The Dragon Machine (Magebreakers Book 3)

by Ben S. Dobson

  An illusory image flickered to life, suspended in the air above the body. A brass mask with glowing blue eye-slits and a crowned staff sigil running down the center.

  “Magebreakers. I must thank you for bringing Miss Thorpe into custody.” The strange, magically distorted voice was the same, but the tone was different than Tane remembered. The Mask had always spoken in grim pronouncements—this sounded more like Endo, speaking conversationally despite the distortion. “She used my name in vain to cover for her actions, and I can’t have that. But her research will help make amends, even if she is not alive to see it. I owe you a debt for that—I will be sure to repay it very soon.” That was all. The image flickered away in to nothing.

  “Research,” Tane said. “Does he mean…”

  Indree nodded. “When we got to Thorpe’s lab, the machine there was gone. And the dragon egg.”

  “Iskar says egg dies when taken from mother,” Kadka said. “Why steal it?”

  “I don’t know,” said Tane. “But I don’t want to find out what he has planned for it. Or for the machine. Astra, what he could do with that elixir…”

  Indree looked down, shook her head. “And I let him take it. I should have moved faster.”

  Tane put a hand on her shoulder. “It’s not your fault. If Endo knew it was there, I doubt you could have done anything. He probably had the machine before we were done in the quarry.” He looked to Thorpe’s body. “But how did the Knights get access to Thorpe? Someone would have seen the Mask here, and the new anti-automaton wards shouldn’t have let a golem through.”

  “I don’t think it was the Mask.” Indree gestured at the spike through Thorpe’s chest. “If it was, this would be through her head. Its spells were set that way, to make sure it killed the target. I think Endo has someone inside the constabulary.”

  Tane rubbed at the watch case in his waistcoat pocket. “Perfect. As if there weren’t already enough problems in this city. Any idea who?”

  “We’ve called in all hands, and we can’t account for a few names,” said Indree. “We’re looking into all of them. I’d bet on Constable-Inspector Aeviss. Elven, a snob about magical ability. He’d have been able to access holding easily enough. And if we have one infiltrator, we could have more.”

  “Could have people anywhere,” said Kadka. “He says we will see him very soon. Plans something new, you think?”

  “I have a feeling we’re going to find out sooner than we like,” Indree said. “I thought you two should hear the message for yourselves. Whatever he’s up to, you’re both likely targets.”

  “Will be ready,” said Kadka, and crossed her arms. “Beat him once. Will beat him again.”

  “Well, I’m glad you’re on our side if we have to,” Indree said. “I just wish I knew who else was. I need to go report this to Lady Abena, get authority over the investigation. I don’t trust anyone else to do it anymore. Durren wants the whole thing kept quiet. Too embarrassing to admit someone got in and did this on his watch. I’ve been told he wants to call it a suicide.” She rubbed at her forehead. “Astra, I remember being so idealistic about joining the constabulary once. Now it feels like I’m the only one doing my job, and more often than not the only way I can do it is if I don’t tell anyone I am.”

  “You’ve still got us.” Tane took her hand. “Whatever you need. Like I told you, I’m not going anywhere.” He didn’t know what he could do, if Endo had agents placed so highly, but saying that wouldn’t help right now. He’d gotten it wrong in the past, but this time he was going to be there when she needed him.

  She gave him a slight, shallow smile. “I just might believe you. But you do need to go somewhere at the moment—I have work to do, and I don’t want Durren walking in while you’re still here.”

  “Right. We’ll get out of your way.” Tane squeezed her hand a final time, and then he and Kadka headed for the door.

  When they were outside, they shared a look.

  “You really think we’re going to be ready for this?” Tane asked, letting the doubt he’d been holding back creep into his voice.

  “Have to be,” Kadka said. “If Endo comes, will not wait until we are sure.”

  Chapter Twenty-seven

  _____

  TANE SAT AT his desk, brooding. It was supposed to feel good when a case got solved, but this time there was too much left unfinished, too many questions hanging overhead. If Endo has agents high up in the constabulary, where else might he have them? The thought made him feel small, helpless. And he didn’t know what he could do about it.

