The airship was a blend of the past and the present.

The mage who had summoned The Wind's Edge was a pale, dapper man with a moustache, and he appeared justifiably proud of the ship's maiden voyage. The vessel cut an impressive figure as it sailed across the city, beginning at the seaside Azure Docks and tacking against the wind toward The Iron Tether, Aurinthia's industrial district. From there, the ship would complete a circuit of the city, stopping at various berths and ports to pick up fortunate passengers who had obtained tickets through means or lottery. While it carried little cargo, it was customary for such voyages to transport both passengers and goods on their maiden voyage to allow the new captain and crew to become familiar with the ship's quirks and adapt to them.

The Wind's Edge was built in an older style, with fine, lightweight wood, topped by enormous canvas sails, and supported by a massive egg-shaped balloon above. The balloon was secured to the ship's frame below with sturdy ropes, chains, lattices, and ladders that enabled the crew to climb up for maintenance when necessary. The bulwarks that protected the Edge's passengers from falling were adorned with exquisite brass and gold decorations, a motif echoed in the crew's uniforms and the stylized logo—a brass pin depicting the ship itself, proudly worn on their chests.

It should be said that the wooden ship contrasted sharply with the more contemporary airships made of metal and glass, powered and lifted by burning enchanted matter. Though The Edge was significantly slower than the swift warships used at the front, as Amiri ascended to the upper deck and ran her hand across the polished wood, she felt that the ship possessed more soul than its modern counterparts. The contemporary vessels all seemed to lack character, as if they were all cast from the same mold. Witnessing something different was a breath of fresh air.

The airship summoner's expression evolved throughout the flight. Initially amazed and delighted by the ship's launch and grand reception, he began to appear aimless and out of place as the novelty wore off over the next half bell.

The nobles formed their own exclusive circles and showed no interest in conversing with him or anyone else. The captain and his crew were constantly in motion, their seasoned expertise evident in subtle ways—like their seamless coordination and the ease with which they communicated using sailors' shorthand or hand signals:

"Fallropes here, Captain Arin."

"Rapidboard gear here, Cap'."

One crew member simply waited for the captain's gaze to meet his, then pointed at a panel Amiri couldn't see and performed a quick, graceful hand gesture to convey something she couldn't decipher. Finally, a more notable observation:

"The westerly has changed, Captain. Feels like rain."

Upon hearing this, Captain Arin strode across the deck toward the mage.

"Summoner Theowulf," he called as he approached, "does this ship have any protection against the elements? A wind barrier? Something for the rain?" Theowulf's face lit up. "It does! It's more of a mitigation or a diversion than a barrier; the elements are pushed to either side of the ship, which I'm told is a good thing. Should I activate it now?"

The captain surveyed the upper deck, his gaze passing over the passengers, including Amiri. He then stepped toward the railing, peering down at the remaining passengers and casting a glance westward at the cloud bank across the city. "Not yet; we'll let them enjoy the breeze a bit longer. And yes, a mitigating barrier is considered better than a blocking one on passenger vessels—it's more efficient. Does the barrier have a physical lever or button the pilot can press, or is it only activated by reading?" he asked.

Theowulf began to answer but paused, pulling back his oiled cloak to reveal a dark leather harness holding a book with a burgundy spine. He deftly removed it and flipped through the pages with the practised ease of someone who knows exactly where to find the information they seek. As he read, his pale face gradually reddened.

"Yes," he admitted, "there should be a small box in the pilot's room with controls for the barrier and other gauges. I overlooked it." The captain simply nodded and said, "That's fine; that's what these initial flights are for. Is it a minor alteration to include it, or will it require a full re-manifestation?" Theowulf scanned the page again before confirming, "It's just a minor alteration; I can have it done when we're docked at The Iron Tether. If we could bring up some extra wood, brass, and a bit of glass, it'll be even faster." The captain immediately called for the necessary supplies and quickly told the mage, "You'll have it. We carry enough supplies for major repairs if needed, as required by law, even though she's just a city workhorse and will never see the front." He then slapped Theowulf on the shoulder amiably and continued with his captainly duties.

Amiri observed the exchange from her spot on the upper deck, leaning against the bulwark to stay out of the way and clutching her ticket tightly as though someone might take it from her. She inhaled deeply, trying to ease the knot of tension in her chest, but it didn't help.

"First airship ride on the way to my first job interview. Why did I think doing both in one day was a good idea?"

She shook her head to dispel the negative thoughts, knowing that such introspection could lead to anxiety and stress. Instead of focusing inward, Amiri gazed outward at the horizon in an attempt to clear her mind. It was a beautiful day with blue skies and fluffy white clouds, the sun warm and the wind cool and gentle. A ship had departed the aerodrome behind them, bound for the front. The vessel, shaped like a pen nib, was entirely black—sharp at the front and flaring at the back toward the engines. It reminded Amiri of a hornet poised to sting. The warship was rapidly gaining speed but wouldn't truly unleash its engines until it had cleared the city.

