by Sam Ryan
“I’m fine,” Sophia assured, waving off the offered mask.
“No, I’ll go without,” Madilyn stated. She grabbed one of the masks from Max and held it out to Sophia, encouraging her to take it.
“I’ll just use my magic,” Sophia said, though that was a lie. There was no spell that she knew that would allow her to breath cleaner air, but she was not all that concerned by it. It was not like the air here would kill her.
Madilyn paused, her hand dipping slightly as she thought it over. Sophia just beamed her a reassuring smile. Reluctantly, Madilyn retracted her hand and began putting the apparatus on.
“I’ll go grab my saber and armor,” Madilyn stated, adjusting the straps as she started heading for the cabin. “Be sure not to leave anything you will need behind.” She paused, looking over at Max. “We won’t be coming back.”
“I know.” Max nodded, closing her eyes.
Gathering their things together they all readied to depart. Max was now wearing a thick leather coat over her bra-shirt and suspenders. She did not button it up so the front still hung open, showing off her abdomen and upper chest. She also had what looked to be a simple tool kit and a duffle bag hanging from her shoulder.
Madilyn was dressed much like when they first departed from Lear with a satchel hanging across her chest and her armor in a bag, slung over her shoulder. She had even taken the time to clean herself up a bit, fixing her hair and smoothing out her clothes.
“We all ready?” Madilyn asked, though her voice was muffled by the breath mask.
“Ready,” Sophia said, saluting the woman with her cane.
“Ready.” Max nodded, though her voice was far less enthusiastic than Sophia’s.
“Then let’s head out.” Madilyn gave them each a nod then headed off. Sophia and Max right behind her.
As they stepped off the ship and onto the metal dockyard, Max turned back around, giving the Trinket one last look over.
“I wish we didn’t have to leave her,” Max whispered.
“It’s too risky,” Madilyn said. “Once it’s reported that a small vessel like this was attacked and had a crew of three women, it will be flagged for further investigation, and they will likely seize it and us if we are anywhere near it.”
“I know,” Max said, her voice lacking confidence. “This just seems like such a terrible way for her story to end. Left here in some foreign dock, forgotten by her crew.”
“She served us well,” Madilyn said. Her voice sounding sympathetic. “She got us this far. There is no disgrace in that.”
“Goodbye Trinket,” Max whispered. She gave the ship a mournful salute. Then turning on her heel, she began moving again, brushing past Madilyn and Sophia.
The two only shrugged at each other before moving to catch up.
“So where are we to meet your sister?” Madilyn asked as they made their way through the dirt and coal covered city streets.
“At an Inn called the Cat and the Shovel,” Sophia said, glancing around for any kind of clue as to where they were or where they should be going.
“The Cat and the Shovel. The Cat and the Shovel.” Max repeated the words to herself over and over again as if trying to work something out. “Oh!” she said, suddenly realizing the innuendo. Then she let out an amused laugh. “Is this place a brothel?”
“Who knows,” Sophia sighed. “Knowing Tara, I give it fifty-fifty.”
“Any idea where this place is?” Madilyn asked.
“Not a clue,” Sophia said. “You would think with a city this size there would be a map someplace.” Her voice trailed off as she saw a sign for a building further down the street. Could they really be that lucky?
“Think we could buy one?” Max suggested.
“Actually.” Madilyn reached into her belt and pulled out a small money pouch. “We don’t have a lot of Trevelian money left. The plan was to exchange our money if we needed more, but that could be dangerous now. They are no doubt looking for anyone trying to exchange Lear coin.”
Sophia had not said anything as they talked. She was deep in thought as she looked at the giant bank sign that loomed down the street.
“Sophia?” Max said, trying to get her attention.
“That banking building,” Sophia mumbled, more talking to herself than the others. “I think I might have an account there.”
“You do?” Madilyn frowned, looking at the bank then back at Sophia trying to figure out the connection.
“Well, my family does,” Sophia clarified, shaking away her thoughts. “A few centuries back one of my more eccentric ancestors opened a hundred accounts at a hundred different banks, all around the world. Putting a hundred gold coins in each. And I think that is one of those banks.”
“Somehow that doesn’t surprise me,” Max said, shaking her head. “It sound so… you.”
“Thanks?” Sophia shot her a confused look. “You two just wait out here and I’ll see if my account is still active.”
“Don’t take too long,” Madilyn ordered, but Sophia was already moving towards the door, only half listening to the knight.
Or at least the thing she thought was the door. There was a strange spinning glass structure in front of the bank that seemed to move under its own power in-between two giant brass cogs. People coming in or out would time their movements to walk with it as the glass spun. After a few false starts, Sophia jumped in and matched her pace then stepped out when she was inside the bank.
She could immediately tell the difference from being outside to in. The air just felt cleaner and the heavy weight that had been pressing into Sophia’s chest was now gone.
“Clever,” Sophia said, looking back at the revolving door. The design made it so the door was never actually open to the outside, allowing them to better filter the air on the inside. A necessary invention given the oppressive air out there.
After a short wait in line, Sophia reached the brass counter and smiled at the teller. The man behind the counter was friendly enough, wearing a black vest over his white cotton shirt. His sleeves rolled up to his elbows and held in place by a button clip.
