by Jim Proctor
Chapter 11
“I’m a bit worried, sir,” Dolus said. “This is day eight, and it ain’t but half over, and we’ve burned three-quarters of our fuel. I reckon the tailwinds in that storm didn’t save us as much fuel as we thought.”
Venandi smiled. “No need to worry, Dolus. I noted the time of the sunrise and calculated our longitude. We’re more than halfway across the Great Ocean.”
“That may be, sir, but it also pushed us too far north. We’re going to need an extra day to get to the nearest port,” Dolus said.
“We’ll make it, my friend.”
Dolus cringed. “Begging your pardon, sir, but you only call me my friend when you are seriously worried.”
Venandi strode to the front window and gazed out. Finally, he said, “I was not aware I did that. Since you already know, I’ll admit it freely—I am worried. Unless our fortunes change for the better, we’re not going to make landfall unless we steer a more westerly course. We’d have a chance to make landfall, but there won’t be any ports where we can get fuel. We’d face a long walk through the cold wilderness before we reached civilization.”
“Yes, sir. So what are we gonna do?” Dolus asked.
The captain shook his head. “Hope for another tailwind.”
“If we end up putting down in the water, the current off the coast of Scallia flows north. We’ll end up with the icebergs eventually,” Dolus said.
“I know, my fre… I know, Dolus.”
“I was doing a bit of thinking last night, sir. If you recall, I used to be a crew member on a sailing yacht. We used to travel back and forth across the Great Ocean on the Sailor’s Winds.”
“I’m not familiar with these winds, Dolus. Tell me more,” the captain said.
“Well, sir,” Dolus said, “there are winds down near the water that are pretty dependable. It’s a circulation system driven by water temperatures and ocean currents. Of course, big storms disrupt it, but it soon settles back into its normal pattern. They call them the Sailor’s Winds. It’s how we got back and forth across the vast ocean.”
“I see. How might we take advantage of these winds?” Venandi asked.
“For starters, we’d have to find them on an old chart. I was just a young lad when we were sailing, and I had nothing to do with navigation or guiding the ship. I heard the skipper and the helmsman talking about them. If the westward wind is nearby, we’d go down low, maybe ten or twenty meters off the water, and we’d have a tailwind most of the way to Scallia.”
“Ten or twenty meters? At night, we’d have to keep constant watch to make sure we didn’t collide with a ship,” Venandi said.
“Yes, sir, but we’d get there faster and burn less fuel,” Dolus said. “Do you have any old mariner’s charts, sir?”
“I think so,” the captain said. He crossed the bridge to his chart cabinet. Digging through the charts, he eventually pulled out several yellowed and brittle rolls. Unrolling one on the table, he studied it for a moment, and then swept it to the floor. Another was unrolled and studied. He tossed it away and unrolled another.
“Here! I’ve got it,” he said excitedly. He studied the chart for a moment before screaming in rage as he crumpled the chart into a ball and threw it across the wheelhouse. “The westward circuit is far south of here. We’re over the eastward circuit.”
“Well, I suppose we could drop down low and turn around. We could go back and top off our tanks and take on a few barrels of extra diesel,” Dolus said.
“No. The only port we could reach would be Venefica’s, and I’m not going back there without Beaph. I’ll put down in the water and get carried off to join the icebergs first. Maintain our course. I’m going to bed,” he said. He trudged across the wheelhouse and down the steps.
Dolus recalled other trips where they had been in trouble, but nothing like this. Venandi had never taken them on a journey where they knew from the outset they would need good fortune to survive. Something was wrong. Something was clouding his judgment, driving him beyond safe limits. But what? And why?
It had to be the Black Witch, Dolus decided. Venandi’s demeanor had changed when he visited her this time. Maybe she’d done something to him, put him under some spell, or maybe just put terrible fear into him. That would explain why he refused to go back even when the alternative was death. Dolus knew he had to do something. Somehow, he needed to save them both.
