The Two Dragons

By Wesley Allison

War has come to Birmisia and the rest of the world as The United Kingdom of Greater Brechalon faces off against totalitarian Kingdom of Freedonia. Freedonia has fielded its army, including the secret cabal of wizards known as the Riene Zauberei, airships of the Flottenluftkorps, steam-powered war machines, tens of thousands of lizardmen allies, and the dragon-god Hissussisthiss. Standing between them and their domination of Birmisia is the sorceress Zurfina, the young steel dragon Bessemer, and seventeen year old sorceress Senta Bly.

As the actual battle approaches, Brech society seems ready to split apart, along racial and ethnic lines. Colonial Governor Iolanthe Denchantagne-Staff, Mayor Zeah Korlann, and Police Inspector Saba Colbshallow must hold the colony together as panicked citizens riot and loot, supply ships are torpedoed by Freedonian submarines, and a gang of murderous lizzies threaten the town.

The Two Dragons is the fifth volume of the epic story of Senta and the Steel Dragon, a story of adventure and wonder, steam power and magic, prejudice and power, rifles and dinosaurs, love and sacrifice, dragons and lizardmen, and ultimate destiny.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Wesley Allison
• Release date: Apr 15, 2012
• ISBN: 9781476047454

Wesley Allison

At the age of nine, Wesley Allison discovered a love of reading in an old box of Tom Swift Jr. books. He graduated to John Carter and Tarzan and retains a fondness the works of Edgar Rice Burroughs to this day. From there, it was Heinlein and Bradbury, C.S. Lewis and C.S. Forester, many, many others, and finally Richard Adam’s Shardik and Watership Down. He started writing his own stories as he worked his way through college. Today Wes is the author of more than thirty science-fiction and fantasy books, including the popular His Robot Girlfriend. He has taught English and American History for the past 29 years in Southern Nevada where he lives with his lovely wife Victoria, and his two grown children Rebecca and John.For more information about the author and upcoming books, visit http://wesleyallison.com.Books by Wesley Allison:Princess of AmatharHis Robot GirlfriendHis Robot WifeHis Robot Wife: Patience is a VirtueHis Robot Girlfriend: CharityHis Robot Wife: A Great Deal of PatienceHis Robot Wife: Patience Under FireEaglethorpe Buxton and the Elven PrincessEaglethorpe Buxton and the SorceressThe Many Adventures of Eaglethorpe BuxtonEaglethorpe Buxton and... Something about Frost GiantsThe Sorceress and the Dragon 0: BrechalonThe Sorceress and the Dragon Book 1: The Voyage of the MinotaurThe Sorceress and the Dragon Book 2: The Dark and Forbidding LandThe Sorceress and the Dragon Book 3: The Drache GirlThe Sorceress and the Dragon Book 4: The Young SorceressThe Sorceress and the Dragon Book 5: The Two DragonsThe Sorceress and the Dragon Book 6: The Sorceress and her LoversThe Sorceress and the Dragon Book 7: The Price of MagicThe Sorceress and the Dragon Book 8: A Plague of WizardsThe Sorceress and the Dragon Book 9: The Dragon's ChoiceThe Sorceress and the Dragon Book 10: For King and CountryKanana: The Jungle GirlTesla’s StepdaughtersWomen of PowerBlood TradeNova DancerThe Destroyer ReturnsAstrid Maxxim and her Amazing HoverbikeAstrid Maxxim and her Undersea DomeAstrid Maxxim and the Antarctic ExpeditionAstrid Maxxim and her Hypersonic Space PlaneAstrid Maxxim and the Electric Racecar ChallengeAstrid Maxxim and the Mystery of Dolphin IslandAstrid Maxxim and her High-Rise Air Purifier

Book preview

THE TWO DRAGONS

By Wesley Allison

Smashwords Edition

The Two Dragons

Copyright © 2012 by Wesley Allison

Revision: 11-28-15

All Rights Reserved. This book is not transferable. It is for your own personal use. If sold, shared, or given away it is a violation of the copyright of this work. This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance of characters to actual people, living or dead is purely coincidental.

