Chapter Sixty-Three - The Shady Lady

Chapter Sixty-Three - The Shady Lady

Chapter Sixty-Three - The Shady Lady

When I woke up it was to find that Amaryllis was already up and about. She must have taken a shower because her feathers were still drippy and she had a towel wrapped around her head. Oh, you finally decided to wake up, she said.

The words were biting, but the tone didnt match at all. She sounded... softer than she would have yesterday. I smiled a little, then hid myself in the warm pile of blankets until only the top of my head stuck out. Im not coming out until someone brings breakfast, I said.

You moron, Amaryllis said. I didn't take you for the lazy sort.

Im not lazy. Im merely highly unmotivated to leave my warm snuggle cocoon, I said.

Orange, who had slipped under the blankets, poked her head out and gave us both a glare that seemed to say really, at this hour?

Come on, we should grab something to eat on the road. There are vendors out all over this city. Or do you want to miss the opportunity Lord Bristlecone is giving us?

Somewhat reluctantly (I wasnt lazy, but it was really comfy under there) I pushed the pile of blankets until they smothered Orange and I hopped off the bed. I was only in my blouse and underthings, and all of the rest of my clothes were near my bed. It took a disproportionate amount of effort to trudge over and start getting dressed though.

Is Abraham really a Lord? I asked.

He is, technically, Amaryllis said.

How can someone technically be a Lord? I wondered.

She sighed. He has something of a reputation. He earned the title through some, shall we call them, exploits. Hes not one of the founders of the Exploration Guild, but he was one of their big names for a long while. There are towns named after him, and landmarks that he discovered cover most maps. Hes quite famous in some circles.Fịndd new updates at novelhall.com

So going with him is a big deal? I asked.

Amaryllis huffed. It was a new huff that I hadnt heard before. Hes a bit of a washout. No, thats not the correct term. He merely grew old, and instead of retiring in grace he still leads the occasional daring mission into the frontier or goes on some harebrained adventure. There are characters in childrens books that bear a striking resemblance to him. Hes a fossil.

I think he was nice, and maybe a little lonely, I said. No one wanted to hear his stories.

I cant imagine why, Amaryllis deadpanned.

Shaking my head, I slid on my shoes, then tied them up. I was still keeping a set of boots in my bags. My Earth shoes were just a whole lot more comfortable, though they were starting to show some wear.

And Im ready! I said as I bounced to my feet.

Finally, Amaryllis said.

We went downstairs after I picked up my backpack and cradled Orange in the crook of my arm where she would at least be snug and warm, or as warm as a spirit cat could be, I guess. Julien wasnt behind the bar, instead it was manned... grenoiled, by a young lady who waved us goodbye as we went out the front.

Zank ze stars. Ze Shady Lady is over at dock fifty-one. At my confused look he pointed off to one side. Two levels down. Look for ze plaque at ze base of ze pier. He then pointed to a nearby dock where a plaque was stamped onto the ground that read Twelve in big letters.

Thank you sir! I said before I jogged back to Amaryllis. Follow me!

I have a bad feeling about this, Amaryllis said.

Oh, dont be a worrywort, I said. Were about to go on another adventure! Just imagine how much fun well have.

The moment we arrived at pier fifty-one I started to have the same bad feeling that Amaryllis had mentioned. I wondered if it was contagious, or if she just knew something I didnt.

The Shady Lady was hard to miss. Mostly because the ship at the end of the pier had her name emblazoned on its side in foot-high letters. The fact that the words ran half-way across the length of the ship said much about its size.

The airship was small. Tiny even. With a long hull made of wood and a bunch of triangular sails mounted on poles that stuck out every which way from the ship. There was a little cabin at the back, with exhaust pipes sticking out of it, and a small area above that cabin with a large wheel that probably served to direct the ship. The very back of the ship ended abruptly with a huge propeller stuck to a shaft.

And above it all an oblong balloon whose original colour I could only guess at. It was covered in so many patches and nets and bits of tarp that it was impossible to tell what it was supposed to look like.

One thing was immediately obvious: the Shady Lady deserved her name. Too many of her planks were mismatched to be original, and there were some nasty scrapes along the bottom. There was even a pole sticking out of the bow that I was pretty sure was a spear that had stayed lodged in the front of her.

I can glide, Amaryllis said. So when she goes down, ditch that bag of yours and do try to hang on.

Im sure itll be fine, I tried to assure her. And myself.

The door to the ships cabin burst open and a spotless Abraham stepped out of it. On his heels was Raynald, who looked just as spiffy now as he did at the guild.

Broccoli! And you brought your feathery friend! Abraham said as he raised both arms in an enthusiastic greeting. Welcome, come aboard, come aboard. Were all ready to set sail, to maraude across the clouds and maybe get into a bit of a scrap with some wild drakes or a griffon or two.

I felt a grin tugging at my lips. Hello, Abraham, I said. Mister Raynald. Its a good morning to meet you two!

Ahaha! A good morning indeed. Come on, the Shady Lady doesnt bite, not when Im around at least. Hoh-oh!

Laughing, I hopped over from the pier to the ship, and took a few steps to steady myself once aboard. A few steps was all I could take since the entire vessel was only five meters or so wide at its middle. The entire deck had things on it. Poles for ropes, pulleys, a few seats with fishing rods next to them. There were even small cannons tucked next to the rails where they couldnt be seen from outside of the ship.

It looked like the Shady Lady had had parts added and removed and changed all throughout her life as a little airship, and despite my reservations I was growing to like her a whole lot. She had personality.

Cmon birdy, Abraham said. If we want to make it to Greenshade sometime this week we ought to head out sooner rather than later!

Amaryllis hopped over to the ship, then jumped down the rails to land next to me. If I die on this death-trap, Im returning as a ghost to haunt you, she said. And my name is Amaryllis, not birdy.

Very well then, Lady Amaryllis, Abraham said. Welcome aboard the Shady Lady. Let me show you girls around right quick. Were short handed, so well all have to do our part else well drop out of the sky like a sack full of lead bricks. Why, that reminds me of the time I encountered the dread air-pirate Golden Rogers...

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