Just Cause Universe 2: The Archmage by Ian Thomas Healy

Author:Ian Thomas Healy
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
ISBN: 9780615674315
Publisher: Local Hero Press
Published: 2012-08-10T17:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

“What is life? It is the flash of a firefly in the night. It is the breath of a buffalo in the wintertime. It is the little shadow which runs across the grass and loses itself in the sunset.”

-Crowfoot, Blackfoot warrior and orator

October, 1876

Denver, Colorado

The journey back to Colorado was eventful. A series of storms crossed paths with the heroes’ America-bound steamship. In the mornings, they found the crew busy chipping ice off the decks. The choppy seas gave Sally another difficult bout of seasickness. She fell horribly ill for the duration and lost what weight she’d gained back during their stay in Austria.

By the time the liner dropped its gangplank in Boston harbor, Sally swore her feet would never again touch the deck of a boat. They spent a chilly night in Boston and gave Sally a chance to rest and recuperate from her massive illness. In the month that they’d been away, temperatures had grown cold and they all bought heavy coats for the rail journey.

As they waited for the train on the platform in Boston, a young black man came up to them, very excited, calling out, “John! John Henry! I thought you was dead in the War, down in Ala-bammy!” He ran up and pumped a surprised Juice’s hand in excitement.

“I’m sorry, I think you have me confused with someone else,” said Juice.

The man looked closely at Juice’s face. “Well I’ll be,” he said. “You a relation of his? You could be his brother.”

“I’m afraid not,” said Juice. “I was born here in Boston.”

“My name’s Willie. Willie Washington. Named after the President,” said the man with pride. “I work for the C & O. I’m up here with Mister Robbins, negotiatin’ for steel prices. So you ain’t got any family down South at all?”

“Uh, no. I sure don’t. Listen, uh, Willie…” A shrill whistle sounded as a steam engine chugged alongside of the platform. Juice gave him a weak smile. “I’d love to stay and chat with you, but this is my ride here.”

“Oh,” said the man. “I didn’t get your name, Mister.”

“James.” Juice hefted his valise and headed for the nearest car as the others watched him, entertained by his discomfort. “Nice to have met you, Willie.”

“Same here, James.” The man doffed his cap and walked away from the train toward the freight offices.

“John Henry?” asked Shannon. “Wasn’t he that guy? That railroad guy?”

“Hey, yeah.” Will started to unsnap the latches on the guitar case he and Tesla had built just before they left. “I remember that song from the Disney cartoon.”

“Please,” Juice sounded pained. “Spare us.”

Will shrugged. “Suit yourself.”

“Hey, maybe you’re related to him. I mean, John Henry.” Sally grinned at Juice. “I think I met my great-great-great grandmother in Austria.”

“John Henry might not even have been a real person,” said Juice. “A legend.”

“You’re pretty legendary yourself,” said Ace. “It’s not a bad thought that he might have been one of your ancestors if he existed, is it?”

Sally grinned at him. “I bet it’s true.

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