This Deadly Engine Read online

  “Ash!” Cavendish hissed as he pushed against me. “What are you doing?”

  A deep breath helped to suppress a shudder.

  We do not kill, Perrin.

  The cyclops asked, “Does that include your former wife?”

  “You know what happened.”

  “The time will come, human, when the choice is to kill or be killed for a righteous reason. Which will you choose?”

  Cavendish gave me a worrisome look as he pulled on one of his beards. “This is not the time to lose control, Ash. We are too close.”

  I whispered, “The side effect of this power happens to be the fact that a certain cyclops resides in my head. He is quite vocal and opinionated.”

  Curse Pienne and his elixirs.

  “Well…both Perrins need to maintain control. Too much could go wrong already. We do not need you arguing with yourself.”

  We joined the line. Three Guardsmen and two lizards challenged each person. We stood behind an elf…one who wore the black necklace with inset diamonds. I growled…or did Perrin growl? Either way, Cavendish scowled at us.

  Control yourself, Ash. Perrin is only a voice, only a collection of memories.

  The cyclops asked, “Who says you are not a mind in my body? What if they transferred you to me instead of transforming your scrawny limbs?”

  No…such a possibility…for sanity’s sake, I would not consider it. I was Alexander Asherton.

  Yet…I knew Perrin’s parents as well as my own. I craved the light breading and hint-of-butter taste of Plentiar pastry just as much as I did the cinnamon in the rolls from Paul’s Bakery. My back knew the tender, delicate touch of Rebecca’s hands, and the savage blows from the orcs. I had walked in the cramped and dirty streets of London as surely as I had walked on the green and windy Seven Hills of Klenstain. I had saved an orphan from being crushed by wagons. I had killed fifteen orcs while they drank in a tavern. I had survived among the filth of the sewers beneath Campden. I had chiseled ore from the Lefthwin Mines, one hammer blow at a time.

  By all that is good…who am I? What…am I?

  Perrin said, “Your destiny and my destiny are intertwined. For good or bad, we need each other. We are each other. We will see Frengarn and the Duke destroyed. We will find your lady, and we will find my sister.”

  What did I expect? Why did I agree?

  Because of Rebecca and the Bishop and his wife. Because of every victim Schaever had kidnapped and replaced with a machine. Because of the long war where the orcs threatened to assume power, and for every cyclops they captured. Because of Cavendish’s need – I had risked my life to help strangers…this time I helped a friend.

  Perrin approved as much as the canon’s voice would have.

  Cavendish tugged on my leg and motioned to the Guardsman with an outstretched hand. I stared at him until Perrin said, “Your pass. It verifies that you are part of the army of workers.”

  I pulled the pass from my right pocket and carefully handed it over.

  The Guardsman inspected it, then motioned me to the door as he returned the paper.

  I walked between the lizards, and Perrin said, “Worthless sun worshippers. They are as trustworthy and honorable as Guy Fawkes.”

  I asked, “How do you know about him?”

  The cyclops snorted. “I have your memories…remember?”

  I am going to go mad before this ends.

  Cavendish followed, having shown his own pass. “Prepare yourself for what you are about to see.”

  As we stepped through the doorway, we entered the sights, sounds, marvels, miracles, and spectacles of the Expo. Such was the grandiosity that even Perrin gasped. And for good reason.

  The Two Worlds Exposition of Science and Magic…what could be said of it? That it was everything one would expect from a man of Schaever’s vision? In summary, the majesty of the Duke’s Ball, the overpowering awe of his underground home, and the audacity of his ambitions were all captured in one place. And for a reason known only to the mad man, he allowed us simpletons to be a small part of it. Were we to be grateful, or were we to be pitied?

  “Perhaps both,” Perrin said.

  We followed a well-worn path between two wooden buildings and entered the heart of the grounds. Pops and a bang from the right indicated the start of a demonstration. The noise drew a crowd to the exhibit. Others only glanced in that direction as they made their way to different buildings, shows, and amusements.

