Emilie and the Sky World (20 page)

Miss Deverrin, looking very disheveled, stepped into the doorway from the rear cabin. “We’re not all dead, so I assume things are going well.” Her voice sounded brittle, as if it was taking all of her self-control to appear normal.

“The disruption is already shrinking and will soon be gone from the current,” Dr Marlende told her. He sounded a little brittle himself. He asked the Professor, “How is Engal?”

She was leaning over him again, though he seemed to be unconscious for now. “He’ll do. If we can get back home within a reasonable time.”

“That is theoretically possible.” Dr Marlende looked toward Hyacinth, frowning. “That isn’t going to help our castaway, though.”

Miss Marlende asked, “How is Hyacinth, Emilie?”

“I don’t know,” Emilie said. It sat in a heap of blossoms, unmoving. She felt a lump of misery take up residence in her throat. Hyacinth had no way to get home, even if it didn’t die from its wounds. And they had no way to communicate with it anymore. She picked up the translator from where it had landed against the wall. “We can’t even talk to it. This isn’t working; it must have needed…” She trailed off, because the translator was forming words. It was saying,
Hello, hello. Strange ship, can you hear us?

Daniel and Efrain leaned over her shoulder to see what she was staring at. Daniel said, “Uh, I think we need to look outside.”

The others turned toward the nearest port, and Emilie shoved to her feet, clutching the translator.

Some distance away, floating in the aether, was a lifeboat just like the one that they had crashed. Of course, Emilie thought. Hyacinth was supposed to follow them if it couldn’t free the aether-sailer. When it didn’t, they sent someone back.

Miss Marlende smiled. “Answer them, Emilie.”

Emilie leaned over the translator, cleared her throat, and said, “Yes, we can hear you.”

Drawing close enough to the lifeboat to transfer Hyacinth to it was easier than they all expected. The lifeboat was far more maneuverable in the aether than the airship. Emilie watched from the port as it moved in close, guided by Miss Marlende on the translator. Then it turned so that its stern hatchway was just over the airship’s gallery and inside their protection spell.

Dr Marlende ordered everyone else to stay back so the flower people wouldn’t think it was a trap, and it was only Emilie and Miss Marlende who waited on the gallery with Hyacinth. She had been talking to Hyacinth the whole time, though so far it hadn’t been able to reply. Its blossoms had begun to look better now, and it was able to move by itself when they urged it out onto the gallery.

The door to the ship slid open and two flower people peered out. They were both different colors, one with more yellow blossoms and the other a deep dark green with flowers that looked like grass spikes. Emilie had thought they would all look alike, which she realized immediately had been quite stupid. It wasn’t as if humans looked alike, either.

Hyacinth turned to her and the translator started to move in her hands. It said,
I told them to go, but these two are members of my family, and they took their lifeboat to the nearest stable current and waited
.

Emilie nodded. “That’s what families should be like.”

Hyacinth curled a blossom-arm around her wrist.
And you and I are true companions, even if we do not see each other again
.

Emilie swallowed back the urge to cry, part sadness, part relief that Hyacinth must be getting better if it could talk. She said, “We are true companions. And thank you for helping us. We would all be dead without you.”

It shivered its blossoms at her, in a way she read as amusement.
I suspect you would have thought of something. But we were most clever together
.

Emilie and Miss Marlende picked Hyacinth up as gently as possible and handed him up through the door to the others. Emilie took the translator from where it sat on the gallery and tried to hand it up to them.

The green one pushed it back to her. The translator said,
Keep this. Then if we find each other again in our explorations, we will be able to speak
.

“Thank you,” Miss Marlende told it. “I hope one day we do meet again.”

The flower people disappeared inside and the door swung shut. Emilie and Miss Marlende hurried back into the cabin, and the lifeboat moved smoothly away from the protective spell.

Moments later, both ships entered the aether current again for their long journeys home.

It was late evening when they came out of the aether current again, and night by the time they managed to anchor the airship at the Marlendes’ airyard in Meneport.

They were greeted by a few sleepy journalists who had apparently been camping in the street outside, Dr Marlende’s students and workmen who had been manning the yard, and some of the members of the Philosophical Society who Mikel said had probably been watching for them with aether-scopes.

