Lord of the High Reaches

by James Haddock

  I was on deck checking out Bigsby, trying to get a sense of how big it was when I laughed.

  "Sammy, can you whistle loudly?" I asked, turning to him. "If you can, whistle at that ugly, beautiful skyship," I said pointing. He shrugged and started whistling.

  I started waving at the Tiger’s Claw moored beside the river. The crew waved back and seemed to be excitedly talking to each other.

  "Sammy, let's go ashore. I have friends here."

  He nodded and turned us toward shore. The junk crew helped beach the boat. As Alyse and I stepped off, the crew bowed. Alyse threw back her hood and bowed in return.

  "I'm glad to see you, but what are you doing here?" I asked.

  "This is the way I would have come in your place. We thought we'd give it a try," Lay-shee replied.

  Alyse asked Lay-shee, “Would you be so kind as to have a crewman take my trunk from the cargo hold of the boat?”

  “Certainly, M’lady.”

  She took a purse from the trunk and handed it to Sammy. "Go buy a proper boat for you and Sally. Consider it a wedding present, for you have given me mine."

  He took the purse, bowing. "Bless you, Lady. Bless you both."

  She closed the truck, and the crew carried it aboard.

  "Hiko-Shi, let's take the lady home," I shouted.

  "Yes, Shi-Tora!"

  "Shi-Tora?" Alyse asked.

  "Loosely translated," Lay-Shee said, "It means Lord Tiger."

  I changed my fur to tiger stripes.

  "Ah, I see. I like it," she said. We boarded the ship and began to lift. I for one was glad.

  * * *

  Shifu pulled out all stops at dinner. The table was set with a white cloth and decorative settings, and the men wore their best. As always, the food was wonderful, and everyone was in good cheer.

  "Shifu, the meal was wonderful, thank you," Alyse said.

  Shifu bowed. "Thank you, Lady. It was a pleasure to cook for you.”

  She looked around the table. "My thanks to all of you for helping in my rescue. When I heard the explosions and saw the fires, I thought the whole southern fleet had arrived." She raised her cup. "To the crew of the Tora No Tsume, the Tiger’s Claw. None braver, none more honorable. Tora No Tsume!"

  All raised their cups. "Tora No Tsume!" That started the celebration, the drinking, and the singing. Alyse laughed, clapped, and joined the singing. She was the lady of our ship, and we would do anything for her. I realized then how much I cared for her. She was a special lady.

  The thought surprised me. I had always liked Alyse, but something had changed. Maybe it was that Isla was now betrothed to the king and removed from me. I wasn’t sure, but my feelings for Alyse had changed. Her age was a factor. She was too young.

  Later in the evening, we sat in my office drinking hot tea, enjoying the company. "So, you jumped from the ship and glided down to the palace?” she asked.

  "Yep, glided right down to a prefect landing."

  She stared at me. "You bit it, didn't you?"

  "I landed like a pig, bouncing and rolling in the mud," I said, laughing. Her laughter joined mine and made a nice sound.

  Wiping tears of laughter from her eyes, she joked. "Wish I could have seen it."

  "I'm glad it was dark."

  She smiled at me. "Thank you for coming for me. I felt in my heart if anyone came, it would be you."

  Not really knowing what to say, "You are welcome," found its way out of my mouth.

  "You know about mother and the king?"

  I nodded.

  "They have been in love forever and would have married, but the king's father wanted alliances and forced him to marry another. She bore him no children and died of the fever two years later. Of course, mother had married father by that time, and we know how that turned out. Anyway, I know you cared for her."

  "She may have thought she was too old for me. Life goes on."

  "It does," she said, looking away. "How old are you?"

  "18 summers."

  "Your people marry young, do they not?"

  "Yes. Some at 16."

  She was silent for a time. "You may have noticed, I am strong willed,"

  "What?" I feigned surprise.

  "I know,” she said, holding up her hands. “That surprises a lot of people, but it's true. And I don't think of myself as a traditionalist. I choose my own path. Admittedly, this has caused me some trouble, but that’s who I am. So, hear me out. I'm 16. I know you thought I was younger. Mother always tells people that to keep away unwanted suitors, who want our money more than a wife."

