Jack decided not to call Josie back. If he and the others had been alerted, she had too.

She would be traveling back to Hawk Ridge to meet with them. He had to get Eric

and the adventurers back north instead of leaving them in the wilderness.

He doubted Eileen Fass would like him leaving her husband behind because he was

in a hurry.

“The Dragon Boat said he can pull a wagon behind him,” said June. “It’ll slow us

down.”

“I can build something lightweight we can use,” said Jack. “Part of me wants to leave

them behind to fend for themselves, but I don’t see that going over well with Eric’s

wife.”

“Save Princess Caroline?,” asked June. “That seems mundane compared to stop the

book demon legion.”

“Josie can handle that on her own depending on which kingdom where Caroline is

the princess,” said Jack. “She’s a better finder than me.”

“All right,” said June. “How do we get back to Hawk Ridge with all these fogies

traveling with us?”

“First, we need something to carry everybody like a wagon,” said Jack. “Next, we

need to load everybody on this hypothetical wagon. Then we need to hook the wagon

to the dragon boat. Then we go like heck back home so we can get started on this.

We’re going to need the Enterprise to deal with some of this.”

“Try not do anything that will hurt the Dragon Boat,” said June. “I promised him that

much.”

“I’ll do what I can,” said Jack.

He nodded as he considered what he wanted to do. The Fasses were arguing away

from everyone else. He frowned at that, but it wasn’t his job to quell family problems.

He started the project by making sure all the supplies, horses, and the wagon the

adventurers had brought with them were in the same grouping. He didn’t want to start

and have to chase after a horse and place them where they needed to be.

He pulled on Magik and created a ring to effect the area that he wanted. He formed

a platform on top of engines that pushed gently against the ground. He caused two

hooks to extend out of the assemblage on thin shafts. He slotted them on the stern of

the floating boat on either side of the tiller.

“Tell it to try to go forward, June,” said Jack. “We want to see how much of a strain

this is on it.”

June petted the dragon figurehead and asked it to float forward as safely as it could

without losing its back end. It obliged. When she asked how much effort it had to

exert, it told her it was minute.

“We’re leaving,” announced Jack when his sister gave him the nod. “Load up or stay

behind.”

The adventurers climbed on the floating platform. A couple took seats on the wagon

to be with the animals so they didn’t do anything stupid while the thing was in

motion. Eric helped his uncle onboard before he climbed up and took a position to

one side of the wagon.

Mister Warner waved from the back of the combination to let them know they could

get started.

Jack let Magik go as he climbed on the back of the boat. He helped June over the

side. She gave directions for a slower pace than what they had used to travel south.

She made sure to instruct the vehicle to stop if the effort got too much for it.

Sails unfurled as the phantom wind pushed on the Dragon Boat. Steam escaped its

nostrils as it started forward. The assemblage flew down the road with the cutting of

the air.

“Where do we get started?,” asked June. She watched the road from her seat in the

back.

“We dump these guys at the Hospital,” said Jack. “Then we head back to the Hole in

the Wall, and see if Elaine knows any of this. Then we get the Enterprise back and fly

at what we think we can fix. I should call her and see if she knows anything about

Tern.”

“Boim isn’t going to like her sister causing problems like this after she was warned

off,” said June.

“Not our problem,” said Jack. “We aren’t family counselors. We’re problem solvers.

And Boim’s sister is a problem that we are going to have to solve if we want to

uphold the peace, and protect the planet.”

“So how do we solve it?,” asked June.

“We turn Josie loose on it and see what we can do after the resulting catclysm,” said

Jack. He grinned at her.

“I was thinking of something more concrete,” said June. “Something with a little bit

less explosions and things burning up as they launch for the sun.”

“The first step for these jobs is gathering intel,” said Jack. He scratched his scar as he

watched the walls of Hawk Ridge approach. “We need to be able to see what we have

to deal with before we can deal with it. Once we have an outline of the problem, then

we can think about fixing it. Since we know Shemmaria is involved, the first thing

we will have to do is get the Enterprise and do a flyover to see if we can spot

whatever is going on and fix it.”

“Do you think we can do that?,” said June.

“I am sure we can do something,” said Jack. “Once we are on the job, the rest will fall

into place.”

“We probably should start slowing down,” called Mister Warner from the back. “We

don’t want to wreck the gate by accident.”

“Slow down to walking speed and then carefully take us to Jane’s Hospital,” said

June. “We will unhook the trailer and then we will have to head to the Hole in the

Wall.”

“Yes, mistress,” said the dragon as it lowered some of its sails to ease up on its speed.

The dragon boat floated through the gate and used one of the few cross streets to head

directly towards its goal. It had to make a series of turns and then it was on the road

in front of the new facility. It slid gently to a stop in front of the sign.

“Mister Warner,” said Jack. “I am going to unhook the trailer. Then we can leave

everything else here while we see about these quests.”