Emilie stood with Efrain, Professor Abindon, and Miss Marlende by the anchoring ropes for the airship, watching all the activity. Miss Marlende had asked a student to send a telegram to Lady Engal to tell her about Lord Engal’s injury, and someone else to find a physician to attend him at his townhome, while Cobbier went to arrange transport for everyone. A telegram was also sent off to the Deverrins’ country home, to notify Dr Deverrin’s wife of the rescue, and one to a friend of Anton Deverrin, to see if he was still in town. “Hopefully, he can take charge of his relatives and sort out accommodation and help for the other members of the party until they can be sent home,” Miss Marlende said. The Deverrin party was sitting in one of the workrooms, mostly to keep them from wandering off or being taken away by one of the journalists.

Miss Marlende continued. “Our house isn’t large enough for this many people, unless we just have them camp out on blankets in the parlor and the dining room.” She glanced down at Emilie. “There’s room for you, Efrain, and Daniel, of course.” She eyed Professor Abindon, “And you as well, Mother.”

Professor Abindon just said, “Ah, good. I wasn’t looking forward to trying to obtain a hotel room at this hour,” and went off to check on Lord Engal.

Miss Marlende added, “And I’d better get a physician for Daniel and Seth as well. I’ll have one meet us at our home. They both seem better, but it won’t hurt to take precautions.”

As she left, Emilie worriedly surveyed the airyard. Watching her, Efrain said, “You’re still afraid of Uncle Yeric, aren’t you?”

Emilie eyed him; though they were standing in the dark outside the ring of lamps, the airship’s balloon was blocking out the moonlight, and it was difficult to see his expression. “I don’t want to be carried away like a sack of laundry, no.”

For a moment, it was like they were right back where they had been when Efrain had first stepped into the airyard days ago, as if nothing had happened or changed between them. Emilie’s heart sank, but she should have realized this was inevitable. Then Efrain kicked at the ground and said, “I understand why. If I was you, I wouldn’t want to leave the Marlendes, either. They really like you.”

Emilie felt a twist of hope. Maybe he really did understand. Impulsively, she said, “Why don’t you stay, too?”

Efrain thought about it for a long moment. “I don’t think they’d want me around like they do you. They still think I’m a kid. And I don’t hate home the way you do. Besides,” he added, “I don’t want to leave Emery.”

The way Erin left all of us, Emilie thought, and the way I left you.

Emilie was digesting this when Miss Marlende returned. Efrain said, “Miss, could I get cab fare to the hotel where my uncle is staying? I think he’ll be very worried about me.”

Miss Marlende frowned. “Ah. Yes, I’d almost forgotten about that. I think perhaps my father had better take you there himself. I hope your uncle doesn’t think we kidnapped you.”

“No, I’ll tell him I snuck aboard and it was all my fault,” Efrain assured her. The fact that he didn’t seem the least bit afraid of Uncle Yeric appeared to reassure Miss Marlende, and she took Efrain to go find Dr Marlende. Emilie followed more slowly.

More carriages and people were arriving, including a man Miss Marlende said was Dr Amalus, advisor to the Ministry and the Ruling Council. Then suddenly a man dashed through the gates into the yard. Emilie recognized a hatless and hastily dressed Anton Deverrin. She said, “Miss Marlende, look!” and waved at him.

He saw them and started forward, and Miss Marlende pointed toward the work shed where the Deverrins had taken shelter. He bolted toward it and had almost reached the door when Miss Deverrin stepped out, Brendan behind her. They fell into each other’s arms.

Emilie’s eyes filled with tears, but at least it was for a good reason this time. Dr Marlende came over to Miss Marlende and stood watching. Miss Marlende put her arm around him and said, “There was nothing to be done. He was long dead before we arrived.”

He said, “I know.”

Emilie sniffed and wiped her eyes. It was a sober reminder that there was one person that they had failed to rescue.

Emilie woke the next morning, lying comfortably in a soft bed and under blankets that had been recently aired. It was a very agreeable sensation. She remembered she was on a day bed in one of the Marlende’s guest rooms. Professor Abindon had the bigger bed, and the other guest room was being shared by Daniel and Seth, who were staying overnight to make certain their injuries were tended. Mikel and Cobbier had gone to their own homes in town.