Cover design by Wesley Allison

Cover Image Copyright © 2012 Liliya Abdullina | Dreamstime.com

ISBN: 9781476047454

* * * * *

For Vicki, Becky, & John

Senta and the Steel Dragon

Book 5

The Two Dragons

By Wesley Allison

Chapter One: The Social Event of the Season

The Church of the Apostles was a stately stone structure—no less imposing for the fact that it wasn’t yet complete. On the first day of Septurary 1907, the church was filled to overflowing as the citizens of Port Dechantagne, dressed in their finest, celebrated a wedding that was the social event of the season. Mother Linton, the High Priest of Kafira in Birmisia stood at the pulpit, unwilling to relinquish her position to anyone. Behind her and to her right however, owing to the era of tolerance now in full flower, was the Zaeri Imam Mr. Francis Clipers. The wedding party members were arrayed across the chancel. The matron of honor, Mrs. Yuah Dechantagne, and the four bridesmaids Miss Hero Hertling, Miss Gabrielle Bassett, Miss Dutty Speel, and Miss Laila Melroy wore shimmering gowns of teal trimmed with white lace. The groomsmen, Mr. Paxton Brown, Mr. Leopold Ghent, Mr. Isaak Wissinger, and Mr. Efrain Rochambeau were all dressed in black tails, though the Best Man Inspector Saba Colbshallow wore his blue police uniform. In the center of the group was the groom. Zeah Korlann unlike the building around him, could not be described as stately, though even in his days as a household servant, he had been dignified. After nine years as mayor of Port Dechantagne, he had gained a kind of gravitas. As the string quartet struck the first chords of Kafira’s Marriage he, like everyone else in the church, turned his attention to the back of the aisle where the bride appeared.

No cloud could have aspired to the whiteness of Egeria Lusk’s wedding gown. The bodice was tight but simple and it blossomed out at the waist to a truly remarkable expanse at the hemline, the train following twenty feet behind her. Though the dress was strapless and shoulderless, it had long, gauzy sleeves, split on the outside and held together by a series of small white bows. She defied convention by not wearing a veil, but had a mass of tiny white flowers arranged within her brilliant red hair, which was swept up into a complex Mirsannan twist. She slowly walked up the center aisle, unattended, in time to the music, arriving before the alter to join her beaming bridegroom. Mother Linton began the litany.

Senta Bly sat in the third row on the groom’s side. She wore a dress of deep purple silk, gathered together in bunches so that if fell in pleats. With thin straps over bare shoulders and no sleeves, it showed off her tall, lithe body to best advantage. It was completely unadorned with brocade, beading, or fringe and didn’t even have a bow over the bustle, though none could tell that with her seated. No one else sat on the pew with her despite the fact that every other seat in the building was taken, and more than sixty people stood across the narthex. It might have been that her disappointment at not being invited as part of the wedding party caused an unpleasant expression to sit upon her countenance, or it might have been something else entirely.

As Mother Linton approached the portion of the service in which she explained the duties of a husband and wife, Hero turned around and waved two gloved fingers discreetly to Senta, who returned the gesture. She smiled, but her hurt feelings didn’t go away. They had hung on for six weeks now. She had known Egeria Lusk for more than eight years. They got on well too. She was closer to her than Gabrielle Bassett or that Speel girl, or even Hero. Senta was a good friend of Mayor Korlann too. It had to be the mayor’s daughter Mrs. Dechantagne. The woman had hardly spoken to Senta in five years, and then only a few terse words. This was all the more strange since they had been quite friendly before. Senta didn’t know precisely what the problem was; only that it had something to do with Mrs. Dechantagne’s husband Terrence, who had been killed in a lizzie attack. Occupied with such thoughts, Senta realized that she had lost track of the ceremony, when the priest began asking the bride and groom if they would each take the other.

The entire congregation seemed to hold their breath when Mayor Korlann was asked if he took this woman. It was not as if he had bolted from the alter on some previous occasion, but the wedding had been postponed at least twice, and at more than eight years, this was one of the longer engagements. The tall grey-haired gentleman pulled through however with a hearty I will, and as the string quartet began the Ode to Celebration, the couple moved quickly down the aisle and out of the church. Forty or fifty pairs of old shoes were tossed into the aisle as they passed for good luck. The congregation all stood, cheering and applauding.

