Perhaps. I’ve been keeping an eye on her, and I’ve asked the others to watch her too. But I’d also like you to watch her too, see what you can find out about her. I tried to look into her mind, but I couldn’t. Her shields are truly formidable. Like smooth, polished steel walls, not a single crack or fissure in sight.
That is interesting, Icarus agreed.
And so, between shows, while Icarus was prowling around the circus platform making sure all the machinery stayed in perfect working order, he also kept an eye on Bethel. But she didn’t do anything out of the ordinary. She tried some of the rides, talked to people, but mainly, she told stories. As these were in the local Russian dialect, Icarus had to cast a Tongues spell over himself so could understand.
The most intriguing one went like this:
“Who here wants to know where dragons come from? There are some who claim they travelled here from another world, a Magick world, but if the truth must be told dragons have always been here. They developed during the time of the dinosaurs, and coexisted alongside these great lizards, alike and yet not alike. Some they ate while others, closer in appearance to them, became their mates. And so they were able to breed new species. But the big difference between dinosaurs and dragons is that dragons are intelligent, many times smarter than we are, and immortal. They dug out their own caves where they lived in family groups, they practised their innate Magick, and they wrote their stories down on the walls.
“It was because of these caves, some deep within the bowels of the Earth, that when the meteor came to kill off the dinosaurs, some dragons managed to survive. Dragons may be extremely heat resistant, but the meteor caused shockwaves powerful enough to disintegrate them. And after the meteor hit the world grew very dark and very cold. Any dinosaurs that withstood the impact later died from starvation. But Earth’s remaining dragons used their Magick to go into hibernation. They hoped when they finally surfaced, the world would be safe for them once more.
“However, when they came out of their caves, they found that only small, feathered dinosaurs had survived, and furry little warm-blooded creatures. No big reptiles like them at all. Over the years dragons had mastered numerous aspects of their innate Magick, and they were able to use it to change forms. They shifted into the shape of these little animals. As only a tiny handful of these dragons had survived, they needed to continue their bloodlines.
“Although some new dragons were born, most of their offspring emerged as an entirely new race – a race of shapeshifters – weres.
“Early shapeshifters didn’t adopt human form because back then there were no humans, but they learnt to stand upright and use tools long before apes ever appeared.
“Unfortunately, because dragons were so large and needed a lot of food to keep them going, they continued to die out until only a few were left. Because they were so much smaller, it was the shapeshifters who started to spread across the world, and adopt new forms. They also lost their immortality, growing old and dying after only a few hundred years. Dragons had to keep going into hibernation to survive, only emerging every few centuries or so to hunt and reproduce.
“When humans finally appeared they posed a new threat to the dragons, hunting and killing them at every opportunity. Human history is full of stories about people killing dragons. I’m sure you’ve all heard at least one about a noble knight slaying a horrific monster that was terrifying a local village. It is because of these noble knights that there is now only one dragon left on the entire planet.”
“Where is it?” gasped various members of the audience.
Bethel smiled mysteriously. “Probably sleeping. The Earth grows ever more crowded, with wide, empty spaces shrinking daily. Soon, I fear, there won’t be anywhere left for this poor creature to hide.”
At that moment the snappily dressed carnie Willkie appeared, announcing in his booming voice that the first show of the day was about to start. Everyone, including Bethel, and Professor Abbacus, who’d been loitering at the back of the crowd, started moving towards the Big Top.
Icarus had never heard such a story before. Bethel had made several interesting points. She had referred to evolution rather than creation, but mentioned Magick several times. She had also dropped a subtle reference to the Magick Earth. He was convinced she was some sort of extremely powerful shaman. Did she possess any Magick she could teach him?
He had to find out. The trouble was he still didn’t like talking to people directly. He had no trouble banging out a five-page letter on his old typewriter to someone he had never met, asking them if they would like help constructing a machine. He could also speak to that person if they appeared and approached him. But walking up to someone and asking them some rather personal questions … the thought made him cringe.