  “Is not so bad, Carver.” Kadka had been trying to perk him up for the past half hour. “Cannot know what will happen. Might be nothing.”

  “I wish I believed that,” Tane said. “But I don’t think Endo’s just going to give up. He’s stirred up so much resentment already, just by putting the wrong ideas in peoples’ heads. Imagine what he could do with agents in the constabulary. Or the Senate.”

  A knock at the door. He didn’t move. Didn’t feel like entertaining a client just then.

  Kadka didn’t feel the same, apparently. “Good! Maybe something to distract you.” She hopped up from her chair to answer it. “Come in!” she said enthusiastically, and pulled open the door.

  Bittik and Kirga Vreeg walked in, with Tinga and Cestra hand-in-hand behind them. Tane shook himself out of his thoughts, and stood to greet them. Kadka closed the door and came around to lean back against the edge of the desk.

  “Miss Kadka, Mister Carver.” Bittik greeted them both with a nod, though it turned into almost a shallow bow for Kadka. “We can’t thank you enough. Tinga told us everything. The way you saved her and brought her home.”

  Tinga caught Tane’s eye there, and gave a little shake of her head. Clearly she’d told her parents a version of events that was somewhat safer for her.

  Despite everything else running through his head, Tane couldn’t help but smile. “Right,” he said. “We were glad to do it.”

  Kirga brought forth a small purse and handed it to Kadka. “We wanted to pay what we owe. I… know it isn’t enough, for what you did.”

  “Is what we agreed on,” Kadka said, and grinned. “More than some cases make us.”

  “I wanted to thank you too,’ Cestra said, and blushed when everyone turned to her. “I didn’t get to say it before, but I should have. The Vreegs are letting me stay with them now, and… and I’ll be with Tinga.” She tightened her grip on the other girl’s hand. “A day ago… I could have died down there and no one would ever have known.”

  “Tinga would not let this happen,” Kadka said. “She is very stubborn girl.”

  “But you helped her, when no one else would,” Cestra said. “That’s… more than most people would have done for me. For any of us.”

  “And it was neat how you figured out that machine,” Tinga pointed out. “I couldn’t have done that myself.”

  Tane shrugged. “It was your idea. I thought it was over. You might not have all the training, but you’ve got a good instinct for how magic works.”

  “Well, maybe you could show me more some time.” Tinga tried to sound nonchalant about the suggestion, but her eyes flickered down.

  Something occurred to Tane, then—he’d almost forgotten his conversation with Greymond the other day. “You know… if you’re interested, I could put a word in at the University. The first classes for non-magical students are starting soon.”

  “Mister Carver, you… you would do that?” Kirga, for once, looked almost as impressed with him as with Kadka.

  Bittik touched his wife’s shoulder and shook his head. “I’m sure we couldn’t afford it. Without work…”

  “I’ve seen Tinga in action,” said Tane. “And I know Chancellor Greymond. I think we could work something out.”

  “Oh, Mister Carver, that… that is so generous.” Kirga sounded close to tears.

  Tinga herself, though, looked less than thrilled. “It sounds… nice.”

  Tane ra
ised an eyebrow. “Is it not something you want? It’s fine if not, I just thought—”

  Both of her parents looked horrified at the prospect. “Of course she does!” Bittik exclaimed. “Tell him, Tinga!”

  “It’s not that I don’t want it,” Tinga said. “I never thought something like that would even be an option for me. It would be incredible, of course. But… I thought you could show me some things. I’ve seen how you two work, and I don’t think the University teaches that.”

  “Oh.” Tane rubbed the back of his neck. Astra, I have no idea how to teach anybody anything. “I… I don’t know, I—”

  “Would be happy to,” Kadka said firmly. “Right, Carver?” She nudged him hard with her elbow.

  “I… I suppose so,” said Tane. He didn’t know where to begin, but he didn’t want to disappoint Tinga either, not after everything she’d been through. “If your parents don’t have a problem with it.” He looked to them, half-hoping they would.

