Renegade Skyfarer

by R. J. Metcalf

  Just like that, Geist dropped with a thud.

  Astonished silence followed by raucous cheers and whistles broke Ben’s surprised reverie. Everything about that fight felt familiar. Like he’d had training in hand-to-hand combat. But when? Why? He blinked down at the groaning man, and offered Geist a hand up. “Sorry. That may have been overkill.”

  Geist rubbed a hand against his face as he pulled his legs under him to sit up. “Just maybe.” He scowled and worked his jaw. “Whales. Where’d you learn to fight like that?”

  “Intuition.” It wasn’t a full lie. And it sounded better than, I have no idea, but I’m clearly better at this than you. There were ladies present, and he didn’t want to come off as an egotistical jerk. Still, he made sure to perch his fist on his hip in a casual display of muscle flexing and ignored the screech of pain from his bruised knuckles.

  Geist stood and dusted himself off. His eyes darted to where Jade and Krista sat, and he scowled at Ben. “Beginner’s luck. We’ll rematch later. I’ll take you down then.”

  Ben couldn’t help himself. “Anytime.”

  Zak walked along the safety line to reach Ben’s side. He clapped a hand on Ben’s shoulder with a grin. “Impressive.” He raised an eyebrow. “Are you getting off in Doldra, or staying on for a bit?”

  Ben swiped at the sweat on his forehead and shrugged. “No idea. Stay on, I guess.” He straightened his leg with a grimace. “I still can’t remember where I’m from, so I suppose I’d be better off traveling. Maybe something will jog my memory.”

  A tiny niggling doubt reared its ugly head. Would it be beneficial for Ben to not remember who he was? To have a clean slate and start from scratch? Or was he missing something important that was imperative for him to recall?

  “Seems reasonable.” Zak interrupted Ben’s sudden wave of indecision. The warrior waved at the relocated pile of weapons. “We’ll go over the other things later, after we’ve been through Doldra. For now, let’s pack everything up; we’ll likely be landing soon.” He shook his head and chuckled. “Seriously. You have good form. You didn’t let the safety line get in your way, you held your ground despite being in the air, and you took out Geist. That’s not easy to do. He lives for a good fight, and you were at a disadvantage.”

  “Thanks.” A twinge spiked up Ben’s leg, and he held in a hiss of pain. “But I think it’s time for me to rest this a bit. Especially if we’re going to be walking anywhere soon.”

  “Fair enough.” Zak looked to the distance and stilled. A bittersweet smile softened his eyes. “Almost home.”

  Ben turned and shock rippled up his back and down to his toes, all but gluing him to the deck. Blue sky stretched overhead, fluffy white clouds scattered here and there. But in front of the Sapphire? Behind the city that he could just make out in the distance?

  The sky was purple.

  Chapter Nine

  Jade

  Jade tightened the leather straps of her aviator hat, snugged her goggles into place, tugged on her safety line, and leaned over the railing of the Sapphire to watch the turbine spin. Wind whipped around her, puffing her cream-colored blouse under her thick leather bolero, pushing against her back, and causing her to lean forward. She braced her forearms against the wood and counted as the blades whizzed.

  One stalker, two stalker, three stalker. She frowned. There was definitely something off-balance in there. She’d have to take it apart when they landed.

  She pushed back and dropped her feet on the deck. Doldra had some good supply merchants for airship parts, so they wouldn’t have to delay their rounds for that at least. And she loved when Zak’s family came to visit him on the Sapphire. They always treated her like extended family. That his niece and nephews were adorable was an added bonus.

  The sun had finally risen over the horizon, and its golden rays illuminated the surrounding land for Jade to make out where in the air they were. Flat squares of land, filled with growing produce, gave way to rolling green hills. They could already see the unnatural glow of the purple barrier in the mountains beyond the sprawling city of Doldra.

  Almost there.

  She turned away from the landscape and took a half step back in surprise. Ben stood just behind her, his hands gripping his safety line. The whistling wind had covered the sound of his arrival.

