City of Air (Lost Cities Saga 1)
17 All Hope Abandon

In the end, Leona was made to give a full account of all that had occurred since the night she had been snatched from the street before the exploded ruin of Master Opal's house. It took them to full daylight for Sebastian kept interrupting to ask questions or make some comment on what a proper gentleman would have done, forcing Lady Diana to scold him and Leona to laugh. Leona much preferred laughing to what she really wanted to do. For all that she was glad that her brother was alive, he was still trapped on Lord Aries' airship. The same Lord Aries who had killed her teacher, kidnapped her and had just burned another man to death in front of his daughters.

Only just ahead of them, the Sylphide was keeping a steady pace, never drifting closer or further away, and also making no move to attack them. It was clear that Lord Aries was content to leave them be as long as they followed. How he had managed to escape Aerie and follow them all the way to the Confederacy to exact revenge was, for the time being, anyone's guess.

Eventually Leona's exhaustion resurfaced and won out over her anxiety and she was forced to retreat to the sleeping quarters. The captain had announced earlier that it would take them until the next day to get to the Union state, if that was truly their destination, at their current pace. There was plenty of time for them to get some rest after their misadventure in Richmond, and they would definitely need it.

Though Lord Aries now had the upper hand, it was still in their best interest to have a strategy for dealing with him once they were at Aerie. For one, unlike the Sylphide, the Zephyrine was strictly a pleasure craft. They did have some weapons on board but nothing of the calibre needed to take on Lord Aries' small army or whatever was awaiting them at the Garnets' estate. They were also on a course for enemy territory and their closest allies were at war, a war started with Leona's help. And yet, all this paled in comparison to the fact that the captain reported that there was a storm brewing. Even if they managed to escape Lord Aries with his hostages, with the threat of poor visibility, freezing, fast winds and heavy snowfall, there was no way they were going to get far in a blizzard in an unfamiliar location.

When Leona awoke she once again found herself an unwitting eavesdropper. Sebastian was speaking.

"…one page, just one page and I would be the most powerful Earth—no, not just Earth, of all elements—elemental magician in the world. There is knowledge there, ancient truth gathered from the greatest minds of the age when the book was created. Things we have only recently discovered could have been first recorded long before most of the world as we know it was known to exist. And do not even get me started on how that affects the practice of elemental magic. It is believed that a man who was not born a magician could become one by the end of the book."

"Hmm. I've always liked the idea of becoming 'Lady Capricorn'," said Lady Diana.

"Yes, well, let us be grateful that you are merely an alchemist and not a magician or Spirits save the Empire."

"Don't be a git. But that Lord Aries…what he was able to do last night…he has no need for that book. Can you imagine an aether magician with that power? If the Zodiac Society had not seen it fit to get rid of it, House Ruby would have ruled the world."

Leona felt her heart skip a beat. To hear Lady Diana speak so casually about the massacre, confirming the Zodiac Society's role in it was frightening. She sat up, taking care to avoid the top bunk this time.

"As we are on the matter of aether magicians and House Ruby, that girl, Ruby-san, what if she's really a descendant?" asked Mr Suda.

"What of it?" Sebastian asked in turn.

"'What of it' you ask? She raised an undead army, granted with a little help, and sent a nation back into civil war. That kind of power…what if House Ruby had succeeded after all? John Opal was part of the White Tiger League, what if civil war was just one of their schemes? If any of them get their hands on her again, the Empire will be in grave danger."

"If Lord Aries gets his hands on her again, and the book, the world will be in grave danger. No, we cannot allow that to happen."

"Good grief, I hope neither of you two are talking about pushing the poor girl out of the ship or something like that, are you?" asked Lady Diana, sounding appalled.

Leona hoped so too or regardless of where they were flying over, they were going to land and let her out.

"Do not be absurd, Diana," said Sebastian, sounding exasperated. "I was merely speaking of sending her to Londinium and making her a Ward of the Empire. Since all of the Zodiac Society will be responsible for her, no one would be able to touch her. Her guidance and training will be the responsibility of us all."

Leona could replace no reassurance in that and it was given credence a moment later when Lady Diana said, "And her life would be ruined. She will never be able to make a single decision without one of you approving it first. And let's face it, you lot have never been able to make a decision without months of debate. Can you imagine it, Mr Suda? Months to decide on what colour dress she should wear to tea. Years to decide on a new pair of shoes."

