Voyages of the Flying Dragon (33 page)

‘Not all of us, I think,' the captain said.

Missy stood. ‘What do you mean?'

‘You are not the only one who will be staying behind,' Captain Shishi told her.

Lenis held out his hand so Missy could help him to his feet. ‘Who else is staying?'

‘I am,' Shujinko called from the deck. The cabin boy was standing just on the other side of the forecastle's railing. ‘The captain has decided my injury is too severe for me to continue travelling with the
Hiryū
.'

The boy was in such turmoil Lenis couldn't sift through his emotions. Given his fear of heights, he should have been relieved to remain on solid ground for a time, but he didn't seem at all pleased with the notion.

‘Miss Florona will also be staying,' the captain told them
as Missy descended to the deck, ‘and the doctor has agreed to remain behind to care for them.'

Lenis didn't respond. Three more crewmates gone. Would there be anyone left to pilot the
Hiryū
?

The captain lowered his voice and leant in to whisper to Lenis, ‘I would not leave your sister alone with strangers, Mister Clemens. Their injuries give me an excuse to leave them behind, but in truth Shujinko, Miss Florona and Master Long will provide much-needed support to Miss Clemens after we are gone.'

Lenis watched Missy and Shujinko over the captain's shoulder before mouthing, ‘Thank you.'

The captain nodded in reply. ‘As much as I am loathe to speed our separation,' he went on in a normal tone of voice, ‘we must be leaving.'

‘So soon, Captain?'

‘We must hasten after Karasu.'

Lenis felt his tears come again. He pushed past the captain, jumped down the stairs and pulled his sister into a hard embrace. She squeezed him back. They were both crying. The captain left them alone for a moment, but all too soon he was clearing his throat and apologising, then they were pulling away from each other and Missy was heading below decks to fetch her things.

It was all happening too fast. Lenis didn't know what to do with himself, so he did the one thing he could always rely on. He went to work. If they were going to be chasing after
Karasu then they were going to need the engines warmed up and ready to go. Lenis was going to show that Shinzōn mercenary just how fast a dual-Bestia engine could outstrip his airship.

Missy crammed her few belongings into the shore bag and flung it over her shoulder. This was it. It was really happening. She was leaving the
Hiryū
. She looked down at her bunk for a moment, waiting for it to sink in. Her eyes were still puffy from her cry with Lenis, and her heart was aching at the thought of leaving him, of leaving all of them. But she had made her decision, and she would stick to it.

As she passed through the airship she paused to say farewell to the Bestia. This proved harder to do than she had imagined. Trying to form a coherent image-message in her state was difficult enough, but receiving their replies was almost too much to bear. They were going to miss her. She tried to hold onto that as a solace, but it really just made her sadder. As she climbed the stairs to the deck she met her brother, who seemed to think better of entering the engine room and trailed along after her.

On the way across the deck they passed Kenji and Shin. The helmswoman's disgust for the navigator was writ large across her face, but Kenji was wearing his usual sardonic grin. Missy gave Shin a quick hug and then turned to go. A thought occurred to Missy and she paused.

‘You did it on purpose,' she said, rounding on Kenji.

‘What are you talking about?' he asked, sounding bored.

‘You were testing me back there in Haven, weren't you?' she demanded. ‘You wanted to see if I would read your mind or try to stop you. That's why you did it.'

Kenji winked at her. ‘Trust moves in two directions, little girl.' Then he laughed and continued up to the bridge.

Shin looked at her, but Missy just shrugged. The navigator, she suddenly realised, was no longer her problem.

At the top of the gangplank they met the captain and Tenjin, who was leaning heavily on a crutch. Lenis was still crying a little, Missy noticed. So were the captain and the old records keeper. Her heart went out to them, but she had to do this, and do it soon. The longer she delayed the more pain she would cause them all.

Tenjin reached inside his robe. ‘You will be needing this for your lessons, I believe.' He drew forth the Quillblade and held it out to her. ‘I am sorry I placed this burden on your shoulders.'

As she took the
shintai
from him, she replied, ‘Don't be, Lord Tenjin. Once I've learned to master the Quillblade I'll be able to help in the coming war.'

She had meant to make him feel better, but he only looked grimmer.

‘Take care, Miss Clemens,' he said and patted her shoulder before hobbling off down the deck.

‘Goodbye, Miss Clemens,' the captain said. He bowed low to her and then left the twins alone.

‘So,' Lenis said. ‘I guess this is finally it.'

‘I guess so, little brother.' Missy reached up to tousle his hair. ‘Look after yourself. And the Bestia. And Suiteki. And Kanu, I guess. I'll find you when I'm done here. I promise.'

‘And I'll find
you
if you don't.'

Missy laughed and hugged her brother. Something squawked inside his robe and she pulled away as Suiteki poked her head out. For a moment, looking into the baby dragon's eyes, it seemed to Missy that she wasn't a baby at all, that deep inside her lurked the Totem she was one day going to become.
Take care of my brother
, she said, and was sure Suiteki bobbed her head in a nod. The little dragon gave one of her reptilian caws and disappeared back inside Lenis's robe. Without another word Missy turned and walked down the gangplank.

‘I love you, sister!' Lenis called down to her.

‘I love you too, little brother!' Missy waved her hand as Lenis disappeared behind the railing.

‘Goodbyes can be hard,' Fox noted. The Cunning Lady was waiting for Missy at the head of the airdock. She wore one of the black coats of the Brotherhood over her flimsy
gown. ‘I'm sure you will see your brother again.'

Missy nodded, fighting back tears. ‘I will. Definitely. In the meantime, where should I put my stuff?'

Fox smiled her wicked smile. ‘Turn around.'

‘Sorry?'

‘Go stow your stuff aboard the
Geschichte
.'

Missy shook her head. ‘But I thought you were going to teach me!'

Fox rolled her eyes. ‘I am, but not for free. Remember our deal? You owe me one Peaceful Guardian, and we certainly aren't going to find him around here!'

(For a more detailed glossary, go to
www.benchandler.com.au
)