Revenge of the Mad Scientist (Book One: Airship Adventure Chronicles) (13 page)

“How will I know who he is?” Belle asked, amazed at this.

“Momi says there is something about the eagle with this man. Look for the mark of the eagle.”

“Who are the men of the flower?”

Gurfa waited while Momi spoke, and then said, “They are the evil men. The killers. They go by the sign of the flower. You have angered them and they will try to kill you. But you must not let them. The world waits for you to complete your destiny.”

Gurfa paused as Momi added something else. “Also, Momi says you are a proud woman with a big heart but you must learn to be humble before the eagle man can find you. She says you must focus on compassion and help those along the way on your journey and it will make you stronger so you can fulfill your fate.”

Belle did not speak for several seconds as she tried to take in what Momi had said. The old woman opened her eyes now and pointed to a pearl brooch on Belle’s jacket lapel.

“Momi says she would like to have this as payment for telling your fortune,” Gurfa said, giggling.

“But this belonged to my grandmother. Wouldn’t she rather have some money, some gold?” Belle put a hand up to the treasured heirloom.

Gurfa leaned forward and whispered, “It is unlucky to bargain over your future,
sitta
.”

Belle hesitated, then undid the clasp of the brooch and handed it to Momi who finally smiled as she turned the item over in her hands.

“It is very lucky that you gave it to her without haggling,” Gurfa sat back, grinning. “You will have a good journey now.”

“Well, thank you, ah, Momi,” Belle said. She rose from the pillow regretting the loss of the brooch but feeling compelled to give in to the strange situation. Momi continued to look at her new possession. Gurfa took her hand and led her out of the tent.

Belle squinted in the sunlight, and her mind whirled with the words from the fortune teller. Jasper and Benji stood at a food tent across from her. Jasper purchased some items to restock his secret supplies and stuffed them in his canvas bag. Benji came running over when he saw her.

“Look at this, Belle,” he said. He held up what appeared to be an animal’s horn. It was black and its surface had been carved in an intricate pattern. A red tasseled cord ran through one end and made a loop with which to carry it. Benji put the small end to his lips and blew. A loud, deep sound came forth making her cover her ears. Gurfa giggled beside her.

“It’s a gak horn,” the girl said.

“Very…interesting,” Belle said, eyeing Benji’s purchase with misgiving. No doubt she would hear more of the horn on their journey at the most unlikely times. She opened her pocket watch and saw it was eight-thirty. They needed to go see the doctor.

“Gurfa, do you think you could take us to this address?” She pulled the note from her pocket and handed it to the girl.

“Oh. Dr. Mufti. Of course. Follow me.” She took Belle’s hand again and led them off down a side street.

It only took ten minutes to reach the location and Belle breathed a sigh of relief when she saw a man opening the door to enter just as they arrived. By his professional appearance it had to be the doctor.

“Thank you, Gurfa,” Belle said, pressing a gold coin in the girl’s hand. Gurfa laughed in delight at such a gift and waved with a bright smile as she ran back toward Momi’s tent.

The small wooden structure of the doctor’s office had one window and a sign over the door she couldn’t read. But the number on the side of the door matched the address on the paper.

“Belle!”

She heard a call and turned to see Rett and Sam hurrying toward them.

“Where did you go? I’ve been worried you were kidnapped,” Rett said when he reached her, his brow furrowed.

“I left you a note,” Belle said. A small twinge of guilt surfaced but she decided he didn’t deserve it.

“I know, but it’s dangerous to be wandering around by yourself.”

“Benji and Jasper were with me. Don’t worry, I’m okay. Let’s go see the doctor. I’m eager to have some news of my father.” She didn’t want to argue with him in the middle of the street.

She knocked on the door and a middle-aged woman answered and motioned them inside. Belle went in first followed by Rett and the others. They were in a small waiting area and the woman motioned for them to sit in the plain wooden chairs that lined the walls. The woman disappeared behind a door without saying a word.

Fortunately they only waited a few seconds before the door opened and the doctor came out.

“I am Dr. Mufti. You are Urbanni?” The small man made a slight bow. He wore black robes over white tunic and pants. He also had the black rimless hat that other men here wore.