Senta stood too, though she didn’t rush to follow the newlyweds out, as did much of the congregation. She gazed around at the splendor of the new religious center of the colony. It was her first time visiting. It was even larger than the Great Church of the Holy Savior in Brech. Others were looking at the ornately carved trim, the stained-glass windows, and the marble statuary too, but far more were observing Senta. At six feet tall, she was literally head and shoulders above every other woman there and many of the men. Her long blond hair framed an oval face with distinctive cheekbones, large expressive eyes, a broad mouth with voluptuous lips, and a strong chin. She would never have been called pretty; rather she was beautiful in the classical sense of the word, like the women that artists created to portray personifications of freedom or grace or nobility.

Hero bounced toward her. Though the two of them had been nearly the same height when they were twelve years old, Hero had stopped growing six inches before Senta had. With incredibly thick, naturally curly, long black hair and doe eyes, Hero had more than her fair share of admirers. She was so popular in fact that several young men sidled up to her even here. As Senta noticed them, they took a step back in unison.

Wasn’t that a lovely ceremony? asked Hero.

It seemed very nice from down here.

Don’t be cross. Benny and Shemar both invited us to ride in their steam carriages to the reception. Who do you want to go with?

Senta rolled her eyes. Quite frankly I’d rather take the trolley.

Are you sure? Benny’s car is brand new and candy apple red.

Senta looked over Hero’s shoulder at Benny Markham, who was puffing himself up with pride. She liked Benny, Shemar too for that matter, but she wasn’t too fond of steam carriages.

Do as you wish. I’m taking the trolley.

When Senta stepped out of the pew, all four of the young men who were waiting jumped to get out of her way. And though most of the congregation had by that time already exited the church, those that remained quickly cleared the aisle for her. She heard Hero behind her.

Sorry boys. You can give me a ride later. A moment later, her friend was at her right elbow.

Isn’t this dress beautiful? asked Hero, as they stepped out of the church into the bright sunshine. I couldn’t believe it when Egeria had me try it on and then she said I could keep it.

What else would she do with it?

Well, she could keep it. I bet we’re about the same size.

Egeria Lusk is probably one of three women on the continent who have more dresses than I do. She doesn’t need another one.

Egeria Korlann, Hero corrected.

Egeria Korlann, Senta agreed.

What do you suppose they’re going to do with all those shoes?

Throw them away, of course. People only throw old shoes at weddings—ones they were going to throw away anyhow. Why?

It just seems kind of wasteful.

By this time they had traversed the twenty-four great stone steps down from the front door of the Church of the Apostles to the street level. Crowds of people were milling around on the sidewalk and on the front lawn, despite the signs warning to stay off the grass. Both sides of Terrence Dechantagne Boulevard were lined with steam carriages—more than Senta remembered ever having seen at one time. The bright summer sun reflected off of their bonnets and the cobblestone that lined all four lanes of the street.

I wish that I had brought my parasol, said Hero, looking up at the sky. If we’re out her very long, we might get a tan.

Senta held out her hand. Sieor uuthanum sembia, she said. Two parasols appeared in her palm, one teal and one purple. She handed the teal one to Hero.

Hey, that’s nice. Where did you get these?

Created them.

They’re really pretty.

Minor creation. It’s not that powerful a spell really.

But these have lace, marveled Hero, as she spread her parasol open. It has a complex opening mechanism and the spokes are made from bamboo.

That’s why it will only last a few hours.

Oh.

It’s just as well. We don’t want to destroy the economy for makers of parasols. Look, let’s get down to the trolley stop.

The trolley was coming. Terrence Dechantagne Boulevard had been built in an area set aside early on for expansion of the transportation system. It served as the spine of Port Dechantagne, consisting of two northbound lanes and two southbound lanes, separated by a twenty foot wide grassy median through which the trolley tracks ran. Marching along this grassy sward, pulling a green and yellow trolley car was a monstrous three-horned beast. The triceratops was easily as large as the trolley car that it pulled, even though it was only about ten years old. It showed little interest in either the steam carriages or the pedestrians, but moved purposefully toward the marked ground at the trolley stop, where it had learned it would be rewarded with tasty shrubs and tree seedlings.

