Fire on the Sands

By Cindy A. Matthews and Adrian J. Matthews

Airship Captain Adena Nightingale takes on a smuggling run to the City of Night—and gets more than she bargained for. She rescues Earthman Greg Cole from the frigid desert of BloodDark World’s night side, but Greg in turn wants to rescue his friend, held somewhere in the City of Night. They reach the City, and all hell breaks loose when Adena and Greg find themselves caught up in the deadly aftershocks of an ancient war.

• Language: English
• Publisher: eXtasy Books Inc
• Release date: Apr 12, 2019
• ISBN: 9781487421199

Book preview

Airship Captain Adena Nightingale undertakes a smuggling run and gets mixed up in a world of hurt when an ancient weapon comes to life.

Airship Captain Adena Nightingale takes on a smuggling run to the City of Night—and gets more than she bargained for. She rescues Earthman Greg Cole from the frigid desert of BloodDark World’s night side, but Greg in turn wants to rescue his friend, held somewhere in the City of Night. They reach the City, and all hell breaks loose when Adena and Greg find themselves caught up in the deadly aftershocks of an ancient war.

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Fire on the Sands

Copyright © 2019 Cindy A. Matthews and Adrian J. Matthews

ISBN: 978-1-4874-2119-9

Cover art by Gwen Phifer

All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, is forbidden without the written permission of the publisher.

Published by eXtasy Books Inc or

Devine Destinies, an imprint of eXtasy Books Inc

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Smashwords Edition

Fire on the Sands

A BloodDark Series

By

Cindy A. Matthews and Adrian J. Matthews

Dedication and Acknowledgment

Fire on the Sands is dedicated to two good people.

To Janet, for having a heart as big as the world.

And to our young friend, the real-life Jake Dyer, whose (fictional) exploits appear in this book.

Authors’ note: This story takes place about thirty years before the events of Olivia’s Escape in the series.

Chapter One

Show us yer boots! the parrot said.

Adena hid a smile. Her guest looked down his long nose at the speaker, a large brass and leather parrot perched on a lamp bracket. It glared back at him with a saucy gleam in its crystal eyes and did a little dance, steel claws clacking on the brass mounting.

"What is this thing?" her guest asked.

Don’t mind him, Erasmus, Adena said. It’s an automaton I picked up. It works on the Jaquard principle and has a range of amusing tricks. She waved the merchant to a seat. Please, sit, and tell me what we can do for you.

Erasmus cast one last doubting glance at the construct and sat, carefully tugging the drape of his robes for comfort. The jewel fixed to the front of his crimson fez cast scintillating rainbows around the private parlor. He cleared his throat. You come highly recommended, Captain, as one prepared to undertake more than the usual risks for a client.

For the right price, of course. Adena tore her gaze away from the jewel. That depends upon what or who needs carrying, and where, when, and how fast the customer requires the job done.

Of course. Erasmus’s expression looked bland, but his dark eyes gleamed. I wish to hire you and your airship to undertake a speculative voyage to the City of Night.

Adena tried not to wince, but Erasmus noticed her reaction and raised an eyebrow.

If it’s too much for you, I can go elsewhere...

He made to rise, but Adena held up her hand.

I’m sure you know why I showed a moment’s hesitation, Erasmus. No one goes to that place lightly. That’s not to say I’m unwilling to go. I will—for the right price.

He sat back. What would you consider the right price?

Five thousand, half up front.

Ridiculous! I offer fifteen hundred, with ten percent down.

I wouldn’t get my crew out of bed for that. Adena gestured to her steward, who lurked nearby. Light the hookah, Conner. We may be here a while.

While the steward fussed with the device, she turned back to Erasmus.

Four thousand, twenty-five percent down.

Pah! Erasmus waved a hand. Unacceptable. I might go as high as two thousand with twenty, but I have my costs as well.

My heart bleeds. Three thousand, with twenty down. No less.

His eyes glittered, and he rubbed his jaw, his fingertips making a rasping sound over the black bristles of his short beard. Conner offered him a pipe, which Erasmus took with a gracious nod. Adena accepted her own pipe with the amber mouthpiece. Together she and her guest drew upon the hookah, taking a few moments to consider the deal. The tobacco glowed in the bowl, the water bubbled. Aromatic smoke scented the lounge. Adena eyed Erasmus’s jewel with avarice. The parrot watched them both.

Erasmus took the pipe from his mouth. Agreed. Three thousand, with twenty down it is. He reached across to shake hands with her. You drive a hard bargain, Captain.

Perhaps not hard enough if we’re to go to the City of Night. What or who do you wish us to take there?

It’s a few tons of cargo, specialized parts on the whole, for which the denizens of that place will pay a high price. He harrumphed in a negligent fashion. The entire load should be well within your craft’s carrying capacity.

That’s for me to judge. Have you the exact weight and volume data for the cargo? It will have an effect on the amount of gas and ballast needed aboard my ship.

Erasmus looked irritated but handed over a sheet. It’s all there.