The previous night, while everyone was still running around sending telegrams and arranging coaches, Emilie had talked a little with Daniel. He had said, “I hope I didn’t… do or saying anything while that thing was… I mean I hope that–”

“You didn’t,” Emilie assured him. “Except, you know, you hit Seth.”

Daniel seemed relieved. “Oh, good. Not about Seth, I mean. I already apologized to him.”

“Do you remember anything that happened?”

“No, it was all a blank, like I was asleep.” He grimaced, obviously thinking about what it would have been like to be aware through the whole terrible experience. “I suppose that’s a good thing.”

“It would have been very frightening to have been watching and not able to stop.” His pained expression worried her, and she said again, “But really, all you did was take over the aether-sailer. It was Miss Marlende and I who attacked you.”

Daniel smiled a little. “Well, that’s nothing unusual.”

Now Emilie sat up, peering blearily around. Morning light was falling through the gaps in the curtains, and the professor was up getting dressed. She said, “Go back to sleep, if you like. I’m just an early riser.”

“Oh,” Emilie said, and thumped back down onto the pillow. Then the professor opened the door to the hall and the scent of sausages and hot bread wafted in, and Emilie flung the covers off.

She hurriedly washed in the bathroom next door and dressed, and found her way downstairs to the dining room and the attached parlor, where a number of people, including the Marlendes, the professor, Daniel, Seth, several students, and important members of the Philosophical Society were all eating breakfast, talking loudly, or listening to other people talk loudly. Emilie helped the housekeeper carry in another full platter from the kitchen, then managed to put together a plate of sausage, fried bread, and warm jam, and acquire a mug of tea. She found a chair in a corner and sat down to eat.

The Marlendes’ house was not large, but it was airy and comfortable, stuffed with books and framed maps and papers and philosophical equipment. There were no formal rooms; every place looked inviting, as if people often read or studied in every available spot.

“Emilie,” Miss Marlende said, “No, don’t stop eating. We’re going to need everyone to write up an account of their version of what happened to them during the expedition. I’ll need one from you, and Efrain if possible, then I’ll need your help collecting it all together for our report to the Society.”

Emilie nodded, still chewing. Maybe taking a typewriting course at some point soon wasn’t a bad idea.

A maid came to the doorway and signaled urgently to Miss Marlende. Miss Marlende followed her away, and Emilie finished eating, snagged one of the cream tarts some thoughtful person had brought in a bakery box, and then helped the housekeeper and some of the students clear away abandoned plates and cups. Daniel got up to help her. “You should be careful of your arm,” she told him.

Daniel balanced several cups on a plate. “Compared to what else I did to it, I doubt this will matter.”

Miss Marlende came back in and spoke to Dr Marlende for a moment, then to the professor. They both stood and started out of the room. Miss Marlende beckoned to Emilie to follow. She hurried after them, hoping it wasn’t bad news about Lord Engal.

She followed them into a room that must be someone’s study. The walls were lined with shelves of books and bound notebooks. There were overstuffed chairs, a big table to lay out the maps that were rolled up in various stands, and a desk piled with papers and books.

Miss Marlende turned to Emilie and said, “Your Uncle Yeric and Efrain are here, Emilie.”

Emilie froze for an instant. “Why? Is he going to try to make me leave with him? I won’t. I can go out over the garden wall if–”

“That won’t be necessary,” Dr Marlende said firmly. “He didn’t seem at all unreasonable last night, but perhaps that was because a journalist managed to hang on to the back of our carriage and follow us there.”

Professor Abindon sighed. “They are relentless. That’s one good thing about Engal; he keeps them in check without resorting to violence.”

Miss Marlende put her hands on Emilie’s shoulders and said, “Your uncle isn’t your guardian. Even though your older brother isn’t available, I don’t see how he can legally force you to go with him.” She looked thoughtful. “Do you think your older brother, once you do contact him, would have any serious objection to you remaining here with us, in our employment?”

