right.”
Rest came in fleeting moments. The snap of twigs could be an approaching soldier. The chirp of birds could be snipers’ signals. The howl of the wind could be another Abomination Soldier using tempest magic. The potential threats made Geist’s heart seize up with dread.
Their hideaway—a clump of mutilated trees far from the front lines—provided enough cover to make a small shelter. Geist curled up onto her side and rested her head on the soft grass. Her thoughts lingered on Albatross. He had died so suddenly; she hadn’t been prepared.
Slowly she slipped into a kind of waking dream. One moment, she would be back on the zeppelin, fighting for her life. In the next, she danced with Vergess in a ballroom of the Schönbrunn Palace, dressed in the spring dress her mother had commissioned for her engagement. Her fears, desires, and memories all rolled together into a roiling mass, and sweat coated every inch of skin.
She jolted upright at the crunch of leaves. Battery lifted his head, eye
s wide.
Vergess slipped into the leafy shelter. Both Geist and Battery let out quick exhales of strained relief. Geist’s heart relaxed back into an even beat knowing that at least he hadn’t been discovered by the enemy.
“How did you find us?” Battery asked after a round of shallow breaths.
“Scent,” Vergess replied. He sat down on the grass and allowed the foliage to fall back into place. “I found traces of you both walking deeper into enemy territory, so I followed your trail.”
“That’s… incredible.”
“Hardly.”
Scent? Geist thought, her memories still swirling in the forefront of her thoughts. He can pick up human scent? My notes said he practiced destructive sorcery. Does he know another?
“How long have you been searching for us?” Battery asked.
“I’ve scoured this part of the woods for twelve hours now.”
Twelve hours? Geist shook her head and then glanced up. An orange tinted sky greeted her. Sunset? Sunrise? She had lost all track of time.
“I spotted a fort not too far from here,” Vergess said. “Fort Douaumont.”
Battery sat up straight. “Truly? I didn’t know we were that far behind enemy lines.”
Her stomach growled. She clutched her side. “If I knew we were going to be stranded like this, I would have brought rations.”
“I never leave without emergency supplies,” Battery said. “We can split what I have.”
He opened a pouch on his belt and removed a single iron ration. The small tin container held three cakes made of beef bouillon powder and cooked wheat, along with three tiny bars of chocolate. He broke apart the rations and handed Geist half.
She took the offering and inhaled it without tasting. The nourishment eased the aching of her stomach but didn’t cure her overall fatigue.
“Good thing you came prepared,” Geist muttered upon finishing.
“I always plan ahead. My brothers say I’m a doolally, but I doubt they’d be mocking me now.”
Geist nodded, her eyelids heavy.
“Feeling better?”
No.
Vergess shook his head. “There are soldiers all around us. Once it gets dark, we should head out. It’ll be our last chance to make it back to Fort Souville.”
Geist watched the waning light and shivered. They couldn’t stay behind enemy lines forever. She inhaled and exhaled, trying to gather her strength.
“We’ll wait here until then,” she said.
The other two nodded.
Silence stretched between them until Geist turned her attention to Vergess. “I need to know. What other kinds of sorcery to do you practice?”
“Besides ruina, I practice apex sorcery.”
Apex sorcery? Geist remembered—her mother and father practiced the same sorcery in lessor degrees. Those with apex magic often developed peak physical abilities. Night vision. Enhanced strength. Supernatural fortitude. Heightened senses. How could she have forgotten?
“Ruina sorcery,” Battery interjected. “Of course. Everyone’s seen you destroy things just by touching them. Living and dead.”
Vergess glowered.
“Two?” Geist asked. “You’ve really mastered two schools of sorcery?”
“Yes,” Vergess replied.
“You’re so young.”
“I’ve practiced since I was a child.”
Geist held her breath, torn between admiration and curiosity. Studying two schools of sorcery was possible, just as a man could be both a professional baseball player and a boxer, but the likelihood of mastering them at the same time was a feat of unrivaled skill.
Then again, many sorcerers developed small amounts from other schools of sorcery, taking abilities that complemented their main area of expertise. Perhaps Vergess knew only a little of either.
Though from the skill he’d demonstrated thus far, this didn’t seem likely.
Battery lifted an eyebrow, his gaze serious. “Did you know the Kaiser trains special sorcerers to keep him and his family safe? He forces the sorcerers to develop two schools of sorcery. He beats and twists them until they comply. I’ve heard horror stories about his methods.”
Vergess went still, not bothering to reply.
Geist had heard about the Kaiser’s guard. They were often described as emotionless vessels of destruction, ruthless in every regard. It made sense that someone like Vergess would result from intense physical and emotional training. The man didn’t look like he had enjoyed a pleasant childhood.
“We better hope we don’t run into any of them,” Geist said. “They would be formidable foes.”
“I think we have run into one,” Battery whispered, his attention still locked on Vergess.