  In the middle of the main thoroughfare ran a one thousand-foot-long pool, twenty feet wide, and no more than two feet deep. In the center, a massive clock stood thirty feet high. Steel beams formed a series of W’s along the base. Inside, a golden pendulum with Schaever’s badger inscribed on it swung back and forth. The base tapered as it reached the top where four, gold clock faces – one facing east, one west, one north, and one south – kept the Expo aware of the time. The hands appeared to be made of the black metal of the automatons. Both ended in the figure of a pointing badger. They moved across raised, exquisitely crafted Roman numerals.

  Four round platforms ten feet in diameter stood in the water, two on each side of the clock, and equally spaced down the length. Above each, images formed out of nothing. The air above the closest one flickered green before a man appeared with the same-colored hue. He wore a long-tailed coat, a nice pair of trousers, and a coachman’s hat.

  He motioned to the timepiece. “Tonight at nine of the clock, come to the transportation hub in the City of the Future to witness tomorrow’s cabs and the latest advances in the steam wagon.” He swept his arms through the air. “Imagine soaring above the town as you go from work to home…”

  We continued down the way at Cavendish’s insistence and saw the same green light appear above the next pedestal. The image of an airship slowly rotated as a lady said, “The most modern airship the world has ever seen. It is luxury taken to heights only imagined.” She giggled at her pun. “Watch it take flight on the evening of the wedding of Duke Schaever and the lovely Lady Stewart. Be one of the first to tour the mighty luxury ships before they embark on their goodwill tour around the world.”

  A goodwill tour for Schaever to flaunt his achievements before the people of the world, all while married to a machine.

  I stopped when the third pedestal flickered and brought Reckard to life – albeit a green Reckard. He motioned to the round pack on his back. “The future of flying is not necessarily with cars and wagons. Imagine your own, personal pack to carry you where you need to go. See it in the Amazing, Changing World Pavilion.”

  The lights flickered, then a lady appeared. She wore what looked like a jockey’s outfit, except with a lace train behind her. She twirled, making the train ripple around her. “Not all things new are for the boys. See what fashion changes are coming…”

  Cavendish tugged on my leg again. “We need to hurry, Ash.”

  I waved for him to stop. Perhaps seeing Reckard shook me. Maybe the sensory saturation overwhelmed me. Either way, my mind needed a moment to pause. The noises, the lights, and the smells all swirled in a similar way as they did when under the transformation elixir.

  Deep breaths helped to calm my spinning mind. I closed my eye and stood still. Even Perrin remained quiet.

  After a few minutes, Cavendish asked, “Ash? Should we go back?”

  I summoned the voice that was not my own. “No. We continue according to plan.” I opened my eye and looked away from the long pool.

  Unfortunately, the visual onslaught continued. For example, twenty-foot wide and ten-foot-tall signs floated thirty feet in the air. They directed the crowds to the different sections within the Expo. Flashing white lights lined the edge of one that announced the ‘Wonders and Amusement for All Ages’ with a green arrow beneath the words. In that corner of the grounds stood a Ferris wheel with a series of eight large, interlocking gears that moved the ride. Next to it stood a replica of London Bridge with a gondola between the towers. The gondola swung high as the riders screamed wi
th glee. Next to it, a tall building promised to be ‘A Tower of a Thousand Thrills.’

  Closer to me, but on the other side of the thoroughfare, a sign illuminated with a smoky yellow background read, ‘The Oddities, Insanities, and Uniques.’ People waited in four lines to go through a tunnel where lights flashed and music played. On the top, mechanical arms swayed as mechanical hands waved. On either side of the entrance, a pair of automatons studied the crowd. On each, a metal strip on the bottom of the rounded head moved like a jaw. Red eyes glowed brightly through slits. The automatons waved, too, and said in unison, “Welcome one, welcome all.”

  Children pointed and laughed. One tried to touch them.

  The smooth lines and childish design evoked a sense of playfulness, but Schaever never designed such monsters for mere amusement or as childish props. I had no doubt that he could turn them into instruments of death and destruction at a moment’s notice.

