Iron Horsemen by Brad R. Cook Read Free Book Online Page B

hurt her.
    â€œWhat the hell is that?” The startled captain asked.
    Genevieve stood like a proper English noblewoman and announced, “He’s my dragon. Now, if you please, may we have the honor of knowing whom we are addressing?”
    The men laughed again. “I am Baldarich, captain of this vessel and raider of the sky.” He smiled and bowed. “What brings you to my ship, other than your displeasure with your previous
watery
accommodations? Two young lovers running away? No, I don’t think so. Too determined.” He looked us over and ran his fingers along his sideburns and mustache. “I want the truth or you can feed the fishes.”
    Genevieve’s brow lowered. “You were taking a man to Gibraltar, we were sent to replace him.”
    The blue-turbaned teenager, dressed in a matching tunic over white pants, stepped between them. “Captain, I know this girl.”
    From the look on Genevieve’s face, I could tell she didn’t know him.
    â€œI know her father, Baron Kensington.” The Indian man appeared to be slightly older than me. “They have the same spark, and he, too, had a dragon of bronze.”
    â€œWhat a small world we live in.” The captain leered at us. “Now where is your father?”
    I blurted out, “My father was kidnapped and I am trying to rescue him.”
    Genevieve said, “And
my
father was going to search for
his
father, but was attacked and poisoned before he had the chance. I now seek his cure.”
    The Indian teenager approached Genevieve. Rodin shifted but seemed to smell something familiar and eased his stance. With a look of concern he said, “I am sorry to hear of your father. May my gods and yours bless his health.”
    As Genevieve bowed her head in thanks, I asked,“Captain Baldarich, will you please take us to the Port of Gibraltar? I don’t have much to offer, but I’m certain that Queen Victoria would reward you.”
    The four men laughed, and the cowboy slapped his knee.
    Genevieve stepped forward. “If you’ll grant us transport, I can pay you when we arrive back in England.”
    Captain Baldarich crossed his arms. “We’re on our way to Gibraltar; I could take you there. For a price.”
    â€œCaptain, I wish to aid this girl,” the boy in the blue turban said. “Her father helped smuggle me out of India.”
    â€œI understand.” Baldarich nodded. “Well, young lady, this is going to cost you—to Gibraltar and back, plus fighting. ’Cause you know there is going to be fighting. But we are having a deal on saving damsels in distress, and I owe this guy a favor or two. It will cost you a thousand Pounds Sterling. Same offer I made your father.”
    I sighed and leaned against the one of the corridor arches. Where would we ever get that kind of money?
    Genevieve smiled and nodded. She stuck out her hand. “Deal.”
    The captain laughed and clasped her hand in his. “Welcome to the Sparrowhawk!”

CHAPTER 8
THE SPARROWHAWK
    Baldarich gestured toward the cowboy. “This is my first mate, Ignatius Peacemaker, fastest draw this side of the Atlantic.” The cowboy tipped his hat to us as the captain turned to the man on his left. “That’s Hunter, and this beauty is Gretel, his elephant gun. The man you really owe is my boatswain, Indihar Singh. He’s in charge of the crew so you call him Mr. Singh.”
    I gestured toward the boy. “But he’s a kid?”
    Baldarich laughed. “That’s why he’s so good. He’s a Sikh, only seventeen, but he’s the best warrior I got, and the kid
knows
how to airsail.”
    I nodded to the three men, relieved to have found some help. The dripping wet Genevieve curtsied in her men’s clothes.
    Baldarich leaned toward Ignatius, “Get us out here, have bunks prepared and let Gustav know there’ll be two more for dinner.” He started to