Let's check it out, Vik strode ahead.
The moment the circle of chanters came into view, I understood they were a mix of rogue gods and Ra'Ak; Vik was blowing so much smoke it clouded around both of us.
Hold, I grasped Vik's upper arm. The tight muscles clenched under my grip; he wanted to tear into these just as he wanted to tear into the others.
This time, their prey wasn't two women.
It was sixteen children—to feed the eight Ra'Ak present.
Before you take the children away, a man appeared before us. I blinked—he felt familiar, somehow. Was familiar, perhaps, in more ways than one. Vik, I understood quickly, hadn't seen him at all.
Couldn't see him.
What? I demanded quickly in mindspeech. If we didn't take the children soon, they'd die.
This. He flipped a gold coin toward me. Without thinking, I reached out to pluck it from the air.
The world you visited last time is no more—just as this one will be when you leave, he said. Take those children and go quickly.
Who—are you? What is this coin for? I asked, fingering the coin before gripping it tightly in my fingers.
You'll figure it out, he said, and disappeared.
What are you waiting for? Vik demanded. He hadn't seen or heard anything that passed between the strange man and me.
Nothing, I snapped and raised my hands.
Like before, I employed power to pull the children away, causing Ra'Ak to turn to their serpent form and bellow to the skies as we left their world behind.
Queen's Palace, Le-Ath Veronis
Randl
"I think it was meant to be. I can't explain it better than that," I told Queen Lissa. How could I tell her about the strange man's appearance, that only I had seen?
Or the coin, which I now carried in my pocket?
"We have sixteen children to find homes for," Lissa turned to Winkler, Drake and Drew, who stood with her inside her private study.
Like the previous women, the children were in the palace kitchen, being fussed over and fed by an army of comesuli.
"You say they were chanting before they ah, ate?" Lissa turned her next question to Vik.
"That's exactly what it was. No idea who they were chanting to, but it was somebody who held sway over rogue gods and Ra'Ak, too."
"A more powerful rogue god—or their version of the General?" Winkler asked. It was a valid question.
"Has to be one or the other, doesn't it?" Lissa frowned.
"That makes sense," Drake agreed. "I wish we had more information, but Randl had to do what he did quickly, or the children would have been eaten by Ra'Ak."
"I might not have held back, either, if he hadn't pulled us away when he did," Vik confessed. "I was really pissed."
"Oh, honey," Lissa went straight to Vik and hugged him hard. His arms were around her, too, and he released a relieved breath. His mother loved him—quite a lot, as it turned out.
"I ah, think we should prepare for more rescues every time I examine a coin," I said. "I don't know how or why, but I think this was meant to be."
"Then I hope you'll be safe when you go," Lissa leaned away from Vik and reached up to pat his cheek.
"Thanks, Mom," he grinned.
Chapter 14
BlackWing XIII
Randl
"I'm grateful Queen Lissa is helping place those children," I said. "Quin is also volunteering—she'll meet with them to determine their specific needs."
As usual, our meeting was held in the dining hall, and X's crew had come to hear the news, too.
While I spoke, I fingered the coin in my pocket. So far, I'd been too busy making reports, settling children and having a meeting with the crew to examine it.
"You've seen Ra'Ak and rogue gods in both places?" Travis asked.
"Yes. I think there is some significance to that, but I don't know what, yet," I replied. "So far, too, there has been no evidence of gods, High Demons or any other powerful race in residence." I wanted to shiver at that thought—that those things might have been eliminated already. Or, in the case of the High Demons, they may not have existed there at all, leaving Ra'Ak free to do as they willed, once they went rogue.
We'd found no black Ra'Ak so far; Vik confirmed that the ones we'd seen were all copper Ra'Ak. As a High Demon created to stand against them, I suppose he'd know as well as anyone.
"They were chanting before the meal?" Dori asked.
"It looks that way," Vik said. "I can tell when a Ra'Ak is close to the change—these were close. If we hadn't pulled those kids away when we did, it would have been too late for them."
