I trust the Major General will back me up on the docking and tax concessions I promised. If not . . . well, that’s a problem for another day if we survive this one.
Ritsuko shone, organizing work crews and quartermasters to provide shelter and, with Hu’s delighted assistance, medical attention for as many of the Northport residents as they could convince to take refuge in the safe zone. She was a natural at this sort of thing, despite a smudged face and tired eyes. But after the third time his attempt to help ended up in a near brawl, she shooed him off to find some other way to contribute.
Hells and Winter. I’m no good at comfort, so might as well do what I do best.
He deputized two dozen restless sailors, arming them with clubs, poles, and a sense of self-importance. “Listen up, you lot. You’re the closest thing to a constabulary that Northport has right now, and if I catch any of you acting like right idiots at my back, I’ll shoot you down, then string you up myself.”
“Gods help them,” one of the dockworkers joked.
The others laughed, but they seemed to understand the severity of the situation. Figuring that was the best he could do, Mikani took his makeshift peacekeeping force out in the streets to beat some law and order into Northport. They set to work on the nearest warehouses and taverns, where looters had started taking advantage of the chaos.
A deputy-sailor called out, “I’m allowed to hit them if they run, right?”
“You’re allowed to hit them if they don’t, provided they’re breaking the law,” Mikani shouted back.
“I shoulda been a constable,” one of the sailors muttered as he hauled a struggling man away from a pile of fine textiles.
Mikani watched for a second to make sure the suspect wouldn’t end up unconscious in a pool of blood, but his team stopped after a few blows to the head. Good enough. Soon they had a cluster of would-be criminals subdued and bound, but damned if he knew what to do with them. There’s got to be a precinct or a gaol somewhere, but it may not still be operational.
“What now?” a deputy asked.
That’s an excellent question.
He pointed to the nearest warehouse. “There. Toss them in, post four guards, and let them cool their heels and sleep off the headaches. If any of them show some sense, we’ll sort them into work crews to start cleaning up the mess.”
“Seems like a fair punishment,” another sailor said with a nod.
“Chain ’em together,” a second advised.
Mikani paused. “In the warehouse or on the work detail?”
“Both.”
He made a note of the suggestion, then said, “For now, it’s not our worry. Drag them in, lock them up, and let’s keep moving.”
• • •
OVER THE NEXT three days, the Northport Auxiliary Constabulary grew to eighty men. Some were eager to save their town; others wanted a chance for legally sanctioned violence. Mikani kept a close eye on those volunteers, as he didn’t want his band renowned for causing more trouble than they prevented. Many of the men they arrested and locked up saw the error of their ways soon enough and were sent to put out fires and clear debris off the streets. A few dozen die-hard malcontents preferred to rot in the makeshift gaol. Or at least, they would’ve, if they had been left to Mikani’s care. Ritsuko made sure the louts received bread and water, which was more than they deserved.
By the fourth day, the few remaining steam engines in town had been tossed into the bay or smashed into harmless wrecks. When a ship seemed too lively, the Pride of the North and a newly recruited Skarsgard squadron blew it to timbers. Northport harbor was littered with broken masts and floating debris. It’s a bloody maze of wreckage out there, now.
Ritsuko’s efforts paid off as well: as word spread of the aid efforts, merchants and traders joined in with supplies, manpower, and the offer of buildings in the secure areas of town. It was a long, hard slog, but in less than a week, Northport was no longer a plume of fire in the sky.
Mikani felt as if he’d hardly spoken to his partner in the last week. They’d both snatched bowls of rice and a few hours sleep whenever they could manage, often on opposing schedules. Ritsuko had been tireless, gathering supplies and volunteers, tending the wounded right alongside the doctor, and he hated to admit how well suited she seemed to that life. For the first time, he glimpsed the possibility that she could be content and useful outside the CID.