Senta and Hero walked down the cement sidewalk to the edge of the road, across the red brick lanes of the street, to the small awning over four bench seats that served as the stop. The trolley had already halted and the conductor was feeding the triceratops by the time they arrived. Senta stepped around behind the conductor and stroked the dinosaur just behind the nose horn.

Careful, said the conductor, as he turned around. She doesn’t often bite but… oh… sorry.

How are you today, Harriet? Senta spoke to the triceratops. It seemed to take no notice.

She and Hero climbed up the steps and into the trolley car. Senta dropped two pfennigs into the glass box. Then she sat down next to her friend just behind the driver’s position. More and more people stepped up into the car, filling in the seats from the back forward. By the time the conductor had finished feeding Harriet and had climbed back inside, all of the seats with the exception of the two next to Senta had been filled, and eight people stood holding on to the handrail.

Did everyone pay their pfennig? asked the driver. A few people nodded, but most ignored the question. Only about half the passengers had in fact dropped a coin into the container. Picking up a small crop, he whacked the triceratops on the rear end, and it jerked the trolley into motion. Then he rang the bell.

A tall young man in a grey business suit jumped up onto the running board and swung into the cab after the vehicle had already started moving. The conductor flashed him a look of annoyance, but didn’t say anything. Truth be told, people frequently jumped onto the trolley at the last minute and it wasn’t unheard of for people to leap on while it was moving at full speed, though one or two serious injuries had been caused by just such action. The young man brushed his sandy hair back and spied the two empty seats next to the girls. Smiling, he looked down at Senta.

How lucky can you get? he said. An empty seat next to the two prettiest young ladies in town. Do you mind if I sit here?

You are welcome sir, said Hero.

The young man sat down next to Senta, a bit closer to her than she thought strictly necessary. As the trolley moved along, it rocked slightly from left to right. She looked down to see the young man’s knee touching hers. When he saw her looking, he grinned roguishly rather than apologizing.

You two must have come from that wedding. Who was getting married? I heard it was the city magistrate or something.

I’m guessing you’re a new arrival, said Senta.

That’s right. Been here just two weeks. My name is Oswald, by the way, Oswald Delks.

Oswald Delks? Not the famous Oswald Delks?

I didn’t know there was a famous Oswald Delks.

There isn’t. My name is Senta.

Senta? he said, the blood starting to drain from his face. The um suh… sorceress?

Yes. That’s me.

I’m… pleased to meet you. He scooted back so that he was half in his original seat and half in the other empty seat.

I’m Hero Hertling by the way, said Hero, poking her head around Senta. So why have you come to Port Dechantagne Mr. Delks?

I’ve um, just moved here to live with my aunt and uncle. My uncle has a shop here, but now he’s looking to retire and needs somebody to take over the family business.

The Parnorshams are your aunt and uncle? wondered Hero. Aren’t they a little old?

Actually Uncle Herb is my mother’s uncle. Say, did you just read my mind?

I don’t do that, said Hero, nodding toward Senta, who just glared at Delks. We’ve been shopping at Parnorsham’s for years.

The trolley quickly slowed down and came to a stop.

Well, I suppose this is my stop. Delks started to stand.

Sit down, Senta ordered. This isn’t your stop.

You did read my mind.

I’m not interested in short stories.

We know where the store is, said Hero.

Well, um.

We know where the Parnorshams live too.

Though Oswald Delks didn’t exit the trolley, about half the people on board did. More people, though not as many as had gotten off, climbed in, and the triceratops began pulling again. The conductor rang the bell.

How old are you, Mr. Delks? asked Hero.

Do you want to trade places with me? Senta asked her.

Do you mind?

Senta stood up and waited while Hero slid over into her just vacated seat. Then the sorceress carefully sat down in the seat closest to the conductor. Delks apparently preferred the change in seating arrangement too, as a bit more color came back to his face.

I just turned twenty-one last month.

