Journey of the Messenger Cycle 2 Part 5c

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Ijah was of the opinion that West Port looked much better from above as compared to what she had seen a decade ago from the ground.

Two stone protrusions rose up out of the delta of the East Sister River. The main channel ran between the stone plateaus and the delta extended far out into the Wadrondal Sea, to both the east and west many lesser outflow channels had pushed their way through the diluvial sediments.

Atop the two hills, or maybe they were islands, older parts of the ancient city could still be seen. The most impressive was the old temple, on the southern edge of the western plateau, dedicated to the river goddess. When she had first come into the city, the ancient temple seemed to rise up out of the sea, parts of a great statue still soared high above the plateau.

Various Maldorn structures of architectural styles spanning the past four hundred years were dominant. Especially on the east side of the city, she saw Elquinian buildings from various periods. The western side of the city was a confusing jumble of Tannican structures mixed with influences from the freeholds and those of the Hapanni, from the time of the Empire of the Sun. Often enough new sections had been built over older parts and most of the city suffered from a lack of proper planning and management, especially on the west side of the river.

Lesser buildings extended across the flood plains and out onto the delta towards the sea, thousands of stilt houses and various sorts of boat houses. Large areas of the flood plains around the city had vast wooden platforms spanning various channels.

“Wow, that’s really something to see.” Elli commented.

The three of them, with Lady Felitta’s encouragement, were near the bow of the air-skiff. Despite their close proximity, crew member Datton had his attention on what was ahead of them, instead of on Ijah. She was thankful for that.

She agreed with Elli but her thoughts were scattered; dwelling on the past, worried about the near future and distracted by concerns for her companions. She knew better, things were what they were, all she could do was be present, remain aware and take meaningful action when she was able. She rolled out her shoulders and took a slow, deep breath.

Roddarra was flushed, smiling widely, “I think it’s beautiful… Wow, look there!” She pointed to a distant airship rising up from the city, it was much larger than the one they were on and the morning sun blazed off its copper finished hull. Ijah spotted upwards of a dozen more, three across the other side of the city with their hulls also finished with copper, they were likely military ships. They floated in place just above the smear of smog that persisted above the buildings. Four more were docked at a nearby facility consisting of a number of large warehouses, they were of an older design, possibly merchant ships. She had also spotted at least three smaller airships docked at large properties along the eastern stone protrusion, no doubt they were craft belonging to the nobility.

The airships were not the only thing in the skies above the city, there were thousands, possibly tens of thousands of birds of many different sorts. There were balloons of various sizes and a few other tethered floating contraptions, she was unsure of the purpose of these other small craft, some had pennants or were brightly painted and others might have been employed as lifting devices for some of the ongoing construction they could see.

Elli pointed again, to the north this time, “Look there, is that a building? It’s huge!”

There was a vast structure under construction, too big to be a warehouse. Ijah thought it might be some sort of stadium or arena, but was not sure. Roddarra asked, “Mr. Datton, do you know what that is for?”

He turned his head, glanced in the direction of the building project and said, “That is an aerodrome, my Lady.”

“A what?”

“An aerodrome. A place to dock airships so they can be sheltered from the elements.”

“Oh…”

Datton glanced over at Ijah and smiled but quickly returned his attention to the front of the airship. She scowled at his back and briefly contemplated the repercussions of tossing him over the side. Likely a bad idea. Certainly it would cause problems with Lady Felitta, no doubt it would be overreactive. After all, the man had done nothing but compliment and praise her since his first attempt to woo her. She might not like him, but he did not deserve to die for his uncouth affections. Ijah took another slow, deep breath. Not all problems needed to be solved with violence.

Lady Felitta’s voice cracked like a whip as she called out an order from the helm, “Crew Datton, pennant number seventeen! Pennant seventeen!”

Dattan turned to the rear of the ship and shouted, “Pennant seventeen, aye-aye Skipper!” He stepped from his position and opened a chest, inset into the deck of the ship, he withdrew a neatly folded blue flag with a white stripe down its centre. He clipped it in place and then ran out the lanyard, the pennant unfolded and took the wind, reaching out ahead of them with a sharp snap. He once again glanced at Ijah and gave her a quick wink before he resumed his previous position on the raised platform at the bow.

Lady Felitta called out orders to the rest of the crew. The airship’s fins started to collapse and their forward momentum dropped noticeably as they came in over the city. Their altitude dropped slowly as well, in short order they were moving over the buildings of West Port, in some cases only a couple dozen alat above the tallest structures.

Roddarra gave a dispondent sigh, “I guess the sightseeing is over, we should get our luggage.”

They collected their belongings and paused long enough to take one more look around the room. Roddarra observed, “This has been nice. Whatever happens going forward from here I want you two to know that I am thankful for your companionship. Truly, the gods have blessed me in that regard.”

