Prisoner of the Seraglio

Prisoner of the Seraglio

A Cordelia Delacourt Adventure

Chapter 8 Von Jagermeister

It was that bastard Deslaurier,” Liz said. “Oh, sorry miss. Pardon my language.” Liz looked quite mortified at her outburst. “But that mumper really gets me goat”

“Just tell me about it, Liz,” Cordelia said. “Don’t worry about the language.”

“Miss,” Liz said, looking at the hands and fumbling with her fingers. “Can you teach me to talk like a toff. I mean talk proper, like you.”

Cordelia was surprised at the sudden change of topic, but thought she knew what Liz wanted. “I can understand you just fine, Liz. It doesn’t matter how you speak to me.”

“But it does to me,” Liz answered. “I hain’t never had no education. Just what I could pick up in the streets. Being with you makes me feel like I got a chance to start my life over. To be something more than what I’ve been. But I need to talk like me betters. Would you teach me?”

“I’ll try Cordelia said. “I’m no teacher, but perhaps I can help.”

“Thank you, miss,” Liz smiled. “Now I’ll tell you me story.”

“As you know we was split up. I thought you was gone forever and was mighty down. And who should I find waiting for me outside the palace but DesLaurier. Told me I was ‘is reward, for bringing you to the bey safe-like. I felt like givin’ ‘im the back of me ‘and, but I reckoned things could be worse. I could have been sold to a brothel. Beggin’ your pardon, miss, but I figured dealin’ with just one man was better than dealin’ with a dozen.”

Cordelia took Liz’s hand in hers. She was so glad to have someone she could talk to. She hadn’t realized how much she had missed the girl until they had been reunited. Her throat choked with emotion, she couldn’t think of anything to say. Finally, regaining her composure, she was able to speak. “Well, let’s get started on your English. We’ve got a couple of hours before we meet the Kapitan for dinner.”

Cordelia and Liz were escorted to the stern of the ship. They had been given a chance to bathe before it was time to meet with von Jagermeister. The English lesson had gone well, such as it was. The problem was that Liz was not aware of her own speech patterns. The letter “H” at the beginning of a word was simply nonexistent as far as she was concerned and no matter how hard Cordelia pronounced the letter Liz simply couldn’t hear it.

She did a bit better with getting her to use the letter “G” at the end of words, but she could tell it was going to be a long struggle. However, it appeared that both she and Liz might have that time unless von Jagermeister could be persuaded to take them to someplace where they could catch a ship back to England. She knew nothing of the German captain’s agenda. It was just possible he could be persuaded to help them, but it was also possible that she would have to go where he took her until he passed close enough to some city from which she could make her way back to England.

They entered the captain’s cabin. It was not large, but it was huge compared to the closet that Cordelia and Liz were sharing. Its central feature was a large carved wooden table. Cordelia guessed that it was probably used as a desk when it was not set for dinner. On a ship as utilitarian as the Adler nothing was ever wasted.

On one wall there was a series of drawers and cupboards like those where she and Liz had obtained their clothing. Against the other was a single bunk. It was slightly larger than the beds in their room, but it was clearly intended for only one person.

Von Jagermeister and Bueller rose and bowed as they entered. “My apologies, frauleins,” von Jagermeister said. I am afraid this ship is not set up for ladies, however, I will try to make your stay as pleasant as possible.”

Cordelia smiled her thanks and sat down in the chair the Kapitan had pulled out for her. Bueller had done the same for Liz and then the two men seated themselves. One of the crew members acted as a waiter and another as a sommelier.

Von Jagermeister raised his glass. “I think this is one thing you will find up to your standards, Miss Delacourt. I pride myself on feeding my crew well. This wine is the finest Rhine vintage.”

Cordelia sipped cautiously at her wine. She had not eaten and knew that wine affected her quite quickly when her stomach was empty. “Yes,” she agreed. “This is excellent.”

Von Jagermeister smiled. “Now it is time for you to tell me your story. I am burning with curiosity as to how an English girl came to be a prisoner of the seraglio.”

As the food and wine was served Cordelia told her story in as much detail as she cared for von Jagermeister to know. She left him guessing as to what had happened to her in the harem, but she suspected that a man of his intelligence could guess.

