Accidental Dragoon

by Jamie Davis

  The major smiled and followed the slashing attack on her arm with another combination, trying to break through her defenses now that she only had her rapier.

  Her sword arm began tiring and Cari backed up, breaking away and deflecting the powerful blows from the stronger man in front of her. Even with all of her experience in battle, this particular fight was taking a lot out of her. She pressed onward and managed to get the attack she needed past his defenses, scoring a thrust to his off-hand shoulder. Blood ran in a trickle down his arm, staining the white sleeve of his linen shirt.

  Cari’s power bar flashed green and she decided to regenerate her injuries as she prepared to use the burst of speed skill.

  Cari called up her regeneration skill and activated it. She only had to hold off the major’s attacks for sixty seconds while the injuries healed. She would activate her burst of speed once her health status bar was full.

  Cari went into defensive mode and backed away.

  The major drove his attacks forward then noticed her use the fingers of her injured hand again and glanced at her arm. His eyes widened in surprise. “How did you do that?”

  “A little trick I learned from a friend.”

  “Miss Dix, you are indeed a woman of mystery.”

  “Major, you have no idea. But that’s not going to matter because I plan on dealing with you once and for all right here and now.”

  Beside Cari, Helen finished off the final orc she faced and went to help Francesca with her final opponent. Cari smiled. The balance had shifted and she was almost at full health again.

  The major glanced at his only remaining companion and then back at Cari. She was completing her regeneration process, the skin knitting together before his eyes. The major took a step back, raised his sword in a salute to her and snapped his fingers.

  All of a sudden, he wasn’t there anymore.

  Cari raised her sword and spun about, expecting some sort of trick.

  “Where’d he go?”

  “I don’t know, Cari,” Helen said. “If I hadn’t seen it for myself, I wouldn’t believe it.”

  “Stay on your guard,” Cari said. “He might just be invisible and using some sort of magic to hide. He could be standing right behind you ready to launch an attack.

  Helen spun around, slashing her sword in wild swings in a circle. Francesca did the same thing.

  “Both of you go find Rodrigo and make sure he’s not having trouble with those two orcs. I’ll keep searching for the Major.”

  The two women nodded and ran off into the camp calling out Rodrigo’s name.

  Cari scanned the ground, stepping forward and examining the boot prints in the dirt where the major had been standing seconds before. It took her a moment to make out the specific prints in the dirt, then she picked out a set of new prints matching his. They moved away from where she stood, heading out of the camp towards the city gates.

  Whatever the major did, whatever magic it was, he’d managed to get away. This time, though, she’d held her own and now had a name to go with the face. She was sure she’d meet him again when she reached the capital. In the meantime, she’d managed to break the hold of Major Novachik and his men on the camp. It was time to set the rest of these men and women free.

  As she went about the task with her companions, Cari wondered if they’d someday build a statue of her in the market square next to her father’s. The mere thought of it made her laugh.

  * * *

  Quest completed — free Merrick’s workers

  25,000 experience awarded

  Bonus quest completed — free all the soldiers

  10,000 experience awarded

  Chapter 20

  Hal leaned out over the side of the fishing boat, holding on to one of the stays connected to the top of the mast. The salt spray rose up and splashed against his face as the vessel crashed down into another wave. He stared straight ahead at the entrance to Tandon’s harbor. It was still so far away.

  “Are we going to make it?” Mona asked.

  “I’m not sure. We need to ask our esteemed captain.”

  The fisherman transporting them had skirted along the coast, staying away from the naval ships cruising the open sea in between Morton Creek and Tandon. But now he was racing for the harbor and there was no avoiding being seen by imperial navy vessels. To their left, several imperial ships closed in on them as they raced for the harbor mouth.

  “This ain’t what you call no racing sloop,” the captain said. “But she’s got more speed on her than you think. We’ll make it, as long as we don’t get smashed by one of those cannon balls.”

  “That’s what I’m afraid of,” Hal said. “Judging from the angle those ships have on us, at least the leading vessel is going to get a shot off at us. What do you think Mona?”

  “I think you’re right.” Mona pulled a pair of brass binoculars from her utility belt. They looked like a cross between a pair of opera glasses and something an optometrist might use to examine someone’s eyes. There were several additional lenses on levers that she could flip down across the front of the binoculars to change the magnification along with several other things Hal didn’t know about. Mona was always tinkering with her gear, adding enhancements along the way. As he watched her gaze out at the naval vessels, her fingers flipped down one of the attached lenses then flipped it up and dropped another one in place.

  “What are you looking at, Mona? Can you see anything?”

  “I’m trying to judge their speed. These particular glasses allow me to make some simple computations and measurements based on markings etched in the glass of several of the lens sets. I think the captain’s right. If we make it without getting hit by any of the cannon fire, we can beat them to the harbor mouth.”

  Stefan worked nearby to change the angle of the sail based on the orders from the fisherman at the tiller. The vessel was small and only required a few people to operate it. Hal suspected the fisherman could do it all by himself in a pinch if he had to.

  Hal turned forward, watching the approaching naval vessels. He waited for the inevitable cannon fire.

