We both looked at her. I couldn’t agree more, but wondered why she didn’t trust any of my friends.
“I trust the baron,” Mr. Singh said. “But the saboteur could interfere, and with that many people, there will be delays. They’ll have to get supplies, too, and what if the governor puts up restrictions on our movement?”
“Then it’s settled. We rush back to the Sparrowhawk, get what supplies we’ll need and depart.”
“Wait. It won’t be that simple.” Mr. Singh raised his hand. “We cannot run from the captain again. Plus, we will need more than we can carry. We must be smart about this.”
“Then what do we do? If we tell the captain, he’ll tell the baron and we’ll never get away.”
“Tell your captain we are going ahead to scout the palace.” Lianhua brushed the feathers of her owl. “Then we’re helping and not running away.”
Mr. Singh and I turned toward each other. “Brilliant!” we said in unison.
“If we send Rodin back to the Sparrowhawk,” I said, “they’ll be able to find us faster, and we really would be scouts.”
“The captain might go for it,” Mr. Singh said with a nod.
“Let’s try it.”
When we arrived at the airdocks, we jumped out of the carriage and rushed up the gangplank to the Sparrowhawk. Hunter gave us a slight wave of his hand, and I asked, “Is the captain on the bridge.”
He shook his head, “In his cabin.”
I said a quick, “Thanks,” and we ran down the hall to his door. I knocked.
A voice within said, “Come in, but it better be worth disturbing me.”
Mr. Singh put a hand on my arm to stop me, but I opened the door and stepped in. Mr. Singh and Lianhua followed.
“Captain, its Alexander.”
I crossed the small cabin, with a bed built into the wall on one side and a desk on the other. Trophies like wheels, name plates, and flags hung on the walls showing battles he’d won, or airships he conquered. A tattered German flag dangled over one side of the porthole, while the union jack draped the other side like curtains.
Captain Baldarich sat on a bench below the large porthole. He stared out on Lahore, but turned as we entered.
“I thought you were at that meeting with the baron and governor?’ the captain grumbled.
“We were,” I said. “But they’re still talking and we wanted to see you.”
“Really?” He stroked his mustache and eyed the three of us. “Something’s up. I can smell it.”
“We have an idea, Captain,” Mr. Singh said, shaking like a thin tree on a windy day. “But we won’t do it if you disagree.”
I glanced at him, wishing he hadn’t said that, but I understood Mr. Singh didn’t fear anything—except the captain. I turned back to the captain.
“We have to get back or we’ll miss the date I told Genevieve.”
The captain nodded as if he knew why we stood in front of him. “I see.”
“We want to scout ahead.” I tried to bolster my confidence with a Baldarich like swagger. “We’ll head into the mountains. Find the KGC, and see what they’re up too. Then we’ll send word back to the Sparrowhawk and to the troops telling you where we are and what to expect. We can use Rodin and Kō’ilā as couriers.” I paused to see if he was about to have an explosive reaction, then added, “This isn’t about taking them on ourselves, Captain. We just want to get back to Genevieve in case she needs us. Plus, you’ll know what they’re doing and where they are so you won’t have to search for them... or us.
The captain didn’t say anything at first, he just stared at the three of us, and then at the owl and Rodin. I started to fidget, trying to think of a thousand reasons why my plan wasn’t foolhardy, but he sat there letting his fingers smooth his mustache and sideburns.
Mr. Singh took a step back, and I feared he might bolt for the door, but I held my ground. The captain stood up. “So... the baron got his army. Good.”
“The governor is sending a request to New Delhi; he refuses to help without authorization, but the Sikhs are going to join us. It will take them at least a week before they’re ready, and even longer to get word from the British.”
“So you want to go find Genevieve and send us word about what you find?”
“Exactly,” I said. “You’ll know what you’re facing before you even get there.”
“And what if something happens to Rodin or the owl? How would you let us know where you are?” Before we could answer, Baldarich walked over to his desk, opened a drawer, and pulled out a box about the size of a book. It had brass trimmings on the corners and a circular metal rod emerging from the top. He tossed it to me.