Gazing down at the city from above, Ri observed a tapestry of rooftops, chimneys, and haphazard streets below. The ever-shifting cityscape gradually blurred together, its hypnotic motion slowly unravelling the knot of tension deep in her navel. Ri released a deep breath, secured her ticket in her jacket's inner pocket, and decided to seek another group of people to pass the time. Her hand trailed along the smooth wooden rail as she strolled towards the centre of the deck, where she found another group of passengers to observe.

Being the initial leg of the airship's journey, the majority of the passengers were of noble lineage, or at least well moneyed. They stood tall and proud against the wind, their exquisite cloaks, capes, and dresses billowing around them. Several ladies opted for pantsuits, which were more manageable in unpredictable winds. The visible harnesses weren't made of the common polyester or cotton but crafted from fine leather or silk. Ri even spotted someone wearing an elegant lilac velvet sling-style harness cradling a thin tome. The worn edges and spines of the books she glimpsed were worlds apart from her own experiences. Pausing by the railing that overlooked the lower deck, Ri angled herself to watch the group of about ten nobles nearby.

"Look at him," sneered a pretty blonde woman in a pantsuit, her hair tied back in a tight ponytail. She glanced disdainfully towards the airship's summoner. "He doesn't even know the contents of his own book. I can't believe you convinced me to board this wooden tub, Adeline. I'm half-convinced we'll all be bailing out before the next port."

A plump, fair-skinned woman in a long dress, presumably Adeline, retorted, "Do you think we should disembark at the Tethers and take a carriage to your estate, Isa?"

The blonde woman, Isa, frowned and turned to a young man in a black military-style jacket with dark hair and a well-groomed beard. "What do you think, Marcus?"

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Marcus shifted his body back towards the group, his eyes leaving the mage summoner, captain, and crew. "It's safe, Isadora. Galen Arin is a solid captain, and he brought most of his crew with him when he resigned his commission." His voice was deep and soft, cutting through the nobles' conversation effortlessly and demanding attention. Ri strained to hear him over the wind.

Facing Isa completely, Marcus continued, "The ship looks sturdy. She's slow in flight, but her cargo bay is excellent—it's a design we haven't seen before. The time she loses in the air, she'll save at the berth." A young man standing next to him asked, "So, does she get your seal of approval, then, Marcus? She would be your first." Marcus nodded decisively, "Unless something goes wrong, yes. I'll be late to your soirée, Isadora; I've decided to stay on the ship until it returns to the Aerodrome." Isa pouted but nodded in agreement.

"I'll go tell the Captain," Marcus declared before heading towards the bridge. As he swerved around a crew member—a tall woman with olive skin—he almost collided with her, causing her to stumble and trip into the nobles. Accepting a hand up, she winced as she strained her leg. "Sorry, m'Lords and Ladies," she said with a thick accent, now standing amidst the group. "I'm doing the rounds 'cause the Cap'n says we'll be putting up the rain barrier soon. If you want to see it, you can stand there," she pointed towards the balcony of the upper deck, which looked down at the lower deck and the ship's prow. "Should be soon." She gave an awkward, unpractised bow, faltering on her injured leg and bumping into a young noble who scowled and gave her a wide berth as he left.

Amiri anticipated the crew member would inform her and the other passengers about the barrier, but that didn't happen. The crew member stood up from her awkward bow, a half-smile on her olive-skinned face. She turned towards the stairs leading to the lower platform and quickly descended, disappearing from view.

Curious about the barrier, Amiri moved towards the balcony, wondering what design it would have. Ship-tight barriers were the most common, but they came in various geometric shapes, each with their own advantages and drawbacks. They were usually coloured, giving the ship and the world around it a tinted appearance. Glancing down at the lower deck, Amiri saw the tall, olive-skinned woman striding confidently across. She moved with the grace of someone used to a ship's motion, her hips swaying in a way that made Amiri envious. Male passengers watched her intently as she walked. Amiri noticed she didn't seem to have any issue with her leg.

Just as the woman reached the starboard side, a fire erupted on the port side of the lower deck.

Startled cries and murmurs arose as passengers shifted away from the source of it. Amiri observed a small plume of foul-looking smoke and a few red embers sparking into the air. Crew members quickly surrounded the area, urging passengers to clear the way and give them space to work. One crew member approached the smoke, book in hand, and recited a verse in a clear voice:

"The cerulean waves crash,

With a forceful and mighty splash,

The azure depths call out,

In whispers and soft shouts.