  As if he’d predicted it with his thoughts, the gun ports were opened and the cannon barrels run out. “They’re getting ready to take the shot. Let’s hope they’re bad at what they do.”

  “Don’t worry, sonny. I’ve got a few tricks up my sleeve,” the old fisherman called out.

  He shouted new orders to Stefan to do something with the sail. Hal was never much of a sailor and had no idea what the words meant but it turned out Stefan was an experienced seaman after serving under Cari and he raced to grab another rope. He pulled at it and they began changing the direction as the sail caught the wind at a new angle.

  The fishing captain swung the tiller to the opposite direction and the fishing vessel heeled over on its side, almost capsizing. Hal realized the fisherman timed it perfectly.

  The cannons belched fire and smoke and then he heard the thundering rumble of the shots. Cannonballs arched out in their direction but the sudden change in their course caused all to splash into the water far to port. As soon as the cannonballs landed, the fisherman shouted more orders and once again Stefan trimmed the sail while the tiller was shifted once again. This time they changed direction back to their original course, once again heading straight for the harbor mouth.

  “They’re going to get at least one more shot off,” Hal said.

  “Maybe, maybe not. It all depends on what that fort on the headland by the harbor does,” Mona said. She’d shifted her binoculars to stare at Tandon. The fortress built beside the harbor mouth showed some activity on the battlements. The massive harbor guns overlooked the approach to the harbor.

  “What do you see?” Hal asked.

  “They’re definitely preparing to fire. And they’ve got bigger guns than you can carry on a ship. I think they’re going to scare off our naval friends with a castle broadside of their own.” Mona looked once more at the battlements of the fort then turned her ga
ze back onto the lead naval vessel. “It’s going to be really close.”

  The next ten seconds were tense on the fishing boat, waiting to see which side got the next shots off.

  Hal cheered when the fort fired first.

  The larger cannons boomed and belched smoke and fire as their cannonballs flew directly at the first naval vessel. Hal was disappointed at first to see them splash into the ocean a hundred yards short of their target.

  The fisherman, however, whooped and hollered. He cheered and pumped his fist in the air.

  “Why are you so happy? They missed.”

  “They marked their range for the bastards. Look. The Imperial ships are turning around.”

  Hal glanced seaward and saw the old fisherman was right. The naval vessels had come about, turning away from their approach to the harbor. The fort had the range on them and if they got any closer could probably smash them to bits before they could return fire.

  The little vessel Hal, Mona, and Stefan sailed on had a clear shot at the harbor mouth.

  Hal breathed a sigh of relief. This new type of warfare on the high seas made him a bit anxious. He couldn’t understand how Cari had managed to deal with it all this last year in her time as a Raider captain.

  As they rounded the headland into the harbor mouth, Hal waved up at the battlements of the harbor fort. His gesture was returned by several of the soldiers manning the guns. Hal turned to Mona. “We should gather our things. I want to make sure we get up to see the Duke a soon as we get in. There’s a lot of things I think we need to put in place before we leave to go try and catch up with Cari.”

  “I’ll meet you there,” Mona said. “There’s something I need to check on at the Caravansary Outfitters. I’m hoping Colin can help me with something I need for the portal device. Heath and I almost had it completed, but something is missing and I’m hoping Colin will be able to help me figure out what it is I need to complete the project.”

  “Do you want me to come with you?” Hal asked.

  “No, that’s all right. You and Stefan head up towards the palace. Go tell the Duke what’s going on. I’ll be there as soon as I’m finished at the outfitters.”

  The three of them set about gathering their belongings. Living on an open fishing vessel for days as it sailed around the coast had been an interesting experience. It was not one Hal was ready to relive if he had a choice. Still, the captain had lived up to his word and gotten them here in record time. Now he had to do what he could to make sure Cari had the support she needed when she reached the capital. It was going to be a race against time.

  As soon as they docked in the harbor and Hal settled up for the cost of their trip with the captain, he and Stefan headed up the hill towards the Palace District. Mona accompanied them the first part of the way, then she peeled off and headed towards the Caravan District with a wave over her shoulder.

  Hal wondered if she’d be able to get the answer to the question she had. No matter what happened when they caught up with Cari, they still needed that portal device to get home.

  Chapter 21

  Mona opened the door leading into the ramshackle collection of buildings that was known as the Caravansary Outfitters. All of the buildings stood pressed up against each other, connecting wall to wall so the peculiar store ran into one continuous building on the inside.

  While it looked rundown and decrepit on the outside, the interior of the Caravansary Outfitters was spotless as always. Of course, that didn’t mean that it wasn’t a little bit cluttered and disorganized to the casual eye. Stacks of adventuring items of various types, new and old, were on display in piles everywhere on the floor and on shelves. Some items hung down from hooks in the ceiling beams above.

  The store layout was different every time she’d ever entered the building. This particular time there were rows upon rows of stacked muskets, leaned up in racks as if waiting for soldiers to come and grab them from their positions. Each had a bayonet affixed to the end of the barrel. Beside the musket racks were shelves containing powder boxes and cartridge satchels. There were even a few leather bandoliers lying about like she might see in an old-fashioned Mexican western film.

