Darkwhispers Read online

  She nodded and turned her wrist to them to display her Culpepper bird tattoo. Each explorer family carried their mark proudly; the Culpeppers had two swallows dipped in flight. Arthur and Maudie had just got the Brightstorm moth, a rare, highly resilient species of gold and red, which their father had discovered in the volcanic islands of the north, tattooed on their arms on return from their expedition to South Polaris.

  “I’m Harriet’s great aunt – her late grandfather was my brother. I’m very pleased to meet you at last.” She shook Maudie’s hand, then paused and swapped to her left hand to shake Arthur’s.

  Arthur was sure he remembered Harriet mentioning a great aunt at some point … then it came to him. He’d been at the Last Post with Harriet when he’d found the secret writing in Wrigglesworth’s diary revealed by lemon juice, and they’d had a conversation in which Harriet mentioned she’d had a great aunt who had known him well. “You were good friends with Ermitage Wrigglesworth!”

  “Ah, tea, I almost forgot.” She went to a side table, where a teapot rested on a stand above a gentle, flickering flame. She saw how Maudie was peering in and said, “It’s often the simplest things that are most effective.” Then she took two fresh cups from the tray.

  As she lifted the pot, Arthur noticed that she had some more tattoos above the Culpepper swallows. Some triangles… Her sleeve shifted down as she put the pot back down.

  Octavie served them their cups, then sat and clasped her hands together. “I’m sorry I haven’t been by to say hello. Harriet has been to see me, of course, but I know how busy you’ve all been with the rebuild since you all got back from South Polaris, and I didn’t want to trouble you.”

  “So you know Ermitage Wrigglesworth, the missing explorer? Harriet mentioned it,” Arthur pressed.

  “Indeed.” She sipped her tea and observed them, with that Culpepper twinkle in the eye that was going to make them work hard for information rather than gift it freely.

  “You must be ever so worried about him,” said Maudie.

  Octavie squinted a mild frown. “How long has he been missing?”

  “Over a year.”

  She shrugged. “My dears, I was friends with Ermitage an awfully long while ago. You could say that we drifted apart.”

  “But you live on the same street?”

  “Yes, I believe we do.” She smiled. “So, the great Madame Vane is leading a Lontown Armada in search of him.”

  Arthur wondered how she already knew that, as it had only just been announced.

  “Whispers and rumours.” Octavie winked, reading his thoughts. “I still like to keep my ear to the ground. And Harrie wondered if I can tell you anything else?”

  They nodded.

  “We believe that Ermitage Wrigglesworth’s house was broken into last night and something was stolen,” said Arthur. “Something that may help us learn what Ermitage was looking for.”

  She sat back. “I’m afraid I’ve no idea what that could be. Ermitage Wrigglesworth is the obsessive, inquisitive sort. He wants to know everything about everybody; it’s why he wrote so many books about the explorer families – their histories, where they went, what they did, what made them tick. But for him… Well, let’s just say he always felt something was missing. The east held much fascination for him – it’s somewhere to get lost in the spiral of discovery. There are hundreds of islands. Personally, I’m not sure he intends to be found. He’s a very old man who lived for exploration and probably wants to live the last part of his life on an exotic island in peace. The armada will go and spend copious amounts of time and money looking for Ermitage and they will likely return empty-handed.”

  It made sense to Arthur, the idea of escaping, running away from the past. He too had felt this way at times since losing his father.

  “They’d be better off investing their sovereigns in other ventures.”

  Maudie coughed. “But excuse me for saying, Eudora Vane isn’t the sort to waste her time on things that aren’t in some way beneficial to her, whether financially or otherwise. Usually otherwise.”

  “She would certainly be held in esteem if she were the one to find him, and if it were another sky-ship in the armada, she would still be held up as the hero because she took charge of the project,” said Octavie. “Quite clever, really.”

  “Yes … but.”

  Octavie had a wry grin on her lips. “But that’s not enough for a Vane?”

