by Ink Blood
*~*~*
17
NATE
As Nate entered the cockpit of the Valkyria, following Irving as he hobbled along, his eyes opened far wider than they were supposed to.
Glass surrounded him. They were standing on a balcony suspended inside a glass sphere that allowed those inside to see almost every direction, except behind them. Brass and steel lined the glass sections, holding them in place, whilst navigators and officers sat in small bays of brass that connected to the balcony with small bridges. Each bay was held up by small steel rods that stretched to the brass above.
The room glowed silver and gold as the sun reflected off the metals. The balcony was made of fine, polished oak and lined with yet more of the golden coloured metal.
Clouds soared by as the propellers that Nate could see on both sides span furiously. Below them stretched a vast sheet of blue.
“I am sorry, Sir Irving, but I must ask something,” said Nate as he tried to ignore the beauty around him. “Where are you taking us?”
“Well, that depends entirely on you,” the man replied as he span around on his cane to face the young engineer. “It depends on the strength of your loyalty to the Three Peaks.
For you see, the airship you and Master Charles built was to be used to take control of the Alexandria Alexandria Empire after they had taken back the Ringlands.
The Peak Lords have always wanted power. Your little invention was to be their way of securing it.”
Nate took a step back, his head shaking. That cannot be true. They wanted to protect themselves.
“They said they accepted the project to help in the defence of the country’s borders!”
“The best defence is a good offence. You would do well to remember that, as it is the general mentality possessed by those who hold the most power.
How do you feel knowing the reality of the situation? Would you still allow them to use your invention in such a manner?”
Nate’s lungs were grasping at any air they could fill themselves with. The man before him stood calm and relaxed, his eyes fiercely staring into Nate’s. Could he be right? It would explain the sudden interest they showed but why would they do such a thing? No, I will not let Seadawn be used like it. It was made to bring peace, not war! Nate breathed in deep and looked up at the captain of the Valkyria once again.
“Whilst I do not speak for Charles, I will not have my creation used for warmongering. It was designed to bring an end to the violence, not create more.”
He noticed Irving’s mouth curving upward slightly as he spoke. The captain reached out a hand and nodded.
“If that is truly your hearts answer, then I offer you my hand. For you see, we are determined to aid in the resolution of war. We wish to remove the need for violence from Rhythlan. Yet we know the only way to do so is to use that violence to destroy itself.
If this pleases you, then please take my hand and join our cause. We need as many people as we can have.”
Nate glanced around the cockpit, its beauty still forcing its way into his heart. Anastasia had arrived on the bridge and was giving a surprisingly hopeful expression. The clouds were still flying pass and no land had come into sight whatsoever. Nate stretched out his own hand.
“I accept your invitation. If the Peak Lords are the same as the Alexandria Empire then I want nothing to do with them.”
He and Irving released their hands before Irving put his on Nate’s shoulder.
“Welcome to the Valkyries, Ensign. Now that you have joined us, I wish to tell you of what I was thinking the past few hours.
Even though you are an engineer and not a pilot, you were able to make a relatively safe and controlled landing in a broken airship. That is most impressive.
So my second offer is that after the Seadawn has been repaired, perhaps Anastasia here could give you some flying lessons.”
He glimpsed at the young woman whose eyes were now giving off a sense of happiness and hatred.
“An engineer should never fly,” she spurted out. “They are meant to stay in the machine room and fix things. Even the great engineers, the Arcana, do not interfere with things that are not within their ability.”
“And yet,” started Irving, “he was able to fly a broken machine single-handedly as an engineer. Perhaps it is just natural talent? Would you not want to see for yourself, dear sister?”
The beauty simply turned and walked away. Her legs carried her softly far the opposite of her personality thus far.
“Never mind her,” continued the captain, “she is always cold around new faces. She will warm up to you in time.”
I certainly hope so. How could Nate say that he found the captain’s younger sister so attractive? Instead he tried to hide his eyes as he watched her walk away.
“Perhaps you could talk to Master Charles,” said Irving, drawing Nate’s attention away from Anastasia. “He seems to be rather uncomfortable talking to me.”
Nate nodded. He does not trust you. Irving gave him a salute, his hand open and flat as it touched the man’s forehead. Nate copied the gesture and walked away.
*~*~*
18
EINAR
The sun was starting to set, slowly falling behind the hills and small mountains as Einar made his way up the long dirt path. The trees seemed to grow taller and more vicious as he rose up from the valley that held Argent.
“Come on, Einar. Get a hold of yourself,” he said aloud as he forced his legs to keep going. The young farmer boy had always been in good shape, but the travel and the worry that weighed on his heart seemed to sap all energy from his body. Each step felt as if he were pulling a boulder with a piece of string. But he had to continue; he had to find Alexia.
The path wound to the left, then jumped back to the right, repeating this dance every few steps. The ground was uneven, with stones sharp enough to tear the flesh from your feet. Einar felt as though he was walking over broken glass.
“Let go of me!”