Geist, thinking fast, offered a weak chuckle. “Who? Vergess? The Kaiser wouldn’t let one of his pets escape him.” She said she would help Vergess maintain his secret, and if he didn’t want to confirm or deny his past in the Kaiser Guard, she wanted him to have an out.
“Everyone’s heard the rumors,” Battery said. “He speaks fluent German. And look at his face. That’s what all Huns look like.” Battery’s timid tone gradually shifted to one of confidence. “What if he’s here to infiltrate the Ethereal Squadron? With his abilities, he could cripple us if he struck at the right moment.”
“I can speak fluent German. You’re jumping at shadows.”
“I want to hear him say it,” Battery said. “Are you a sorcerer from the Kaiser’s Guard?”
Vergess sat back and glared. “I’m an American soldier.”
The silence grew between them.
“We’re behind enemy lines,” Geist said at last. “We don’t have time to cast doubt. Vergess is an ally, and I won’t have any more talk of it.”
Even if Vergess was a German ex-patriate and a member of the Kaiser’s Guard, he had still helped them in their mission. He had earned the right to call himself American.
The two men regarded each other with a long stare before nodding to the statement. Geist breathed easy. As long as we can get through this, everything will be fine.
The dying sun cast the wooded terrain in dark shadow. Although she hadn’t fully recovered, Geist knew she didn’t have the luxury of resting.
“I gotta take a piss,” she said. “And then we leave.”
“Let me help you up,” Battery said. “I’ll lend you what strength I have.”
Geist took his hand and stood, the power of his sorcery invigorating her all at the same time. Pain faded and exhaustion slipped away. She kept her hand on his for a second longer, enjoying the intense, yet soothing presence of his magic.
Battery stared down at their grip. “Your hands are really small.”
Geist jerked away, breaking contact. A fraction of Battery’s power lingered, but it was enough for her to function.
“I’m sorry,” he muttered. “I didn’t, er… I didn’t mean it like that. There’s nothing wrong with being smaller than, well, you know, average.”
“Let’s not talk about it.”
“Yeah. Sorry. Right.”
Ignoring his floundering, Geist pushed passed the foliage and trekked through the trees. Once in a secluded spot, she undid her pants, her mind on distant thoughts. Battery’s sorcery is useful. If it can give me invisibility and the ability to go incorporeal, I wonder what it could do for the others.
Once finished, Geist secured her belt and rounded the tree. There stood Vergess. He had his back to her as he leaned against a tree, his glare set on their surroundings.
“What’re you doing?” ash asked.
“Keeping an eye out,” he replied.
“For what?”
“For you. To make sure you’re not discovered.”
Geist chuckled. “That’s how you’re going to help me?”
“Yes.”
“I went an entire year without getting caught. You don’t need to worry.”
Vergess glanced over his shoulder and stared down at her. “I would’ve figured it o
ut the moment we were put into a team together. You’re not as covert as you think you are.”
She let out a single, huffed laugh. “Is that right?”
“You smell like a woman.”
Geist’s face flushed. “Really.”
“I’m an apex sorcerer. How do you think I found you and Percival? You stand out.”
“I—” Geist floundered for the right words, struggling to articulate her position. “I can maintain this ruse without any assistance, thank you. It would only compromise my operations if you’re always skulking about.”
Vergess laughed. “Skulking about? That’s not what I intended to do, I assure you. I’m here to watch your back.”
“Now isn’t the time. I’m capable for the moment.”
“Because of Percival.”
“His name is Battery,” Geist said shortly. “And there’s nothing wrong with drawing strength from your team.”
“What’s going on?” Battery called out from behind a thicket. “Are you two bickering?”
“N-no,” Geist stammered. “Of course not.”
Vergess snorted. “We’re fine. We’re perfectly fine.”
“Uh-huh,” Battery said. “Well, we should be going.”
Together the three of them moved through the trees, Geist’s mind on Vergess’s statements. Could he really have figured me out? No. I’ve been so careful before. He’s just worried—but why? It’s not his neck if I get caught.
They had to stay stealthy, even at night. Soldiers marched from location to location heedless of the weather or time of day. Although Geist felt proud wearing her uniform—the proudest moment in her life was the first time she’d donned it—the American-khaki under moonlight would identify her as an enemy even at a distance.
And German snipers were deadly, even at night.
Battery kept pace. His gaze darted to every movement and dark shadow, but he didn’t flinch. Geist admired his vigilance, though she knew stress could wear down anyone’s mind. How long has he been on the alert? He’ll need to rest soon.
“What is that?” Battery asked as he pointed.
The evening blanket of black shrouded the surroundings, but Geist could still make out the outline of a large form lying on the ground. She stopped, reached for her weapon, came up empty.
The Ethereal Squadron: A Wartime Fantasy (The Sorcerers of Verdun) Page 8