“Now Herr Kapitan,” she said as she finished, “it is your turn. Where did you and this incredible machine come from?”

“Ah,” von Jagermeister said, leaning back in his chair, “that is a long story. I suggest we refill our glasses before I start.”

When the glasses were filled von Jagermeister took a sip. “I was born in a small German principality during the Napoleonic Wars. I would have been the prince had not the Emperor Napoleon decided to wipe my domain from the map when he incorporated it in the Confederation of the Rhine. As a result I was a prince without a realm. That mattered but little, I would have made a poor ruler. I was much too interested in the sciences to pay any attention to governing.”

Von Jagermeister paused and sipped at his wine again. Cordelia, Liz, and Bueller emulated him and then he continued.

“I graduated high in my class from university. I probably would have been first except I quarreled too much with my professors. You see, I had some theories on the nature of matter that were quite contrary to the accepted position. Once I graduated, however, I was determined to prove them wrong.”

“I had a little money of my own and I set up a small shop in Frankfurt where I could carry out my experiments. I was fortunate. Within a few years I had managed to prove my theories correct in every aspect. As a result I published my findings and presented them to the university.”

At this point von Jagermeister’s voice dropped. “Would you believe it?” he said, his voice trembling. “They would not even read them.”

“I had made the greatest scientific breakthrough of the century and I could not get a single so-called scientist to even look at my notes.” By this time van Jagermeister was one his feet, his voice raised in anger. It appeared that he was close to having a seizure, but suddenly he calmed himself and sat down.

“My apologies, ladies, sometimes my memory of those times is almost too much.” He took a deep breath. “Well, to continue, I spent the next five years trying to get someone to listen to my ideas, but no one would. Finally, at the age of thirty I decided on a desperate measure. I had heard that the nation of Colombia in South America was a place where a man might become wealthy overnight. I took the last of my inheritance and caught a ship to South America.”

“And did you become wealthy?” Liz interjected. Her large brown eyes were fixed on von Jagermeister in fascination.

Von Jagermeister sighed. “Yes I did, but it was not as easy as I had hoped. I trekked through the mountains and jungles of Colombia for five years before I found what I was searching for. Perhaps it was luck or my scientific training, but I discovered an area so rich in emeralds that if I had released them all the world gem market would have suffered a severe setback. I sold what I needed and kept the location of the rest secret. I was now wealthy enough to carry out my plan.”

Von Jagermeister paused and drained his wine glass. He waited until everyone’s glass was refilled before continuing.

“During my time in Frankfurt I had became aware of others like me. Young men of vision who could not get anyone to pay attention to them. Some were my friends, others I simply knew by sight. In any case, I wrote each of them telling them of my plans and asking them to join me. I also asked them to contact any like-minded individuals who might wish to join me.

My plan was simple. Since I could not get any established authority to accept my theories I would put them to practical use and create something that would be impossible to ignore. However, in order to make the impact of my discoveries that much more dramatic I decided to carry out the project in complete secrecy. As a result I purchased a small island of the coast of Africa and assembled my team there.”

At this point von Jagermeister smiled. “Yes, it is possible to buy almost anything if one is wealthy enough. With the island in my possession I assembled my team. You have already met many of them, they are the crew of the Adler.”

Liz and Cordelia both looked at Bueller. The man merely smiled and nodded.

“Bueller is the oldest of my companions and the first man in whom I confided my discoveries. His loyalty has earned him a position as second-in-command.”

“I any case,” von Jagermeister continued, “it was there that I built the Adler. This magnificent vessel, the first airship ever built, is the result of bringing my scientific discoveries to fruition.”

“And what do you intend to do with her?” Cordelia asked, wondering if von Jagermeister’s quest might take him somewhere near England.

Von Jagermeister suddenly lowered his voice. Once this trial mission is over I have some very special plans for her, plans that I do not wish to discuss at the moment. However, I can tell you that I intend to find what no one else has been able to do. Discover the source of the Nile and claim central Africa for Aremberg.”

“Aremberg?” asked Cordelia. “What is Aremberg?”

“My principality,” von Jagermeister answered. He leaned across the table. “Aremberg will live again.”

