Dragonvein (Book Two) (17 page)

Lylinora’s eyes burned. “We were taken by surprise.”

Jonas cleared his throat, but when Lylinora looked at him, he folded his hands on the table and remained silent.

At that moment, the entire room began to shake violently. This was accompanied by the harsh scraping of metal and a series a deep booms. The disturbance lasted for only a few seconds, but it was long enough to have everyone apart from Ganix on their feet and scrambling under the table.

The king threw his head back in laughter. “It’s all right. Nothing is wrong.”

“What the hell was that?” demanded Jonas.

“The machine which powers this place can be…temperamental,” he told them.

Lylinora stood and straightened her dress. “Machine?”

Ganix helped Jonas to his feet. “Yes. The lights, hot water, plumbing, even the concealing cloak and fog – everything is powered by a great machine.”

“I thought it ran on magic,” said Kat.

“It
seems
like magic,” Ganix replied. “But it’s not. At least, not in the way we understand it. The best we can tell is that it somehow draws its power from the sea. Beyond that, we really don’t know how it works.”

“It’s a power plant!” exclaimed Markus. “There’s a big one at Niagara Falls back on Earth. It’s powered by the current of the river. I bet your machine works the same way.”

Ganix cocked his head. “The river current you say? That’s interesting. I must pass this information on to Rakaal.”

Ethan was beginning to understand why King Ganix had kept the true history of his people secret. If they did in fact once travel the stars, it would be hugely demoralizing to see these wonders and know that you were now no better than a child playing with your father’s tools.

Apparently, Lylinora was having a similar thought. She looked as if she were trying to measure her words and waited several seconds before speaking. “Do you think it’s wise to meddle with the things here?” she eventually asked. “Perhaps they would be best left alone. Rakaal has told us that everything you try to repair ends up either exploding or in flames. Suppose you touch something far more powerful than a flying machine?”

“It is a concern,” Ganix conceded. “But if we can recover even a small portion of our knowledge, imagine what the world would become.”

Ethan lowered his head and frowned.

“You have an opinion, Ethan?” Ganix asked.

He shrugged. “It’s just that I remember the story you told me. How your people used their technology to rule. How you treated the humans and elves so badly back then. So now, I can’t help but wonder: What if you succeed in regaining that knowledge?”

For a moment, Ganix stared at Ethan blank-faced. A warm smile then gradually appeared. “You continue to amaze me with your insight, Ethan Dragonvein. And I suppose that what you suggest is a danger. But I hope that wise dwarves…those like Birger…will be the ones who guide us into the future. If so, we can avoid the mistakes of the past.”

Markus leaned back in his chair and stretched. “We’re getting a little ahead of ourselves, aren’t we? Let’s kill Shinzan first. Then we can worry about dwarf machines.”

A few minutes later, Rakaal came into the room. There was a glint of excitement in his old eyes.

“There
is
one more thing I would like you to see before I show you the ship that will be taking you to the Dragon Wastes,” he announced.

Chapter Fourteen

S
hinzan leaned back
in his throne, his hands steepled beneath his chin, and regarded the scene. The dozens of finely dressed men and women scattered throughout the spacious hall consciously avoided eye contact with their Emperor. They knew better. Catching his attention rarely ended well. The craftier of them would skirt the edges of the room and duck behind pillars whenever the Emperor’s gaze wandered in their direction. But this was only a brief delay. In time, all of them would feel the bitter kiss of Shinzan’s lips. They would experience the exquisite pain of his touch. No one was safe for long.

The delicate sounds of the musicians reverberated perfectly off the vaulted ceiling. Though there were only six players, the acoustics made it sound as if they were twice that in number. Even so, no one was dancing. Shinzan considered ordering those in attendance to do so, but dismissed the idea. Better to leave them free to plot and jostle for position. That was far more entertaining.

