by Sam Ryan
“Of course I do not expect you to do this out of duty to your kingdom alone,” Malorin stated, reaching into his inside vest pocket and pulling out a sealed envelope, much like the one the summons had been in. “This here is a written acknowledgment from his Majesty granting you a small title and land as a reward for your service to the crown.”
Two things Sophia had absolutely no need for. Land she could always buy and titles were meaningless to her. “Thank you.” She bowed her head, acting like she was trying to hide her excitement. “That is a most gracious reward.” Especially considering how simple Malorin was making this mis-sion out to be.
“Then I ask that you stay in the Palace tonight for your protection,” he said, tucking the letter back into his vest. “I will have Sir Madilyn collect anything you may need from your home and the two of you will depart come morning. By then, everything should be prepared for your departure.”
“As you say,” Sophia said, rising to her feet. Malorin and Madilyn both rose as well as a way of being polite in front of a lady.
“Madam,” they both said, clasping their hands in front of them, tipping their heads respectfully to her.
Madilyn watched Madam Sophia give a final bow of the head and walk towards the door where her squire Benjamin was waiting. His back to the door, he reached out and opened it, giving a clear path for Sophia to exit. Madilyn gestured with her chin at Benjamin and he nodded in understanding, following the woman out. He would see to it that she was taken care of for the night.
Madilyn could not help but feel a little happy, not only to hear someone like Lord Malorin praise her skills as he had in front of Sophia, but also to be giving her such an import mission. Even if it was only because she was so disliked that people would think this mission a form of punishment. She doubted a person like Lord Malorin would appoint her to something like this if he did not have full confidence in her abilities.
“I take it you are starting to understand the situation a bit,” Malorin said, moving over to another door inside the room. His cane tapping on the floor as he walked. His tone had lost a lot of the warmth that it carried when he had been talking to Sophia.
“I am starting to,” she affirmed, watching as he moved across the room but stayed where she was. Instead, she grabbed her saber still propped on the arm of the chair and fastened it to her belt.
“And what did you think of our dear Madam Sophia?” he asked, opening a door, revealing a cabinet full of fine liquor. Seeming to know exactly the bottle he wanted, he reached in and plucked it from the self with no hesi-tation then closed the door once more.
“She seems very sure of herself,” Madilyn stated, looking back at the closed door where Sophia had departed from.
“Is that all?” he asked, pouring himself a drink. He did not offer Madilyn any and if he had she would have been unable to accept it. So long as she wore the uniform, she had to have a clear head in all matters. That meant that she could only drink when she knew she would have plenty of time to sleep it off. Which was almost never.
“She is quite stunning,” she admitted. “And I am not only referring to her looks. There is far more to her than meets the eye. However, I do have to question her devotion to this kingdom and his Majesty.”
“If she is anything like her grandmother, then I doubt she has much in way of devotion to the crown,” Malorin stated, taking a long drink from his crystalline glass.
“You think she is a traitor?” Madilyn had to suppress a gasp. She had noticed Sophia’s resistance to not only going on this mission, but simply in coming to the Palace when summoned.
“Not in the way that you are thinking,” he assured, turning and walking back towards Madilyn. “However, if you wish to call apatheticness treason, then she is a traitor of the highest sort. Her grandmother likewise also cared nothing for kingdoms or borders. She had said that history had shown her that they were nothing more than arbitrary lines in the sand. Made by people who created divisions based on superficial reason. And she was not going to concern herself with something so shallow or selfish.”
“If that were the case, then I do not see how a title or a patch of land is going to assure her loyalty to the mission,” Madilyn stated, resting her hand on the hilt of her saber.
“I doubt it will.” He nodded, sitting himself down, his drink still clasped in his hand. “And I doubt money would have worked either. She is likely to selfless for that.”
“Then why?”
“Because we had nothing else to offer her but still needed to show her that we were serious about this,” he stated. “Even if our gift is unwanted, that does not mean it is unappreciated. Payment in general is expected in these matters. To ask someone to do something in exchange for nothing goes against human nature itself. That is the true reason this world will never know peace. No matter what scholars might say.”
“I assume my lord has more in mind for this expedition than simply surveying this test site.” Madilyn glanced down at the photos still laying on the table. It was still hard for her to believe that a single device could do something like that. Much less something that was constructed over a thous-and years ago.
“You would assume correctly.” He nodded again, sipping from his glass. “While I know that our Madam Sophia is convinced that a Legendary Relic is not responsible. I am not.”
“Why do you want it to be one of these Relics so badly?” Madilyn asked, looking down at the old lord.
Malorin let out a deep sigh, his glass falling to his knee. “Are my inten-tions really so obvious?”
“To my eye at least,” she said flatly.
“Relics are supposed to be products of forgotten Ancient Arcana technology,” he explained. “Even if we knew how they were made, we would still be unable to replicate them as we lack the necessary magic in this world to do so. That means that once these Relics are destroyed then humanity will no longer have the ability to create such weapons of utter destruction.”
