By: J Watson
Tales of The Nimbus
Chapter 1: Lightning and blood
The unmistakable silhouette of The Nimbus raced over the grounds heading for the sprawling metropolis of the capital city known as Titan. The propellers of the large ship chopped at the air with deafening consequences for those nearby as it steadily approached its final destination. The captain of The Nimbus was rooted at the helm carefully navigating the ship so as not to disturb the carefully stacked vessels that contained the previous nights haul of harvested electrical energy. The captain and his crew were among the few ships in the skies that conducted lightning from storms into containers that could be used to power the cities and dwellings for the people of Bellaria.
"Steady now!" The captain bellowed against the winds, the last raindrops of the storm spraying his face.
Timus Roft had captained The Nimbus since his father died, the same way most thunder chasers did, plummeting to his death after the ship was struck by lightening. Timus could not ever bring himself to think of his fathers last moments, the ship was out of control and he had stepped up to take the helm while his crew stood in disbelief that their captain had gone overboard. Instead, Timus frequently reminded himself of the dangers of his chosen career by looking up at the canvas that formed the balloon keeping his sky vessel afloat; the various repairs from multiple lightning strikes written in the baloons patchwork appearance.
Though one of the youngest captains of the fleet he was known to have a keen eye for weather and a sixth sense for danger. He tried to give the responsibility of captain over to one of the more senior members of the crew following the night of his fathers death but they decided that The Nimbus needed to remain under the control of a Roft. His crew had helped secure his reputation with the rest of the Chasers by spreading many rumours about their superhuman captain but Timus remained forever modest.
His knee length thick leather coat snapped in the winds as he eyed the large gate that lead into the city. The enormous doors were constructed centuries ago and were plated in bronze and emblazoned with a lions open mouth in the centre, as the ship approached the large cogs and gears began to crunch to life allowing the circular door to part in the middle allowing them entry. The gateway sat far below the city, built into the mountains that the metropolis sat upon. The gate opened onto a dark tunnel. The Nimbus by comparison was tiny and passed through before the gate had fully opened; there was a short pause before the gears clunked once again to close the gate behind them.
The tunnel that lead to the cities airport was lined with a few dwindling lights that seemed to grow dimmer with each passing second.
"Looks like they need this more than we thought" Timus said under his breath, acknowledging his cat that sat upon his shoulder at all times; the silver and black cat seemed to nod in agreement.
The ship sped towards the port passing over the arrays of magic engines that once powered the gate now lying dormant. A solumn reminder of the times when magic permeated the planet, now symbols of hope that it may some day return.
The noise and steam filled spaces of the airport made Timus feel at ease, he felt hidden here, although everyone knew who he was, he felt he could easily slip away at a moments notice.
As the propellers began to slow and the engines began to settle down for their slumber the captains’ ears began to allow other sounds in once again. He could hear the voices of his crew calling to the port staff, exchanging greetings and hearty laughter, he could hear the various vents in the port expelling clouds of steam into the air; he heard the sounds of many boots heading up the steps from below deck.
"First drinks on me lads!" The familiar sound of excitement came from a young woman known lovingly as Props, the ships engineering genius. As she burst out the hull with several other crewmembers in tow she span to look up at the helm. Her face was covered in a layer of soot and grease as always, save for the mark where her magnifying goggles sat, which were now perched on the top of her sandy coloured hair. She raised a glove to her head
"Permission to leave The Nimbus capt'n"
The corner of Timus' lips broke into a smile, he found it difficult to appear stern to the crew, they were his family and they all showed each other the same respect. He believed that it was their bond that enabled them to return from their perilous journeys time and time again.
"Permission granted"
Props smiled and span so quickly she almost lost balance, the large satchel of tools she always carried didn't help but she was never without it.
Timus lowered his goggles returning them to their resting place around his neck and began to collect himself before he disembarked.
"I know I tell you this every time we make port, but, your father would have been proud"
Timus turned and walked towards the large man with arms as thick as most people's legs leaning on the handrail, his beard trimmed and greying and his eyes wise and full of pain.
"Thank you Sam" Timus forced a smile to prevent any tears and moved passed him to leave the ship. The wound his fathers passing left was still too raw, despite years of captaining the ship he still convinced himself that it was only temporary, until he returned.
As he approached the gangplank Sam called to him from the helm
"Do you want me to get the lads to start offloading the cargo?"
