Spear of the Windigos (Daring Do #2)

by BookeCypher


Chapter 11

“I want to reiterate my opinion that this plan is really bucking stupid!”

“You're opinion has been noted, professor Talon,” Masra whispered. “Not please shut your screaming howler before you get us caught.”

Storm Talon's beak snapped shut with an audible click as the two pressed themselves against the wall. Just around the corner, the dock for the airship was just up ahead, the golden armor of the two Royal Guards watching the gangway gleaming in the lantern light. At this late hour there was nopony else around, save for themselves and the guards. Which was just how Masra preferred it – less variables that way.

With one last moment to compose herself, Masra stepped out around the corner and started down toward the guards. The guards, to their credit, quickly stopped their conversation and snapped to attention as she approached. The university president came to a stop in front of them, staring down her snout at them as she spoke. “Gentlecolts, I assume you are aware who I am?”

“Yes ma'am,” One of them said in a low rumble. “How can we help you, President Masra?”

“You can step aside, to start.” Masra ordered. “You have an experimental airship hovering over my school and I intend to make sure it's safe.”

“Afraid we can't do that, Ma'am.” the other guard replied, “authorized personnel only.”

“Then escort me,” Masra replied, “Or call your commanding officer and get me authorization.”

“If I might ask, Ma'am,” The guard replied. “Why didn't you ask earlier?”

Masra rolled her eyes. “Because implying the airship over the school is dangerous is such a good way to keep a bunch of civilians calm.” She snorted. “And I didn't expect getting onto an Airship parked at my school would be so difficult.”

“I'll go call command then,” the guard turned to his partner. “Bushel, keep her company until I get back.”

Bushel nodded as his partner walked off, “Sure thing Sachel.” he turned back to Masra. “I'm sure you understand, madam president – protocol and all.”

Masra nodded stiffly, still looking very annoyed. “Of course, of course – I intend to find out why I wasn't cleared before.”
“Need to know and all that, I imagine,” Bushel replied with a shrug. “Probably-”

“What the-GAH,” Bushel and Masra's conversation was cut off as Sachel's voice came from just around the corner, followed by a heavy thud.

“...Sachel?” Bushel called out after a moment. “You okay?” No response. He held a hoof out in front of Masra as he took a step forward. “Stay behind me ma'am.”

“Certainly,” Masra replied with a curt nod as the guard took a few careful steps forward, putting himself between whatever lurked around the corner and the university president.

So, naturally, he wasn't ready when Masra's hoof slammed down into the back of his skull.

Masra lowered the now limp guard to the ground before checking to make sure he did, in fact, still have a pulse. With the guards unconscious status confirmed, she stood back up and turned to the corner. “All clear.”

Storm Talon stepped around the corner, letting the other guard slump the the floor as he did. “Well,” he quipped as he stared at the two guards. “looks like we just committed treason.” He turned to Masra. “You still hang people for that around here?”

“That's you griffons,” Masra replied casually as she shot off a small flare spell. “we haven't hung anypony since the Nightmare Wars.”

“So a bucking oubliette then,” Storm snapped back. “Either way, if we get caught are lives are so squawking over I might as well skin my own ass.”

“Oh stop being melodramatic,” Masra replied with a wave of a hoof as she grabbed the comatose guard by the tail. “You are assuming the military would be willing to lose face like that. Now drag your guard over here – we can lock them in the cupboard.”

“Did you steal half this plan from a goddess-damned novel?” Storm asked even as he complied with the order. “Its a gorram warship – its got a brig.”

“And have them in place to breakout and cause trouble?” Masra replied. “Not a chance. We might be able to convince them to help us, but the chance of them simply derailing the operation is to great. Tying them up and leaving them gives us the highest probability of success.” She tossed her guard into the closet before glancing back over the school grounds and at the clock tower. “We have twenty-three minutes until the local sky patrol expects a departure for late night sky trials. Is Miss Rasa in position?”

