Emilie & the Hollow World by Martha Wells Read Free Book Online Page A

and said, “If you need anything, I'm Mrs. Verian.”
    Emilie thanked her, took her mug of tea, and retreated. She went back up the stairs to the passenger decks, since she was less likely to be noticed there. Recalling there were tables and chairs on the glass-enclosed promenade, she headed for it.
    The hatch was already open. Emilie peeked out cautiously, and saw Miss Marlende seated at a table. Kenar was nearby, perched on a supply locker built against the wall. They were looking out at the view, which was so arresting Emilie had to stop and stare a moment.
    The ship was moving slowly, the low throb of the engines the only sound as they sailed along the edge of the flooded city. The clear water sparkled in the sunlight, and their wake lapped at the white towers, the wide pitched roof of a submerged building, a line of artistically twisted columns that marched away to nowhere. Emilie supposed there was no time to stop and explore, not before they had rescued Dr. Marlende. But maybe we'll have to come back this way, and have time to stop then, she thought.
    Her stomach grumbled again, and she stepped out onto the promenade. She meant to say something polite, but then saw the distant shape in the sky. “What's that?” she demanded, interrupting their conversation.
    She couldn't tell how far away it was. It hung in the sky, like a solid band of heavy gray cloud, except something seemed to be stretching up from it, a translucent column that vanished high in the air. Miss Marlende followed her gaze. “Oh, that. It's the other outlet for the Aerinterre aether current, the one that's connected to Mount Tovera in the surface world.” She sounded much calmer than she had in the wheelhouse. Perhaps Lord Engal's assertion that he still meant to find her father had reassured her somewhat. “There's so much free aether in the air here that we can actually see it with the naked eye, if the weather conditions are right.”
    “Oh.” Emilie blinked, recalling herself. She stepped toward the table. “I hope I'm not interrupting.”
    “No, we were wondering where you went- Where did you get that?” Miss Marlende said, as Emilie set her plate down and took a seat.
    “The crew galley,” Emilie said, and started to eat.
    “It's better than what they had in the passenger lounge.” Miss Marlende sat back with a sigh. Kenar made a disparaging noise, and she said, “Oh yes, oyster cocktail and salad are fine for you.” She explained to Emilie, “He doesn't eat meat, he thinks our vegetables are odd and our fruit tasteless.”
    Chewing sausage and potatoes, Emilie glanced back at Kenar. He had shed the greatcoat and changed clothes. Over the trousers and worn leather boots, he wore a sleeveless red shirt studded with gold disks around the hem, and gold chains woven through his mane. It accented his alien appearance, making it easier to see the dark scales on his arms and where they gave way to short dark fur that spread up across his shoulders. He looked much more comfortable and much more at ease. She swallowed and said, “But you have pointed teeth.”
    He took an apple out of a pocket and said, “You have flat teeth, and look what you're eating.”
    “True.” Emilie polished off a piece of bread, and decided to try to get a few more answers. She asked, “Who is Lord Ivers, and why is everyone worried about him?”
    Miss Marlende's brow furrowed, but she explained, “He's a very wealthy man, like Lord Engal, and he studies aetheric currents, like Lord Engal. We believe it's Lord Ivers who was responsible for the dock-raiders who attacked us last night. It wasn't just a coincidence; there were a few earlier attempts.”
    “He wants the credit for the discovery?” Emilie guessed. She didn't know much about the prominent sorcerers and philosophers of Menea, preferring the more dramatic imaginary versions in popular novels. But in her aunt's society journal, she had seen mentions of awards and royal honors for philosophical