  “It won’t be dangerous?” Kirga asked with a slight frown.

  Before Tane could answer, Tinga did. “Of course not! It’s not like they’re going to bring me to chase down criminals. I’ll just help take care of the office, and they can show me how their business runs. Wouldn’t it be good for me to get some work experience?”

  “I don’t know, Tinga,” said Bittik. “Working with the Magebreakers… that will draw a lot of attention.”

  Kirga took her husband’s hand. “You know as well as I do that we won’t stop her if she wants to do this, dear. I… I don’t want her to feel like she has to leave again.” A note of pride crept into her voice, then. “And Felisa Thorpe would have hurt a lot more people if our daughter was someone who tried to go unnoticed.”

  Tinga gave her mother a grateful—and surprised—smile, and then turned hopefully to her father.

  Bittik looked from one woman to the other, frowning. “Well, I… suppose there might be something to that,” he said reluctantly.

  “That sounds like a yes!” Tinga whirled to face Tane. “What do you think, Mister Carver?”

  Tane spread his hands. “Well, maybe you could come by after classes some days.”

  Tinga beamed. “That’s perfect!” She launched herself at Tane and threw her arms around him. “Thank you!”

  “Er… you’re welcome.” Tane awkwardly patted her on the back.

  Tinga pulled away and returned to Cestra’s side, still smiling wide. “Can I come back tomorrow?”

  Tane shrugged. “Why not?” The idea appealed to him more than he would have guessed—for all his reluctance, he did like Tinga. And it was hard not to get swept up in her enthusiasm. “I’ll talk to Chancellor Greymond tonight, and we can work out some kind of schedule.”

  “As long as she won’t be in your way,” said Kirga.

  Kadka waved the suggestion off. “Is no problem. Happy to have her.”

  “Well, we should leave you be for now, then,” Bittik said, and finally his doubtful frown rose into a slight smile. “Astra knows you’ll need some time to gather your energy, if you’re going to be working with my daughter.”

  Tinga flushed, and shoved a hand against her father’s arm. “Dad!”

  Cestra laughed, and squeezed Tinga’s shoulder. “You know he’s right, though.”

  “I’m sure we’ll manage somehow,” Tane said with a grin. “We’ll see you tomorrow, Tinga.”

  They headed for the door, and as it closed behind them, he could still hear Tinga’s indignant voice. “I can’t believe you took his side…”

  They headed for the door, and as it closed behind them, he could still hear Tinga’s indignant voice. “I can’t believe you took her side…”

  When they were alone again, Kadka turned to him. “This is good. Maybe is thing you are looking for. Purpose. University is not only place that can teach things.” She grinned. “Soon, will be Magebreakers everywhere.”

  She was trying to get a rise out of him with that name, but for once, it didn’t work. Actually, it made him feel better than he had since they’d left Stooketon Yard. Endo Stooke would be back with whatever he had planned, and there would always be people like Felisa Thorpe, preying on those who couldn’t defend themselves—Tane couldn’t do much to help any of that. But if there were people like Tinga to stand against them, that was something. Maybe even something he could help with.

  “You know,” he said at last, “maybe that wouldn’t be so bad.”

  Thank you so much for reading The Dragon Machine. I hope you enjoyed it! If you want more of Tane and Kadka, and you’d like to be notified when more books are released, you can sign up for my mailing list here, or find a link on my website at bensdobson.com. As an added bonus, you’ll receive a free copy of my fantasy short story The Last Hero, exclusive to subscribers!

  If you’d just like to read more by me, check out my other novels here on my Amazon author page. And please, consider leaving a review of this book here on Amazon. It’s a great way to help me build an audience so I can keep writing!

  And while you’re waiting for the next Magebreakers story, flip to the end of the book to get a free sample of Scriber, my standalone fantasy adventure novel!