Storm shrugged. “Damned if I know. The egghead can take care of herself or stay here and rot.” Storm tossed the second guard in after the first and slammed the door shut. One of the guards inside gave out a low groan, but they were otherwise silent as he turned to Masra. “Got the key for this thing?”

“Don't be ridiculous,” Masra replied as she paced around the small docking area. “Broom closets don't bother with locks – aha.” She disappeared around a corner for an instant before re-emerging with a large crate in tow. “They do, however, open outward.”

Talon watched as Masra casually pushed the crate toward the door with a casual ease that, if it wasn't for the rather deep divots it left when she pushed it across a planter, he'd have thought it was empty. After she had shoved it into place against the door, Talon idly lifted the top off and glanced inside. “Spare parts,” he quipped. “Probably for the drive system.” A pony-sized box full of iron.

Bucking earth ponies.

“Given the size of the closet, neither of them should be able to get enough leverage to shift that any time soon,” Masra said with a tone that suggested she'd done this before as she started across the gangway. “Professor, if you would be so kind as to sweep your half of the ship for any other guests?”

Storm grumbled a vague affirmative as he opted to forgo the latter and simply dropped through the open cargo hatch without even bothering to flare his wings. The craft was little more then a sloop, a single deck below the main deck. At least that made it quick to sweep.

Masra was already on the main deck by the time Storm finished his sweep, murmuring to herself as she looked at the rigging overhead. The array of ropes and pulleys spread from the underside of the envelope and out to the sides where the main sails were furled. “Problems?” Storm Talon asked as he approached.

“They're using non-standard rigging,” Masra replied without looking down. “First time I've seen it on a combat-rated vessel.”

Storm raised an eyebrow. “Can she sail the damn thing or not?”

Masra finally looked down and gave the griffon an even stare. “She will be fine. Just report to your station and be ready to follow my commands.” Masra didn't bother waiting for a confirmation as she trotted toward the prow of the ship. Talon muttered some choice curses under his breath as he stomped off in the opposite direction, hopping up the short flight of steps up to the wheel deck.

The wheel waiting for him was more-or-less a standard airship wheel – large and bespoked with a hinge at the steering columns base to push and pull it for altitude. It was a little smaller then usual, but then again so was the ship. He gave it an idle flick before glancing back up across the deck. “So,” he shouted, “What now?”

The response came in the form of a rope ladder getting slung over the edge of the railing. “Now we let Miss Rasa aboard.” After a moment, the ladder shuttered and soon their was the steady sound of rope squeaking against the railing as somepony climbed their way up. What eventually reached the top was a very tired looking librarian. “Miss Rasa,” Masra said as the unicorn flopped onto the deck limply, “Welcome aboard.”

“G-Glad...” Tabula Rasa managed between gasps, “Glad to be aboard. Are we good to go?”

“Indeed,” Masra replied as she started pulling up the ladder. “My contact in Hoofington will provision us for the rest of the trip once we can reach him. Professor Talon, please pull us out of the University and set course for Hoofington.”

“You're girl gonna be able to do this?” Talon asked, unconvinced.

Masra gave Talon an small smirk before turning to the librarian. “Miss Rasa?”

“Right...” Tabula took a deep breath before her horn was wrapped in amber light, followed shortly by a similarly colored sheen coating almost the entire vessel.

At once, the ropes tying the ship to the bollards that had been bolted in place for the ship came undone, slinking off the sides of the building before being pulled skyward and coiling onto the deck. Sails unfurled as invisible hooves ran out the lines, pulleys whining as booms and masts swung around until the canvas billowed out as it caught the evening breeze. “By the Egg...” Storm Talon muttered before the deck shuttered beneath him. Spitting out another curse, he wrapped a claw around the wheel and gave it a sharp turn. Control planes and reaction sails responding in turn as the ship began to shift laterally out of it mooring. “Three meters from dock, Ma'am!” Storm Talon shouted out, old training and habits kicking in as he glanced at toward the now retreating university.

“Increase altitude,” Masra ordered as she paced the main deck. “and mind the buildings – damages will come out of your paycheck. Time check, Mister Talon.”