  “With her it’s not just about the acclaim,” said Arthur. “Perhaps Mr Wrigglesworth was seeking something in particular, perhaps something new to control in the, er, Eastern Isles? Undiscovered pitch mines?” Maybe Octavie was right and he’d just gone there to live out his last days and not be bothered. Yet he couldn’t help but feel that something didn’t fit.

  “Do help yourself to fruit loaf,” Octavie said, gesturing to the cake on the table.

  Arthur looked again at the symbols above her family tattoo: triangles, but all slightly different and… She clasped her hands together softly and they were hidden once more.

  Maudie took a piece, but Arthur explained he had an egg allergy. Octavie opened a decorative tin painted with large leaves and offered him a shortbread instead.

  “What should we tell Harriet?” Maudie asked.

  “Tell her not to waste her time with this armada. They will likely be back within six moon cycles, all the poorer for it.”

  “Are you sure he never mentioned anything he might have been looking for there, even long ago? Jewels, maybe? Gold?”

  Octavie shook her head. “I’m afraid not.”

  She seemed a bit too certain, and Arthur couldn’t shake the feeling that there must be more.

  “Now, do tell me all about South Polaris.” She deftly steered them away from Ermitage Wrigglesworth, and after asking many questions about their last expedition quizzed them on the improvements they were making to the Aurora. Arthur suspected she was purposefully avoiding the reason they’d come to see her. He sat quietly while Maudie obliged with enthusiastic details.

  They finished their tea and Octavie showed them to the door.

  “Sorry you couldn’t help us,” Arthur said, making sure he made eye contact. Dad had always said if you looked someone square in the eye, the truth shines back.

  She looked away and opened the door, but it was only open an inch or so when she closed it again and said, “I have some engineering books that may be of use to you, Maudie. Wait here a moment.” She disappeared into the room off the hallway and returned with an armful which she handed to Maudie.

  “Thanks!”

  Arthur frowned. He was sure she was keeping something back. As though she half wanted to tell them something.

  They opened the door and were about to step back out into Montague Street when Maudie said, “Oh, you left something in here.” She pulled out an envelope that had been tucked into one of the books.

  Octavie put her hand out and stopped her. “It’s meant to be there… Forgive me, but I wanted to get to know you a little, before…” She paused for several seconds then smiled. “Never mind. Enjoy your trip east, and I hope you have luck finding Ermitage – although I suspect otherwise.”

  Arthur and Maudie gave each other a swift glance of confusion as Octavie ushered them out. “It really was delightful to meet you both – give my love to Harrie.”

  The door shut behind them.

  “That was odd.” Maudie shrugged.

  “Very.”

  CHAPTER 4

  THE RING

  Back at four Archangel Street, they waited for Harriet in the dining room.

  Maudie tapped the envelope on the table. “We should wait for her to get back before we open it.”

  Arthur pressed his fingers over the envelope. “It’s something hard.”

  Felicity walked in bearing a tray of marsh cakes. “What have you got there, twinnies?”

  “Octavie Culpepper, Harriet’s great-aunt, gave it to us,” said Arthur.

  “Well, why are you pla
ying with it? Open it and see what’s inside.”

  “Felicity!” Maudie laughed.

  She waved her hand. “Oh, Harriet won’t mind.”

  Arthur tapped the envelope on the table. “She didn’t specifically say to give it to Harriet, and she did hand you the books, Maud.” Parthena jumped up on the table and nudged the envelope with her clawed foot. “See, even Parthena agrees.”

  In a moment, Maudie had ripped it open. She tipped the contents on to the table.

  It was a gold signet ring. Arthur examined it. “It looks like some sort of bird engraved on it.” He turned it over. “And one on the underside.”

  A soft clunk sounded as the front door closed, and moments later Harriet entered the room, her brow furrowed, and a bundle of papers clutched in her arms.

  “What happened at the meeting?” Arthur asked keenly.

  Welby joined them and sat down at the table with Harriet.

  “Each family within the armada has been assigned islands to search. It seems like Eudora had expected most of us to come on board. How did you get on at Octavie’s?”

  “She didn’t know what could have been taken, and she said not to hold out much hope. She thought Wrigglesworth had most likely gone to live out his days and not be disturbed. That he probably didn’t even want to be found.”

