Jack Of All Trades ✓ | steampunk, dragons, trickery

Chapter 7.1: Automaton Ambush

The boy's name was Jett. He had been captured as Reginald's new slave. He'd always lived on the streets and didn't know his parents.

"Well, we can't just stay here." Jack briefed the map and didn't find Dragon's Wood. He frowned. A place had to exist. That's how places worked.

"Dragon's Wood, you know this place?" he asked Jett.

"Just stories, sirs."

"I told you not to call me 'sirs.'" Jack narrowed his eyes. The first chance he could get, he was going to ditch the kid. Maybe throw him off the airship. It wouldn't do if the boy snitched. It would make finding Norman that much more difficult.

"Sorry, er, Jack," Jett pursed his lips and hugged his knees to his chin, "Just stories."

Jack sighed with impatience. "Well? The longer we stay here, the more likely someone's—"

"The Gate of Danuvius, in Trident." He coughed. "Undersgrounds."

"You're not sick or something, are you?"

Jett shook his head. Jack knew where Trident was. He'd flown over there once. It was way beyond the jagged mountain folds of the city of Fairwicken and beyond the hazy glades of the city of Birdbury. Trident connected to Endil by a sliver of an isthmus and also connected Endil's across-sea neighbor Aenshield. It was rumored to be rich in gold, ill-explored, barbaric despite the fancy name, and somehow, mostly underground.

"So, that's how you get in?"

Jett shrugged. "Just storieses."

Jett was faking the accent. It was as easy to tell as if he'd said it. But Jack decided to let it go. If the boy wanted to have another identity, what could he say about it? It wasn't his place, someone like him.

It was settled. Jack lifted the ship and set off to Trident. At least Jett was well-behaved otherwise Jack really wouldn't have hesitated to throw him off. Jett was coughing again and seemed to be trying to suppress it.

"If you're sick—"

"I'm not sick!" Jett snapped. "I-I mean, I'm fine."

He didn't sound fine, but there was no way Jack was going to take him to a doctor. 

He put the ship in autopilot and leaned back in the seat to close his eyes and for a moment forget what Norman did. The Kaleidoscope had been his baby darling. It was everything he wanted. Money, fame, respect, and not all the dung he used to get at home what his father having been a stubborn bastard. And then Margorie. He hoped she didn't miss him for what he did to her. 

On one hand, he really didn't care what she wanted to do with her life. He also knew she wouldn't oppose the kingdom. She wouldn't argue to take back the land and she wouldn't even fight. She might grumble, but she'd give in.

But he did have a heart, somewhat. He knew he did.

What is it you love, Jack?

Jack sat up. He had not heard Serena the Supposed Dragon speak to him in a while.

Myself.

I don't think that's all. I know you have—

You don't know anything about me, lizard.

He listened, but she'd gone quiet.

PING!

A communication request came to the airship. Jack turned on the rearview camera and turned on the speakers.

"Knave Diamondooo!" came a woman's voice from a copper automaton. "I've got youuu!"

Jack caught the red glow underneath the police airship's belly. They were getting ready to anchor him. "So long, peaceful minutes," he said and took the ship off autopilot. He gripped the steers and leaned the ship right and downwards. He turned it around to fly backwards and opened the compartment for weapons.