  He stared with squinted eyes over the railing, the wind ruffling his short auburn hair. His brow furrowed, and he leaned toward her. “Is that where we’re going?”

  Sympathy stirred in Jade’s heart at his lost expression. She patted his shoulder as reassuringly as possible, and, for what must have been the third time today, wondered where he was from. His shirt material had a stiffness similar to Aerugeon or Lasimeon uniforms, but with colors and a cut distinctly not theirs. “Does it look familiar?”

  Ben grimaced and shook his head. “I wish I could say it did.”

  “Maybe something will wind those memory gears when we get there,” Jade offered optimistically. “We’ll arrive sometime this evening, and you’re welcome to come with us when we go into the city.” She raised her eyebrows with a grin. “And we’ll get you some proper skyfarer goggles, too.”

  A smile broke across Ben’s face. “Thank you. I appreciate the offer.”

  “Of course.” Her heart warmed at the hope in his eyes, and she leaned back against the rail, pressing her spine to the metal to keep her balance against the wind. His fingers grazed the rail, then gripped it as he stepped closer to the edge. He was broad-shouldered—almost what she’d call stout. His eyes didn’t stay fixated at one point. Instead they constantly roved, looking over the scenery, moving to every sound, taking everything in. He stared at the rolling hills moving below them.

  “Is this your first time traveling by air?” she asked.

  Ben’s lips pursed. “I don’t know.” He moved closer to the aft wall, which provided more shelter from the wind. “Seeing the ground from up high seems familiar, but at the same time, not familiar.” He lifted a hand, letting the wind buffet it. “Being in a vehicle open to the air like this? I’m fairly certain this is new.”

  “And you don’t like it,” she surmised. His startled expression made her laugh. “You’ve been all but clinging to everything solid since we took to the sky.”

  Ben rubbed the back of his neck and shoved his hands in his pockets with a sheepish grimace. “Guilty as charged.” He nodded toward her. “What about you? You seem comfortable up here.” She leaned against the rail and watched his eyes dilate. “Scarily comfortable.”

  Jade tried to tamp down on her grin and failed. “I grew up on the Sapphire,” she explained. “Even before I could walk, I’ve been in the air, traveling Terrene.” A stronger gust of wind knocked her forward a step, and she turned to face the breeze with a laugh and raised hands. “I love it up here.” She spoke over her shoulder. “Up here, I’m free. I see the horizon, and it calls to me. I want to explore every last bit of the land, know all the secrets, know all the people, know all that I can.”

  She glanced back when Ben didn’t reply, and she dropped her hands, reaching out to him. “Are you feeling well? You look pale.”

  Ben blinked and shook his head. “Sorry. I—I just…” he trailed off and squeezed the bridge of his nose. “My mind just blanked for a moment there. I don’t know why.”

  Jade hesitated. He looked almost like he’d been spooked, but she couldn’t imagine what it was that would have given him such a reaction. She squeezed his shoulder. “You had a busy morning,” she offered. “Get some rest. Maybe that will help.”

  He nodded several times, his eyes darting from the deck to her. She offered what she hoped was a reassuring smile as she turned away. She unhooked her safety line from the side rail and moved it to the line that would take her to the stairs leading down to the engine room. Wind buffeted against her body as she walked across the deck with both hands on the safety line to stabilize her steps. She blinked at the stairs when she reached them.

  Zak sat on the
top step, where the entire main deck was visible. His green eyes pierced her through his goggles, and he stood smoothly to let her pass.

  “What are you doing here?” She unclipped her first safety line and reattached it on the rail leading down, just past Zak’s clip on the thick metal line.

  Black fabric shifted as Zak shrugged his broad shoulders and inclined his head toward Ben. “Watching him.”

  Jade glanced over her shoulder, then back to Zak. She switched over her second line and decided to offer an olive branch in hopes that it would reduce the awkwardness that lingered between them. “Sad, isn’t it? I can’t imagine not knowing who I am. I hope his memories return soon.”

  Zak’s jaw twitched as he nodded. “Agreed.” He hesitated before resting his fingers on her shoulder. Heat blazed across her skin under his touch. “Be careful around him, okay?”