  Harriet exchanged a glance with Welby. “Curious.”

  “She gave Maudie some engineering books and one contained an envelope with this in it.”

  Arthur passed her the signet ring and she examined it.

  “We thought you might know what it was.”

  “I’m afraid I have no idea.”

  “It means nothing to you?” Arthur pressed, disappointed.

  “Sadly not. And Octavie didn’t speculate about the books taken from his house? I thought she would at least be able to speculate what it was about?”

  “She said she hasn’t spoken to him in years.”

  Harriet sighed. “Well, we don’t have time to ponder. The Lontown Armada sets sail on Friday and we have to finish the Aurora, which means one week’s work in two days, so I’ve sent word to the rest of the crew to arrive early tomorrow morning. The Acquafreedas are already setting sail by sea this evening, as they’ll be slower than the main fleet.”

  “Then I’d best get some supplies sorted,” said Felicity.

  “Would you mind if I keep Arthur here to assist me for a moment?” asked Harriet. “Welby can help you instead, if that’s all right?

  Welby gave a nod.

  “Of course,” Felicity said, patting Arthur on the arm as she left the room with Welby, then she called back, “Queenie, if you can pop a note to Balfour’s Pantry Supplies?”

  Queenie jumped up with a “Prrwt” and followed Felicity out of the room.

  “I need to finish the weather canopy,” Maudie said, and hurried away.

  Arthur was curious about why he wasn’t helping Felicity.

  Harriet looked up and smiled. “I’ve been thinking about your skills and strengths, Arthur. This will be your second lengthy expedition and I want to recognize all that you achieved at South Polaris and the work you’ve done so far assisting Welby with the maps.”

  Arthur frowned. He hadn’t done that much at all, really, and now he felt a bit guilty.

  “I’d like to make you assistant navigator in the Stella Oceanus expedition.”

  “Oh!” Arthur said. Something like a warm balloon swelled inside him. He hadn’t expected this, because Welby was second-in-command and assistant navigator to Harriet. Perhaps Welby was going to focus on his other duties more? After all, he was fairly old…

  “I’d still like you to help Felicity from time to time, but I think some more responsibility will do you a world of good. Would you like the role?”

  He nodded eagerly. “Yes, thank you!” This would also mean he’d work more closely with Harriet.

  “Excellent. Then you will report to Welby.”

  His heart sank. “Welby?” He tried hard not to let the disappointment show in his voice, but it didn’t work.

  “Is there something wrong with that?”

  He shook his head and imagined how many times a day Welby’s judging eyebrows would rise in his direction. “No, of course not.”

  “Good.” She smiled. “You’re ready for it.” Then she took the map that she’d received from the meeting and spread it on the table. “We’ll start by cross-checking this map against those you’ve gathered so far and plan our navigation. We should look for extra opportunities to search for Wrigglesworth on the way.”

  Arthur thought for a moment. “And we should probably see if there’s anything peculiar about the islands Eudora Vane has assigned to herself.”

  “Indeed, good thinking.” Harriet frowned and tapped her pencil rapidly while scanning it. “OK, read out the list and I’ll mark them off.”

  He took the flyer Harriet had brought back from the meeting. “The Portendorfers are first; they will be searching Ishia and Florinni.”

  While Harriet scanned the map, his mind drifted back to Octavie. “Your great-aunt had some interesting marks on her forearm.”

  Harriet glanced up. “Her swallows?”

  “No, the strange triangles above. Are they part of the Culpepper tradition?”

  “She’s had them ever since I’ve known her. Some club she belonged to at universitas, I think.” Her voice trailed as she focused back on the map and wrote “Portendorfers” next to the appropriate islands.

  “A club?” Arthur persisted.

  “Hmm? They were young an— Who’s after Portendorfers?”

  “They were young and…?” he tried again.

  “Just a silly club. I forget what she said it was called now.”

  “What about the ring? Do you think that was part of the club?”

  “Perhaps she didn’t realize it was in the envelope?”

  Arthur shook his head. “She meant us to have the ring.”

  “She’s getting old, Arthur. She probably used it as a bookmark and forgot. Who’s next on the list?”