“Hi there.” She smiled as warmly as she could at the man. She rested her cane against the counter, placing both hands on top. “I am here to check up on an account. It was opened by my family in the year,” Sophia did the math in her head. “642.”
“That was over two hundred and fifty years ago,” the teller said. There was a look of skepticism on his face as he no doubt thought that Sophia was yanking his chain.
“So the interest should be killer.” Sophia smiled. “The person who opened the account was a woman by the name of Sophia Emiel.” Because that was the name she always used. Grabbing a slip of paper from next to the teller, she started jotting something down. “And one of these four numbers should be the passcode to the account.” She slid the paper across the counter with a smile.
The teller picked up the paper and examined it with a curious look. “Wait here a moment please.” He took the paper and moved to the back room to look it up.
Sophia waited patiently, resting her arm against the counter, smiling at the people who were still waiting behind her. She played with her cane, using her finger to sway it back and forth as she waited.
Several minutes later the teller came back, his eyes wide. It would appear that he had found the records.
Madilyn waited patiently outside for Sophia to return from inside the bank. She occupied her time watching the people as they passed by. Everyone just appeared dirty to her, as if standing out in the open was all it took. She had even noticed that in the short time they had been in Noxiss, her own clothes had gained a slightly darker tint to them.
They were also not the only ones wearing breath masks. Just about every-one who looked to be able to afford it was wearing one. That was good in the sense that they did not stand out. Bad in what it meant for everyone not wearing one.
“Was it really alright to let her go in alone?” Max asked, playing with the str
ap of her breath mask.
“She’ll be fine,” Madilyn assured, her hand resting casually on the hilt of her sword. She was also pleased to note that she was not the only one carrying a weapon either, though most were sporting firearms not blades.
“But if she’s actually the traitor, then isn’t she likely making contact with her superiors in there,” Max pointed out.
“You honestly think at this point that Sophia is betraying us?” Madilyn asked, rather doubtful. “After all she did? After how close she came to dying in order for us to get away?”
“Not really,” Max admitted. “But I think it is clear that she is hiding things from us. Her magic notwithstanding.”
“As we are hiding things from her,” Madilyn stated. “It’s obvious that she is more than a simple lower, middle class woman. And while she might not be able to fight worth a damn, her magic could be a valuable asset in the days to come.”
“And now that we have gotten her to Noxiss, how do we plan on having Sophia help us with finding the Relic?” Max asked. “She is looking for her sister’s killer. Not investigating state secrets.”
“We just have to convince her that investigating state secrets will help find her sister’s killer,” Madilyn stated. “I’ll have to wait to hear the details about her murder before I can plan anything more than that.”
“And here I thought you were starting to become sweet on her,” Max grumbled.
“You don’t approve I take it?” Madilyn glared over at Max.
“To serve then die,” Max repeated. “My opinion on the subject really isn’t important, is it?”
“Look.” Madilyn grabbed Max’s arm and gave it a pull, spinning Max around so they were facing each other. The look that Max gave her was a cold one, but Madilyn was not going to be phased by it. “There is a traitor somewhere informing the Trevelians about secret information. We have no idea what they have already told them and until they are found, all of Lear’s secrets are at risk. I think that if we continue our mission then we will flush them out eventually. I think that bit of knowledge is worth manipulating a single surf.”
“You guys talking about me?” Sophia called out, practically dancing down the steps of the bank.
“We were actually,” Madilyn said, turning so she was facing Sophia. “I take it by your schoolgirl grin that you were able to find your family’s account.”
“Indeed I did,” she grinned, jiggling her new purse full of coins in front of her face for them to see.
“So how much money do we have?” Max asked, bending over trying to look inside the bag.
“Enough,” she said, protectively pulling the bag to her shoulder. “It’s my money, so back off.”
“She’s right,” Madilyn said, tapping Max’s elbow signaling her to take a step back.
“And the nice teller was also kind enough to find me directions to our Inn,” Sophia said, waving around a strip of paper.
“He knew something like that?” Madilyn asked, a little dubious.
“No.” Sophia shook her head. “But he was more than eager to help me out in exchange for me not closing my account.”
Madilyn nodded with a pleased smile.
Sophia tossed her cane into the air and caught it. “This way,” she said, pointing with her cane head and began marching off.
***
The Cat and the Shovel was what Sophia had expected. It was full of the rough and tumble types, of with questionable character. The musical entertainment was loud and not very good. Exactly the kind of place Tara liked to stay.
“You see your sister anywhere?” Madilyn asked.
“No,” Sophia said, without even looking around. “But that is not surprising. If she is here, then she’ll find us. But most likely she is off doing something. She could never stand being in one place for too long.”
“Know the feeling.” Max nodded, looking around her. “Mind if we get some drinks. I don’t think I’ve had a drop of something flammable in over two weeks now. And some food. Algod, I don’t think I’ve had a proper meal in over a week.”
“You gals find us a table,” Sophia said, already making her way over to the bar. “And I’ll get us some drinks and a room.”
“With three beds if possible,” Madilyn called after her.
