Voyages of the Flying Dragon by Ben Chandler Page B

were only now helping each other to stand. ‘You are correct. We will do what we can here.’
    â€˜Excellent.’ The captain removed his arms from his sleeves and placed a hand on Missy’s shoulder. ‘Miss Clemens,’ he said with only the faintest smile hovering around his lips, ‘will you be so kind as to ask your worshippers to show us the way to their sacrilegious tunnel?’

Lenis sat on the deck of Karasu’s airship with his back to the starboard railing and panicked. His calm, methodical mind seemed to have switched itself off completely. They had left Fronge, his sister, his Bestia, the Hiryū , the rest of the crew, and even Suiteki, who was probably still curled up contentedly next to Hiroshi’s stove, behind well over half an hour ago. In that time Lenis had gone from startled to concerned and was now entering into blind terror. No one would be coming for him. No one could . There was no way anyone could work out how to use the engines since he had modified them. Lenis was alone with Atrum on board a ruthless mercenary’s airship. If they were caught they wouldn’t be punished, or sold.
    They’d be killed.
    Atrum might be spared – no crew was likely to give up a free Bestia – but Lenis would most likely be thrownoverboard. Hung by his neck from the crow’s nest. Have his throat slit, just like … Lenis began to cry. He made no noise, but his body shook with the force it took to remain silent as the tears came. He swallowed the great sobs that threatened to betray him, but it was only a matter of time before he gave himself away.

    Missy felt the temperature drop as soon as she passed the mine’s threshold. She shivered, remembering just how cold it was in the mountains of Heimat Isle when you weren’t standing in the middle of a burning town. Their guide, the young girl with the long blonde braid, led the way, carrying a makeshift torch. It was little more than a splinter of wood Heidi had pulled out of the remains of a burning building, already alight at one end.
    Missy followed directly behind, keeping up the pretence that she was the deity Magni. The captain came next. Yami followed at the rear.
    â€˜When we discovered we had breached sacred ground, we abandoned this entire mine,’ Heidi informed them. ‘That is why this tunnel is so dark. Usually we keep torches burning, or use Bestia light.’
    The girl lifted her torch higher, and Missy saw the tube set into the corner where the wall of the tunnel met the ceiling. She cursed silently to herself, wishing she had planned ahead and brought Lucis with them. Her brother would have, she was sure. Lucis would be able to light the tunnels far brighterand with a much steadier glow than the girl’s torch, which only lit the way a few feet in front of them and sent shadows dancing up the walls.
    Missy shivered. She didn’t like these tunnels.
    â€˜We also use Bestia to help with the mining.’
    â€˜Ah.’ Missy figured the girl felt more comfortable talking than she did walking silently through the dark alone with an apparently wronged god and her followers. Missy wondered if she was worried about upsetting Njord by helping them sneak into his temple, even if it was one he no longer used.
    â€˜Bestia aligned to the earth can detect mineral deposits and lead us to them.’ Heidi went on.
    â€˜I see.’
    â€˜And flame Bestia can help us blast through difficult sections, though it is dangerous to use them so.’
    â€˜I’ll bet.’ Missy tried to suppress her frustration but was only marginally successful. ‘Well, Heidi, how long before we reach the secret entrance to Njord’s temple?’
    Their guide paused for a heartbeat and then continued on. ‘It is not an entrance, great Magni,’ she said reluctantly. ‘As I told you, we sealed up the passageway.’
    Missy swore aloud in Shinzōn.
    â€˜What is wrong?’ the