Revenge of the Mad Scientist (Book One: Airship Adventure Chronicles)

by Lara Nance

  She ran her tongue over her dry, cracked lips and took another sip of the water. Floods of images poured into her head then. Some of them so painful she blanked them out. Instead she focused on Rett and the coolness of the water in her mouth.

  “Rett?” her voice came out in a croak. “Wha, what happened?”

  “The Sarc shot you with a poison dart. You absorbed enough that you have been very sick, but it’s over now. The fever broke during the night and Gemina says you will be well again.” His eyes indicated the older woman beside her.

  She turned her gaze to Gemina and the old woman’s sun creased face broke into a broad smile.

  “You will live, Kefmam,” she said. “You will be weak for a few days, but you will recover.”

  Weak? Oh yes. There didn’t seem to be an ounce of strength left in her body. She couldn’t believe how taxing it was just to open her mouth and swallow. Then she remembered. Her father was dead—killed by the cursed Sarc. Sorrow welled up in her and a single tear ran down her cheek like scalding water. Every sensation to her body seemed magnified.

  “My, fa, father,” she murmured.

  Rett bowed his head. “He’s dead Belle, the Sarc killed him. Do you remember?”

  She closed her eyes and gave a small nod.

  “Perron and his men took his body back to Gandiss. Lord Ismatan will make sure he goes to Urbannia with all haste. I thought it was what you would want.”

  Yes, her father belonged to Urbannia. She wondered how her mother would fare with this news. But at least she had her sisters to help her through the tragedy.

  “She needs rest,” Gemina said. “You must go now.”

  Rett took her hand and squeezed it. Someone else kissed her cheek. Gemina laid her back on the bed and sleep consumed her.

  ###

  Rett couldn’t believe the change in Belle. Since he’d brought her back to the camp last night her body seemed to have shrunken and looked almost skeletal. Yet Gemina said she was extremely lucky for not many people could boast of having survived the death lotus poison. It was a fortunate series of events that the dart had only grazed her and quick thinking Perron had washed the wound with whiskey. It was horrifying to think that the tiny bit that succeeded in entering her bloodstream had caused such havoc.

  Solmin met them when they left the healer’s tent and inquired about Belle’s progress.

  “The fever broke and Gemina says she will survive although she will be weak for days,” Rett said.

  “That is worrisome.” Solmin frowned. “One of my men just returned from Terrabba. There is much anti-western talk there. Once the Imperial Warlord learns of the disaster at Manu Picca I am afraid he will send troops into this area. You will be in great danger.”

  “What do you think we should do?” Benji asked.

  “Kef Benjamin, it is for you to decide as kef, but it would be best if you and your friends could leave Carabarras as soon as possible until this situation settles.”

  “We can’t go back the traditional route through Gandiss and Pandistan. I’m afraid our welcome there would hardly be better than in Carabarras after all that has happened.” Rett rubbed his chin.

  “We could make it to Moro,” Sam said. “We have enough coal and water to make it that far and we can purchase more there.”

  Solmin’s face lightened. “Moro is an excellent idea. They remain detached from the intrigues of the larger countries and it is not far from there to Jelep where you can refuel before going further.”

  “That’s a good idea,” Benji said. “We need to make sure Belle recovers. We don’t need any more adventures for a while, so going back to Urbannia by the Southern route is the safest plan.”

  “Do you think Belle can make the trip so soon?” Armani asked.

  “I will talk to Gemina. If she gives you specific instructions and whatever medicines you need, traveling in an airship will be no more strenuous than lying in a tent. She will be back to normal in a few days.” Solmin headed into the tent.

  “I hope we’re not putting Lady Arabella in danger.” Jasper frowned.

  “Gemina won’t agree if she feels it would be dangerous,” Rett said. “Besides, it will be more dangerous to stay here and risk being taken by the warlord.”

  Solmin returned in a few minutes. “She says to make your preparations today and if the kefmam is well in the morning you may leave.”

