Chapter Five

 

 

Ystine’s lights came on automatically, and she asked, “Would you like me to plot a course through the tunnels?”

“Please. I have a pretty good idea where we are going, but I am not sure of landmarks.”

“There aren’t any. Creata told me while she was working on me that no one would be able to find their way out without the map. She gave me the map.” Ystine’s voice was low and cheerful, coming in through the headset in the helmet.

“She is good at maps and puzzles. I am guessing that this is one of them.”

Ystine paused and then asked, “Should we not mention that you are no longer human?”

“I am still partially human, I have just had the other portion activated. Please lock that in your databanks. It is sensitive information that could get me killed in the wrong location.”

“Filing the sensitivity away. It will remain locked in my databanks so that I recognize you, but no one else will gain that information.”

“Thank you.” She knew that Ystine would have picked up on her change in energy pattern. They were in direct contact in at least three places, after all.

They rode in silence for three turns, and then, Ystine announced, “We are under the dress shop. There is a compressed ladder under the seat.”

Trin dismounted and smiled at the balance that Ystine had on her own. Wide tires rocked.

She was just flipping up the seat when a hatch opened ten feet above her, and a rope and wood ladder tumbled down, missing her by inches.

“That works as well.” She removed her helmet and left it with Ystine.

Trin pulled the ladder tight and started to climb. She pulled herself up into the storeroom, and Mirbella was sitting nearby with a tea service and a stack of sandwiches.

“There are more sandwiches in your pack. I must say, I never thought we would be doing this again.” Mirbella smiled and poured the tea.

“It wasn’t looming high on my to-do list either, but here we are.” Getting off the ladder without stepping on the half-dozen yards of fabric that made up her skirt was impossible. Trin flopped to the side when she was at hip-height and rolled to her feet.

Mirbella handed her a soft wipe for her hands and gestured for her to sit on the arranged boxes. “Now, I have a list of things for you to keep an eye out for during your travels. If you find them, I will pay just about anything for them.”

“What are they?”

“Mostly buttons and clasps of certain metallic compositions. They are easier to enchant.”

Mirbella’s position as an actual magic user was something that was understood and not spoken about. Trin knew she liked certain metallic compositions from previous journeys, but she wasn’t sure why until now.

“So even the buttons are enchanted?” She picked up her teacup and took a long sip. She didn’t mind the scalding heat, she needed tea.

Mirbella smiled. “They have to be, or when you change back to your human form, the clothing would fit but flap open.”

“Right. Thanks for getting this together for me.”

“It is rather fun. Now, I have to make you look human without sacrificing style and the alteration-ability of the clothing. I do so love a challenge.” Mirbella grinned. “I have created a leather trench coat for you, your standard trousers, an array of small weaponry, and boots suitable for use on your velocipede.”

“I can’t use weapons in a lot of the places I travel.”

“I know. These all double as cutlery.” Mirbella laughed. “I have travelled a time or two, and the worst thing you will face is a discussion on why your clothing is enchanted. You can just say it is a gift from a lover.”

Trin blushed and finished her tea. “How much do I owe you?”

“Nothing for the storage of your go-bag, and I will settle the clothing with your account when you return. If you have anything for me, it will decrease your balance considerably.” Mirbella winked.

“I will keep careful track.” She took a sandwich and then another.

“When do you think you will be back?”

“Before the dragon ball. I have to be there to sweep Brommin of his feet.”

Mirbella nodded. “I will have something stunning ready for you. It will be something worthy of a crystal dragon. There hasn’t been one of you found for over a century, at least.”

“That is what they tell me, but she just sniffs when I tell her that.”

Mirbella chuckled. “Dragons are noted for their disdain for the classifications of man.”

“We are just a taller and bulkier form of shapeshifter.”

“And you have a longer lifespan. Those who rule as a dragon provide a long and stable rule.” The seamstress chuckled. “I can just enchant textiles.”

Another ten minutes of chatter and it was time for Trin to get dressed in something a little more road worthy.

When she was finished transforming, she looked at the mirror and grinned. Tight black trousers, a soft black shirt, and brown boots were crisscrossed with laces, belts, and attachments that ranged from the practical to the deadly. The coat that she put on top hid her body and left her looking like a medium-height man at first glance.

“Thank you, Mirbella. I hope to find what you are looking for.”

“Drive safe, be safe, and enjoy it. Your little mission might be to protect you, but there is no saying that you can’t have fun.”

“I would deal with them all if I knew who they were.”

Mirbella patted her shoulder. “I know. Your homicidal rage is usually near the surface. Go. You need at least four hours of dark to get clear of the city’s viewers.”

“Right. Right. Wow. When this was for work, I was in a hurry, but I hate the idea that I have to run for my life.”

“We all have to run when the moment comes. The true strength will be in coming home.”

Trin smiled with her lips tensed. She lowered her packs through the hole in the floor and waved at Mirbella before going back down the ladder.

It was time to get down to business and escape the city.

 

Ystine asked her, “Which direction?”

“South. I want to get back onto the road outside the southern gate.”

“We can do that.”

With a final settling of her paniers, she got back on the velo. “Well, let’s go.”

The low rumbling purr started, and she put on her helmet. The moment that her hands hit the grips, the velocipede took off.

The headlight showed the curved walls that cupped them, and while it must have been twenty minutes of driving in the confined space, it only felt like seconds. When Ystine drove through the hidden exit, the doors flapped open as they exited and closed behind them.

A glance through the side mirror showed storm doors blending in with the shrubs around them. Damn, Creata had been busy.

The night opened up around them, and Ystine took them south. The coastline awaited.

 

Driving into the dawn brought the last seven hours to fruition. If the city was open, Trin could get what Mirbella needed and go off the grid for the rest of the trip.

She slowed Ystine and pulled over to the side of the road, lifting her visor and staring at the city at the edge of the continent.

“This view never gets old.”

Ystine chuckled. “That is amusing considering that it is the second oldest city on the continent.”

“Yes, but every time I see it, it has changed just enough to show growth and development but still be familiar.” Trin grinned. “I like it.”

“Don’t you like the capital?”

“I love it, it is home, but seeing the rest of the continent makes the return to it sweeter.”

“I see. Are we going to head to the city?”

“Impatient?”

“I am seeing this world for the first time. I want to see more of it.”

Trin lowered her visor and got back into position. “Let’s go then. Our destination is at the edge of the waterfront, Puzzletooth Avenue.”

“Yes, Trin. Course is on display.”

“Thanks, Ystine. Let’s hope you have the current maps. The warren of roads around the waterfront is hellish.”

The bike chuckled as they got underway. “I will get you through without trouble.”

“This I am longing to see. Let’s move.” She twisted the throttle, and her velo shot forward. They had appointments to keep and trades to make. It was always a good idea to have those negotiations over breakfast.