  Octavie didn’t seem forgetful to Arthur. He scanned the list. “The Nithercotts are next. They’ve got Pontia and Heilettica – oh, and Pelastria.”

  While Harriet was searching the map, Arthur picked up her magnifier and examined the ring closely. The bird was unlike any other he’d seen, yet was familiar. It had a proud long neckline, plumed feathers on its head and a huge sweeping tail, wings arced. “What type of bird do you think is on the ring?”

  “I don’t know,” Harriet said, without looking up. “Octavie explored a lot around the Citadel of Nadvaaryn – perhaps it’s something from there.”

  Again, it was unlike anything he could recall.

  “Arthur, are you going to assist, or should I send you to help Felicity?”

  “Yes, sorry.” He went back to the list. “The Bestwick-Fords are Florentina and Targi. Wait, they were one of the other sky-ships trying to get to South Polaris, weren’t they?” He recalled them turning back because their sky-ship couldn’t get through the rough snowstorms of the frozen south.

  “Yes. Now, who’s next?”

  He looked back to the paper. “The Catmoles…” He carried on reading the list of islands while Harriet check them off, but after a while his mind drifted back to the ring.

  Harriet tapped her pencil on the map. “There is a time for dreams and a time for focus. Which family is next on the list?”

  “Er … the Temples have Vivaro and Dulcie,” he said, but his mind was still on the ring.

  CHAPTER 5

  THE WELBY WAY

  The following day, the remainder of the crew arrived: Gilly, Meriwether, Barnes, Forbes, Cranken, Forsythe, Keene, Wordle, Hurley and Dr Quirke.

  Four Archangel Street was filled with sawing, banging, tapping, sparking tools, and laughter, all fuelled by Felicity’s endless supplies of tea and snacks. And with so many other tasks to complete, there was barely time to draw breath.

  B
efore anyone could blink it was Friday, and the cannon sounded at the Geographical Society, signifying the start of the challenge. The roar of ten sky-ships firing their engines in unison filled the air around the sky-ship yard as the Lontown Armada rose into the sky. The Jones’ sky-ship with its two Montgolfiere balloons, the Blarthingtons, the Hilburys, Nithercotts, Bestwick-Fords, Catmoles, Portendorfers, Temples, Fontaine (with their sky-ship imaginatively named the Fontaine), and lastly the Vane sky-ship, the Victorious.

  But the bulk of the crowds gathered before four Archangel Street.

  No one wanted to miss the transformation from house to sky-ship, especially those who had missed the Aurora’s first, surprise launch to South Polaris.

  The ground rumbled. Everyone gasped. Then the house began its utterly extraordinary metamorphosis – the front folded inward, great pistons and cogs whirred and crunched until the edges of the house and the door disappeared inside. Shutters opened beside the windows and small propellers sprouted from the house, unfolding and turning.

  Being inside was a different experience for Arthur and Maudie. The crew hurried to the attic space and, with the scrape of metal, and the sound of a great mechanism clunking and grinding, the roof began lifting backwards. A thick beam of daylight illuminated the floorboards, which would soon become the deck, and as the roof folded in a huge concertina behind them, they were bathed in warm sun. Balustrades took the place of the walls and a panel slid back in the centre of the floor. The great fabric balloon started to emerge.

  Harriet released a lever and the huge steering wheel rolled from beneath the deck into view. She flashed Arthur and Maudie a smile, and with a sparkle in her eye, she grasped the wheel. Her short hair waved in the breeze; she wore flying goggles, a white scarf and shirt, her characteristic trousers that were baggy to the knees then tucked into leather boots, and a large belt from which hung her compass, uniscope and various other tools. Welby was close by, pointing and ordering the others gathered on the deck. Felicity Wiggety rushed to the side; her cheeks red and giant spoon in hand, waving at the people below.

  The crowd gasped as the house lifted from the ground. Finally, a section of wood creaked and revolved. Arthur and Maudie rushed to look over the edge. It had revealed a shining brass plate which read: AURORA, and a new addition – the Culpepper symbol in bronze emblazoned beside it.