  On another floating sign, red, glowing letters announced, ‘Technology for a Better World.’ In that direction stood the tallest building at the Expo. Based on the size and the rounded roof, I assumed it held the new airships. Giant crane-like arms, three spaced equally on each side, clamped down on the top of the building. Rollers and gears along the seam where the structure began to curve indicated that the roof itself could open. Lights flashed on the top as a warning to any approaching aircraft.

  To the right of the hanger, a square building stood almost as tall. The lack of illumination around it cast it in shadows that presented a most ominous air.

  And finally, solid green lights along the edges illuminated the ‘A Magical Emporium’ sign. Cavendish followed it.

  We left the main thoroughfare and walked along a narrower path with small, round green lights along the edges. We passed tents of various sizes that offered everything from food to clothes to elixirs. Signs were written in English, Orc, Elf, and Cyclops. I could read every language.

  Praise Pienne and his crazy concoction.

  Children stood outside the tent doors and called to all who passed. One offered culinary delights from the magical realm. Another promised a drink that went down cold but warmed the entire body.

  “Catheon Ale,” Perrin said. “A disgusting mixture.”

  The thought of a cold, thick drink that felt grainy on the tongue and left an aftertaste close to the way a wet, sour stocking smelled, sent a chill through me.

  We hurried past that particular tent. The lane widened into an area similar to a courtyard. Three buildings marked the edges of the square and invited us to partake of their wonders. Glowing words above the steps of the center building read, “Magic, Mayhem, and Mystery.” The line wrapping around the courtyard indicated the popularity of the place. Many of the children held tight to their parents and stared in wide-eyed wonder at the lights.

  Perrin said, “The trap is in the ‘Myths and Legends’ exhibit.” The one with a replica of Stonehenge in front. “In the same way we entered the Exposition, we go through a side door reserved for the workers.”

  Cavendish said, “Ash, I will stay close. Be careful and keep with the plan.”

  “Remind me why you will not give me a magic item to use?” I frowned. “I care little for going in without some type of weapon.”

  The gnome looked at his watches. “I wish I could give you something, but there are magic detectors besides the lizards. Duke Schaever has surrounded the exhibit with them. You would not get within ten feet of the Heart before they sounded the alarm.”

  “I still don’t like this.” Yet…I could not back out. I resisted the urge to rub the gnome’s head for good luck. “But I will do my best.” After showing the Guardsman my pass and letting him check me for weapons, I entered. Immediately, the sound of a train moving along a track, followed by gasps from the people it carried, filled the air. Another cyclops greeted me. A scar at the corner of his mouth made him appear to half-smile, as if he wanted to tell a good joke. Yet the creature was anything but funny.

  I had first met the cyclops at the slave barracks in Keenuin days after being taken from home. He supervised the other slaves and abused his position of authority. He gave me my first black eye when I dared to stare at his scar.

  Despite the years that had passed since then, his sight still stirred fear and dread in my belly.

  Except the memory did not belong to me or to my past. Yet it did.

  Where did Ash end, and where did Perrin begin?

  I looked at my hands again. They remained a strangely familiar sight.

  The other cyclops grunted. “You are still the same, slow fool you always were, Jeran.” The name sounded so strange even though it had been mine since birth. “And you are almost late.” He moved in front of me. “Another thirty seconds, and I would have given you a reminder of the need for timeliness.” He sounded disappointed as he checked a piece of paper in his hand. “You are assigned to the Sleeping Beauty exhibit. Though why you call any of these scrawny humans a beauty is beyond me. Sleepy Ugly Bug Eyes is a better name.” He laughed. “But at least I am not the one who has to look at her.”

  I followed the hallway to the right.

  The other cyclops caught my arm and squeezed. “You had best be extra attentive. We expect trouble.”

  I shrugged him off, met his eye, then walked away.

  The cyclops guffawed. “Little Jeran is feeling big, is he? Feeling like he is all grown up and can challenge the mighty Jandorsi? Perhaps he can try. Perhaps he can see just how he compares.”