  Sometimes I'm a little slow, but it finally dawned on me where this conversation was headed. I suddenly realized what a deer felt like when I was closing in on it.

  "What I'm trying to say, and doing a poor job of it, is I'm in love with you and want to marry. I don't care what anyone thinks about me marrying a cat. I love you, for you."

  I sat in stunned silence.

  Leaning toward me, she smiled. "You can talk now. I'm not going to ask if the cat's got you tongue, because obviously it does."

  "You have given this a lot of thought. I would be lying if I said I didn't have feelings for you, and they grow by the day. But you are royalty. What will your mother and the king say?"

  "I'm not sure. Hopefully, they’ll be happy for us. Besides, I not that royal. I have two male cousins closer in the line of succession than I. On top of that, you are a lord and filthy rich."

  "So, you ARE after my money!"

  "Of course," she laughed.

  I joined her laughter. I did like her; I liked her a lot. Mother always said it was best to like someone before you loved them. It made things easier.

  "I know I have sprung this on you suddenly, but I wanted it out in the open before we reached home. I don't expect an answer now. But consider it with all your heart and give me your answer before we reach the capital." She got up, went to the bedroom, and closed the door.

  Laying awake on a sleeping mat in my office, I got up and walked the ship thinking, just letting my mind wander. I tried to image each possible question and outcomes of different answers. All I accomplished was getting a headache. I layed down on roof of the longhouse and watched the sails, the stars, and listened to the wind.

  * * *

  When we were a few hours away from the southern kingdom capital, Hiko-shi had a crewman hoist the emissary streamer and flags. Alyse joined me on the bow, and I took her hand.

  "I accept your proposal," I said. She jumped into my arms, holding me tight.

  "It will all work out," she smiled. “One way or another.”

  "I’m sure it will.”

  We came in slowly, and Hiko-Shi landed the Tiger’s Claw at the hanger where the royal yacht was stored. By the time we moored, a royal escort stood by to take us straight to the palace. The throne room was full of courtiers. Alyse and Isla ran to each other, hugging and holding each other tight. I bowed to King Micha.

  "Thank you, Lord Du-cat, for bringing Alyse home to us," he said.

  "Yes, thank you! Thank you so much!" Isla added.

  The throne room broke into applause. After a few moments, the king raised his hand for silence. "Once again you, Lord Du-cat, have done us a great service.

  What boon, what reward would you ask? A ship? A fleet of ships?" he asked, smiling, putting on a show for the court to show his generosity.

  I looked into his eyes. "The only thing I desire is the hand of Lady Alyse in marriage."

  Instantly, the smile left his face, and there were gasps throughout the throne room. Alyse left her mother's side to come stand beside me. Isla went back and stood beside the king. No one made a sound, awaiting the king's decision.

  "I'm sorry, Lord Du-cat, I cannot grant your wish," he finally said. “Other plans have been made for Lady Alyse."

  "So, history repeats itself," Alyse said, stepping forward. "That’s exactly what your father told you when you wanted to marry my mother, and we see how that turned out."
>
  "Alyse, you don't understand, if you marry Prince Albert, war will be averted, saving thousands of lives," Isla said.

  Alyse balled her fists. "You would barter me, to a brute who beats women, who beat me..."

  "Few marriages are perfect," the king said.

  Without turning her head, "I'll meet you on the ship," she said in clannish, and stormed out of the throne room, through the door leading to the royal quarters. No one made a sound.

  The king and Isla stared at me. "She will get over her anger," the king said.

  "Did you? Did you ever forgive your father?" I asked, he said nothing.

  "Goodbye, Your Highness, Lady." I bowed, turned, and walked out of the throne room. No one interfered with me, as I walked back to the ship. As I approached, the crew were already standing by the mooring lines, ready to lift. I leapt aboard. They cast off, and the ship began to rise.

  "I'm assuming the lady is already aboard?" I asked a crewman.

  "Yes, Shi-Tora, and she's got a full head of steam," he warned with a smile.

