by Henry Vogel
I agreed, adding Tristan to our team of Nist, Martin, five of Garrett’s men, and me. Garrett wanted to volunteer as well but Callan refused.
“You must go to Morda and keep the kingdom running smoothly,” she said. “Someone from the family has got to sit on the throne and I won’t be of legal age for another three months. There’s no other choice—it’s got to be you!”
“Callie, you don’t understand how quickly a hostage’s perception of reality can be subverted,” he protested. “Hunger, thirst, and sleep deprivation can take a toll very quickly. If Windslow is also using drugs, which wouldn’t surprise me, your parents may have a badly distorted memory of the last few months. They’ll need to see a face they’ve known for years or they may not trust their rescuers. You need someone in the rescue party your parents will trust instinctively!”
“I know, Uncle,” Callan said. “That’s why I’m going with them!”
Chapter 23
“You’re going to do what?” Martin asked.
“My wife says she’s going with us on the rescue mission,” I said.
“And you don’t have anything to say about that?” he asked.
“I must admit I share Bane’s curiosity,” Garret said.
Callan crossed her arms, “Choose your next words with care, darling.”
“Garrett, you have already raised an excellent point. A familiar face may be necessary to get through to Callan’s parents. Callan, you have raised the excellent point that someone must take the throne. Legally, that person must be Garrett. That means Callan should be the one to come with us,” I said. Turning to Callan, I added, “But when we are inside that fortress, you have got to follow my orders. If you don’t do that you could get someone killed.”
“I understand,” Callan said.
“Good, so you won’t mind swearing to do as you’re told?” I asked.
“Swear, David?” Callan’s voice went flat.
“Callan, would you accept a man into your service if he said he’d guard you with his life but wouldn’t swear an oath to that effect?” I asked. “It isn’t a perfect analogy, but I’m trying to impress on you just how serious I am about this.”
Callan shook her head and sighed. “On my honor as a princess of Mordan and heir to the throne, I swear to obey your orders on this rescue mission.”
“If I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes, I wouldn’t believe it.” Garrett turned to Callan. “Who are you and what have you done with my willful niece?”
“If she has enough close brushes with death, Uncle, even a willful niece can change,” Callan said.
I wrapped my arms around Callan and kissed her. “Thank you, my dear. Your husband and the captain of your guard both appreciate your understanding. Now, let’s gather supplies and get going.”
It didn’t take us long to get ready. Garrett placed the five-man squad he was sending with us under my command and the squad ensured the Pauline was well supplied. Light-weight camouflage netting was spread over the little ship’s gas envelope, making it more difficult to spot from above.
As the mooring lines were cast off, Garrett said, “Bring her back safely to us, David.”
“Count on it,” I replied. “I’ve sworn an oath, too, after all!”
Then the Pauline was free and rising rapidly into the late morning sky. Nist flew faster than I would have thought possible for the little ship. The main reason Nist could fly so fast was because the five man squad took shifts feeding the fire, keeping the boiler pressure up. Martin handled navigation, using wind charts to plot the fastest course. He was able to direct our course so we picked up a tail wind, adding to our speed.
Having nothing to contribute to the operation of the airship, Tristan, Callan, and I spent the time studying an old floor plan for the Aerie. It was something Garrett had found in his library while our provisions were gathered. I could see three areas in the old fortress which seemed like secure places to keep prisoners. We’d have to hope for some sign to identify which of the three areas held the king and queen. Without something to point the way, we’d end up having to search through half of the fortress to find them! I doubted we’d have anywhere near that much time.
After a while, the plans to the fortress began to blur. I called for a break, suggesting we all get some rest while we could. It looked like we had a long night ahead of us.
Conversation waxed and waned as the little airship sped on toward the Aerie. One of the men served dinner as the sun sank below the horizon. We were lounging in the cabin, struggling against boredom, when Martin called us up on deck. Nist had brought the ship down to about fifty feet above tree level. A full moon bathed the night in soft, silver light.
Martin motioned us to the port rail and pointed off into the darkness. “Stubb’s airship is over there, five or six miles off. We’ve caught up with them!”
Chapter 24
I looked in the direction Martin was pointing and saw nothing but dark sky. Even with the light from the moon and the planetary ring, I was clueless as to the other airship’s location. Since I don’t have Martin’s experience, I wasn’t really surprised by that. Besides, a raider who couldn’t spot a nearby airship in the dark probably ended up having a very short career.
“Do you think they can see us?” Callan asked the question on everyone’s mind.
“I doubt it,” Martin said. “We’re flying at a much lower altitude than they are. Between the darkness and the camouflage netting over the envelope, the Pauline should blend into the background. I think we’ll slip past them safely enough.”
“It sounds like there’s a ‘but’ in there somewhere,” I said.
“There is. The Kestrel is making better time than I thought she would. We won’t have anywhere near as much time to spare when we reach the Aerie as I had hoped,” Martin said. Scratching his chin, he continued, “I’d guess we’ll have an hour at most, and we’ll spend a lot of that sneaking up to and into the fortress.” He turned to me, “How goes the planning for sneaking into the Aerie?”