And do you have your own steam carriage?

Not yet, but as soon as I get my own place, I’m going to order one.

Senta paid no more attention to Hero and her new friend, instead occupying herself by looking out of the window. They were passing through the heart of Port Dechantagne. New buildings had gone up at a tremendous rate over the past five years and many of them were here between the Church of the Apostles and the train station. Dozens of apartment buildings, between eight and ten stories high, rose into the sky. They weren’t pressed tightly together like the tenements back in Brech, but were separated by empty lots, most still filled with pine and maple trees. There were fewer steam carriages to be seen, but many more pedestrians here than there had been to the south.

And here there were lizzies—almost as numerous as the humans. Just beyond the apartments was Lizzietown, the portion of Port Dechantagne where the aborigines made their home. In the last two years in particular, more and more of the lizardmen of Birmisia had given up their daily commute to work in the city and had built their own homes there. Unable by law to own their own land within the city limits, they rented it from a number of human landlords and built small, square wooden homes very much like the ones in which they had lived in their distant villages. As Senta watched, she saw an adult lizzie with two juveniles. Looking like two upright alligators, the curious little creatures were tied to the adult by ropes around their necks. They strained at the bonds, giving much more the impression of pets than offspring.

Funny little blighters aren’t they? asked Oswald Delks, bringing Senta’s mind for a moment back into the trolley car.

Harriet made two more stops, the second at the First Avenue intersection along the southern edge of Town Square. The conductor climbed out of the vehicle and began feeding the triceratops from a large green bin filled with tree shoots and shrubbery. Even as he was pulling plants from the box and letting the dinosaur chomp them from his hand, a pair of lizzies were lugging huge bales of similar herbage to refill the bin.

This should be your stop, Hero told Delks, pointing first to the eastern side of Town Square and then west down First Avenue. The Pfennig Store is right over there, and your aunt and uncle are straight down that way.

Thanks. He smiled broadly at her, then stood up and stepped out the door.

What a wanker, said Senta.

I think he was kind of nice, said Hero. Are you still upset about not being a bridesmaid, or are you just missing your boys?

Both, I guess, Senta admitted with a shrug. Or maybe neither. I’m feeling out of place in a way I haven’t felt in years—not since Granny died. I feel like something’s coming and I don’t know what I should do about it.

Hero looked at her with wide eyes. You make that sound really scary. Did you have this feeling when the Lizard King attacked, or when Captain Dechantagne was killed?

No. I didn’t have any idea that those things were going to happen. And this feeling I have now is probably nothing. I’m just melancholy.

Well then stop worrying and just have a good time at the reception. It should be splendid.

Let’s get a move on then, said Senta pointing to Harriet’s massive flanks. Uuthanum.

With no more motivation than this, Harriet began stomping forward, taking the long right turn onto east bound First Avenue. The conductor had to drop the branch that he had been about to hand feed the beast, and then rush around behind the trolley and jump up onto the running board. He glanced briefly at Senta as if he had half a mind to reproach her, but decided that he wouldn’t. Getting into position, he retook the controls.

The trolley made its way through the upper-class neighborhood that featured tall, wrought iron fences separating the spacious yards from the sidewalks, and circular wrought iron fencing around the trees near the street. The nicest home in the area, though not the largest, was Egeria Lusk’s two-story, white, columned house. The trolley passed fifty yards beyond it before reaching its stop and the two girls could see dozens of people heading in the gate, having driven in their steam carriages from the Church of the Apostles. Colorful ribbons were draped from column to column. When the trolley stopped, they and four others stepped off and walked toward the stately manor.

Do you suppose Mayor Korlann will move into Miss Lusk’s home? wondered Hero.

He’s a fool if he doesn’t, said Senta. Look at this place.

On the stone steps of the large house, the people parted to let Senta pass, just as they had at the church and the trolley stop, and as they did everywhere she went. The two seventeen-year-olds stepped into the new Mrs. Korlann’s parlor and admired the rich appointments, the polished antique furniture, and the beautiful artwork that filled the room. Several lizzie servants were carrying around trays of appetizers and drinks to the scores of well-wishers who had already gathered. Senta retrieved two tall glasses and handed one to Hero.

