And we’d got away from it.
Somehow, we’d survived.
Conveniently, our movements had sent us heading towards a second Roc automaton. “Faso, can you fire it up.”
“I need a minute.”
“We don’t have a minute.”
“Very well, I’ll put it into overdrive, but it might backfire…”
“Just do what you can,” and I turned to see Ratter already fiddling at the controls while Faso leant towards him and tapped commands onto the little automaton’s back in a strange rhythmic pattern that only the inventor understood.
“I hope this works,” Faso said. And the armour began to rock underneath me again.
“Taka you okay back there?” I asked.
“I feel a bit sick… But this is so cool.”
For some reason, that made me smile.
I readied Velos and pointed him at the Roc automaton. It opened its beak and let out a huge roar. The sound entered my bones and sent a cold shiver down my spine. Part of me wanted to back away.
Yet, I wouldn’t let Velos’ aim waiver.
“Ready,” I said.
“Ready,” Faso shouted back, and a blinding white light came again from Velos’ underbelly for a split second. Then came a huge crashing sound as the beam seared through the Roc automaton’s armour. The hideous mechanical beast opened its mouth again, but no sound emerged. Shortly after, it plopped into the ocean below, this time letting out a splash so high, it looked almost like an erupting volcano.
“Two down, one to go.”
And then there came a laughing over the loudspeaker from King Cini’s airship. “This is quite a show you’re putting on for my men here, Lady Wells. You know, apparently quite a sum has changed hands here of bets placed against you winning this. But two Rocs down, bravo. I didn’t expect you to get this far, I must admit.”
I clenched my teeth. Once this was over, I’d head straight towards Cini’s airship and douse his head in flames, despite all the Hummingbirds and protection he’d have surrounding him.
As soon as the loudspeaker sounds crackled out, the remaining Roc launched another slew of missiles at us. This time, they came at us from the side with such speed and closeness that Velos’ flame wouldn’t be able to lead them out of the way. The Gatling cannon on the Roc also bucked into life and Velos’ guns responded in kind by returning fire.
“Everyone augment,” I shouted. And I took a swig from my hipflask again. I sloshed my flask to test how much secicao was left in it. Almost nothing. Then, I pushed Velos down, just in time for the missiles to come screaming over our heads.
I kind of hoped they’d then continue into the distance, but instead they corrected their course, did a one-eighty in the air, and sped back towards us. I reacted by singing a song to instruct Velos to let out another flame. But this time, the missiles didn’t change course.
“Dragonheats,” I said. “They’re learning.”
“Fascinating,” Faso said. “And now we’re dead.”
Auntie, I’ll use the scream. Taka said.
No, I said. If anything, I’d be the one to use it and risk going further over to Finesia’s side. But we had to try and evade these things first.
Then, I had another idea. “We’re going under,” I shouted. Even though King Cini had warned us about the shrapnel flak underneath, the boats were so far away that we shouldn’t encounter any here.
“Not again,” Faso said. And he jerked his head around to look at the approaching missiles. “Okay, you’re right. No choice.”
Finally, he was starting to understand these things. “Hold your breaths,” I shouted.
I pushed up hard on Velos’ steering fin and sent him on a dive towards the water. We hit the waves with such a speed that the splash of the water stung my face and arms. Down we dove, so far that we could see the little luminous fishes and other creatures. The weight of the water started to press against my ears, and I worried for a moment that Taka wouldn’t be able to take it.
But then, the boy was a dragonseer. It would be Faso who’d have problems if anything. I jerked my head to the right to see the missiles still following us, swimming like minnows. Dragonheats, if this didn’t work.
I pulled back on Velos’ steering fin to take him back up again. Meanwhile, I sang a song in my mind, because there would be no way I could blubber the notes through the water. Velos speared upwards, keeping his wings folded back for momentum. Then, we shot out of the water and I immediately switched to an audible song that instructed Velos to spew out his flames. He created a column there that lingered for a moment under the water, heating it up. And I sharply steered Velos away.
