Read Online Sargasso Skies by Allan Jones - Free Book Online

arms.
    â€œHave you it, mousetro?” asked the count.
    â€œYou go too quick!” complained the conductor.
    â€œBut have you it, yes?”
    â€œYes, yes, I have it!”
    â€œThen is all good!” boomed the count, straightening up and letting his voice roar out through the opera house. “Wonderful is it all! At two o’clock this afternoon will there be dress rehearsal! Last touches finish, and then for lunch will everyone break.”
    Â 
    A few busy hours later Esmeralda, Jack, and Trundle were sitting quietly together at the side of the stage, their legs swinging as they nibbled their gruel sandwiches. All over the auditorium, worn-out animals were also having a well-earned break.
    â€œThis stuff is just awful,” moaned Esmeralda, putting her sandwich aside and making a disgusted face.
    â€œReally?” said Trundle, eating appreciatively. “I was thinking it reminds me of home.”
    â€œIt would.” Jack sighed, chewing slowly. “It tastes like week-old cabbage!”
    â€œI think we should have a quick word with the commander,” said Esmeralda, nodding over to where the fat old bulldog was sitting in a circle of his Hernswick Hounds. Trundle had told her all about the nocturnal activities of the soldier dogs and the lizards, and she was determined to find out whether he had guessed correctly.
    The three friends headed over to the ring of dogs and stood at the commander’s side.
    â€œWe know where you’re getting your powerstone from,” Trundle said in a low voice. “I saw your people and the lizards together last night.”
    The Commander frowned at him. “Fine chaps, those lizards,” he barked. “They’re a bit of a rabble, but show ’em some authority and they soon rally round the flag, don’t you know. Meek as dormice. Most obliging fellows.”
    â€œAnd have they given you enough powerstone to fly out of here yet?” asked Jack.
    The commander’s voice dropped to a conspiratorial whisper. “Last night was the final consignment,” he hissed. “All in order. Final checklist and we’re off. Splendid job! First rate!”
    â€œYou still haven’t told us how you plan on getting the windship out from under the dome,” said Esmeralda.
    â€œAha! That’s all in hand, young lady!” said the Commander. “We’ve been systematically weakening the roof beams over the past weeks. Sawing through ’em, don’t you know. All carefully planned. When the ‘Ride of the Volekyries’ reaches its crescendo, my most reliable hounds will make their way up to the dome and saw through the remaining supports. The dome has powerstone attached. It’ll simply float away! Then we get everybody aboard, and sail off! Mission complete!”
    He eyed them suspiciously. “You’ve been collaborating with the enemy,” he growled. “Bad show! But you helped to keep that nutty old Lion busy while we finished our work—so there are places on the windship for the three of you, if you’re interested.”
    â€œHow do you plan on getting through the whirlwinds up there?” asked Jack.
    â€œNo problem!” declared the commander. “Expert navigators aboard. Excellent windshipmen. They’ll find a way through. Absolutely!”
    â€œYou mean the same excellent navigators who got you marooned here in the first place?” said Esmeralda. “I see.” She turned to Trundle and Jack, twirling her fingers at the side of her head and going cross-eyed.
    â€œAnd if you do break through, where will you be heading?” asked Trundle.
    â€œBack to Hernswick,” snapped the bulldog. “Reporting for duty! Imperative I explain absence from the flotilla. Court-martial otherwise!”
    â€œSo you wouldn’t be going anywhere near Hammerland, then?” asked Trundle.
    â€œRather not!” said the Commander. “Totally wrong