Revenge of the Mad Scientist (Book One: Airship Adventure Chronicles) (27 page)

“I don’t think Belle has any intention of getting rid of you. So pluck up, mate.”

“What are our plans now?” Jasper stuffed the rest of the roll in his mouth, his color a little less green.

“To find out what these Mandagol know about the citadel of Manu Picca. We need to form a plan of attack.”

Jasper nodded. “Very well. Lady Arabella will be pleased.”

Rett studied the older man. Just like Benji, Jasper worshipped Belle. It went way beyond being her butler. He was beginning to understand why people were so drawn to her and gave her their loyalty.

“Uh, Jasper, can I ask you something?” Rett scratched his head.

“Yes? What is it?” Jasper picked up another roll and took a bite.

“Well, it’s about Belle,” Rett said.

Jasper stopped chewing and looked at Rett, frowning. “Yes?”

“Look, I did a really bad thing eight years ago leaving her like that. I had no idea what I was doing. It seemed all I could do was run away. It had nothing to do with Belle really. I just didn’t know what love was back then. But now…”

“You think you’re falling in love with her,” Jasper finished for him.

He looked at the ground and nodded. “I don’t know what to do about it. Is there a hope she could forgive me, give me another chance?”

Jasper put his cup down and drew himself up. “If you aspire to Lady Arabella’s hand, you will have to prove yourself to her. She deserves the very best man on the face of this world, if you don’t mind my saying so. If you are not that man, then you don’t stand a chance.” He straightened his tunic, retied his sash and walked out of the tent with as much dignity as a blazing hangover would allow a man.

Rett ran fingers through his hair. What did he expect? They loved her. No one would be good enough for her—certainly not someone who had given her such disappointment in the past. He wished he’d never met up with her again because it looked like this time he would be the one to be hurt. He tossed back the contents of the cup and found his weapons. Then he left the tent to look for Benji and Solmin. He would busy himself in plans to attack Manu Picca and put Belle out of his mind.

###

Belle walked through the camp in the early morning. She had so many thoughts in her head she couldn’t sleep any longer. Most of the tents were silent and flaps closed—understandable after the revelries of last night. She had slept fitfully with disturbed dreams, scenes of her father at the ball, and Rett as he had looked at her before he kissed her last night.

She found the grandest tent and assumed it must the one they had given Benji. Two guards stood outside but they motioned for her to enter. She was the kefmam after all. But did she dare go inside? What if Armani was there? She didn’t want to know. There was enough trouble on her plate without adding a budding romance that was bound to end badly for both parties.

“Belle?”

She turned around and breathed a sigh of relief as Armani approached her.

“Are you okay, Armani?”

“Yes, one of the other girls took me back to her tent when I started feeling dizzy last night. I’m afraid I had a little too much of the wine.” She giggled and put a hand over her mouth.

“Well you weren’t the only one,” Belle said, touching her temples with her fingertips.

“But it was quite a celebration. I’ve never been involved in something like that,” Armani said, eyes wide.

“It’s not the sort of parties we have in Urbannia either.” Belle motioned to her. “Let see if Benji’s up. I’d like to talk to Solmin about how we can get into that citadel.”

Belle pulled back the flap of the tent and they entered. No lamps had been lit in the dim interior.

“Benji?” Belle called. As her eyes adjusted she made out the mound of cushions that must be where he was sleeping. At her voice the mound began to move. To her astonishment, two young women squirmed out of the nest and came to their feet stretching their arms and yawning. Benji pushed the pillows away and sat blinking at them.

Armani’s mouth fell open and then tears welled in her eyes. Before Belle could say anything the girl turned and ran from the tent. The two young women giggled and ran out trailing brightly colored scarves.

“And just who are your two companions?” Belle asked, crossing her arms over her chest.

Benji blinked several more times and then came to his feet. “Well, blast it all, Belle, I don’t really know.” He stared at the flap they had exited with a puzzled expression. “I’m not even sure where they came from.”

“Just as I was thinking I would not have to deal with this,” Belle murmured to herself.

“What happened to Armani?” Benji asked as he found his tunic and slipped it on over his head. Fortunately he had not lost his pants overnight.