The two naked women at his feet ran their nimble fingers up his inner thighs. He smiled down at them. Once they had been noble women of worth and status. Now they were gifts given for his pleasure by families desperate to gain his favor. The pretty blond kneeling at his left was once the wife of a Ralmarian lord, given away on the very evening of her wedding. When she came to him, she had not even changed out of her ceremonial gown. What was her name? Ah, yes. Varia.

He smiled down at her. “Varia, my sweet. After tonight you shall entertain the guards. Once they are satisfied, I will return you to your husband. Does that please you?”

Varia lowered her head in submission. “Yes, Your Majesty. Thank you.”

“It might take you several days to get around to them all. At last count there were…”

He paused to scratch his head. “Three-hundred, I think. Give or take a dozen. But I’m certain your husband will be happy upon your return.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. I’m sure he will be.” Tears began to well in her eyes.

It was the little spites, the tiny pinpricks, that he enjoyed most of all. Varia would return to a husband unable to accept what she had done – regardless of the fact that it was beyond her control. Shinzan would send the man a letter describing her time with him in lurid detail. Then, when he shunned her, Varia would come back. This time willingly. Within a year, she would not remember having ever been anywhere else. Shinzan chuckled at the thought.

The red haired beauty on his right had been brought to him by her own father. Even when told of the perverse nature of her duties, he still allowed her to stay. Shinzan had forgotten her name entirely. Whore. That was what she responded to now. My little whore. Shinzan always made sure her father was kept well informed as to her condition and activities.

He reached down and stroked her hair. In response, she leaned her head on his leg, smiling.

“I was thinking of sending you home as well,” he told her.

In an instant, her smile changed to a look of desperation. “No, Your Majesty. Please don’t send me away. I’ll be good. I promise. I’ll…I’ll…”

He placed his finger over her lips. “Quiet now. I only thought that you might want to go home to see your family. Don’t you miss them?”

She looked confused. “I don’t know who you mean, Your Majesty. I have no family. I’ve been here. Always. Please don’t send me away.”

Shinzan clicked his tongue. This one was completely broken. He noticed the terrified expression on Varia’s face as she witnessed the spectacle. And when she looked up at him, she knew. This was her future. Tears streamed down her cheeks and her body quivered from sobs.

Breaking these women was certainly one of his favorite distractions. He had broken men in the same way, but found them to generally be weaker in will and consequently far less entertaining. Nothing could compare in strength to a woman of character and determination. Several had even resisted enough to attack him. With
them
, he had been merciful. A quick, painless death. But the two who were now at his feet did not possess such strength. A pity.

The massive double doors to the hall eased slowly open to reveal Mrulo, a short, fat, shrew of a man. He ran up to the Emperor as fast as his squat little legs could carry him – though in truth it was more like a rapid shuffle than a run. Sweat was already pouring down his rosy round cheeks and he was panting wildly. When just a few feet in front of the throne, he dropped to his knees.

“You are sweating on my floor,” scolded Shinzan. “Get on your feet and tell me why you have interrupted my party.”

Heaving himself up, Mrulo bowed. “My apologies, Your Majesty. Lord Drakion has arrived and wishes to see you.”

Shinzan regarded the man. He may be short, fat, and stupid. But there was never fear in his eyes. Not a glint. “Send him in,” he commanded.

Mrulo backed away and started out.

“And you can take Varia with you,” Shinzan called out. “When you are done with her, send her to the guard barracks.”

A wide grin of anticipation split Mrulo’s face. “Thank you, Your Majesty.”

Varia’s tears flowed anew on hearing this. Nonetheless, she stood and bowed to Shinzan, then took hold of the servant’s chubby little hand.

Shinzan chuckled. Mrulo’s penchant for pain and bondage was well known among the women in the palace, something which in the past had often caused serious injury, and once even death.

Shinzan cleared his throat. “Oh, and Mrulo. Do see to it that she is still in…working condition before you deliver her.”

He nodded vigorously. “Yes, Your Majesty.”

Varia let out a soft cry as the grinning man jerked her forward.