"Why would they bother to chant? Why didn't they just eat?" This question came from David.
"We don't know. Since we couldn't understand the language, we may never know."
"Do those kids know?" Perri asked.
I went still. "Maybe they do. I'll ask Lissa and Quin to look into it," I said. "Good point, Agent Wilker."
"I'd prefer Perri, if that's all right."
"I'll make a note of it." She didn't want to be associated with her family any longer. I figured we could fix that, if she wanted. I can petition the Crown of Karathia for a name change if you want, and it will be granted without hesitation, I sent to her.
I want it, she replied. Thank you, she added.
I'll send it right away. Bel Erland, I sent, Perri wants to change her last name.
I'll do the paperwork and have Dad sign it by tomorrow.
Thank you. Perri, the Crown Prince says it will be done by tomorrow.
What will they change it to? She asked.
I think something suitable can be found. Don't worry, all right.
It will be changed to Ironsmith, Zaria's voice informed both of us. It's an old family name, and Ilya already said yes. Your brother's name will be changed to that as well. Ilya says welcome to the family.
I watched as Perri stood up from her chair, sobbed once, and ran to embrace me.
"Sorry, everyone," I hugged Perri as well as I could. "She just got her last name changed, and it's amazing."
Perri
I had no idea. Really. I'd never felt I'd belonged anywhere, until I found my way onto a BlackWing Pirate ship.
I barely slept after going to bed following the meeting. My name would be Ironsmith when I woke, and I was too wound up to fall asleep. Pauley's name, too, would change. I doubted he'd have any regrets, after years of mistreatment at the hands of our own kin.
Ilya Ironsmith, himself, had given Pauley and me permission to use his name. How amazing was that? Randl told me after the meeting that Ilya had been there when Pauley was removed from our uncle's home, and had transported my brother to Campiaa, where he was met by Zaria and Quin.
Too bad Uncle Alken hadn't tried something then—Ilya would have fried him where he stood.
My eyes must have closed sometime after I had that thought; I didn't remember anything until my alarm went off.
Randl
"Shhhh—here she comes," Dori whispered. The rest of us had gathered early in the dining room, waiting for Perri to arrive.
We were having a birthday party—for her—and her new name. I suspected there hadn't been a proper celebration for her real birthday in a very long time—if ever.
Perri jumped when the crowd shouted surprise. Her eyes grew round as she stared at decorations looped about the dining room.
"Happy new name day," Dori said, placing a bouquet of flowers in Perri's arms. "Randl has the new records for you, and everything is official. Signed personally by the King," she added with a grin.
"Come, sit," David waved Perri to a table. "We'll have breakfast in a minute. For now, we have other stuff to do."
"What other stuff?" Perri became wary.
"Just gifts," Nari and Tiri exclaimed together. "Here. You'll be one of the few to have one of these." A small, velvet box was presented to Perri after she took a seat.
"What is this?" Perri carefully lifted the lid.
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"A coin, from the lost city of Haribauld," Tiri explained. "Only a few of them exist, and most of them are in museums. We were allowed to keep a few since we found them, and one of them is now yours."
"You're joking." Perri stared at the small, silver coin nestled on a bed of silk.
"Not joking. You can keep it or sell it, but remember, it's extremely rare."
"I'm keeping it," Perri breathed, shutting the lid and hugging the small box to her chest.
"Good choice," Nari laughed.
"Next," Vik stepped forward, an envelope in his hand.
"What's this?" Perri took the envelope as if it were made of crystal and could shatter at any moment.
"Look inside," Vik said.
Perri lifted the flap and pulled the single slip of paper out. I knew what it said already.
"Read it," Dori coaxed.
"This entitles Perri Ironsmith to blade lessons with Vik, Travis and Trent while she is aboard any of the BlackWing fleet. Is this for real?" She looked through the crowd until she located Travis and Trent.