“Benji, you’ll have to figure that one out on your own,” Belle said, handing him the sash for his tunic. “We need to find Rett and the others and start making a plan to get into Manu Picca.”

“Yes, yes, of course.” Benji pushed his dagger into his sash. “Let’s go.”

They headed to the tent opening and as they exited, Rett and Solmin approached. A quiver ran through her stomach. She and Rett shared an uncomfortable glance before both looked in another direction. She couldn’t imagine what he thought of her after her behavior last night. That kiss had reached deep inside her, awakening an unfamiliar passion. To him, the kiss probably meant nothing—just a bit of drunken revelry.

“Come inside,” Solmin said. “I have arranged to have food and drink brought to Kef Benjamin’s tent. It will be the best place to discuss our campaign.”

They returned to the dim interior and settled on cushions. Solmin lit some oil lamps scattered around the tent. Only a few minutes later, several women entered bearing trays filled with rolls, meat kabobs, and creamy goat-milk butter. Another carried an urn full of a spicy hot beverage that cleared Belle’s head immediately.

“You said you know a way into the citadel,” Belle said, not wanting to waste any time.

“Yes. It won’t be easy though. As I said, Manu Picca is carved into the face of a stone wall. But, a few years ago we discovered there were cracks in the top of the mountain and steam rose out of them. One of my men, Gesic, climbed down a rope into the crevice and found a chamber where the steam engines that run the stronghold are located.”

“So we could climb down ropes and sneak in through the engine room?” Rett asked.

“Gesic went no further than to see where the crevice led, but yes, for a small number of people, I think it’s possible.”

Belle frowned. “But then what? Do you think we can find my father and bring him out the same way?”

“All things are possible, Kefmam. In my mind a small group is the only chance of success. It is certain we cannot attack the citadel successfully from the outside,” Solmin said putting up his hands.

“But a diversion on the outside could help distract their attention long enough for those inside to find Sir John and help him escape,” Benji said, glancing between Solmin and Belle.

“What do you have in mind?” Rett asked.

“Remember the long range cannon I built when we entered the Durbon Mountains?”

Rett’s eyes lit up. “Yes, I do.”

“We can convert more of the cannon and carry them with us on camels to Manu Picca. Then while one group sets up a long range offensive, the smaller group lowers themselves into the mountain and rescues Sir John.”

A thrill of excitement swept through Belle. The plan was dangerous to be sure, but it might actually work. “I think it’s a good idea with the least chance that any of the Mandagol will be hurt.”

Solmin’s eyes narrowed. “Kefmam, we have been given an honorable quest. Our blood means nothing. We must pay tribute to the return of the blade.”

Belle didn’t say it, but in her heart she didn’t want to put anyone at risk other than herself.

“I’ll go in and get Sir John,” Rett said. “Benji is the best person to set up the cannon attack.”

“Wait a minute,” Belle said. “I’m going in to get my father.”

“Belle, it’s too dangerous. You don’t know what you’ll be facing in there,” Rett said. When he looked at her she was surprised at the genuine concern coloring his eyes.

“You don’t know either. He’s my father and I’m going in, end of discussion.” She crossed her arms over her chest.

Solmin let out a series of their tribal hoots. “The kefmam is brave and does honor to the blade. She is a true Mandagol.”

Rett took a deep breath and let it out. “Okay, but I’m going with you.”

“Rett…”

“No, end of discussion. I’m going.”

Belle threw up her hands in defeat. It was pointless to argue. Secretly she was glad. Although she didn’t want to place him in danger, it would be good to have him with her. Despite her conviction to be the one put at risk, it was still frightening to think about going into that strange place alone.

“Alright. How soon can we leave?” she asked.

###

While Benji, Sam and Rett dismantled the airship cannons and loaded them on camels, Belle and Jasper helped the others loading up supplies for the trip. Solmin said it would take a full day to reach Manu Picca. Since they could not leave until afternoon, that meant they would need to spend one night camped out to rest and feed the animals.