Good. Will you be accompanying us?

He shook his head. I regret I’m beyond the age where adventures have any appeal. I shall send my nephew, Zared, as supercargo. Because of the sensitive nature of my speculation and to protect those I am in contact with, Zared will have the customer’s address in a sealed envelope. He will hand it to you one day’s journey out from here.

That’s acceptable. When will your cargo be ready?

It’s in my warehouse at this moment. Zared awaits my authorization, and he will bring it right away.

Good. Adena cast a glance out the parlor’s broad sweep of windows. The Captain’s Comfort Inn overlooked the airship landing field, a broad plain on the outskirts of Penumbra City. A windsock was fixed to a tall mast above the dock office, the red fabric flowing smoothly. The wind’s set fair for the Dark Side. Send your authorization and have everything aboard within the hour, and we’ll be able to lift today.

Excellent. Thank you, Captain.

Erasmus rose, and they shook hands again before Adena showed him through the inn to the main door. Her purser moved up silently to stand beside her, and together they watched Erasmus descend the steps to the street where one of his liveried servants waited. Erasmus bent his head and muttered something to the young woman and handed her a slip of parchment. She touched her forehead in salute and ran off into the depths of the warehouse district.

Adena gave the purser his instructions. Her first officer leaned against the wall of the inn, soaking up the sun. Seeing her business had concluded, he peeled himself from the wall, walked over, and sketched a salute.

She returned it. We have a commission, Jake. We’re bound for the City of Night, but a handsome payment awaits.

Jake Dyer wiped a long lock of red hair from his eyes and looked pained. It would have to be handsome if we’re going there. What do you need me to do?

Erasmus’s nephew will bring the cargo aboard. He’ll come along as supercargo. We have a fair wind today, so if you hurry matters along we could lift within the hour.

Jake nodded his agreement. It’s a good thing you kept the crew on ten minutes’ lift notice. I’ll sound the signal and hope they all haven’t dispersed across town.

Make it so. I’ll be in my quarters for a few minutes.

Once aboard the Oculus Nightingale, Adena headed aft, resisting the urge to rub her hands until she gained the privacy of her quarters, a tiny stateroom that occupied the rear of the gondola. Conner had departed for other duties.

With a clicking of brass, the parrot glided to his perch and eyed her as she closed the door and leaned against it. He clacked his beak. You’re looking mightily pleased with yourself.

Adena chuckled. So I should, Mr. Phibuli. I beat that bastard Erasmus soundly in the bargaining.

He sighed, the sound like a set of small leaky bellows. Whether we get paid at all depends on if we return from this godforsaken trip or not.

Oh, cheer up! We’ve done it before with never a scrape to talk of. She reached over and chucked the parrot under the chin. You’ll be able to buy some polish for your plumage with your share.

Perhaps. Mr. Phibuli jerked his head away from her finger with an audible sniff. "I saw you eyeing up Erasmus’s chelengk."

Adena frowned at her mechanical companion. I’m sure I didn’t stare at anything below his waist...

Phibuli gave her a baleful glare. "His jewel, dear girl, the jewel in his fez." He sniffed again and muttered something like pearls before swine. I estimate the value of the thing to be worth half as much again as this vessel.

I knew what you meant. That much, huh?

Phibuli nodded with a rapid clicking of gears.

She gave a soft whistle of surprise. I’ve not known you to be wrong when it comes to a valuation.

Oh, yes. It’s one of my range of amusing tricks. In spite of the fixed nature of its features, the parrot appeared to scowl.

Adena snorted. Oh, come on, Mr. Phibuli. If you’d learn to behave yourself around strangers... She rubbed a thumb across her eyebrow. Well, not everyone needs to know what you are. For now, I’m going to make sure all’s ready to lift once Tom tells me Erasmus’s cargo is aboard.

Good luck, Adena. He fluttered his metal feathers in his version of a stretch. I have the oddest feeling about this. May the gods favor us all.

She looked at Mr. Phibuli askance. Amen.

Not long after their conversation, Adena received confirmation from her agent that the advance payment had been made. She waited by the hatch as three half-naked stevedores heaved the trolleys bearing the cargo up the gangplank to the cargo hatch. Perspiration stood out all over their shaved bodies. She glanced at the purser, who stood close by watching the loading with a critical eye as he checked the manifest fixed to his clipboard.

Why the hell don’t they use the winch, Tom?

He grunted. Master Erasmus decided the cargo requires personal handling for some reason.

The merchant stood talking to his nephew at the foot of the gangplank.

Adena grimaced. It’s his prerogative, I guess. She eyed the nephew. Damn, but that kid looks like a shorter version of his uncle, even down to the robes.

Tom glanced over at the pair. He’s trying to imitate Erasmus, I think.

Could be. How much is coming aboard?

Ten crates, none over two hundred pounds in weight.

That’s a good load for a spec cargo.

Tom glanced at her and cleared his throat. It must be valuable.

She gave him a hard look. "If it is, it’s none of our business. Our job is to carry