Gears of Brass

by Jordan Elizabeth

  Just then Anastasia appeared. Her aura turned bright red. “W-what are you doing?! This is for me. How dare you munch on my offering like a pack of stray dogs.”

  “Goddess, it’s not like you’re eating any of this.”

  Alexander dropped the grapes he was eating onto Bella’s lap and quickly put his hands behind his back then glanced to where he thought Anastasia was standing. “Most holy Goddess Anastasia, it was her idea; she insisted we eat your offering.”

  Bella bonked him on the head with the turkey leg. “Traitor!” She then held the turkey leg out to the goddess and asked, “Do you want a bite?”

  Anastasia said, “I’ve done some scouting about and have come to the conclusion that the General Fracc is determined to control the destiny of the world through the use of the clock. You must institute the fallback plan. Now stop desecrating my shrine and be on your way.”

  After the goddess had left, Alexander said, “Now the goddess is mad at us, I hope you’re satisfied. I told you not to steal the food.”

  “Don’t worry, she’ll get over it, unless she doesn’t and we die a long, horrible, painful death.,” said Bella who went back to eating.

  “I’m tired of just sitting here waiting. We got to do something. .”

  She bit off a large hunk of cheese. “This is fine cheese; I don’t think I’ve ever had better. Okay, boy, let’s look at the situation. The general and his men are in the clock tower as we speak. His intentions are clear. The spies of his enemies are now running to their masters to let them know of the dire situation.”

  She lifted a jug of fine wine to her mouth and nearly drained it. After belching and wiping her mouth with the sleeve of the boy’s robe, she added, “I doubt the clock will last long. At least the battle will be entertaining to watch.”

  Alexander looked at his sleeve and wrinkled his nose. He grabbed her arm and said, “Princess, we can’t just turn our backs on the situation and do nothing. I say we fight to the death and take as many of them with us as we can.”

  She took his face in her hands and stared intently into his eyes. “You are a glorious young man, Alexander. Why are you in such a hurry to give up your life? Human existence is so short and precious. There’s no great virtue in being a martyr, so stop begging to be killed. Sometimes we need to let Anastasia do her part in protecting this world. She created it after all.”

  The boy was quiet for a few minutes and finally pried the turkey leg out of her hand. “Why do you have such a blithe perception of the whole situation? The clock is going to either be controlled by tyrants or destroyed. How is the Goddess Anastasia going to solve that problem?”

  She grabbed the turkey leg out of his hand and smacked his head with it. “You have faith enough to make this fine meal for the goddess, but not faith to believe she’ll earn her keep. If you haven’t any faith, then what is this all for?”

  She took another bite of the leg and crawled to the edge of the altar. “Let’s make a run for the entrance when the passageway is clear. You look down the far passageway and let me know when there’s no one else coming.” When it was clear, they made their way down several corridors and climbed up a flight of elaborate ornamental stairs to the next level. They ran past three priests who were still praying.

  Bella stopped and glanced at them. “No wonder the thieves had such an easy time of it, do the priests do anything other than pray around this place?”

  Alexander said, “Princess I would not criticize, the way things are going we need all the prayers we can get.”

  After running around several corners, they heard someone approaching and hid in an alcove.

  Bella pulled him close in the shadows. “Alexander, this is quite nice. Would you consider a kiss? Though I must warn you it has been nine thousand years and I am a bit rusty.”

  Alexander had turned bright red. He brusquely pulled away and said, “We’re fighting for our lives and trying to escape, remember. Anyway p-priests don’t go around kissing protectors.”

  Just then a soldier walked past the alcove and stared directly at them. He put a whistle to his lips.

  Bella quickly kissed the boy and grabbed the man’s throat before he could blow. The man gasped and grabbed his neck. Bella kneed him in the belly and when he bent over, she hit him in the back of the head and he collapsed onto the stone floor.

  “I thought we were trying to deal with the situation in a peaceful manner?” asked Alexander.

