Plundered Chronicles_Skyblade's Claim Page 7

  Even though it was getting clearer with each move that all the squares that were black on the map were safe, Annabel held her breath every time Victorie took a step. She could still see the shattered coconut as a reminder of what the cave could do to the unprepared. If anything happened to Victorie, Annabel knew she’d never forgive herself.

  It seemed as if it had been an eternity by the time Victorie finally reached the rear wall. “What now?” she asked as she stepped aside to make room for Annabel.

  “We check for something obvious.” Annabel studied the wall. “Cracks, seams, loose spots, anything that looks like some sort of hiding place.”

  “Or…” Victorie glanced back at Connor. “We see if the map has any more clues to show us.”

  “I would think it's more than done its part.” Annabel frowned.

  “It's worth a try. It's surprised us before. Connor?”

  The wizard nodded and walked quietly into the cave, stepping carefully on the same squares the others had. He stopped next to Big Tom and handed the troll the map. “You can't be too careful here,” he said.

  “Especially if you're a coconut.” Tom passed the map to Annabel.

  The captain held the map up against the cave wall and squinted. “The way things have gone,” she said, “I'm expecting this to--”

  The map exploded with light, a brilliant flash that lit up the cave. “Spot on,” Victorie said as she blinked.

  As the glow faded, Annabel stared at the map. “It's blank,” she said, “except for this.” She tapped the map near the top, where there was a giant black “X”.

  “Marking the spot?” Victorie smiled.

  “Very funny…” Annabel paused. Her eyes widened. “That may be it,” she said.

  “Be what?”

  Annabel handed Victorie the map. “You're taller than I, Major. You'll have to try it.”

  “Try what?”

  “This wall is rectangle-shaped, right?”

  “Right.”

  “Well, so is this map.” Annabel smiled. “And if ‘X’ does mark the spot, then it’s most likely going to be…” She studied the wall. “Just above your head,” she said to Victorie, “and a bit to your left.”

  Victorie nodded and reached up, swiping her hand along the cave wall. Dust and dirt slid off, falling on her head and Annabel’s. “My apologies,” Victorie said as her face reddened.

  “I've had worse.” Annabel brushed the dirt from her face. “Did you feel anything?”

  “No. Are you holding the map right side up?”

  “I think so…” Annabel studied the parchment again. “Wait. There's something else we can try.”

  “What?”

  Annabel gave Victorie the map again. “Hold this up near where you touched the wall.”

  Victorie took the map and held it half an inch from the cave wall. “Here?” she said.

  “A bit higher...a bit to the right…” Annabel paused. “Would you be surprised to hear it's glowing again?”

  “Not in the least. But I still don't see anything out of the ordinary.”

  “You should in a moment. On three, press and hold the map against the wall. But close your eyes first!”

  “Of course.” Victorie took a breath. “I'm ready.”

  “One. Two. Three.”

  Victorie squeezed her eyes shut and pushed the map into the cave wall. There was another flash of light, accompanied by the abrasive scrape of stone grinding against stone. As the glare faded, Victorie and the others could see that a small cubbyhole had opened in the wall where the map had contacted it.

  Annabel stared at the cubbyhole. “I think we did it,” she said.

  “Don't be too hasty,” Victorie said. “I can't see if there's anything in there.”

  “I can try to--” Connor started to say.

  “Save it, wizard.” Tom reached past Victorie, pushing his arm into the cubbyhole. A moment later, with a cry of triumph, he pulled out a smallish chest, with another shower of dirt that covered Victorie and Annabel.

  “Good work, Tom!” Annabel smiled. “We did it!”

  “What now, Cap’n?” Tom stuffed the chest in his sack.

  “We follow the map out of the cave, get back to the ship, get this opened, and split the booty!”

  Victorie lowered her arms. “Captain?” she said. “There might be a bit of a catch.” She showed the parchment to the others. It was blank.

  “Seven hells,” Annabel said softly. “How do we get out?”

  “Slowly and carefully,” Connor said. “I think I remember the safe path, so I'll take the lead. Tom, make sure you've got a coconut or two ready if I need to test a square.”