As if she sensed his gaze on her, Ritsuko glanced up from the bandage she was checking. The wound beneath was healing well, so she merely replaced the gauze with a clean wrap and rose, heading to where Mikani stood. He ached from the long nights and little sleep, and doubtless his odd mood could be attributed to lack of sleep.
“I think we’ve weathered the worst of it,” she said.
Somehow he made himself smile in return. “I hope so, partner. Now”—he looked up the hill toward the Major General’s palace—“I believe Lady Thorgrim owes us some answers about what the hells is going on. With any luck, Magnus’s scout ship has returned by now and they’ve started spreading the word about the craggers so we don’t have to worry about their razing the town while we’re out looking for angry spirits.”
CHAPTER 14
AT THE PALACE GATES, THE TWO GUARDS TURNED MIKANI and Ritsuko away this time. She hadn’t slept more than four hours straight in weeks, and she was in no mood to be polite. The instinctive protest exploded forth before she could stop it. “But the Major General said we’d speak more after the initial danger passed.”
“She’s changed her mind, Inspector. I’ve no doubt she has more pressing business.”
Mikani slammed a fist into his palm, eyes narrowed on the guard. “After everything we’ve done for Northport, it’s the least she can do to answer a few questions. Now, are you letting us in, or are we doing this the hard way?”
“The least she could do is clap you in irons for overstepping your authority, as you are right now. As her emissary—”
Mikani let out a snarl and Ritsuko grabbed his arm to hold him back. “We have enough problems without turning the government against us.”
Though she liked it no better than he did, she led him away from the gates and listened to him complain for at least half a mile. The city was in much better shape than it had been when they arrived, so she felt all right about leaving, provided they could figure out where to go. The common thread behind all of the problems from Dorstaad to Northport seemed to hark back to elementals and spirits, however.
“We won’t solve the problem from here,” Mikani said.
“That seems certain,” she agreed.
Ritsuko was weary and footsore by the time she trudged aboard the Gull. She washed up in her cabin and joined the others for the first meal they’d eaten as a group in days. Irahi and Nell Oliver were already there, as was Miss Braelan and Mr. Ferro. Mikani came in last, still scraping damp hair away from his face. If he was as hungry as she, Ritsuko didn’t wonder why he hadn’t taken the time to shave.
As Sam served grilled fish and rice, she said, “We must seek the source of the trouble.”
“I don’t know if it’s the source,” Miss Braelan replied, “but I had a report from a trader that things are even worse to the west, near the elemental mines.”
Irahi sighed. “While I’d ordinarily protest the idea of running toward trouble, it seems as if you find the greatest damage close to the heart of a storm.”
“True,” Miss Oliver agreed.
For a few moments, there was only the sound of cutlery clinking against the plates. Mikani cleared half of his food before saying, “Then we just need to decide who’s going.”
“We are,” Ritsuko said, indicating her partner.
It’s our assignment. She was prepared to argue if anyone spoke otherwise, but Miss Braelan only nodded, then glanced at the doctor. A medic might prove useful, but she wasn’t about to invite him personally. Though they had spent a great deal of time together, working, over the past few days, that felt too forward. Th
ere had been no opportunity for greater intimacies; most of their conversation had revolved around medicines, patients, and treatments.
“Hu, would you mind?”
“I planned to volunteer,” he said.
It stood to reason that if things were bad in Dorstaad, worse in Northport, that they couldn’t fathom what might be going on in the Mount Surtir mines. House Skarsgard controlled all of the fire-elemental distribution while Magnus owned the earth rights, and the whole region was likely to be a dire, dangerous mess. The journey would be fraught with hardship, and she was already exhausted, first from the trouble with the craggers, then the chaos here.
Dinner wrapped up quickly after that. In the morning, it didn’t take long to put provisions together. Merchants were grateful not to have lost their full store of goods, and they donated supplies to the cause. Those, Mr. Loison supervised, ensuring they were packed efficiently in the saddlebags. Finding horses required a little more effort, as the steam carriages weren’t safe. After what she’d seen, Ritsuko would’ve argued if anyone had tried to talk her into traveling that way.
