“Can I see it?” I asked.
“You’re aboard the famous Flying Phoenix and the first thing you want to see is your old balloon? Nonsense, come with me, I’ll show you what it is we do here.”
He walked to the doors and opened them, gesturing for me to walk through. Knowing I had no other option I did as he instructed, hoping a tour of the vessel might give me some insight on how I was going to get my balloon and get out of there. What would Nova do?
“The crew is working hard as we port in Skycliff around midday tomorrow. When we arrive we must prepare for the show.”
“The show?” I asked.
“You truly haven’t heard of the Flying Phoenix?” He cocked one of his thick black eyebrows.
“I’m not from around here,” I said.
Nova would play it cool, give as little away as possible while gaining as much information as she could. She’d also stab him when he wasn’t looking and slaughter half the ship’s crew if she needed to. My stomach squirmed at the thought.
“And where are you from exactly?” He stopped mere inches in front of me, his face a little higher than my own.
The aroma of peppermint and black tea filled the air around me and I squared my shoulders as I peered up at him, wanting to hold my own.
“You wouldn’t believe me if I told you,” I said.
“I have seen and believed many wondrous things.” He squatted a little so his hazelnut eyes met mine. “Now, how do you feel about getting some fresh air?”
When he stepped away, I drew in a breath, my body lighter and my head a little giddy. He pushed open a door and a rush of cool air spilled in, refreshing my sticky skin, and settling my gurgling stomach. I followed him forward toward the wooden railing and closed my eyes as I approached and gripped it with both hands. A smile spread across my face at the prospect of seeing the ocean, memories of standing on the cliffs of Yarington flashing through my mind, but there was no sound of swelling water or crashing waves. Opening my eyes, the air went from my lungs and I white knuckled the rail. There was no ocean, no, instead we were flying through the sky.
Thick white clouds hid the ground beneath us, the sky above a brilliant blue. The ship’s three white canvas sails, each emblazoned with the image of an orange and red phoenix with its wings spread and beak open were illuminated by the bright light of the sun. The insignia reminded me of Avaana, the phoenix that’d belonged to Herme’s the man who’d tricked me into taking off in the hot air balloon in the first place. A pang of hurt hit my chest. Did he know of the journey he was sending me on?
“What memory are you lost in?” Lukah’s voice pulled me from my memories.
My mind still struggled to comprehend a pirate ship being able to flying above mountain peaks.
“How?” I gasped.
“How what?” He gave me a quizzical glance.
“How is this thing flying?”
“You don’t have airships where you come from?” he asked. “Well, I guess it works much like your air balloon… magic.”
“Magic?”
“You must have magic where you came from. It’s how we found you. We could sense the thrum of the balloons magic high above the storm.”
I hadn’t believed in magic, not even when Hermes had tricked me into climbing into the hot air balloon and I’d floated to a completely new world. But since being with the elves I’d learned there was magic everywhere, and the more I opened my eyes to it, the more the magical pull of the balloon coursed through me. But, in that moment, there was no pull.
“Are you okay? You’ve gone pale. Altitude sickness is a terrible thing,” he said. “I suffered many times as a boy but have grown a tolerance as I’ve aged. Not that I’m old. How old are you?”
“Where are you taking me next?” I deliberately changed the subject.
“To the helm. You must meet Captain Apollo.” His wide grin was infectious and a smile crept across my own lips.
There was something childlike about him, playful. But what did he plan to do with me once this tour was over?
We made our way around the side of the ship to where a large man stood gripping a wooden wheel. His long dark beard matched his scruffy black hair and he wore a long red jacket, much like Lukah’s.
“Captain Apollo,” called Lukah, prompting the man to turn around to face us. “Our guest is finally awake.”
The man was easily three times the size of Lukah, but his warm, caring grin gave me the impression he was nothing but a big teddy bear.
“We’ve all been worried about you. Altitude sickness can get the best of all of us at times, but you had one of the worst cases I’ve seen in a while,” said Captain Apollo.