  Perrin said, “I am not the boy he once knew. I have seen more than my share of battles.” Yet the fear still lingered. “He is almost as cruel as Frengarn. I look forward to ending their threats to both of our worlds.”

  I made it a point to stare at Jandorsi’s scar, which made him growl and step towards me. I folded my arms and stood my ground. “Someday soon we will have that challenge.”

  Jandorsi poked me in the chest. “It will be a day you regret.” When I simply stared and said nothing, he huffed and left.

  After his departure, curiosity compelled me to peer into the nearest exhibit. A train appeared from around the bend with an engine the same size as a small wagon. Five people packed into each of six cars – men, women, and children alike. Their ages ranged from two to eighty. Each one watched with delight and fascination.

  They saw a brightly-lighted scene where a lady wearing a gray kirtle sat in front of a prince dressed in his royal red robes. He placed a golden slipper on her foot. The prince’s men gave a loud ‘hurrah’ to the delight of those in the train.

  I had to admit that I envied the spectators. They knew nothing of the struggle about to unfold, or how the fate of the magical realm could be decided. Their ignorance allowed them to take in the thrill of the living faery tales without fear.

  As soon as the train disappeared around another bend, the automatons stopped. They returned to their original positions with the grace of real people. They waited with the patience of cold machines.

  The clack-clack of another approaching train put the machines back into action. The prince said, “I have searched all over the kingdom to find who can wear this slipper.” He dropped to one knee.

  I stepped away.

  The machines seemed so innocent, yet to bring them to life cost so many so dearly.

  The thought of the tanks in Schaever’s underground lab made Perrin gasp. “Where are…did you see them all? Was Sera among them? No…there were more. Many more.”

  Before I asked what happened to his sister, the memory returned – Frengarn forced me to my knees after I delivered my report on Schaever’s activities. He circled me. “You have done well, much better than I expected. I supposed you hope I will free your sister in exchange for your service.” He stopped in front of me. “Maybe I would, had I not given her to Reginald Schaever for a most urgent experiment.”

  His words gave birth to an anger unlike any I had ever known. The shackles that held my arms did nothing against the strength of an enr
aged cyclops. Still…I could not hurt him despite every desire to squeeze his neck. In fact, the necklace around my own neck forced me to cower. “Please…have mercy on...me.” The necklace pulled the words out like a pair of pliers pulling a termian parasite from the intestines of an alloops. Frengarn thought he humiliated me, but he only provided the fuel for a simmering fire that never stopped, never ceased to drive me onward to the day of our reckoning.

  I will kill Frengarn.

  No, I will not kill him.

  Perrin growled, but did not argue. Not that he needed to, for I understood his need. It filled us both.

  I continued along the way until reaching the door with ‘Sleeping Beauty’ inscribed on it. I let a train pass before entering.

  A cyclops stood in the sentry space. When he saw me, he moved for the door. He rolled his eye and whispered, “A long shift of nothing, but at least the pay is good. For someone.” He grunted as he left.

  I hurried into place before the next train rounded the turn. It took a moment for my eye to adjust to the change in light.

  The Sleeping Beauty display appeared far more eloquent than did Cinderella’s and slightly different than the version told by the Brothers Grimm. Instead of resting on a bed in a room high in the north tower, the bed rested on a mound of gold coins. A spindle sat next to the bed. A light above the bed illuminated the figure in a creamy glow. And the lady herself wore a pale blue dress with the skirt and sleeves cascading down the sides of the bed. She wore white shoes with sparkling diamonds on the tops. Her hands rested on her stomach. Prominently displayed on her bosom was the locket. Where everything looked beautiful and charming, the locket appeared dull and disappointing. Tiny screws held cold, gray plates in place, which protected the powerful prize within.

  I shook my head as my eye continued to the face of the figure.

  All at once, I sucked in a quick breath. The world tilted to the right. It took every bit of determination to hold the contents of my belly.

  It cannot be. It simply…cannot…be.

  Yet there she lay.

  Aimee!