It was at that point that Cordelia began to suspect that her host might not be entirely stable. She disguised her feelings by smiling and then raising her wine glass once more.

She suddenly wondered how much she had drunk. Her glass had constantly been refilled as von Jagermeister told his story and it was full now. The Kapitan noticed the direction of her glance and raised his own glass.

“A toast I think,” he said. “To the reconstitution of Aremberg.” He drained his glass and held it out to be refilled.

Cordelia could not very well ignore the toast no matter how much she had already drunk. She tipped the glass to her lips and swallowed twice.

“To the queen, bless ‘er soul,” lisped a rather inebriated Liz. Cordelia realized that she had not been watching the amount of wine Liz had consumed. It was a drink that Liz would have rarely experienced and certainly not as strong as the gin she was used to. But the wine was deceptively smooth and easy to consume and she suspected that the girl had drunk a good deal more than was good for her. Unfortunately, Cordelia couldn’t really refuse to drink to the queen. She drained her glass and watched aghast as it was immediately refilled.

“To this wonderful balloon,” Liz continued, thrusting her glass into the air.

“To the Adler,” von Jagermeister agreed and then immediately proposed another toast. “To my beautiful English guests.”

Cordelia was relieved, she wasn’t required to toast herself. But Liz was not quite finished. “To our gallant German ‘osts,” she slurred. She grinned at Cordelia. “I fink I’m blotto.”

Cordelia had to agree. She was beginning to feel a little “blotto” herself.

Von Jagermeister got to his feet. “Perhaps you could escort Miss Brown to her quarters,” he said to Bueller. “I have something further I wish to discuss with Miss Delacourt.”

The remark caught Cordelia halfway out of her chair. Von Jagermeister dismissed the crew member who was acting as a steward. “You may go, but leave the bottle.” He refilled his glass and drained it. Then glanced at Cordelia.

“You are not drinking, Miss Delacourt?”

“I think I have drunk enough,” Cordelia answered. I’m not used to so much wine.”

“Come over here,” von Jagermeister said, as he strolled to the back of the room.

Cordelia came over to him, walking carefully lest she should trip. Von Jagermeister stood by the window that took up most of the back wall of the room. Cordelia looked out and gasped. Below her the full moon illuminated the stark desert landscape, turning it into a beautiful world of light and shadow. “It’s incredible,” she murmured. “I have never seen anything so beautiful.”

“It is not as beautiful as you,” von Jagermeister said.

His words sent a thrill through her, but whether it was of anticipation or fear Cordelia was not quite sure.

Von Jagermeister stood very close to her. “I would like to ask you a question if I may, Miss Delacourt.”

“I’m sure I will try to answer any question you might ask,” Cordelia answered, somewhat bemused by the change of topic.

“When you told us the story of your abduction and confinement in the harem of the ruler of Timbuctou I had a feeling that you were hold something back.”

Cordelia’s heart began to thump loudly. “Yes?” she whispered.

“I know something of harems,” von Jagermeister continued ruthlessly. “And I know what is expected of the women who are confined in them. Tell me Miss Delacourt, did the bey take you to his bed?”

Cordelia dropped her wineglass. “How dare you, sir? That is not a question to ask a lady.”

“I dare,” von Jagermeister answered calmly, “because I have an insatiable scientific curiosity. And you, Miss Delacourt, have not answered my question.”

Cordelia hung her head. The truth was obvious even without an answer. “I had no choice,” she said. “It was not something I wished to do.”

“I do not blame you, Miss Delacourt,” von Jagermeister said. “It is simply something that I had to know. I would not wish to deflower an innocent English maiden.”

The implication of his words sent a chill through Cordelia. “What do you mean?” she stammered. “You cannot intend to…”

“Oh but I do,” von Jagermeister said, moving so close that she could smell his wine-scented breath. “You are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen, as fragile as a rose, but as strong as the bush that supports the flower. I am a scientist, but I am also a man and it is a long time since I had a woman.”

“You cannot mean to take advantage of me,” Cordelia protested. I am an innocent English girl.” She attempted to move away but with a single step von Jagermeister blocked her.