"Aye, but can you supervise Sam? I don't want to lose another container like last time"
Sam gave a throaty laugh "Aye, don't think we can afford it" and nodded in the direction of the port they were moored at last time; it was still out of action and the scars remained from the electrical energy that had arced its way across the port. The damage could be seen as far as the ceiling that was so far away it could easily be mistaken for the night sky, were it not for the noise of hundreds of people that echoed about the cavern.
The captains boots hadn't left the ship before he saw someone approaching wearing a pinstripe suit and sporting a monocle,
"Here we go" Timus sighed as he pretended he hadn't noticed him.
"Er...er...m-mr Timus sir"
"Captain"
"Oh...e-er...yes of course Captain sir" the cleared his throat "the grand court of Titan requests your presence at your earliest convenience"
"Very well" Timus strode past the stout man and walked a few paces before realising the man was following him, he rounded on him.
"I presume you were just being polite then" Timus growled, it always frustrated him when people didn't speak their minds, he called them ‘daisy mouths’ because pretty flowers grew out of them and they smelled sweet enough, but underneath it all, it was just shit.
"I apologise sir...e-er Captain, they are waiting for you" he gestured towards the bank of shining brass contraptions that lead directly to the surface.
"Fine, but I have someone with me I think they should meet, give me a minute"
"Very well" the man drew out his pocket watch as he tried to ignore the captains scowls.
— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —
The chambers that held the high court of the city sat high above the central district of Titan. Seven seats sat in a semi-circle in a room of polished marble and red velvet drapes. The light bounced off the sand coloured floor from the large windows that enveloped the room; the silence was only broken by the sound of King Malon's fingers drumming on the arm of his chair. The King was no older than 30, similar to captain Timus and in fact they had known each other since they were children, his fingers drummed out of boredom and eagerness to see his friend once again.
"Must you do that your highness?" One of the men dressed in white leaned over to say. His long white beard was mirrored in the faces of most of those that sat in the room, the council was formed of representatives from every race that dwelled within the city, each seat filled with an elected member of their community and two other senior members standing either side, the oldest member being an Elf named Garrick, but he attended court with no other members of the elven community. Though the varying races co-existed in harmony within the city, matters of the court we fought separately.
Malon's fingers stopped.
"Of course, my apologies"
The handles of the large rose wood doors squeaked momentarily and then swung open. A rotund man in a pinstriped suit walked into the room his shoes resonating off the marble with Captain Timus and another man in his late teens accompanying him.
"If it please the court" the man begun "may I introduce to you Captain Roft and master Wilson"
Malon sat forward in his chair and smiled at Timus, nodding in silent greeting. Timus responded in kind. The old elf sitting to the Kings left raised a hand
"Thank you for bring him to us, you may leave"
The man bowed and swiftly left the room closing the doors behind him.
The silence seemed endless before the old man spoke at last
"We trust your journey was satisfactory?"
Timus attempted to stifle his frustration with the question
"You brought me all the way up here to ask me that? You could have waited for us to offload to find out for yourself!"
Garrick raised his hand again, the rest of the council remained motionless, apart from Malon who seemed to be enjoying the exchange
"Fine, we will dispense with the pleasantries" Malon's face changed as the silence drew on once more as if addressing the gravity of what was about to be said.
"Before I begin however, who is this person you bring with you?"
The captain turned gesturing to the overwhelmed looking young man standing next to him. He wore the clothes of a thunder chaser but at the same time looked out of place standing next to the captain, his shirt was clean and neatly rolled up to his elbows.
“This is Marcus Wilson, he was an apprentice aboard The Medallion. A few days into our journey we found the ship destroyed and this boy aboard the vessel. He tells us…”
“…please, let him speak” the old man interrupted.
Timus took a deep breath and calmed his anger, “very, well”. He directed Marcus to the centre of the room. The young man turned to Timus looking for direction, “well, go on, tell them what you told me”.
His posture and general demeanor gave him the look of a small child not a young man, his voice broke with nerves as he spoke, “I-I had only been on the ship for three days….I-it was my first journey as a chaser…”
“Yes, well get on with it!” Garrick barked.
Captain Rofts’ eyes burned “You wanted him to speak! So let him!” his voice echoed around the court for a moment. The rest of the council, whispered frantically anticipating Garricks wroth, but it never came. The captains features softened once again as he turned to Marcus, “Go on boy, tell it true”.
“t-true sir?” Marcus replied. Timus’ eyes narrowed,
“Yes Marcus, the truth!” He turned him towards the court.
