Calista looked a little queasy. “I… I see.” She nodded at Spot. “In any case, I do owe you an apology, Spot. I’m sorry.” She extended her hand.
Spot nudged her hand with his head. Give me food.
“Words are wind, princess. If you want to apologise, get him something interesting to eat. You guys have great seafood in the Shimmering Isles, right? I remember hearing that somewhere.” She growled. “I never got any good seafood when I was a kid. Damn that stupid forest and those stupid elves.”
Calista clapped her hands together in delight. “Of course! Our waters are teeming with delicacies of all kinds from sea urchins, tropical spike fish, and giant tuna to crimson octopi, lemon sharks, lobsters, and even reef snakes.” Spot’s eyes had gone wide at the mention of so many new things to taste. He was practically drooling. “Fear not, Spot. When we arrive, I shall ensure you have a chance to try all of our finest delicacies.”
Spot nodded. Apology accepted. He tilted his head to one side. Can I catch some?
“Catch some? I suppose you could. Some of them are caught easily enough, but others can only be found lurking in the deepest waters that are home to the deadliest sharks and man-eating giant squids.”
Spot shrugged. I’m a dragon.
“That… is a very good point.” The princess nudged Katie with her elbow. “Will he really be okay?”
“Oh.” Katie startled. She wasn’t used to children her age touching her. Most children were terrified of her shadows despite her excellent control over them. “It’s true that dragons are best known for flying and breathing fire, but they’re actually quite well suited to water as well. Spot can swim very well, and he can hold his breath for very long periods of time. If anything does try to grab him, he can either claw it, bite it, or…”
Spot grinned toothily. A mantle of flame enveloped him although his control was good enough to keep it from setting everything around them on fire. Mother taught me this!
Timmy raised one eyebrow. The mantle of flames that Avraniel could create was one of her most useful skills. The flames not only kept people from getting close but they also acted as a shield of sorts, disintegrating incoming projectiles and dulling any attacks that did mange to get through. “I didn’t know dragons could do that.”
The elf had moved on from her sandwich to some roasted potatoes and carrots. “Most of them could do it if they ever bothered to learn how, but they’ve got their scales. They don’t need it. I taught Spot since it might come in handy.” She glanced at the knife she was using before beckoning Spot over. It wasn’t sharp enough, so she began to use the scales that ran along his spine to hone the edge. “Spot isn’t very big yet. If someone used the right kind of net or rope, there’s a chance they could tie him up long enough to hit him with something that would hurt him. Not anymore. The second someone tries to tie him up, he can burn his way out.”
“That’s a good point.” He smiled. “Good work.” He’d heard stories of dragons that got into trouble because their mouths had somehow been kept shut. Although dragons breathed fire, there was nothing, at least in principle, to stop them using their magic to create fire in and around any part of their body. It wouldn’t be as powerful, but even a weaker version of dragon fire was still incredibly potent.
“I didn’t do it for you, idiot. I did it for Spot.”
“It certainly seems like a handy skill to have.” The princess nodded firmly. “Very well, Spot. I can speak to some fisherman and have them show you where to look. They might even enjoy having you around since I doubt sharks and their ilk would wish to face you.”
I eat sharks.
“He does,” Katie said. “Whenever we go to the beach, he always goes looking for one to eat. I almost feel bad for them since it’s such an unfair fight.” She gestured, and her shadows formed into shapes to accompany her words. “Imagine you’re a shark. You’re swimming along peacefully, minding your own business when a dragon dives out of the sky, knifes through the water, and hits you in the spine with claws and teeth that can carve through steel. The next thing you know you’re being hauled into the air and dumped on a beach.”
Calista grimaced. “It does sound awfully unfair when you put it like that.”