He began to consider their options. Perhaps, if he took the airship down low, he might find a large ship going west. If he explained their predicament, he could drop a line and they could pull the airship behind. Or, they might give him some fuel, though he wasn’t sure how that could be done at sea. He had to think of something. With each passing minute, they burned more fuel and flew farther from safety.
* * * *
Dolus’ feet ached. His legs ached. His back ached. Everything ached, and he was famished. He yawned as he glanced at the clock, forcing his eyes to focus. It was more than an hour past sunrise, and there was no hint of movement belowdecks. The captain had never gone so long without relieving him. He was exhausted, having spent more than twenty hours at the helm, when Venandi came slowly up the steps.
Pushing back his hair, the captain stared out the front window for some time. He had no new inspiration for a way out of their predicament.
“Sir,” Dolus said, “I’d like you to hear me out, if you will.”
Venandi sat on the stool by the chart table and turned to face him. “Very well. What say you?”
“Begging your pardon, sir, but something happened to you when you visited the witch. You’re not yourself, as they say.”
Venandi shrugged and nodded. “Go on.”
“What I’m getting at is, you haven’t been making good decisions. Knowing we were going to take this trip, we should have taken on some extra barrels of fuel. You were so intent on getting out of the witch’s port, we set out on this hopeless journey. She did something to you. So… I’ve made a decision, sir, for the good of both our hides.”
Venandi leaned back, resting his elbows on the chart table. “What decision have you made, my friend?”
“I changed course shortly after you went to bed. We’re heading for closest landfall. Now, I know there ain’t no port there, but speaking for myself, sir, I’d rather die hiking through a cold forest than be carried up to the ice. On land, at least, we have a chance. Once we reach Scallia’s coast, we’ll turn south and fly as far as we can with our remaining fuel. Then we’ll set down in a clearing and secure the ship. We can pack some food and set out southward from there. There may not be any airship ports, but I’ll bet there are villages where we can get help, or maybe a logging camp. We can buy a few barrels of diesel and hire a truck to haul them back to the ship,” Dolus said.
“Dolus, my friend, and I do mean that, your plan is as good as any I could devise. I’ve no doubt you’re thinking more rationally than I,” Venandi said.
“You’re not mad?” Dolus asked.
Venandi waved a hand dismissively. “Why should I be? Personally, I think we’re doomed no matter what we do. Your way of dying sounds better than some of the alternatives.”
“That it does,” Dolus agreed.
“Did you happen to note the time of sunrise?” Venandi asked.
“I did, sir. Wrote it on that chart behind you.”
“And what about our latitude? Did you take a reading last night?”
“Yes, sir,” Dolus said. “It’s on the chart, too.”
The captain turned back to the chart and looked for the note. Finding it, he performed a calculation to determine their longitude. Picking up a pencil and ruler, he measured and made a mark on the chart.
“What’s our heading, Dolus?” he asked.
“Two hundred sixty degrees, sir.”
“Well, I would say we’re about three days from landfall. How much fuel do we have left?”
Dolus looked at the gauge. “I’d say just about three days’ worth. We’ll make
landfall. If we get a tailwind, we’ll have some fuel left to fly south a bit.”
Venandi turned around, and for the first time on this journey, he was smiling. “That’s cutting it close, but it’s better than I had hoped for. I’ll take the helm. You eat and then go to bed.”
“Yes, sir,” Dolus said, returning the captain’s smile. “We’ll make it, sir.”
“The way you say it, Dolus, I believe we will.”
Chapter 12
“I’m going out with my friends tonight, Jazzy,” Milla said as she sat on the edge of Jazeen’s bed.
“No, Milla! Not tonight! Stay and read to me, please,” Jazeen said.
Milla stroked Jazeen’s hair, pushing it back behind her ear. “I’m sorry, Jazzy, not tonight. You be good. I’ll check on you when I get home.”
As Milla stood and walked to the door, Jazeen called to her. “Don’t go, Milla! Please don’t go.”
Her sister turned to look at her with a smile. “It’s just for a few hours, Jazzy. Mom and Dad are here. I’ll come in and check on you later.”
“Promise?” Jazeen asked.