  She laughed shortly, trying to hide her surprise. “If it makes you feel better, I will. But just so you know, I did invite him to come along with us to the city.”

  Zak’s lips flattened into a thin line. “Don’t go anywhere just the two of you.”

  Irritation reared its fiery head in her gut, and she shot him an indignant look. “Thank you, mother, but I already know to be cautious of strangers,” she retorted as she passed Zak. She clattered down two steps, then guilt from her acid tone forced her to pause and speak over her shoulder. “I feel sympathy for him and don’t want him to be alone. Maybe we can even help him recover his memory. That’s all. You don’t have to worry so much.” She frowned slightly. “And if he causes you so much concern, why did you bother sparring with him this morning?”

  “Jade.” Zak grasped at her elbow and waited for her to turn and lift her eyes to him. “I’m sorry. I know you’re smart enough to look after yourself.” He fluttered his hand and huffed a heavy sigh. “I wanted to see what he was capable of, if he was lying about what he knew or remembered.”

  “And? What did you learn?”

  “That he was well trained in hand-to-hand combat but knows nothing of our typical weaponry.” Zak rubbed a hand along his jaw. “I still don’t know about him.” He looked at her, his eyes dark with concern and honesty. “I just want to make sure you’re safe.”

  The chill in her heart thawed a fraction. He did have a vested interest in keeping her protected, and she couldn’t deny that she owed him much for his defense of her last summer. Even if he’d overreacted just a few days ago in the Wyld Woods. And before that—Jade slammed the hatch on that thought and repeated, olive branch…olive branch in her mind. She looked up, and the rest of her ire melted away at the care shining in his gaze. He subtly bit his lip, giving away his uncertainty and worry.

  Jade suppressed her smile, and gripped his hand briefly. “Forgiven. And I’ll be careful. I promise.”

  A small grin lifted his lips, despite the concern still in his gaze. “Thank you.”

  She nodded and clattered down the stairs, intent on escaping his concern. But Zak’s edginess had leaked through to Jade, and her mind kept turning over new thoughts to worry about after she’d shared her findings on the turbine with Krista. Even the knowledge that Jade would be able to visit her grandmother’s shipping yards held little joy. Instead, bittersweet sorrow mixed with irritation weighed her down.

  After all, she wouldn’t be able to ever walk in Doldra with Zak at her side. He was only permitted at the Stohner Shipping Yards, and that permission had been grudgingly given by the ruling governor overseeing Doldra in Queen Violet’s stead. Jade had never walked through her father’s home city—Zak’s home city—with one of her oldest friends. Her father and aunt weren’t willing to risk Zak being imprisoned because of the stupid Monomi peace treaty from so many years ago.

  Jade sighed. She’d still take Ben around Doldra, maybe stir some memories for him, but she’d take Krista and Briar with her, too. Promises made to Zak were promises she kept at all costs.

  But what did he have against Ben? He seemed like a nice guy.

  Her cheeks heated, and she pressed the backs of her hands against them. Nice. And cute. But that wasn’t a factor. She genuinely wanted to see Ben regain his memory. And even more than that, she wanted her friendship with Zak to be restored.

  Granted, if this mission didn’t go well, and everyone continued to treat her like a baby bird, she and Krista would go through with their plan. Briar had no problem with their scheme, but Zak would definitely become unhinged over it.

  He was so preoccupied with keeping her safe—from dragons, from Prince Weston, from anything and everything—that he’d forgotten her need for independence. She wouldn’t, couldn’t, be stifled by both her father and Zak any longer.

  Even if she may lose Zak’s friendship by her own decisions.

  Chapter Ten

  Ben

  “How much you wanna bet that the overseer will be here within the hour?” Geist asked, leaning against the bunk bed across from Ben. He rubbed at the bruise forming on his jaw and raised his eyebrows at Kerlee.

  Kerlee shook his head as he pulled a fresh, orange shirt from his trunk. “No way. I’m not making sucker bets.”