But if he wanted to further his knowledge, he had to do it. He remembered what Del had told him about those children from the future, the ones no matter how hard he tried, he just couldn’t recall – as though someone had simply scooped that part of his memory out with a spoon.
They had commanded some formidable Magicks. Although he considered himself pretty powerful, there was just so much he didn’t know. All he had mastered had come from Leonardo Da Vinci’s book, and spells he had created himself.
So Icarus squared his narrow shoulders and walked over to Bethel, who was entertaining some children with a tale about a tribe of snow wolves that lived not far from here. Instead of the usual story about wild, hairy monsters attacking lone girls in the woods, these wolves protected the villagers from attacking demons that reminded Icarus very much of Immaterial beings.
Bethel, you are definitely more than you appear, he thought. He waited patiently for her to finish the story, and as the kids were running off, he walked up to her. There was about half an hour before the next show, so hopefully he had enough time.
He cleared his throat with a metallic rasp and she looked down at him with a smile. “Ah, Professor Abbacus. What can I do for you?” she asked kindly.
He had never been one for small talk or beating around the bush, so he just came right out with it. “I … I was wondering if I could talk to you, perhaps ask you a few questions.”
“Of course. I’ve been meaning to talk with you too.”
He stared at her in surprise. “Really?”
“Yes.” She looked around, noticing a few carnies looking in her direction, but no sign of the Ringmaster. A few days ago he had found himself a new diversion in the form of a very tall, blonde and handsome Russian hunter. “I was wondering if you and perhaps a couple of your loyalest carnies could accompany me up into the mountains behind the village to … fetch something I’ve left hidden there.”
“What?”
She looked around again. “A very precious and personal possession of mine. I need someone to accompany me who is of a … particular power and … spiritual alignment.”
“Ah,” said Icarus, suddenly understanding. Bethel knew the Ringmaster was a Necronite and didn’t trust him.
“But what makes you think you can trust me?” Icarus asked.
“You may have left life behind, but you carry no such darkness in you,” she said solemnly. “You and your friends may have been watching me, but in turn I have been watching you, especially you, Icarus. Even though you are brusque and gruff, you love this place and all your carnies. You know every nut and bolt, and your carnies will never betray you.”
Icarus would have felt a lump rise in his throat had he still possessed one. He could only nod. A tear stung his human eye and he lifted a gloved fingertip to wipe it away. He wanted to agree to accompany her right now, but even though she had been nice to him, could he trust her? “You’re hiding from someone, aren’t you?”
She stared intently at him, her dark eyes fierce, then an expression of sadness crossed her face, and she lowered her gaze. She pressed her gnarly hands together. Even though her age was impossible to gauge from her face, with its smooth skin and bright eyes, those hands were very old and wrinkl
ed, with long fingernails almost like claws. Icarus realised she was ancient. But just how ancient? “Yes, I’m sorry, but I am. I thought you could protect me for a while.”
“How?”
“Your mechanology, your special brand of Magick. It shields my own … emanations.”
“Your emanations?”
“My aura of wild Mana. It is quite powerful. Which is why, when we leave to fetch my object, we need to be quick.”
“So someone could attack us while we’re out?”
She lowered her gaze again. “Possibly. If he has made it this far.”
Icarus sighed. There was always a catch. “And you absolutely cannot leave this thing behind?”
When she looked up again, her gaze was fierce again. “No.”
He could see how important it was. “Very well – I will help you to retrieve it.”
Tears welled in her eyes. “Thank you! Now what did you want to ask me?”
“You seem very wise and knowledgeable about things that aren’t … common, such as dragons, shapeshifters, weres, Magick and … the Magick Earth. I was wondering if you knew any Magick, and could possibly … teach me.”
She lowered her gaze again. “I do possess a great deal of Magick, but it all comes from here. “ She pressed one of those gnarly old hands against her chest. “I don’t know the tongue.”
“Your Magick is all within you?”
“I’m afraid so. You think I’m from the Magick Earth, but I’m not. I only know about it because over the years I have heard so many different stories. Unfortunately they are the only things I can pass on.”
