We headed back inside, and I cooked lunch for everyone while mother brewed us up a new batch of potions. Stale bread became delicious with careful frying, and cheese and olive oil with tomato and shortly I had bruschetta to offer everyone.

Magitech cooling and heating did come in handy, but it was a strange feeling to realize just how modern and yet utterly medieval this world felt. The strange sense of living in a tourist village. I giggled to myself. Including cosplaying as the heroine. I thought.

Mother returned just in time for lunch, carrying a basket full of potions, her words full of praise for the quality of the ingredients that we’d given her.

“Mother, I really am not comfortable with this, how are you going to make money?!”

She laughed gaily. “Oh Lily sweetie, this is just the first batch, the ingredients you’ve given me will make another 10 batches easily! You are most definitely paying for your services!”

I blinked in surprise. “Oh. Well. If that’s so…”

Mother nodded firmly. “That’s so. Now, I understand Darshanna has convinced you to let her come along this time?”

I blushed. “Yes, that’s so.”

Darshanna waved her fork with her mouth full. I took that to be assent and encouragement.

She does not have the best manners for a princess. I wonder if that’s rebelling against her upbringing or if she just never paid attention to her tutors?

Well it would be rude to ask, for sure. At least until her ‘big reveal’ and even then, it would still be terribly imposing. I tsked to myself.

Eshaan was unhappy with being left behind, and I could tell Soriya was a little disappointed she wasn’t going to get some alone time with Daniyel, but I assured them it would just be for a short while.

“I’m expecting something to go wrong on the airship.” I explained. “And as such, having a mechanic along would be best.”

“That’s why you should take Eideth!” Eshaan argued. “And if you think something’s going to go wrong then I should be the one at your side!”

I sighed and looked down. It was sweet of him, but… I shook my head. “Eshaan, not like that. Or not entirely like that. I suspect mechanical failure, not combat. And with all respect to Eideth, I think I need someone who’s a little more used to things going catastrophically wrong, and putting them right quickly.” I looked around. “Where is Eideth anyway?”

Darshanna swallowed her food and replied “Oh she’s out prospecting for potential materials. She thinks she can get a good deal for local metals and she’s already convinced Everett that it’ll be easier to forge the metal from ore than have it delivered.”

“Huh. Well, I suppose she is the expert… I didn’t even know we had ore deposits nearby.”

Darshanna laughed. “Neither did Everett! I think he’s more excited than Eideth is!”

I smiled at her. “You seem to have gotten comfortable with my neighbors. I’m glad.”

Darshanna colored and looked down at her food, mumbling something. I didn’t press her on it.

“So that’s that. Hopefully my predictions are off, and nothing will trouble us the whole ride, and I’ll see everyone in 2 days’ time, when we can explore Spyre together.”

There was a little muttering from Eshaan, and Soriya gave a little huffing sigh, but it seemed that was it. Conversation turned to how long it would be before the airship was ready, and what kinds of things we might want to buy when we finally got to Spyre.

Mother came in, holding several potion vials between her fingers. “Lily, Soriya! I had to show you! Look how well these potions came out!” She placed them in the middle of the table. The soft red, gold, and blue glows from the bottle lit the table with odd radiance.

I looked at the bottles, my eyes wide with surprise. The amount of mana radiating from them was of a truly different scale than the ones I was used to.

Behind me, Devdan leaned forward to examine the bottles with a keen eye.

Eshaan poked at a bottle curiously. “I don’t get it. They look just the same.”

I looked up at him in shock, and then Soriya laughed. “That’s right, you can’t see mana!”

She picked up one of the bottles. “This potion is at least twice as powerful as the ones we’ve been using before.” She looked up at mother for confirmation.

Mother nodded with satisfaction. “Oh easily! With a few more improvements to the distilling apparatus I’m confident I can triple or even quadruple the results!”

I gave a low whistle. “Home brewed x-potions?” I murmured quietly.

“The quality of the ingredients you’ve gotten me is out of this world Lily! I’m so proud of you!” She swept over behind me, and leaned down to give me a hug.

I squirmed uncomfortably. “I didn’t really do much mother, just fight slimes in a sewer.” I protested.