  “Then let’s get busy,” Rett said. “We need to go back to the other camp and load up Gambit. Then we’ll fly over in the morning and pick up Belle.”

  They all hurried in different directions to pack up their belongings. However, Rett went back into the tent first. He had to see Belle one more time before he left and reassure himself that she was really okay.

  Gemina glared at him, but his heart must have shown through his expression because her face softened and she motioned him toward the bed. Belle slept, her face peaceful. He’d been sick with worry when they brought her out of the steam tent an hour ago, her body shrunken, pale and still. He rested his hand on hers for a moment. He could only hope and wait for the time when she had recovered from her illness and the loss of her father so he could tell her how he felt, how much he loved her. With a nod to Gemina, he strode off to find his gear and saddle up his horse.

  ###

  When Belle woke the next morning, she stretched and flexed her arms. Some strength had returned to her limbs. She sat up on the side of the bed where Gemina could spoon broth into her mouth. Then the older woman urged her to drink sweet fruit juice.

  “It will give you strength, Kefman,” Gemina said. “I will send jugs of the juice with you and you must promise to have at least four cups a day.”

  “I will. Thank you for saving my life, Gemina.”

  The healer allowed her pursed lips to relax and she patted Belle on the back. “You will be fine as long as you have a couple days rest.”

  Gemina helped her into a tribal outfit of tunic and skirt and escorted her to a chair. Belle breathed hard by the time she was in it, making her realize how depleted she was.

  Benji came into the tent and Gemina frowned but did not shoo him out.

  “Belle, we’ve brought Gambit over this morning. Solmin thinks we should leave Carabarras as soon as possible because the anti-west sentiments are rising.”

  “We have to leave?” Her heart sank. She couldn’t imagine traveling the way she felt—empty, both physically and emotionally. “Where shall we go? I don’t think I can make a long trip right now.”

  “Of course. Sam suggested Moro and says we have enough fuel to make it there. We can stay a few days until you feel better and then try to return to Urbannia.”

  Moro. She had never been there, but the stories of it as a tropical paradise were far reaching. The idea of basking on a beach for a few weeks was very appealing to her. She needed something to take her mind off of her father’s death. But it worried her that despite destroying the secret weapon, the political upheaval remained.

  “All right. That’s not too far away I guess.”

  “No, it’s not. We set up your room on the airship. You’ll just rest in bed until we get there. We’ll take care of everything.”

  Armani walked into the tent and her eyes lit up when she saw Belle out of bed and dressed. “Belle, you look so much better. Do you feel all right?”

  “I feel like a piece of wet leather, but much better than I did.”

  “I’ll take care of you until you recover. Don’t worry about anything.”

  Belle gave a weak smile. “Very well. I suppose we should start the journey as soon as possible then. There’s no point staying in Carabarras any longer.”

  “I’ll go tell Rett. He and Sam are going to carry you to the ship.” Armani ran out of the tent.

  Benji lingered, forehead puckered. “Belle, don’t you think I should give the dagger back to the Mandagol?” he asked, looking down at the ground.

  She had forgotten all about it. But Benji’s conclusion impressed her. It
might have been fun to play king for a while, but the dagger belonged to the tribe and here it should stay.

  “Yes, Benji. You’re right.”

  He raised his eyes. “I’m glad you think so. I wanted to ask you since you’re the one who bought it. It cost a lot of money. I’ll be happy to pay you back when I have the opportunity.”

  She reached out and took his hand. “No, you don’t owe me anything. It was a gift and as such for you to do with as you please. Your thought is a fine idea. Solmin will be a good leader.”

  Rett and Sam entered the tent and they both grinned to see her up and about.

  “So you think you can tolerate this trip?” Rett asked.

  “As long as I don’t have to shoot any cannon or fight any air pirates,” she answered.

  He chuckled. “Let’s hope not. For the first time in my life I’m ready to avoid adventures for a while.”

  “We’ve made the ship nice and comfortable for you, so all you have to do is stay in the bed until we arrive,” Sam said.

  “Then I’m ready,” she said.