But the mode of travel didn’t present the crux of the current argument. Just past eight bells, she stood on deck with Mikani, Mr. Ferro, Irahi, and the impatient boatswain, listening to Miss Braelan build a case.
“Of course I’m going,” the weather witch said, sounding annoyed. Though her presence hadn’t been agreed upon the night before, apparently the other woman had taken it for granted. “Neither the Major General nor the great Houses will divert their forces until this threat has been dealt with. Therefore, it’s in my best interests to see this through.”
Mikani snapped, “And what is it that you will do? The horses don’t run on wind, and there are no sailing ships up in the middle of the bloody crags.”
“A damned sight more than I could here, Janus! Take that tone with me again, and I’ll show you what a good gust can accomplish.”
The doctor was wisely keeping silent, as was the first mate. Every time Miss Oliver tried to interject, one or the other would silence her with a look or by raising their volume. They were getting nowhere fast.
“Where are all the elementals?” Ritsuko asked. Mikani turned toward her, and she could see him bite back an angry retort. Miss Braelan gave her a speculative look. “They’re going . . . somewhere, when they break free of the machines, right?”
“I . . . they’re around, sure. Somewhere. Or they faded back to wherever they go?” Mikani looked puzzled, more than angry.
That’s a start.
Ritsuko went on, “We might be facing more than hazardous roads and whatever’s waiting in the mines. I’d feel better if we knew whether we had angry spirits bearing down on us.”
“I can spot them.” Miss Braelan had caught on. “I may not be able to control more than the wind sylphs and their kin, but I get a sense of the others. All practitioners share that. Do you?” She turned a sweet smile to Mikani.
Ritsuko could tell Miss Braelan knew she’d won the point.
He conceded with ill grace. “No, it’s all damned noise to me when they’re close. The whole city’s a bloody low rumble of seething anger and resentment. It’s fading now, but—fine. Fine, then, you’re along. But—” He held up one finger. “You follow my lead. We can’t have two captains on this trip.”
Ritsuko wondered when she’d agreed to let Mikani take charge. Odd. I don’t recall that conversation at all.
“I wouldn’t have it any other way.” Miss Braelan waited until Mikani stormed toward Loison before turning to Ritsuko. “Thank you, Inspector. He can be a little difficult at times.”
“So I’ve noticed. Did you want anyone else to accompany us, last minute?” They had four horses, though, if necessary, they might be able to scare up another one.
“I’ll watch the ship,” Mr. Ferro said flatly.
Apparently it didn’t matter if Miss Braelan wanted him along. Ritsuko speculated that he’d had enough land travel during the journey to and from the cragger stronghold. The other woman nodded, accepting his decision, so Ritsuko didn’t object either. Her gaze lit on Nell Oliver, who shook her head.
“There are still some repairs that need to be completed. I’ll serve better here.”
“Irahi?” Miss Braelan prompted. “Are you still with us?”
“I am. Everyone’s well enough on ship, and the rest of the town can find their own physician. Besides, what would the two of you do without me?” He offered an expansive smile at Ritsuko and his captain.
Into the lull, Ritsuko heard Mr. Loison say to Mikani, “The horses are ready to go, whenever you are.”
Since she already had her personal effects packed in the bag slung across her shoulder, she made her way down the gangplank toward where the horses stood, some distance past the pier. One was piebald, another white with gray undertones, the third a restive roan, and the fourth pure black, shining in the scant sunlight. Miss Braelan and the doctor followed after a flurry of farewells.
Maybe it was rude of me not to say anything to Mr. Ferro and Miss Oliver, but I’m too tired to be polite.
“Which amongst you is the best rider?” Mr. Loison asked.
“Not me,” Ritsuko said.
She’d never been on a horse in her life. In fact, she was a little frightened of them. They were extremely tall, and they had big teeth, though she had been assured in the past that they didn’t eat people, only plants and the like. But better a horse than a possessed steam carriage.