A few minutes later, a tall, lean man dressed in a bright red cape, black ruffled shirt and black trousers entered. His thick locks of auburn hair fell well below his shoulders, bouncing freely with each stride he took. At his side hung a gold hilted sword sheathed in an elegantly jeweled scabbard. His features were thin and angular, and his ruddy complexion contrasted sharply with his ice blue eyes.

He stopped a few feet away from Shinzan to give a sweeping bow. “Thank you for seeing me, Your Majesty.”

Shinzan frowned. “I did not expect you, Lord Drakion. Why have you left Ralmaria without permission?”

“The army is ready to march, Sire.” His tone was confident, in spite of Shinzan’s displeasure. “I come for weapons.”

“Do you not have enough already?”

“No, Sire. Not if we are to fight the dwarves. We have mostly steel and bows. Only a few men possess dwarf weapons.
They
on the other hand, will certainly possess many.”

Shinzan’s eyes bored into Drakion. “Is your leadership and skill not sufficient? Do you expect me to deplete the defenses here? And what shall I do if the palace comes under attack?”

This was a ludicrous question. No one would be fool enough to attack Shinzan in his own palace. Still, he waited for an answer.

“If you wish it, Your Majesty, I will carry out my orders without dwarf weapons. And I will prevail. Though I must tell you that our losses will be great.”

Shinzan remained silent for several seconds. Lord Drakion was an effective leader. And his tactical skills were second only to Hronso. He waved a hand. “Very well. You shall have what you need. But do not fail me.”

Drakion bowed. “Thank you, Your Majesty.”

“Speaking of failure,” Shinzan added offhandedly. “What word of King Halvar?”

“I can only assume he lives,” Drakion replied. “The Rakasa never returned.”

“Even so, he may have been killed after succeeding in his mission.”

“Perhaps, Sire. But I doubt it. Halvar is well loved by his people. His death would surely have lured them out of the mountain in search of vengeance.”

Shinzan nodded approvingly. “An astute observation, Lord Drakion. Which is why I sanctioned the plan when you offered it. I am disappointed that it failed, however.”

Drakion shifted nervously.

“But I do not blame you,” Shinzan continued. “The Rakasa had very little chance to begin with.”

Drakion visibly relaxed, though a slight frown lingered. “I have also received word that one of our patrol ships is missing and believed destroyed. Admiral Grysjin thinks it to be the work of smugglers.”

“And what do
you
think?”

“I think smugglers wouldn’t have the courage to attack an Imperial patrol. In my opinion it was either dwarves or…” He hesitated.

“Or what?”

Drakion carefully averted his eyes before speaking further. “I have heard rumors that a mage has returned. It could have been responsible.”

“And did you tell this to the admiral?” asked Shinzan, smiling.

“I did, Sire. He…he did not agree with me. He said that I was delusional.”

Shinzan’s smile grew broader. “Then you should be pleased to learn that the admiral has been relieved of his command. I expect his head any day now. And you should be further pleased to know that you were right. A mage
was
responsible. And there is not one of them…but two.”

Drakion’s eyes grew wide. “Shall I send - ?”

“They are not for you to worry about,” Shinzan cut in. “I have everything under control.”

“If it’s not overly presumptuous, Sire. How do you know all this?”

Shinzan beckoned his commander closer. With nervous steps, Drakion did as instructed. Shinzan then leaned across to whisper in his ear.

“I know, because there is a traitor amongst them.”

Chapter Fifteen

W
ith each step
he took, Rakaal appeared ever more excited while leading them through the labyrinth of broad corridors.

“I’ve always thought it a shame that more dwarves didn’t take an interest in mechanical devices,” he remarked to Ganix. “Too much time is spent fooling around with bloody magic. If only you’d send me a few more sharp minds I could…”

“Let’s not rehash this,” the king interrupted. “You know good and well that you already have some of our brightest minds working here.” He glanced over at Ethan. “My cousin thinks we should abandon magic entirely and rediscover our past.”

