The Far Wild

10 - Happy Expedition Day

* * *

Suni

Wake up to Rupert’s howls. Get dressed. Grab my pack. Exit college via front door, instead of the second story window in pursuit of a thief.

It’d been a simpler morning so far. Much better than yesterday. This time, I’d actually make it to the Far Wild. It was a dangerous place, to be sure, but my apprehension was mixed with excitement. And besides, we were going to have Lekarsos’ two finest guides with us, the first of whom was waiting for me on the path that led to the skyship fields.

“Suni! What a day, huh?” Oz said, bouncing with energy and giddy excitement. “Ah, just feel that humidity. It’s wonderful! So cool, so crisp!”

“Happy expedition day, Oz,” I said, smiling at his enthusiasm and trying to distract myself from my concerns. Oz’s infectious excitement definitely made things easier.

He was a full-fledged guide himself, but still Elpida’s foremost student. He’d helped around the college in the past, aiding us in catching and studying a variety of dangerous animals. It was almost unsettling how at home he was, surrounded by the deadly creatures the Far Wild produced. I’d once seen him dive headfirst into a tangle of rattlesnakes and come out not only unbitten, but also gently cradling the largest of the rumba.

“Kamil’s expedition is supposed to be the furthest into the uncharted wilderness yet,” he said, so much pep in his step that he was basically skipping down the trail. “If we can’t find them right away, we might have to follow them out farther. That would be an excellent adventure!”

“‘Excellent,’ wouldn’t have been my first choice of word,” I said, adjusting the pack on my shoulder and ignoring the churning in my stomach. “We’ll find them quick and come home. But... yeah. Seeing the wilderness will be exciting.” The Far Wild! I couldn’t help but smile at the thought.

“Senesio!” Oz called out, then waved. But there was no one ahead, just the trail and the predawn darkness. Except, wait. There he was. A few more steps forward and a silhouette emerged. The man who’d brought the impaler to the college, and stopped the thief for me just yesterday.

“Well, fancy seeing you two here,” Senesio said, giving a little bow. “Ready to journey beyond the edge of the map? To the boundless wilderness where fortune and fame await?”

I hadn’t known what to make of him in any of our meetings and this one, so far, wasn’t helping much either.

“How about we take it one thing at a time and focus on bringing Kamil and his expedition home safe?”

“Yes, yes, that too, of course,” he said with a dismissive wave, and fell in step beside us as the surrounding foliage began to thin. Just ahead the skyship fields were drawing into view.

“Hey, so, I heard Captain Barba lost a few men to the bleeding fever and I know you’re clever with words,” Oz said, looking sideways at Senesio.

“I am but a humble servant of the people and the empire, my friend. My deeds will say more than my words ever could.”

“Right,” Oz said, undistracted by Senesio’s humblebragging. “But you must’ve worked some magic with that tongue of yours to convince Barba to bring you along.”

“Ancestors know I’m a humble man, but I must admit, it’s not the first time I’ve been told I’ve a magic tongue,” Senesio said with a wink and a smirk.

Ancestors above.

Oz only frowned. “You know I’ve never been good with sarcasm.”

“No, that wasn’t... ” Senesio trailed off. “Actually, don’t worry about it.”

“Well, anyway, it’s long past time you got out on an expedition,” Oz said to me earnestly. “Can’t stay cooped up in the college all day. You gotta get out there. Gotta live a little.” He cracked his knuckles and smiled. “Can’t let the other expeditions go having all the fun.”

“You have the strangest idea of fun, Oz.” Even still, I couldn’t help but smile. His enthusiasm was infectious.

“A strange idea of fun, but he’s got the spirit of a true adventurer.” Senesio clapped Oz on the back, then looked at me. “Say, Suni. Speaking of adventure.” He paused a moment to rifle through his bag, then pulled out a book and tossed it to me. I couldn’t see it very well in the early morning and fumbled the catch. I cringed as the book plopped face down and pages open in the sugar sand of the trail. I scooped it up before it could get further damaged, then wiped off the cover.

“The Completely True and Accurate Accounts of the Adventures of Senesio Suleiman Nicolaou?” I said.

“My book,” he said, puffing out his chest and striking what I presumed was supposed to be a heroic pose. It was ruined by the fact that we were still walking. “You should read it. For no particular reason, uh, mind you. I just thought you might like it.”

“‘Faithfully recorded in exact detail by Leon of Synorica?’” I asked, reading the smaller title.

“Oh, that was my old biographer. The position’s currently available, though. So, if you know anyone who might be interested... ” Senesio trailed off.

“I don’t think I know anyone, but I’ll keep it in mind, I guess.” I tucked the book into my bag.

“Books are boring. Why read when you can do?” Oz asked, then nodded ahead.

We’d arrived.

The skyship fields were considerably emptier than they’d been yesterday. The Panagia, with Kamil on it, had departed. Now, only Captain Barba’s skyship, the Stormcrow, was present.

The eastern horizon was glowing with pinks and purples now as dawn approached. Just about time to be off. I took in the Stormcrow as we approached it.

It was of similar size and shape to the Panagia as both were vigilance-class vessels. The Stormcrow, however, hadn’t been outfitted for expedition. Most of the skyships that passed through Lekarsos were, but this one had forgone cargo space in favor of additional ballistae on deck and some light armor around the hull.

“Isn’t she wonderful?” Oz asked, spreading his arms out wide. “Our one-way ticket to the Far Wild!”

“‘One way’ means no returning, Oz.” He didn’t hear me, though—he’d already bounded ahead and up onto deck.

“Such a masterful marriage of art and machine! A beautiful ship. One worthy of such a grand adventure, if I do say so myself!” There was awe in Senesio’s voice as we approached.

“So you made it, then,” a stern voice called out from up on deck.

Elpida. She stood at the ship’s rail, arms crossed and mouth set in a frown.

“Elpida, my dear, I wouldn’t have missed this for—”

“I was talking to Suni.” She fixed me with a hard stare. “The charter grants you the right to be here, but it also places you under the command of the expedition’s officers. That’d be Captain Barba and myself.”

“I understand,” I said, because she was right. That was part of the charter.

“You may not like our commands, but you will follow them. And if you do, well, might be you make it back here with nothing bitten off. Can you live with that?” Her stare continued, unflinching and waiting for a response.

“Absolutely,” I said, feeling a blush rising in my cheeks but forcing myself not to look away. This was a challenge and, for whatever reason, I felt I had to meet it. Like she was taking my measure. My cheeks grew hot and my eyes wanted to look anywhere else. Everywhere else. But no. I kept them locked with Elpida’s.

Finally, the grouchy old woman grunted.

“Fair enough, then. Get up here, and make it quick. We don’t have all day.”