She had not seen Armani since the incident in Benji’s tent. The girl must be somewhere nursing her wounded feelings. Belle decided she’d better find her and smooth over the impact of seeing the other women with Benji or their trip would be filled with tension.

After asking among the tribe’s women, she finally located Armani in the kitchen tent where meals for the Mandagol were prepared. She welded a large knife, energetically chopping up some sort of tubular root, a grim line to her lips. Belle was pretty sure she saw Benji’s face on the root.

“Armani, I need to talk to you,” she said admiring how viciously the girl took her hurt out on the vegetables.

The chopping continued and Armani did not look up. “Okay, go ahead. I know you’re going to say I’ve been a fool.”

Belle smiled. “Armani, put the knife down. Come on, let’s talk outside.”

With a sigh, Armani jabbed the knife point into the wooden table and left it there with the handle vibrating. She followed Belle to a place where they were out of the way of the bustling camp packing process. A group of palm trees provided some shade and they sank down on the large rocks at their base. Armani sat with head down, a dejected expression on her face.

“First of all, I don’t think you’re a fool.” Belle rested a hand on Armani’s shoulder. “You’re a young woman who has been through two traumatic events that a lot of people would not have survived. I think that makes you pretty damn strong and smart.

“As far as Benji goes, he didn’t even know those girls were in his tent. They probably went in after he passed out from all the wine, hoping to attract the new kef. Trust me, nothing happened.”

Armani looked up and her expression brightened a little.

“But, I do have to say that I think you are both too young to form a lasting attachment. I know you are dealing with a lot of emotional upheaval right now. You’ve lost your home and family and the future is uncertain, but Benji is not a life line. He’s a young man with his own life and if you have feelings for each other, it will work out in the end. Just be friends for now. Once we’re out of this mess and in more normal settings, you can decide if your feelings amount to something more.”

Armani looked off in the distance and wiped away a tear that escaped one eye. Then she gave Belle a half smile. “You’re right, Belle. I put too much expectation in my emotions. That’s not fair to Benji. I do care for him and admire him, but I really don’t know how I feel other than that. Too much has happened to me and my mind is all upside down.”

Belle pulled her into an embrace. “I know, my dear. But we have each other and you don’t need to worry about your future. I will take care of you.”

Armani hugged her back. “Thank you, Belle. That means so much to me.”

“Now,” Belle said pulling away. “We have an important mission to fulfill. I need your help as much as ever.”

Armani wiped her eyes and straightened her shoulders. “I’m ready.”

“Good. Part of the camp is packing up to make the trip to Manu Picca, so help out where ever you can. We need to leave as soon as possible.”

“I will.” Armani smiled. “Oh, and Belle?”

“Yes?”

“Does Benji know…you know…did he realize how stupidly I behaved?”

Belle laughed. “No, sweetheart. Men are not that perceptive. Just act like things are the way they were before this morning and he’ll never notice there was anything going on.”

She breathed a sigh of relief that Armani was going to be sensible about her indiscretion, and knew Benji wasn’t aware of the drama being played out in Armani’s heart. Hopefully the two could go back to their easy friendship at least until this crazy trip was over.

“Belle, there you are.” Sam wove his way through the people who hurried about packing up their tents for the trip. “We’re almost ready to leave. Do you have everything packed you want to take?”

“Yes, in my tent. I’ll go get my bag.”

“Good. Meet us over by
Gambit
.”

She retrieved her canvas bag with the few belongings she would need. Everything else could be left in
Gambit
. She strapped the leather holster around her hips and placed the multi-shooter in it. Then on impulse she picked up a knife from the food tray that had been used to carve cheese and meat. After wrapping it in a scarf, she tucked it inside her boot. You never knew when a knife would come in handy.

Then she wrapped a long shawl around her head to keep the sand dust out of her face and went to join the others.

###

“Would you stop being so bloody happy,” Rett muttered as he pulled the girth tight on the horse he would be riding.

“Look mate, I can’t help it if I had a nice evening with a lovely woman and you’re jealous. Admit it, you don’t know anything about women,” Sam said with a broad grin and then continued the tune he’d been humming under his breath as he strapped down a pack on the back of his own horse.