“And why not?” snapped Rakaal. “What has meddling with magic ever achieved? Nothing, that’s what. If our people truly did once travel the stars, then shouldn’t it be our goal to achieve such accomplishments again?”

“Yes, and that’s exactly why you are here, my friend,” said Ganix. He reached out and gave the older man’s shoulder a fond squeeze. “But I doubt our ancestors achieved flight overnight. It will take time. More time than either of us have on this troubled world, I imagine.”

Rakaal sniffed sourly. “Speak for yourself. I’ll see these machines functioning again. Mark my words.”

Ganix chuckled. “I hope you’re right.”

They entered a room similar to that in which they had first met Rakaal. Tables lined the walls, with a larger one running all the way down the center. Various cogs and unidentifiable parts were scattered everywhere. But at the rear stood something that immediately caught everyone’s eye.

A massive metal man.

Made of gleaming silver metal, the figure stood seven feet tall and was twice as broad as a normal human. At the joints, the metal separated to reveal a thin black mesh, and its oval shaped head bore vertical slits where eyes should be.

“This is a
suldaat
,” Rakaal announced proudly.

Ethan scratched his head. “A mechanical man?”

“You have these in your world?” asked Ganix.

Ethan shook his head. “No. Nothing remotely like this. Does it work?”

“Not yet,” replied Rakaal. “We can make them walk, but they have no mind.”

“How many do you have?” asked Jonas.

“About a thousand. And like the other devices, some of these are made from metals we are familiar with, while others are crafted from the unidentifiable material of old.” Rakaal ran his finger lovingly over its breast plate. Can you imagine what an army of these could do?”

Everyone took a long moment to stare in awe. It was Lylinora who eventually broke the silence.

“I can see why you work so hard,” she said. “But the fact remains that, unless they function, we must look to the tools we already have.”

Rakaal frowned at her. “Take you no joy in the beauty of the unknown? Can you not look at what my people created and see beyond your own needs and wants?”

“It is beautiful,” she admitted. “But time doesn’t care about beauty. Time is our enemy. Let’s defeat
that
, then by the spirits, I’ll gaze at every hunk of steel you possess for as long as you desire.”

Rakaal threw up his hands. “You only wish to see things that will help you here and now? Is that it? Then you shall.” He stalked back toward the door.

Ethan ran his hands over the cold metal of the
suldaat
. “This world gets stranger and stranger,” he muttered. He noticed Markus still staring at it as well. “Imagine what the Krauts would have thought about these,” he grinned.

Markus smiled back. “They’d have shit themselves for sure. Hell, I almost did when I saw it. Who could make such a thing?”

“I keep trying to picture them walking,” remarked Kat, staring uncomfortably at the metallic man. “It’s frightening to think about.”

Their brief reflection was broken by Rakaal giving a sharp whistle from the doorway and waving impatiently for everyone to follow him. He led them through another corridor and down a long flight of steps which ended in a tall archway. Ethan could taste the salt air as they passed beneath it. Seconds later, he heard the echo of waves crashing against rocks.

Beyond the archway was a massive, sea water filled cavern – several hundred feet across and tall enough to accommodate a four story building. The mouth opened up to the ocean facing east.

Four vessels were docked, two on either side of the enclosure. They reminded Ethan of the power boats he had seen in Hudson Bay during the summer months, but forged from a red metal rather than crafted from wood. They were longer and sleeker too – sixty feet long at least, and only about twenty feet wide.

“No sails?” asked Lylinora. This time she looked genuinely impressed.

Rakaal cast her a sideways glance. “No sails.”

They descended a long stairway which took them to the main dock, then on to the boat sitting nearest the mouth of the cave. Rakaal led them up the gang plank to the forward deck where several dwarves were busy making preparations for their journey.

Atop the cabin was a small wheelhouse, and toward the stern another open deck area lined on either side with cushioned benches. Rakaal waited until all the dwarves had disembarked before ushering the group up a short ladder to the wheelhouse.