“Yes,” Rett said, answering before Belle could open her mouth. He gave her a sideways glance. “We heard at the aeroport that you attended a ship that left last night. The ship is called
Blackwatch
and we have a friend on it. We were hoping you could give us news of him, especially who was hurt.”

The doctor’s dark eyes narrowed as he glanced around the group. His gaze stopped on Belle.

“Are you Arabella Trunkett?” he asked her.

Her knees trembled. “Yes, I am.”

“Then I have something for you.” He left the room for a moment and returned with a folded sheet of paper. He handed it to her and she saw that her name had been written on the back of it in her father’s handwriting. Her hands shook as she unfolded it and read.

My darling Belle,

I feel sure that you found the stickpin and in your usual impetuous way you will be coming after me. I’m leaving this note with the doctor and hope if you make it this far he will have an opportunity to give it to you. You must convince the Queen not to start a war with Gandiss. I have overheard my kidnappers talking and understand that my destination is actually Carabarras. I think the Imperial Warlord is behind this, fearing a treaty between Gandiss and Urbannia. Please follow my wishes and return at once to Aereopolis to the see the Queen. World war is at stake. If Urbannia attacks Gandiss, it will be a disaster. Our world would be shattered for years to come. I hope to survive this madness, but if not please know that I love you and your mother very much. It will be up to you now, Belle.

With love and God’s speed, your father, Sir John Trunkett.

Tears rolled down Belle’s cheeks as she finished reading the letter. She handed it to Rett without saying anything. Words could not make it past the lump in her throat. Rett passed the paper to the others when he finished.

“Thank you, Dr. Mufti,” Rett said. “This means a great deal to us.”

“I must admit, I read the letter and I know who Sir John Trunkett is,” the doctor said to Belle. “Your father slipped the paper into my hand with a very compelling look on his face. It was obvious he was being watched and they never left me alone with him. I was much taken by his gracious manner and was unwilling to give him away. So I hid the letter in my pocket. Unfortunately, by the time I returned to my office and read it, the ship had left and I could do nothing to help him.”

“Was he…all right?” Belle managed to get out the words.

“Yes, he had sustained a blow to the head, but there was no internal damage, only a cut across his brow. I sutured it closed, so he will not die from that.” The doctor frowned. “But this letter is most disturbing. I received my medical training in Urbannia. I would hate to see our countries mired in a war.”

“You agree that Pandistan would join Gandiss and Carabarras in a war against the western countries if Urbannia attacked Gandiss?” Rett asked.

“Of course. There can be no doubt of it. It’s not that my people hate your people. It’s the government. They are concerned if Urbannia conquered Gandiss, then what would stop them from taking Pandistan. Clearly you have superior weaponry and technical ability.”

Belle shook her head. “We have to go after them. They’re only twelve hours ahead of us.”

Rett stared at her incredulously. “What are you saying? Your father said to go back to Urbannia and convince the queen.”

“I’m not going back to Urbannia.” Belle stood. Her tears dried and all that remained in her heart was determination. She was going to save her father or die trying. “By the time I reach Urbannia it could be too late for my father and the world. I’ll find a fast way to send this letter to my mother. She can convince the queen if it’s not too late. But I’m going after my father.”

She turned to the doctor and held out a hand. “Thank you Dr. Mufti. I can’t thank you enough for what you did for my father and for bringing the letter to me.”

He shook her hand but his expression did not lighten. “You’re welcome, Lady Arabella. I wish I could do something more to help you.”

“You’ve done a great deal already.” Belle turned for the door. When they were outside, she prepared herself for Rett’s objections.

“Okay, let’s get back to the ship,” Rett said. “With this westerly wind we can make it to Jandaharra by tomorrow.”

Belle stopped in her tracks and looked at him with disbelief. “You’re not going to try and talk me out of going to Carabarras?”

“In this case, I have to agree with you. It would take four to five days to make it back to Urbannia. If we can get to your father and take him to Gandiss, the government will take care of things from there.” Rett gave her a steady stare.

She hesitated. He could trick her—get her on board and then head back to Urbannia. Once in the air she could not control his actions. But his expression was sincere, and a warm surge of gratitude filled her chest.