Sebastian scoffed and said, "Those debates are of great importance to the management and study of elemental magic in the Empire. Besides, it would only be for the important things, like where she should direct her studies and what factions of government she should support. Tory, of course."

"Oh really, a freeman? But what of her brother? Her parents? Of your dear Vincent Opal? She will never be able to see them again. And don't get me started on her training, she will not learn another thing about aether magic."

"No one should be practicing aether magic. You saw what Lord Aries did. John Opal had the right idea in insisting that she study Water."

"I hardly think that that is your decision to make, Sebastian."

"I am a governing member of the organisation that makes the rules for magical practice in the Empire, Diana. It is my decision to make."

Leona felt cold all over. While raising the spirits of the dead had been scary, there was still a lot about aether magic and the magicians that went before her that Leona wanted to know. Surely, aether magic was not only used for bad things. Certainly her predecessors had lived in relative peace with the rest of society before the massacre of House Ruby.

It was time to get up. Leona got off the bunk and went to the washroom to freshen up, though she could still hear the others talking. Her stomach grumbled as she cupped her hands to gulp a mouthful of water. The last thing she had had was that cup of tea from Lady Diana and that was hours ago. When she stepped out into the sitting room, the conversation abruptly ended and Sebastian stood to greet her.

With a soft smile, Sebastian said, "Miss Ruby, we have officially left the Confederacy and are proceeding as expected on a steady north-westerly course. Would you like anything to eat?"

Leona glanced around the room. Lady Diana and Mr Suda were playing chess, though they had stopped that too when she entered. The pretty and young Lady Diana smiled at her, a soft, gentle welcoming thing that reminded Leona a little too much of Rose. The young man did not smile but he did stare at Leona, expression blank and giving no indication of what he thought of her. There was no one else about. The crew was in the flight deck, though one of them did peek out at Sebastian's greeting. Leona looked at Sebastian and said, "Yes."

He led her to the back area near the engine room where a small kitchen had been set up. It was actually just a pantry in which they had stocked fruit, bread, wines and water. There was a kettle though, for making tea, and a small icebox too. Noticeably absent was anyone to prepare these things for her or anyone else, and Mr Suda had remained with Lady Diana so Leona would be helping herself. Then Leona realised that she had been expecting someone to prepare her meal for her and wondered when she had gotten so pampered. Her experience in the Confederacy had done a lot to remind Leona where she and others like her usually belonged in the world. Even Lord Aries had treated her more like an equal, though a hostage, and being back with Sebastian was not helping matters.

Sebastian glanced at her a moment, then looked up at the shelves and said, "You will forgive us for having poor stores, we did not anticipate the extra passenger."

Her attention on the shelves as well, trying to decide what she might have and noting how plain the pleasure craft looked in comparison to the grand Sylphide, Leona said, "That's fine. I did not expect to be rescued either."

Sebastian took a breath, and Leona turned to him. He gave her a sheepish grin and said, "We did make quite a valiant effort to replace you, I want you to know that, Miss Ruby. Vincent was beside himself with worry, and your parents were devastated, more so for the fact that no one could locate your younger brother. I wanted to remain and help, but I was called away on official business and I had already spent too much time in the colonies."

"Did you get a telegraph out to Vincent?" asked Leona.

Sebastian looked away and replied, "I did, before we left the Confederacy. He is overjoyed to learn that you survived, and that your brother was with you. I did not inform him, however, that your brother is currently with Lord Aries or that we are forced to follow them. He will be waiting for you both in Londinium."

"Londinium," Leona said.

Sebastian's smile widened, and he said, "Yes, we're going to the seat of the Empire after all. The Zodiac Society of course, cannot wait to meet the young magician with the rare ability. You will be the talk of magical Londinium for some time."

Leona looked away from him, remembering Lady Diana's words, and asked, "And when will I be going home? I haven't done my Exhibition, you see, so I need to prepare for that. I also have to take Generous home."

Sebastian chuckled and said, "Of course, of course, Generous will be sent home as soon as possible, but you, Miss Ruby, do not trouble yourself with the Exhibition. You have more than proven yourself."

Leona focused her attention on her hands as she asked, "And what if I said that I don't want to become a Ward of the Empire? What if I just want to have my Exhibition like an ordinary magician and try for a patronage on my own?"

