Chasing the Green Fairy: The Airship Racing Chronicles Read online

  “Hurry!” Jessup yelled.

  From the bottom of my bag, carefully wrapped in Byron’s shirt, I pulled out the fairy goggles. I pulled them on and ran to the side of the ship. Three lines of glowing golden light emanated from the stones. One moved north-east toward Arcadia. One moved south-east toward Stonehenge. The third line passed east toward London. The fey lines. The flowing energy of the realm.

  “Angus, cruising speed,” I called.

  “What!” Angus stuck his head out of the galley. “What! And what the fuck are you wearing?”

  “I know what to do. Jessup, hold tight. I know what to do,” I said then steered the ship toward the fey line.

  “Lily?” Jessup called.

  “Lily!” Angus echoed.

  “What is she doing?” Jessup called to Angus. “Lily, you are taking us off course!”

  “Just hold on,” I called. “Robin, I hope you’re right,” I whispered.

  When the Stargazer settled in above the glow of the fey line, it was like someone tugged the ship by the nose. The Stargazer hurled forward with tremendous speed. In the basket above, Jessup pitched sideways, losing his footing.

  “Are you all right?” I called.

  He grabbed the side of the basket and held tight. “What the hell? I’m okay!”

  Angus, who had braced himself against the galley door, stared back at me. “What is going on?”

  “A shear,” I called back, holding onto the wheel of the Stargazer as I guided her path along the fey line. We flew past Grant who ran to the side of his ship. While the fey line was not leading us on the most direct of paths, it was taking us where we needed to go—fast.

  “What kind of shear?” Angus yelled back to me. “The wind isn’t even blowing!”

  “Lily!” Jessup demanded.

  “Lily!” Angus echoed.

  “It’s a fey line! We’re riding the ancient path.”

  “What!” Angus and Jessup yelled in unison.

  Angus crawled out of the galley and went to the prow. “I don’t see anything. Jessup?” Angus called.

  Jessup, who had gotten himself upright again, was gazing out at the horizon. He was silent. “Jessup!” Angus called again.

  “Just close your eyes and feel,” Jessup yelled back.

  He was right, you could feel the crackling sensation of energy all around you. I had felt it before, I just never knew what it was. Not until Arcadia. Reluctantly, Angus did as Jessup suggested. After a few minutes, he turned and went back to the galley. “Let’s ride,” he said then dropped into the galley.

  I stayed the course. Following the fey line, I flew the ship toward London. We flew steady, silent and steady, back home. Robin. It was Robin who had guided us. Thanks to Robin, we could still win the race. The notion both thrilled and frightened me. But I reminded myself that Robin was not Ianthe. This was not a favor that was going to cost me. I trusted Robin.

  As we came into London, the glowing light of the line began to weaken. It was like the city had somehow subdued the ancient energy. I pulled off the goggles and safely stowed them in my bag. Once more, we were running on the Stargazer’s speed alone.

  “See anyone?” I asked Jessup as we neared the towers.

  “Someone . . . I can’t make out who,” Jessup called.

  London was alive with sound. They’d been waiting for this moment, for the first of the ships to arrive. It was already dusk. The air coming off the Thames was cool. The city was alive with excitement. It was May Day. As we neared the towers, I saw the colorful tents in the streets. They had lit bonfires all along the Thames. As we flew overhead, the crowd cheered.

  I eyed the platform. Only one other racing ship was in port. It was the Gideon, and the ship was damaged. It must have limped in across country from Edinburgh. We guided the Stargazer in like it was just another day. We were just porting at London like we always did. No one even said a word, we just did our job. We’d come home, but we’d come home winners.

  Much of the crowd on the platform was cheering. In the streets below, everyone rooted us on. I was proud of the Stargazer. She was a symbol of the capabilities of the people of our realm. It moved me to tears to know the people were glad to see us come home first.