The sea, a world of its own,

With secrets and mysteries unknown,

A place of peace and stormy rage,

A story told by every wave."

Upon finishing the stanza, a jet of water sprang from his hand, extinguishing the fire and toppling the source—a canvas satchel or bag. Another crew member muttered an incantation, which Amiri couldn't hear, but she saw the result: the smoke was captured and forced into a small ball, then floated towards a lantern or thurible, which snapped shut behind it, having the immediate effect of clearing the air.

The water-wielding crew member inspected the bag and hissed at his fellow crewmates. He holstered his book and communicated with the crew in rapid hand signals. In response, most of the crew began scanning the passengers. Amiri knew a few words of handtalk, but the sailors' hands moved too quickly for her to catch anything.

Captain Arin, who had been watching from the crew's ring around the area, called out in a clear voice, "We are looking for the owner of this bag. If you saw anyone with it, please report to any crew member. The fire was started using enchanted matter. We will call the city watch when we reach the Tethers. Please be patient with the delay." With that, he returned to the flight deck.

The Captain appeared calm, but his eyes scanned the passengers, searching for a clue or tell. The nobles near the middle of the deck murmured among themselves, various expressions playing across their faces. Isadora and Adeline looked frightened and disbelieving, while the male nobles seemed interested and cautious. One face stood out, though. A tall young man with caramel skin and wind-tousled brown hair looked pale and shocked. However, he wasn't looking at the commotion on the lower deck. He was looking down, frantically searching his pockets.

"Max, is everything alright?" the other nobleman inquired, his round, friendly face creased with concern. "Check your pockets quickly," Max warned, his voice laced with dread. "I think we've been duped." The group of nobles immediately patted down their pockets, confirming their fears. "My coin purse is gone," a red-cheeked woman cried out; "My summoning materials," lamented the friendly-faced one; "and my writing materials," the hawkish young man added. "She must have one hell of a manifestation," he continued. "I didn't see a thing." The group turned to him, asking, "She?" The man nodded, "The crew member who bumped into us? Tall and attractive? Let's inform the captain, find her, and recover our belongings." His expression hardened, his eyes narrowed over his long nose, "And let's make sure she's punished for her actions." He then turned and headed for the flight deck. From the lower deck, Marcus ascended the steps swiftly, rapier in hand but unsheathed, and the group turned as he approached. Marcus began speaking to his companions immediately.

Struggling to hear Marcus's deep voice over the wind and the din of the other passengers, Amiri leaned against the railing and slowly made her way from her corner spot to the centre of the deck. She caught snippets of the conversation midstream.

"... uniforms hidden in cupboards, and another one in the charred bag. The second mate saw someone city-dive with light gear, and I assume the rest followed suit. We should..." Marcus trailed off, his eyes meeting Max's. "No," was all he uttered, filled with denial and disbelief. The other nobles looked back and forth, clearly confused. "Max," Marcus said softly, but with great intensity, locking eyes with him. A world of expectation was held in that name. Max took a shaky breath, akin to the sound of a gun being cocked, swallowed hard, but didn't look away. "It's gone, Marcus. She took it," he said, his voice unsteady. Marcus reacted as if struck, stepping back and turning slightly, his eyebrows furrowing and a vein appearing on his forehead. He strode to the starboard side of the ship, away from Amiri, and pulled out his book, reciting with venom:

"Black birds swarm in darkened skies,

Their caws and cries a foul surprise,

Feathers sharp as pointed knives,

Their presence brings dread and sighs.

In their beady eyes, a cold disdain,

Their feathers black as sorrow's pain,

They gather in a twisted chain,

A harbinger of rage and disdain.

Corvids, corvids, a cursed throng,

Their angry cries, a piercing song,

With every flap of wing, they belong,

In a place where fury thrives strong.

Their message clear, a warning sent,

Of dire times, and ill intent,

Their anger fierce, with no relent,

Corvids, corvids, their anger, we must prevent."

Upon finishing the last stanza, he snapped the book shut and returned it to its holder, clapping his hands together. Gradually, Marcus drew his hands apart, revealing gossamer threads of shadow between them. The web of shadows grew thicker and larger until enormous ropes of darkness were spooled between his outstretched arms. He clapped his hands together once more, the threads forming an uneven ball. He cast the ball off the ship and into the sky. The ball of shadow arced downward, away from the ship. Amiri nearly lost sight of it, but at the very last moment, the ball exploded outward - dark shapes flying in all directions. Enormous black birds, like oversized crows, materialised from the ether, their cries piercing the air. The birds dispersed in every direction, soaring over the city below in separate paths.

"Find her" Marcus whispered softly, but only the wind heard him.