  "The good thing, it's not aimed at us," I answered, smiling back.

  "Hiko-Shi, take us to Windford, full sails."

  "Yes, Shi-Tora."

  I went to my cabin to check on her, but the door to the bedroom was closed. I took that as a sign she wanted to be alone and left her that way. I turned my mind to other problems. I didn't think the Northers would bother anyone for a while, but we needed to stay watchful. King Edward now had a pattern that he could build skyships by, so maybe he would leave the troop carriers to us.

  The Westies' support from the Northers would dry up, which would stop their expansion, or at least slow it. But I was still going to keep an eye on them.

  My plans had not changed. Skilled artisans, cannon makers, metal workers, and armorers needed to be hired, and Sergeant Major Dunig and I still had a trip to the eastern continent to hire the cannon maker.

  Alyse came out of the bedroom in late afternoon, and we ate dinner alone in my quarters.

  "So, what's our next step?" she asked.

  "Well, now that we have eloped, the first thing we should do is find a priest or a captain to marry us," I said. She smiled, taking my hand, squeezing it.

  "I left some things to be done when I got word you had been taken. But nothing is written in stone. So, what would you like to do?"

  She sat back, thinking. "There is a city on the coast of an island. The water is crystal clear, and the food is wonderful. I want to go there."

  "Then I shall take you, but I'll need to swing by Windford on the way."

  Epilogue

  Lord Michael Windford sat at the third-floor office desk reading dispatches and messages. There had been no news from Cam yet.

  The signal horn sounded from the high battlement above, so he went up to see for himself what was happening.

  "Report," he said, coming up beside the lookout.

  "Looks like the colonel's skyship is approaching, M'lord," the lookout answered, handing the spyglass to him.

  Michael took the spyglass and sighted in on the skyship, seeing Cam on the bow of the skyship with a woman standing beside him.

  "I believe you are correct." He watched as the ship approached, but it didn't act like it was going to land. As the skyship passed over the keep, Cam dropped a packet with a red streamer attached. Cam waved, as the skyship turned east and continued on. By the time Michael made it downstairs, Sergeant Mercer had arrived with the packet. Opening it, he found a letter inside.

  It read:

  My dear friend,

  I collected the blood debt owed us. I doubt the Northers will be bothering anyone for a long while, but keep an eye on the Westies. They now have no northern support, but they are a stubborn people. We left the southern capital in a rush. I asked King Micha and Lady Isla for Alyse's hand. He said no. Long story short, we eloped. I'll leave the story there. I'm sure you'll be questioned. This way you don't have to lie. Carry on with our projects as you see fit.” It was signed: Your friend, C.

  Michael smiled, closing the letter.

  "What's he done this time?" Robert asked.

  "The usual, kicking over anthills to see what will happen." Michael chuckled.

  * * *

  King Edward sat listening to his spymaster’s report. "Powder depot, destroyed, skyship building yards burnt to the ground, military skyship moorings and base, burnt to the ground, 90 percent of the Northers military skyship fleet destroyed. King Albert, the crown prince, and their spymaster missing and presumed dead. The reports on the number of skyships that attacked their capital range from 10 to 100. No flags identifying the attackers was seen. No attacking skyships were downed. We have no reports of any attack fleet leaving any port. “The report from the Southern Kingdom says that a group tried to kidnap King Micha’s cousin, Lady Isla and her daughter. They failed to capture Lady Isla, but took her daughter, Lady Alyse. Our best guess is that the Northers will use her as a peace hostage or marriage alliance." The spymaster ended his report.

  King Edward chuckled, looking at his chessboard. "Keep me apprised on events, but I think the north regrets taking that hostage. I believe they've been...'rooked'."

  * * *

  King Micha stood looking out the window of his office, while Lady Isla read the spymaster's report. He heard the papers crumple, and Isla crying quietly.

  "I was wrong," he said without turning. "I should have asked more questions before making the decision. Hopefully, they won't hold it against us too long." Isla left the room, leaving him alone with his thoughts.

  Micha sighed. "To answer your question Cam, it took me 10 years to get over my anger at my father, but I never forgave him... Hopefully, Alyse is a better person than I."

