The Shadow Dragons - James A. Owen [92]
The tattooed gatekeeper was standing in front of Kipling. His arms were raised, and he was turning around, giving the rebel Caretaker a full view of the fraudulent signatures.
“Drat,” Charles exclaimed. “I thought it was a clever idea.”
“So what should we do?” said Stephen. “If we leave to bring reinforcements, they might do the same.”
“I say we simply attack,” said Nemo, rising. “We’re all warriors here, are we not? Then let’s have a battle!”
“Sit down!” Jack whispered, pulling the young captain off his feet. “You’ll get us all killed!”
“Are you afraid to fight?” Nemo scoffed. “Perhaps you ought to stick to your books.”
“I’m not afraid,” said Jack calmly, “but I’m not stupid, either. You should learn that a good plan beats a swift attack.”
“So what do you propose?” said Stephen.
“We brought the Valkyries along as defense against the witches,” Jack said. “I think they’ll serve us better as a distraction.”
“But the bird-men,” Nemo began.
“Are flightless,” said Jack. “They can’t fight what they cannot reach.”
Torches were lit, and Jack’s plan was put into motion. The Valkyries were sent aloft, and almost instantly they caught the attention of the Un-Men.
Laura Glue, Sadie Pepperpot, Abby Tornado, and Norah Kiffensdottir each took a compass point above the tower and hurled the torches into the scaffolding. Then, as one, they flew to the north.
As Jack had hoped, Kipling sent half the Yoricks up into the tower to douse the flames, while he led the other half in pursuit of the cackling Valkyries.
“Nonny, nonny, nonny!” Norah called down. “Stupid birds!”
“Discipline, Norah,” said Laura Glue. “If you’re going to taunt them, remember to stick out your tongue.”
“Sorry,” said Norah. “I forgot.”
“Aren’t you worried about the Valkyries?” asked Nemo. “What about the witches?”
“They’ll be fine,” said Stephen. “Laura Glue can outmaneuver any bicycle ever made, flying or not.”
“Now,” said Jack, “we finish the job.”
Suddenly Magwich let out a howl and threw himself over the bushes, past his surprised guards. “Chancellor!” he cried out. “Wait for me! I’m coming!”
“Nothing to do now but follow that idiot,” said Charles as he grabbed a torch. “Let’s go.”
The small group ran after the Green Knight, who was losing sand with every footfall. They caught up to him just as he reached the tower.
“Magwich, you fool,” Charles exclaimed as the knight started to climb the steps. “We’re going to burn it down! Come back here!”
“I’m not coming down!” yelled Magwich. “One of these will open for me! I know it!” But every door he tried was locked.
“What do we do?” asked Jack.
“He made his choice,” said Charles, “and we have none.” He thrust the torch into the lumber at the base of the tower.
Once the flames caught the first planks, the rest of the base burst into flame in a matter of minutes. In no time at all the entire tower was a raging inferno of blue flame.
“Look at that thing burn,” said Fred. “You’re really good at setting fires, Charles.”
“Thanks,” said Charles. “It seems I have a special knack for destroying Keeps of Time.”
The Valkyries circled back around just as the others reached the Trump portal. By now, the flames from the burning tower could be seen from many miles away.
“We lost them,” said Laura Glue. “They’ll not catch us before we’re long gone.”
“Excellent,” Charles said as he stepped through the portal. “With the exception of Magwich, this couldn’t have gone better.”
Jack felt the same way—but as he was preparing to step through the portal himself, he glanced back to where the gatekeeper had been . . .
. . . and he saw Kipling, who waved, then stepped through a Trump of his own.
The war council cheered at the news of the successful raid against the tower, then despaired as Jack told them what he had seen.
“They have been a step ahead of us the entire time,” Defoe complained. “They knew about the raid, and after it was carried out, Kipling waves at you?”
“It could simply be an act of chivalry,” said Spenser. “Acknowledging the victory of a superior opponent.”
“I’m not feeling all