“Yeah, yeah...” He grumbled as he glanced at the chronometer mounted off to one side of the deck, bobbing slightly in its bearings. “Quarter til midnight, Canterlot time!” He shouted.

“Right on schedule then,” Masra replied, “So long as the papers I filed were properly processed, we should remain unmolested within city airspace. Increase altitude to one hundred and twenty meters and change bearing to three-two-zero.”

“You gonna help or are you going to give orders all night?” Storm Talon snapped as he twisted the wheel around. The ship responded in kind, pulling up even as it banked to the left, skimming over the university roof as one of the school courtyards came into view.

“I am ensuring we maintain course,” Masra replied, to which Talon only grumbled.

They managed to make it all the way out of the University's boundaries before anything went wrong.

They were passing over the last of the University dormitories when down below a series of lights burst to life down below. Tabula Rasa was the first to notice them as she peered over the railing. “Wait – isn't that the Guard barracks?”

Talon glanced over the railing and started cursing violently. Sure enough, the librarian was right – the one barracks that was stirring to life was the one that had been handed over to the contingent of guards that had come with the ship. “Guess they noticed we took their toy.” Talon shouted toward Masra. “Whats the plan now?”

“Emergency climb, Mister Talon!” Masra ordered. “Get us in the clouds now.”

“Not sure what bucking good that will do us,” Talon shouted back as he none-the-less followed the order.

The whole deck lurched beneath Masra as the ship rapidly began to climb, “Leave that to me, Professor – Miss Rasa, be ready to deploy keeping sails on my mark!”

Below them, A half-dozen pegasus guards had already taken wing and were now making a beeline for the ship. It was climbing rapidly, and disappeared into the clouds before they could close. No matter. “Clearing formation!” the lead pegasus bellowed and the other's jumped to obey. Seconds after the order was given, the cloud was surrounded by pegasi who, in trained unison, gave the cloud a hard buck that reduced it to quickly dispersing vapor.

And when it cleared they found open sky.

“What in the-” The lead pegasus murmured before spinning around toward the rest of his forces. “Does anypony have a visual!?” A flurry of negatives came back.

As the pegasus guards cursed and fumed, a little ways up and a great ways to their left, a thin sloop silently rose out of the middle of a cloud. Standing next to the wheel, Talon blinked a few times as he glanced around. “...huh. Next time, start with that one.”

“Can't,” Masra said, sounding winded but somehow still on her hooves as she leaned against the wheel. “conditions need to be just right.”

“Where did you learn a trick like that, president?” Tabula Rasa asked as she stared at her boss.

Masra gave a small smirk as she nodded toward her cutie mark and its silk-wrapped dagger. “My childhood. Many things can be hidden if you are clever - A ship is no different then a dagger – just larger.” Tabula nodded silently as Masra took a quick look around. “Good...given their confusion and reporting times, we should be well out of town before the rest of the watch stations can be alerted.”

“Assuming nothing else goes wrong,” Talon muttered. “So, whats the plan for when the shit does hit the fan?”

“Keep moving forward,” Masra replied matter-of-factly as she stepped away from the wheel. “We are operating on a very restricted time schedule, if miss Rasa's report's are right. We do not have time to stand and fight until we reach our destination.”

“President...” Tabula Rasa started, “Who else might try to, uh, stop us?”

“Royal Guards,” Masra replied with a shrug, “at least until we leave Canterlot airspace. After that, our main worry will be weather, raiders and whoever else might be after whatever Miss Do and Miss Tock might have found, if there is anyone.”

“I see...” Tabula replied as she started digging through her bags, “well, I don't know much about raiders or if anyone might have found the same ruins as Daring, but I can help with the weather.” At that, she pulled a worn-looking book from her bag. “And I can help with navigation, if you need assistance with that.”

“That would be much appreciated, Miss Rasa,” Masra nodded. “Please take up post on the wheel deck – there should be a chronometer and compass in place.”

“Yes ma'am,” Tabula replied with a nod before heading up the brief flight of stairs.