Here, a line of three chairs had been bolted to the floor, the central one positioned directly behind the wheel. In front of this was a long control panel packed with an intimidating array of knobs, dials, and gauges. Ethan felt his anxiety rising. He didn’t recognize anything here, and was certain that no one else in his group did either. Even the symbols marking the gauges were unfamiliar.

Seeing his disquiet, Rakaal placed a hand on his shoulder. “Don’t worry. You won’t need to know most of this. Hell, we don’t understand half of it ourselves.”

“Do you at least know how the thing runs?” Ethan asked.

“Of course,” he replied. Reaching into his pocket, Rakaal produced a green rod about six inches in length and twice as thick as a man’s thumb. “This is what powers it. And we’ve loaded the hold with enough of them to keep you going for months.”

He waved the others in closer. “It’s really quite easy. The wheel steers you. That’s simple enough for anyone to understand.” He then touched a silver lever on the panel. “This is the throttle. The further you push it forward, the faster you’ll go. And this black button here is what starts and stops the engine. That’s really all you need to know. All these other gauges tell you the engine temperature, fuel levels…things like that. But one power rod will last for a full week, and I’ll show you how to replace them.”

Satisfied that everyone understood, he took them below to inspect the cabin. Just beyond the door was a small area to prepare meals and a sink, while benches on either side unfolded to allow for two people sleeping on each. A door further in revealed another bed, as well as a small lavatory.

“Keep your fresh water usage to a minimum,” Rakaal warned. “What comes from the sink is pure and good to drink. But there’s only enough to sustain you for two or three weeks.”

“This will be a smelly trip then,” said Kat.

“Oh, I think not,” countered Lylinora. “I intend to stay clean. And I’ll not be surrounded by unwashed brutes. Purifying sea water is a simple matter.”

“Bloody magic,” Rakaal grumbled under his breath.

After showing them how to change the fuel rods and a few other basic operations, he escorted them back to their room. Once there, he spoke privately with Ganix for a short time before leaving. The king then asked everyone to gather around the table.

“That went better than I expected,” he remarked. “Rakaal detests magic, and the idea of helping anyone who uses it bothers him.”

“But don’t all those devices you showed us also run on magic?” asked Jonas.

“Of course,” replied Ganix, smiling. “Just don’t point that out to Rakaal. He hates to be reminded.”

“Whatever powers them, it’s certainly proof that your people once possessed great skill,” said Jonas. “A pity that most of that knowledge is now lost.”

Lylinora sniffed. “It’s all so unnatural. Metal soldiers and flying machines. Have you ever considered there is a reason your people no longer use such things? That perhaps the knowledge was not lost…but abandoned.”

“It’s possible,” Ganix admitted. “But I do not see what was hidden away here as being unnatural. Rakaal wishes to restore the devices made by our ancestors. And I admit, I would like that as well. But even more importantly, when I look at the magnificent craft used to fashion these treasures, I see hope for my people. Hope that we can aspire to be more than we are today. To be more than we ever dared to dream. Perhaps we can, in time, even return to the stars. Sometimes I wonder if that is where we truly belong.”

He paused to wave a hand dismissively. “But this is a conversation we must put aside for another time. You will be departing soon, and this may be our last chance to speak of more pressing matters. As you already know, I will be leaving to lead my people south to Elyfoss.”

“Won’t Shinzan try to stop you?” asked Markus.

“Indeed he might. But we have little choice. My kingdom is far less secure than King Halvar’s. Even without Shinzan leading it, a determined attack on us could well succeed given time.” Ganix reached into the folds of his robe and handed Ethan a small blue stone. “Once you have finished your business with the dragons, this will lead you to me. Just hold the stone in your hand and concentrate. It will tell you where I am.”

For a while they continued to talk of practical issues – routes, provisions, and anything else they might need. Ethan got the impression that King Ganix was not optimistic about his chances of making it all the way to the relative safety of Elyfoss without a fight. Such things, he imagined, weighed heavily on a ruler’s mind.