Mister Warner waved his understanding. He jumped down from the platform. He

waved some adventurers over from the door. He told them what had happened and

how Errol and his group had to be checked out before they could be allowed to roam

around. A guard for the trailing hauler should be put in place too.

Errol Fass tried to argue about the disposition of his goods. Mister Warner said

something to him that Jack didn’t catch. He became his Hulk, stretching in the torn

clothes he wore. One lift and push freed the hauler.

Mister Warner waved for the adventurers to go inside and listen to Eric. He had

Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.

already done his good deed for the day, now he had work to do that an old party of

mercenaries couldn’t help in any way.

Jack let his homeless looking monster free. He knew the platform would be easy for

anyone to steal. It was also unique enough that he could find it from the air if he had

to search. If it was still there when they got done, he would donate it to the hospital

for supply runs.

“Thank you for helping me,” said Eric. He kept an eye on his uncle. “Do you need me

on this quest?”

“Not yet,” said Jack. “If it gets bad enough that we need an army of adventurers to

help us, we’ve probably lost the objective. Enjoy your time with your wife, get the

hospital to look after you for a bit, get ready for tomorrow.”

“Maybe we can have a party for when I go home,” said June.

“Let’s save the world before we think about getting cake and ice cream,” said Jack.

“And now that I am thinking it, I want it. Let’s go.”

“Nice meeting you, Eric,” said June. She waved at him before she asked the Dragon

Boat to pull up and turn around to go the other way.

“Fass,” said Mister Warner. He straightened his jacket before he climbed on the boat

and took a seat next to the figurehead.

“Tell your uncle to test the formula on something other than a human being,” said

Jack. “I doubt someone hired him to find a healing potion when there are already so

many in use here.”

“Be careful,” said Eric.

“I don’t get paid for that,” said Jack. “Take it easy, Eric.”

Jack’s com band beeped before he boarded the dragon boat. He saw that it was Elaine

and opened the channel.

“Hey,” said Jack. “What’s going on?”

“We have a visitor from the crown,” said Elaine. “Duke Hent brought him by.”

“We’re on the way back to the Hole in the Wall right now,” said Jack. He looked up.

June nodded her understanding. “We should be there in a couple of minutes.”

“All right,” said Elaine. “I haven’t heard from Josie, but I expect she is on the way

back too. How hard could it have been to help Boim’s sisters?”

“Depends on how much running around she had to do,” said Jack. “We’re coming.”

Jack climbed on the boat. He looked around. June and Mister Warner were already

onboard. He nodded.

“Take us to the Hole in the Wall,” said June. “It’s on the southwest wall part of the

city.”

“Yes, mistress,” said the dragon.

The sails unfurled and the boat floated down the street. It made a few turns and then

hit a straightaway where it could speed up while dodging people in the street. Jack

kept the band open as they sailed along.

The boat slowed as the Hole in the Wall came into sight. Two carriages were in front

of the bulge they used for their headquarters. Some guys in armor guarded the door.

Jack recognized two as the Duke’s personal guard.

They waved at him when they saw the boat coming down the street.

Jack jumped to the ground when the boat floated to a stop and furled its sails. The

figurehead huffed out some steam. June patted the dragon as she stood back. Deku

would be okay in this situation, but Kami would make things much easier.

“His Grace is waiting inside,” said one of the bodyguards. He pointed with his thumb.

“Some muckity muck from the capitol is in with him.”

“Elaine and the kids?,” asked Jack.

“Had to restrain your dragon from setting someone on fire,” said the guard. “Things

have calmed down now.”

“He’s Matilda’s dragon, and he is really protective of her,” said Jack. “You know how

that is.”

“It was a sight to see,” said the guard. “I am glad I was outside. This guy represents

the Crown. Don’t let your friend rip him to pieces.”

“Is Josie here?,” asked Jack.

“Not yet,” said the guard.

“That’s good,” said Jack. “Josie is a ton of magnitudes more protective than Aviras.

Let me go inside and see what we can do. This is June and Mister Warner. June is our

new hireling and Mister Warner is like Josie if she was old and a man. They’re our

replacements if something happens to us.”

The guard nodded at the strangers. The description of Mister Warner as an older Josie

didn’t relax his guard.

Jack pushed through the crowd. If he was attacked, he knew June and Mister Warner

would be on this crowd like rabid monkeys. He doubted his sister would seriously

hurt any of them, but his mentor had been making good use of the Dart and his flying

arrow in the last few days.

He stepped inside the apartment and found his visitors sitting at the dining room

table. Their guards stood behind them. Beatrice and Laura were on the other side of

the table, the younger girls behind them. Matilda had Aviras in her arms instead of

on her head. He looked a little sullen, with flames licking around his snout.

He didn’t see Elaine.

She came out of the kitchen with a tray of cups in hand. She smiled when she saw

Jack taking in the scene.

“Milord,” said Beatrice.