The sudden cry of a girl’s voice spread across the area, originating further up the hill.
“Come now, my pretty. You’re coming with us,” said another voice; a man’s voice, this one crackling and croaking.
“Help!”
The second the girl’s voice said that word, Einar was sprinting. He had no idea what he would be able to do, but he had to help.
As he round the third corner along the path, he drew his dagger. There were two Inquisition soldiers and a young girl. The soldiers were stumbling, their words slured and their mouths agape. But it was the look in their eyes that was the worst.
The girl was strewn across the ground, her simple dress tattered and her face bruised.
“My Lord requires your presence, little one,” said one of the soldiers as he leered over the girl. “But he did say we can do whatever we want with you, as long as you’re still alive.”
The soldier cackled, sounding more like a witch than a man of the military. As Einar rushed forward, he could almost feel the bile in his mouth the sight of that man caused.
He pounced, both hands gripped around the dagger. Normally, he knew, he would stand no chance against a trained soldier, but this man was drunk, and his skill was severely limited. So much so that he did not notice the dagger flying towards him until it was too late. The blade pierced his shoulder and he let out a shrill cry.
Einar pulled the dagger out again, positioning himself between the soldiers and the girl. He glanced down at her quickly. Her hair was red, disheveled from the violence of the soldiers. She was terrified, but more importantly, she was not Alexia.
He turned back to the soldiers. The one he had stabbed was holding his shoulder and crying in pain, whilst the other was fumbling for his gun. As he finally managed to pull it from its holster, Einar kicked it from the drunkard’s hand and down the hillside.
“Get out of here,” he shouted as he readied himself, dagger in front of him. “Leave now!”
The soldier looked down at where
his pistol had fallen, barely able to stand because of the alcohol. He then glanced at his partner, who was still bleeding and clutching his shoulder.
“You shall regret this, peasant!”
The soldier grabbed his partner and fled down the hillside into the growing darkness of night.
Einar waited for the sound of their footsteps to fade before relaxing his stance and putting the dagger away. He turned around to face the girl, who was staring back at him, her eyes watering.
“Can you stand?”
He spoke whilst stretching out a hand to the girl. Slowly she placed her hand in his; it was soft, the skin felt gentle and warm. Einar helped her to her feet and saw her eyes in the fading light, the emerald color dazzling.
“Are you alright?”
She was breathing very heavily, her eyes still darting toward the darkness every now and then.
“Yes, I believe so,” she said after a few seconds before tears burst forth from her eyes and she flung her arms around him, sobbing into his chest.
Einar could feel she was getting heavier, her knees weakening, so he slowly knelt down, allowing her to rest whilst she sobbed.
They seemed to sit there for an eternity as light faded and night took hold. In the moonlight, her red hair looked like strands of fine silk. Finally, her tears seemed to stop.
“Thank you,” she said as she looked up from Einar’s chest. “I- I am sorry for acting like that.”
Einar, with his arms around the girl, helped her back to her feet.
“My name is Haze,” she said as she wiped the last few tears from her face.
“Call me Einar,” he replied with a smile. “And you certainly don’t need to say thank you!”
“But I do,” said Haze, her voice sheepish and weak. “I do not know what would have become of me, and although I have some idea, I dare not think on it.”
She was shaking, the fear of her attack obviously still holding its grip on her. Einar brushed her hair back from her face and smiled.
“It’s over now, ok?”
As he spoke, he felt his exhaustion take over again, and could not stop himself from yawning.
“You are tired,” she said with far more energy than Einar had expected. “You absolutely must come to Mama’s house. We have a spare bedroom!”
She grasped his arm and headed up the hillside, dragging Einar behind her. He felt awkward going to her house, but the sound of a bed was far too tempting.
Once they reached the top of the hill, Einar’s eyes grew wide. There was a small dip at the top of the enormous hill, with a village situated within it. As with all towns and villages, a large wall surrounded it, but this was made of stone and not wood like Caim.
The village itself had twelve houses, all made of stone with thatched rooves. They were built in a circle around a central tree. On each house was a gas lantern, giving off a warm and inviting glow.
“Come,” said Haze as she made her way down a short flight of steps to the gate of the village. Einar followed, in awe that such a village lay at the top of the hill, secluded from everything.
The pair made their way past the houses, moving across to the opposite side of the village from the entrance. Haze stopped at the doorway of a white stone house. The windows were circular, and there was smoke escaping from the chimney. She turned around and smiled at him before opening the door and heading inside.
“Mother, I am home!”
Haze’s voice echoed through the spacious living room, itself larger than Einar’s entire house. The walls were decorated with large wagon wheels, a bow and arrow set, and various framed flowers.
A large open fire burnt on one side of the room, sending dancing shadows across the other side. In the corner was a piano; something Einar had only read about and never thought he would see.
There was a slight creak as the left of three wooden doors on the far side swung open. Behind it stood a frail looking lady wearing a fine dress covered in embroidery.
“My lord, Haze! What happened to you!? And who is that man!?”
