Jack could feel a smile cross his lips. Edison handed him the steel wand. He motioned for him to step inside the training area. The piece of metal did feel heavy but not any heftier than his own staff.
“There’s a button on the side by your thumb that will extend the staff,” Edison informed him. “Once you press the button the staff will spread quickly so do be cautious. Perhaps a demonstration?”
Jack stepped inside the training area. There were three dummies set in a circle around him. He held the metal bar out in front of him. His thumb made contact with the cold button. At once two steel shafts extended from the bar. Jack wasted no time as he called forth the inner fire of magic raging inside of him. The steel rod came alive with green flame. Jake made quick work of the dummies destroying two with strikes from the staff, the last with a green flame that shot from the end of the pole.
As soon as the demonstration started it ended. Jack shut off the magical power feeding the staff with energy. He hit the button by his thumb again. The green flames disappeared. As if it were all a dream all that remained was a black metal wand.
“What do you think?” Edison clapped in glee, seeing one of his most prized inventions in the hands of a professional sorcerer. “It’s perfect isn’t it?”
“Does it come in brown?” Jack gave the inventor a rueful grin.
Edison offered a similar wand to Marcus, who politely refused, rubbing a fond thumb across the handle of his own staff. “Thank you, but I think I’ll stick with my own set. They haven’t failed me yet.”
“There’s already one waiting for you on the locomotive.” Edison took the wand from Jack, placing it back in the box. “Be sure to read the instructions. There’s a lot of useful information in the instruction booklet. But I have more to show you before you go. Wait here.”
Jack again heard the name “locomotive,” but before Jack could ask what a locomotive was, Edison disappeared behind a wall of dark boxes.
“We should really get going soon if we’re going to get to Burrow Den.” Aareth crossed large arms over his chest. “At this rate, the entire city’s going to be slaughtered before we arrive.”
“For the first time, I agree with you,” Sloan frowned looking at the watch on her wrist. “Where did Edison run off to?”
“They must have already loaded the other two pieces of equipment I had for you and Aareth on the locomotive, Captain.” Edison appeared from behind a pile of boxes emblazoned with the royal insignia. “I apologize.”
“It’s quite all right, Edison. We really must be going now, anyway. Thank you.”
Jack, Marcus, and Sloan shook hands with Edison. Jack couldn’t help but notice that Aareth stayed behind a second longer, exchanging a few words with the elderly inventor before he caught up with the rest of the group.
Sloan gave Aareth a sideways glance as they walked through the palace.
“What?” Aareth asked. “The old man says to read the directions before we play with our toys.”
“I’m sure.”
The group headed through the palace and outside to the east wing. Soon Jack found himself in a tunnel-like room that sloped gradually down. It was clear this portion of the palace was much newer than the rest. The smell of drying mortar was still fresh on the walls, everything practically shone with newness.
The tunnel soon opened into a large room with human soldiers and gnome technicians hustling about. Smoke filled the room, much like the workshop, as a dull, thumping noise started permeating the air.
On the far side of the room on the same tracks that Jack had seen being laid in the Outland, was a gigantic black machine. Smoke poured out of a large chimney set in the front of the monster as steam shot out from wheels and levers underneath.
Sloan was the only one out of the group not fazed by the machine.
“Is she ready to go?” Sloan asked a passing gnome covered in grease.
“Yes, ma’am. We’re just waiting for you to board now.”
The machine picked up in volume as the behemoth came to life. It looked like it was made up of several different sections connected to each other. There were five carts all together all painted black and brown. Two large flags wielding the city’s sigil were mounted at the front half hidden by the amount of smoke and steam that was erupting from the monster of a machine.
“Come on, boys, let’s go. We have a city to save.”
Jack
Not in Jack’s wildest dreams could he have imagined something like this. The four emissaries to the queen boarded the machine. To Jack’s surprise, the inside of the carts were spacious, even comfortable.
They boarded the second cart with the help of a small step ladder attached to the side. The section of the machine they entered was directly behind what Jack had imagined was the engine. Inside was a carpeted room that didn’t look much different than the inside of the palace.
“We’ll be underway soon,” Sloan walked to a small table with a map of the Outland spread out on top. “The locomotive will take us as far as it can. We’ll stop right before the tracks run out and take horses from there. With any luck, we’ll be in Burrow Den in a week.”
“A week?” Jack looked toward the rear of the car they boarded, eager to see what was in the next cart. “That fast?”
“We’re not on vacation, Jack. We’ll ride hard.” Sloan noticed his gaze. “Wondering what else is back there?”
Jack turned his large brown eyes to a smiling Sloan and nodded.
“This is the meeting or lounging cart. The one ahead of us is where all the power comes from, the mage engine. The three behind us are sleeping quarters, the lavatory, the supply room, and the kitchen.”
“This thing has a kitchen and a bathroom in it?” Aareth was quietly examining the interior of the machine but he spoke up at mention of the facilities. “What’s next, a flying ship?”
“I wouldn’t doubt it.” Sloan shrugged. “I mean, the way Edison and Dr. Livingston are headed in the name of magic.”