“I think I’d better have the big black,” the doctor said, studying the rest. “I might prove a burden elsewise.”
“You could always carry the horse, might be faster.” Mikani stepped away from the doctor quickly, heading for the roan with a hand outstretched and a more sedate pace. “There, mate, it’s all right. You don’t throw me, and I won’t kick you.” His tone was gentler than he’d ever used in her presence; the words subsiding to a lower soothing murmur as he approached and stroked the horse’s flank.
The roan snorted and shifted, but Mikani kept close. It was another five minutes before he swung into the saddle. By that point, the animal had calmed, and Ritsuko was perched uneasily on top of the piebald while Miss Braelan had the white.
“Thought you were going to ask the horse for a date, not just to let you ride him.” Irahi grinned, already astride the big black.
“Boys,” Miss Braelan mock-scolded. “You two can play nice, or we’ll leave you behind.” With a tug on the reins and a word, she started along the road west.
Irahi laughed, following suit. Mikani edged closer to Ritsuko, looking bemused. “Are you all right, partner?”
“I’ll be fine.”
I hope. She wished she’d had more than five minutes of Irahi’s quickly murmured instructions. Do I tug the reins to the right if I want to go left? And I use my knees to stop it? Bronze gods. Mikani took her answer at face value and set off after the others. She mimicked him; the horse jerked into motion when she snapped the leather, and she took off with a jolt.
The road led through town, but the cleaning crews were working hard to repair the damage. There was no elemental magic in sight anymore. Probably for the best until we sort this out. She didn’t allow herself to consider how difficult it might be. Sometimes it was best to focus on the immediate problem, which was getting to the Mount Surtir mines in one piece. They had maps in their packs, marked where they could find shelter and a hot meal. On the last leg of the trip, it got very rugged, and there were no way stations or hamlets.
But that’s three days away.
The motion of the horse felt like she was being paddled. Ritsuko tried to relax, to move with the animal, but it didn’t help a whole lot. Several days of this would jar her teeth loose. But she ignored the discomfort as they cleared Northport on the western side and continued on into the foothills. A road had been cleared, but it wasn’t paved; the dirt was well packed, but she imagined it would turn to mud quickly, a flash flood sweeping down from the mountains.<
br />
The land she rode through was rough, rocky outcroppings surrounded by purple heather and gorse. In the distance, the sky was heavy and leaden, and Ritsuko suppressed a chill. Wonder if that’s natural, or if Miss Braelan can see the elementals swirling above. Either way, there’s a storm coming.
It only remained to be seen if they could prevent the cataclysm or whether they’d be swept away in the deluge.
• • •
THE HORSES CLIMBED gradually, taking advantage of the relatively clear land and service paths around the rail line that usually carried workers and cargo between the mines and Northport. By late afternoon, however, Mikani veered from the tracks when he crossed a bridge over a steep gorge rather than risk breaking one of the horse’s legs if they slipped between the dormers. The others came behind him; he hoped Ritsuko was all right. She hadn’t looked too sure atop her mount.
Rain spattering on his forehead made Mikani look up; at some point, the sky had clouded over, sprinkling rain, and the horizon was darker still, the direction they were headed. He followed the dirt path into the heart of the storm. Icy drops splashed with stinging force, drenching him within minutes. Thunderclaps echoed far too close for comfort, lighting the storm-bred gloom with angry flashes of silver.
Hells and Winter. And I used to complain about the storms back home.
Mikani pulled up his coat collar and braced against the increasing downpour, his horse sliding on the ribbon of churned-up mud that had been a path only moments before. Behind him, he glimpsed Ritsuko hunched on her horse, and a dark shadow that could only be Hu, who had fallen behind to ride closer to her.
Saskia rode at the rear. She called, loud enough for everyone to hear, “This isn’t normal weather, ladies and gents.”
Silver Mirrors Page 13