  Small cannons erupted, shooting streamers of multicolored ribbons into the air. The rainbow of colors twisted in the wind. The excited crowd below cheered. Fireworks dazzled with golden light against the late afternoon sky. I steered the Stargazer into dock. Angus threw the anchor lines to the platform crew. We were home. By tapping into the ancient spirit of our realm, we had won. For Byron.

  SOUR FACED, GRANT DOCKED THE Comus about twenty minutes later. And to my great delight, the Falstaff came in third. After Bigsby and Grant arrived, the league chairman ushered us all to the winner’s platform for what he assured us would be a very special honor. Sal stood waiting on the notables’ platform. He waved to me. He was smiling proudly.

  “Ladies and gentlemen,” the league chairman called, hushing the crowd. “Ladies and gentlemen, let’s have a cheer for the Falstaff, Comus, and Stargazer,” his voice boomed into a megaphone.

  From the tower to the streets below, everyone cheered.

  “This is a very special day,” the league chairman boomed. “Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome a special guest who has come to bestow the awards on the winners.”

  With a flourish of trumpets, a sea of red velvet bedecked footmen flooded the platform, King George at the center. There was a shocked hush as his majesty, who rarely made public appearances, made his way toward us. Having taken in the magnitude of what they were seeing, the crowd then erupted into a wild cheer. I could not believe it either.

  King George took the podium. The league chairman tried to hand him the megaphone, but he brushed the man aside. The monarch needed no assistance. Everyone fell silent.

  “Congratulations, winners,” King George began. “What a glorious day for racing,” he said, motioning to the sky above. “As a boy, Archibald Boatswain must have looked toward the firmament and called down inspiration. How does one travel across heavens? Boatswain used the only tools at his disposal to answer such questions. With these,” he said, lifting then turning his hands, “and with this,” he added, placing his hand on his heart. “Hands and heart. These are the tools of our airship pilots. It is a profession for the passionate. And before us, we have the most passionate pilots in our realm,” he said, winking at me.

  “Now, for our third place team,” he announced, his voice booming across the sky, “the bronze trophy.” The King handed a quivering Bigsby a bronze trophy cast in the shape of an airship.

  “For our second place team, the silver trophy,” the King said, motioning Grant to come forward and claim his prize. Bowing deeply, his hair falling over his eyes, Grant accepted the award.

  “And for our first place winner, the reigning World Champions, and our lovely May Day Queen, we have a special token of our esteem,” the King said then motioned two footmen to come forward. With them, they carried a large item hidden under a red velvet drape. Grandstanding a bit, the King removed the cover with a flourish. Under the drape was Boatswain’s schematic of the first airship framed elaborately in gold. I motioned for Angus and Jessup to go forward and take the frame.

  “Congratulations to the crew of the Stargazer,” King George cheered. He gestured for me to come forward. He kissed the back of my hand then eyed me curiously. “Woad?” He shook his head. “What a Celt,” he added. In one fell swoop, King George delivered a message that everyone could understand: the Stargazer was untouchable.

  King George waved to the crowd. Everyone cheered loudly. His majesty, again surrounded by a sea of red velvet, made his way to an airship anchored nearby. The king waved once more as the airship pulled up anchor and headed toward Windsor, leaving us all in awe.

  ANGUS AND JESSUP CONGRATULATED BIGSBY and his crew while I looked for Sal. He emerged from the notables’ platform. I waved to him. Grant’s sponsors passed by looking more sou
r than Grant himself.

  “My wife,” Sal said excitedly, lifting me off the ground and kissing me hard. “A woman with the winds in her heart,” he added, setting me back down.

  “Wait until she tells you how she managed it,” Angus said.

  Sal looked curiously at me.

  “Later,” I said with a grin. Suddenly, I was feeling exhausted.

  Sal bent to look at the schematic Jessup was propping up. Duncan joined Angus, hugging his brother tightly. I turned to see Grant, who looked like he’d just been flayed by his sponsors, heading back down the platform toward the Comus.