Avraniel pointed her knife at the princess. “Combat is all about being unfair, princess. Don’t get me wrong. Fighting fair might make sense in a training exercise, a sparring match, or an exhibition bout, but in real combat – when you and your opponent are trying to kill each other – fighting unfair is the way to go. Do they have a bad leg? Kick them in the leg. Are they wearing something highly flammable? Set them on fire.” She looked at Katie. “As the twerp said about her zombies. They’re all about fighting unfair. Look at the giant thing they had killing everything back at the fortress. It had hydra acid, a petrifying gaze, and wings. That’s about as unfair as it gets.”
“So how is it being a necromancer in training?” the princess asked Katie.
“It’s been… good.” Katie seemed taken aback that the princess hadn’t immediately reached for a stake or a pitchfork. It was, after all, one of the more common reactions when people found out someone was a necromancer. Indeed, it was not a coincidence that stake and pitchfork sales jumped in areas plagued by malevolent necromancers. Timmy considered it a badge of honour that stake and pitchfork sales in his domain had been steady for years. The villagers might not all like him, but they could tell that things had improved since he’d been put in charge.
“Out of interest,” Calista said. “How does one become a necromancer’s apprentice? We don’t have necromancers in the Shimmering Isles, so I’m not familiar with how things are done.” She made a face. “Although you needn’t worry. Since we’ve never had to worry about necromancers, there aren’t any laws in place criminalising it. Frankly, I’m not sure if having so many islands would be good for creating a massive zombie army.”
“Well…” Katie glanced at him for permission, and Timmy shrugged. If she wanted to talk about her past, he wasn’t going to stop her. “I had a dog – I still have him, actually – named Patches. When he died I really, really didn’t want him to stay dead, so I used my magic to bring him back as a zombie. I could tell that he was still Patches – a willing soul can be put back into a zombie, so it retains its personality and everything – but my family didn’t like it. They left me at my master’s castle, and I’ve been there ever since.”
“Oh.” Calista sighed. “I’m sorry.” Her lips twitched. “You know, I think I’ve apologised more in the past few days than I have in the rest of my life. I truly did not mean to bring up bad memories.”
“It’s okay.” Katie smiled faintly and fiddled with her glasses. “I like it better at the castle anyway. The village where my family lives isn’t very big, and everyone there is a farmer or a craftsman. I don’t think I’d ever fit in there, but I do fit in as a necromancer. Plus, I wouldn’t have met all the friends I have now if I had stayed, especially people like Sam.”
“Sam?”
“Sam is a protoplasmic horror from another dimension with an addiction to cake.” Timmy shook his head as Avraniel added a mountain of pepper to the chicken Spot was eating. Only a dragon could eat that much pepper and not suffer a heart attack. “But don’t worry. He’s really friendly once you get to know him, so long as you don’t try to steal his cake. He doesn’t like that.”
The princess laughed before slowly trailing off when she realised that no one else was laughing. “He’s joking, right? Right?”
“No.” Katie used her shadows to make a rough silhouette of the form Sam usually took. “He kind of looks like that only way bigger. It’s also hard to show all of the details. Think lots of eyes, teeth, tentacles, and claws although he can basically do whatever he wants with his body anyway.” She paused. “I’d show you a picture, but looking at it could drive you insane since you’re not used to him.”
“I… I see.”
“You don’t – but you will if you ever meet him.” Timmy rais
ed his voice. “Amanda, could you and Gerald come here? Bring Old Man too.” He doubted Gerald or Old Man would be able to hear him from the dining room, but the ancient vampire’s hearing was exceptionally keen, and both Gerald and Old Man were with some of the ninja rats. The deadly rodents should have no problems hearing him.
Once the others had arrived, Timmy turned his attention back to the princess. “Now, princess, there are a few things we need to talk about.”
“Of course.” Calista visibly straightened in her chair. “I am a princess, so I am not altogether ignorant on matters such as these.” She took a brief moment to compose herself. “I am thankful for your kind treatment and for being freed of Lord Tarrick, yet I assume you have your own reasons for doing so – reasons you are about to share.”