“e-er well…w-we were still a ways from the storm, b-but one night w-while I was sleepin’ I heard a load o’ noise. There were shoutin’ an’ loud bangs. I-I aint gonna lie, I ran to the store room and hid. I-I saw ‘em come in, they were after the cannisters, b-but they were all empty, ‘cos we ‘adn’t reached the storm yet so…” The room was silent, no one was fidgeting in their seats, they hung off every word this boy said. “..I waited, then I went up to the top…everyone was dead, and the ship was on fire!” He bagan to sob uncontrollably; Timus stepped forward and rested a hand on his shoulders. “You did well lad” he raised his head towards the court “We found their ship on the ground, no one survived but Marcus. We found him in one of the lightening containers”.
The old man took a deep breath, “Well, that was quite intriguing” he shot a sideways glance at a few of his co-councilors, Malon saw this and looked puzzled, “Is there something I’m missing” he declared. Garrick sighed heavily “Well yes…Timus, we summoned you hear to discuss our desperate shortage of power, it is no secret that our reserves are dwindling and you more than anyone are aware that the storms are becoming less frequent. As I am sure you know there are very few ships capable of Conducting and even fewer people willing to take the risk, we have been speculating at the possibility that pirates may also be hindering the process”
“Pirates!” Malon sat forward, “What would be the use? Stealing Lightening? What would they do with it? Other than try and sell it back to us? We would catch them before they could offload!”
Garrick nodded solemnly “Agreed, but from what this man is saying it sounds as though our concerns were well placed”
Timus looked at the faces of the council members, “Then we must ask ourselves, if they are not planning on selling it to the realm what are they doing with it? How many vessels have we lost since we left on our last voyage?”
Garrick signaled to a younger male gnome on his right across the room, his perfectly coiffed hair sprung to attention as he began pulling roles of parchment from his bags. He looked over several documents before he cleared is throat, “Lets see, we have had reports that we have lost The Medallion, The Light-Bringer, The Red Mist, The Night Guard, The Brightling…”
Captain Rofts eyes shot towards the man, he said under his breath “…the Brightling!” Timus’ eyes darted around his head, clutching onto the memories of all the ships that the gnomr wearing the orange and white robes was reading out; Malon recognized his friends distress.
“That is quite enough Bayloft, just a number would be surfice” Bayloft looked towards Malon and Garrick then turned back to his parchments, nodding and counting, after some time he announced, “…f-fourteen,” he confirmed to himself, “fourteen airships, reported lost or destroyed”
“Fourteen?” Timus said in disbelief, his eyes betraying his emotions. So many good sailors…and friends he thought. “Any news on any of the crews and their captains?”
Bayloft searched his beloved documents, he started shaking his head before he could even say “No, I-I am sorry I have no word on that”. The court erupted in whispering speculation once more.
Garrick raised his hand once again to call for silence, “I appreciate this must be hard to hear Timus…” The captain had begun pacing the room with his gloved hands on his hips revealing the weapon that swung from his belt. A creation of his own design but built by Props, Timus carried a brass baton that contained a glass tube that glowed and crackled with electrical energy. Malon had never seen it being used, but always wanted to ask Timus if he could try it, there was never a good time.
Garrick continued “…but we need to consider the ramifications of this information?” Timus eyed Garrick angrily with each pass as he walked the marble floor. His mind was a mixture of anger, frustration, sadness and confusion. The young man that stood with Timus kept his eyes to the ground and his hands clasped in front of him.
“…thanks to Master Wilsons account we can entertain the idea that pirates are indeed targeting our ships. We also know that The Medallion was not carrying any cargo, however, that leaves thirteen ships that could have potentially been on their way back to us, meaning…” He gestured at Bayloft once again. Nervously he rifled through yet more documents, began muttering numbers under his breath, “potentially five thousand strikes” Garrick took this under consideration for a moment and shuddered at the notion, “I still don’t understand what has provoked this sudden interest in Lightening?” the dwarven representative barked. Malon looked around at the blank faces around him, “perhaps they have found a way to harness it as we did, or maybe they have found a way to weaponise it?”
Garrick steepled his fingers, “Indeed”, Timus stopped pacing and turned to the court, “Well I take it that was all you needed me for?” He was eager to leave the room and inform his crew of the news.