I think you’re too young to drink, said a voice from behind her.

Relax Inspector. Miss…Mrs. Korlann has gone temperance you know. I doubt there is anything alcoholic on the premises.

Senta turned to look up into the green eyes of Police Inspector Saba Colbshallow. His were some of the few eyes she could still look up into. Six foot three inches tall, lean and muscular, he cut a figure that any young woman would be pleased to find beside her, despite his slightly crooked nose. Even a young sorceress could appreciate the fine cut of the blue uniform he seldom wore anymore. And just as this thought entered her mind, Mrs. Loana Colbshallow entered her field of vision.

The other half of one of the most popular couples in Port Dechantagne was dressed in a simple red and white candy-striped dress with half a dozen white lace ruffles below the knees. Her hair, an unusual blend of shades from dark honey to light straw, was up and pinned back with red and white carnations. In the three years since their marriage, young Mrs. Colbshallow had put on a good twenty-five pounds, and Senta noticed with disgust, that every single ounce seemed to have been put on in exactly the right spots.

I think you’re wife is looking for you, said Hero.

Do you think she’s worried you’re off chatting up the girls? wondered Senta.

Nothing of the sort. She knows that when I chat up girls, it’s all in the line of duty.

Senta snorted, took a sip from her glass, and then snorted again as the alcohol in the white wine hit the back of her throat. Mrs. Colbshallow spotted her husband and stepped quickly over to him, locking his elbow within her grasp.

Senta, Miss Hertling, how lovely to see you.

Mrs. Colbshallow, replied Hero.

Hi, was all that Senta could get out.

I’m so very afraid that I am underdressed. I did the best I could on a police inspector’s salary, but looking at how wonderfully the two of you are arrayed, I can’t help but be disheartened.

I think you look very nice, said Hero sweetly.

You look bloody fabulous, said Senta. We all know how incredibly beautiful you are, so just let it go. You managed to get this one to the alter, and he could have had anyone, and I do mean anyone that he wanted.

Loana Colbshallow squinted her eyes, but didn’t say anything else.

Come along, dear, said Saba, leading her away by the elbow. He quickly glanced back at Senta with one raised eyebrow.

A spattering of applause filled the room as the bride and groom entered. Zeah and Egeria Korlann made their way through the parlor, greeting their guests and receiving well wishes. They worked their way clockwise around the room. Though there were a few guests who tried to monopolize the couple, they deftly disengaged themselves so that they were able to spend a socially appropriate amount of time with everyone. By the time they reached Senta she had drained her wine glass and traded it for Hero’s full one.

Hello Senta, said Egeria. I’m so happy you could come.

Wouldn’t miss it.

My husband needs to speak to Hero. Would you walk with me?

Senta looked down at the tiny white flowers arrayed in Egeria’s red hair, as the woman guided her by the hand in and out of the crowd of people and through a doorway, down a short hallway, and into a den. Taking the wine glass from the young sorceress’s hand, she started to set it on a bookcase, then stopped, pulled a book from the second shelf and sat the book on the cherry wood top, then the glass upon the book.

You’re still upset.

Senta folded her arms across her chest.

You know how much I care about you. With the exception of Yuah and maybe Saba, there’s nobody that I would have wanted in the ceremony more. Well… Zeah.

It was Yuah… Mrs. Dechantagne told you not to let me, wasn’t it?

Egeria gave her a look but didn’t reply.

I wish I knew what she was so brassed off about.

I don’t know dear, replied Egeria. I tried to question her, but she wouldn’t spill. It’s something big though. And I have to respect her wishes. She is my daughter now.

Yeah. If you don’t mind, I’m going to duck out the back way here. My side hurts.

It’s the alcohol. Zeah insisted that we serve wine, but you shouldn’t be drinking. You’re too young.

So I’ve been told.