“Not so innocent anymore,” von Jagermeister retorted. “And I saved you from a life of slavery in the harem. I think I am entitled to some sort of reward for that.”

“Reward?” Cordelia gasped. “Would you rape me?”

“I will if you will not submit,” the German answered, taking her arm and pulling her toward the bed. “But I don’t think that will be necessary.” Turning her, he pushed her down on the bunk and lay on top of her.

Cordelia pushed against him with her arms, but he was far too strong. The weight of his body almost crushed the breath out of her and her feeble strength could do nothing to dislodge him. As she felt his fingers pulling her short-sleeved shirt from her waistband she struck out at him, one of her fists making weak contact with his nose.

“Now don’t be like that, Miss Delacourt,” von Jagermeister murmured. He raised his body and caught both her wrists. Imprisoning them in his left hand he forced them over her head and pinned them against the bed. Then he used his right hand to finish undressing her.

Cordelia struggled weakly. She knew that it was something that she should do. But she didn’t scream. Somehow she realized that screaming would be a waste of time and might even invite severe punishment. Her pathetic efforts to escape had no chance of succeeding. They only served to slow down von Jagermeister, forcing him to disrobe her using only his right hand. However, the Kapitan of the Adler seemed to be in no hurry.

He pulled her shirt from the waistband and then worked it over her head, leaving her torso clad only in a thin vest that could not hide the charms that were nestled beneath it. Her chest heaved emphasizing the twin points of her erect nipples. With her arms pinned over her head the firmness and perfection of her breasts was accentuated. Without removing her vest, von Jagermeister fondled each one and then slid his hand under the shirt and made skin to skin contact.

“Oh god,” Cordelia moaned as she felt his palm cup her left breast and his fingers tweak each of her nipples, but she was not sure if it was a moan of despair or one of arousal.

“Please no,” she gasped as he lifted her vest over her head. She was now nude from the waist up. She twisted her torso and a vain effort to break free.

“Mein gott, but you are beautiful,” her captor murmured. “Your breasts are exquisite.” Cordelia’s answer was to renew her attempts to free herself.

Von Jagermeister held her easily, his eyes on the perfect nipples of her quivering breasts. Using both hands to hold her he bent his head and took her left nipple into his mouth. Cordelia grunted with the effort to escape as his tongue tasted her nipple. Her more than sensitive rosebuds tingled as he moved from one to the other and her grunts changed to gasps as she felt his teeth teasing her. She went completely still as he bit down, but von Jagermeister was not about to mutilate her. Instead he eased off and used his tongue again and then went back to his teeth.

The stimulation had her on the edge of fear and pleasure at the same time. She didn’t know whether to cry out in terror or moan in delight. Even more worrisome was the sensation that was taking place between her thighs. In spite of her fear and revulsion at what was happening to her she felt distinctly warm and moist in her most private of places.

Von Jagermeister spent a long time suckling at her breasts then he lifted himself. Cordelia gasped in relief as his weight was removed, but that soon turned to fear as still clamping her wrists he unbuckled her belt. She renewed her struggles, but without much effort he twisted her arm behind her, pushed her face down onto the bunk and while she twisted helplessly in his grip, he pulled her trousers down to her ankles.

At this point the contest slowed a bit, as just using one hand von Jagermeister fumbled with her bootlaces. He eventually succeeded, removing her boots, and then slipping off the rest of her trousers. She was now nude expect for the pair of men’s shorts that had been given to her.

“Oh please, Cordelia begged. “Don’t do this.” Her head was reeling for fear, and from the effects of the wine. She realized that in spite of her attempts to limit her alcohol intake. She was more than a little drunk, a situation that made von Jagermeister’s efforts to undress her all the more successful.

“Oh please no,” Cordelia whimpered as her shorts were slipped down. Von Jagermeister rolled her over and gazed in amazement at her naked public region. Cordelia’s entire body flushed in shame as her completely hairless anatomy was revealed. The girls at the harem had done an excellent job. She would never have hair there again.

Apparently the sight of her nude slit was too much for von Jagermeister. “Gott in Himmel,” he muttered and immediately began to undo his belt.

