The Pirate Danced and the Automat Died

Acknowledgements

Many thanks and love to my daughter, Charmaine, who has supported me no matter what, even when I got a third cat. Thank you to friends for their help and feedback: Nikki, Debbie, Peggy, and Karen. To authors and bloggers who have done their best to help me: Anita Dickason, Sue Costner, Gina Ray Mitchell, Norm Backstrom, Benjamin X. Wretlind, and Bob Van Laerhoven. Thank you to John Helfers of Stonehenge Editorial and Jenny Rosenblum for the original editing of this book. Also, well-deserved praise to Joseph Mistretta for the final editing.

Cast of Characters

Jonas Celwyn: mortal magician and provocateur

Professor Xiau Kang: Automat, medical man, skeptic, and scientist

Bartholomew: Widower from Juba, colleague, and friend to Kang and Celwyn

Qing: Mechanical bird & lover of all things shiny and wonderful

Annabelle Pearse Edmunds: Heiress and ward of Uncle Celwyn

Captain Patrick Swayne: Friend to Celwyn, loves Annabelle

Mrs. Elizabeth Kang: Tolerant and beautiful wife of Kang

Zander and Otto: Orphans and now brothers living at Tellyhouse

Tara McFein: Good witch and good vampire

Simone Redifer: Good vampire

Valentine Soriano: Uncle to Tara & Simone, head of their family

Captain Nemo: Captain of the Nautilus

Jules Verne: Author aboard the Nautilus and part of the adventures

Granger: Nemo’s Lieutenant

The Wessex Club: The cream of the Victorian literary world: Thomas Hardy, Oscar Wilde, Henry James, William Butler Yeats, George Bernard Shaw.

Aldonis Pompero: Supreme spymaster, answering only to the Queen

Captain Emilio Dearing: Pirate king and confederate of Talos

Mercury: Friend and confidant of the vampires

Talos: Professor Kang’s brother and automat who wasn’t as dead as they thought.

Sir John Cecil Winterset: Vampire hunter and ally of Dearing

Ginnie Ford: The witch in league with the warlock, Duncan.

Gibson: American traitor

Prelude

1868

In the waters off the coast of Trabzon, Turkey

The gongs in the belly of the Nautilus echoed, signaling the time had come to return to Nemo’s compound and find answers. They couldn’t wait any longer. But before anyone could move, a commotion in the corridor drew their attention as a hatless crewman in torn and dirty clothes stumbled into the study of the submarine. At this late hour, it wasn’t a surprise; they had been expecting him days ago.

Ah, Valdez, Captain Nemo stood and greeted him. It is good that you have returned.

The man inhaled deeply, swayed, and would have fallen if Captain Nemo hadn’t caught his arm and guided him to a chair. In a voice they could barely hear, Valdez began talking fast, as if he would lose his nerve if he didn’t. Even before he spoke, the magician felt the cold hand of dread weighing upon him.

Everyone dead—all of them. Even Mrs. Sogun. Valdez inhaled again. Their necks were broken.

The automat, Professor Xiau Kang, passed the Captain a whiskey, and Nemo handed it to the man. Drink that.

It was an order. When the crewman began speaking again, he sounded stronger but no less frightened.

It was a tremendous fight—the blonde woman was gone and—Dr. Maeler … he died differently. His throat cut. Valdez slashed a hand across his own throat. As he finished his drink, Nemo handed him another. Then, I heard a scream. I ran to the last building. The big one. Valdez started shaking.

Bartholomew kept his voice calm. Take your time.

I ran in. The man… he hesitated and stared at Jonas Celwyn, who was with us—

My brother, Celwyn said gently and nodded at him to continue.

Valdez dropped his glass and shook his head when offered more. With another look at Celwyn, he said, Mr. Pelaez, he … he pointed at the big yellow machine, and flames burned over it. Then he laughed. And … and laughed. Sweat poured off the crewman’s pale cheeks. He saw me when I tried to run, and then I couldn’t. He pleaded with them. "I couldn’t move."

Captain Nemo patted his shoulder. It’s all right. He motioned to the guard by the door.