  Rett and Sam lifted her in the chair and carried her outside. When they were out of the tent, she faced the entire tribe gathered before her. They shouted, hooted, and whistled when she appeared. She waved her hands and blew them kisses until her arms would no longer move.

  They placed her beside the gangplank so they could say their farewells. Gesic came and then Solmin.

  “We shall miss your presence, Kefman” Solmin said. “Your courage has been an inspiration to us. If the fortunes smile on us, perhaps you may return soon.”

  She smiled and held out a hand to him. “Thank you, Solmin. I cannot thank you enough for your help and your hospitality. We shall keep you all in our prayers.”

  Solmin put his fist up to his chest and gave her a bow, then he turned away.

  “Wait,” Benji said. He had the black box of the Mandagol dagger and turned it over in his hands, head bowed. He lifted his head finally and held the box out to the former Mandagol Kef, a solemn expression on his face. “This belongs to you. You’re the rightful Kef. You’re an honorable man, Solmin and I know I will leave the tribe in good hands if you will accept this dagger.”

  Solmin eyed the box, brows raised in surprise at the offer. “But Kef, God sent it to you and you were brought to us.”

  “And I give it to you. Our mission is over and the honor of the Mandagol is restored.” Benji thrust the box toward the other man, his lips in a firm line. “May the Mandagol live in peace and prosperity forever.”

  Solmin reached out and wrapped his fingers around the leather box and took it from Benji. He raised his other fist to his chest in salute. “We shall maintain the honor you brought, this I promise.”

  “I shall trust you to do that and I thank you for all you have done for us,” Benji said. “We will never forget you. Now we must prepare for our departure.”

  ###

  The flight from the Mandagol camp to Moro passed in a blur for Belle. Although she had definitely improved, she remained in a detached world where she merely observed. She curled up in the bed of her cabin and true to their words; her friends took care of everything. Every once in a while Armani would come in and offer her juice or something to eat, but other than that she dozed.

  Once they landed, Belle sat up, refreshed from her sleep with her head clearer. She asked Jasper to take her leather satchel full of money and accompany Rett to find them food to replenish the galley, as well as their tea supply. Jasper slipped easily back into his role of butler and put away his tribal clothes for his old black suit.

  While they were gone, Armani brought her some of Gemina’s juice and sat in the chair beside Belle’s bed, one foot tucked up under her. “Belle?”

  “Yes?”

  “May I ask you something personal?” Armani looked down at her hands.

  “Of course.”

  “Do you love Rett?”

  “What?” A lump rose in Belle’s throat.

  “I just wondered. I see the way you look at each other. It’s obvious how he feels about you.”

  “It is?” She sucked in a breath. Why was it obvious to Armani but not to her?

  “Yes, he watches you all the time, and when you were sick I thought his heart would break. That first night he wouldn’t go to sleep even though he hadn’t slept in two days. Then, when you came out of the steam tent, he kept pestering poor Gemina until she finally let him sit by the side of your bed as long as he did not speak or touch you.”

  Belle blinked. This was news to her. It also painted a picture of Rett Brockton she was totally unfamiliar with.

  She didn’t have time to answer as Rett and the others walked into her cabin. She was relieved not to answer Armani. The issues between her and Rett were too complicated for a simple yes or no.

  Jasper wore a smug expression as he returned her money satchel to her. ”We found a market nearby, My Lady. It’s not what I’m used to in Urbannia of course, but quite sufficient for our needs. They even had dark Bellaca tea.”

  “That’s excellent, Jasper.” She had enjoyed the spicy hot beverage served by the Mandagol but she was missing her old favorite.

  “Would you like some now?” Jasper inquired.

  “I would indeed. But let’s go sit on the deck, it’s getting a little stuffy in here,” Belle said. The warmer climate of Moro increased the cabin temperature and moisture trickled down her chest. After her experience in the steam tent the last thing she wanted to be was hot. Besides, her strength had increased and she eagerly anticipated a peek at Moro.