He released Cordelia’s wrists while he stripped, but she made no attempt to escape. He was between her and the door and she knew that she would never get past him. Even if she did where could she go? The only sure way to escape him would have been to run to the upper deck and throw herself over the side, and she was not quite ready to kill herself in order to preserve her already sullied virtue.

“You are too beautiful for me to have to force you,” von Jagermeister said as he stood naked before her. “But you are far too desirable for me not to enjoy your charms. Do not make me rape you.”

Cordelia stared wide-eyed at van Jagermeister’s tall well-muscled nude body. For all his strangeness, he was no worse than the bey. She knew that she should resist, but she feared the consequences of resistance, and so reluctantly she let him take her.

Like the bey, he was not cruel or harsh. He held her gently and stroked her back as he moved between her thighs. There was the momentary feeling of discomfort as he probed her tight English pleasure garden and then she was inside her, gently working his way deeper until their two bodies were truly joined. Dimly, Cordelia wondered if the herbal concoction that Akilah had given her was still working and at the same time she thought of Liz.

And then all thoughts except what was happening to her fled her mind as her body responded to von Jagermeister’s lovemaking. Her loins tightened and her breasts swelled as she quivered in carnal delight. A moan burst from her lips, a moan that rose to a cry, and then to a scream as her loins suddenly contracted, clamping hard around von Jagermeister’s invading phallus.

After that she lost track of the rest of the night. When she awoke the next morning the familiar soreness was back between her legs. Von Jagermeister was gone, but she had a vague memory of him making love to her at least two more times before finally holding her in his arms until she fell asleep.

It was cold in the room and she remembered that the desert nights could be very cold and probably colder yet at higher elevations, and the Adler was at least a thousand feet over the desert. She pulled the blankets around her and wondered what she should do. Should she get up and dress or wait for von Jagermeister to come back? While she tried to make up her mind, the door suddenly opened and the Kapitan entered, followed by one of his men carrying a tray.

The aroma that came from the tray reminded Cordelia that she was very hungry and also feeling a bit of the aftereffects of too much wine.

“Ah, my beautiful English rose,” von Jagermeister exclaimed. “I am so glad to see you awake. Will you join me in a little breakfast? As he finished speaking he waved away the man who had carried in the tray leaving him alone with Cordelia.

“I…I’m not dressed,” Cordelia answered. Nor was she much in the mood to sit down with the man who had done the next best thing to raping her.

“That is hardly a concern,” von Jagermeister said. “I certainly saw enough of you last night and you were a delight to behold. Please bring the blanket and join me.”

Cordelia blushed and considered staying where she was, but then her stomach growled. Slowly, she got up off the bed and tried to make her way to the table with walking bowlegged.

“Where is Miss Brown?” she demanded, angrily. “Was she similarly despoiled?”

“I apologize for my failure to please you,” von Jagermeister answered as he speared a pickled egg with his fork. “I thought from your reaction that you were enjoying it well enough.”

“I was forced into it as you know full well. Never would I have gone to your bed willingly.”

Von Jagermeister shrugged. “The fortunes of war, Miss Delacourt. It was not my desire to force you. I hoped you would come to my bed of your own free will, but since you did not I took what was rightfully mine.”

“Rightfully yours? “ Cordelia spat. “What gave you the right to consider me rightfully yours?”

I saved you from a life of slavery. You would have grown old in sexual servitude had it not been for me and as a result you became my property.”

“Property?” Cordelia was livid with rage. “How dare you consider me property? I am not a personal possession to bought, sold, and bartered. I am a free woman with the right to choose who sleeps with me.”

“Perhaps property was a poor choice of words,” von Jagermeister said calmly. “You are a spirited young woman and it is an honour to have you on board the Adler. But you also owe me a debt and I have chosen your method of payment. I should add that if your virtue had been intact I would not have presumed to take you to my bed. I did nothing to you that had not already been done before. Now sit down and enjoy your breakfast. This stubborn attitude will result in nothing but indigestion.”

Still seething with rage, Cordelia tried to calm herself. There was no reasoning with her captor. Von Jagermeister had her in his power and intended to use her as he saw fit. She could only be thankful that he had not chosen to share her with his crew.

She seated herself across from him and began to serve herself, keeping her eyes on her food. But she was not quite ready to give up yet.

