by Lana Axe
“Look!” Florence shrieked, pointing skyward. Screams of surprise and fear echoed among the spectators.
* * * * *
Unhindered by the rodent intruder, Morcroft fired his grappling hook, latching onto Lionel’s airship. He tugged with all his might, aided by the strength of a mechanical pulley system attached to his engine. Slowly at first but then gaining momentum, the two ships drew toward one another.
Lionel’s ship shook violently as it fought to pull away from Morcroft. But the grappling hook held fast. “Hold on, Cali!” the tinker shouted.
Cali stayed low in the basket, digging her claws into the wood. It was all Lionel could do to hold the ship steady, preventing it from descending in a violent spin. There were no hands to spare to fight Morcroft.
But Cali had her claws. Reaching up on her hind legs, she tried to force the hook from the basket. No use. It was dug into the woven straps of wood, and freeing it was nearly impossible without a hefty blade. Though razor sharp, her claws were simply too small.
The basket continued to sway as Morcroft tugged at the rope. Locking it with a lever, he attempted to enter the basket. Lionel wouldn’t have it. Securing the wheel with a latch, he threw himself at Morcroft, knocking the bony man backward. But he wasn’t down yet. Finding his balance, he lunged for Lionel, grasping him by the shoulders. The two struggled, twisting and turning, neither appearing to have the advantage.
Cali leapt for Morcroft, her claws sinking into the sides of his head. The Guild leader screamed and flailed his arms, twirling in a mad fit. Nearing the side of the basket, he grasped for the only thing in reach, the ship’s wheel. Not designed for such tight turns, the ship careened out of control. It lurched sideways, tipping the basket on its edge.
Lionel lunged for the wheel, but it wasn’t enough. He missed his mark, and lost his balance, stumbling over the side of the basket.
“Mrrooww!” Cali shouted as she watched Lionel disappear over the edge. Dashing to the side, she leaned over in time to see his parachute deploy. Please work, she repeated over and over. Her every muscle clenched as she waited. A crowd gathered beneath the tinker as he descended toward the ground. His momentum had been slowed, allowing him to land safely.
Cali thanked the stars above and allowed her muscles to relax momentarily. The sight of Lionel now standing on his own two feet gave her heart.
Swinging around, she dove at Morcroft, her metallic claws flashing.
* * * * *
“Lionel!” Florence shouted, running to his side. “What happened?”
“Morcroft happened,” he answered. “Cali’s still up there!” Looking toward the ship, his eyes filled with tears. “I should’ve grabbed for her before I fell,” he said.
“I’m sure you did what you could,” Florence said.
“I didn’t do anything except fall,” he replied. He plopped down on the grass, his shoulders slumped.
“We have to do something, now!” Emmit shouted. Looking from left to right for anything that might help, he spotted it. “Gadget! Go get Nellie!” The dog was much faster than the mouse, and poor Emmit’s energy was nearly spent.
Gadget spotted the black-and-white mare on the road less than a block away. She was still secured to her cart, despite the fit she was throwing. The dog raced toward her as she bucked and whinnied.
“Help me!” Nellie shouted. “I can’t undo the straps.”
Without wasting time for talk, the dog hopped on the cart and gnawed frantically at the leather bindings. When one broke free, he started on the second. It was barely in two when the horse sprang forward, galloping down the street. Keeping the red-and-white balloon in her sights, she managed to catch up to it and stay beneath it as it zigzagged across the sky.
* * * * *
Biting and clawing at Morcroft, Cali mercilessly wailed on the thief, leaving him tattered and torn. He crouched low in the basket, attempting to shield himself with his arms. It was no use. The feline would not cease her onslaught. Leaping again, she latched onto his back, her claws finding fresh skin.
Morcroft cried out in pain, desperately searching for relief. There was little to be found. Throwing himself hard against the wheel, he attempted to crush the attacking feline. Cali saw the blow coming and released her grip. But the man’s weight against the wheel unbalanced the basket, which tipped sideways, leaving them both clutching at the edge.
Cali heard a faint whinny and turned her gaze to the ground. Nellie! The horse was right below her, ready to catch her should she fall. The calico looked over at Morcroft, dangling from the basket. There was nothing more to do. Lionel was safe on the ground, and Morcroft’s own vessel had floated off unmanned. If Emmit was still on it, there was no way to get to him from here. She’d have to wait until it landed to search for him. But with Nellie’s help, she might be able to track down the vessel. Releasing her grip, she maneuvered her body to land safely on the horse’s back.
“Nellie, I sure am glad to see you!” Cali said.
“Likewise,” the mare replied.
“Can you follow Morcroft’s ship?” the feline asked. “I think Emmit might still be on it.”
The horse shook her head and neighed. “I saw him back at the race grounds. He’s safe.”
Cali could hardly believe it. Everyone was safe and whole and waiting for her. While Nellie trotted along, returning her to her family, she spared a glance skyward. Morcroft had managed to get himself back inside the basket and was standing at the vessel’s wheel. Let him have it, she thought. At least he didn’t get any of us.
Sliding off Nellie’s back, Cali offered her undying gratitude. “I mean it, Nellie. If you ever need anything, anything at all, I’m your cat.”
The horse whinnied and stamped her hoof against the ground.
“Cali!” Lionel shouted, lifting her in his arms. Squeezing her tight, he kissed the top of her head. “I’m so glad you’re alive,” he said through tears.
Florence also began to cry, so Gadget leapt into her arms to lick her face and comfort her.
After a good, long hug, Lionel allowed Cali back on her own paws. She immediately scanned for Emmit, finding him crouched beneath a spectator’s chair.
“Emmit,” she called, bounding toward him. She grabbed the mouse with her paw and hugged him. “You’re all right.” The statement was more to reassure herself than him.
“And so are you,” the mouse replied, hugging her back.
Gadget padded toward them and joined in the group hug.
Lionel scratched his head as he watched the three of them. “Is that a mouse?”
“I think it is,” Florence replied.
The announcer’s voice boomed over the loudtalker, broadcasting the number of the winning vessel. It was ship number three, crafted and flown by a woman from the city of Teumessia, nearly five hundred miles from Ticswyk.
Florence placed her hands on her hips. “You were in the lead,” she said. “You should be the winner, and now your ship is gone.”
Lionel shook his head. “Cali’s safe, and that’s all that matters. There’ll be other races and chances to show what I can do. For now, I have everything I need.”
* * * * *
With the race behind them, Cali and Emmit spent the next few days enjoying some well-earned rest and relaxation, with plenty of desserts sprinkled in. As usual, Florence stopped by with sweets before heading into the factory.
“Have you seen the news today?” she asked as she passed her brother a slice of cake.
He grinned and took a bite before answering. “I did. It said my airship was spotted by a steamer, still rocking and swaying at the mercy of the wind.”
“I guess Morcroft got what was coming to him after all,” she said.
“Yes, he did,” the tinker agreed. “He’s somewhere over the ocean, probably too scared to come down.”
Cali and Emmit exchanged amused glances.
“I guess we’ve seen the last of him,” Emmit said.
“I certainly h
ope so,” the cat replied. Leaping onto her windowsill, she settled in for a nice long nap with Emmit at her side.
Lana Axe lives in the Missouri countryside surrounded by dogs, cats, birds, and reptiles. She spends most of her free time daydreaming about elves, magic, and faraway lands.
For more information, please visit: lana-axe.com.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
About the Author
