“Attack!” She pointed, and the owl took to the air.
The Spice Master threw up his arms to shield his head and tried to run out of the room, howling in pain as the owl’s talons clawed at his back and beat his head with her powerful wings.
Ershou threw open a chest and pulled out a silk sash with four bone-handled knives dangling in embroidered sheaths. She tied them around her waist and drew one of the knives, spinning it in her palm. She and I bolted into the main room, past the flailing Spice Master, but she stopped, and pushed the blade against his chin. “Never again.”
I didn’t say anything but motioned for her to head straight toward the captain and the baron. As we ran, she held up her arm and the owl flew to her.
The Spice Master whipped around, drew out a silk pouch from the folds of his clothes and threw it on the table where the four swarthy men were watching the events unfold. The men eyed each other as the pouch landed with the heavy clunk of coins.
“Ershou is not free to leave me! Whoever retrieves my property will get this payment—and more.”
The four swarthy men kicked back their chairs and stood, reaching for their blades, but before they could take one step toward Ershou, Captain Baldarich drew his lightning cannon and fired. The blue electricity zapped the closest man in the chest and sent him crumbling to the floor with a thud. Before the man’s companions realized what was happening, Ignatius had drawn two pistols from the holsters on his hips, and fired, wounding two others in the leg, which sent them tumbling sideways as they grasped tables or chairs—or thin air—for support. In a blur, Mr. Singh vaulted over the table, pulled his Katar dagger with flintlock barrels on each side, from the sheath on his chest. As he confronted the fourth man, he spun, and in one swipe, knocked the man’s legs, which were thick as tree trunks, right out from under him. He, too, crashed to the floor and Mr. Singh stood over him daring him to move.
The Spice Master screeched in plain English, “Ershou! You are mine. You belong to me!”
“I am no one’s property,” she hissed, spinning the blade in her hand, she threw it at the Spice Master. The knife sank into the wooden wall just over his shoulder. She turned away from him. The baron glanced at me and then to Ershou. “You are safe with us,” he said, as he took her arm and guided her toward the door with me leading the way. Behind us, the men of the Sparrowhawk formed a wall separating Ershou from the Spice Master.
Mr. Singh grabbed the money pouch from the table, emptied the coins into his palm, and dropped the empty pouch on the fourth man’s chest. With a bright smile he nodded and joined the captain.
The Spice Master moaned and yelled as if he was in terrible pain. As we reached the door, he rushed forward, but Ignatius fired again, the bullets impacting around the Spice Master’s feet, and the man jumped back, eyes wide as if he couldn’t conceive of what was happening to him.
I shoved the door open and stopped on the threshold, stunned to see a group of soldiers standing at the base of the stairs. They carried rifles, and the man in front carried a revolver. I didn’t see a flag patch, or any other markings to indicate where they were from.
I raised my hands, trying to think of something to say. The soldiers stunned by my action, looked to each other, everyone except the man with the revolver. In English he said, “Come with me or die!”
“This is just a misunderstanding,” the captain said behind me.
“No misunderstanding. You are coming with me.”
“Under whose authority?” the baron demanded.
I glanced at Rodin, and found him looking at me. We shared an unspoken moment, and when the dragon winked at me, I knew he had a plan stirring in his mind.
He screeched, a piercing sound that sent searing pain through my ears. Startled, the soldiers gripped their heads. Rodin lifted off my shoulder and unleashed a column of fire on the soldiers, who dove and ran to avoid the flames.
Pointing his lightning pistol at the soldiers, Captain Baldarich fired. Electricity arced from one soldier to another creating a chain of twitching men who collapsed into the dirt even as more soldiers appeared in the distance. “Follow me,” I whispered, grabbing Ershou’s hand as I jumped down to the narrow decking that ran along the front of the building.
We leapt off a large stone next building and then slid down to the street. I ran started to run toward the Sparrowhawk but she grabbed my arm. “No! This way. They are this way.”