Milla smiled. “I promise. Be good, my little Jazzy.”
Jazeen clutched the book she had picked for Milla to read to her as she watched her sister walk out of her room. Opening the book, she began reading.
“You promised!” Jazeen screamed as she sat upright in the dark room. “You promised to come back!”
She heard the padding of heavy paws, and a dark shape entered the room. Fluffy leaped onto the bed and licked Jazeen’s tear-streaked face. A moment later, Angus stood in the doorway, barely visible in the dark.
“Are you okay, Jaz?” he asked.
Jazeen put her arms around Fluffy. “I’m fine. It was just a dream.”
“Who promised to come back?” he asked.
Jazeen held Fluffy tighter. “Milla.”
“Ah, I see. Except, she didn’t come back, did she? Not that time.”
“No, she didn’t. She went out with her friends, and I read my book to myself and went to sleep,” Jazeen said. “I don’t understand, Angus. I was nine years old when Milla died. I should have lots of memories of her. I have none. None! Lately I’ve been having these dreams about her, and I don’t know if they’re memories, or just my imagination running wild in my sleep.”
“Something happened, Jaz. Something bad. Maybe it was just Milla’s death, but I suspect it was something more. You’ve tied all your memories of her into a knot and for nine years you’ve hated her for leaving you. I think you’re starting to untangle those memories.”
“So these dreams are about things that really happened?” she asked.
“Oh, I don’t know. Could be. Maybe not. Dreams are tricky things. Even when they are about things that really happened, they don’t always stay true to events,” he said.
“I wish I could remember,” she said. “I wish I knew what Milla was really like.”
“You’ve begun a journey, Jaz. A journey of discovery. Be prepared for whatever comes. It may not all be pleasant,” he said.
“What do you mean?” Jazeen asked.
“You locked your memories away for a reason. When people do that, it’s usually to protect themselves from what those memories contain.”
“Maybe I’ll remember that I killed my sister,” she said.
“You need to be prepared for the truth, whatever it is,” he said. “Now, if you’re all right, I’ll go back to bed. Fluffy will stay with you for the rest of the night.”
“I’m fine. I’m sorry I woke you.”
“That’s okay. Goodnight, Jaz,” he said. He turned and headed back to his bedroom.
Jazeen lay down, and Fluffy snuggled tight against her side. The big cat rested her chin on Jazeen’s shoulder and purred.
* * * *
“I was thinking,” Angus said, “we need to find a better spot where I can pick you up and drop you off. I don’t think we should keep using Terrin’s platform.”
Jazeen nodded. “I was thinking the same thing. Have a place in mind?”
“On the north side of Sharpstown, there’s a big, open field atop a low hill. It wouldn’t be too hard to drop in there and pick you up,” he said.
“How far outside of town is it?” she asked.
“Half a kilometer, or so,” he said.
“I’ll check it out when I have some time.”
“I thought we would check it out together from the air, and if you like it, I’ll drop you off there today,” Angus said.
“And if I don’t like it?”
“I’ll take you to Terrin’s platform and we’ll think of something for next time,” he said.
Jazeen shrugged. “All right.” After a moment, she asked, “Angus, how will I know when to meet you there? You’ve picked me up twice, and both times it was just by chance that we were in the same place at the same time.”
Angus smiled. “Put your trust in chance. Now, let’s clean up these breakfast dishes. Once we do, we’ll herd the critters onto the airship and be on our way.”
Jazeen chuckled. “You sound like you’re in a hurry to get rid of me.”
He shook his head. “I’m just excited about my fishing trip. Fluffy always sits with me by the rail, and she eats the first fish I catch as soon as I take it off the hook.”
Jazeen reached over and rubbed Fluffy’s head. “There’s nothing like fresh seafood, right, girl?” Fluffy turned and rubbed her face against Jazeen’s arm. “I’m sorry I can’t go with you.”
“So am I,” Angus said.
Jazeen laughed. “I was talking to the cat.”
“No matter. I’m still sorry you can’t go with us. But you have your new job, and it wouldn’t look good if you didn’t show up.”