“Apollo’s wife Adrena kept an eye on you while you rested,” said Lukah.
It was their voices I’d heard while I’d pretended to sleep. There was no denying the other voice had belonged to Loretta.
“You’ll have to thank her for me,” I said to Captain Apollo.
“You can thank me yourself,” a voice said from behind us.
A small lean woman with short cropped purple hair and a gold crop with tight gold shorts, her arms tattooed with bright colours, made her way over to kiss Apollo before she stepped towards me. “It’s good to see you up and about.”
“This is my beautiful wife,” said Apollo.
They made eyes at each other before returning their gazes to me.
“They are sickeningly in love,” said Lukah.
“I trust you met my twin sister?” asked Adrena. “She’s not so impressed Lukah has a new plaything.”
I opened my mouth to tell her I was no one’s play thing but Lukah replied, “yes, Loretta was in one of her more whiny moods.”
Now that they mentioned it, Adrena and Loretta did look alike, sure one had blue hair and the other purple, and where Adrena had many tattoos, I hadn’t spotted any on Loretta in her skimpy outfit, but there was no doubt they were related. Both had high cheek bones and green eyes much darker than my own. Thankfully, Adrena appeared to be much friendlier than her twin.
“You best watch yourself,” Adrena told me. “Loretta may be small but she likes to bite.”
I swallowed hard.
“Loretta is more bark than bite,” said Lukah. “She will behave.”
Adrena rolled her eyes. “I don’t know why you trail her along, Lukah. It only equals trouble for the rest of us.”
“Now that you’ve met the captain and his beautiful but nosy wife, I will take you to meet the rest of the crew.” Lukah shot Adrena a warning stare.
“It’s been a pleasure to meet you…” Apollo trailed off.
“She’s reluctant to give us her name,” said Lukah. “Perhaps she’s a princess who has run away from a faraway kingdom?”
“I’m no princess,” I said. “Olivia. My name is Olivia.” Apollo and Adrena had put me at ease, and I could see no benefit in withholding my name.
“Olivia, a beautiful name,” said Lukah.
Adrena shook her head and exchanged a look with Apollo.
A thick cloud hurtled towards us and I squinted my eyes shut as Apollo took the wheel once again and steered the ship through, the dampness seeping into my clothing.
“I’ll take Olivia to meet the rest of the crew,” replied Lukah.
“I’ll see you around I’m sure,” said Adrena.
Lukah took my hand, warmth running up my arm and through my body as he led me through wooden doors into the belly of the ship. I would’ve been thankful to be out of the damp and wind if I wasn’t so distracted by the comfort of his hand in mine.
Sliding my hand from his, I swallowed hard trying to shake off the way my heart quickened. “Where are you all headed again?”
His eyes widened as though delighted I’d asked a question about his ship. “Skycliff,” he replied. “We will perform there for three nights then take to the skies once more.”
I’d never heard of a town called Skycliff anywhere near Yarington… that must mean I wasn’t ho
me. I was in yet another foreign land, place, and time. Sadness crept into my chest but I pushed it down not wanting Lukah to see it in my eyes.
“What do you mean by perform?” I questioned.
He turned to face me, eyes wide and much too close. “Of course. The Flying Phoenix isn’t merely a ship, we’re a travelling circus.”
“A circus?”
“Yes. Please tell me you’ve heard of a circus.” He put a hand on his cheeks in disbelief.
“Of course,” but never a flying one.
He sighed as though relieved and continued walking down the hallway. “We have fire breathers, acrobats, clowns, strongmen, trapeze artists, magicians and we even have a dragon tamer.”
“A dragon tamer?” My eyes grew wider with each step through the wooden corridor, my body already growing used to the ship’s movement.
“Yes, of course. There are few dragons left in the world, so we are incredibly fortunate to have one. Come, I’ll introduce you to everyone. If they aren’t working, they’ll be training below.” He took my hand once again, heat creeping into my cheeks, and he guided me down halls and stairs until we arrived at two large wooden doors.