Valdez shot a tortured glance at the magician. Your brother, he walked right up to me and said I was ‘late.’ Valdez switched to Captain Nemo. H-he said to give this to you, Sir, when I returned here. He fished in his jacket and produced an envelope. As he passed it over, he said, There was a pig there, a big pig, staring at me. The crewman trembled. Then he put me in a closet … with a body. It was Mr. Sogun—his head was turned backward. Valdez waved away Kang’s hand as he tried to comfort him. I was tied up—with so many ropes. The man … that Pelaez, he left me a knife—he put it under the body. Made sure I saw it.

So, it would take you a while to free yourself? Bartholomew asked. The others nodded in agreement.

When I finally got out, my horse and the rest of the horses were gone.

Bartholomew said, And you walked all the way back here.

Yes.

Pelaez has several days’ head start. Damn! Kang stamped his foot.

Captain Nemo ripped the envelope open and read aloud.

My dear Captain Nemo:

As I write this, you should know that I enjoyed your hospitality very much.

You may think I have abused your goodwill, and I apologize, but the greater good must prevail. The flying machine, as you call it, must not succeed.

It will be used for war.

The horrors of war envelop the air we breathe. Each invention of war bloodies our souls. It must be stopped. I could have destroyed the flying machine a long time ago, but for two reasons:

I felt an obligation to stay and keep you and those in my brother’s party from harm. Also, with the specifications that Bartholomew and the Professor made, you would have just built another one. So, I waited until the time was ripe.

I have destroyed both the machine and the specifications of how to build it again.

Kang rushed out of the room, and Celwyn buried his face in his hands.

Captain Nemo continued reading.

To my brother, you should know that I enjoyed our reunion at times and found your supercilious attitude trying at others. However, I tolerated it to obtain my goals.

Did you know that Miss McFein is not only a vampire but also a witch? I doubt it. You are so besotted with her that you barely notice anything.

Perhaps we may meet again, hundreds of years from now, when you have forgiven me.

Pelaez

That is all, Captain Nemo said, folding the paper as carefully as possible to keep from crushing it. Unfathomable anger darkened his eyes. Then his proud shoulders slumped as profound disappointment overlaid his indignation.

Pelaez killed them all? Bartholomew demanded as he stalked to the window and back. Why?

The emptiness and betrayal Celwyn felt went so deep he physically hurt. This time, the glasses by the bar didn’t shake or shatter—instead, they began to melt, turning to liquid like his tears and falling like rain.

Celwyn could not speak.

Or … it was the witch, perhaps… Captain Nemo speculated.

Kang returned, and before he sat down, his face told them what he’d confirmed; Pelaez had indeed stolen the specs from his room. Celwyn remembered his brother’s overstuffed knapsack the morning he left. More tears streamed down his face as an intense sorrow enveloped him and wouldn’t let go. After all these years, Celwyn had found his brother and lost him again in the worst way.

Captain Nemo regarded the magician for a long moment, and with uncharacteristic pity, said, I’m sorry, Jonas. He turned and instructed the remaining guard, Valdez needs food. Have someone stay with him. The guard saluted and ushered Valdez out of the room.

Kang asked the magician, Would Pelaez really kill them all?

Yes. Celwyn heard the certainty in his voice. I have no doubt of it.

Or, the wi … Ginnie did it, Bartholomew suggested, as Nemo had.

The Professor said, We just don’t know.

Celwyn raised a tortured face to Nemo. Take the Professor to Prague and his wife. He glanced at the big man who stood beside him. Bartholomew and I will hunt Pelaez down.

What is the point? Nemo threw his glass across the room. Revenge will do no good!

But—

Stop, Jonas. Kang patted his shoulder and pushed him down when the magician tried to get up. Revenge is another place, another time. The automat made sure he had Nemo’s attention and said, Bartholomew and I will recreate the specs on the way to Prague, and we will build another flying machine. Near Prague, if that is acceptable? We can devote all our time to it.

Morose horns entered the room, exploding in anger and bleeding with the pain of treachery. Qing flew to the magician and nudged his chin. Celwyn’s tears fell on his feathers as the ornate organ began to play, uniting with the music of the horns, soaring high and resounding sorrowfully above them.

I will find Pelaez. With a growl, Celwyn stroked the mechanical bird’s shiny feathers. His thoughts turned inward.