Madilyn nodded, thinking she understood where he was coming from. It was true. Such a weapon, in any hands, would change the way war was waged forever.
“On the other hand,” he continued. “If this is a new weapon that the Trevelians have constructed, then it means that man is not only still capable of creating such destruction, but it also means that we will be able to refine and improve upon it. Making even more deadly weapons that could kill even more people. I fear what mankind would do with such an ability.”
Malorin let out another deep sigh then finished off his drink. “Regard-less,” he said, lowering his glass. “You need to find whatever the Trevelians are using, be it a Relic or otherwise, and bring it back here. If you find that it is impossible to bring back, then I expect you to destroy it, along with any records they have to rebuild it.”
“And what of Sophia?” Madilyn asked.
“What of her?” he asked eyeing her. “She will no doubt be instrumental in identifying this device, whatever it is. In which case she will probably be needed in finding it, as well as figuring out how we can use it.”
“But you didn’t tell her any of this,” Madilyn stated.
“Of course not,” Malorin scoffed, his words starting to slur. “If I had told her that I wanted her to steal a weapon of mass destruction and bring it back here for us to use, she would never have agreed to go. It is for you to make sure she does help us. I was not lying when I said she is the only one with any real knowledge regarding these Legendary Relics.”
“As you say my lord.” Madilyn placed her hand to her chest, bowing her head deeply. “I swear on my life and honor as a knight that I will not fail.”
CHAPTER 2
Maxine let out a sigh as she sat up on the deck of the airship, the wooden engine panel open in front of her. She had just finished the final maintenance touches and was now ready to depart the Navy Yard as soon as her two passengers arrived.
The Lear’s Royal Airship Trinket was not the largest or the fastest airship in the Royal Navy, but i
t was hers and she took pride in that fact. And now the LRA Trinket was about to depart on her next voyage. Though Maxine would have preferred a little more prior notice.
She had been woken up at the crack of dawn and ordered to make ready to sail, and to Trevelia of all places. A kingdom that was supposed to be on rather hostile terms with Lear. She had not gotten much in the way of the details about their mission, and the impression she got was her superiors did not know either. The only thing they could tell her was that she had to strike the Trinket’s colors and make the ship look like a trade vessel.
That did not take much effort on her part. The Trinket did not have any armaments. It was used primarily as a fast acting freight ship, taking munitions or other small supplies to various outpost throughout the kingdom. Repurposing it as a small trade vessel was simply a matter of rubbing off the Royal Crest on the sides of the hull and raising merchant flags instead of military ones.
Maxine peered over the railing of the vessel, having heard two female voices approaching. Both of them were dressed in common traveling attire, though one was far more lady-like in appearance than the other, choosing to wear a short skirt with leather leggings instead of the more masculine trousers like the other one was wearing. The second woman also had a sword clasped to her hip and was carrying a large duffle bag over her shoulder that clanked with every step.
“2nd Lieutenant Maxine Coldwell?” the woman with the sword called out.
“That’s me,” Maxine said, standing up and using the side of her foot to slam the engine hatch closed. “And please call me Max. It’s faster.” She turned and looked down at the two standing at the bottom of the gangplank. “Knight Captain Madilyn Whittlemore, and Madam Sophia Emiel, I presume.” Maxine tugged on the fingers of her gloves as she yanked them off her hands. She did not salute the superior officer as neither her or Madilyn were in uniform. “Welcome aboard the LRA Trinket.” She beamed with pride, planting her hands on her hips and puffed out her chest.
“Another woman?” Sophia grumbled. “Seriously?”
“Women have been members of the Royal Navy for years now,” Max stated, a little hurt by the lack of consideration. “We are not allowed in combat areas, so they use us to run supplies and the like.”
“And I am sure that is considered regulation attire?” Sophia stated, looking Max over.
Max looked down at herself and the black cloth that held her breasts down and suspenders that held up her black baggy work trousers. Her arms and stomach laid bare, her skin glistening with sweat and machine oil.
“It’s hot and I don’t want to get my clothes covered in engine grease,” Max replied. “It’s not like we are going to get much of a chance for me to wash it out in the days to come.”
“I wasn’t complaining,” Sophia stated, shifting the small bag she had slung over her shoulder. “In fact, I rather enjoy the view.” She smiled at Max making no secret of her eye leering.
“Feel free to take it in.” Max turned to the side, placing her hands on the back of her hips, showing off her nonexistent curves. She was far too skinny and toned to be considered attractive but that made the banter all the more amusing.
Madilyn, seemingly annoyed by their play, rolling her eyes as she started walking up the ramp.
“Whoa there,” Max called, out blocking the entrance with her body and holding her hands out to the side. “You can’t just board a ship without asking permission first. You have no idea what is going on up on deck. It could be dangerous for all you know.”
Madilyn tilted her head to the side and stared over Max’s shoulder at the vacant deck of the ship. She then returned her attention back to Max as if to check if she was being serious.
“Permission to come aboard?” Madilyn said with a flat voice.