  Victorie glanced back at the mouth of the cave. “Connor?” she said. “I think that the safe path is the least of our worries.”

  An arrow struck the wall near Victorie, falling down by her feet. “You may have a point,” Connor said as he and the others turned.

  The entrance to the inner cavern was blocked by a row of four goblin archers, arrows nocked and ready. Behind them was a tall woman with long wavy black hair, a mocking sneer, and a cutlass that was faintly glowing. “What do we have here, my boys?” she said with a chuckle. The goblin archers, and the horde that had lined up behind her, started to laugh.

  “Desdemona the Mad,” Victorie said softly.

  “Such a unkind epithet,” Desdemona said. “Especially since you’re an odd lot. An overdressed wizard, a navy officer, some filthy troll you dragged off the street, and…” She squinted. “I’ll be damned if that’s not Captain Skyblade.”

  “What?” Connor’s eyes narrowed.

  “That’s Captain Gallagher,” Annabel snapped, “you daft arse.”

  “Such language.” Desdemona shook her head. “You should watch that mouth, especially since I have the upper hand.”

  “I can still--” Connor started to say.

  “Cast another barricade spell that I can cut through? Go right ahead, but do give me some warning. I need to pay for a peg leg for Bligg thanks to the last one.”

  “What the devil do you want, madwoman?” Annabel said.

  “That lovely chest.” Desdemona smirked. “Not yours, Skyblade. The one your pet troll pulled out of that hole.”

  “Gallagher. And you’re not getting your hands on either one.”

  “This is no time for bravery. You’re outnumbered, and I doubt that your military mage is any match for me.”

  “Captain.” Connor pointed at the sorceress. “This room is booby trapped. Take one step in here, and you could meet a gruesome end.”

  “Oh, really?” Desdemona fixed her stare on Connor. “How did you make it through?”

  “We had a map. And we tested one booby trap using a coconut.”

  “You should used the troll,” Desdemona said with a grin. “There’s not much difference--”

  The coconut flew through the air and hit Desdemona in her chest, knocking her back into the goblins. “Racist bitch,” Tom growled.

  “Kill them!” Desdemona screamed. “Kill them all!” The archers drew their bows.

  Connor gestured. One after another, the bowstrings snapped, slicing into the archers’ arms and hands. They shouted in pain, dropping their bows. “Stand down,” Connor snapped.

  “The Hell I will!” Desdemona sat up and pointed her sword at Annabel. “Attack!” Three goblins howled as they drew their shortswords and charged into the inner cave.

  Two of them only made it three steps in before the stalactites plunged down from the cave’s ceiling. The third stopped in his tracks and gaped at the carnage; as he did, Tom threw a coconut at his head, knocking him into the dirt. “At least they’re making it easy to see where the booby traps are,” he said.

  “Gather around me!” Connor said to Annabel, Victorie and Tom. As they did, he gestured and swept his arm in front of him; the air surrounding them started to glow a faint red. “We need to get out,” he said. “I’ve just cast a protective spell. No goblin can get past it.
”

  “Booby traps could,” Annabel said.

  “We’ll have to risk it. Stay together.” Connor took a step, the others following. The wizard’s brow was wrenched in concentration as he tried to remember the safe path while keeping the protective spell up. Annabel whispered to Tom; the troll nodded.

  Desdemona stood. “What are you waiting for?” she yelled as Connor took another step. “Why aren’t you attacking?”

  “Booby traps?” one goblin said.

  “And coconuts?” another goblin added.

  Desdemona swatted both goblins on the head. “I have to do everything myself,” she muttered as she gestured.

  Connor swayed back. “Damn it,” he said. “That pirate is trying to dispel my shield.”

  “Keep going,” Annabel said softly. “But when I tell you to, let her do it.”

  “What?”

  “Trust her,” Victorie said as she subtly glanced at Tom. “I know what she has in mind.” Connor nodded as they moved closer.

  “Give up, you bastards!” Desdemona hissed. “We’ll make it easy on you!”