“How’s it going?,” said Jack. He took the tray from Elaine so he wouldn’t be tempted

to do something rash. He carried it to the table, and put it down. He began handing

out the servings of tea. “Duke Hent. How do you do, Your Grace?”

The other man opened his mouth to interrupt, but Jack held up a hand. He knew the

Duke, fairly liked the Duke, was willing to listen to the Duke first. He didn’t have the

inclination to listen to someone being rude.

It was no wonder the man’s surcoat had scorch marks on it.

“I’m well, Jack,” said the Duke. “This is Lord Brant. The King has asked him to

personally deliver a message to Mistress Fox.”

“It is a pleasure to meet you,” said Jack. He couldn’t help measuring the guy for a

body bag. “It always a pleasure to deal with someone from the capitol. I see that you

have met Josie’s sisters and my beloved Elaine. Girls, have you done your school

work yet?”

“Not yet,” said Laura.

“Please go ahead out to the Hangar, and get started,” said Jack. “The Society has

handed down quests and we have to get ready to deal with them.”

“Understood, Milord,” said Beatrice. She waved for the other girls to go before her.

She leaned over to whisper in Jack’s ear. “Thank you for the ring. Aviras slowed

these people down when I used it to turn up his flame.”

“Good,” said Jack. He grinned. “Everybody’s all gangster until they run into an

enraged flamethrower.”

“What is the message from the Crown, Lord Brat?,” said Jack. “You can speak in

front of Hent and Elaine. They help us do our jobs.”

“And what is your job?,” said Lord Brant. Jack could hear the quotation marks around

job as he spoke.

“To destroy evil, protect the innocent, ruin an idiot’s day,” said Josie, coming in from

the living room. Boim Russ was behind her with a sword belted around her waist.

“Sometimes we do all three at the same time. Hello, Your Grace. It is a pleasure to see

you again.”

Duke Hent slid back from the table a little, tea cup in hand.

“It is a pleasure for me too,” said Hent. He sipped his tea.

“Are you Josie Fox?,” said Lord Brant.

“If I’m not, she will be really angry,” said Josie. “How can we help the Crown?”

“Princess Caroline is missing,” said Lord Brant. He pushed his tea cup away.

“We can fix that,” said Josie. “Why come to us at all?”

“The King told me she is being used as a hostage,” said the messenger. “He said it

had to do with the Montrose.”

“I see,” said Josie. She pulled out her chair and sat down at the table. Her face

smoothed over as she thought. It wasn’t a coincidence that the quest came down. She

wondered what the actual threat the Society had foreseen. “We’re going to have this

meeting, and then we are going to deal with this. Some people might be killed over

this. Do you understand that, Lord Brant?”

“Yes,” said Brant.

“Does the King understand?,” said Josie.

“I think he is counting on it,” said Brant.

“You have a plan, Jo-jo?,” said June.

“Duke Hent, this is June, and Mister Warner,” said Jack. “Guys, this is Duke Hent.

I owe him a house.”

“You’ll never get that house,” said June. “Jack never pays what he owes.”

“All I need is a site,” said Jack. “The rest will be a snap.”

“Jack,” said Josie. She pulled some paper out of her bag and wrote two letters with

a pen. “Take the Enterprise, go to Shemmaria. Deal with it. Mister Warner, June, Tern

is yours. I have a feeling this a magical revolving door thing like the thing on the

lake.”

She changed long enough to send both letters off.

“Duke Hent, take the princess to the hospital and have her checked out,” said Josie.

“Madam Fass is putting the adventurers to work there and there should be some

Amazons there who can look after her. The Montrose have a history of rape and

abuse. Take care of her until I get back.”

“What are you going to do, Mistress Fox?,” asked Brant. He blinked at what he had

seen in the change, and the sudden coldness filling the room.

He would rather have the dragon back.

“I am going to kill as many of them as I can reach,” said Josie. Two pieces of paper

dropped on the table. She picked them up and read them. She nodded. “And I am

going to start right now.”

Josie changed to Zatanna and sent out a bird to fly toward the center of the country.

She vanished in a second. A young lady in a ragged dress appeared in her place. Jack

grabbed her before she could fall over.

“Caroline?,” said Jack. He eased her into a chair. “You’re safe with us.”

“Where did she go?,” asked Brant. He stood. The princess was part of his

responsibility now that she was here and free.

“You heard her,” said Jack. “She went to kill a bunch of people by herself. I wish she

hadn’t done that, but we have the kid here to worry about, and our own jobs. Do you

mind taking the princess over to the hospital, Your Grace? I’ll call ahead so Jane will

have someone waiting on you.”

“She will be safer than in her own home,” said Hent. He put his tea cup down and

stood. “Captain? Let’s carry out this task. If you will, Lord Brant. Young lady, I am

Duke Hent. We’re going to take you somewhere so a healer can look at you, and

make you comfortable.”

He held out a hand.