“You did not respond to my question regarding Miss Brown. May I know of her whereabouts?”

“I expect Miss Brown is with Lieutenant Bueller. This ship is not a brothel. We do not expect you or your companion to have to serve the entire crew.”

Cordelia sighed in relief. That was something at least. She feared that Liz had been turned over to the crew for their amusement.

She ate slowly and in silence. When she had finished von Jagermeister rose from his chair. “I shall leave you to wash and get dressed. Then I hope that you will see you way clear to accompanying me on a tour of the ship.”

This last comment piqued Cordelia’s interest, and almost dispelled her sullen anger. She had always been interested in scientific matters in spite of a schooling that had attempted to deprive her of even a scintilla of scientific knowledge. Whenever possible she had read what was available in her father’s library and studied every scientific journal she could find. Her visit to the Crystal Palace had been the highlight of her sixteen years. To be shown the wonders of the Adler almost had her willing to forgive von Jagermeister for forcing her to his bed. Almost.

She washed and changed quickly and then returned to the room. Von Jagermeister was not there, but Liz was. She ran toward the girl and wrapped her arms around her.

“Are you alright, Liz? I was so afraid for you.”

“Beggin’ your pardon, Miss Cordelia, but it’s me who should be afraid for you. Did that that wax-mustached bludger ‘urt you?”

Cordelia shook her head. “He didn’t do anything more to me that what had already been done to me by the bey. It was humiliating, but not painful.”

“You’re a brave one, Miss Cordelia,” Liz said admiringly. “It ain’t like you’re used to such treatment.”

“But what about you, Liz?” Cordelia returned. “I wasn’t the only one at the mercy of von Jagermeister.”

“Oh, Bueller didn’t ‘urt me. He was quite gentlemanly as a matter of fact. I’ve had far worse customers. And it wasn’t like I ‘ad much choice in the matter.” Liz smiled shyly as she finished speaking. “Bueller brought me ‘ere and told me to wait for your return.”

At that moment von Jagermeister appeared. “Ah ladies. I see you are ready to accompany me. We will start on the main deck.”

“Above us, as is more than obvious, is the balloon,” von Jagermeister said, sweeping his arm toward the leviathan that loomed above them. But it is not really a balloon. It is a weather-proof envelope stretched over a metal framework. Inside the framework are a number of chambers filled with hydrogen. It is this gas that makes it possible for the Adler to fly.”

“How does it go up and down?” Cordelia asked.

“Ah,” replied von Jagermeister enthusiastically, “I see you are not entirely unaware of the problems involved in a machine of this type. You may have noticed the large fins at the back of the envelope. These are fitted with horizontal rudders called ailerons. Since the hydrogen renders the Adler weightless if the ailerons are raised or lowered the Adler rises and falls.”

Cordelia nodded her understanding while Liz remained mute. The girl was well aware of her lack of learning and tended to avoid making comments that might show her ignorance.

Cordelia looker at the large paddles turning on either side of the ship. “And these,” she asked, “are they powered by steam?”

“Nothing quite so crude as steam,” von Jagermeister answered. “Come below and I will show you.”

“As you might imagine there are a number of incredible scientific innovations in this machine. The most important is my discovery of hydrogen extraction.”

“Hydrogen extraction?” prompted Cordelia as she was probably supposed to.

“As you know doubt know, water, one of the most plentiful of substances, is composed of atoms of hydrogen and oxygen. It was my genius to find a means of breaking the bonds that tie these two elements together. It has given me a source of power that is cheap and almost inexhaustible.”

While he had been speaking von Jagermeister had been leading them down the companionways and corridors inside the hull of the ship. Her stopped outside a room from which could be heard the steady thrum of machinery. He opened the door and stood aside to let the two girls enter. Inside was a room that stood two stories tall and was brightly lit by gaslight lamps.

Massive machines filled most of the space. Von Jagermeister escorted them through the room, pointing out one scientific marvel after another. Cordelia did not understand all of it; many of the terms that von Jagermeister used she had never heard before and others were in German. She understood enough, however, to comprehend that the larger machines powered the large windmills that pushed the Adler through the air. Von Jagermeister referred to them as “propellers.”