“It’s going great, with one exception. I’ve identified three places that are secure enough to hold the king and queen,” I said. “Unless you can offer some insight I haven’t thought of, it could take us a lot more than one hour to find Callan’s parents.
Martin thought for a moment, “Is one of the areas you found on the north face of the fortress?”
I had my implant recall the image of the map. ”Good guess, Martin.”
“It wasn’t really a guess. Anyway, you should make your plans with the north facing area in mind,” Martin said.
“Why do you think they’ll be on that side, Martin?” Callan asked.
“The land north of the pass is nothing but mountains—and inhospitable ones at that. They can burn lights on that side without worrying about some farmer or a passing airship spotting the light and getting curious.”
“This occurred to you because—and I’m just taking a wild guess, here—that’s what you’d do,” I said.
Martin just grinned in reply.
Callan and I went below and began planning our landing and entry into the Aerie from the north face of the fortress.
Three hours later, the Aerie came into view. It squatted atop the tallest mountain in the region, a huge, hulking fortification which commanded all that lay below it. It also looked like the perfect set for one of those horror vids my parents didn’t want me watching when I was a kid. All it lacked was a howling wolf and dark clouds scudding across the face of the moon.
Nist kept our airship close to the ground and reduced speed, keeping our engine as quiet as possible. It wouldn’t do for our engine noise to alert those within the Aerie! Slowly, Nist piloted us around the mountain.
When the north face swung into view, I said, “Callan, we’ll have to tell your uncle that sometimes it very definitely helps to have a reformed raider on your side.”
Light flickered from four of the north-facing windows!
Chapter 25
It took Nist twenty min
utes to complete his approach to the fortress, drifting in with the wind, only using the propellors to improve steering and maintain his heading. Despite the darkness and the crosswinds, Nist landed the Pauline in the exact spot Martin had selected when we were floating half a mile away from the fortress. Nist set the airship down on the wall in deep shadows, with a tower between us and the lit windows.
We climbed out onto the fortress wall as Martin issued instructions to Nist. “If Stubb’s airship gets here before we’re back, slip away as quietly as possible and go get help. If you have to sacrifice quiet to get away safely, do it. The map I gave you shows where all of my ships are and the search pattern they’re following. Make for the closest pair of ships and send them back here. If you spot the Royal Navy along the way, send them instead.”
Nist nodded his understanding and the rest of the team entered the tower. We descended the stairs within the tower until we reached the same level as the lighted windows. We didn’t have to worry about the stone stairs creaking, but the ancient, rusted iron hinges on the doors were going to be a different matter. I’d been prepared to risk the squeal of rusted iron, but Tristan had a better idea.
Using chisels from the Pauline, we dug into the rotted wooden door and freed the door from its hinges. Three of the soldiers pulled the door from its frame and leaned it against the wall. It was quiet but took five precious minutes. I fervently hoped we wouldn’t come across any more doors.
Slipping from hallway to hallway, we kept watch for patrolling guards. Whoever was in charge in the fortress wasn’t expecting company, because we didn’t see a single guard making the rounds.
Eight long minutes later, we got our first indication of life since we had spotted the lighted windows. The sound of metal banging on metal began echoing through the hallways. As the sound grew louder, we were able to discern a man’s voice yelling over the sound.
“Wakey wakey, Your Majesty! I’ve got strict orders—no sleeping for you!”
I peered around a corner and saw a lantern burning at the far end of a long hallway. A lone man stood next to the lantern, banging an iron rod on the bars of a cell door. He cradled a cocked and loaded crossbow in his free arm. As I watched, he stopped hitting the bars in the door and peered into the cell.
“Yes, sit up! There’s a good king! It’s time for your medicine.”
“What’s happening?” a slurred voice asked. “W-where’s my wife?”
Behind me, Callan gasped in dismay at that question.
“Oh, don’t you worry none about the queen,” the cell guard said, the smirk obvious from his tone. “She’s gone to a fancy ball! The lads at the party will give ‘er the time of ‘er life!”
“David, we’ve got to hurry! I don’t know what they’re doing to my mother—” Callan’s urgent whisper broke as she choked back a sob.
I scanned the approach to the cell. There were no closer cross corridors, so anyone approaching the guard would have to walk down a hundred feet of hallway in plain sight of the guard. He could sound the alarm long before we reached him. And, of course, anyone in the hallway would be an easy target for the crossbow.
I described what I saw to the others. “Boosted, Martin and I can dodge the crossbow bolts, but the guard could kill the king before we got close to him. Does anyone have any better ideas for approaching this guy?”
“I have one,” Callan said, “but you’re not going to like it.”
That was an understatement. I hated it!
Chapter 26
Martin, Callan, and I marched around the corner and into the long hallway. Martin walked ahead of Callan and me, his stride full of purpose and confidence. I held Callan’s arm and walked a bit ahead of her, like I was pulling a reluctant prisoner along with me. Callan held her hands behind her back as if they were tied.