"It's real," Travis confirmed.
"And now," David stepped forward with another envelope. "This is something everyone contributed to," he said, handing the envelope to Perri.
A hush dropped through the crowd; we waited for this final gift to come. Yes, we'd all contributed in some small way, but the idea—and the bulk of the funds—had come from Zanfield.
"This entitles the bearer to two Falchani-made swords, custom made by the best bladesmith on Falchan," Perri read aloud. "But only when her Sursees say she is ready to receive them."
"And you can't begin blade training without this," I carried a box to the table and set it in front of her. "This is from the King and Crown Prince of Karathia."
She lifted the lid carefully. Inside was the traditional, white training garb given to a new trainee on Falchan. Beneath that lay another envelope. "The Crown of Karathia is most pleased to see another Ironsmith training in the Falchani way," Perri read aloud. "The Crown will also buy your first set of black leathers when you attain master's status. Signed, King Rylend Morphis and Crown Prince Bel Erland Morphis."
"Training begins tomorrow. You'll rise two hours before breakfast and meet us in the dojo, ready to begin your training," Travis said. "Wear those," he nodded toward the trainee's whites.
"Thank you. Is my name really Ironsmith?" she turned to me, then.
"I have the images of signed documents on my comp-vid, and I'll transfer those to you, along with copies of Pauley's documents. Everything is now legal and official. Welcome to the BlackWing fleet, Agent Ironsmith."
Avii Castle
Quin
"Pauley, you and your sister have a new last name," I sat beside him to deliver the news. Gurnil, sitting on the opposite side of the library table, beamed at both of us.
Pauley's face formed a deep frown as he considered this. "Uncle Alken can't hurt us anymore, can he?" he finally said.
"That's right. Your new last name is Ironsmith. From now on, you'll be Pauley Ironsmith. How does that sound?"
"Ironsmith," he practiced the name. "Perri likes it a lot, doesn't she?"
"She does."
"I like it too."
Gurnil smothered a laugh; I hugged Pauley and laughed with him.
BlackWing XIII
Randl
The coin lay on my desk. One side bore the image of an eagle-like bird, with four wings. The opposite side bore the face of a man. I suppose coins were tributes, no matter when or where you were.
He said the first world Vik and I visited was gone. What was that supposed to mean? I'd already determined that it was a defunct world—if not a defunct universe. Why would someone go to the trouble of telling me what I already knew?
Blowing out a breath, I pulled the coin I'd used the day before from a desk drawer, to compare it to the one I'd gotten from the ghost. I don't know why I called him that, but he'd appeared only to me.
Vik had no clue that anyone else was there, or that he'd given me anything.
"They don't match," I turned the coin used the day before, comparing it to the one I'd been given. Not only did they look different, they felt different, too.
As for its purpose, he said I'd figure it out.
How?
"Problems?" Zanfield walked into my office. The door was open, so that was expected.
"Hey, Zan. Have a seat," I invited. "Want tea?"
"I'd take tea."
After sending mindspeech to Gerrett, he told me when two cups were ready to be Pulled into my office. I transported them in, and set one in front of Zanfield while I gripped the other with one hand.
"Thank you for signing off on the papers for Pauley's name change," I said as Zanfield drank from his mug of tea.
"No trouble," he waved his free hand. "What did you need?" Yes, I'd sent mindspeech, asking him to come by my office when he had a moment.
"I'd like for you and Perri to train with blades together, when she reaches that point in her training. I know Vik is teaching you to fight with your off-hand, so you'll be able to handle two blades eventually. Perhaps it'll help Perri, to have someone to spar with."
Zanfield's mouth quirked as he considered my request. "Well, I suppose it wouldn't hurt for her to see that even the wealthy can fall flat on their faces," he said. "As they say, money isn't everything."
"But it helps," he and I said in unison. He laughed.
"Tell Vik," I saluted Zan with my mug. "He'll know what to do."
"I sure hope so. I see plenty of bruises in my future."