“Oh yeah, I almost forgot about the doctor. What is he, anyway? Your boyfriend?”
“He is not my boyfriend. “Sloan’s fair skin turned red. Her green eyes burned with fire. “And if you ever talk to me like that again, so help me God, I’ll—”
At that moment there was a shrill whistle cutting off the rest of Sloan’s threat. The locomotive slowly began to move.
Although Jack couldn’t hear what Sloan said, the chopping motion she made with her hand was clear enough.
Jack took a seat near a window in a thickly cushioned armchair. He could hear his father, Sloan, and Aareth looking over the map of the Outland. They were already preparing a plan, but now as the locomotive gained speed and started forward, all he could think about was giving his full attention to the steam-powered machine that would no doubt change history.
At first the locomotive moved only inches forward; however, as whistles blew and smoke spewed from the dark stacks, the machine gained speed. Within minutes, inches turned into feet and feet turned into yards.
Soon the steam-powered engine was rocketing forward. How the others weren’t as excited as he was, was beyond Jack. The locomotive pulled them along at a steady pace, making short work of the tunnel running under the palace. For a brief second, all was dark as they left the station room under the palace behind them and entered the dark tunnel that led to the city above.
The darkness in the passageway was short lived. Within a few seconds, the locomotive broke forward, reaching the surface and entering the very heart of New Hope. Tracks had already been set up inside the city and barriers guarded both sides of the rails, ensuring pedestrians were nowhere close to the ton of hurtling steel.
Men, women, and children all stopped what they were doing and stared wide eyed at the beast of a machine. Children smiled and waved as they ran along the locomotive’s side. Jack couldn’t help himself as he waved back to the strangers who seemed so happy to witness man’s latest and greatest invention.
The sun was alrea
dy high overhead as the locomotive snaked its way through the city and towards the Outland. Once again Jack was struck by the immensity of the city and what it had to offer. He could feel the desire to explore the city build inside him. He knew he was sadder at leaving than he should be.
Don’t worry, you’ll be back, Jack told himself and somehow he knew it was the truth.
Tall buildings passed on both sides of the tracks as the locomotive moved forward at a steady pace, leaving a trail of smoke in its wake. Jake tried guessing how fast they were going. He decided that they were traveling at the same pace his horse would at a quick trot.
This, however, was a much more comfortable ride than sitting in a saddle. There was no jerking side to side or bouncing up and down. On the contrary, the engine made for a smooth ride far surpassing any horse or carriage Jack ever used to travel.
Soon the mage engine was breaking through an entrance in the city’s outer wall. New Hope was behind them. The desert spread out in front of them in all directions. The steady chugging heartbeats of the mage engine caressed the air.
“Hey, Jack.” Jack almost jumped from his chair at the mention of his name. He turned from his seat and saw Aareth looking down at him. “Didn’t mean to scare you. Want to go get our presents Edison left us? They’re in the last cart in the back.”
Jack smiled at the thought of getting his hands on the metal staff again, then hesitated at who he was going with. If his father was correct, and he usually was, Aareth was a dangerous man.
“I’ll go with you, too.” Sloan stood up from a seat she had taken behind Jack and invited herself. “I think Edison said there was something for me as well.”
Jack, Aareth, and Sloan made their way past a lounging Marcus who thanked them for the offer to tag along but reassured them he was very comfortable where he was. The trio passed through a small hall that connected each cart.
The first cart they entered was the kitchen, decorated in copper and steel. The second was the sleeping quarters, with bunk beds situated into the sides of the walls and the last was a small lavatory and the supply closet.
The supply room was cramped, and shelves bursting with their contents lined every spare wall. Items like water, cooking supplies, cleaners, towels and tools filled the racks. It was clear which items were meant for them. Smack in the center of the floor were three long black boxes stamped with a marker that read “D.P.S.M.”
Jack and Sloan stood admiring the boxes as Aareth eased himself past the two. He opened the first container. Jack was surprised to see the large man squat down with child-like glee. He went to work with all the enthusiasm a youngster would on a special birthday. That’s when Jack began to wonder how old his traveling companions actually were.
Aareth’s unshaven face and long hair made him look like he was close to his thirties, while Sloan’s business-minded manner and uniform put her near the same age in Jack’s mind.
“Here, this one’s yours, Jack.” Aareth handed him the first shorter black box. Jack accepted the container and opened its hard, shell-like exterior. Inside, the box held the modified staff, a black belt with a holster for the weapon, and a thick book of directions.
Jack wasted no time in strapping on the belt over his own. The metal rod rested low on his right hip.
“Wow,” Aareth said as he handed the next box to Sloan. “Christmas has come early for the captain of the guard.”
Sloan raised her eyebrow, not sure how to take the comment, yet still accepting the chest handed to her. Jack saw her open the case. Her eyes immediately doubled in size. Sloan reached inside and pulled out a saber the likes of which Jack had never seen.
The sword was average in length but that was about all that was average about it. The handle was thick and reinforced with copper plating. Coming up from the handle and midway up the blade were two thin copper pipes. There was a temperature gauge on the handle as well as a small lever near where the wielder’s thumb would rest.