No. Kang confronted him, his voice firm, but infinitely kind. I need Bartholomew’s help with the flying machine. With Celwyn sitting and the automat standing, they were on eye level as Kang challenged him. You know we need you too.

Bartholomew said, Come back to Prague, Jonas.

The magician shook his head.

Bartholomew played the one card that broke through Celwyn’s grief. After Annabelle’s wedding, we will talk.

Celwyn hesitated, picturing the disappointment on each of the faces inhabiting Tellyhouse.

After we rebuild the flying machine, we will find Pelaez together, Kang promised.

The magician sat still and tried to think as logically as everyone else. He was surrounded by scientists and a military genius. Celwyn turned to Captain Nemo. Sir, do you have an idea where the new compound will be located?

Nemo took off his cap and shook his head. At the moment, I am disheartened.

Celwyn said, I am too … however…

From his favorite spot at the chess table, Jules Verne asked Celwyn, What do you propose?

The author had been so quiet the magician had forgotten about him. He hesitated a bit more before saying, After reflection, I bow to the Professor and Bartholomew’s good sense. Celwyn inhaled, his normal equanimity returning and the forlorn music fading. Rebuilding the flying machine is more important than revenge.

Bartholomew rumbled, Are you sure?

Yes. The magician thought about Annabelle and Patrick and the boys, Zander and Otto. Revenge was selfish. And it will be private. As a delectable distraction, he produced a tray of pastries, tea, and coffee on the table between them.

The Professor selected the fattest fairy cake with lavish frosting and bit into it. It will take months to set up a new laboratory and a test field for flying. Of course, we will be there as it’s built.

With a nod at the magician, Captain Nemo added, We should build your kind of security into it, too.

Celwyn poured Earl Grey, and the aroma alone helped. He wiped the last of his tears away and glanced out the aquatic window. At the edge of a nearby kelp forest, a white silhouette hovered just far enough away that he couldn’t identify it through the water. I agree.

Nemo asked, What will Pelaez do with the specs?

His purpose was to destroy the flying machine. By now, the specs no longer exist. Bartholomew slammed a fist into the arm of the sofa. By god, we worked so hard on them.

All the specs? Verne had been playing with his fountain pen, not brave enough to take notes in front of Celwyn in his emotional condition. Considering recent events, he might find himself on top of the ship as she swam through the water.

Kang asked, What if Pelaez didn’t find the set of plans that we hid for Dr. Maeler?

I wager he did. We also don’t know if Ginnie survived or if she was the one who killed them all. Celwyn cursed under his breath and strolled to the window. The conservative academic, Dr. Maeler, had been hired to build the next prototype of the flying machine. To make things interesting, he had brought along his flouncy, flashy, and bawdy paramour. Looking back on her behavior, Celwyn realized that Ginnie Ford was all of that purposely, and it may have been staged to divert them from the sabotage she planned. Celwyn stared. The white, shadowy image no longer floated near the ship. Only tendrils of black seaweed remained, undulating in the water like long ghostly arms as the ship drifted closer to the kelp.

We will go back to our compound after all. Bartholomew did not appear happy about the prospect, and his frown deepened.

It will be grim. The automat thought for a second and repeated his prediction.

Nemo rubbed his face hard. You are all much more resilient than I from this tragedy. He joined them on the sofas. After a moment, he selected a pastry and bit into it like he would like to bite into Pelaez.

Kang said, We’re angry, and we won’t give up.

The Captain dabbed his lips with a napkin. There is no doubt we will rebuild. Tomorrow we will return to our compound, and I will bring more than a full complement of guards with us in case of an attack. He checked what he planned to say and then finished with, Initially, we will head toward the mountains to the south, not the route we took getting here. The threat to us no longer exists. Nemo pulled down his cuffs and made sure they matched. After that, we will journey to Prague.

Thank God we aren’t going back the same way. Verne shuddered.

Bartholomew echoed him with a shiver of his own. Thank God.

Pictured across everyone’s face was the memory of the ordeal they had just gone through in the nearby forest. It felt as fresh as if it had happened only minutes ago. The warlock, Duncan, would not soon be forgotten.

The automat half-smiled at the others. "How close can we get to our destination with the Nautilus?"