“Exactly.” Timmy grinned and lifted his plate of food up into the air before Spot could grab anything from it. The dragon huffed and nudged Timmy’s leg hopefully. The necromancer shook his head. Spot still had plenty of his own food. “And by revealing those reasons to you, we’re hoping you can help your father make the right decision.” It went unspoken that as her father’s only child and heir, there was a good chance that he would at least hear her out despite her age.
“A decision in your favour, I imagine.”
“Yes.” Timmy chuckled. “I like you. You’re a lot like my apprentice although I doubt you can do taxes as well as she can.”
Amanda took over from there. Even if Calista didn’t know who she was, there was no doubt whatsoever in the princess’s mind that Amanda was nobility, important nobility. Everything about the woman oozed power and sophistication. Even her accent was slightly different from the others, a product of both her great age and of spending her formative years as a noble.
“The situation is simple, Your Highness. War is coming. Everton and the Eternal Empire are going to fight. It is simply a matter of deciding when and where to begin open hostilities.”
“So… it is that serious?” Calista sagged back in her chair. “I had heard rumours from some of the servants and from some of my tutors, but I had hoped they were exaggerating.” Her gaze sharpened, and she sat back up. “And with my kingdom’s position…”
“The Shimmering Isles are close enough to Everton that they would serve as an excellent base of operations for the empire’s fleets. Our outlying islands would immediately come under attack, and if those fell, our mainland would be badly exposed. Kidnapping you was done in a bid to secure your father’s cooperation. We have documents and other evidence proving that the empire not only aided Lord Tarrick’s ascent in the criminal world but also was responsible for him abducting you. Your kidnapping was conducted at their behest, and they provided him with the naval assets he needed to accomplish it.”
Calista’s jaw tightened, and steel entered her eyes. “Go on.”
“The empire is also concerned because your kingdom is within striking distance of several of their more important forward naval bases. Those bases are crucial to their ability to project naval power since their mainland is a substantial distance from ours. If, however, Everton was allowed to dock and resupply in your territory…”
“You could do what they aspire to and mount an offensive of your own.” Calista looked at Timmy. “Can I assume this is what your backers intend to ask my father for?”
“Something along those lines.” Timmy was tempted to ruffle her hair. The expression on her face reminded him so much of his apprentice. “Your father has taught you well.”
“He has had to. I am his only child, and despite facing substantial pressure to remarry and produce additional children, my father has thus far refused. I must be ready to succeed him at any time. He has been most thorough in my education, especially with regards to our navy.” Her hands folded together in her lap. “The navy is the lifeblood of my kingdom. Without it, we would have been conquered long ago. The navy would never accept a ruler who doesn’t understand them. My father had the benefit of proving himself against pirates, smugglers, and other miscreants. I am too young to do that, but I have still spent plenty of time doing what I can, whether it is climbing rigging, running errands, or learning how to command a vessel. An idle princess would have no hope of winning the navy’s respect.”
“My master always says the best way to learn something is to try it yourself.” Katie shrugged. “Although he was talking about building composite zombies not joining the navy.”
Calista blinked. “What is a composite zombie?”
“Composite zombies are made from the parts of more than one creature, and they are usually visibly different from the original forms of the creatures involved.” Katie used her shadows to create a shadowy miniature replica of the towering zombie they’d deployed during the attack on the fortress. “This is the zombie hydra-drake-basilisk you saw when we were rescuing you.”
“I will admit I was rather panicked at the time. I can only remember something very big with wings.” She peered at the shadowy replica. “How do you make one?”
“The first thing you have to worry about is physically connecting everything since necromantic magic will generally flow through the body as long as it’s in one piece, but you also have to make sure –”
Timmy cleared his throat. “What we’re trying to say, princess, is that while we’re happy to give you back to your father to ensure the empire has no leverage over your kingdom, we would be even happier if he would permit us to launch attacks from your territory. We wouldn’t be expecting your kingdom to contribute troops or supplies. Letting us dock at a few of your islands would be enough.”