  I went after him. “Julius?”

  As I had done to him at The Lancelot Club, he ignored me.

  “Julius?” I called again.

  He stopped, his trophy hanging loosely in his hand. “What is it, Lily?”

  “I wanted to ask you about your sails. They’re legal? The design . . . it’s brilliant. Are they detachable? Did you stow them on deck?”

  Grant eyed me curiously. “How did you move so fast?” he asked.

  “Pardon?”

  “Outside Bristol.”

  I shrugged. “I caught a shear.”

  “What shear?”

  “You didn’t feel it?”

  Grant pushed his hair behind his ear. His eyes narrowed. “No, I didn’t.”

  “It was just luck. Your sails, however, are bloody brilliant.”

  “I’m so pleased you admire them,” he said sarcastically.

  I frowned. “Look, Julius-”

  “If you want sails, go to Brittany,” he said, interrupting me. “A . . . tinker named Largoët,” Grant said then waited for my reaction.

  “Largoët?”

  Grant smirked. “Congratulations on the win. Good luck in the Prix,” he said then hopped onto his ship.

  Rattled, I boarded the Stargazer. I went astern and looked out at the river. The Thames was usually dark and muddy, but as the sky turned orange and pink, the river reflected the sunset. From the streets below, I heard the voice of the city. It was full of excitement. People were singing the May Day song. Colorful ribbons, snagged by the tree limbs, twisted in the breeze. I caught the scent of roasting meat, peanuts, and baked sweets in the wind. The mix of smells made me feel nauseous. I leaned against the rail. On the Southbank, a stand of hawthorn trees was in full bloom. The sweet scent of their white blossoms forced out the carnival smells. The breeze shook the trees. Petals dusted the water.

  Suddenly, light flashed from amongst the trees. Once again, the clockwork fairy fluttered toward me. This time, however, she carried a small package. I held out my hands. The clockwork fairy dropped the item therein then headed back across the river. I opened the package. Inside, I found a necklace. The pendant was a heart carved from simple limestone, but it was sided by clockwork wings. I touched the heart. The wings began to flutter. Digging the fairy goggles from my bag, I pulled them on then looked toward the trees. Under the branches, small winged creatures flitted about in the sparkling, golden light. Robin stood in the center of their glow. He raised his hand. Smiling, I pulled off my hat and goggles then bowed. Robin chuckled, waved once more, then turned and disappeared back into the green.

  Thank you for reading Chasing the Green Fairy, The Airship Racing Chronicles II!

  If you enjoyed your trip on the Airship Stargazer, please consider telling your friends or posting a short review. Word of mouth is an author's best friend. Thank you so much!

  A DEBT OF GRATITUDE TO:

  My husband and my beloved family for their continued support of my work.

  Cat Carlson Amick for her work on and dedication to this series.

  Naomi Clewett for her help and encouragement.

  Margo Bond Collins for her many contributions to this novel and for teaching me not to use the word snuck.

  Toni Lestaz, Mark Fisher, and Michael Hall Jr. for your contributions, big and small, to my writing career.

  The Airship Stargazer Ground Crew for helping me spread the word about all things Stargazer! You guys rock!

  The bloggers! I owe a massive debt of gratitude to the book bloggers who have embraced my writing and support my works! Thank you so much!

  Melanie Karsak grew up in rural northwestern Pennsylvania where there wasn’t much to do but read books and go for hikes. She wrote her first novel, a gripping piece about a 1920s stage actress, when she was 12. Today, Melanie, a steampunk connoisseur, white elephant collector, and caffeine junkie, lives in Florida with her husband and two children. She is an Instructor of English at Eastern Florida State College.

  Keep in touch with the author online. She’s really nice!

  Blog: http://www.melaniekarsak.blogspot.com

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  Table of Contents

  Also by Melanie Karsak

  Copyright

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Acknowledgments

  About the Author