“Okay, let’s go.” She gave him a small smile.

“Zounds l, l, look at that!” Benji’s call came from around the corner.

She hurried after him, concerned he might be in trouble, with the others behind her. He stood at the fringe area of a stall where a large crowd gathered.

Benji turned to them, eyes alight with excitement. “It’s a t, t, two headed snake.”

"I've always wanted to see one of those," Sam said. He and Rett followed Benji. Jasper frowned but tagged along.

Benji disappeared into the crowd as it inched forward, eager to see the sight of the man charming the two headed snake. The next thing Belle knew a pain shot through her head and everything went black.

###

Rett put a hand on Benji’s shoulder. “We need to get back to the ship. There is no time to lose if we hope to catch up to
Blackwatch
.”

“You’re r, r, right. Sorry. I’ve never seen a t, t, two headed snake before.” Benji face fell.

“It’s all right. You’ll see a lot more than that before this trip is over.” Rett chuckled. “Let’s go.”

He turned around and pushed through the crowd. Sam and Jasper ran after him, but he couldn’t locate Belle.

“Belle?” he called, turning in a circle. “Belle?”

“Belle!” Benji cried, his eyes round and frightened.

“Belle?” Jasper called.

They ran in circles, helpless. Belle had disappeared.

“Damn it!” Rett had a feeling something like this would happen. He should have tied her to a chair on the ship so she couldn’t get off. Benji looked ready to bolt off into the crowded market so he clamped a hand on his arm. “Hold on.”

“We have to f, f, find her,” Benji said, trying to pull away.

“Where could she have gone?” Jasper said, his head swiveling around searching for sight of his mistress.

“Come here, you two,” Rett said sharply, grabbing both by an arm. “Look, Belle didn’t wander off. She’s not in idiot. She must have been taken.”

Jasper made a moaning noise and Benji went completely still.

“Now if we want to get her back we have to be smart. We can’t go running off in different directions.” He pulled them over to the side of the street out of the press of people and the two-headed snake show.

“It’s my f, f, fault,” Benji said. “If I hadn’t run off to see that s, s, snake…”

“It’s nobody’s fault.” Rett shook his arm. “Belle was a target from the moment we arrived here.”

“What do you mean?” Jasper said frowning.

“She’s a beautiful foreign woman. This area is ripe with slave traders looking for such treasures.”

“S, s, slave traders?” Benji’s face reflected his horror at the thought of his beloved Belle in the hands of such people.

“Yes, and if we don’t hurry she’ll be out of this city before we can find her and on her way to some regional pasha.”

“How do you know that?” Jasper demanded.

“Because Belle will be worth a lot of money. Only a pasha could afford her. We just have to figure out which one.” Rett gritted his teeth. Why had he ever agreed to take this job? Charters were always trouble. Add one stubborn, independent Urbanni woman and it was double trouble.

“Now I need you two to go back to
Gambit
.” He held up a hand as Jasper and Benji started to protest. “I can look into this better alone. If you want to find her, then do as I say. Trust me.”

The two men shared a worried glance, but both nodded. Rett motioned to Sam. “Get them back to the ship. I’m going to Caro Barro.”

Sam herded Jasper and Benji away. Rett heard Benji ask what Caro Barro was and Sam just shook his head. Good. They didn’t need to know it was the slave market.

Chapter 9

Belle slowly regained consciousness. Her head throbbed. She moaned and rubbed the back of her head where the pain radiated. Touching a lump there made her wince. Damn it, she had barely gotten over the headache from the airship crash and now this. When the fog cleared from her mind her eyes popped open as she remembered what had happened. Someone had hit her over the head when they were in the market.

She came to her knees and almost threw up as a wave of nausea swept over her. The urge faded and she looked around. She sat on a rug in a dark room devoid of furniture. There was a small slit about six inches tall and two feet wide high up the wall across from her. It allowed in a modest amount of light.

Interestingly, she found anger burned in her chest instead of fear. Whoever kidnapped her had disrupted her quest to rescue her father. She wasn’t as concerned about what happened to her. But, she had to find a way to get out of this mess so she could continue her trip.