Professor Abbacus bowed his head in disappointment. “Fair enough.”
“Will you still help me, even though I cannot offer you anything in return?”
“I said before that I would. When do you want to go?”
“Tonight, after the last show. It shouldn’t take us more than a couple of hours at the most. Is that acceptable?”
“Yes.”
At that moment Willkie appeared and announced that the two o’clock show was about to start. Professor Abbacus gave Bethel a nod, and headed towards the Big Top.
* * * *
4
That night, as soon as the last show finished, Professor Abbacus sent a message to the Ringmaster, asking him if he was busy. He informed Icarus that he would be for the rest of the evening, and not to wait up for him. For once this didn’t make Icarus seethe with jealousy, and after stuffing his pockets with as much coal as he could manage, he rounded up Busboy and Steamsaw. They headed over to the Big Top entrance to wait for Bethel. The woman soon appeared, dressed in her long fur cloak. She pulled the hood up over her long, silvery hair.
“Ready?” Icarus asked her.
“Where are you lot off to?” asked a soft voice with a slight lisp.
Everyone turned to see Felina the cat-girl standing behind them with her hands on her hips. Because of the cold she was covered in her thickest coating for fur. Behind her stood Victoria in the form of the wolf woman, and the six-legged tiger, Suresh.
“We’re just taking Bethel back to the village to fetch something she left behind,” Icarus told them.
“We need to hunt, so we’ll come with you,” Felina declared. Victoria and Suresh growled.
Icarus glared at them, about to tell them off, when Bethel glided forward.
“You’re welcome to join us. There is plenty of game in the forest behind the village.” She gave Felina a kind smile.
The cat-girl blushed and smiled back.
Bethel turned and headed for the steep staircase leading down. “Are you sure?” Icarus muttered as he followed her.
“I trust them. Even the lady with six faces.”
Beneath the circus platform the only light came from a half-moon and a few fires from the village. However Professor Abbacus and his zombie carnies could see in the dark, as could Felina, Suresh and to a lesser extent the Wolf Woman. Bethel also wasn’t worried about the low light as she headed along a path into the village. Some people, still gathered around their fires before turning in, waved to her as they passed. She smiled and waved back. Everyone seemed to like her. But she didn’t stop to chat, and on the way out of the village, up into the thickly forested hills behind, she increased her pace. Her thick, fur-lined boots crunched in the snow.
Behind her, the cold started to seep into Icarus’ system, and he had to shove some more coal into his furnace.
“You alright, sir?” asked Busboy.
“Yes, fine. I should have enough.”
As Bethel continued up into the forest, Victoria, Felina and Suresh broke away to start their hunt. If Bethel was following a path, only she could see it. They had left the main road.
“Where are we going?” Icarus rasped.
“Not far now.” She led the Professor, Busboy and Steamsaw up through the trees. After about half an hour of climbing, they arrived at a small clearing. Bethel headed to one end and then knelt down in the snow. She started digging furiously, her long, sharp nails enabling her to throw out truly prodigious amounts of snow behind her. “Help me to dig,” she begged as she worked.
Icarus and his carnies knelt beside her. “What are we looking for?”
“Believe me, you’ll know when you find it!”
All three of them dug, using their various claws and talons to excavate a large, deep hole. Professor Abbacus’ steel talons tapped against something he initially thought was a large rock, and he wrenched it free to toss it away.
“No no – that’s it, Professor! You’ve got it!” cried Bethel.
He held it up. It felt as hard and heavy as a rock, but wasn’t a rock at all. It was a smooth and white, but speckled with brown and black. “It’s an egg!” he exclaimed.
Bethel took it from him and slipped it into a woven bag she was carrying under her cloak. “Yes, it’s an egg alright. It’s my egg.”
“Ah,” said Icarus. “So it’s true! You are the last one!”
She smiled at him. “Yes.”
“Blimey!” exclaimed Busboy. “How the hell is that possible? That’s flipping huge, that is! It would have split you in half coming out!”