“I know. It’s just… I’d love to see how Fluffy reacts when you reel in the first fish. I’d like to see how Occisor reacts to flying without flapping his wings. I’d… I’d like to be there with you. I’m going to miss you,” she said.
Angus smiled. “I’m going to miss you, too, dear lady. Still, it’s only for a bit more than a week. I’ll tell you all about it when I get back.”
“I know, but today is Sunday. You’ll get back next Monday or Tuesday. I’ll probably be working all week, so I won’t get to see you again until the following weekend.”
“In the meantime, you’ll have your own adventures without me,” he said.
Jazeen laughed. “Yes, I’m sure working in the drugstore will be one adventure after another.”
“Could be,” Angus said with a smile. “You never know.”
Together, they cleaned the kitchen and put things away. Jazeen helped Angus carry a few bundles of meat from the refrigerator, and several more from the freezer, down to the airship. Another trip was made taking lamp oil and coal aboard.
“Well, now, that’s Fluffy and Occisor taken care of. I’ve got most of what I need aboard already. Is your bedroom tidied up? Bed made?”
“Yes, Angus. And I put my toys back into the toy box, too,” she said with a laugh.
“Okay, I’m sorry. Well, if you’re ready, we’ll be on our way,” he said.
“Can I take the book with me—the one from your library?” she asked.
“Of course. Bring it back when you’ve finished,” he said. “Let’s go get Fluffy and Occisor.”
When Angus opened the front door, Jazeen began laughing. Fluffy was sitting by the door with Occisor perched on her head.
Angus chuckled. “Well, now, it seems these two are ready to go.”
Fluffy stood and trotted through the door. She turned left and walked through the holographic rock. Occisor screeched.
“All right, we’re coming! There’s no call for that,” Angus said. “Do you have all your stuff?”
Jazeen dashed into the living room. “I just need to grab the book.” Picking it up from her chair, she ran back to the door. “Ready.”
When they reached the wheelhouse, Occisor was on his perch in the corner an
d Fluffy was atop the chart table by the front window.
“See, I told you they like to travel,” Angus said. “So, are you taking the ship out, or am I?”
“Can I?” she asked.
“She’s all yours. You head belowdecks and do the pre-flight. We’ll get underway when you’re ready.”
Jazeen bounded down the stairs. Angus walked to the chart table and stroked Fluffy’s head. Occisor flew over and landed on his shoulder.
Several minutes later, Jazeen came up the stairs. “Let’s cast off the lines.”
Occisor flew back to his perch. Angus followed Jazeen out of the wheelhouse and down the gangplank.
“You checked the circuit breakers to the drive-motor feed?” Angus asked.
“Yes, of course,” she replied.
“And you checked the tension in the cable to the elevator and rudder?”
“Yes, Angus. I checked everything.”
“You made sure the nuclear—”
“Yes! I made sure the nuclear doohickey was at the correct temperature,” she interrupted.
“Did you check the transverse orthogonal directional coupler?” he asked.
Jazeen paused and turned around. “Um… no, I didn’t.”
“Good, ‘cause I just made that one up,” he said with a smile.
Jazeen smiled and shook her head. “This is the last line. Let’s stow them.”
“Yes, Captain,” Angus said with a chuckle.
Jazeen dashed up the gangplank and began pulling up a line.
“You know I can’t keep up with your long legs,” Angus said from halfway up the gangplank. By the time he reached the top, Jazeen was running around the front of the ship.
“You get the aft line stowed. I’ll get the port side lines,” she said as she disappeared around the wheelhouse.
Angus plodded along at his steady pace to the rear of the ship and began pulling up the line.
When he entered the wheelhouse, Jazeen was standing at the helm. Smiling at him, she pushed the throttle forward and the motors spun to life. When she turned a knob, helium began to flow to the partially deflated bags. After a few minutes, the ship swayed and then lifted off the platform. Pushing the port propeller pitch control forward while pulling back the starboard control, the ship began to rotate. As the nose swung around, she pushed the starboard pitch control forward and the airship moved slowly toward their next adventure.