Bartholomew saw his expression. Oh, no…

The magician interrupted his morose thoughts to squint at them until he understood. Poor Bartholomew. At over seven feet tall, the muscular man from East Africa was as brave as he was tall … but he feared many things, including every known superstition, and especially what the automat had just hinted at.

Captain Nemo nodded. Yes, I can get us much closer by taking the ship through the underground rivers.

Verne asked, Why didn’t we go this route initially?

None of these rivers went far enough inland, and the ship was already at sea with the Mafioso’s eyes upon the ports. The Professor told him, As you remember, we took a calculated risk that Duncan would follow the other villains that Jonas and Pelaez led on a merry chase. It failed. They were all silent for a few minutes until Captain Nemo spoke again.

For our return trip tomorrow, we will surface at a lake about ten miles from the old compound.

Bartholomew gulped and seemed to shrink into his clothes at the news, wishing to be anywhere but here to hear of a plan he considered extraordinarily dangerous.

We will be fine, and I trust the crew of this ship. The magician did his best to assure him. We won’t be open to attack like the last time, and we can do this in one day. Celwyn’s mood cleared, responding to action and planning.

I like it. The automat turned to Bartholomew. While we are underground, Jonas will do something to calm you like he did before. Will that suffice?

My claustrophobia is horrible. What he did before— Bartholomew’s voice sounded a bit more hopeful, I didn’t even notice.

Celwyn said, You won’t notice anything tomorrow either, my friend.

All right, but I still don’t like this, you know.

Of all people to respond, it was the most terrified participant from their ordeal. It is better than chancing what happened on the way here by going the other route. Verne sounded like he had relived each detail vividly.

Duncan is dead, the magician reminded them and wished he could kill the bastard again. Qing rubbed his beak on Celwyn’s chin, his form of bird comfort.

Verne tugged on his little beard, and his voice trembled. Who knows if another warlock might be lurking out there…

We don’t. We also don’t know our plans beyond tomorrow. Captain Nemo regarded them from under lowered brows. He twisted the brass buttons on his uniform jacket, the only indication of his personal turmoil, as if he twisted Pelaez’s neck. For now, we’ll retrieve the specs if they still exist … and perhaps some of the tools. His tone adopted a false hope that none of them felt. It is possible we will recover someone alive.

I don’t wish to be indelicate, but what will we do about the dead we find? Kang asked.

Captain Nemo stood.

We will bury them there.

Part I

Chapter 1

With the earliest hint of dawn, when daylight was only a faint suggestion against the blanket of darkness, the Nautilus inched away from Trabzon, traveling east through the Black Sea and hugging the coast. By ten in the morning, they had reached the point where their route would change and made a wide arc about thirty feet below the surface. A series of gongs resounded in her belly as the submarine hovered, awaiti ng orders.

In the study, Celwyn and the others arranged their chairs in front of the aquatic window, watching the water change from blue to dark green against a strong current, and the ship slipped into the underground river below Ordu.

Does this river have a name? Celwyn asked Kang.

Glad for an excuse to discuss something he enjoyed, the Professor popped up and rummaged in the maps. He spread one across the chess table behind them and studied it long enough to develop a frown. No, there’s no identification here, but this is another underground runoff route for the melted snow from the Taurus Mountains. Like the one that we used on our way here. He turned to Bartholomew. It will be deep.

The big man swallowed and slowly pried his lips open. I understand. He loosened his tie and stared out the window.

Celwyn tried to help. The Captain reports that we will only travel about two hours in this manner, depending on how much the ship must fight the outgoing current. Coming back, it will be much faster.

Bartholomew nodded, but a fine sheen of sweat broke out across his face as the earthen walls of the river drew closer, and darkness swallowed the ship. The sconces in the study came alive with a soft glow.

Do you want Jonas to help you now or wait? Kang asked.

For another moment, they gazed through the ship’s exterior lights to where the water lightened, revealing tendrils of greenery that flattened as they cruised by. In the last few minutes, the passage had narrowed further. Bartholomew stretched his legs and knocked over one of the backpacks at their feet. Not yet.

Verne asked, What do you plan to do when we arrive? The Captain requested that I remain on the ship.