  * * *

  "Tell me husband, do you think Shifu is upset that we've been eating out so much?" Alyse asked.

  "Nah, the crew needed a break. We all did," I answered. "And you were right, this a wonderful place."

  "I can't believe we bought this place."

  "Are you kidding, it’s perfect. It’s near the harbor, near the beach, near the market. It has its own skyship moorings and warehouse. I may never leave this place."

  "You lie. You know you'll be ready to go before long. You've got too much going on, and you'll want to see Michael sometimes. Besides, you'd get fat if you stayed here," she said, laughing.

  "Cats don't get fat," I said.

  "And I suppose you don't lie either."

  "That is correct. I don't lie...I give tactical misdirections."

  She shook her head, laughing.

  * * *

  Sammy stood by the tiler of his new 40-foot pole boat watching the cargo being loaded. Sally came back and joined him.

  "She's a grand boat, isn’t she?" he asked.

  "She is," Sally answered, smiling. "Lord, bless the ones who blessed us."

  "Amen," Sammy said.

  From the Author

  Thanks for reading!

  I hope you enjoyed the story, if you did please leave a review it will help my exposure and sales. I try to read all the reviews, good and bad, it helps me to improve my writing. You can follow me on Amazon, Facebook, Goodreads, and other sites. My home page is Jameshaddock.us stop by for a visit. Thanks again.

  All the best,

  James

  Other books by James Haddock

  The Derelict Duty

  Prologue:

  The Blaring klaxon jolted me out of a sound sleep. I threw my covers off and was halfway to my Vac-suit locker before I was fully awake. It felt like I had just fallen to sleep having just finished a long EVA shift. It would be just like Dad to have an emergency drill after an EVA shift to see if I had recharged my suit. I had, I always did, both Mom and Dad were hard taskmasters when it came to ship, and personal safety. Vac-suit recharging was top of the personal safety list. If you can't breathe, you die, easy to remember.

  Donning a Vac-suit was second nature for me, after 16 years of drills and practice ex
ercises. Having literally been doing this all my life, but I loved life on our Rock-Tug. I was reaching for the comms when I felt the ship shutter. "That can't be good,” I said to myself.

  Mom's voice came over ship-wide, "This is not a drill, this is not a drill, meteor strike, hull breach in Engineering". Mom's voice was just as calm as if she was asking, what's for lunch. This was a way of life for us, we trained and practiced so that when the reality of working in "The Belt" happened you didn't panic, you just did your job. You didn't have to think, you knew what you needed to do, and you did it.

  I keyed my comms, "Roger, hull breach in Engineering, where do you need me Mom?" "Get to Engineering and help your Father, I'm on the Bridge trying to get us in the shadow of a bigger rock for some protection." Mom answered. My adrenalin was spiking but Mom's calm voice, helped to keep me calm.

  I sealed my helmet and left my cabin heading for Engineering. The klaxon had faded into the background, my breathing was louder than it was. I kept telling myself "Stay calm, just do your job, stay calm."

  I had just reached Engineering, when the Tug was rocked by a succession of impacts each one harder that the last. The hatch to Engineering was closed and the indicator light was flashing red, telling me there was hard vacuum on the other side. I switched my comms to voice activated, "Dad? I'm at the hatch to Engineering it's in lockdown, I can't override it from here." "Dad? Dad?, Dad respond!

  "Mom, Dad is not answering, and Engineering is sealed, you are going to have to evac the air from the rest of the ship, so I can open the hatch." Mom's steady voice replied, "Understood, emergency air evac in 10 seconds."

  Those were the longest 10 seconds of my short life. The hatch indicator light finally turned green and the hatch door opened. The Engineering compartment was clear. No smoke, no fire, some sparks and lots of blinking red lights. I looked over to the Engineering station console, there sat Dad. He had not had his Vac-suit on when the hull was breached.

  Hard Vacuum does terrible things to the human body. I suddenly realized that I had not heard Dad on comms the whole time, just Mom. She probably knew what had happened but was sending help in the hope that Dad was all right and that maybe the comms were down.