Emilie thought about her conversations with Efrain, the reflection she had done on Erin’s behavior. “I would be surprised if he did,” she admitted. Erin had undoubtedly had his own reasons for leaving the way he had, though he had never mentioned them in the few letters he had written to her. But Emilie had to face the fact that it meant she would never be able to count on him. Accepting that didn’t feel nearly as bleak as she had thought it might. Mainly because she felt that now, if she needed him, she would be able to count on Efrain. And he could count on her.

Miss Marlende nodded. “I can summon a solicitor, then. I know Lord Engal has a number of them lying in wait all over the city.”

“First, let me just talk to the man,” Dr Marlende said. “We’ve managed to get along with beings from different aetheric planes; we should be able to settle this.”

Dr Marlende left the study, and Miss Marlende said, “I’d better get back to the others. Just wait here, Emilie. And remember that if you don’t want to see him, you won’t have to.”

Miss Marlende went back to the dining room, but the professor lingered a moment. She said, “I have a great deal of experience leaving people behind in anger. If you would like to talk about it later, I might be able to offer some perspective.”

Emilie smiled up at her. “Thank you.”

The professor nodded and went out. Emilie paced for a bit, too nervous to sit down. Then there was a tap on the door and Efrain peeked in. He saw her and walked in. “Dr Marlende said I should wait here.”

Emilie nodded, trying not to look anxious. “How was it going?”

Efrain told her, “I think it’ll be all right. When the airship lifted off, Uncle Yeric complained to the man who was there from the Philosophical Society, Mr Elathorn, and I think Mr Elathorn explained how important the Marlendes are and how Lord Engal is working with them and how important Lord Engal is. And then when Dr Marlende brought me back to the hotel, two journalists followed us and I guess they thought Uncle Yeric was an important person too, because Dr Marlende went to see him as soon as he got back, and I think that’s what they’re going to put in the newspaper.”

“Uncle Yeric is going to be in the newspaper?” Emilie boggled. She wondered how the village would react. It would be almost a shame not to see it. Almost.

“Yes, it’s going to be a big shock,” Efrain agreed.

They were still talking about it when Dr Marlende came in and said Emilie should talk to her Uncle Yeric, that he was of the opinion it would be all right.

Emilie walked into the downstairs parlor, her heart pounding. This had clearly been the room meant for greeting and entertaining formal guests at some point, but it was now filled with bookcases too, and some of the side tables had papers and writing materials left behind on them, as if some students had been hastily cleared out earlier.

Uncle Yeric was standing, clearly still uncomfortable. He said, “Ah, Emilie. Efrain tells me you wish to remain here.”

“Yes.” Emilie folded her hands and tried not to shift nervously. She could hear everyone upstairs in the dining room talking, which was somewhat reassuring.

Apparently pretending their earlier conversation at the airship yard had never taken place, Uncle Yeric said, “I suspect your aunt will not approve.”

“My brother Erin is my guardian–”

“Your brother Erin left his family without a word, with only a letter inadequately explaining his actions.” Uncle Yeric controlled himself with difficulty, and said in a more even tone, “I fear what would happen if you ever found yourself in a position where you had to depend on him.”

Emilie stared at him, struck all at once by a shocking revelation. Uncle Yeric was just as upset about Erin leaving as Efrain was, as she had been. And he had taken it out on her, just like Efrain and Emery had. Uncle Yeric and her aunt had blamed the fact that Emilie’s mother was an actress and somehow must have passed her feckless ways on to her children, causing Erin, who had been the oldest, the most favored, the child they had known best and liked best, to leave them without a glance backward. As the only girl, and the next oldest, Emilie had shouldered all the blame, a substitute for her mother and Erin. It wasn’t fair, and it wasn’t right, but at least she knew now. She said, slowly, “I wouldn’t want to depend on him, either. But if I have to leave the Marlendes’ employ, I can go to my cousin Karthea at Silk Harbor and help her with her school. She’s already said I can, if I want to.”

Uncle Yeric cleared his throat. “Ah, well. Your cousin has always been a very respectable young lady, despite her insistence on going to university.” He continued. “Dr Marlende assures me you will be staying under this roof, in the company of his daughter. You must write to your aunt, to let her know what your direction is. And write to her every fortnight, to let her know how you’re getting along.”

It seemed a small price to pay. Emilie said, “I will. I’ll write to her today.”