Astrid Darby and the Circus in the Sky

by Eleanor Prophet

lounge. I examined my watch to discover it was, in fact, precisely ten o'clock. I rose. “It is time.”

  Asher gripped my arm as though he expected me to dart off without him. “Xander, Juliana, do keep a close eye,” he said in a low voice. “I am not certain we are safe on this ship. Look after yourselves.”

  Xander smiled confidently. “Of course. We will be quite all right here. We can mind ourselves quite nicely.”

  They could, indeed, and I felt reasonably confident leaving them alone in the lounge. I led Asher towards the silver curtain through which I had seen young Eitenne disappear. A brass door beyond the curtain bore a small, hand-lettered plaque with the words Observation Deck printed in gold. Asher hesitated an infinitesimal instant, then he clutched my hand and stepped out onto the deck.

  The night sky glittered at us from every direction. The deck was, in fact, constructed entirely of clear, sparkling glass, through which the stars twinkled and clouds drifted serenely past. The glass underfoot was clear, so it appeared as though we were standing directly among the firmament. The moon glowed large and fat, appearing close enough to touch.

  I did not see Eitenne. The deck wrapped around the corner of the tent. I had not viewed it as we boarded the ship; we were, I realised, in the back. I wondered how far the deck stretched. Was it possible to sneak inside from another room, to slip unnoticed into the sectors of the ship which were inaccessible to us from the lounge and our private chambers?

  Asher's fingers tightened on mine. He sucked in a deep, shuddering breath. I peered at him in alarm. “Ash?”

  He waved his hand. “It's nothing. A bit of disorientation. I will be fine in a moment.”

  “Are you afraid of heights?”

  “It is very impolite to ask a man such a thing, Astrid.” There was a shallowness to his breath that concerned me ever slightly, but his voice was steady as he spoke. “We prefer to appear fearless and strong for our women.”

  “I am not your woman.”

  “Mrs Darby, I am so pleased you were able to make it.” We had not even heard Eitenne's silent step on the crystal glass floor.

  “Ah. Eitenne.”

  He eyed Asher with an expression of mingled interest and unease. “I had expected to find you alone.”

  “Ah. Yes. This is my associate Agent Asher Key of the Ministry of Defence.”

  “The Ministry of Defence?” Eitenne spluttered. “You—but you--! Mrs Darby, I did request discretion.”

  “Do not fear, Eitenne. Agent Key has not come on your behalf. He did, as point of fact, escort his dear elderly mother to the show. We happened to simply cross paths, and as we are acquaintances and sometime associates, Agent Key has agreed to offer his service to your cause.”

  “In a strictly non-professional capacity,” Asher added.

  “Ah. I see. Very good, then.”

  “What an impressive showing this evening, Eitenne,” I said, beaming radiantly at him. “I was tremendously thrilled to have had the pleasure of experiencing it.”

  “Thank you most kindly.” Eitenne did not look as though this praise bolstered his spirits, but he bent low at the waist. He straightened almost instantly. “But have you discovered anything?”

  “It seems there is, in fact, something quite strange about the ship, as you said. Do you possess any information about a clockwork machine hidden somewhere on the ship?”

  He blinked in surprise. “So sorry, madame, but I know not of what you speak.”

  “When the snake charmer played that unique instrument, we noticed a peculiar reaction from the audience.”

  Eitenne's features darkened. “Elodie.”

  “Elodie? Do you mean to say, good man, that the snake charmer is your twin sister?”

  “Oui. Indeed. The same. She has been studying such arts for many years but has only recently performed them for our audiences.”

  “I see. While she was playing, my associates and I noticed what sounded to be the ticking of a great clockwork machine.”

  “Do you think it is related, in some way, to the disappearances?”

  I glanced at Asher. To his credit, his expression was amiably neutral. I smiled slightly, though I suspected the gesture was not, as such, an appropriate response, for Eitenne frowned deeply. “Perhaps. I am most sorry to say, Eitenne, that your dear sister may have a deeper involvement in the mystery than originally suspected.”

  “No. No, she is not responsible for any of it. I assure you. If she is involved, she has been compelled somehow.”

  “That may very well be the case. Indeed, Pietro Flaire does possess a certain charisma.”

  “You have met him?”

  “Of course. I always prefer to introduce myself to the subject of my investigations whenever the opportunity arises.”

  Eitenne's features illuminated, though this mouth still looked somewhat grim. “So you believe me.”

  I considered this question a moment. “Yes, I do believe you. However, I believe there is much more to this business than you yourself have even suspected. My associates and I are convinced this mysterious clockwork is at the heart of it.”

  “Have you any ideas where it might be hidden?” Asher asked the young man, who looked so utterly perplexed, I wondered for a moment if he possessed much if any knowledge in the field of time making. Eitenne's bemused expression suggested he did not. “Have you any knowledge of the ship's layout?”

  “I am, I'm afraid, familiar only with the arena, lounge and backstage areas. I have never seen any sort of machine that was not a part of the show.”

  “It is unlikely the machine is hidden in any plain view,” I said.

  “Perhaps it is concealed in Flaire's private chambers,” Asher added. “Might it be possible to sneak in while the ringmaster is otherwise occupied?

  “But, Ash, is now not a good time to exert that might of yours?”

  “Are you suggesting I storm in with my badge ablaze and demand to see the dingus?”

  “Well, can you concoct another better idea? We could spend all night prowling the ship and discover nothing if we are not discovered ourselves. If Flaire is housing a diabolical clockwork instrument on this ship, it is not likely to be situated in a location that might be easily stumbled upon.”

  “Obviously.” Asher nodded resolutely. “Right, then. We will need to act now whilst the ringmaster is currently occupied. We may have a good number of moments, and we simply need to catch sight of the thing before I can officially question the good master Flaire.”

  “We are, indeed running out of time, and so I am willing to neglect our usual panache in this case,”I replied. “Eitenne, can you direct us to where your master's chamber is located?”

  Eitenne's looked hunted. “I...I am not sure.”

  “I understand your reluctance. You needn't join us. If you would just direct us, that would be sufficient.”

  “That will not be necessary.”

  Eitenne paled under his thick, metallic makeup. His eyes darted around as though searching for an escape. “Ah. Pietro,” I greeted warmly, smiling my most charming and radiant smile.

  Behind Pietro Augustus Flaire, the two burly guards who had so kindly directed us back to our seats stood with their pronged wands in hand. Our guard looked quite prepared, if not eager, to use it. Beside Flaire was a beautiful young woman with long, blonde curls. The young woman's pale blue eyes, despite the arctic glint within their icy depths, were so like her brother's that I was quite certain she could be none but Miss Elodie Allard. She did not speak to us. She lifted her chin and glared reproachfully at her twin brother.

  “I am perfectly happy to show you what it is you wish to see,” Flaire said, smiling in a most accommodating way. “It will, I regret, be the last thing you see. Luckily, it is quite worth the sacrifice.”