  Geist grumbled and crossed his arms, rubbing a hand against the faint traces of the ink-drawn dragon scales on the back of his forearm. He narrowed his eyes at Ben. “You’re not bad,” he decided. “You want to come with us to visit the Hawk?”

  “The what?” Ben wrinkled his nose as Ash walked into their bunk room. Whatever soap he’d just used in the showers was strong enough that Ben’s eyes nearly crossed. “What’s the Hawk? And where is it?”

  “The Crimson Hawk,” Kerlee explained. He yanked his shirt off and pulled on the orange monstrosity. “The captain’s sister—Garnet—technically owns the place, but she lets the Monomi run it while she’s out with us. Best drinks in town.”

  Ben flexed his leg, considering. He hadn’t popped any stitches, but it was tender and slightly swollen after this morning’s sparring. “I should probably pass for the night, thanks. Maybe tomorrow?”

  Ash shrugged. “Suit yourself.” He paused as if a thought had just occurred to him, and he turned, eyeing Ben with a slow-growing grin that Ben could only think of as predatory. “Are you going into town tomorrow? Do you have anyone showing you around?”

  “Yeah, Jade said she and Krista would show me around. And I think Briar is going, too?” Ben didn’t like the look that Ash exchanged with Geist and Kerlee. “Is there something wrong with that?”

  The guys ignored him. Geist smirked at Kerlee. “Ten lut says—”

  “I’m not taking sucker bets,” Kerlee repeated. He stood and dusted off his pants, shooting Ben what he could only interpret as a look of pity. “So you’re not coming with us?”

  Ben waved them on. “I’ll be fine. Probably go see what I can find in the mess for dinner, though.”

  “Briar made his ‘use everything in the cold box’ soup,” Ash said as he shrugged on a light suit jacket. “It’s good.”

  Geist grabbed a hat and moved to the door, Ash and Kerlee falling in line behind him. Ben trailed them to the main deck and sucked in a breath of fresh air. For not knowing where he was, or where he was from, he really didn’t have it too bad. The crew had taken him in with great generosity in clothing, and they fed him and included him in their training and airship drills. Life on the Sapphire with them wouldn’t be so bad.

  Laughter echoed from the mess hall, and Ben wandered into the room to find Jade, Krista, Briar, and Zak sitting around the table, bowls half-filled with soup.

  Krista looked up from her bowl and waved. “Join us.”

  Ben sat on Briar’s left and accepted an empty bowl that Jade slid across the table. Briar ladled a thick, hearty-smelling stew into it and handed Ben a spoon.

  Briar pulled a plate of garlic bread toward Ben. “Since you’re here, we may as well go over our plans for tomorrow, right?” His gaze flicked to Zak, then back to Ben. “If nothing else, we need to find you proper gear for being aboard an airship.�
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  Ben tried a spoonful of soup and burned his tongue. He set the spoon down and grabbed a metal mug. “Sounds good so far.”

  “And maybe we’ll find something that will help grease those gears,” Jade said enthusiastically. Zak cleared his throat and she tilted her head, examining him for a tense moment before she looked back at Ben, her eyes determined. “Maybe we’ll go by the markets that sell goods from other kingdoms. See if there’s anything there that reminds you of home?”

  The click of boots in the hall distracted Ben, and he looked to the door at the same time as Zak tensed.

  Zak turned his head just enough that a thick strand of hair fell across his eyes.

  A short, scrawny man, whom Ben didn’t recognize, walked through the doorway as if he owned the place. His dark eyes skimmed over each of them and stopped on Zak. He straightened his tweed suit vest and moved closer to Zak with mincing steps. “Renegade Monomi.”

  Zak leaned over his bowl and pressed his palms against the table. “How can I help you, Overseer Nevin?”

  Nevin’s nose twitched, and he raised an eyebrow at the pot of soup in the center of the table. His nose wrinkled. “I am here on behalf of the esteemed Governor Ethan Bentley to learn how long you and the Sapphire plan to be in Doldra.”

  Zak shrugged even as a muscle in his jaw twitched. “That’s up to the captain, not me.” He gestured out the door. “I believe Captain Slate is in his room, if you wish to speak to him yourself.”