Bethel laughed as she straightened up. “This isn’t the form I used when I laid it. Now we had better make haste back to the safety of the Circus – now my egg is with me, it will have woken up, and be joining my emanations with its own.”
“I might be able to make you something that will hide your Magick aura,” Professor Abbacus suggested as he followed Bethel back down the hill towards the road.
In the half-light she glanced over her shoulder. “You … you can do that?”
“In fact I already have something I can modify. I have been working on a device that will create a shield for the circus, although it’s a very, very big job to conceal something that large and complicated. At the moment a large number of manastones are still required to make it work properly. But for you … maybe just one. I have one.”
“That would be wonderful!” Bethel exclaimed. “But … I-I have no idea how I will ever be able to repay you. All my troves were raided years ago, and I have not been able to rebuild them.”
“Don’t worry about it. Being able to build weird and wonderful contraptions is reward enough.”
They reached the road at the bottom and began to head back towards the village. But as they turned a corner they noticed a lone figure standing in the middle, blocking their way. The distant moonlight glinted off metal, as though the being was dressed in some sort of armour. A cold wind billowed a long cloak out behind it, and it appeared to holding something in one hand that looked like a spear.
“I was right to follow that abominable carnival,” this person declared in a deep, commanding voice. Up in the forest behind them a twig snapped. Professor Abbacus flicked his head to look, but saw nothing. “Freaks attract freaks, and as such I knew it would eventually lead me to you, Bethelrath.”
Beside Professor Abbacus Bethel stiffened. “I’m
sorry,” she whispered to Icarus. “I really didn’t mean for this to happen.”
Icarus stepped forward to get a better look at this person. He appeared to be in his late thirties or early forties, bearded but bareheaded, with a full head of thick, curly black hair. He showed no sign that the chill was bothering him. “Who the hell are you?” he growled.
“Sir Arturo Vargas, of Madrid,” the man declared. “A knight of the Holy Roman Catholic Church’s Stigmata, here to cleanse the world of an ancient evil.” He pointed a gauntleted finger at Bethel. “A devil in human form!”
Icarus rolled his human eye in exasperation. “An innocent creature, you fool, who just wants to be left alone!” He wasn’t sure why he was arguing. He had dealt with these Stigmata fanatics before, and no amount of logic, or appeals to their sense of mercy, worked. They had their own ideas and missions, and nothing would persuade them from their path. But he had to try. “She is also the last of her kind! Do you wish to be responsible for the complete extinction of her people?”
Of course Arturo Vargas was not convinced and hefted his spear, pointing it at the group. “You, Professor Abbacus, are a known sorcerer – you have no right to speak. Now, Bethelrath, are you going to come quietly, accept your deserved justice, or shall we fight? Be warned, my armour is heavily enchanted, as is my spear. I am an experienced warrior of God, and I have slain dragons on my home world many times more powerful than you.”
Home world, Icarus thought. He must have come here from the Magick Earth’s Madrid! The thought made him shiver, because their Magick items were a lot more destructive towards him. The Science Earth’s Stigmata warriors mainly used items that had been augmented by mechanomancy – the Magick Science Icarus had been trying to perfect from Da Vinci’s notebook.
It was a power he knew exactly how to deal with. But items that had been enchanted by powerful clerics to directly affect demons, supernaturals and undead creatures?
Bethel sighed heavily. “It it’s a battle you want, it’s a battle you shall get.” Suddenly she leapt into the air from a standing position, her great strength propelling her many feet into the air. As Icarus and his carnies turned to look up at her, she started to change shape. Her clothes merged into her body as she grew. A huge pair of batlike wings burst from her back and started to flap, holding her aloft. A long, sinewy tail lashed the air behind her. Her head elongated, extending on a serpentine neck. Four clawed paws tucked up under her body as sharp spines sprouted all the way down her back. She opened her mouth, revealing a formidable array of needle-sharp teeth, and a brilliant light burst forth from the depths of her throat.
The Circus Infinitus - To the End of the Earth Page 2