“Put this in your bag,” the captain said. “There’s a switch embedded in the side. Switch it on when you find them and I’ll get your signal.”
The three of us lit up. I couldn’t believe he was going along with our plan! “Thank you, Captain.” I flipped the device over and saw a switch in a small indentation on the side. “What is it?”
“Another of the Tinkerer’s inventions. He calls it a radio transmitter.” The captain pointed at the device. “It works with the Arial Tacking Dial. He says I could put this on a ship and always know where it was, or give it to someone to locate them. Perhaps he knew you all too well, Mr. Knight,” the captain said with a chuckle.
I slipped the transmitter into the leather bag slung over my shoulder. “We should get going.”
“Wait. Before I give you the go ahead, I want to know your plans.”
I glanced at Mr. Singh and Lianhua. “We’ll return the same way we got here. We’ll travel with a merchant heading back into the mountains, and then once we’re close to the hidden palace, Rodin will make contact with Genevieve, and we’ll signal you.”
The captain studied Mr. Singh and Lianhua, and then stood for a moment staring at me. He was quiet for a long time, then he shook his head and said, “Alexander, you’re either bravest man I’ve ever met, or the craziest.” He put his hand on my shoulder. “Either way, get out of here. Go find Genevieve.”
I pumped my fist. “Thank you Captain. You won’t regret this.”
“Oh yes I will, but go anyway. And Mr. Singh,” he reached out to shake his crewman’s hand, “you’re in charge of making sure Alexander doesn’t do anything too foolish. And don’t forget to signal me.”
“Aye, aye, sir.”
We ran out of the captain’s cabin eager to get everything we’d need for the journey. Mr. Singh headed off to check his weapons and gather his things, and I took Lianhua to the galley. Gustav helped us pack our food, and even slipped a few honey-drizzled rolls into a bag. He even gave us each one to eat before we left.
We met Mr. Singh at the gangplank and Hunter, still on watch, said, “The captain is letting you go?”
“How did you know?” I looked around as if there were spies everywhere.
“I know you, Alexander. You aren’t one to wait around for someone else to ride to Genevieve’s rescue.” He looked us up and down and then laughed and slapped me on the back. “But you forget I’ve seen that girl wield a sword, and I’m not sure she needs the likes of you two to save her.”
“She doesn’t. I already tried,” I said with a chuckle. “I’m glad she and I are on the same side.”
“We’re going to scout ahead,” Mr. Singh said.
“Well, I’m impressed. I didn’t think the captain’d go for it.” Hunter motioned toward the second floor of a nearby building. “Wait before you leave.”
“Why?” I asked.
“We have a little birdie watching us. He’s been there since we landed.”
“Is the Golden Circle everywhere?”
“Perhaps.” Hunter stepped back from the cargo door. He motioned for us to do the same. “Don’t get a ride from anyone in town, and take a different route into the mountain. The road you came in is watched.”
“Then how do we get out of here?” Mr. Singh asked.
“I have an idea.” He pulled a smoke grenad
e from his pocket. “I was going to use this when the captain wanted to head out, but this seems like a good time. Exit through the gun deck, and don’t worry. The birdie’s attention will be elsewhere.” He pulled the pin and rolled the smoke grenade toward the ladder to the conning tower.
We rushed down the stairs as smoke started to fill the Sparrowhawk. As we arrived on the gun deck, I heard several crewmen screaming, “Fire!” I opened one of the hatches on the floor and we dropped down to ground. The three of us ran the opposite direction ensuring the Sparrowhawk was between us and the spy.
Once we were several blocks away, I stopped and looked around. “I don’t think we’re being followed. Now what?”
Lainhua pointed toward the northeast. “Now we do what your friend said. We get out of the city, find transportation, and then we head to Shimla. It still leads into the mountains. From there we follow the river north to the palace.”
I nodded. “Good plan.”
Mr. Singh remained silent. A haunted look washed over his face. I realized I recognized the name of the city. Shimla. Where he’d been born. Where tragedy had struck. Where his life completely changed.