Silence. She looked up to replace Sebastian staring at her, eyes slightly wide, and she said, "I heard you talking to Lady Diana. Not that I am not grateful for your rescue but I do not want to be a hostage anymore."

Sebastian's eyes narrowed, in anger now, and he snapped, "Just what did you think was going to happen when you got to Londinium anyway? When you had your Exhibition? The moment your power was discovered you would be hunted. At least under the protection of the Zodiac Society you would be the envy of magicians throughout the Empire."

"And what does that mean?" asked Leona, more genuinely curious than she allowed to show. She thought she had done very well in effecting blithe disinterest in her tone. It was nothing short of a miracle considering the panic rising in her gut.

Sebastian's right eyebrow twitched, irritation simmering beneath the surface, as he replied, "As Ward of the Empire you would have access to the most prominent scholars on the study of elemental magic in the world. You would be provided with room and board by the Empire, and have access to the salons of the governing members of Water Elemental Magic, among others. You would receive a stipend from the state that would be more than adequate to supplement your living until you come of age. And of course, you would be untouchable. No one in the Empire would dream of laying hands on you because to do so would be to bring down the full force of the Empire on their heads. You would be safe, as Master Opal wanted you to be when he decided to let me take you off his hands."

"Safe?" asked Leona, letting her incredulity show. Surely Sebastian did not think this was really possible. "From Lord Aries who kidnapped me from a public street filled with people? Who brought me to the Union, enemies of the Imperial government for a demonstration of my abilities? Who probably killed the leaders of the Confederacy, allies of the Empire, last night to get me back?"

The anger was visible on Sebastian's face now as he asked, "What are you saying then? You're not coming to Londinium with me? Should I drop you off somewhere in the Union? Have you forgotten that you are not here legally?"

"I want to go home," said Leona, hands clenched in fists.

Sebastian scoffed, "Oh stop acting like a child, Miss Ruby. You are a magician. This is the course of the career of every magician of worth. There is nothing for you now in the Caribbees. Tell me, do you like to have your talents dismissed, your person insulted and your very life threatened by ignorant louts who are so far beneath you they are not worthy to breathe the same air as you?"

His righteous fury ignited her own and she said, "Do not pretend as if my life in Londinium is going to be any better than it is in the Caribbees. I have met magicians who came from Londinium. I have walked through the free Union. I have travelled in the land of our 'allies', the Confederacy. They do not care that I am a magician, they do not see a magician when they look at me."

"But you are not a mere magician," said Sebastian.

Leona willed herself not to scream, helped considerably by another low rumble of her stomach, and turned her attention back to the pantry. Sebastian, not taking the hint, took a breath, released it and said, "Miss Ruby, I know that in the brief time that we have known each other, that I have not presented myself fully as someone you should trust. I have also not put too much effort into changing that. However, I need you to trust me on this one thing. Going to Londinium and becoming a Ward of the Empire is in your best interest. Who knows, your studies may very well change the view of aether magicians and the practice of aether magic in the world."

Leona was silent for quite some time before she asked, "But not for me?"

Sebastian said nothing.

As it happened, there was a favourable wind blowing and after dinner the captain announced that they were once again in Colorado. Leona had sat at the window for hours looking out at the landscape unfolding beneath them, tried to replace a hint of anything that looked familiar. There was nothing though, all the snow-covered mountains looked the same, and the stretches of lowlands between them formed a uniform darkness once the sun disappeared beneath the horizon. If it were not for the Sylphide before them, and her firm belief that Lord Aries was indeed leading them back to Aerie, she would have no idea where they were.

The storm she saw clearly though, great grey-white clouds charging in from the east and stretching over the horizon as far as she could see. A powerful magician could alleviate the damage some, from a great storm. Master Opal certainly used to but their island had never faced anything greater than three or four days of steady, heavy rain in the wet season. In fact, most of the time, the authorities would call for a water magician to divert floodwaters or, if he was wealthy enough, keep some plantation dry for a scheduled party. But this, Leona imagined a great, white blanket of raw wool slowly smothering the landscape, choking off escape and hope.

Not that things were any better in the airship.

In the end, Lady Diana had joined Leona and Sebastian in the kitchen, declaring that it was unseemly for a young lady to be alone with a dashing, dangerous young man like her cousin, and helped Leona put together a small brunch. She then helped Leona prepare a small brunch of tea and toast and eggs with fruit. Leona ate it quickly, and then had a helping of porridge that the older girl had prepared while she ate. Leona had raised an eyebrow at the idea of an aristo making her own meal, but Lady Diana had laughed and explained that she had spent much of her life without servants and had yet to break out of the habit since her parents had gained their inheritance.