Elli smiled and nodded her agreement, Ijah felt similarly. She said, “I’m not sure Lord Jostan could ever understand how thankful I am for his help. Regardless, I’m also thankful to finally be in West Port.”

They returned to the mid deck of the ship, two sizable crates had been brought up, one of them was copper finished. The shortest of the crew stood nearby, Hazel maybe, the woman was armed. Roddarra asked, “What’s this?”

“Your cargo, my Lady.”

“This one is saddles and some gear, I packed it. This one though,” She indicated the copper chest, “Is not.”

“We brought both of them up, as per the Skipper’s orders, my Lady. If there’s an issue you should bring it up with her… My Lady.”

Felitta was rather busy. The ship was coasting along below the upper levels of some of the tallest buildings, there was a forest of chimneys around them. She shouted towards the front of the ship, “Crew Datton, stand to, ready to debark and secure a line.”

“Aye, Skipper.”

Roddarra spoke to the nearby crew woman, “This looks like a chest of ammunition for kryl shooters.”

The woman looked to the chest, back to Roddarra, then said, “It does appear that way, my Lady. Though, I could not say that was the contents within… My Lady.” She pointedly looked elsewhere.

A steeply sloped rooftop rose up not far from the side of the airship, then the upper levels of a stone building. The ship gently bumped into something and Datton leapt over the side, rope in hand. They had come adjacent to a rooftop garden and doors of heavy glass that granted access to an upper level of the manor. Datton secured the bow line, Felitta ordered the aft line to then be secured and the erratic gusts of wind died off. After Datton confirmed the aft line was secure Felitta came down to them from the helm.

Roddarra asked, “What’s this?”

Felitta looked to the nearby crew woman, “Go help secure the gangway.” After she had moved off, Felitta answered the question, “A gift from Lord Jostan, a dozen kryl shooters, ammunition and holsters. There’s an instruction booklet as well. I believe his intent was for you to issue these to your personal guard and he wanted me to point out that cavalry armed with these could do a lot of damage in short order. Lastly, he hoped to be able to get you more before the spring.”

“That was very thoughtful of him.”

“You’ll need to be careful with that stuff, the ammunition is very volatile. If anyone asks, it might be best to be unclear as to the source of the shooters.”

“Of course. Will you be able to join us for lunch?”

“No, I must report to command.”

“Well, you know where we are. I don’t think any of us will be leaving West Port until the spring rains pass.”

“I’ll visit, if I can, likely around the solstice. I hope all goes well for the three of you.”

After the pleasantries were concluded they took their luggage and disembarked while the crew brought a crate over. Surprisingly no one had come out from the manor to greet them. They moved over to a sheltered sitting area, “The servants will be along shortly, our sudden arrival has caught them by surprise, no doubt.” Roddarra suggested.

The two crew brought the armoury chest over then hurried back towards the airship. Ijah watched as the gangway was retracted, while the crew on the roof went to the lines, untied them, then quickly scrambled up onto the airship. From the bow Dattan gave Ijah a wave and a smile, the wind gusted and the airship moved away from the manor.

She hoped that was the last she would see of him.

The airship had been out of sight for some time before a servant opened the glass doors to the garden and came out to greet them. She was an older woman, modestly dressed and Ijah was surprised to see that she had a black eye and a split lip.

Roddarra looked shocked, “What happened to you?”

“‘Tis nothing, my Lady. One of the scullery maids left a cupboard opened, I walked into it in the dark a couple of evenings ago. Might I inquire as to your business?”

Roddarra paused, then produced the letter her cousin had given her, “Lady Morathagga has been gracious enough to lend me the use of the town house for the winter, I am her cousin. Are you the senior servant?”

“I am, my Lady.” She took the letter, checked the seal then opened it. She quickly read through it then looked to Roddarra, her expression serious, “This letter says nothing about your cousin Orgaden, my Lady”

Roddarra was taken aback, “No, is there any reason why it should?”

She looked away briefly, “I’m unsure, my Lady. He arrived nearly four weeks ago. He said he was now the Lord Herlington and demanded guest rights.”

Roddarra was briefly at a loss. Ijah intruded into the conversation. “Is he the cupboard you ran into?”

The older woman glanced at Ijah then quickly looked away, “I can’t say, mistress.”

Roddarra frowned, “Speak plainly, woman.”

“Yes, my Lady. Your cousin did this to me. He and his men have been rather… brutish, if I may say so. Most of them seem to be suffering from the war-madness.”

Roddarra glanced to Ijah, then back to the older woman, “What is you name?” Her tone was very cold.

“Marrilas, my Lady.”

“Where is my cousin now? How many men does he have with him?”

“Last I checked most of them were unconscious in the dining hall, my Lady. Orgaden and eight of his men. There are two others, younger, they are typically in the stables. They’ve not been like the others, my Lady.”

“I apologize on behalf of my family. I should like to talk to my cousin immediately.”

“As you say, my Lady.”

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