  “He’s still breathing isn’t he? Help me pull him in here before anyone else comes by.” They pulled him into the alcove and removed his uniform and Bella put it on.

  Since the white uniform was a too big for her, Alexander helped roll up her shirt sleeves and the cuffs of the pants. She stuffed her hair up into the cap, then turned to Alexander and asked, “Well, boy, how do I look?”

  He stared at her for a moment, then reddened. “You’re beautiful: lavender eyes, smooth perfect skin—”

  “Boy, I was asking if I passed for a soldier or not? Not if you were willing to woo me, or do under-priests do the wooing sort of thing?” She gave him a coy smile. “Beautiful lavender eyes? How sweet of you.” She planted a kiss on his check.

  He turned red again. He awkwardly touched a button that was about to pop in the middle of her chest and said, “You’ll need to do something about your, uhum, and with a face that pretty, you’re not going to fool anyone.”

  “You’re full of compliments today. Now lift up the hem of your robe and I’ll use it to bind up my boobs.”

  She pulled out her dagger and after removing the hem, she said, “Would you please turn around.” She then bound up her breasts, mussed up her hair, and smudged her face with a bit of dirt. She spun him around and asked, “Now what do you think of me?”

  He gave her a wan smile and said, “Much better representation of a soldier. Now look at my robe. I look like some kind of beggary mountain priest.”

  The corners of her mouth turned up and she nudged him. “This is a mountain, you’re a priest, and we’re poor. I think you fit the definition quite well. Now let’s get out of here.” She picked up the rifle and asked, “Exactly how does one use this weapon? It’s quite a curious invention.”

  He demonstrated how to use it, then handed it back to Bella. “Princess, put the strap over your shoulder, stand straight with your shoulders back, and march.” After she took several steps, he laughed and said, “You would make a fine goose, but I’m sorry to say you are far from being a soldier. I’ll put my hands together like I’m your prisoner and lead the way out of here.”

  They left the chamber and made their way toward the temple entrance. They passed several clusters of soldiers as they walked. They turned another corner and passed an officer, followed by a group of soldiers. Several saluted Bella. When she didn’t respond, Alexander cleared his throat and raised his hands to tap his forehead. He nodded toward the saluting men. She quickly saluted them with the wrong hand and attempted to walk past the puzzled group.

  “What kind of a salute is that for a soldier of the crown?!” roared Colonel Skit, a large red-headed man with a barrel chest which was covered with medals.

  Bella turned and gave him a confused look and said, “Pardon me, sir; I just didn’t think you were worth a proper salute given your sloppy attire. Just be happy that I saluted you at all. Now do you have work to do?”

  Alexander whispered, “Princess, you’re not helping matters a bit. This would be your military leader.”

  Skit turned even redder and he inhaled several times like a great wale preparing to sound. “Sloppy attire? Do I have work to do? This is insubordination. This is insufferable. You’ll pay for your cheekiness.” He looked at her intently and grabbed the hat off her head. Her hair fell to her shoulders. “Just as I expected, you must be that demon girl and he the under-priest. I knew a regular soldier wouldn’t be so disrespectable. Men take these two to the Gener—”

  Bella grabbed her hat out of Skit’s hands along with his pistol o
ut of his holster. “I’ll take these if you don’t mind.” She squeezed off several shots at the ground and the ceiling.

  “Now everyone on the ground or I’ll shoot the lobster face.”

  The men raised their hands and knelt. With her free hand, Bella saluted the lot. “Is that better?” Pointing the pistol at the soldiers, she turned and ran through a nearby door and Alexander followed her and barred it. Soon an alarm sounded along with the rush of soldiers.

  They quickly exited the temple into the burgeoning city that surrounded it. She looked up at the mountains and smiled.

  “Oh, this is so beautiful. It’s been so long since I’ve seen the mountain.”

  The mountain peaks were covered with snow, and the lower hills were painted with the autumn colors of orange, red, green, and amber trees. She looked up at the sun and smiled.

  “It’s been thousands of years since I have seen the sun.” She took a deep breath. “It is good to be out of that hole.”

