Eon De Beaumont - Steamcraft & Sorcery 3 - Wayward Grace by Eon de Beaumont

Author:Eon de Beaumont [Beaumont, Eon de]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

“WE’VEbeen toiling for days,” the captain addressed her silent crew

from above near the helm. “Now we find out if all our hard work has paid off.” Still no one spoke. “We mourn the former captain, first mate, and our brethren who didn’t survive our hardships. I have chosen a new first mate, and it is Mr. Lockswit.” A general cheer rose from the gathered crew at the news. “The Wayward Grace is in good hands, and I am confident that we will escape this stone prison.” Another cheer erupted from her crew. “Mr. Lockswit.” Billy turned to Keyfer. “It is your honor to give the order.” Keyf looked surprised. His eyes traveled over the men gathered outside of the captain’s quarters. Radish nodded and smiled. Lizard and the rest encouraged him. He smiled in return.

“Mr. Bilcher!” he called. “Fire up the boiler! Let’s get this fine lady in the air!”

“Aye, sir!” Bilcher called as he directed his men to feed the furnace. “All hands, prepare to fly!” the captain barked, and the crew scrambled over the deck, assuming their posts. They could hear Bilcher ordering the stoking of the fires in the boiler. The entire crew stood in silence watching the canvas bladders scattered about the ship, waiting for the boiler to feed hot air into them. Keyfer scanned the hoses. The hot air visibly crept along the canvas pipes, slowly expanding them. Murmurs erupted among the men as the paraffin-treated reservoirs began to inflate. Keyf’s heart beat fiercely in his chest. He couldn’t breathe as he observed the reconfigured sails inflating with hot air from the boiler.

“My God,” Billy whispered. “Look at them.” The canvas gradually grew taut as it filled with heated air. The Grace shuddered, and the crew not engaged in stoking the boiler braced themselves. Anyone standing near the canvas bladders heard the fabric creaking with the pressure of the heated gas. The port side of the ship rose first despite what they assumed was an equal distribution of air. The crew stumbled as the deck skewed before the starboard balloons caught up. The ship righted herself and drifted just above the ground.

The crew cheered and clapped as the Grace rose slowly past the trees in the stone basin. The boards of the ship groaned in protest of the unnatural movement of the hull. It was an odd feeling. Keyf felt his stomach in his throat as they ascended with increasing speed until they were completely clear of the stone walls. A great whooping of triumph erupted.

“Activate the rotors!” Keyf called to the boiler room. Bilcher threw a lever and the modified propellers began to rotate. The Grace moved slowly forward, over the stone walls and finally clearing the island completely. That’s not fast enough, Keyf told himself. We’ll have to figure out a way to make them push us faster.

“Drop the side sails, men!” Stillwater called. “We need to steer this old girl!” Yama, Bleu, and a few others dashed to unfurl the side sails to catch the air and steer the newly airborne vessel.

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