Revenge of the Mad Scientist (Book One: Airship Adventure Chronicles) (20 page)

Sam returned as well, shaking his head. “Things are bad. All the talk is about war with Urbannia.”

“But nothing has happened yet, thank God,” Belle said. “Was there any speculation about who kidnapped my father?”

“Only that it is not Gandiss. Everyone is angry about that. They don’t understand why Urbannia is so insistent Gandiss is the culprit.”

“This is so frustrating.” Belle balled up her fists. “Damn that stupid snow tiger dagger.”

“At least Urbannia hasn’t openly declared war,” Rett said.

Belle wondered if her mother had been able to talk to the queen. If she had, it might be the reason for the delay in hostilities. Hopefully the ambassador would have more news.

Jasper made use of the provisions they had procured in their brief foray into town and brought up trays of food to the deck. Benji pitched in to help him again and Belle had to hide a smile at his attempt to make up for his misbehavior.

She took one of the chairs and sat there for a moment contemplating the future and the difficulties they faced in finding her father once they reached Carabarras. So many obstacles remained in their path. Looking for solace, she pulled out her watch and opened it, allowing the lovely tune to bring her father near and offer reassurance. She closed her eyes and remembered all the times he had encouraged her and brought her hope. Surely she would feel it if something had happened to him. That had to be a message to keep going. She squeezed her eyes together and sent up a prayer for God to keep him safe, and to give her help in finding him.

The sun set and stars twinkled in the darkness before the ambassador arrived. A sharp rapping on the hull of the ship heralded his presence. They looked over the side and Belle at once recognized the tall man in his dark robes. Two guards accompanied him as they had at the ball in Aereopolis. Rett lowered the steps and they went below to the salon inside the gondola.

Belle rushed forward and Lord Ismatan grasped both of her hands in his.

“Lady Arabella, what a surprise. But I am most pleased you are here.” His smile was warm and genuine, just as she remembered.

“Lord Ismatan, thank you so much for coming to us. Given the attitude in the streets we felt it might be more prudent to stay in the ship.” She returned his smile. “We’ve been traveling for several days now on the trail of the ship that contains my father. But I’m afraid we fell behind due to unfortunate circumstances in Pandistan.”

“I’m sorry to hear that.” The ambassador released her hands and frowned.

“Although we were delayed, by chance we were able to save someone who you know.” Belle stepped aside and Armani moved forward.

Lord Ismatan gave a low cry and held out his arms, which Armani rushed into.

“Uncle,” she cried. “Oh, I am so glad to see you.”

“My dear child. We thought we would never see you again.” He stroked her hair and patted her back.

Armani smiled through her tears as he released her and held her at arm’s length to gaze into her eyes.

“Are you truly safe?”

“Yes, Uncle. Belle saved me. We escaped before the slave trader had time to sell us.”

Lord Ismatan put an arm around her shoulders and beamed at Belle. “You are a very resourceful woman, Lady Arabella. But I knew that the first time I saw you at that ball. I cannot thank you enough for bringing Armani back. She is like a daughter to me and I know her family will be overjoyed.”

Belle breathed a sigh of relief. Whatever Armani had dreaded, there seemed to be no lack of love and concern in her uncle’s attitude. Armani grinned and clung tightly to her uncle.

“It seems you have had a great many adventures,” the ambassador said.

“I should say so.” Belle laughed. “Let me introduce my companions and then perhaps we should go up to the deck where there are refreshments so we can relay our tales in comfort.”

The ambassador instructed his guards to remain in the salon and after being introduced to the rest of the party, he settled in a chair on the deck. Jasper passed around snifters of brandy.

Despite a number of interjections from her friends, Belle recounted the story of her journey from Aereopolis. Lord Ismatan listened quietly with only occasional questions or raising of his brows. When she finished he sat back in his chair and drew in a deep breath.

“Well, that is quite a tale. I am glad you were able to make sure it was your father on the other ship. I will post a letter at once to Her Majesty in Urbannia. I only hope it is not too late to prevent a war.”

“But once everyone knows Gandiss was not involved, shouldn’t that stabilize the situation?’ Rett frowned.