Garrick looked up from his thoughts and addressed the fidgety captain, “We initially called you here to discuss the possibility of piracy, but your new companion has just confirmed it,” Timus shot a glance at Marcus “It appears we have” he said in a tone that made Malon’s feel uneasy. Malon eyed both of them with an inquisitive but cautious look so as not to arouse suspicion among the court. Garrick cleared is drying throat “…we would like for you to stay for as long as possible until we have decided what to do with this information”
“I can only tell you that we will be here ‘til the morning, after that we leave for the storms” The captains insolent tone made the various members of the court shift in their seats and eye Garrick nervously, awaiting his response. Garrick was a stern but very wise man, he knew better than to argue terms with the captain of the Nimbus. Not only was he extraordinarily stubborn but he was also the kings close friend, there would be no use in arguing the matter further, especially as he endeavored to have a plan ready by the morning that would deal with this problem. He simply replied “very well, you may take your leave” the tension that had crept into the room during the silence between Garrick and Timus, dropped in a unified exhale of the members of the court. Timus span on his heels, his leather jacket flurried and snapped as he made for the large doors, slamming them behind him. After meeting with the crew he intended to meet with king Malon in private to discuss this matter further.
— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —
Malon sat in his favourite chair in his solar, his legs drapped over the arm of the large worn leather seat; the shiny brass buttons glinted in the rays of waning sunlight that poured into the room through thick glass, overlooking the magnificent streets of the central district of Titan. Malon sat, and waited, and waited, the boredom of this afternoon’s court (aside from Timus Roft’s visit) coupled with this insufferable waiting around was driving him to distraction.
He began to amuse himself by snapping his fingers, bringing fourth flames in his hands. He watched the orange and yellow light dancing off his fingertips and enjoyed the warmth that touched his cheeks.
“Wow!” Marcus said with a gasp.
Malon leaped out of his chair, startled. He knocked over a goblet of wine while he backed away from the boy. As he gathered his nerves he realised Marcus, Props and Timus were standing in the entrance of his solar. “You scared me half to death” Malon exclaimed, catching his breath.
Timus smiled “The boys never seen magic before” the captain moved towards Malon with his arms wide open. They embraced and Malon regarded the expression on master Wilsons face.
“It’s good to see you again brother” Malon whispered. The cat on the captains shoulder purred as they broke away from the hug. Malon smiled, “It’s good to see you again Jinx!” The cat seemed to smile and started cleaning himself.
“Props, you are looking as filthy as ever!” They exchanged a smile and Props wiped a greasy arm across her greasy face, Malon couldn’t determine whether it made things better or worse, he smiled again.
“Master Wilson…” Malon began. Marcus still looked shocked at what he had seen. “Why…? How can you…? Your hands..I?” the boy said. Malon chuckled, “Have you not heard the stories of my bloodline?” Malon looked to Timus and Props who returned concerned looks, “Where have you been? Living under a rock?” He laughed again.
“Malon” Timus began.
“Every Chaser knows the story of his King?”
“Malon” Timus said again, trying to interrupt his friends’ train of thought.
Malon thought on the moment of awkward tension between Timus and Marcus during court, when they had been discussing the amount of ships that had been reported missing and destroyed. Malon looked at Marcus deep in his eyes, which grew wider as he approached, “You, are no Chaser! Are you?!” Malon turned towards Timus.
“No Malon, he is not a Chaser. We did indeed find him aboard The Medallion…” Malons eyes darted between them. “…but he belonged to the crew of the pirates”
Malon’s eyes erupted in a mixture of anger and confusion, “and you brought him here?!”
“Malon, calm yourself, you have always trusted me, haven’t you?”
Malon turned away from them and made for his chair. Malon huffed as he plummeted into the large chair, “Ok lets hear it” he rested his head in his hands.
“You know as well as I do, this government your grand-father left behind for you is corrupt” Malon looked up from his hands and gazed out of the window over the city, his neatly trimmed beard displaying varying shades of brown in the setting sun, he smiled “I always used to walk about these halls referring to Titan as my city, when in truth, I am nothing more than a figurehead. What was my Grand-father thinking?” Malon looked at the young man who was looking sheepishly at the floor once again. “So you really haven’t heard about me?” Timus nudged Marcus to respond. “N-no sir, I-I mean your Grace”
“Well, I’ll let Timus fill you in on the details but lets just say the last source of true magic runs in my blood. Unless, that is, you want to try your luck at blood magic, but we all know that carries dire consequences, eh Jinx?”
The cat hissed at Malon, “Indeed” the cat growled as he glanced at Marcus. The boy jumped away from Timus and Jinx.
“It can talk?” Marcus spat out, nearly falling over were it not for the wall behind him. Jinx turned his head towards the startled man.