He released my hand and turned to face me, eyebrows raised. “Are you ready?”
“Yes,” I replied with more excitement than I meant to show. His enthusiasm was contagious.
Olivia
The Flying Phoenix
Lukah’s lips stretched wide, showing his straight bright white teeth. He swung both doors open to reveal a monstrous room with ceilings three storeys high. It was the size of six of the Lambsby’s wheat fields put together. Much bigger than I imagined could fit inside a ship.
“How is it so big?” I asked in wonder.
“It’s an enchantment. Magic is how I keep this ship and its crew in order.” At the mention of magic, he twirled his hands and a crimson rose appeared in his right palm. He took it with his left and knelt as he handed it to me.
My cheeks warmed and my stomach fluttered as I took it from him and breathed in its sweet floral scent before following him deeper into the room.
Large black rubber mats covered much of the floor as people tumbled and flipped atop of them. Other performers clung to metal rungs strung with rope from the ceiling, twisting and turning as they let go and changed their grip. We walked past a tanned male with white hair who twirled fire balls on the end of chain before breathing it out towards us.
“That’s Blaze, he likes to show off,” said Lukah.
Blaze bowed low, his golden stare locking with mine making my cheeks warm. He gave me a slight nod as he straightened to full height, a good head and a half above me, and continued swinging his fire balls through the air.
As we made our way past, I spotted Loretta flipping across a mat in her tight gold outfit.
“You’ve met Loretta, so I won’t take you over, but the boy with her is Keaton. He performs acrobatics with Loretta and Adrena.” Lukah gestured towards the pair as Keaton lifted Loretta onto his shoulders, his lean muscular arms holding her with ease.
My eyes darted around the room, trying to take it all in. It was magical and wonderful, all the colour, talent, strength and creativity. I’d never seen anything like it.
“Lukah.” A young male with blonde hair and pale skin approached us, his eyes the brightest blue I’d ever seen.
“Have you mastered your new act, Calix?” asked Lukah.
Calix’s lips twitched up at the sides and he gave me a wink. “Would your new friend care to watch?”
“Stay here,” instructed Lukah and he made his way to stand in front of a wooden wall, arms and legs spread in a wide stance.
“Ready?” Calix slid off his glittering silver jacket and dropped it on the floor.
“Let’s give Olivia a show,” said Lukah.
Calix ran his hand over handles poking out of his belt and whipped one out, throwing it at Lukah with the flick of his wrist.
My heart stopped as it flew towards Lukah’s torso, missing him by no more than an inch and hitting the wooden wall with a loud thunk.
The boys exchanged a smirk and Calix threw another knife and another, one landing on the opposite side of Lukah’s torso and one between his legs.
With one last swift movement Calix drew another knife and flung it, but it flew at Lukah’s face and I opened my mouth to scream as the knife stopped still, mere inches from Lukah’s forehead and fell to the ground with a clang.
Lukah’s eyes narrowed and Calix’s shoulders rounded.
Lukah stepped away from the wall, his eyes not leaving Calix as he straightened his jacket and stalked towards him.
“Best you continue practicing,” Lukah told him. “Without a live person.”
“Yes, Master.” Calix didn’t meet his gaze.
As though remembering I stood watching, Lukah’s eyes softened and he looked to the ground where I’d dropped the rose without noticing. He flicked out his jacket as he bent down and picked it up.
“You seem to have dropped something,” he said in a cool, calm tone.
I took the rose from him and looked over his shoulder to where Calix muttered to himself as he pulled the knives from the wall.
“Why did he call you Master?” I asked.
“I’m the ringmaster.” Lukah guided me away from Calix and across the room. “I open the circus with magic and song and ensure the entire show runs smoothly from start to finish. It’s also my job to ensure each act is beyond perfect. Mistakes in this business could prove fatal. The performers know not to show me an act until they can execute it to perfection.”