We were gambling that the guard would assume we were part of the team sent to kidnap Callan. There was a chance the man would recognize Martin or at least know him by his reputation, but Martin had that covered. If the guard got suspicious about Martin’s change of allegiance, Martin was prepared to spin a story about gaining Callan’s trust so he could aid in the kidnapping. With the airship carrying Windslow and Raoul bearing down on us, we had no time to come up with a plan I liked better—it was Callan’s idea or a headlong charge.
When the guard noticed us, Martin raised his hand in greeting.
“We’ve got an extra guest for you!” he called.
“Bane? What are you doing here?” the guard called.
“Horst, good to see a familiar face!” Bane said. “After my contract ended, your employer made me an offer.” He motioned back to Callan. “He wanted the full royal set, I guess.”
A haggard face peered through the bars in the door next to the guard.
“Callie?” cried the king, his voice still slurred. “No, not my little girl, too!” The eyes shifted to Martin. “I know you! I’ll—” the king grabbed the bar with both hands and tried to shake the door.
“You’ll what? Take a firm tone with me?” Martin sneered. He turned to the guard, “Give my lad the key and walk with me for a moment. I’ve got new instructions.”
Horst’s eyes roamed appreciably over Callan’s body as he handed me the keys. As he walked down the hall with Martin, Horst said, “It’s gonna be fun having her around to party with!”
When Horst and Martin walked out of earshot, the king stared at me through heavy-lidded eyes and whispered, “Do I know you? I feel like I should.” He shook his head as if trying to clear it. “No matter. You look like a smart young man. If you help us escape. I’ll reward you handsomely!”
Unlocking the door, I whispered, “That’s what I’m here to do, Your Majesty.”
A thud sounded behind us. Martin had knocked out Horst.
Callan rushed into the cell and hugged her father. “Come on, Daddy, let’s go find Mom!”
Martin returned and whispered, “We’ve got to hurry. Horst told me the other guards have vile plans for the queen!”
Chapter 27
A fist hit Martin on the side of the head and he reeled against the wall. King Edwar followed it with a punch to Martin’s stomach. As Martin doubled over, I caught the king’s raised fist.
“The situation is not as you think, Your Majesty,” I said.
“I know all I need to know,” King Edwar snarled, the drug-induced stupor pushed aside by his rage.
Callan placed her hand on his arm, “No, you don’t, Daddy, and we don’t have time for explanations. Martin is here at great personal risk with no wish other than to help us!”
“Martin?” King Edwar asked. “You call this criminal scum by his given name?”
“I call him friend,” Callan replied.
“What has happened to you, Callie?” her father asked.
“Nothing happened to me—which is why I know we can trust Martin.” Callan took her father’s hands and look into his eyes. “You’ve been beaten, deprived of sleep, drugged, and probably starved. I know what I’m doing and who I can trust!”
“But you’re just a little girl!” my father-in-law said.
“No, Daddy, I’m a married woman who’ll be twenty-one in a couple of months,” Callan told him.
A puzzled look crossed Edwar’s face. “Married?” He looked at me. “To you? Is that why you look familiar?”
“Yes, Edwar, it is,” I said. “But right now we have to find the queen.”
Martin straightened, wincing, “Horst told me the other men have gotten bored just sitting around. They’re off gambling for first dibs on the queen!”
The color drained from the faces of Callan and her father.
“Do you have any idea where they’ve taken her?” I asked.
“Horst didn’t want to have to listen—though more because he was on duty and unable to join in the fun than through any sense of decency—so he sent them to the far end of that side passage,” Martin said, pointing at a passage back beyond where we’d first spotted Horst.
> Callan started down the hallway toward the passage, the king on her heels.
“Stop, Callan,” I said. “I’ll get your mother. You and your father must go to the airship.”
“I’m not going to run to safety while my mother is in danger!”
“Yes, you are,” I said. “The kingdom comes first. That means ensuring the safety of the king and his heir!”
“But—”
“I’ll rescue her, Callan.”
“And I’ll help,” Martin said. “With two scouts—”
“No, Martin,” I said. “You’re the only person I can trust to fly off and leave the queen and me behind, if necessary. And that is exactly what you will do if the Kestrel arrives before I get back to you.”
Martin nodded, “I’ll keep them safe, David.”
Callan kissed me. “Be careful, darling. I don’t want to lose you or Mom!”
I nodded and took off down the side passage to find the queen!
Chapter 28
As I neared the end of the passage, I heard raucous voices and rough laughter. Cries of excitement rose, followed by disappointed curses and one yell of triumph. The sounds all came from behind a closed door, one without a barred little window cut into it. The raised voices died down and the men launched into some kind of bantering discussion. I desperately wished I had some idea what was happening behind the door but I couldn’t afford the time it would take to figure it out by listening through the door. Even if the queen wasn’t in immediate danger—which didn’t seem likely—the other airship could arrive at any time. I needed to get the queen to the Pauline so we could make good our escape.
Without giving myself the chance for second thoughts, I opened the door and strode into the room. I swept a critical gaze over the room. To my right was a large table around which sat five men. Dice were scattered across the table, along with several empty bottles of wine. The men were drinking from goblets and their eyes shone with excitement. The object of their attention stood to my left. A sixth man stood before the queen, looking her up and down. He wore a disturbing smile and was casually tossing a knife from hand to hand.
