Chapter Two Hundred and Fifty-Nine - Ironclad Hugs

Chapter Two Hundred and Fifty-Nine - Ironclad Hugs

Chapter Two Hundred and Fifty-Nine - Ironclad Hugs

Do you have everything? Amaryllis asked. Only her head was poking into my room, the rest of her not visible since she was leaning in from the corridor.

I looked at my backpack and nodded. I think so. I guess Ill be travelling light, huh?

I had my best clothes on, armour atop that, and my spade was waiting for me by the door. My bag was nearly empty though. A few books for the flight, some spare clothes, including the suit Id worn at that ball, some tea-making supplies, and a couple of hats. My captain-ing hat, my top-hat from that one dungeon, and my turtle helmet that was currently sitting on my head. That was it.

Travelling light is fine, Amaryllis replied. We might do some shopping while out in the capital.

I glanced up. I thought we were going to be doing diplomatic stuff?

Of course we are, Amaryllis said with an eye roll. But that wont take up the entire time that were there. Our mission is important, yes, but for the most part it boils down to delivering a few messages to the right ears. Perhaps offering a few bribes and a bit of proof here and there.

Were not going to be bribing people, are we? I asked.

Oh, not that kind of bribe, Amaryllis said with a wave of her wing. But I can make promises on behalf of my family. Theres a lot to be gained from trade between Sylphfree and the Nesting Mountains, trade that would very much be lost in the case of a war.

That makes sense. Make the merchants want to avoid fighting because fighting would mean making less money.

Exactly, Amaryllis said. She stepped into my room fully. She had all of her adventuring gear on, with her dagger strapped by her hip and her feathers looking freshly preened. Im ready to head out whenever you are.

I nodded and stuffed a blanket into my pack. Getting caught without a blanket, or at least a towel, would be terribly silly. Im ready too! I picked up my turtle-shell hat from next to the door and wiggled my ears into the helms ear-holes. It always made my fur go the wrong way when I put that on.

Amaryllis and I peeked into Awens room while I rubbed my ears straight. Hey Awen, I said.

The mechanic looked up to me from the floor. She was on her knees next to an open duffle bag filled with all sorts of tools and knick-knacks that looked like they were on the heavier side.

At least it meant she was finally picking up her room. So many loose things were probably a hazard if we did any maneuvering.

Oh, awa, hi, she said. Im nearly done?

Did you pack anything other than tools? Amaryllis asked.

Awen looked down at her bag, then blinked. Oh, I guess Ill need another bag for clothing and toiletries.

I guess I can help, I said as I stepped in, careful not to place a foot on anything sharp-looking. Do you have a second bag?

Yes, here, Awen said. She found a backpack in one of her drawers, under to even more tools, and set it on the ground next to me.

Right! I said. Youll want some formal wear, maybe that pretty dress from the ball? And some everyday stuff. Your armour, of course, in case of adventuring. Dont forget to bring enough underthings too. One for each day, plus one more in case of emergencies.

B-Broccoli! Awen whined.

Oh, right, I guess I can just use Cleaning magic if anything happens.

Unlike the Beaver the ship didnt have a very ship-like appearance. She was a lot boxier, with a prow that was angular and a hull that seemed to be entirely made of steel plates riveted in place.

Amaryllis, Awen and I moved out of the way of a group of sylphs pushing a cart loaded with boxes freshly transferred off of the Little Atlas. We waited for the coast to be clear before stepping up to the ship. There were a few planks set up to allow people to cross over, and one of those had the person that I figured had to be the captain.

She was a sylph that I suspect was on the shorter side, only coming up to my chest, but her captains hat more than made up for it. It was a very nice, stately hat, a bicorn with a few smaller feathers on the side and a nice badge pinned to the other.

Hello! I called out with a wave that I hoped was properly jaunty.

The captain looked up from some papers she was flipping through and looked our way. She said something to one of her crew then stepped over and folded her arms at the small of her back. Greetings. May I help you? she asked.

Yes maam, I said. Im Captain Broccoli Bunch, and these are my companions. We have a, uh, charter onboard your ship today. I glanced to the side, just to make sure the name on the side of the ship was right. It did say the Little Atlas in big bun-high letters.

Ah, I see. Yes, I received word about your arrival, the captain said as she pulled out her papers and checked through them. A little early, but better than late. It says here you would be four? Including a... Paladin?

Thats probably Bastion, hes a bit busy, I think. I havent seen him since yesterday afternoon, but I doubt hell be late, thats just not like him.

I see. Im Captain Risa Galebane, of the Snapdragon Transportation consortium. Its a pleasure to meet a fellow captain. She extended a hand to shake, and I leaned forwards to grab it. She had a good grip.

Im still very new to the job, so Id love to hear any advice you have, I said. Also, she had the coolest name for an airship captain. Way better than Bunch.

Id love to share a meal, perhaps once weve taken off, Captain Galebane said.

So, permission to come aboard? I asked.

Granted, she replied, a slight smile twitching up the corners of her lips before she gestured back onto the ship.

We climbed aboard, and I couldnt help but stare around. There was a balloon overhead, one that was nearly as large as the ship itself. There had to be a lot of gravity generators on board to compensate for the small size of the balloon. The ship didnt have as many sails as the Beaver, but it did have a lot more propellers. Two on the side, one at the front in a large housing, and a large one at the rear.

Interesting design, Amaryllis commented. I think we experimented with multi-prop configurations like this before, but we never found it all that efficient.

The gearing must be so complicated, Awen said. Unless they have multiple engines, which would bring a whole host of other problems along.

I can imagine, I said.

Someone ran up to us, a younger sylph who bowed before us. Hello, and welcome aboard the Little Atlas. Can I assist you with your things? Ill be showing you to the guest quarters.

Sure, I said. That would be really nice of you.

Awen handed him her dufflebag, which was the only non-backpack bag we had. He hugged it close, then with a grunt of effort, led us to the rear of the ship where a door was placed under the quarterdeck. We went down a level and past a large cargo hold, parts of the ceiling set aside to make room for packages being lifted out by the ships crew.

The quarters we had were at the very front of the ship, a small section behind a door with a little living area and some rooms to the sides. They were smaller even than the rooms aboard the Beaver, barely more than a bed and a door, but theyd do for the trip.

Thank you, I said. I think were going to have a great flight.

***