It was then after brunch that they all sat together to plan their course of action. The current plan remained letting Lord Aries lead them to Aerie but before they got there they would drop off Mr Suda and Mr Volage. The two men would then work their way into the estate while Lady Diana and Mr Hyacinth tried to secure weapons and an escape route. Leona, Sebastian and the captain would carry on as if nothing was amiss. But they had to be careful to protect the ship. After all, unlike the Sylphide, the Zephyrine had no permission to be in the Union. They had already contacted their allies earlier at the hotel and hopefully those that could were making haste across the sea and out of the Confederacy to come to their aid. Should anything go wrong before aid could reach them though, Sebastian was of the opinion that they should go to ground in the state, hiding out among the locals as necessary. Lady Diana and Mr Suda both disagreed, as well as the captain, for they had no idea if the natives would be friendly. After all, it was clear that some of them were in Mr Garnet's employ. In fact, the captain's idea was that they head west at the first sign of trouble, where he was certain allies awaited at sea. Of course, that was dependent on Lord Aries' not crippling the Zephyrine somehow after they arrived at their destination.

The airship dipped and listed a few times in the high winds while they spoke was a constant reminder that Lord Aries was not the only danger to the airship this night.

Leona quickly realised that she had no great ideas on what to do. She was actually less concerned about escaping Lord Aries in the event that something went wrong and more about the method that the magician would use to gain access to the West City. Nothing in what Mr Diamond had told her called for Lord Aries to actually spill the blood of an air magician to get into the city, but knowing the magician he would do it anyway. The sisters had implied before that Generous was some kind of failed air magician. What if Lord Aries tried to use him?

Leona glanced out the window at the Sylphide for the umpteenth time in the past hour, its gondola only just visible in the darkness, and asked, "What do we do if Lord Aries gets into the city and gets the book?"

The others stopped arguing with each to look at her. Leona stared back at them and said, "We need a plan for that too. If he gets the book he came for, he might use it on us. What do we do if he gets it?"

Sebastian exchanged glances with the others before he asked Leona, "While you were with him, did he tell you what he might do with it?"

Leona folded her arms and said, "Same as you, he wants power and glory." Sebastian had the grace to flush pink, but Leona continued, "But he also wants to 'remake the world'. I'm guessing that he doesn't need you for that but he does want me around. So you should have a plan."

Mr Volage walked out of the flight deck before Sebastian could reply and said, "Your Lordship, we're being hailed. It would appear that we have arrived at our destination and they have further instructions."

Another round of exchanged glances, and then everyone stood and went into the flight deck. Leona hung back a little, remaining in the doorway beside Captain Nemesis as Mr Volage directed Sebastian's attention to the airship before them. The Sylphide hovered only a few hundred meters ahead, but now was turned to face them. Leona thought she could just see figures moving around in the flight deck. Mr Hyacinth stood at the window with binoculars and slowly announced the message from their captor.

"They want us to land," he said. "They're going to show us where and help us do it. If we do not follow their instructions we will be shot out of the sky."

"We have women on board," said Sebastian, weakly.

No one else said a word, and Mr Hyacinth continued, "They are sending assistance. We must prepare to be boarded."

"What?" Lady Diana said, peering out into the darkness as if hoping to see how. A moment later her question was answered when something banged against the door three times.

They all turned to the outer room. If that was who they thought it was, their plan was already being in trouble. The banging sounded again. Leona looked at Sebastian but Sebastian turned to the captain and said, "Let them aboard. We cannot escape if your ship is shot down."

The others cleared a path for the captain to go to the door. He took a breath before turning the great wheel lock, pushing the door aside and stepping back. A moment later four people entered, two carried by the other two in the flying suits that they had used to snatch Leona the night she was kidnapped. Leona recognised them immediately: they were Bonnie-Marie, Alphonse, Cedric and, most terrible of all, Mr Diamond. Only Cedric had no gun in his hands.

Mr Diamond grinned at her and said, "What, did you really think I was in league with those pussy-cats?"

Alphonse glanced at Leona a moment before turning to the captain and saying, "It's going to be a tough manoeuvre in dark but no trouble for such a small ship. Let's go."