"As long as it isn't broken bones. I forbid you to get broken bones, and that's an order, Agent Staggs."
Zanfield stood and saluted smartly. "Aye, Commander," he said, then turned briskly and marched out of my office as only Zanfield Staggs could.
Vik
I found David and Jincus in the bowels of the ship, going through an engine check together. I figured Jincus had never seen an engine this new or complicated before.
"These are the energy crystals, where the ship's power comes from," David said. "They were designed by Kend Industries, and are the best available anywhere." He pointed through the window, past which the huge crystals were lined up along that side of the ship.
"I figure you're used to seeing the older, natural crystals, that weren't as energy efficient as the manufactured ones," David went on. "They ran out of juice faster. As for these, we usually open the door guards to charge the crystals when we're in a regular orbit around a planet, to soak in as much sunlight as possible. We can go two weeks on a single charge, as long as we're not engaged in a firefight with someone. The backup engines require fuel, and we have enough to get us to a destination if we deplete the crystals."
"What kind of weapons do we have onboard?" Jincus asked.
"The usual—laser cannons and such."
"I think the best weapons we have are the crew," I said.
"I never thought about that, but you could be right," Zanfield walked in to join us. "I wouldn't want to mess with Randl or Vik, even with a fleet of ships behind me. And that's just from XIII. X has its own set of formidables."
"Formidables?" I blinked at Zanfield's description. "Sounds like a name for an athletic club."
"Maybe we should call ourselves that," David laughed. "Formidable David. That sounds good to me."
"Formidable David, can you stop what you're doing?" Dori joined us. "We just got a call from Kooper. An old shipyard was hit just outside the Campiaan Alliance. Not much left there, but Kooper wants us to investigate—there are a few survivors who should be questioned, and this requires us to go in undercover. Stone Wicke may have been involved in this—or the Prophet. We need to know which one."
"Not an Alliance world, I take it?" Zanfield asked.
"Right. We need everything online in five minutes, Dave. If you can."
"Hmmph." David waved a hand and went to the nearest console to pause the engine check. "You're online now, Captain."
"Good. Phillip," Dori spoke into her communicator, "the engines are back online. Let's get going."
"Yes, Captain," came his muted reply.
"Randl wants both of you in his office," she nodded to Zanfield and me. "To discuss what we know so far."
"Want me to skip you back to the bridge?" I asked Dori. "I can skip Zan and me to Randl's office from there."
"Sure. Makes things go faster," Dori agreed.
Gripping Dori's and Zanfield's arms, I skipped to the bridge.
Randl
"We didn't know about the facility, until it blew up," Kooper informed us in a vid feed. "Spy-bots recorded the explosion, so we sent more in to investigate. Doesn't look good, and we have no idea what was stolen before the shipyard was destroyed."
"What if the survivors won't cooperate?" Zanfield asked.
"That's where Gerrett can help, Zan," I said. "If I can't tell things for myself, that is."
"I doubt many of those ships fit Alliance specs, unless they were stolen to begin with," Vik pointed out.
"We think that, too. I'm concerned that the Prophet may be depending on his new engineers to get around that obstacle—especially since they have a stolen fabricator to use, now."
"What if it's Stone Wicke, instead—and whoever he works for?" I asked. "His Second-level warlock is missing, and I figure the Prophet may be pissed and looking for a replacement."
"What if the Prophet has his eye on Stone Wicke—and his boss? What if he knows who that boss is? It won't be a stretch, I think, for him to go in and take over, like he did with two of the Big Three." Zanfield offered his thoughts on the matter.
"I think you could be right, Zan. It makes sense that the Prophet would be looking for others to absorb into his plot, just as he did last time. He's gotten a taste for warlocks, perhaps, and is searching for more to add to his team."
"How long will it take to arrive at the destination? From your current location—by mundane means?" Kooper asked.
"Dori says three days."
"Do you think you can get in at least two more coins before then?"
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