  About the Author

  _____

  Ben S. Dobson is a Canadian fantasy author. When he isn’t writing to indulge his lifelong passion for epic tales, he can probably be found playing Dungeons and Dragons, or watching a Joss Whedon show, or something equally geeky.

  If you’re interested in being notified when I release a new novel, sign up for my mailing list here or on my website.

  For more information, check one of these places:

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  If you enjoyed The Dragon Machine, you might enjoy my standalone fantasy, Scriber. Disgraced scholar Dennon Lark and the king’s infamous warrior niece, Bryndine Errynson, go on a journey to save their kingdom’s future by uncovering its long forgotten past. Turn the page for a free sample of the book, available on Amazon.

  The sound was deafening. It exploded through the town, a crash of thunder that sounded so close it might have come from inside my own home. Leaving the drawers of my desk wide open and dropping an armful of writing supplies that I had been about to stow in my bag, I rushed to the door.

  My hand froze on the handle. I could hear shouts and screams outside, and the panicked whinnying of horses; my fingers trembled on the cold brass, refusing to do as they were told. I was suddenly aware of a thick lump of fear in my belly; it had been growing there for some time, I think, but I had been ignoring it, telling myself that we would be gone before an attack ever came.

  I waited there with my hand on the door, listening, and after a short time, the cries outside died down. I heard muffled commands being given, but nothing like what I imagined a battle would sound like. I took a deep breath to steady myself and opened the door.

  In the darkness outside, it was impossible not to notice the fire before anything else. The town was bathed in angry light and smoke billowed thick and grey around the roof of the Prince’s Rest. The flames were spreading rapidly; a slight breeze had sprung up, and as I watched, the fire rode it across the roof of the Rest and leapt to the cottage that sat beside the inn. The horses still tied at the inn were thrashing about in panic as Bryndine’s women tried to free them and lead them away, though it looked like most had already been rescued.

  Bryndine and her soldiers were trying to maintain order: a number of them had formed a line from the well to the inn and were passing buckets of water along it to try to quench the flames; others sought to keep the terrified villagers inside their homes, packing to leave. There were more of them in the village than before—some of those who had been put on guard must have returned to help fight the fire.

  “Leave the tavern,” I heard Bryndine
call, and I saw her huge form, outlined in smoke, amidst the line of soldiers at the well. As always, Sylla was at her side. “It’s already lost. Form lines to those buildings, there and there.” She pointed at the homes to either side of the tavern. “Douse the roofs, keep them wet. We need to stop it from spreading.” They immediately set to work, following her commands with trained efficiency. Whatever I thought of the woman, she clearly had a firm command of her company.

  Iayn Gerynson rushed by my door, and I grabbed his huge, hairy arm to stop him.

  “What happened?” I demanded, fear causing my voice to reach an embarrassingly high pitch.

  “Lightning, Scriber. Bolt of lightning, right out of the sky. My ears are still ringin’.”

  “That’s impossible.” I turned my eyes upwards; the sky was completely clear, not a cloud in sight. “Lightning doesn’t strike out of a cloudless sky.”

  “It’s that damn woman, they said she was cursed!” Gerynson freed his arm from my grip easily and moved away, heading in the direction of his home. I knew he had spoken out of superstition and ignorance, but the terrible dread in my gut only intensified.

  I stood just outside my house, watching as the Prince’s Rest burned to the ground. Josia’s small form was visible, rushing back and forth between the well and her home, desperately trying to save the inn even though the soldiers had given it up. I could hear her sobs from where I stood. I felt a twinge of pity for her—Josia’s relentless cheerfulness had always bothered me, but of all the people in Waymark, she was probably the only one I didn’t truly dislike. She didn’t deserve this. I took a step towards her, though I don’t know what I intended to do; as Bryndine had declared, the Rest was clearly a lost cause.

  It was then that I heard it, a low whisper coming from behind. My hands clenched convulsively and I whirled on my heel, peering into the thin aisle of darkness between my small cottage and the next. But there was nothing there; nothing but long, wavering shadows cast by the flames that were now at my back. Yet the whisper persisted.