I nodded and followed. Rodin fluttered in the air behind us, and as I looked back, I saw the others rushing toward the Sparrowhawk as the soldiers fired on them. Gunshots cracked like thunder and echoed off the mountains. I heard shouting in the distance. More soldiers gathering together to charge toward my friends.
Ershou and I ducked behind a house and froze, standing as still as the mountains. The soldiers filed past the front of the building. I risked a look around the corner and saw the captain and Ignatius holding the soldiers back with gunfire, while the baron and Mr. Singh rushed toward the Sparrowhawk. One of the rocks the soldiers were using for cover shattered as a thunderous gunshot echoed through the whole valley. The soldiers retreated as a second shot ripped through a wooden cart.
“Hunter will make them think twice with Gretel.”
Ershou stared at me with a puzzled expression, but I didn’t want to take the time to explain.
“Who are these soldiers?” I asked.
“I do not know. They arrived at the same time as the train with legs.”
“Hendrix’s soldiers. The troops he had with him in Africa.” My fist tightened into a ball. “We need to get back to the Sparrowhawk.”
“No, this way,” Ershou used the handle of her cane to point toward the mountain. “The train with legs is this way.”
I paused. I should return to the ship, but Genevieve was on the Milli-train. I knew the baron, the captain, Mr. Singh, and the rest of the crew would be angry if I ran off again, but if I didn’t follow her, Genevieve might be lost again.
I peeked around the corner again. More soldiers poured out of the buildings and rushed up the path toward the ship. I told myself, Ershou was the woman from my vision, and was destined to help me find Genevieve. I exhaled heavily, nodded, then followed her as she slipped behind into an alleyway. Now I only needed to leave markers for the captain and baron to find.
We climbed a path along the side of the mountain, staying behind buildings, and hiding, when possible, behind boulders. I wondered where she was leading me. How could the Milli-train could disappear? Where could it go? There weren’t any tents or buildings big enough to conceal a giant train. I started to ask her, but she put her finger to her lips and motioned me to stay low.
Finally, she stopped, and crouching behind a boulder, she looked down on the village. No soldiers followed us, but gunfire still rang out in the distance.
“I have to contact my friends.” I dug through my pouch until I found the percussion cap with the red cover. “The captain gave me this after Acre, in case I got into trouble.” I tore off the paper cover and slipped the brass cap into my Thumper. I held it out away from the mountain. “I bet we’re about to run into trouble.” I fired and a red flare exploded out the end and soared off. We ducked down, and I hoped only friends saw the signal.
Satisfied we were safe, she took my hand and led me toward a large expanse of rock on the other side of the path. Letting go she motioned to the rock wall. I shrugged, uncertain what she was trying to show me.
“Here.” She motioned to the wall.
“Where?”
She reached out and touched the wall; it rippled like cloth. I stepped up and touched what I thought was rock, but I felt heavy canvas under my fingers. Looking more closely, I recognized paint, bits of stone, and thick canvas like the hull of the Sparrowhawk. It was like a backdrop at a theater. A cloth painted to look like the side of a mountain. Ingenious.
“A false wall,” I said, pulling my hand away. “What’s behind it?”
“A tunnel.” She pushed the
curtain aside.
“Wait, I have to mark this.” I unsheathed my knife and scratched the rock beside her, creating a chevron pointing toward the tunnel. “Like the labyrinth on Malta.” Finding the edge, I pulled it back from actual stone. Only darkness lay ahead. A faint, dank odor offended my nose. I held my breath and slipped inside. Ershou followed.
CHAPTER 14
A SECRET PLACE
Endless darkness lead to a point of light at the far end, like a beacon, calling us forward. I slid my hand along the cool stone wall as we made our way through the cavernous tunnel.
“How do you know about this place?” I whispered.
“We all saw them arrive, but The Spice Master deals with them.”
“Does that mean he’s going to run and tell them we’re coming?”
“No, they don’t like him.”
“Why?”
“He’s Mongolian.”
I started to ask why that would matter, but I already knew. To the men seeking the Hearts, only certain races and cultures were accepted. The rest, deemed unworthy, were destined only to be slaves and servants. The thought burned me inside.