“Are you absolutely certain that war is coming?” Calista asked. “This isn’t just another skirmish? After all, Everton and the empire have been skirmishing for centuries.”
“Yes.” Amanda’s gaze turned distant, and Timmy had a feeling she was remembering events from long before even Avraniel had been born. “I have seen this before, Your Highness. The proxy wars have already escalated well beyond their usual levels. They are no longer mere skirmishes but legitimate battles between allied and affiliated nations as Everton and the empire jockey for advantages and ready their full strengths. The movement of supplies is unmistakable, and logistics never lie. Soon – within a year at the very latest – war will come. I assume you know how the last war went.”
The princess swallowed thickly and nodded. Everyone knew about the First War between Everton and the empire. It was the stuff of legends. At the heart of the conflict had been the First Council, all of them whom had been incredibly powerful. They had stood against the emperor and his Lords of Magic. No one knew the exact details – except for those involved – but after the war had ground to a bloody stalemate, the emperor had launched what he hoped would be a decisive strike. That final battle had taken place on Everton’s soil, and it had involved hundreds of thousands of troops and magic of unbelievable power. The final result had indeed been decisive, albeit not in the manner the emperor had hoped. The emperor had been killed, his Lords of Magic had taken heavy losses, and the rest of the empire’s forces had suffered massive casualties as they retreated in panic and disorder. Yet Everton had not emerged for the conflict unscathed. They too had suffered many, many casualties. The climactic phase of the battle – a titanic contest between the First Council and the Emperor and his most elite Lords of Magic – had created a gigantic crater that had taken centuries to fix.
“Will it be that bad?” Calista whispered.
“Both Everton and the empire have grown stronger since the First War. It may well be worse.”
The princess paled, but Timmy was inclined to agree with Amanda, as much as he hoped she was wrong. Both Everton and the empire were stronger than they had been during the First War. Both nations had also been planning for the coming conflict for some time. Neither of them was naïve enough to think the uneasy ceasefire would last forever, and both knew how steep the price of failure would be. If Everton lost, it would be subsumed into the empire once more. If the em
pire lost, it could fragment, its many territories all vying for independence once the empire no longer had the strength to control them.
“You have given me a lot to think about,” Calista murmured. “If this conflict is as large as you suspect it will be, then I doubt any nation will have the chance to remain neutral.” She wrung her hands together. “If the empire were to take the Shimmering Isles, I doubt they would be kind enough to leave once the war finished, yet helping Everton is not a decision my kingdom can make lightly.”
“All we ask is that you think about it.” Timmy nodded at Amanda. “If you have any questions, ask Amanda. She’s better at the whole politics thing. Me? I like my castle, my zombies, and a full treasury.” He helped himself to some more food. “And a full stomach isn’t bad either, is it, Spot?”
Spot trilled in agreement – and tried to swipe some chicken off his plate.
* * *
Katie watched the surface of the ocean as the ship cut through the water. Her master had hired a small but swift vessel of nondescript appearance that was operated by a smuggler known for both his loyalty to his employers and his discretion. A larger ship might have afforded them stronger defences, but it would also attract far more attention. It was better to keep a low profile until they were further from the Combine and the possibility of reprisal from Lord Tarrick’s forces, or what was left of them, anyway.
Their destination was an island in independent waters where they would be meeting up with Jake who would take them the rest of the way to the Shimmering Isles. A dreadnought was not the fastest ship around, but it would deter all but the strongest of opponents. Further away from the Combine and in the open waters between nations, strength was important. They could easily fight off pirates, but not having to fight them at all was far better. Knowing her master, he would also take the opportunity to introduce Jake to Calista’s father. Only a trusted captain would be allowed to take a foreign dreadnought into the Shimmering Isles’ waters, but helping to return Calista safely should be enough to win over the king. And if Jake could dock in the Shimmering Isles, he would be in a much better position to attack imperial ships.
Two Necromancers, a Dwarf Kingdom, and a Sky City Page 21