I put my hand on his shoulder. “We’re with you, Indihar. But we don’t have to go to that way.”
“No, I will be fine. There aren’t many ways into the mountains, and Lianhua is right, Shimla is an excellent choice.”
CHAPTER 24
GOING BEYOND ALEXANDER THE GREAT
Two days later we were bouncing along the rough trail on burlap bags riding in the back of a grain cart. We were still navigating the foothills, but anywhere else in the world, they would have called these mountains. Shimla would be our next stop, this afternoon, and with each passing mile, Mr. Singh had grown more quiet and withdrawn.
I wanted to say something, but I didn’t know what. I never wanted to return to Princeton, where my mother had died from the flu. So, I understood. His whole family had been killed in this city. Their lives snuffed out to send a message to those who resisted.
Lianhua talked to him. Not about his family, but about the mountains. She could pull him out of himself for a time. I stroked Rodin, who had curled up in my lap, and thought about Genevieve. I grew more anxious, and with each turn of the wheel, my heart soared higher. The weight of worry eased. I knew in my gut we’d make it back to her. Only this time, I wouldn’t get caught.
Shimla was a beautiful town perched atop a small mountain surrounded by snow-capped towering peaks. The city bustled with traders and we easily slipped through the streets. Though we watched everyone, looking for spies.
Lianhua asked Mr. Singh. “Where was your home? Would you want to stop and visit?”
“That way.” He motioned down the ridge, and looked around at the city. “Some parts feel familiar, but too many years have passed.” He pointed north. “We should really focus on finding Genevieve.”
“We have to stay for the night to avoid the treacherous mountain passes. If you want, we can look around.”
“Sadly, I don’t know, but even if I did... it might be... too much.”
“I understand, my friend.”
Lianhua nodded and we had the merchant drop us off in front of an inn at the town’s highest point.
As we entered our room, Mr. Singh said, “Shimla is one of the major centers of the Punjab.”
“Good; we need a place we can get lost in.” I patted his back. “And I have to say, it’s a fascinating place, your homeland. I’m glad I got to see it.”
“I am, too.”
We stayed in the room that night to avoid any unwanted attention. The next morning, we found a trader returning to the mountains and paid him for the journey. This time, Mr. Singh brought money, which was a good idea, because, besides Genevieve’s bracelets, we didn’t have much to trade.
As we drifted further away from Shimla, Mr. Singh relaxed. I was glad to see him smile again. He’d come from a stunning town, but it held pain for him, and I understood why he hadn’t returned. We stayed in the merchant’s carts that night on the outskirts of a tiny village. The next day, we crested over a ridge and found a wide river cutting through the mountains.
The merchant turned and spoke to Lianhua. She asked a question back, and the man nodded. I asked, “What did he say?”
“He said we’ve reached the Hyphasis River, and I had never heard of that. He corrected himself, and said it was now the Baes River.” Lianhua pointed north. “He said we’re on the right track and we’ll follow this river into the mountains.”
My brain seized on the familiar word, and raced to find the memory. I knew this place—but how? I jumped off the cart, causing Rodin to take flight. I rushed to the edge and stared at the ground. Then scooped up a handful of dirt,
“Alexander. What is it?” Mr. Singh asked.
The cart ground to halt behind me and I heard the yaks snort.
“We’re here, we’re really here.” I stared at the river, the opposite shore, and took in the mountains around me. This was it. The furthest Alexander the Great had traveled. “This is where Alexander the Great’s army forced him to turn back.” I splayed my hand on my chest and paused. “He went no further than this spot.”
Mr. Singh jumped down and stood beside me. “We have traveled further than he ever did. You started in London, further west than he ever went. We traveled across Africa, where he only went to Egypt. Now we will travel beyond him on the eastern front. I think maybe we will have to call you ‘The Great’.”
I smiled, turned, and shook my head. “Ha! Those are kind words, Indihar, but I don’t lead an army, and I’m not conqueror anything, or leaving my mark everywhere we go.”