Haze’s mother rushed into the room to take a closer look at her daughter, and upon seeing the state of her dress and the bruises on her face, turned toward Einar with a fire in her eyes.
“What is the meaning of this!? I demand to know what happened to my daughter!”
“Mother! Please! This man saved my life!”
The lady’s lungs appeared to empty in a second as she started gasping for air. The fire in her eyes quickly dissipated, replaced by fear and concern as she looked toward Haze.
“What do you mean, my dear? What happened?”
Haze explained the events of the attack to her mother, with every word seeming to cut both of them like razors. Her mother had taken a seat on the cushioned seater, whilst Haze had taken the armchair. Einar continued to stand whilst they spoke, remaining silent until her mother turned her attention back to him.
“You have done us a great justice, Master Einar. I cannot begin to thank you for helping my dear Haze.”
“That’s fine, ma’am. I’m just glad I got there in time.”
The lady paused for a second and studied him. Einar could feel her eyes piercing him.
“You have a most peculiar accent, my boy. Where exactly are you from?”
“Caim, ma’am. I came across from the Westerland Island in search of my sister.”
“In search of your sister?” The lady raised an eyebrow and titled her head as she spoke. “What has happened to your sister?”
“I don’t know,” said Einar, feeling deflated. “She went missing from our home and was apparently brought to here to the Esterlands.”
“She has been kidnapped, you believe?”
“Yes ma’am,” he said. “By a man claiming to be from the Inquisition…”
His voice faded as he tilted his head forward. The lady let out a sigh and began patting the cushion of the seater.
“Come and have a seat, dear boy. You must be exhausted. Dinner is almost ready and we have a spare bedroom. You will stay here for the night and regain your strength. That way, you will be able to continue to look for your sister in the morning.”
The meal was delicious. They had sat down at the oak dining table and feasted upon roasted pig with tomatoes and lettuce. It had been a meal for Lords and Ladies as far as Einar was concerned.
The bed was equally delightful, with the mattress feeling as though it took the exact shape of his body. And yet, he was unable to sleep; thoughts of Alexia continued to run through his head. As he gazed out of the window in the bedroom, he noticed a strange flickering light coming closer. A torch.
It hit the ground just beyond his window before another and another flew over the outer wall of the village. They were under attack. A torch landed on the thatched roof of the house next to theirs, which immediately caught fire.
Einar flung himself out of bed and threw on his clothes before barging out of the bedroom.
“Haze!”
Einar banged on the door to Haze and her mother’s room, which subsequently opened. They were already up and had just finished getting dressed.
“We have to get out of the house,” he shouted as they all moved across the living room towards the front door.
Outside was chaotic. The villagers were running around trying to douse the fires, but they just kept growing. Then the gate fell.
Inquisition soldiers flooded through the gate and into the village, their pistols firing and more torches being thrown. The fire was consuming everything.
“This way,” screamed Einar as her pulled Haze and her mother around the side of the house. “We need to go around the back of the houses so we don’t get seen.”
They moved to the back of the next house, and then the next. However, as they went to move to the next one, Haze’s mother let out a scream.
Her hand slipped from Haze’s and she felt to the ground, crying in pain as she held her leg. Einar and Haze turned back for her just in time to see the life escape fr
om her eyes as she was shot in the head.
“Mother!”
Haze’s scream rang in Einar’s ears, tearing at his soul. Her mother’s body fell limp, crashing to the ground as tears streamed down Haze’s face. Einar grabbed her arm and pulled her along with him.
“We have to go,” he shouted as they ran around the side of the next house, toward the gate. Turning around the final corner, Einar felt as though he had run into a horse, his eyes going red. He had been hit in the fact with the butt of a rifle.
As he fell to the floor, he could just make out the soldiers hitting Haze with the end of a rifle as well.
“We have them! Take them and let us get away from here!” Einar tried to turn to Haze, but everything went black.
*~*~*
19
NATE
“He’s playing you for a fool, boy,” said Charles.
Nate sat on his bed, tucked away in an alcove in the wall of the room. A curtain hang from the top of the oval entrance to the alcove, and a second sleeping capsule was positioned above his.
Charles sat on a wooden chair, his left arm leant on an oak desk covered with the blueprints of the Seadawn. He had not looked up from them for hours, even whilst Nate told him what the captain had explained.
“Three Peaks would never work with the Empire, and to think so is folly,” he continued. “That man is trying to fool you so that he can have the Seadawn for himself.”
Nate glanced around the room, following the pipes across the ceiling to the outer wall of the airship. A small circular window allowed a tiny amount of daylight into the room. Clouds were drifting passed outside, whilst the constant whirring of the Valkyria’s engines rumbled through the airship.
“Charles,” said Nate after a long pause, “you were the one who said the Peak Lords were asking a lot of very strange questions, right?”
Charles let out a sound more suitable for a pig as he shuffled in his chair, leaning closer to the blueprints.
“Do you not think they were trying to get information to pass to the Empire?”