Other machines broke down water into the hydrogen and oxygen fuel that powered the Adler, while still others pumped air through the interior of the ship. Von Jagermeister proudly described them all, and then he took them toward the bow.

As they moved forward Cordelia noticed a door with a rather strange marking on it. “What is this?” she asked pointing to the skull that adorned the door.

“Just a room,” von Jagermeister answered. His manner was strangely secretive and Cordelia was about to inquire further when something about his expression told her to stifle her curiosity. However, she took careful note of the location of the strange door.

The next stop was the ship’s galley, where she and Liz observed the day’s meals being prepared. After that they toured the crew quarters, finally ending where they had started. Von Jagermeister led them toward the bow and the small platform that overlooked the eagle figurehead. “This is my favourite spot,” he said. “Standing here I can imagine I am a bird.”

He had Cordelia trade places with him. Nervously she stepped onto the small platform, imagining what would happen to her if the platform gave way. Below her the world spread out in all its wonder. It was not surprising that von Jagermeister found his perch so enchanting.

He came up and stood beside. “I hope you have enjoyed the tour. I must leave you now; there are certain duties that require my attention. I will meet you again for the evening meal.”

“Thank you, Kapitan,” Cordelia responded. “Your ship is a marvel. I look forward to dining with you once more.”

The last part of that statement was a lie. Although she had not been harmed the idea of spending another night with von Jagermeister was not appealing. However, she knew that she had no choice. In the meantime, there was something else she wanted to do.

“Where we going’, miss?” Liz asked.

“I want to find out why of all the places we were taken to in the ship; we were not taken into the room marked with a skull. Since we seem to have the run of the ship I think we should investigate.”

It wasn’t difficult to avoid the Adler’s crew. She and Liz were dressed in the same blue and white uniform and a casual observer might mistake them for a crew member. In addition, during the day most of the crew was busy attending to the Adler’s machinery or making scientific observations from the main deck. There were very few crew members below the machine rooms, which was the area she was interested in.

When they reached the skull-marked door it opened easily. Whatever was in the room no one thought it necessary to lock it. Then again, the only people normally on the ship would be members of the crew. Apparently it never occurred to anyone that the two female guests might want into the room. She opened the door and found herself in a brightly lit room. She wasn’t quite sure what to make of it. The room was crowded with metal cylinders. They were arranged in rows and each one reached from floor to ceiling. Doing a quick count, Cordelia estimated that there were at least two hundred of them. What their purpose was, however, was a complete mystery.

“This is strange, ‘in’ it?” Liz remarked.

Cordelia nodded. “It is indeed. I wonder why von Jagermeister didn’t want us in here?”

Along one side of the room was a row of low cabinets with hinged tops. She walked over to one and opened it. Inside the chest was divided into a number of padded compartments each containing a strange glass sphere.

For a few seconds she just stood looking at the spheres, a puzzled expression on her face. Then Liz chimed in. “What’s all this? Looks like some sharp’s lost her crystal ball.” Before Cordelia could stop her she reached in and picked one up.

“Liz, be careful,” Cordelia exclaimed. “We don’t know what these things are.”

The ball Liz held was really quite beautiful. It was about a foot in diameter and was filled with a bluish-green fluid. The girl hefted it. “Oooh,” she gasped, “it’s really quite ‘eavy.”

“Liz,” Cordelia said, “I think you should put it back.”

“That would be a very good idea.” The voice that spoke was cold as ice. Cordelia whirled to see von Jagermeister standing in the doorway. He was accompanied by several of his men.

“Put it down, Miss Brown,” von Jagermeister ordered. “And do it very carefully if you value your life.”

“Blimey,” Liz said. “What is this? Some sort of poison?”

Von Jagermeister stepped forward and took the sphere from Liz’s hands. Carefully he placed it back in the cabinet and closed the lid.

“So Miss Delacourt,” the Kapitan growled. “This is how you repay my trust. I should have guessed the moment I laid eyes on you that you were an enemy spy.”

“Spy?” Cordelia gasped. “Don’t be silly, Herr Kapitan. What could I possibly be spying on. I was merely curious that is all.”