  “Does that mean ye’ll shut your fat, crazy mouth?” Annabel said.

  “Don’t make me cut yours open, Skyblade!”

  “Gallagher. And I’d like to see ye try.” Annabel grinned mockingly as her group stopped near the cave mouth, less than a foot from Desdemona and her goblin crew.

  “Have your pet wizard lower that spell, then.” Desdemona brandished her cutlass. “We’ll see who has the last laugh.”

  Annabel nodded. “Connor…now.” The wizard sighed and gestured, and the red glow around him and his companions vanished.

  Desdemona smiled cruelly. “Time to die, Skyblade--”

  Tom pulled the chest from his sack and swung it through the air. The coconuts flew out and hit the cave floor. As they landed and rolled, they triggered one booby trap after another, stalactites smashing into the ground, spiked stalagmites bursting up. The ground shook, and the goblins started to topple over.

  Desdemona swayed, trying to keep her feet, and Annabel ran up to her, pistolere in hand. She smacked Desdemona in the face with the butt of her weapon, knocking the mad pirate down. “Out!” she yelled as she headed for the cave mouth.

  The shaking grew stronger, and Annabel stumbled, dropping to one knee. “What the devil…?” she said.

  “Annabel?” Victorie helped the captain up as the shaking stopped. “We thought that the outer cavern was safe?”

  “Aye?”

  “We were wrong.” Victorie drew her rapier and pointed.

  The mound of dirt was shifting. As the women watched, a giant brass pincer burst out, followed by another. A segmented tail rose out of the dust cloud. “Seven damned devils,” Annabel said.

  “They’re the least of your concerns!” Annabel whirled and ducked as Desdemona swung her cutlass. “I’ll have your head, Skyblade!”

  “Gallagher!” Annabel drew her rapier just in time to parry Desdemona’s next swing.

  “We have bigger problems!” Connor shouted. He pointed towards the far wall.

  Gears ground as the last of the dirt slid aside. The gigantic clockwork scorpion rose up on its steel legs, the giant crystals embedded in its back lighting the cave with an eerie glow. It turned towards the intruders, clicking its pincers.

  “Stop it!” Desdemona screamed to her crew. “Hold it back!” The goblins charged the scorpion.

  “That’s not really going to work, is it?” Victorie said.

  The scorpion grabbed two goblins in its pincers and squeezed. Their dying screams filled the cave. The other goblins started to retreat, but one tripped and fell. The scorpion impaled him with its tail, swung it around, and flung it through the doorway into the inner cave. “That’ll set off a booby trap,” Tom said as he ran for the exit.

  “Everybody out!” Connor shouted as he followed the troll.

  “Hold fast!” Desdemona screamed as she swung her cutlass at Annabel.

  “You’re insane!” Annabel parried the blow and stabbed at Desdemona. “That thing will kill us all!”

  “I can control it!” Desdemona swatted Annabel’s sword aside. “Then I’ll have your treasure!”

  Annabel stumbled as the ground started to shake again. Victorie looked up. “Blast it,” she sighed.

  The cave was beginning to collapse around them. Rocks and dirt were falling. The brass scorpion reared up on its hind legs. The goblins shrieked and ran, some for the exit, some for the inner cave, and some in circles.

  “Die, Skyblade!” Desdemona raised her sword.

  “That’s ‘Gallagher’.” Victorie calmly sighted and fired her pistolere.

  The shot clanged off the blade of Desdemona’s cutlass, staggering her. Annabel jumped to her feet and struck Desdemona on the jaw with her sword hilt. The mad pirate collapsed in a heap as falling stones started to cover her.

  Annabel sprinted for the cave mouth, but the scorpion was on the move. Its tail gleamed as it snapped down, trying to sting her. She dodged it but tripped on a loose stone, falling to the ground.

  Victorie ran up next to her and leveled her pistolere. “Two shots left,” she muttered as she aimed.

  “Not the tail, Torie,” Annabel said as she started to stand.

  “Hardly.” Victorie fired.

  The first shot caught the scorpion in its right eye; the second, its left. It froze in place as it blindly waved its tail. It swatted more falling rocks through the cavern.