Max smiled at the woman and stepped out of the way. “Permission granted.” Max extended a hand out, gesturing for them to get on, her gloves still clutched in the hand.
Madilyn stepped off to the side and let Sophia continue walking while she waited next to Max.
“Have you been briefed on the mission?” Madilyn asked.
Sophia kept on walking, paying neither of them any mind as she headed straight for the cabin door located under the helm.
“Only the basics,” Max said. “I know I am to take you to Trevelia and that we are posing as merchants. Logistics and Management was here earlier and loaded the cargo hull up with what I think were blankets.”
The cabin door opened and Sophia stuck her head out. “Hey ladies, we are aware that there is only one bunk, right?”
Madilyn glanced over at Max waiting for her to explain.
“It’s a small ship.” She shrugged casually. “Meant to only be manned by two people. One at the helm, the other asleep below. No need for two beds.”
Madilyn took a deep breath, not thrilled by the accommodations but not about to complain either. That gave her some likable points in Max’s eye. Most nobles, military or not, seemed to only complain about things that could not be changed, and did nothing about the things they could.
“Then I will take the floor, while the two of you will alternate sleeping in the bed,” Madilyn stated, settling the matter.
That answer seemed to satisfy Sophia who shrugged and went back into the cabin. Max did not put up any argument either. If the chivalrous woman knight wanted to sleep on the cold deck, then that was her problem.
“Are we waiting on anyone else?” Max asked, tucking her gloves into her back pocket. “Aren’t knights supposed to have a squire with them?”
“No,” Madilyn stated. “Lord Malorin believed it better not to have any more people than absolutely necessary and my squire will not be joining us as Lord Malorin also thought having a man onboard a ship with three women would prove…” Madilyn paused as she searched for the best word.
“Problematic?” Max suggested.
“That will work.” She nodded.
“Well, we can shove off at any time. Just say the word,” Max said, her hand resting on the large knotted rope that was tied to the railing.
“If you think us ready, then go ahead,” Madilyn ordered confidently. “Time is slightly of the essence.”
“Then away we go.” Max yanked on the rope, letting it come loose in her hands. Max ran up the stairs near the back of the ship grabbing the giant wheel and started spinning it. The engine propellers at the lower stern turning and pushing the away from the dock. With a few tugs on a pulley, hot air filled the canvas balloon overhead and the airship started drifting away from the pier and out over the city.
They drifted over Rouen for several seconds as Max made sure they were sufficiently clear from the Navy Yard before cranking up the throttle and lurching them forward, gaining altitude over the city as they went.
Madilyn wrapped an arm around one of the many support ropes that tethered the balloon to the hull, and used them for balance as she stared out at the city scape below.
“First time on an airship?” Max asked, only half paying attention to the woman as she navigated the Trinket out of the city.
“More or less.” She nodded, gazing out at the scenery. “I was on several when I was younger, but I was too young to appreciate it and the few mem-ories I do have are muddled.”
“How about a little warning next time,” Sophia called out, staggering on deck in a huff. With one hand she leaned on her cane and with the other she swung from support rope to support rope, moving across the deck of the airship, already getting the hang of things.
“Oh wow.” Sophia gasped upon seeing the buildings far below her. All of her previous frustration apparently forgotten. “Is that really Rouen down there,” she said with a voice full of wonder. “It looks so small. I can’t wait to see the sunset from up here.”
That was all Max need to her to know that it was her first time aboard an airship as well. Though she did think maybe Sophia had her sea legs given how she moved.
“When do you expect us to arrive in Trevelia?” Madilyn
asked, using the rope to pivot herself around so she was looking up at Max.
“Depends on the weather and the wind. So maybe a week to reach the town of Elis on the Trevelian border,” Max said. “I have yet to be informed where we are heading to after that, so I can’t give you a better estimate.”
“Only a week?” Sophia gasped.
“An entire week?” Madilyn groaned.
Max could not help but smile at the difference in their reactions.
“What are we to do for a whole week?” Madilyn asked.
“If you’re bored,” Max offered. “There is always work to be done aboard a vessel.”
“I think I’ll go read instead,” Sophia stated, pointing her finger at the cabin door and started walking back towards it.
“No oil lamps please,” Max called after her. “We only have so much oil and I need them to navigate at night.”
Sophia tapped the bottom of her cane against the deck and the glass orb on top began to glow with a bright white light. She saluted Max with it and Max saluted with two fingers.
“I take it she is not military,” Max said as soon as she was sure Sophia could not hear.
“No,” Madilyn shook her head. “She is a consultant of sorts.”
“And you?” Max leaned against the helm, wrapping her arms around the giant wheel so she could get a better view of the woman.
No matter how she looked at her, this person before her was in fact both a woman and a knight. Just one look at her overly self-important posture made her knighthood abundantly clear. Max had heard about the supposed female knight, but she had thought it all a silly rumor told by army grunts.
“I am a knight in service to his Majesty,” Madilyn stated. “Know that I have all the same skills and abilities as any other knight.”
“And this mission,” Max asked, still not sure how she should feel about the female knight. “What is it exactly?”