  Mona wondered if that meant Collin had a few more modern weapons lying about somewhere. She’d have to ask. It might be nice to have a revolver or even a shotgun or semi-automatic pistol around in the coming days and weeks.

  Mona shifted to thinking about the engineering requirements of machining a new type of firearm like a revolver. No one had developed anything like it here in Fantasma yet, although it was only a matter of time. She wondered if she wanted to accelerate that learning curve by creating one herself. It would be handy to have, but there were going to be repercussions across the social fabric of this land if she introduced something like that to a world that wasn’t ready for it.

  She was still browsing through the items around her when a tap on her shoulder made her jump in alarm. “Dammit, Colin! Don’t sneak up on me like that.”

  “Why does everyone always say that to me? Don’t they realize that’s how I roll?”

  Mona turned around and pulled the short man into a tight embrace.

  “What was that for?” Colin asked when she let go of him.

  “You are the closest I’ve been to my daughter since I’ve been here. You’ve talked to her, not once, but twice. I’m kind of jealous and hoping some of her might’ve rubbed off on you.

  “I didn’t hug your daughter. That would be weird.”

  Mona laughed and patted the strange little man on the head. “I don’t suppose she’s been back since we left?”

  Colin shook his head. “No sign of her. I am pretty sure she’s started heading east. She’s got the young princess with her and she must know the Empress has passed away by now. She is in a race against the clock at this point.”

  “That’s what Hal and I think as well. He’s up speaking to the Duke now about rallying some support from the western cities and gathering a military push towards the capital. I’m not sure His Grace will be able to pull anything together in time so the two of us and probably young Stefan are going to head out on our own and try to catch up with her.”

  “What brings you here? Do you need some supplies for the road?” Colin asked.

  “Probably, but I’m also here because I need your help with something I’ve been working on. You’ve got that permanent portal back-and-forth between the worlds Tildi set up for you years ago, but we don’t have a way to get home right now. I know we can’t use yours. I’m hoping, though, you might be able to help me with a device I’m crafting. I think I’ve almost finished it, but it’s missing something. Would you have a look at it for me?”

  “Sure. Come on, and join me back here,” Colin said. “I have a crafter’s bench set up in one of these rooms for making last-minute modifications to gear for my clients.”

  Colin started off between the racks of shelves and Mona fell in behind him. His path twisted and turned several times until she was thoroughly lost as usual. Eventually, she gave up on keeping track of her position and the way back to the front door. Colin would make sure she got back out safely.

  “Here we are,” Colin said. They entered a small room with a tool bench and racks of equipment and tools of various shapes and sizes lining the walls.

  Mona gawked at the room. “How long have you had this?”

  “It’s always been here. Why?”

  “Because I could have used more than half of these tools long ago. I ended up having to craft the tools from scratch on my own just to get things done. If I’d known I could’ve just come here and bought them, I would have.”

  “I am Colin, and this is the Caravansary Outfitters. I offer everything the intrepid adventurer needs. That includes things for artificers like yourself.”

  Mona shook her head and decided not to argue the point. In all their interactions in the past, she knew she had mentioned some of her difficulties in crafting new items of higher technology here in Fantasma. Nev
er once had Colin said he had a room full of modern tools like this.

  “Where is this thing you want me to take a look at?”

  “It’s right here.” Mona reached into her backpack and pulled out the prototype portal device. It had changed form several times before she settled on its current design.

  The device looked a little bit like a baker’s rolling pin with buttons, dials, and a few glass windows built into the metal cylinder where a wooden roller would’ve been. There were round metal handles on either side of the central cylinder, sticking out like handlebars. One of them had a lever attached to it like the brake handle on a bicycle.

  The other had several circular tiles built into the handle that rotated like a combination lock to enable even more settings and adjustments.

  “Oh my, that looks awesome,” Colin said. “Hand it over.”

  Mona handed him the prototype and Colin pulled a jeweler’s loop out of his pocket setting it to his eye as he squinted through it, hunched over the portal device. He checked every inch of it with the tiny magnifying lens. As he did so, Colin rattled off random comments on some of the things he noticed. Mona nodded but held off replying to his mutterings to allow him to finish his examination.

  When Colin finished his meticulous scan of the device, he set it down on the workbench in front of him and turned to Mona. “My dear, this has got to be one of the most incredible things you’ve ever created. I am not sure what it is you want me to do, though?”

  Mona reached over and flipped up a transparent glass cover on the central cylinder. She pointed inside. “It’s the central focal point of the portal generator in there. I’ve got everything else figured out on the device. The only thing I can’t do is adjust the destination. I’m pretty sure if I powered it up and activated it now, it would open a portal. The problem is there’d be no way for me to know where the portal went to. That’s kind of a dangerous thing, don’t you think?”

  “Hmm. Let me think for a minute.” Colin stared at the device on the workbench. “Ordinarily back home we’d do this sort of thing with a dedicated chipset build out of silicon and circuit traces. Here, though, we’ve got to think a bit differently. We’ve got to go analog.”