Chapter Two Hundred and Thirty-Eight - Towerhidden

Chapter Two Hundred and Thirty-Eight - Towerhidden

Chapter Two Hundred and Thirty-Eight - Towerhidden

The Beaver circled around the tower. Not just to bleed off some speed, but because it let us snoop at the big tower and its surroundings, in case some not-so-neighbourly sorts of people were waiting to ambush us.

That was mostly Bastions concern.

I was looking forward to meeting the cry living in the tower.

Or maybe it would be more accurate to say the cry that made up the tower.

The entire top was a mushrooming cap of angular, bluish crystal, growing out and over the upper edge of the cylindrical tower. Every few meters around there were some arrow slits, but they were filled with jutting bits of blue crystal.

Looks clear, Bastion said.

Same from this side! Joe called out from where he was hanging off the other deck.

Clive spun the wheel a little, then gently pushed one of the levers back up. The engines constant droning hum stilled, the Beaver slowing down a bunch. Finally, we started to rock a bit in the air. Without constant momentum pulling us ahead, and with the ships centre of gravity being somewhat high, we had a tendency to sway a bit.

Well get him settled, then come down a little until we can drop anchor, Clive said. Well be keeping our nose south.

I looked out ahead of the ship. Isnt that the direction we came from? I asked the obvious.

Yes, and its a direction in which we didnt see any adversaries, Bastion said. Good thinking, Clive.

Not my idea, the old harpy said. Just some old common sense thats been shared around.

With a whud, the anchor dropped onto the sandy ground around the oasis, Clive tugged back on a lever and the Beaver lowered down until the keep was hovering just a couple of metres over the ground.

Who wants to go down first? I asked as I kicked the rope ladder down. It unfurled with a clatter and rattled against the hull before settling down.

Go ahead, Amaryllis said. This isnt some unexplored land, so I hardly see any great glory in being the first to set their talon down.

I grinned and climbed down the ladder until I was a rung away from the earth. That's one small step for a bun, one giant leap for bunkind.

Broccoli, what on Dirt are you talking about? Amaryllis asked.

I looked up to see her half-contorted around to stare at me. Im having fun, I said as I jumped back.

Soon, all of my friends were gathered in the shade cast by the airship and its big balloon. Moonie didnt take the ladder, on account of having no hands or legs or limbs at all, and just floated down to hover next to us.

Okay! Moonie, is there a proper way to greet a cry you havent met before? I asked.

Its customary to trade ones full name, guest first. Other than that, there arent any customs I can think of, no, the cry said.

Just because Moonie couldnt think of any customs, didnt mean that there werent any. After spending so long on Dirt and meeting so many new people, Id come to expect them to behave strangely compared to what I was used to.

Lets go say hi then, I said after translating what Moonie had said. And lets try to remember to be polite!

Why were you looking at me when you said that? Amaryllis asked.

Coincidence?

You do know Im the only one here with any sort of diplomatic training, she said.

Awa, I have some, Awen said. Its part of being a lady.

As do I, Bastion adds. Paladins often escort diplomats, and royalty, for that matter.

I tapped my chin. Well, I dont have an education in being diplomatic, but I have convinced dragons not to eat villages, made deals with nobles of different countries, befriended princesses, and I can be real convincing sometimes.

Amaryllis pouted, which really didnt suit her.

But, uh, Im sure youre really good too, Amaryllis, I said.

I suppose I only have to welcome you to the Lonely Island then. It is a quiet place on most days. The Monocorn graze to the north, and to the north and west is a small settlement of soft ones. Perhaps, if you wish, you may station yourself there to grow. They can be quite agreeable.

Moonie shifted. I... I do like soft ones. Perhaps I will. Thank you for the welcome, Towerhidden.

Was that it? Moonie didnt need to eat, and they didnt need clothes and such, so were we just going to leave them here?

I must know. Were you followed on your way here? Towerhidden asked.

Just out of the Grey Wall, I said. Some cry in rocket-powered planes attacked us. Other than that, though, no, I dont think we were followed.

You may want to reconsider that.

I spun around and looked to the south, ears bouncing back up straight as I squinted at the horizon and looked for... anything, really. There were some clouds, but nothing visible. I cant see anything.

See what? Bastion asked as he turned.

Towerhidden implies that we were followed, I said.

My sight is greater than your own, soft one, Towerhidden chimed in. There are ships coming, three of them.

What do they look like? I asked.

I do not know much of the ships small ones use, but there are trailing great gouts of black smoke.

Rocket-powered airships? I asked. That sounded... really terrible.

We should go, Bastion said.

Right, I said. Uh, this feels wrong, just leaving.

Moonie bobbed up and down, then paused. Would... would I be asking too much to come with you? Only as far as the settlement to the north? Perhaps if I am seen leaving the ship, they will not chase you.

I can assist, Towerhidden said. I do not want my location being divulged, but I can still assist. Reach Mistrust, and you will find aid waiting for you.

Mistrust? I asked.

The town of soft ones to the north. Go. I dont wish the shards from the Crying Mountains around my tower.

I looked at my friends, then gestured to the Beaver. We should get going, I said.

One moment, Towerhidden said. Shard of Mountaintoppers Growth, Fourth Shard, and not Yet Whole, I have something which I wish to give you. A missive to be passed on.

I gestured for my friends to go. I could catch up. And I sorta wanted to snoop into the tower while I was here.

I didnt get to see much. The door opened, and within was a cavern-like space, lined with bluish crystals that reflected light from every direction like an unmoving kaleidoscope. Moonie moved in, and I heard the tower hum and chime, but I couldnt understand anything for a moment. Just as quickly as they entered, Moonie was out with a scroll, of all things, hovering next to them.

Got everything? I asked.

I do, Moonie said.

Neat! Bye, Towerhidden! Id give you a goodbye hug, but I dont have time to go all the way around and hug you equally.

I fail to understand.

Thats okay too, I said. Poor Towerhidden. Didnt know what he was missing. Stay safe!

I sprinted back to the Beaver. The crew, my friends, were already running around and getting the airship ready to take off.

Hopefully this next stretch of the adventure wouldnt hurt our ship any more than it had been already. I hopped a few times, then bounced up and onto the deck. Alright everyone! Lets get ready to set sail!

Thats what were doing, you unobservant idiot, Amaryllis said.

Oh, right.

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