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71 - Captain Senesio
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Senesio
“Needlethroat was a terribly unimaginative name,” I said, beaming so widely everyone had to have seen it clear as day, even through the rain. “And besides, I figured we needed to mark the significance of this beautiful ship... changing hands.”
My skyship finally touched down, just fitting into the courtyard, and a gangplank was lowered. I strode down it, tall and proud. My newly acquired three-pointed hat was in hand and as I stepped off of the gangplank, I settled it atop my head.
“You’ve gone too far this time,” Maritza said, still staring at the fresh lettering on the ship’s hull. “The navy is going to be pissed, Senesio.”
“Ah-ah,” I said, shaking a finger and pointing up to my hat. “It’s Captain Senesio now.”
“A hat doesn’t make you a captain.”
“Perhaps not. But I’m quite sure a skyship does.”
“For the last time,” Maritza said. “It’s not your skyship.”
“Oh, I don’t know. If anyone looks the part of captain, it’s me,” I said, pulled my coat tight and made a point of edging a foot forward so they’d notice my new boots. “And, I have an engineer already.”
Demetrias looked up from where he was fidgeting with some of the new woodwork, then gave a smile and a nod.
“She’s a beautiful ship. Been through a bit, but she’s tougher than most. And in good hands with me.”
Maritza spluttered.
“Just... just let him have this one,” Suni said, still fighting a laugh. “He’ll be far more tolerable if we play along. Just until we get to the capital. The emperor will take things from there.”
“Can’t believe I came out into the storm for this,” Maritza said with a huff and Theo nodded along. They both turned to head back inside.
“Why the hell is there a skyship in the middle of the college?” a voice shouted. I turned to see a figure briskly walking toward us. It was hard to get a good look at her through the driving sheets of rain, but her aggressive posture left no room for doubt.
“Elpida,” I said with a nod and a slight bow. “It is my sincerest pleasure to introduce you to the newly repaired Horizon Dancer!” I slapped the hull. “She’s all patched up and ready to set course for the capital.”
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“The capital?” Suni frowned, and I got it.
Elpida had been waiting at Deadman’s Door ever since we’d returned. Every day on the palisade, watching the mud flats and no doubt searching for any sign of Oz. She wasn’t ready to leave. Not until there was some confirmation. Not until we knew if Oz would return.
“I mean, well. Surely, we can wait another day or so,” I began, turning toward Elpida. “I’m sure we don’t have to leave right... ” The sentence fell away as I watched the guidemaster approach. She was closer now and I could see her better. Could see her well enough to tell she wasn’t alone.
And she was smiling.
I felt my mouth fall open. Damn near hit my knees on the way down.
Elpida gave me a smirk and a small nod as if to say “told you so.”
“Where did you get that from?” an all too familiar voice said. And then Oz was jogging through the rain, splashing past Suni to stare up at the Horizon Dancer.
“Oz!” Theo shouted from the porch. “Ancestors above!”
“We didn’t think we’d ever see you again!” Maritza added.
“Hey guys!” Oz said, nonchalant as if he hadn’t just trekked alone through the Far Wild for three weeks. “Suni,” he said next and touched two fingers to his forehead in a mock salute. “Glad to see nothing ate you.”
“Ancestors above and what in the hell? Oz!” Seemed Suni could barely get the words out. She wrapped him in a hug that near sent them both down into the mud. “When did... when did you arrive?”
Elpida laughed at her apparent shock, then took a quick swig from her flask. “He showed up not an hour ago. Calm and collected as you like.”
“The Horizon Dancer,” Oz read as he pulled free from Suni and looked up at the skyship. “Well that’s a terrible name. We’re going to change that, right?”
“Excuse me!” I snapped, and Suni burst out laughing. “I’ll have you know that—”
“Skyship high!” Demetrias shouted.
“The hell are you on about?” Elpida asked, brow scrunched. “I’m well aware of the ship. And it’s not ‘high,’ it’s in the middle of the courtyard.”
Demetrias pointed north in response and I turned to follow.
Well, shit.
Sure enough, there was the shadowy silhouette of a massive skyship emerging out of a storm cloud and barreling toward us.
“No... ” Theo said. “There’s no way the Bospurians could have gotten home and called a fleet together so quickly.” And yet, as we watched, another skyship appeared from the storm cloud. Then a third. A fourth. A whole fleet.
“Those aren’t Bospurian,” Maritza said, squinting up at the silhouette. “They’re coming from the north. From out over the ocean.” She smiled. “I think the capital got our official account after all, because that’s a Cyphite fleet. And look.” She pointed at the biggest of the ships, a massive eight-engined monstrosity. “That one’s flying the emperor’s banner.”
“The emperor?” I let out a small gasp and looked down at my sopping wet clothing. “I’m not ready! I’m not presentable!” I bounded up the gangplank. “Demetrias, get my wardrobe! I must dress immediately!”
“The emperor in Lekarsos?” Elpida shook her head. “Well I’ll be damned.”
“He’s... he’s here?” Suni said, mouth still hanging open. “And with... five, six, seven ships? That’s more than half of the Cyphite skyfleet. What does that mean? Why would he... ”
“It means he read our official account,” Elpida said. “And he’s pissed at Bospur. Can’t say I blame him. Or, maybe he wants the magnesia ore they’re after. Can’t say I blame him for that either.” She tipped her flask back and took a long swig, then offered it over to Suni. “Either way, this business with Bospur is far from done.”