Talon gave her a glance before turning back to Masra. “I can navigate just fine, thank you very much.”

“I am right behind you, professor,” Tabula interjected with a frown, but Storm ignored her.

“I don't need a librarian telling me how to fly.” Talon said flatly. “I thought she was here for the ropes.”

“She is here because she is a highly skilled mage and and scholar,” Masra corrected. “But if you would like to fly in circles over the mountains until our enemies find us and turn you into pillow stuffing, then by all means – be my guest.”

“Fine, fine...” Talon muttered as he glanced back at Tabula. “You sure you want to be here girl?”

Tabula shook her head. “I'd rather be back with my books, but I'm not running now.”

“You scared?” Talon asked.

“I'm terrified.” Tabula replied.

“Good,” Storm Talon said with a chuckle. “If you aren't scared, bad things happen.”

“Speaking of bad things...” Tabula swallowed nervously as her eyes drifted to his artificial leg and tail. “How did you get those?”

“I paid a bloke Trottingham,” Talon replied. “If you mean how I lost the originals, well,” He shrugged. “I wasn't scared.”

Tabula nodded in understanding, her eyes lingering on the fake limbs before turning to her book.

One the main deck, Masra watched the two of them for a moment before turning back to the Canterlot skyline. She was in the process of double-checking their heading when there was a low creak followed by the heavy thud of a wood hatch swinging open. The entire deck went silent as Masra slowly turned around to see a young earth stallion pulling himself out onto the deck. “Hey, Sachel, you got any of them...” He paused as he noticed that one, they were flying and two, there were two unfamilar ponies and a griffon staring at him.

“Storm,” Masra said levelly, “I thought you said you'd searched the ship.”

“I did!” Storm Talon snapped. “Not my fault the lazy ass had squirreled himself away for a nap! What do you expect me to do?”

“I expect you to do your job!” Masra snapped before whirling to face the new stallion. “And you! You take to long to take a nap!” The Stallion was about to say something, but never got the chance. There was a blur of motion from Masra and suddenly coils of rope shot forward before binding and gagging the hapless stallion, the Silver mare pinning him to the deck. In moments, he was hog-tied, gagged and on his back as he looked around wildly. “Rasa,” Masra said sharply as she rose back to her hooves, “Search him please. And do be careful.”

“Y-yes ma'am,” Tabula gave a nervous nod before slowly making her way down the stairs and approaching the stallion. “Uh...I'm really sorry about this. Do try not to move to much, since I don't want to effect any bits of, uh, you.” The stallion's eyes went wide, but none of his struggles meant anything as the librarian's horn glowed to life and a moment later wrapped him in the same glow. The stallion twisted and squirmed until a small flurry of items flew out from around and between the ropes, neatly piling themselves near his hooves. “Inventory complete – three wrappers, one utility knife, one pack of matches, a pack of tobacco, one pipe, and a...hrm...” Tabula trailed off as she approached the strange little item set off by itself to the left. It looked like a small white pebble, and when she nudged it with her hoof it glowed faintly. “...Oh. Oh my.”

“That doesn't sound good, girl,” Talon growled.

“Its a tracking stone,” Tabula replied, “Among other things. Ship crews sometimes carry them in case of pirate attacks.”

“Well,” Masra replied as she trotted up to the stone. “We can't have that.” She idly kicked the stone to the side, sending it skittering across the deck until it passed under the railing and plunged into the inky dark below. “Now, with that taken care off...” She turned to the stallion and gave him a grin. It was enough to make the previously struggling stallion freeze instantly. “Now, my good sir, it seems we find ourselves in a bit of a spot – we have stolen this vessel, and you seem to be a liability to our current venture. So, the question is, why don't I throw you out long with your rock?”

That seemed to get the stallions attention as he quickly redoubled his efforts to escape. “You know,” Talon said idly from his spot at the wheel, “It's kind of hard for him to beg for his life when he's gagged like that.”

“True,” Masra replied before hooking a hoof through the loop and unraveling the rope around his mouth. “There – now talk fast.”