“You can always share with me.” Sophia winked and walked on.
Sophia moved through the various tables to the bar and slammed her hand down on the counter to get the bartender’s attention.
“What can I get you?” The burly man asked. He looked only slightly cleaner than anyone else in the inn but that was not saying much.
“Some drinks and a room,” Sophia stated. “And does this place serve food?”
“She won’t be needing that room,” someone said as hands slipped under her arms and around her waist, sensually rubbing her lower stomach. Sophia was about to elbow whoever it was in the face until she noticed the more feminine hands and felt the breasts pushing into her back. “She is going to be staying with me,” Tara said, resting her chin on Sophia’s shoulder grinning at the bartender. “But we will take those drinks though.”
“I do still need a room,” Sophia said, acting like Tara was not there and placed a silver coin on the bar. “One with two beds if you have it.”
Without a word, the bartender took the coin and moved to the back wall to retrieve a room key.
Tara pulled back slightly, keeping her hands wrapped around Sophia’s waist. She moved her head around Sophia’s shoulder so she was looking at Sophia with a curious look on her face.
“I brought my friends,” Sophia said, gesturing back at the two people waiting near the back of the inn. If they been watching her then they had no doubt noticed Tara’s little display of affection.
“Do they know who we are?” Tara asked.
“Not exactly,” Sophia stated, taking the key the Bartender handed her.
“How many drinks?” he asked.
Sophia held up four fingers as she continued to talk to Tara not even looking at the bartender. “The one that you bumped into back in New Dentin followed me to the Pub and saw us talking.”
“Really?” Tara frowned. “I hadn’t even noticed we were being watched.”
“Surprising, I know.” Sophia nodded. “So I gave them the bare bones explanation. That we were foster sisters, that one of us was murdered, and the two of us are going to look into it. They insisted on coming and helping.”
“And you let them?” Tara asked, raising an eyebrow. Her hands still resting on Sophia’s hips.
“They had an airship,” Sophia shrugged. “That and some other things happened when trying to leave New Dentin. Needless to say, I am stuck with them for a while. And also in the market for new transportation. Preferably something that stays on the ground.”
“Think they will be of any help?” Tara asked, looking back at the two. She did not seem that impressed or happy about others getting involved.
“We’ll see,” Sophia said.
“Correct me if I am wrong, but they are from the Kingdom of Lear, right?” Tara asked.
“That’s right.” Sophia nodded, pulling away from Tara so she could grab the drinks that were placed in front of her. She grabbed two of the mugs and Tara obediently grabbed the other two.
“And do they know that Stella was working with the Trevelian government?” Tara leaned in and whispered as they walked, making sure that Sophia could hear her and no one else.
Sophia paused, the drinks splashing over slightly due to her sudden stop. She had forgotten about that little tid-bit. Sophia flashed Tara an innocent smile and started walking again.
“I’ll take that as a no,” Tara said, a few steps behind her.
Max and Madilyn were watching them as they moved to the table that they had found. Madilyn and Tara locked eyes with each other as soon as they approached. Madilyn gave her a cold stare not hiding the lack of trust she had for her. Tara only smiled, batting her eyelashes.
“Greetings,”
Tara said with a smile, setting the two mug down on the table as Sophia set hers down in front of Madilyn and Max. “Sophia has told me next to nothing about you.”
“The same goes for you,” Madilyn said, sliding the mug in front of her but did not drink it.
Max grabbed her drink, lifting it up to her chin but paused. “Is that a no on the food?” she asked, twirling her finger at the empty table. Sophia only shrugged. She would be sure to get them something later. She was pretty hungry herself. For something other than dried salted beef that was.
“Then let me start with introductions,” Tara said, sitting down and making herself comfortable in the chair. “I’m Tara, and me and Sophia are both a thousand year old immortals.”
Max coughed into her mug. She set her drink down, coughing a few more times while using the sleeve of her coat to wipe her mouth.
“Tara,” Sophia scolded, shooting her an angry look. They both knew there was no way that anyone would believe her, so trying was simply cruel.
“No, they need to hear this,” Tara said, before turning back to Madilyn and Max. Sophia just shook her head, shooting them both an apologetic look.
“Immortals, huh?” Madilyn said, leaning forward, pretending to play along.
“That’s right.” Tara nodded. “We can get hurt but we can’t ever be killed. Bones may break but they heal. We bleed but we will never bleed out. We choke but we will never suffocate. The list goes on.”
“If that’s true.” Madilyn placed an elbow on the table and leaned against her arm. “Then how did one of you get killed.”
Both Tara and Sophia pursed their lips together, exchanging glances.
“That’s what we are trying to find out,” Tara said bitterly, raising her mug to cover her face.
“Just ignore her,” Sophia said, touching Tara’s shoulder. “She doesn’t think we need your help and is trying to scare you off.”
Tara turned and stuck her tongue out at Sophia.
“I figured as much.” Madilyn gave Tara a smug smile as she leaned back in her chair. “I am sorry to say, Tara, that I will not be scared off so easily. You see, I have sworn on my honor as a knight to help Sophia find out who killed her foster sister.”