  “An excellent idea,” Jasper said. “I’ll go set up the table and bring up food and tea. It will be much cooler up there with the breeze.”

  “Of course,” Rett said. “I’ll carry you, Belle.”

  Belle started to protest, but before she could speak he had scooped her up in his arms and headed for the stairs to the deck. He lifted her easily, no mean feat as she wasn’t a small woman. But then again she hadn’t really eaten much in the last two days. It was hard to remember the last big meal she’d had. She draped an arm around his neck to hold on and he pressed her tight against his chest. A tremble ran through her body and she didn’t know if it was weakness or reaction to his touch.

  As soon as they reached the deck she said, “Let me see if I can walk. I’m really feeling much better.”

  He hesitated but set her on her feet a few steps from the group of chairs. He kept a hand on her elbow as she made her way across the deck and sank into the nearest seat.

  Over the rail of the ship spread out a tropical paradise of towering palms, frangipani trees covered in a riot of red blooms, and pastel colored buildings with white roofs. Multi-colored birds sailed through the air with an occasional screech or squawk. Belle took a deep breath of the salt tinged air.

  “Whew. It’s amazing how weak I am. I really hate it.” She gave a trembling laugh.

  “Don’t worry; your strength will come back soon.” Rett took the seat beside her.

  Armani’s scrutiny made her self-conscious. Fortunately, Benji diverted the girl, calling her to come over and look at some unusual birds perched in a tree beside the airship.

  “Seems like they’re back to their old relationship,” Rett said.

  “Yes, and I’m very relieved. They’re too young to be thinking of relationships.”

  “We were only a year older when our parents arranged our engagement,” he said.

  That comment threw her completely off balance. It was true, they were only eighteen. But back then it seemed perfectly normal for her to be entering into a marriage. All the other girls her age were either already married or in an engagement. However, now she couldn’t imagine starting married life at such an age. And yet here she sat with Rett, still attracted to each other in some strange way, like a big crazy circle of fate.

  The idea of fate made her think of Momi, the fortune teller in Harruca. Was her destiny over? Was defeating the evil Dr. Krakov and destroying
his secret weapon all that she was meant to accomplish in life? Somehow such a thought filled her with sadness. Despite the hardships she had suffered and the disappointment of her father’s tragic death, the trip to Carabarras had made her alive as never before.

  “Dinner is served,” Jasper announced emerging from the gondola with a tray. He distributed the food on the table and went back for the tea tray.

  Belle’s mouth watered as she sampled the delightful food Moro had to offer: fresh loaves of crusty bread, creamy brown cheese, spicy pickled fish and clams, as well as some kind of yellow fruit as sweet as honey.

  The group gathered around the table, eating and talking quietly. The camaraderie soothed Belle as it had in similar instances all along the trip. This time she only sat and observed to reserve her strength, but having her friends around her was healing in its own way.

  ###

  The next morning, she convinced Rett she felt well enough to rent a carriage so they could ride into the market. They all needed to replenish their clothing after the adventures they had endured and Belle thought the diversion would be helpful in taking her mind off her father. She kept his pocket watch with her at all times, but looking at it only brought back painful memories.

  The carriage arrived, or rather a wagon with a bench in the back pulled by two stalwart mules. Everyone rushed out of the airship, excited for the trip. Sam said he would stay behind and make sure Gambit was prepared for the next leg of their journey back to Urbannia.

  Jasper surveyed the wagon and sniffed. “My Lady, this mode of transportation is quite beneath someone of your station, or my own for that matter.”

  She patted his shoulder. “I’m too weak to walk all the way to the village. I shall be grateful for the conveyance no matter how primitive.”

  The others piled into the bed, while Rett lifted Belle up to the front seat. Jasper grimaced, but finally relented and climbed aboard, sitting stiffly on the wooden bench beside Benji. They proceeded to the unpaved main street, with small shops along both sides. Further on, the street widened into an open field with venders hawking their wares from wagons and local farmers selling animals and produce. Everywhere pots of tropical flowers colored the town with bright splashes of red, yellow and orange.