Clockwork Scoundrels 2: An Isle in Mist by Pierce E.W

Author:Pierce, E.W. [Pierce, E.W.]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Published: 2015-08-18T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 7

The Normal State of Things

“I think it would be best if you and your fellows were to leave.”

They stood on the bridge, the table of food forgotten: Ton-Ton nervously shifting from foot to foot, Sam scowling and cracking his knuckles, Jarvis kneeling, fretting over the prone clockwork man. Knocked out, not dead, according to Hindral. Nonetheless, the doctor looked nervous, and rightfully so. Nobody laid finger to crew without getting paid in kind.

Flanagg was backed by the soldiers of the Stout. There would be no fight, not here, not now. They were too many, and too strong. And they had a right to their anger; Sildrian’s satchel lay open, brightly-burning crystals spilling onto the bridge. He’d been clumsy at the attempt, no doubt distracted by the girl he’d taken for company. Mel had been foolish to pin their hopes to him, foolish to trust him to get the job done.

She thought she should offer up an explanation to Flanagg. Or, maybe, an apology. But that would imply guilt, so she played dumb. “What’s the meaning of this?”

“Thievin’,” Thadon said. He spit at Mel’s feet. “Stealin’ the sacred fire can only be answered with death.”

The curved pipe hung on Flanagg’s bottom lip. His eyes watered from the smoke. “There is no need for that. Come, let us retreat indoors, away from so many eyes, and sort this matter in private.”

Thadon shook his head emphatically. “It’s not safe, milord.”

“No?”

“They’ve proven we can’t trust them. Likely the silver man acted on her orders.”

“Hey,” Mel cut in. It was true, she had asked Sildrian to take the crystals. It was that or wander the Fog until they all died. But that didn’t mean she’d stand there and let them name her thief. “Now you wait just a minute…”

Thadon didn’t back down. “I think we’ve heard enough o’ your lyin’ tongue, Miss Locke.”

“It’s Captain Locke, stumpy.”

Thadon’s cheeks flushed. His hand strayed to the baton stuffed into his belt. Yes, he was the type to hit a woman. Lucky him, Mel was the type of woman to hit back.

Flanagg saved them both the opportunity. “Please, both of you. That is quite enough.” He seemed completely out of sorts, his eyes rapidly darting around as though looking for some hidden solution to this predicament. “I tire. Thadon, escort me to my quarters, if you would be so kind.”

Thadon scowled but dipped his head in submission. “Aye, Lord Seer.”

“Captain Locke,” Flanagg continued. “I enjoy your company but can’t allow trespasses against my people to go unmarked. I am afraid that this is where our company must part. Return to your sky bridge and fly away. I am a patient man, but do not come back to Fosis. It would go badly for you.”

“Fine.” She spun on her heel without a backwards glance. Crew fell in around her. They were quiet, but it was a tense kind of silence, and she knew just what was on their minds. Retribution. It would have to wait, now wasn’t the time.

Jarvis carried Sildrian in his arms.

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