“Who by Celestia's bum are you people!?” The stallion sputtered as he stared between the three of them.

“Well,” Masra replied. “I'm former Royal Guard, my feathered friend her used to be a pirate hunter, and the young miss there is a librarian.”

The stallion blinked in surprise as he stared at Tabula. “A libra-”

“and she can kill you with her brain.” Masra added. The stallion shut up. “So, now you know who we are – why you tell us about yourself.”

The stallion gulped nervously. “I'm just on the clean-up crew! Its part of my parole, along with that rock you went and tossed. Darn it – they're going to think I tried to skip out again. Do you have any idea how annoying that's going to be?”

Masra raised an eyebrow. “as annoying as a fall from altitude?”

The stallion gulped. “Well, when you put it like that...”

“Well, good sir, I sympathize with your plight but I can't have you following us to Veneighce and spooking our client.” Masra said as she hoisted up the stallion and dragged him across the ship until he was dangling over the edge. “Goodbye.”

Tabula rushed over the the stallion fell with a scream. “President! How could you-” she paused as she looked over the railing. “...when did we get over a lake?”

“I love flying at night,” Masra said with a small smile before turning to Storm. “Professor Talon – please put us back on course.”

“Aye,” He replied as he spun the wheel around. “I liked the bit about Veneighce, by the way.”

“Given the opportunity, I thought a bit of misinformation would prove useful.” Masra replied with a shrug before turning around, noticing Tabula with a frown. “Is something wrong, miss Rasa?”

“You...” Tabula started as she continued glancing over the edge. “You planned all that? Without saying anything to each other? How?”

“Let it just be said that professor Storm Talon and myself have both done this sort of thing before and leave it at that.” Masra replied. “Now, Miss Rasa, it has been a long night and we have quite a ways ahead of us – why don't you head below deck and get some rest? The ropes can take care of themselve for a little.”

“That...” Tabula started before sighing and giving a nod. “Thats probably good idea, president. Wake me if anything happens?”

“Of course, Miss Rasa.” Masra replied. She watched Tabula until she vanished below deck before turning to Storm Talon, “I told you she would be useful.”

“One of us would have found that damned stone,” Talon replied testily, “and the dumb-ass would have told us what it was after a while.”

“Perhaps,” Masra conceded, “but this way was much more efficient. How long until we reach Hoofington?”

Talon glanced skyward for a moment before replying. “A few hours, why?”

“The longer our flight the more chances for complications,” Masra replied.

“I think we've hit our quota for complications, President.” Talon said as he continued to fine tune their course.

Masra glanced out toward the horizon. “Somehow, I very much doubt that.”

Hoofington came into sight just as Celestia's sun began to peek out over the horizon, and Talon was taking great joy in pointing out that nothing further had gone wrong. “So, disappointed?” He asked as hi beak clicked softly.

“Somewhat,” Masra replied. “I find myself nervous whenever things are going as planned. Our contact is meeting us near the forest to the north – best to get us down before something does happen.”

“Think Celestia's going to show up to take her boat back?” Talon asked as he spun the wheel to head around the city.

“Highly unlikely,” Masra replied, “and I doubt our luck is that bad. Now take us in low.”

The clearing that they landed in was not unoccupied. A series of carts were already on site, sitting near the treeline along with their pullers. The only pony standing alone was a dark blue earth pony, waving enthusiastically at the landing ship as he approached it. “Right on time as always, Masra!”

“We're three and a half minutes late, Smith,” Masra replied as the vessel came to a hover and she lowered down a gang-way. She gave the stallion a small smile as her hooves touched earth. “How's business?”

“Slower then I like,” Smith replied with a melodramatic sigh, “younger blood's been taking all the good smuggling routes, and the guards patrolling all the rest. Less runners means less ponies lookin' for supplies! Plus I can't meet demand. Some of my best clients have run off to Baltimare and their bits with them.”

“What sort of wares?” Storm turned from Masra to Tabula as the young librarian spoke up as she stepped off the gang-way.