  One stone glanced off Victorie’s head. She staggered, but before she could fall, Annabel had caught her. “No time to dawdle, Torie!” she said as she led the major towards the cave mouth.

  “What about Desdemona and the goblins?” Victorie gasped.

  “Leave them,” Annabel said grimly. “I can only get one of us out.”

  “Annabel…”

  “I know,” the pirate whispered as they reached the cave mouth. “But I don’t have any other choice.”

  “Or any more time.” Connor was waiting in the doorway, and he and Tom helped Victorie out. Annabel turned as the ground shook one last time, and the shower of rocks filled the opening to Fingolf’s Cave, sealing it and the other pirates away.

  Chapter Six

  Connor led Victorie to a rock by the mouth of the cave and helped her sit. “Are you all right?” he asked.

  “I’m still a bit dizzy,” Victorie said. “I should be fine if I can rest a minute.”

  “Do we have time for that? Some of the goblins may have escaped.”

  “I think we will.” Annabel peered over the side of the ledge, at the beach below. “The airship’s gone.”

  “They left without their captain?” Connor said.

  “No surprise.” Annabel shook her head. “We should get going as soon as the major can walk. It’s late.”

  ***

  The trek back down the hill was uneventful but not quick, as Annabel was walking with a slight limp near the end and Victorie was still moving slowly. They stopped and sat as they reached the isthmus. “Back to the ship, Captain?” Tom asked.

  “Actually…” Annabel glanced at Connor. “We can’t leave yet. At some point, we need to get the chest open and discuss how to split the booty.”

  “Not now?” Tom raised an eyebrow.

  “Nay. I want you to leave the chest here with us and get back to the ship. Have the crew search for the Sanguine Vengeance. Make sure they’re gone, and report back in about three hours.”

  Tom scowled. “They’ll be asking questions.”

  “Bring them some coconuts.” Annabel smiled. “The crew will appreciate the change of pace.”

  Tom nodded, pulled the chest from his sack, and set it at Annabel’s feet. As he did, he winked at her. He slung the empty sack over his shoulder and set off over the isthmus.

  “Do you want to discuss the treasure here?” Connor said. “It seems that we should be going over it with the researchers.”

  “We can do that in a bit.” Annabel sto
od and brushed dirt and pebbles from her hair. “First, I need to ask you for a favor.”

  ***

  The lake was not far from the isthmus, a ten-minute walk. When Annabel, Victorie and Connor reached the sandy shore, the captain set the chest down in a clump of grass several hundred yards from the water. “Shall we see what’s in here first?” she said.

  Connor grinned. “I think we can do that. Step back.” The trio moved away from the chest, and the wizard gestured.

  The lock opened with a loud click, and the chest sprung open. “No traps?” Victorie said.

  “Nothing.” Connor gestured towards the chest. “Shall we?”

  Annabel ran over to the chest and dropped to her knees. “All this gold!” she said as she dug in. “A fine haul!”

  “There’s something else in there.” Victorie reached past Annabel and into the chest.

  She pulled out a large brass skeleton key, with a large sapphire set in the bow end. “What the devil is that for?” Annabel asked.

  “I’m not sure I want to see what that would unlock,” Connor said.

  Victorie smiled. “So, Connor…”

  “Ah, right.” The wizard moved over to a rock. He tapped it and spoke under his breath. “That’s the privacy shield,” he said. “It’ll take effect in three minutes. Once it’s up, no one will be to get in or out for two hours unless you two walk through it.”

  “No one?”

  “Right. The researchers do like their privacy. There are towels hanging in that tree, and a blanket; just air them out to dry when you’re done. Do you need anything else?”

  Victorie started to blush. “We’ll be fine, Connor.”

  “Meet me at the settlement when you’re clean. Let me know if the water does help with your recovery, Victorie.” Connor strode off.

  Victorie took a deep breath. She walked over to a tree by the lakeshore and took off her coat, hanging it from a branch. Her weapon belts and boots were next. She swallowed and glanced over her shoulder.