We walked in silence, the light growing brighter as we approached the other side of the mountain. A heavy tarp also covered this opening but one corner had been pulled back creating the beacon that guided us through. I was worried we hadn’t run into any soldiers and feared they were standing outside waiting for us. But everything was quiet. I crawled up to the opening and peered out. Nothing but snow and barren rock. I pushed it open and we stepped out onto a wide ledge. We’d gone through straight through the mountain and the tracks of the Milli-train continued on.
Ershou motioned for me to follow, pulling my attention away from the giant tunnel.
The wind howled as we reached the top of the ridge. Though it was early spring, the chill bit into my skin like the coldest London winters. I pulled my fur lined hood up and cinched it tight. Ershou pointed. I followed her finger to a point in the distance and squinted, but couldn’t see anything. Then tucked into a notch on the mountain across the river, I saw a tiered palace. The majestic building boasted several levels, all with tiled roofs, brightly decorated walls, and elaborate columns featuring exotic animal designs.
“What is that place?”
“A hidden palace of a long-forgotten kingdom.” Ershou kept moving, and her head darted back and forth carefully examining the path before us. I suspected she didn’t like being exposed on this ridge. “Come.”
I stared down at the river thousands of feet below, a thin ribbon with tiny flecks of roiling rapids. The Milli-train tracks led across the valley toward the palace on the other side.
“How do we get there?”
She pointed straight down, but I couldn’t see a path. Then I realized she was gesturing to the river below. “We can’t swim that. The rapids are too swift.”
She pointed again. “Not the river. The rope.”
I squinted until I saw a thin line spanning the valley. My heart dropped.
“Follow me,” she said as she scrambled down the rocky trail.
“Doesn’t this country have bridges?”
She cocked her head, considering me for a moment, and then gestured toward the rope stretched taut above the river valley and anchored around a heavy boulder with prayer flags fluttering on the end. “This is faster. You’re not afraid are you?”
“No.” I puffed up my chest and stormed up to the edge. The river raged below, churning like a boiling cauldron. “No problem.”
She ignored me and handed me a looped rope with a small pulley wheel on top. “Tie this around your chest, under your arms. Hook this part over the rope.” She took a second one and did the same. “It’s easy, just push off and when you stop, pull yourself the rest of the way. Wait until I’m on the other side before you go.”
She gripped her cane in her arms and she shoved off the edge. I watched her bounce a couple of times as she sped over the river. Her owl flew right beside her, its bronze and feathered wings spread in majestic grace. I secured the rope and waited until I saw climb off the line on the other side. I took a deep breath, but as I was about to leap, a hand grabbed my shoulder. I drew my Thumper and spun around. Mr. Singh stood in front of me with a large smile beaming under his thick beard.
“I was sent after you, and found your mark at the tunnel.” Mr. Singh looked at the rope across the valley. “Where is she leading you?”
“Ershou knows where the Milli-train is. Where Genevieve is.” I pointed across the valley to the palace built into the rock. “She says they are there. The Spice Master sold them goods.”
He eyed the girl crouched on the opposite side. “Are you sure this isn’t a trap?”
I paused. I could understand his thoughts, but I knew she was right. Mr. Singh was one of my best friends, I could trust him. “I saw her in a vision. Besides, if she leads me to Genevieve, it’s a risk I’m willing to take.”
“Alexander. That is not wise. We should wait for the others.”
“Can’t,” I handed him a rope to tie around himself. “If you’re coming, great, if you want to wait, you know where I’ll be.”
Mr. Singh shook his head and wrapped the rope under his arms. I shoved off the edge and slid along the rope to the other side, the wheel rattling as I raced across. Rodin flew beside me, darting from side to side. Dangling over the churning white water below my pulse quickened, but the sensation was like flying and I couldn’t help but smile. When I landed on the other side, Ershou was crouched behind a boulder staring up at the palace, watching something intently.
“Is someone watching?” I tried to see as I untied myself.
“Not at the moment, but had you gone sooner, he would have spotted you.”