  Alexander looked behind them and saw a group of soldiers running their way. He grabbed her arm. “Hurry, princess, they’re upon us.”

  They ran through the city and were soon swallowed up by the throngs of people moving toward the temple. There were groups of engineers, scientists, and laborers.

  As they walked, Bella nudged Alexander and asked, “Why do you think there are so many people entering the temple?”

  Alexander glanced at her and said, “Well, you’re the one with the fancy uniform, why don’t you go ask them? Try not to insult them or cause a riot this time.”

  Bella smiled and said, “You take all the fun out of life. Are all under-priests so passive?”

  She stood tall and tapped a man on the shoulder who wore spectacles and who was carrying assorted devices and equipment. “Sir, may I ask your business in our fair city?”

  He looked rather surprised. “We work for General Fracc; we’re here for the clock of course. It is the greatest find of the century. I assume you were aware we were coming?”

  Bella slapped his back. “Of course, my good fellow, we just want to make sure that no riff raff entered the temple. I just wondered what part you played in the project.”

  “Oh, I was called on to see how it functions.”

  When they were alone again, she pulled Alexander aside and said, “General Fracc is taking this whole ‘rule the world through the clock’ thing rather serious. With all these scientists, he may figure out how to manipulate the clock. It appears that I must now kill them all.” After he went pale, she asked, “Well, then, what do you propose we do about this mess?”

  They walked in silence for a ways and finally the boy turned to her.

  “Princess, right now you’re the greatest danger to the clock. If they find you, they’ll use your knowledge to control it. We must leave and get as far away from this mess as possible. On the far side of the city there is an area where traveling caravans outfit for their treks across the barren wastelands. I suggest we get a position in a caravan or on a riverboat and leave as soon as possible.”

  When they turned a corner, Bella was surprised to see the thief lord along with his men chained up. The thieves were surrounded by soldiers. She saluted several soldiers and walked up to Uttah and whispered, “So justice has come upon you. It is good to see you get what you deserve. Using a boy to spring traps is despicable.”

  He fixed his eyes on the ground and said, “Miss, we’ll be hanged while the General and his goons control the clock. Don’t you think this is unfair? Couldn’t you help us out a bit?”

  She grinned and said, “My dear thief lord, what awaits the general is a much worse fate. If justice shines upon you and you hang, all will be well. Unfortunately blackguards such as yourself seem to be able to cheat fate.”

  “No talking to the prisoners,” one of the guards barked.

  The thief lord tipped his cap and winked at her. “Bella, we’ll surely meet again.”

  She reached into her hair and removed a long hair pin and pushed it through his sleeve. “I supposed there should be a certain balance among thieves and villains.”

  She and Alexander quickly walked away. As they walked, Bella tore off the royal crest and her rank from her uniform and Alexander removed the clock crest from his robe, so they wouldn’t draw attention to themselves. After walking several miles, they came to a fork in the river. After crossing a bridge, they found themselves at the Fork of Trade, a grand bazaar of people selling, thieving, buying, and looking for work.

  “This is what I was talking about. We should be able to quickly find a spot in a caravan,” said Alexander.

  They sidled up to a long line of hopefuls who were waiting for the caravan chiefs to begin hiring. A large man with short, curly black hair and tattoos all over his face approached them.

  “So we have fresh recruits, do we? Well you are in luck, we have an agreement with several of the finest caravan captains. For a mere three pieces of silver we can set you up quite nicely.“

  Bella said, “No thank ye please move along.”

  “My dear children I think you misunderstand, this offer is not optional, it is a requirement. We own the street.”

  Alexander reached into his pocket for the coins and Bell grabbed his wrist and held it. In a low voice, Bella asked, “My dear fellow, what exactly makes you the owner of this street? We are sufficiently able to procure our own positions.”

  His eyes lit up and his lips curled into a sneer. He gave a whistle and three large men made their way out of the crowd to come and stand behind him. The sneers on their blunt faces matched that of their master. “My little friends here give me the ownership. Now will you be forthcoming with my five pieces of silver for each of you? I think the street tax is going up as we speak.”