“Oh, you know,” Smith replied, “The usual – old baubles, pretty paintings, various curiosities of an illegal nature, along with the various assortment of booze and the like.” He turned back to Masra. “I have to admit though, as much as I appreciate the business I'm a little surprised – you never wanted anything for inside Equestria before. I thought you'd left the guard anyway.”

“Different priorities now,” Masra said with a shrug, “I have an asset that requires support, and you were the best option.”

“I figured out that last bit,” Smith replied, leaning around Masra to stare at their ship, “Though I am wonderin' where borrowing a royal guard ship comes into it. You aren't bringin any heat on me, are you?”

“No more then usual,” Masra assured him.

“Thats what worries me,” Smith said with a sigh before turning to his men. “Alright, you lazy gits! Off your flanks and to work – I want this ship loaded and gone before the end of the hour, or I''l find a way to leave you in the clink for a fortnight. Now hop to it!” His men, it seemed, responded well to threats as they all quickly jumped into action, pulling the carts closer before they started conveying crate after crate of supplies up onto the deck. “Everything you asked for, Masra,” Smith informed the president as they watched. “A fortnight of supplies for five, cold weather and climbing gear, medical supplies and plenty of weaponry.” He gave Masra a sideways glance. “Where you headin' anyway?”

“Remember what you said about heat?” Masra replied. “That sort of question will bring you more.”

“Point taken,” Smith replied, holding up a hoof. “Still, you're lucky I still had that line open – you haven't used it since the war ended.”

“I haven't needed to,” Masra replied. “My current line of work doesn't call for such things with any regularity.”

“So, what changed?” Smith asked.

“Exceptional circumstances,” Masra replied as she watched the last of the crates get carried up onto the ship. “Thank you for the help, Smith – your payment will be via the usual channels, of course.”

“A pleasure doing business with you, as always, Masra,” Smith replied as he gave her a bow. “Try not to get dead, ya hear?”

“I have no intention of dying, I assure you.” Masra said before trotting up the gangway, Tabula following close behind. “Talon – I want us off the ground immediately.” She shouted as she hoisted up the gang-way in a field of telekinesis as soon as Tabula's hooves touched the deck.

“Whats the rush?” Talon asked as he finished a set of stretches he had been going through. “Still worried about getting caught?”

“As long as we remain in this airspace?” Masra replied. “Yes. And being on the ground just leaves us even more vulnerable. Unless you enjoy being dive-bombed with thunderheads.”

“Been there,” Storm Talon replied as he finished his last stretch, his mechanical hind leg clicking audibly as he returned to the wheel and yanked it back. “Done that. Rather not repeat it.”

The airship tilted back briefly as it steeply rose, the loading teams on the ground bracing themselves as the the downdraft from the massive propellers as the vessel soared back into the wild blue yonder. Masra watched as the ground retreated, waiting until they were once again shrouded in clouds before turning to her acting helmsgriffon. “Everything in order, Professor Talon?”

“Oh, would you stop worrying,” Talon grumbled as he put them onto the proper heading with a idle twist of the wheel. “It's a straight shot north now. Gettin' tired of your fecking nosiness.”

Masra's eyes narrowed. “Mind yourself, Professor.”

Talon shrugged, unruffled by the president's death-glare. “What do I care? I've got tenure. Not like you can fire me for conduct on a black-op anyway.”

“I suppose I could just throw you overboard,” Masra replied idly, “but I need you to fly the ship.”

“Then I suppose its good you don't know how to fly this tub, eh?” Talon replied cheekily.

“I suppose it is.” Masra said as she headed toward one of the ladder wells. “I am going below deck to check on miss Rasa. Try not to crash into a mountain while I'm gone, if you don't mind?”

“Sure, sure,” Talon replied as the president walked away before adding. “You know, I still don't get what you're doing. I'm sure you could have managed this all at least a bit more legitimately, given your clout.”

“You overestimate me, professor,” Masra replied as she paused half-way across the deck. “I'm just a University President.”
Storm Talon gave a snort. “Sure you are.”

“Just fly the ship, Talon.” Masra replied as she slipped below deck.