“What does it do?” Jack asked more to himself than his two companions. “Is it powered by magic?”
“I’m not sure,” Sloan shook her head, “but it feels amazing.”
“Well, let’s see,” Aareth looked up from his kneeling position. “Flip the switch.”
“No way. You saw the explosion in the armory this morning. I’m going to read the directions twice before I point this thing somewhere and it does who knows what.”
Aareth shrugged, clearly not understanding the logic, and opened his own box. The last case was a little smaller than the other two. Inside were two grey steel gauntlets that resembled the ones Jack had seen in pictures of warriors in suits of armor.
Of course these were no ordinary gauntlets. They had wires running to each knuckle from a small crank that was placed on the underside of each glove, where the wrists were. As Aareth turned the gloves over, Jack also saw one small button on the inside of each palm. Aareth wasted no time in placing the gauntlets on his hands.
“You should really wait and read the directions, “Sloan said as she took a step back. “You’re just asking for trouble.”
“No way. These things are a perfect fit. Let’s see what these babies can do.”
Jack took Sloan’s lead and took a step back as a grinning Aareth stood up, flexing his fingers.
“Look, see? Nothing to it. I wonder what the buttons on the palms are for.”
Aareth opened his hands, palms to the ceiling, and touched each button with the tips of his middle fingers. There was a crackling noise as the gloves began to glow. Thin lines of blue magic disappeared and reappeared just as quickly.
Jack didn’t know what to think. Never in his life had he seen anything remotely similar.
“Aareth, you should really—” Sloan took another step back.
“Captain, please. I know you’re in charge, but I’m not a child. I can think—” As Aareth said the word ‘think,’ his right arm came up and his pointer finger touched the side of his temple.
There was a loud hissing noise followed by Aareth’s entire body being thrown into the side of the cart. His large frame collided with the rack of supplies. He fell to the ground, motionless.
Jack and Sloan looked at one another, taking a moment to try and process what just happened.
“Is he—is he dead?” Jack took a cautious step forward.
“No,” Sloan shook her head as she joined him. “His chest is still moving. But my gosh, did you see that?”
“How could I miss it? He must weigh over two hundred pounds and he was thrown across the room like a rag doll.”
As they bent down over Aareth’s body, the bright blue currents over his gauntleted hands dissipated.
Jack reached out with a tentative foot to prod Aareth. Before he could roll Aareth over on his back, the large man sat up with a scream more suited for a young girl than a grown man.
“Ahhhhhh!”
Jack and Sloan fell backwards as Aareth teetered in a sitting position. His hair was standing in all different directions. A line of spit fell down the left side of his lip. A piece of toilet paper from the rack he had fallen against wrapped itself around his head like a turban.
“What—what just happened?”
“I think you just knocked yourself out,” Jack raised a hand to stifle his laughter.
“I told you to read the directions,” Sloan coughed trying to hide her own smile.
Aareth wobbled to his feet as he slowly took off the gloves.
“You have a piece of toilet pa—”
“What Jack’s trying to tell you,” Slaon interrupted with a wink,” is that it’s time for a meal before you decide to give yourself another concussion.”
Jack
With the kitchen area raided, the emissaries to Queen Eleanor sat in the lounging cart as they shared a meal. Jack was so caught up with the day’s events he neglected breakfast. Now as the afternoon approached, his stomach reminded him of how hungry he really was.
Lunch was a much simpler affair than di
nner the night before, still, it seemed like a feast to Jack. There were croissant sandwiches filled with meat and cheese, fruit, and water and beer to wash it all down.
Aareth had brushed his hand through his hair and found the rogue strand of toilet paper giving Sloan a grin.
“What?” she asked. “I thought it was an improvement.”
Over lunch, Jack, Sloan, and even Aareth opened the directions Edison provided with their new weapons. Jack inspected his staff inside and out. On the butt of the weapon was a small indention imprinting the word ‘D.P.R.M.’. Both Aareth and Sloan found similar markings on their own weapons.
Jack noticed Sloan look up from reading her own manual and glance at Aareth, who sat with his brow furrowed reading his.
“Someone decided to come around and take the advice of a female captain, I see.”
“It’s powered by mage technology,” Aareth looked up from his thick manual, ignoring the remark. “At least that’s what I’m getting from this brick of an instruction manual. Something about stored mage energy that you get by turning these cranks on the wrists. The energy is released when I press the buttons on the palms. It’s only good for a few minutes at a time. It’s the equivalent force to being hit by a bolt of lightning.”
“Are you trying to tell us you have the ability of Zeus?” Marcus sat in his chair, amused.
“Well, I didn’t think of it that way, but yeah, I guess I do.”
“How about you, Jack?” Marcus chuckled and looked at his son. “Any other surprises with your extending staff?”
“It seems in its condensed form the wand will help channel and direct my magic.” Jack drew the steel wand from his holster. At once it glowed a bright green. A bolt of magic fire formed at the tip ready to be released. “I’ll have to test it out and see if its more effective in long range use than shooting it out of my hands.”
House of Wolves: (A Paranormal Urban Fantasy) (The Vampire Project Book 1) Page 6