“He can talk!” Jinx corrected.
“Jinx, Props show our friend here the city”. Jinx leapt down from the captains shoulder and stalked towards one of the large windows on the other side of the room, Props ushered Marcus over to the same window and began pointing out the main parts of the city as the monorail passed below.
Timus pulled up a chair beside Malon as the king continued to eye the pirate standing at his window and poured himself another goblet of wine.
“Malon, I am using him to get more information about the pirates. I brought him here because I can’t let him leave my sight, as long as he stays with me, you and your people will be safe”
“I agree with you on that Timus but we could just as easily take him to the cells, or send him off to Kinsgrave to rot alongside my father!”
“I have a feeling that might be what the pirates want.” As the captain said this Malon studied Timus’ expression. “Do you not find it odd that after all those ships that were attacked, they just happen to leave one of their own aboard The Medallion?”
“What is the boys explanation for this?”
“He tells me that he disagreed with their methods and attempted to stop them from continuing their plans, so they left him stranded” Malon chuckled.
“Well Timus I have heard taller stories, and that was just in court today!” His face, now returning to his more jovial expression, he took a large drag of wine.
“Indeed, but nevertheless, he has information, whether he realizes it or not, that we could use to fight this”
“What exactly are their plans?” Malon looked to Marcus once more, still deep in discussion with Props as Jinx sat by, his tail flicking from side-to-side.
“That he doesn’t know, apparently” Timus said, Malon huffed.
“Of course he doesn’t” Malon thought once again about the situation in court that afternoon, “He also didn’t tell you how many ships were attacked?”
“He did not,” Timus now also looking in the direction of the pirate boy, “he told me he spent most of his time in the ships galley, he could only guess at the number of ships attacked” Malon pondered the conversation for a moment, while he tapped a finger on the top of his silver bejeweled goblet. He rolled his eyes and sighed, “Very well, I agree that you are the best person to handle this. I will make my opinion of these matters known to the council, albeit they will do what they wish anyway”. Timus smiled at his frustrated looking friend,
“One day the regency will have control again” Malon attempted a smile and looked at his hands. “That maybe, but I am not the king to do it” Malon looked up and cast his eyes over the city, “Things have gotten worse Timus…” tears welled in his eyes as he turned back to his friend, “…the council have banned all use of unnecessary electrical energy, people are being forced to light their houses with candles while the council members bathe in the fruits of lightening energy, and don’t even get me started on food. The pestilent war in the east is slowly infecting our cities and villages we are beginning to decay from the inside and the council is more concerned with lightening!”. Timus wiped a tear from Malon’s cheek.
“That is another reason why we cant waste time handing Marcus over to democratic fools with no drive to make changes” Malon nodded, “For all we know the council hired these fools to drive up the price of lightening”. Malon entertained the notion for a moment and then dismissed it as being too cruel and deceitful, even for the council. “We also need the lightening to win the war so either way we need to resolve this!”. Timus could see the pain in his friends face and decided to change the subject, “How is your little brother doing?” Malon smiled and wiped his face, his expression changing immediately. Malon leaned round his friend to ensure the pirate was still engaged in conversation. “He fairs well, his talents with magic are exceeding my own” Timus looked puzzled, “really?!” Malon nodded.
“Yes, I know, we are just as confused as you look. For centuries my bloodline has been watered down through the generations, but for some reason, Tyke has had more power than the last few generations of our family combined”. Timus took a moment, he looked back at Malon concerned, “Your father, does he?”
“No, no of course he doesn’t know, he was imprisoned before his powers began to manifest. Gods help us if he escaped, there’s hardly any of my family left for him to consume; but if he got hold of Tyke, well I am afraid that would be the end of us all.”
“I take it all is well in Kinsgrave?” Timus gulped. Malon laughed and stood from his chair, placing a hand on Timus’ shoulders. “All is well brother, now come, it is time we drank and I meet with the rest of your crew, it has been far too long! I miss that bastard Clayton! He owes me ten gold!” Timus smiled “We shall meet you in the usual place then, in your usual guise? Mr Featherweather?” Malon laughed, “Indeed!”. Malon ushered his guests out of the solar, laughing and ignoring the pirate that had made his acquaintance. The smile faded from his lips as he closed the doors behind them and walked back to the window. His gaze stretched out beyond the city and to the tall tower on the horizon known as Kinsgrave. “All is well brother” he said again, with hope-filled nausea laying in his chest.
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