Free Scimitar War by Chris A. Jackson Page B

now, Tim, but—”
    A loud knock at the door silenced the count, and they all looked to one another. Huffington shrugged; there was no way to tell who stood on the other side of that door, or how much they had heard. Norris nodded to the door and Huffington opened it carefully, one hand resting on the blade beneath his waistcoat. A single marine stood there, breathing hard from his recent climb up the stairs.
    “Sorry to disturb you, milord,” he said, with a half salute, “but Master Upton sent me.”
    “What does Master Upton want of me ?” Norris snapped, irritation plain in his voice.
    “Your pardon, milord, but he didn’t call for you. He sent me up to fetch Mister Huffington down to the beach.”
    “Milord?” Huffington said, turning to Norris with a covert look of caution.
    “Oh, very well! But remind the good Master Upton that you are under my employ, not his.”
    “Very good, milord.” Huffington nodded and joined the marine, silently concerned that the good Master Upton was far too inquisitive for anyone’s good.
    ≈
    Gossamer-smoke wings beat the torrid air as Flicker swooped and swerved through Akrotia’s winding air ducts. She flew toward the chamber of light and fire where Edan and the crazy girl were caught in the little crystal house. For the first time in her memory, she was alone. And though sprites’ memories were significantly shorter than their very long lives, it was still a long time, and she was lonely. So once again she returned to this place, where her master stood like a statue of crystal—unmoving, unthinking, but not quite dead.
    At least it was warm here.
    She emerged from the vent tube into the Chamber of Life. Despite her master’s presence and the heat, she didn’t like this place, remembering the rising water and the panic all too clearly. However, she also remembered Mouse here, how he had saved her life. And later, when she had dampened her fire and kissed him.
    She remembered that a lot. And when she did, she was even more lonely.
    Flicker fluttered to Edan’s crystalline prison. She hovered there, peering through the mottled barrier. Inside, Edan stood frozen in place, a million tiny crystals bristling from his flesh. And beside him, actually clutching and kissing him, stood the crazy girl who had caused all Flicker’s pain.
    Flicker glared at the girl. If not for her, it all would have worked out. Flicker would have had both her master and Mouse. Stupid crazy girl! The sprite clung to the crystalline wall and pounded her tiny fist against it to no avail. Neither of them ever moved; they never blinked, never even knew she was there. Flicker was alone.
    If only Mouse was here, she thought, remembering their kiss again. If he was here, she would dampen her fire, and who knew what might happen…

Chapter 5
    Deceptions
    A cordon of marines stood in the dim pre-dawn light, glaring at anyone venturing near the shipyard. This included Huffington, as he followed his escort down the beach to answer Master Upton’s summons. A marine sergeant announced him, and the spymaster rose from where he knelt examining something in the sand at the head of the dock, lantern in hand.
    “Ah, yes. Mister Huffington! Thank you for coming.” He brushed off his knees and beckoned. “Please come here, and be careful to avoid the stakes I’ve placed. I’ve managed to secure the area before all the evidence has been trodden on, but I require your assistance.”
    “Evidence, sir?” Huffington joined him, carefully avoiding the stakes. “What sort of evidence?”
    “Well, there are a number of reasonably clear footprints in the sand here at the head of the dock, and two or three sandy ones on the dock itself. Most are obviously from the marines who have patrolled the area. These here are fresh and unshod, and probably belong to the two natives who were reported missing, the ones who have been pestering the admiral for Flothrindel . This print over here,” he pointed to the one he had just