“Oh, but you do lead an army, and your friends will follow you far beyond this spot,” Mr. Singh said. “And, Alexander, I believe this world will remember you, too.”
He was right about one thing: I’d traveled further in every direction than my namesake. I hadn’t thought about my journeys as paralleling his, but they had. Now, as soon as we crossed this river, I’d no longer be stepping in Alexander the Great’s footsteps, but my making my own.
We climbed back into the cart and forged the river through the shallows. Once on the other bank, we continued up into the mountains. Looking back. I could almost see the ghosts of a Greek army lead by a king, who would soon pass into legend. Alexander the Great had seen the east as something more to be conquered. His men after years of war, just wanted to return home. I looked east, and knew I had more to do, more to see, more to stand against. I would conquer the land for Alexander the Great. Okay, maybe I wouldn’t conquer it, but I would never stop. I’d chase the Golden Circle to ends of the earth if needed. I put my arm around Mr. Singh. It brought comfort to know that my friends would follow me to the end as well.
CHAPTER 25
GENEVIEVE
It took two more days to find the hidden palace again, but soon, the three of us stood in the valley staring at the masterpiece of ancient engineering.
“Something’s different.” I said.
“Fewer guards,” Mr. Singh said. “I only spot two. Last time I counted, thirty-six.”
“That’s not a good sign.”
Lianhua shook her head and sent her owl off. “If no one is watching over this place, there is nothing left to guard.”
Mr. Singh agreed, but I kept my eyes on the two soldiers. “If everyone’s gone then why is anyone guarding this place?”
“There must be someone, or something, they left behind.” Mr. Singh placed his hand over his eyes and studied the palace. “We should be able to get closer, maybe climb up to the lower tier and avoid the guards.”
Lianhua pointed to her owl circling on one side of the palace. “There is something or someone over on that side.”
“Genevieve’s room.” I turned to Rodin who sat on my shoulder. “Go see if she’s there.” With a quick nod he leapt off and soared up toward the owl.
The guards noticed the two take flight, but when they flew beyond sight aro
und the palace, the soldiers returned to talking.
We slipped along the rock face. Silently we moved to the lowest tier where we could climb up the side of the building to a balcony above us. If there were guards everywhere, like before, we’d never make it without being seen, but with only two by the main door, it was relatively easy.
Mr. Singh held out his hand. “Give me your rope and I’ll tie it off once I’m up there.” He scaled the wall, using the sculptures on the column as a ladder. Once over the edge, we couldn’t see him. The rope flew over the side and uncoiled on the way down. I wrapped my leg around the end and climbed up. Mr. Singh extended his hand out and pulled me onto the ledge. Lianhua grabbed the rope and used it to assist her as she traversed the column.
The three of us snuck through the palace. With most of the people gone, we had little trouble. No one sat in the great room, and we slipped up to the upper floors with ease.
I found Genevieve’s door, and listened. When I heard her fawning over Rodin, I pushed opened the door. She was alone, but we stayed quiet. Her eyes lit up and she clutched the dragon. She looked up and smiled. Kō’ilā perched on the window sill behind Genevieve.
“You came back.” she said with the subtle hint of a smile.
“I told you I would. We’re even on time.”
She kissed Rodin’s head. “Unfortunately, the Inner Circle—everyone except my mother—has already left.”
“We figured that part out.” I knelt down beside her. “Get your things together and we’ll go after them.”
“The guards come every fifteen minutes to check on me. We have to find a way around them, plus, my mother is still here. We’re to join the others in a few weeks, once they are certain neither I, nor anyone else, can alter their plans.”
“Then there is still time to stop them. What are you supposed to be doing today?”
“Remain in my room until tonight. I have dinner with my mother every night, and then I go to bed.”
“I have a plan. I think.” I turned to Mr. Singh and Lianhua. “You two sneak back out, and wait on the eastern footpath we used to get here. Stay out of sight, and we’ll meet you later.”
Iron Lotus Page 13