Lord Ismatan shook his head. “It’s not that simple. I’m afraid. When I returned from Urbannia I received news there is a faction in Carabarras that has been preparing for war with the west for some time. They want a full scale world war with Gandiss, Pandistan and Carabarras against Urbannia, Montanna and Catika. I’m afraid the Imperial Warlord of Carabarras is behind the movement. The Supreme Pasha of Pandistan will go along because it will keep his constantly warring regional pashas busy fighting someone other than themselves.”

“And Gandiss?” Belle asked. “Surely they don’t want war when they were on the brink of signing a treaty with Urbannia.”

“No, Gandiss does not want war. But we would be forced to participate by being stuck in the middle. If we side with the west, Carabarras and Pandistan would love nothing more than to crush us between them and divide our country up as spoils. This kidnapping of your father was to have been the catalyst. If Urbannia retaliated and attacked us, we would have had no choice but to fight back. Then Carabarras and Pandistan would come in on our side.”

The group sat in silence as they contemplated the complicated situation in which they found themselves along with the rest of the world. Belle couldn’t help thinking back to the words of the fortune teller. She put her hand in her pocket and touched the gold and ruby stickpin. If her father had not left that pin for her, the world might already be sunk in conflict. But what could she do to stop such a massive movement?

“It doesn’t make sense, though.” Rett ran a hand through his hair. “The eastern countries know the west has more and better weapons. Why start a conflict they can’t hope to win?”

Lord Ismatan frowned. “That’s a good question. I can only say there are rumors that this dissident group has been gathering weapons in Carabarras for some time. Where they are and what they plan is pure speculation. But, as you say, it would be foolish to start a war you had no hope of winning.”

“Maybe they have some k, k kind of secret weapon,” Benji said glancing about in eagerness. “Something that w, w, would overcome the strength of the west.”

The ambassador’s brows came together and a chill ran up Belle’s spine. Her boy genius could be right. It was the only explanation for this madness.

“Damn, Benji, you may have hit on something. But what would it be?” Rett asked.

Lord Ismatan nodded slowly. “Yes, that could be it. If it is, the only way to stop the war is to find this weapon and destroy it.”

“Where would they hide such a thing?” Belle asked.

“Who knows? Carabarras is full of uncharted terrain made nearly impassable by mountains and deserts. It is a wild and uncivilized country ruled by the iron hand of the Imperial Warlord who struggles to keep the local warlords at bay.” Lord Ismatan stood. “This idea has merit. I must act at once and send my spies into Carabarras today. If they discover such a weapon exists, we have to find a way to destroy it.”

“What about my father?” Belle came to her feet also. “I’m beginning to think finding him in Carabarras is going to be impossible.”

Lord Ismatan came to her side and placed a hand on her shoulder. “You should not give up hope for Sir John. I have great admiration for his courage and intelligence. He will find a way to stay alive.”

Belle nodded. He was right. Her father would find a way. She had to continue her quest and hope destiny would lead her to him. She slipped the silver ring off her forefinger and handed it to the ambassador. “I should return this to you.”

He smiled and folded her fingers over the ring. “No, keep it. You may still have need of my help before this is over.” He motioned to Armani that they should leave.

The girl ran to hug her companions and thank them again for saving her and returning her to her home.

“I will be sending an emergency missive to your queen in the morning. Do you wish to include a message for your mother?” Lord Ismatan asked.

“Yes, I would. Thank you. My father left us a letter with a doctor in Harruca who was brave enough to save it for me. I will write to her as well. With those letters, hopefully my mother can help convince the queen of the serious situation we face.”

“Very well, I will return in the morning for any letters you want sent.” He gave her a small bow and then left with Armani looking back over her shoulder at them.

Belle glanced at Rett. They hadn’t had a chance to be alone and talk much after their little discussion of the past. She wasn’t certain he still wanted to help her. “Are you sure you don’t want to end your charter here?”

He gave a short laugh. “And miss out on all the fun? Not a chance. We’ll load up and head out tomorrow after you give your letter to the ambassador. Once we know where
Blackwatch
landed, we’ll start looking for your father.”