Bending down, Senta kissed Egeria on the cheek, and then exited out the back way. Walking through the carefully crafted gardens behind the house, she made her way to the alley that ran along between First Avenue and the small strip of forested land facing the seashore. As the sun shone down on her, she moved to open her parasol only to realize that it was gone, no doubt returned to the vapor from which it had been made. She walked through Town Square, but once on the other side, again kept to the alleyways trying to avoid as many people as possible. She had grown to feel comfortable with the respectful and even frightened stares of onlookers, but she had already had enough for today.

Coming up from behind Zurfina’s tower, she stopped at the large barn in the back of the lot. Built a year and a half before, the massive structure was nearly the same height as the five-story home in front of it. She rapped her knuckles on the fifteen-foot tall double door.

Hello. Anybody home?

There was no answer. She pulled the heavy door open just enough for her and her bustle to pass through. The interior was spotlessly clean. It had never held farm animals, wagons, or anything else one might have expected to find in a barn. In one corner was a truly mountainous pile of pillows—some worn with use and some still fluffy and new. Senta plopped herself down at the base of the stack. She reached over and grabbed one pillow, a green one shaped like a turtle. Much of the fluff had been rubbed off the turtle shell and one of its googly toy eyes was lost.

Where the bloody hell are you? she cried, half in anger and half in despair, as she flopped back into the pillow pile. A single tear rolled down her reddened cheek, but by the time it had rolled off her smooth skin, she had fallen asleep.

Senta opened her eyes to find the turtle pillow across her face. She grabbed it and tossed it aside. Zurfina the Magnificent stood in the center of the barn looking down at her. She looked every bit the most powerful sorceress in the world, which was well, for that’s what she was. Over the past several years she had let her hair grow out, so that it now reached her waist. She wore a neck-high tight fitting black dress with white strands hanging from the white belt. It had white bows at the collar, the wrists and upon the bustle, and would have seemed a dress that any woman in Port Dechantagne might wear, if the dress, the belt, and the white bows had not all been made of rubber.

I have business in town, she said.

You do? Senta stood up.

Sit back down. I don’t like it when you’re taller than I am.

I’m always taller than you are. When I’m sitting down you just don’t notice it. Why are you going into town anyway? You haven’t been out of the house in six months.

Don’t you know? Zurfina arched a brow.

Senta let her mind reach out and touch the magical residue that invisibly tainted the normal world all around her.

Yes, I feel it. A practitioner of the arts is nearby. A ship coming into port?

The older sorceress nodded.

Do you know who it is?

Oh, indeed I do. But rather than enlightening Senta, Zurfina waved her arms in the air and vanished with a pop.

Well, thanks for the information.

Senta left the barn and headed into the tower, where she took a long, hot bath. She climbed out of the water and stepped into clean clothing, choosing her bright red dress, with white lace around the neckline and a brilliant white overdress. The dress was a little short, which allowed her to wear flat-heeled shoes. In front of the cheval glass, she carefully placed the red boater, arrayed with a few tiny white flowers, on her head. Grabbing her matching red parasol, of the non-magical variety, she was back out the door.

The area around Zurfina’s tower had been sparsely settled just a few years before, but in the interim it had filled in with medium-sized single-family homes, with large yards. A great many of the forest trees had survived and a thick canopy of tall pines, redwoods, and maples shaded the brick streets. The bizarre four-winged microraptors jumped from trunk to trunk in search of insects amid a few more normal birds, none of them bothered by the steam carriages that zipped through the streets in other parts of the city.

Senta walked north and then followed the coastline as it circumnavigated the crescent-shaped bay. She passed behind the stores and shops of Newport district and through the arched gate in the emergency wall. It was hard to remember a time, only eight years before, when the entirety of Port Dechantagne had been within the confines of that wall. Now only a tiny fraction of the city’s more than one hundred thousand human inhabitants could be found on the peninsula that the wall protected.

The port facility had been greatly expanded. Even more warehouses and workshops were arrayed around the docking areas, which could provide berths for three massive ships. As Senta reached the port offices, she could see a great freighter sliding in between the two ocean liners that had been moored where they were for a week and ten days respectively. With a pop, Zurfina appeared at her elbow.

It took you long enough.

I don’t go out without a bath.

I expect nothing less. Still I’m surprised you’re here rather than the train station.

The magic is coming from here.

"Yes, but you’re