The captain looked to Sebastian, who nodded, and then led Alphonse and Bonnie to the flight deck. Mr Volage remained behind and a moment later, Mr Hyacinth joined them, massaging his shoulder and saying as he came in, "That lass has got the strength of an ox…oh dear."

Mr Diamond looked around the room and asked Sebastian, "Is this everyone?"

Sebastian said nothing but Mr Volage replied, "Yes."

Mr Diamond grinned at Sebastian and said, "Now, now, Your Lordship, there is no need for the hostility. We're trying to help you. Your crew could not possibly land in this weather and once we're on the ground, I assure you that your captain will have his ship back. Alphonse won't let her get a scratch."

Cedric, who had been silent up until then, threw himself into a nearby chair and said, sounding almost bored, "He has no grounds to protest. You heard His Lordship, they make the slightest move out of line and he kills the hostage."

Leona's eyes went wide and Cedric gave her a vicious smile. "Oh yes, Miss Ruby, it's good to have my assistant back and I would prefer to keep him so please, for the sake of him and us all, do behave."

"Do not speak to her," said Sebastian, glaring at Cedric.

Cedric lifted both eyebrows at this but it was Mr Diamond who said, "Please remember that His Lordship here is of equal rank as Our Lord back on the other ship, Cedric. He might still have his mother's milk on his cheeks but he is far more powerful and important than you. Don't start a fight you won't win."

Cedric snorted but said nothing. Silence filled the room and after a moment, Leona felt the nauseating sensation of their descent into Aerie's courtyard. The others turned their attention to the window but Leona did not, and Mr Diamond smiled at her and said, "Not as fascinating this time around, Cherie?"

Sebastian turned away from the window to say to Mr Diamond, "You don't talk to her either."

Mr Diamond's expression hardened as Cedric snorted again.

The winds buffeting the ship came to a sudden halt. They were through the dome then. Leona exhaled and then they all heard the calls of the men directing Alphonse, Bonnie and the captain on settling the ship in the courtyard. The Zephyrine landed with only a small shudder and Leona grabbed hold of Sebastian to steady herself. He looked down at her hand on his own before reaching over with the other to pluck it away and hold it in both of his. Cedric snorted again nearby and then stood up.

"Great," he said, straightening his clothes. "Let's get the hell out of here."

Alphonse, Bonnie and the captain appeared then and the captain opened the door again. The courtyard was quiet but brightly-lit, the glare of jackalantan and torches temporarily blinding. Leona let Sebastian keep hold of her hands as they were made to disembark under the directions of Mr Diamond's loaded pistol. The Sylphide still hovered overhead, seemingly unaffected by the wind, but that hardly mattered because Lord Aries was waiting for them in the courtyard with a number of its crew, Noor, the three Garnet sisters huddled together, clutching at each other, and Generous.

"Leona!" Generous cried and started for her.

Leona started, and made to go to him as well but Lord Aries yanked the boy back and said, "Mr Miller."

Cedric seized Leona's arm and pulled her away from Sebastian. He protested, as did Lady Diana, but Mr Diamond cocked his pistol and they were forced to let her go. Leona watched the fury on Sebastian's face, barely contained by the mask of calm he was forced to wear in keeping with their plan. Leona watched him until she was across the courtyard and made to stand before Lord Aries. She willed Sebastian to remain as he was. She did not want to see anyone else hurt. Then Lord Aries said, "Miss Ruby, how good to see you again."

Leona turned to look up at him to replace that he was smiling at her, though it did not reach his eyes. No, his gaze was hard, his eyes cold. Leona shivered and told herself that it was the chill the dome did nothing to keep out. Lord Aries' smile widened, and he looked away from her to Sebastian and said, "Why did you try to run, foolish girl? You almost missed the very thing we came all the way up here for."

Leona decided that she did not want to answer that. Sebastian did for her anyway, saying, "Lord Aries, your actions in the past few weeks have been an appalling display of misconduct by someone who is responsible for—"

"No, I don't want to hear this," said Lord Aries' cutting him off. "Mr Diamond."

Leona's eyes widened as she realised what he meant to do, and she turned back to the others just as a shot rang out. Lady Diana, Leona and the Garnet sisters all screamed. Stunned, Sebastian blinked, stumbled and then crumpled to the ground, clutching his stomach.