  Bella stared at him directly, opened her hand, and there was a gold coin. “I have no silver. Would gold suffice?”

  The ruffian’s eyes widened and he reached for the coin. She closed her hand before he could retrieve the coin. When it opened again, she held her golden dagger. She flicked the blade to the man’s ear and cut out a small notch. As the man screamed in pain, she held the knife to his throat. “I take it this is a different sort of gold than you were expecting.” She stared at the three men who were contemplating whether to join the fray and said, “I feel it’s time you asked your friends to leave.”

  After the three men had departed, Bella said, “Sir, if you would pay my street tax I would appreciate it. I think it is twenty silver coins.”

  After he paid her, he said, “We’ll get our revenge later.” He then turned and hurried away.

  She spun the knife and slid it into the waistband of her coat, then stared at some on lookers who quickly turned away.

  Alexander glanced after them and asked, “Was it really necessary to make four more enemies? You’re about as subtle as a bull in a flower patch.”

  Bella put her hand on her chest and her eyes opened wide in mock surprise.

  “You compare me to a bull? I wanted to kill the vermin, but instead I just gave him a little gift to remember me by. Don’t you feel I’m showing unusual restraint?”

  He rolled his eyes and sighed. “Next time let’s simply pay the tax and remain innocuous.”

  She led him to the back of the crowd and said, “Please stand guard while I examine the map.” She pulled out a golden map and laid it out on her lap. “We must go north, so we need to find a caravan or a river boat heading in that direction.”

  He glanced around and asked, “Why north, princess? Most of these caravans are traveling south; it would be much easier to find one going in that direction.”

  She rolled up the map and said, “That isn’t for you to know at this time. You’ll have to trust me.”

  A group of merchants made their way down the street and the workers clamored for employment. Alexander raised his hand and Bella pulled it down. “Look at the whips tied to their belts. We’re not so desperate that we’ll accept employment with wolves. We would be no
more than slaves to these tyrants.”

  Later, some of General Fracc’s men came looking for laborers for the temple. During this time, Bella and Alexander covered their faces and avoided eye contact with the soldiers. There were also patrols looking for a priest and a girl.

  Several hours later, Bella still had not even inquired about a position. A well-dressed noblewoman with her entourage flowed past. By this time, most of the workers had been taken. Bella raised her hand and stepped to the woman’s side. “Madam, would you by chance require laborers for a northern venture?”

  The young woman in a red silk gown and short black hair looked at Bella steadily. She reached out and took Bella’s hand to examine her fingernails. “What soft supple fingers with not a single callous. Have you ever done a day’s labor in your life?” She then ran her fingers along Bella’s cheek. “What sweet young people you are. Enjoyable to look at and you would make suitable playthings, but can you load a barge and lead a string of belligerent pack mules the three months journey? Can you join my men in fighting off the thieves that will come, I promise you. Can you take a man’s life if necessary to defend us? In short, will you do everything I demand of you?”

  Alexander said, “You needn’t worry. We’ll carry our weight and more. You can be assured that we’ll do everything you ask of us.” He then gave a slight bow to her.

  That afternoon they joined the camp of Lady Eloise. When they entered the camp, a large man approached them. “Mistress, are these all the sailors you could find? I don’t want to play nursemaid to mere children.”

  Eloise gave him a wan smile, and then glanced at Bella and Alexander. “They’re not much to look at, but the reality is that honorable, seasoned men are not looking for work. Most of these here are bandits who’ll make off with some goods before they’re caught. I have a good feeling about these two.”

  Capture

  hey spent a day loading the boat with provisions for their journey. Barrels of water, sacks of wheat, oats, corn, and rye were brought aboard the steamer; along with bolts of cloth, guns, tools, and furniture to sell in the North Country. They then herded in thirty head of cattle, forty sheep, twenty pigs, and several hundred chickens.