A glow spread in her heart knowing he was going to help her. She wouldn’t have blamed him if he wanted to wash his hands of the mess and return to his safe delivery of cargo. There was no doubt they were headed into a lot of danger. Maybe she could put their history behind her and like him after all. She would think about it.

Chapter 13

Belle paced the deck and occasionally lifted a hand to shade her eyes as she searched the surrounding area for sign of Lord Ismatan. Rett came to her side and flipped open his pocket watch.

“We should have left an hour ago,” he said. “I hope nothing happened to him.”

“It must be some last minute political emergency. He knows we want to get back on my father’s trail as soon as possible.” Belle put her hands on her hips. “Should we send a messenger to see what has delayed him?”

“There he is n, n, now,” Benji shouted and pointed to a cloud of dust at the edge of the aeroport. In its midst were the ambassador and two guards on horses approaching at a gallop.

“Let’s go.” A twinge of dread curled in Belle’s stomach, but they all headed down to the gangplank entrance.

Lord Ismatan swung down from his mount, his expression grim. He strode up the plank and motioned for his guards to wait outside.

“Lady Arabella, something horrible has happened.” He took her arm in one hand, his eyes clouded with worry.

“We knew something must have happened since you are so late. What is it?”

“It’s Armani,” he said and Belle’s heart twisted in a spasm of fear. “I took her to her parents last night. Of course they were overjoyed at her homecoming. They had kept the kidnapping a secret and sent out mercenaries to find her hoping she could be returned. The only other person who knew was her affianced husband.”

The fear in Belle’s heart spread through her chest like a creeping fog, echoing with the words of dread Armani had shared with her.

“He comes from a very traditional family and says there is no guarantee she was not used by some man. He no longer wants to marry her as it could dishonor his family.”

Belle sighed in relief. “Well, if he doesn’t want to marry her that’s good. He sounds like a bit of a cad to me. She’ll do better with someone else.”

“Yes, but that’s the problem.” Lord Ismatan frowned. “In our society, an engagement is the same as marriage. The only way for him to break off with her is through death.”

Belle sucked in a breath at the word, ‘death.’

“He is calling for her to be stoned in the traditional way for a woman who had sex outside of a marriage.” Tears rose in his eyes. “My darling niece. I can’t believe it.”

“But she wasn’t touched, I can vouch for that. This is ridiculous.”

“Unfortunately you cannot vouch for the time before you met her. Because of his political aspirations, he wants to make a stand that will place his family beyond reproach. If he doesn’t marry her, she must die to release him to marry another. The temple guards came early this morning to take her after Qarim filed his damaging claim.”

“But surely you have enough power to stop this,” Belle insisted. “Can’t you appeal to the raja?

“Trust me; I have spent this morning trying to do just that. Unfortunately our archaic laws support the stoning although one hasn’t been carried out in several years. In the current political climate people are clinging to the old traditions and the raja cannot afford to have an uprising.”

“We have to s, s, save her,” Benji cried. “There must be a way.”

“Surely there is something that can be done, even in this primitive, God-forsaken place,” Jasper said. Benji gripped his arm with white knuckled hands.

Lord Ismatan paced about the room clearly distraught. “I don’t know what to do. This is unconscionable. I have worked to eradicate such irrational laws. But at this time with the anti-west sympathies I will find little support to stop the action in so short a time.”

It seemed all the blood flowed out of Belle. “When?”

“In two hours at noon.”

“No!” Belle's knees grew weak and she gratefully accepted Rett’s arm around her waist to keep her standing. She looked up at him and his jaw twitched. “Rett?”

“Where will it take place?” Rett asked.

“As tradition dictates in the Circle of Tears. It’s a small amphitheater in the old part of the city south of the palace. It is a very old place, the site of such slayings for thousands of years.” Lord Ismatan pounded a fist in his hand. “This is just the sort of barbarism I want to lead my country out of. To think it will happen to my niece is more than I can bear.”

Belle placed a hand on Rett’s chest. “We must do something.”

He nodded and asked the ambassador, “Is the Circle of Tears open to the air?”

“Yes, of course. It’s an amphitheater.”