The conversation then turned to more pleasant matters. Time slipped by with ease, and before they knew it, a messenger had arrived to tell them that all was ready and they could depart at any time.

Everyone gathered their belongings and followed King Ganix back down to the dock. Ethan could feel a combination of excitement and dread rapidly building. The call of the dragons would soon now be answered.

Rakaal was waiting for them at the gangplank, a sullen scowl on his face.

“You have no idea what parting with this boat is doing to him,” whispered Ganix when drawing close.

As if in response, Rakaal barred their way and planted his fists on his hips. “I expect this to be returned…and in the same condition,” he growled.

Ethan bowed low. “You will get it back, I promise. And thank you for all you’ve done. We couldn’t have managed without your help.”

Rakaal stared at him silently for a moment, then turned to Ganix. “I hope you know what you’re doing,” he muttered before stalking away.

Ganix embraced each one of them in turn. “I wish you luck,” he said.

“And good luck to
you
,” responded Markus. “I think we’ll be needing it.

Once they were all on board, Ganix pulled the gangplank free while two other dwarves untied the boat and tossed the ropes onto the deck.

Taking up position behind the wheel, Markus pushed the start button. Ethan was expecting to hear a roaring grumble come from the engine, but to his surprise there was only a low-pitched hum and virtually no vibration.

He stayed in the wheelhouse with his friend while the rest settled on the benches at the rear of the deck. Cautiously, Markus eased the silver lever forward a fraction of an inch, but even this was sufficient to make the craft lurch forward quite dramatically. Knowing that none of the others would have experienced such sudden power before, Ethan glanced over his shoulder to see what effect this had had on them. Lylinora was looking most unsettled and clutching hold grimly to the railing with both hands. Contrastingly, Kat was grinning from ear to ear and steadying herself with just one hand, while Jonas was holding on steadfastly to the edge of the bench.

Markus steered to the cavern mouth and gave Ethan a smile. “Not bad, eh? I wonder how fast she’ll go.”

“Unless you want to make Lylinora really angry, I’d wait for a while before finding out,” Ethan suggested.

Once beyond the cavern, Markus eased the throttle a little further forward. Again the boat instantly picked up speed. Though the water was relatively calm, the bow still bounced playfully on the small swells. They were already surpassing the speed any sailing vessel could hope to achieve, even in the most favorable of conditions.

“That’s enough,” shouted Lylinora. “The
spirits
only know what will happen if you go too fast in this abomination.”

“Relax, My Lady,” he laughed. “Enjoy yourself for a change.”

Barely were the words out of his mouth when he leapt forward, yelping in pain. Frantically he began beating at the seat of his pants where a small flame had erupted. Ethan could hear Kat laughing hysterically.

“Do
not
tell me to relax,” Lylinora warned, glaring furiously at him.

Markus glared back, but said nothing in reply.

“Take the wheel,” he brusquely told Ethan before storming off down the ladder and disappearing into the cabin below. Ethan could not suppress a laugh as he caught sight of the singed hole in his friend’s pants.

He glanced back at the island that was already shrinking into the distance. All at once, it vanished completely and they were passing through the protective curtain of fog. Not that this lasted for very long. At their current speed they were out of it in less than five minutes. By the time Markus returned wearing a fresh pair of trousers, they were well away.

“With your permission, My Lady,” he called sourly. “I would like to hurry us along.”

Lylinora seemed rather pleased with herself and was fiddling with a stray piece of cloth that had come loose from her dress. “That will be fine,” she told him. “But not too fast. Understood?” She held up her index finger, causing a tiny ball of fire to appear just above it. “I don’t imagine you have an unlimited supply of clothes with you.”

Hissing a curse, Markus urged the boat faster, but only until hearing Lylinora ominously clear her throat. With a smile on his face, Ethan slapped him on the back and left to join the others.