He wants to ensure your safety, Kang told him, in case there is trouble. You don’t want to run into Pelaez, do you? I didn’t think so. The automat pointed to a spot on the map. The lake by Cerzin is remote and large. We will surface there without any problems, and with luck, we won’t have to back out again when it is time to leave.

What else are you going to do? Verne asked, not to be deterred in his curiosity.

Celwyn shrugged. Retrieve tools and bury the dead.

From the look on the author’s face, Verne wished that he had not asked.

They elected to have a late breakfast in front of the aquatic window, eating silently while immersed in their thoughts instead of the small talk that usually accompanied a meal. Much of that talk centered on teasing Celwyn. Instead, the magician thought about their destination and relived the expected carnage the crewman had described to them last night.

He had just finished his third cup of tea when the submarine began to ascend, escorted by clouds of bubbles. Bartholomew’s sigh could be heard all the way down the corridor.

As the bard says, ‘The game is afoot, gentlemen.’ Kang led the way out of the study. Once they arrived topside, they found a pair of Nemo’s crewmen with spyglasses already scanning the forest to the south and west. Bartholomew and Celwyn began checking north and east.

We are alone, Bartholomew reported and lowered his spyglass.

Celwyn finished a last survey and nodded to a waiting crewman who ducked back inside the ship to relay the information to the bridge. As another precaution, the magician blocked the area around the Nautilus so no one could see her.

A quarter of an hour later, three boats rowed away from the submarine. With a pistol resting on his knee, Captain Nemo sat by Kang in the lead boat, and Celwyn and Bartholomew were right behind them. As they drew closer to shore, the magician checked the area again, noting only a few feet of dirt separated the forest from the lake.

A fat trout rose into the air and pirouetted for the crew in the boats. When everyone turned to stare at it, Celwyn gestured, and a collection of carts filled the nearest clearing in the trees. By prior arrangement, Captain Nemo kept the crew offshore while the magician walked into the brush and scouted various hiding places until he found what he wanted.

Celwyn emerged from the trees, herding a collection of field mice in front of him. When he caused a tall waterspout to shoot upward in the lake, the crew turned toward it. A full complement of horses stomped and snorted in front of the carts by the time they turned back again.

Kang gave the big man a little push toward the first cart. Don’t ask.

I do not want to know, Bartholomew announced with his chin up.

Chapter 2

It only took a few hours to cover the ten miles through the rolling hills to the compound.

As they passed the outer perimeter fence, everyone stared at a single boot lying next to the fence post, a grim reminder that things here would not be the same as they had left them only days before. Everyone watched the cluster of buildings where they had lived and worked as it came into view.

On the far right, the hangar door stood open on the largest structure, something that would never have occurred when they were in residence. The shadows inside prevented seeing anything from this distance, but in front of the hangar, a hatless and shapeless body lay propped against the building, representing the caricature remains of a guard. Crows hopped over the body, tearing at the flesh.

Celwyn made a face and waved a hand. The birds scattered fast. Captain, I suggest that the others wait in our transport for a few minutes, please.

Nemo wiggled a brow at him. Because of…?

To give me a few minutes to find the bodies and bury them.

That is considerate. My guards knew some of these men. However, I’ll go with you and search for the specs. We do not have long here before we must return. Captain Nemo gave the order and climbed out of the cart.

Shoulder to shoulder, they headed up the walkway to the main building. The first thing the magician saw was the body of a guard dangling over the edge of the roof. At first, Celwyn thought the man had taken a shotgun blast in the face and then realized the crows had been at work again. With a gesture, the magician cleaned and dressed the corpse in a fine suit and put it in an open grave in the field. He elevated himself to the top of the roof to verify the two other guards. Soon, he added their rifles to a pile behind the cart and their bodies to the same grave.

I suggest you dig a deeper hole. Kang arrived in front of the main house. He, too, did not mind the macabre; being alive for hundreds of years and seeing the worst of the world had inured him to it. What killed them?

Their necks were snapped. It was done in a most violent manner.

When they entered the house, the magician caught a glimpse of himself in the mirror above the dining table, as handsome as usual with his dark hair and fine profile, but he also saw the worry in his eyes—Damn Pelaez.

Celwyn cursed and began the process with several more of the guards. They found Mrs. Sogun on the floor beside the stove and Fatima alongside her, still wearing a blood-splattered toque. Their necks had been slashed with a sharp blade. Were these intended as more merciful killings?