“You are lying,” von Jagermeister replied. He seemed to be filled with a cold rage. “I should have guessed that a woman dressed like a schlampen could be nothing less than an enemy agent. It is a pity. I had thought to make you my queen?”

“Your what?” Cordelia gasped. “Queen of what?”

“Aremberg at first. And all of Europe eventually.”

Cordelia’s mind whirled. Von Jagermeister’s bizarre statements were coming at her too fast. “You’re not making any sense. How could I possible become queen of all of Europe?”

“These,” said von Jagermeister, patting one of the tubes affectionately, “are the key to to restoring my homeland.”

Cordelia was puzzled. “I thought discovering the source of the Nile was to be the key to restoring your homeland.”

“Actually that was more in the way of testing the Adler and achieving a little bit of personal glory.”

“These will make me master of Europe.”

“Master of Europe?” Cordelia asked, puzzled. “I thought you merely wanted to restore your lost homeland.”

“Oh I will. Aremberg will become the centre of the greatest empire the world has ever known”

“And these metal tubes will help you do that?” Cordelia asked dubiously. She was now almost certain that the man who had rescued her was completely insane.

Von Jagermeister’s face assumed a look that Cordelia found disturbing. “Each of these tubes he said contains a number of spheres like the one Miss Brown was so dangerously playing with. “Each of the glass spheres, contains a deadly poison of my own invention. There are twelve spheres in each of the tubes in this room and there are three hundred tubes. If I wish I can drop 3600 globes of death onto the cities of any who dare defy me.”

“But you only drooped a barrel of gunpowder on Timbuctou,” Cordelia said, hardly able to believe that a ship using only gunpowder technology was capable of destroying a city.

“Of course,” von Jagermeister said. He seemed a bit annoyed by Cordelia’s comment. “I am not a murderer. The citizens of the desert city had done nothing to me, and it is not my intention to harm the people of Europe either. Unless they refuse my demands.”

“You can’t be serious,” Cordelia said, aghast. “Do you really think the nations of Europe will fall at your feet? They will refuse to cooperate and then you will be forced to prove to them that you can do what you say. Hundreds, perhaps thousands of people will die.” She could visualize it clearly; the Adler hovering over some defenceless city and dropping sphere after sphere of poison gas. There would be not defence and no way to fight back.

“That will not be my choice,” von Jagermeister replied. “No one will die, unless the rulers of Europe are foolish enough to resist.” The tone of his voice indicated that he found Cordelia’s horror somewhat annoying.

“But how can they not resist? You will be ordering them to fall at your feet. You cannot expect them to surrender without a fight. Your ship is magnificent beyond anything I have ever seen, but it will take more than that to convince them. You will be forced to demonstrate your power and thousands will die.”

Von Jagermeister frowned. “If that is the case then so be it.” He stared disapprovingly at Cordelia.

“I am disappointed in your response, Miss Delacourt. I hoped that you would be excited by my noble enterprise. After all it is you who was to rule beside me.”

Cordelia was too shocked to reply. Unfortunately, he incredulity and alarm must have shown on her face all too clearly. Von Jagermeister’s eyes narrowed. “But I see I have been a fool,” he growled. “You used your charms to entrap me, but intended to betray me at the first opportunity. It is fortunate that I saw through your insidious plot.”

“I planned no such thing,” Cordelia protested. “It was you who forced me to your bed. I wanted no part of it.”

“You come to my ship clad only in the most translucent of garments and expect me to believe that you are not a temptress. You story is as transparent as your clothing.”

At that point, Liz who had mercifully kept her mouth shut suddenly entered the conversation. “Ere,” she said. “Don’t you go talkin’ to Miss Cordelia like that. You’re nuffink but a German bully.”

That remark ended the conversation. “Take Miss Delacourt and her servant back to her room. Place a guard outside the door. I will decide what is to be done with them later.”

Cordelia struggled to regain control of herself. The entire conversation had degenerated into an argument with a madman. Anything she said would only make it worse. She made no effort to protest as she and Liz were led back to their quarters.

PREVIOUS CHAPTER WIZARD'S LAIR MAIN PAGE L'ESPION'S STORY PAGE NEXT CHAPTER