The missiles exploded before they even hit the water. They sent up a huge wave that threatened to pull us back under again. But I kept Velos as steady as possible and soon we broke through gasping for breath.
I took a moment to recover and I scanned around for the Roc so we could at least make our move. But this wasn’t a board game and we didn’t take it in turns. While we’d been busy underwater evading the missiles, the Roc had tracked our movements. Now it was behind us, and close on our tail. So close in fact, I could the shimmering green of secicao washing over it.
The larger cannon on the Roc’s underside started to let off a barrage of bullets and I entered Velos into a barrel roll to evade. Meanwhile, it approached even further with its beak. Dragonheats, it wanted to spear us out of the sky.
I pulled back on Velos’ steering fin again to enter Velos into a loop the loop. As I did, I kept track of the Roc’s position. Although it couldn’t do what we did aerobatically, it could match our speed. And if it slowed whenever we slowed, Velos wouldn’t be able to get behind it, and the Roc could impale Velos on the way down.
And it flew with utmost precision, never letting us fall behind. As we came down, it was underneath us and raised its beak at Velos. Then, I could see that we were going to collide with it, and it left me no choice. Velos let out an orange flame to wash over it, but that only made the metal red hot. I tried to swerve Velos out of the way to avoid collision with its beak.
We almost made it…
But we were jerked to a halt. The harness dug into my shoulders as the momentum threw me forward. Velos let out an intense, low-pitched scream and I felt a terrible pain lancing in my collarbone. I screamed and writhed in my seat.
I could see nothing but the churning sea beneath me. We were hanging, and I looked up to see Velos suspended from the meat of his tail, the Roc’s beak speared through it. The dragon let out another roar and kicked and tossed to try and free himself. But as he struggled, the Roc opened its beak to hold him in place. Then, to add to the cruelty, the front parts of the Roc’s beak pivoted outwards on hinges to create two hooks. There was no way Velos could escape that without him tearing his tail in two.
“Dragonheats, we’re dead,” Faso said.
I shook my head. He didn’t need to repeat it for the thousandth time.
“Well, well, well,” Cini’s voice cackled over the loudspeaker. As pompous as ever. Looks like I can take the boy back as a prize after all. Artua, how we’ll need to discipline you once you return to the palace. But first, Lady Wells and Faso Gordoni, we shall execute you right here.
The airship propellers hummed into action again and from the horizon came the faint green glow of Hummingbirds. Meanwhile, I looked up into the glowing red crystal eyes of the Roc automaton, that seemed to stare down at me as if the automaton wanted to be the one to perform the execution.
I had no option yet to wait, short of unbuckling the harness and dropping into the water.
Meanwhile, Ratter had disappeared from Faso’ shoulder. Hopefully it was up on the automaton somewhere trying to find a way to get us out of this. I could still feel the sharp stabbing in my tailbone. And Velos had stopped roaring and instead kept letting out these long, rumbling groans that sent shivers down my spine as I watched the airships approach, their faint green outlines getting even brighter.
Yes, the black dragons. Finesia’s minions. They were still hovering far in the distance, waiting for my order. I couldn’t hear their voices in the collective unconscious anymore, just strange sounds that could almost be described as static white noise — the kind you hear when trying to tune a radio.
The king’s airship was soon upon us. In the light that shone out of the gondola of the airship, I could see the bowsprit and the red flag on it with the four white sabres radiating out in a circle, arranged like propeller blades. The king’s redguards milled around on the deck of the gondola. The king stood between them in his fur overcoat and tall felt crown, his hands behind his straight back, watching out with discerning eyes.
Soon enough, he was within speaking distance, and four guards had flanked him. All four of them had their rifles pointed at my head, clearly after deciding I was much more dangerous than the other two in the party.