“My friend is coming over, too.” I pointed as Mr. Singh leapt off and zipped across the river.
“He had better be quick about it.”
Mr. Singh arrived and planted his feet on the stone, stopping easily. I helped him out of the rope and we dropped beside Ershou. She and Mr. Singh locked eyes, and he nodded, but she turned away. With a wave of her hand, she said, “Follow me.”
She ran off, skimming the rock wall as she hurried up the trail. I slapped Mr. Singh’s shoulder, “See, come on. Let’s go get Genevieve.”
He hesitated. “Alexander, we should be more cautious.”
I heard him, but didn’t listen. I didn’t just trust her, I trusted my intuition. I ran up behind Ershou and pressed myself against the rocks. Mr. Singh joined us. He was about to say something, but she held a finger to her lips.
Above us I heard voices, two men speaking in English.
“See anything?” the first man asked.
They must be guards. I glanced back at Mr. Singh who nodded as if he read my thoughts.
“Nothing,” the second man said. “Too cold, I guess. Haven’t even seen a rat to use as target practice.”
I rubbed Rodin’s head as he sat on my shoulder. “Stay close,” I whispered. He pressed his head against my cheek.
Ershou motioned for us to follow. We crept along the trail until she stopped by a small opening in the rock face.
“This is the drainage for the palace,” Ershou whispered. “I saw it when the Spice Master and I came here. I don’t know where it leads once inside, but the only other option is to climb the mountain.” She pointed to the sheer rock face. There was no way we could climb it—there were barely any handholds—and we’d be exposed the whole time.
The opening angled up toward the palace but was only big enough to squeeze through. We couldn’t continue up the trail, which led to where the guards stood. Besides, if this led into the palace, it was the perfect way inside.
I turned to Mr. Singh, “You wait out here. If I’m not back by nightfall, then go get the cavalry.”
“No, I must go with you.”
“Then we might both get caught.” I gripped his shoulders. “Ershou doesn’t know the crew or the captain. You do. I’m going to be
careful.”
Mr. Singh cocked his head to the side, and raised his eyebrow. “Really?”
“Yes. I will be. I promise.” I smiled. “I’m trying to free Genevieve, not join her.”
Mr. Singh sighed and then nodded in resignation. He didn’t like my plan, but he knew I was right. Someone had to stay outside in case I was captured.
I turned to Ershou. “You have my eternal thanks for your help. Please, stay with Mr. Singh, once back with our allies, I can properly reward you.” I took off my coat and wrapped it around her. “Here, this will keep you warm while you wait.”
“Thank you. We will give you until nightfall.”
“In and out, no worries.” I pulled Rodin off my shoulder and placed him in the drain. “You first.” I squeezed in behind him, the opening was barely wider than my shoulder. A trickle of water ran down the sloping sluice as I began to climb.
The rough rock quickly turned into a segmented clay pipe that I could easily climb, while Rodin used his talons to scale the sides and kept his wings tucked in. It was slow going, but I moved at a steady pace. A faint light lay above me, and drew me ever higher. The fear of falling crept into my mind.
Why did you look down? I chastised myself. Haven’t you learned anything from flying on the Sparrowhawk?” I slid my arms up to grab the next segment of pipe and kept my feet firmly pressed against the sides. I looked up and saw Rodin perched on an edge, his tail swinging back and forth. Just a little farther.
Reaching the edge, I found myself staring at Rodin’s cute little dragon butt. I pressed against the sides, but my hand and foot hit a slick patch and I slipped. My fingers clung to the edge and I pushed my feet out to stabilize myself. I slammed against the side and my lips pressed into the trickle of water running down the pipe. It tasted like bile. I spit repeatedly and wiped my mouth on my shirt. Straining, I pulled myself back up. Rodin turned around and rubbed my face as I hooked my elbows on the ledge and lifted myself up over the edge. Once secured, I breathed out a long sigh. Before me the pipe widened, and a set of vertical iron bars separated me from a dark stone room lit only by a single flickering torch.
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