With his handkerchief covering his nose, Kang examined them briefly. The stench is becoming unbearable. The automat pointed at the women. Why a different way to kill them?

I do not know. I remember how Fatima was afraid of unnatural occurrences. His voice dropped. It came true for her. As Celwyn finished readying their bodies for transport to the field, he remembered how Fatima had thought Pelaez resembled her son. God damn him. She would not have been afraid of him. We’re done here.

Captain Nemo waited by the front door with a thunderous expression. The copy of the specs is gone.

As we assumed. Kang flung open the door and stomped outside.

When they arrived in the courtyard, Bartholomew joined them, his eyes searching for the carnage while fearful of seeing any.

No survivors. Kang took care as he told him about the way they died. We do not know why there is a difference in the method.

Perhaps it suggests two different killers?

Celwyn heard that last idea but faced with the corpses, he didn’t really care.

All the bodies have been buried in the field. He pointed to an area beyond the transport carts.

The Captain asked, Shall we check the hangar next?

Bartholomew and Kang led the way as they approached the building where they had spent months constructing the product of their imagination and scientific talents. Celwyn stopped and took care of the body lying in front of the entrance.

With a deep sigh they all heard, Captain Nemo said, That was Mr. Dobbs, supervisor of the guards. I will write a note to his widow.

Is she nearby? Bartholomew asked.

Ankara. They have a large family. Nemo’s mood darkened further. They will be compensated for this.

Celwyn added Dobbs’ body to those already in the field. With a groan, he realized where the rest of the guards would be.

What is the matter? Bartholomew asked. You look angrier than the Captain now.

Nothing pleasant, my friend. The magician clapped the big man on the shoulder and said to the others, After we are done here, we will find the rest of the dead in the barracks. Any survivors would have approached us already.

By the time he finished speaking, they had reached the middle of the hangar and what awaited them.

It is one thing to imagine the damage, but— Kang stared at the shell of the flying machine.

It still smelled faintly of smoke. Celwyn assumed his brother had dissolved the fuel in the tanks to eliminate the possibility of an explosion. The bastard would want to watch the machine burn when he torched it.

Only a few streaks of yellow paint striped the tail section of the charred remains. The carcass reminded Celwyn of a large bird caught in a firestorm; he had no trouble picturing it on fire. The stench from the ruin almost covered the odor of decomposition. But not quite.

There is another body here. I smell it. Celwyn expanded his search as Bartholomew opened cupboards and bins. Kang did the same. Their job was to find tools; his was much grimmer. Nemo heard them. His anger over Pelaez’s crimes turned his complexion red.

Pelaez, the Captain growled the word.

There is decay here; I smell it also, Kang said.

Sometimes it surprised Celwyn when the automat displayed traits of a flesh and blood species. Kang had been made with leathery skin over a metal skeleton, long black hair, and elfin ears. Over the hundreds of years since, he had developed a great capacity and fondness for whiskey and cookies. When they had first met, Celwyn had listened to Xiau’s explanation of his sentiments and his curiosity and love of life as they sailed west on the Zelda. The automat felt emotions such as hate and love. He also enjoyed teasing and worrying about his friend, Jonas Celwyn.

The magician gazed upward. A man lay face down in the rafters with an ax embedded in his back.

Remind me of your helpers’ names? he asked.

Martin and Kirk. Bartholomew followed Celwyn’s gaze. With a sigh, he said, That is Martin.

Celwyn dressed the body and sent it outside with the others. Enough of this, he cursed. I’d like to get the rest of this business over with. Perhaps you two could gather the tools you want while the Captain and I visit the guards’ quarters.

With a nod, Bartholomew squatted beside an upended cabinet that used to house a collection of wrenches.

Captain Nemo sighed. I’ll search the house for the specs once more while you deal with what is in the barracks. It is possible Dr. Maeler moved the drawings if he felt threatened.

He probably found a good reason to be, Bartholomew said as Celwyn and Nemo headed out the door.

More than twenty paces before the barracks, the magician detected cloying wisps of decay. When he stared into the interior of the structure, he saw only corpses. From the furniture to the lamps, everything inside seemed fuzzy, reminding him again of how the characteristics he’d received