“So, Dragonseer Wells,” King Cini said, putting an extra sarcastic undertone on the title, “how are you going to sing your way out of this one?” He lifted a pocket watch hanging from his hip. “You know, I’m a generous soul. So I’ll give you exactly one minute to make any last requests before I fire.”
Auntie Pontopa, Taka said in the collective unconscious and I could hear the fear in his voice. You can’t let him shoot you. Finesia tells me you can stop this. Please, you must listen to her.
We’re not going to bend to her will, I said. No matter what happens Taka, you can’t let her in.
“Fifty seconds,” the king looked at a pocket watch dangling from his waist. “Oh, please don’t tell me you have no tricks left up your sleeve… How disappointing.”
I could feel the blood rushing to my head. And meanwhile, I could feel power surging through my arms and legs. It would only take a moment to transform, and I wanted to so much. If only the king knew how easy this would be. I could turn to a dragonwoman and rip off his head.
That’s it, my acolyte, Finesia’s voice came in my head. All this power could be yours. That’s what you’ve always wanted, isn’t it? To be the best. Better than Sukina. As powerful as a god.
No, I replied to her. And I pushed her away.
“Thirty seconds,” King Cini said. “Don’t you have any last requests? I can even ship your remains to Fortress Gerhaun if you just tell me its location…” He let out a dry laugh.
I had no choice. My life. Velos’ life. Faso’s life. The life of Fortress Gerhaun depended on it. I had to transform. So I closed my eyes and willed the scales to grow out of me.
No, this time I heard Sukina’s voice in my head. There’s always another way. Don’t take the easy way out, Pontopa. Remember the vision.
Her words brought me back to the present. Destroying Alsie. Becoming the source of the Tree Immortal and the growth of secicao. No, this life would turn me into a destroyer of this world. If I had to make a sacrifice, so be it…
And so I stopped the transformation before it even started.
“Oh dear. Ten seconds left,” King Cini said. “Actually, I’ve changed my mind. Guards shoot her.”
And I heard the rifles click into place.
I’m sorry, Taka, I said in the collective unconscious. Whatever you do, be patient, and be strong. And I closed my eyes and prepared myself to die.
But instead of hearing the boom of rifle fire, I heard the screams of a thousand dragonmen. It came over the collective unconscious, so strong that every man and woman present clutched their hands to their ears, including King Cini and me. Rifles dropped on the deck. The king reeled forwards and looked as if he wanted to throw up.
You are a fool, Dragonseer Wells. It was now Alsie Fioreletta’s voice that came in the collective unconscious. A complete disappointment to Finesia. I’ve known all along that you would never claim her power, and so I’ve decided to do myself.
I turned around to see a flock of dark dragons come into view in speckled green, much larger than the flock that had escorted me here. And I felt their presence, but they were no longer calling out to me. Wiggea had left me. Colas had left me. And in their centre, I recognized the largest of them all. Alsie at their centre, and her loyal minion Charth flying besides her.
And you King Cini. This is how the collective unconscious sounds, you know. You’ve never believed in it, which is why I’ve always thought you a buffoon. But now, out of the ashen soils of East Cadigan Island, your old servant Captain Colas created a source loud enough for any human to hear my voice. Yes, Faso Gordoni, the youngest male heirs of Dragonseers, that includes you too.
“Dragonheats,” Cini shouted to his men, still on the ground clutching his ears. “What is this? Shoot them all.”
But the men on deck were slow to respond, if they could even hear him at all, and the dragons came in fast and strong.
Auntie Pontopa, I’m scared, Taka said in the collective unconscious.
Hold on, Taka, I said. Just hold on.
And soon enough, Alsie’s troop of dragonmen ripped Cini’s airships to shreds, the gondolas crashing into the ocean. The Hummingbirds that had surrounded us had already plummeted under the weight of the scream. And still we just hung there, with no choice but to watch our fate.
“Ratter did it,” Faso shouted out suddenly.