As we continued through the training room, I spotted the young girl that’d visited me in my room standing in a dark corner.
“Who’s that?” I asked.
Lukah followed my gaze and looked at the girl, shaking his head. She disappeared into the darkness.
“That’s Ember. She’s been with us from a young age but her and her dragon can get up to quite a lot of mischief. After their last mishap she’s been banned from seeing her scaly friend until we arrive at port.”
“She’s the dragon tamer?” I asked, eyes wide.
“She may only be eight, but her bond with the dragon is strong. Too strong if you ask me. She may look cute and innocent but two days ago the cook gave her potato soup when she wanted tomato and her dragon burned down half of this room.”
I peered around me. There was no sign of fire damage.
“Lucky for us my magic was able to contain it and repair the damage it caused,” he said. “Ember is a lovely girl, but she has quite the temper. Be careful what you say to her or better yet, keep your distance.”
My eyes found the spot I’d last seen her and I wondered where she’d gone as there appeared to be no door. Maybe she had some kind of magic that allowed her to walk through walls?
“Now, we must work out where you will stay while you’re with us,” said Lukah. “Perhaps you should stay in the room off my quarters until Adrena is able to find you a suitable space.”
“What’s wrong with the room she’s been in?” Loretta appeared beside him and narrowed her eyes, hands on hips.
“Loretta, so nice of you to join us. I’m showing Olivia around,” said Lukah.
“This ship is incredible,” I said.
She stepped in front of me as though I didn’t exist and faced Lukah. “She’s not sleeping in the room off your office. What will the crew say if you’ve got the stowaway staying in the best room on the ship?”
“It would be temporary until we found her a bed,” replied Lukah.
“There’s nothing wrong with the bed she’s been sleeping in,” challenged Loretta.
“I’m happy to stay where I am,” I replied, trying to remind her I was standing right there.
“Loretta? Are you training with me or what?” Keaton called out, but he spotted me and made his way over. “And who are you?”
“The stowaway I was telling you about.” Loretta crossed her arms over her chest
.
“You said she was hideous and looked as though she lived in a gutter,” said Keaton.
I smoothed down my dirty pants. The thought of what I must look like let alone smell like hadn’t crossed my mind until that point, and I wished I had magic that let me disappear through walls.
Loretta shrugged. “She’s nothing exciting.”
“I happen to think she’s beautiful,” said Lukah.
Loretta seethed.
“There’s a spare bed in my room,” said Keaton. “I could make it up for her.”
“She’ll be fine in the room off my office,” said Lukah.
“I like Keaton’s idea better,” said Loretta.
“I’m happy to stay where I am,” I added.
“It’s no problem,” said Keaton. “Or Loretta could share a room with me and she could have Loretta’s room.”
“I don’t want to share a room with you. You snore.” Loretta still wasn’t acknowledging my existence and I fought the urge to wave my hand in front of her face, deciding she might try to bite it off.
Lukah took my wrist and pulled me to stand beside him as they all glared at each other in a stand-off.
“This was never going to go well.” Adrena appeared and joined us. “What are you all arguing about?”
“Lukah wants the stowaway…”
“Olivia,” said Lukah.
“The stowaway,” she emphasised the word, “to stay in his room.”
“Not my room…” started Lukah.
“I said she can stay in my room,” said Keaton. “Or Loretta can.”
Adrena snatched my hand and pulled me away from Lukah. “You lot are ridiculous. She’s not a toy, she’s a human. Come on Olivia, let’s get you all set up in your own room away from these vultures.”
Adrena began leading me away from the group, and I was grateful she was taking charge. The exchange had my head throbbing all over again.
“Thank you for the tour, Lukah,” I called back.
“My pleasure, Olivia,” he replied, his childlike smile back on his face.
Circus in the Clouds (The Balloonist Chronicles Book 3) Page 6