I craned my head upwards to see what he was talking about. The speckled green effect of the secicao oil was now beginning to fade in my vision. But still above me I could see Ratter standing on the Roc’s beak, looking triumphant. Fortunately, the huge scream hadn’t downed the massive flying automaton like it had downed the Hummingbirds, perhaps due to its massive scale.
Now, the two parts of the beak that had sloped outwards now lay in line with the rest of the beak. Velos roared again in pain, but it seemed Ratter had loosened something on the beak and the dragon was now sliding off it.
I reacted by singing a song to give Velos strength.
“Wait, if we leak the remaining reserve from the cannon into the armour…”
“What?”
“We didn’t take our last shot,” Faso said, and he reached down to the spigot while Ratter jumped over and begun to work at the control panel on the other side. Velos then reached the end of the beak and we began to plummet headfirst into the ocean.
“I thought you said there was no secicao left in the armour?”
“It wasn’t in the armour, but in the cannon. And if we’d taken a third shot, we would have used it all up.”
Dragonheats, I hated that man for withholding valuable information from me. But I didn’t have time to express my anger at that present moment. Instead, I pulled up on Velos’ steering fin. Damn Velos fly, I thought. But his muscles were weak, I could feel it. And he’d lost the will to survive.
But Faso’s plan worked. The armour beneath him began to glow green. Strength rushed to his wings, and just as his head crashed into the water, he gave out a massive flap which slapped the waves away and sent us up into the air.
“That’s it Velos,” I said.
“Up, up and away,” Faso shouted.
“Hoooooiiiiieeeee,” Taka called out and I looked back at him in surprise.
Then, I turned Velos back towards the Saye explorer. Meanwhile, gondolas and balloons floated on the water and I could see them burning as thousands of Finesia’s dragons coated them in flame. I caught sight of Cini’s flagship, and the king who raised a flask of secicao oil to his lips and then jumped into the water.
I didn’t see what happened to him after that.
The Saye Explorer wasn’t far away and our crew had already returned it to operation. The war automatons had been turned over deck, and the redguards who were asleep here were now tied up to the mast where I’d seen Admiral Sandao and General Sako before. Meanwhile, admiral and general stood holding the railings on the quarterdeck, watching the battle unfol
d in front of them.
I landed Velos on the trolley for holding the cannon that the men had returned to the quarterdeck. I promptly leaped off the dragon and then rushed over to join them.
“We need to make our escape,” I said.
“But the dragons,” General Sako said, “surely they’ll come after us once they’re finished with Cini. What are those things? I thought it was just Charth and Alsie.”
I shook my head. “I’ll explain later. And somehow, I don’t think we’re their target. Admiral Sandao, head east. I think Alsie Fioreletta will let us go.”
He saluted and ran up to the quarterdeck to give the orders.
Meanwhile General Sako turned to me, then looked up to Velos where Taka still sat strapped into his harness.
“You made it… And you brought my grandson back.”
Grandson… Maybe now he’d learned to accept it.
I nodded. “Yes, but at what cost?”
General Sako stared out into the distance.
“Did you hear it? Before our men mutinied and overturned the automatons, everyone said they heard a woman’s voice in their head.”
“That was Alsie Fioreletta in the collective unconscious. She created a strong enough source for everyone to hear her, it seems.”
General Sako’s jaw dropped. “What? Impossible.”
“We need to call a meeting with Gerhaun as soon as we get home,” I said. “Whether she’s sleeping or not. Alsie Fioreletta is no longer loyal to King Cini and it seems the world is about to change.”
And we crept away from a churning sea as Alsie’s dragonmen and dragonwomen destroyed the last of Kng Cini’s fleet.
Escape for now, Alsie said in my mind once we were out of sight. But Finesia will continue to work on you and Taka and you both will join our side.
Not if I can help it, I said back. And I shut Alsie Fioreletta and Finesia out of my mind.
Dragonseers and Bloodlines: The Steampunk Fantasy Adventure Continues (Secicao Blight Book 2) Page 28