“And you brought back the drops!” She smiled tolerantly at me.

Darshanna tugged my sleeve. “What’s an... ‘x-potion’?” She asked.

I smiled wryly. “Never mind, it’s just… another term for a powerful potion. Can you see the mana in these?”

She brightened up, and pulled down the goggles that had been resting on her head. “I can now!” She said confidently, then turned to stare at the bottles. Her mouth fell open in a soundless ‘o’ when she did.

“Those goggles let you see mana?!” Eshaan’s voice was filled with awe. “May I try them?! I’ve always wondered about it!”

Darshanna shook her head to clear it, and then slipped the goggles over her head, handing them to Eshaan wordlessly.

He gave a little giggle of glee, slipping them over his head and down across his eyes.

“Oh… Oh wow!” He looked around the room, staring at everything in what I assumed was wide eyed wonder.

I turned to Darshanna. “The goggles are new.” I said conversationally. “Did you make them recently?”

She nodded. “Yeah. I’ve had an idea for them for a while. At least the theory, anyway. Eideth gave me the clue to put it together.” She started picking up speed with her explanation. “The key was to soak the lenses in….” she trailed to a stop. “You really don’t care, do you?”

I tipped my head to the side, then reached out and took her hand in mine, patting it gently. “I don’t understand it. That’s a long way from not caring about it.” I said gently. “But if you want to talk about it…” I pointed to Eshaan who was examining the wood grain of the table with excited glee. “I think you’ll find that Eshaan is more than happy to discuss it.” I paused for a longer moment, then said “Not everyone can understand you, Darshanna. That doesn’t mean you’re wrong for being excited by things.” I patted her hand, and gently pushed a {Persuade} at her. “You’re valuable for being you. Not what people want you to be. Ok?”

Darshanna stared at me like I’d grown a third head, and then suddenly stood up and rushed for the back door. “I just remembered; I have to check on the mana flux!” she said as she vanished, her voice suspiciously thick.

Daniyel squeezed my shoulder as he stood to follow, then leaned down and said “That was well said, Miss Lilyanna. I am in your debt.” Before he vanished after Air Pirate Captain Darshanna.

Eshaan looked up, as they left, pushing the goggles up on top of his head. “Eh? Where are they going? Did I miss something?”

I smiled at him and shook my head in amusement. “Darshanna just had to go check the mana flux. I’m sure she’ll be back soon. And then we can get going.” I turned to mother again. “Thank you for the potions, mother. If you’re sure that it’s ok if we take them? We’re still leaving you enough to sell?”

“Oh yes, definitely! Don’t worry Lily, your mother hasn’t taken leave of her senses! I’ve been making plans for these; I’ve already had several travelling merchants express an interest!”

Devdan finally spoke up. “Actually, if you’ll permit me… I may be able to make you an offer right now.”

“Oh?” Mother looked surprised.

“Yes, I think I could definitely make you an offer. What price did the merchant offer you?”

“Oh… well, he offered me 90 zeni.” Mother said hesitantly.

Devdan’s eyes widened and he covered it with a cough. “Yes, I think I can offer a significantly better price. What would you say 260 zeni?”

Now it was mother’s turn to express shock. “T-Two hundred!?”

“And Sixty.” Devdan smiled. “Which I plan to mark up and sell in Spyre. An excellent start to my shop.”

“Well… but…” Mother waffled, twisting in indecision.

“You don’t need to decide right away. I assume you’ll want to brew another batch, assuming your daughter continues to provide materials?”

“Oh, why, yes of course!”

“Well then. If Miss Lilyanna will consent to ferry me back once we’ve concluded our business, you can simply brew another batch then.” Devdan smiled, and I felt a {Persuade} from him swaying through the air.

Huh. As expected of a merchant, honestly. I thought.

“Well then… if that’s alright…?” mother turned and looked at me questioningly. I blinked in surprise.

“Why are you looking at me? I’m just the taxi here!” I protested.

Mother laughed. “You’re a good deal more than that… but if you’re not worried, then I can trust him.” She extended her hand to Devdan and shook it firmly. “We have a deal, Mr. Devdan.”

Devdan nodded, a tiny satisfied smile on his face. “Excellent. I look forward to doing business with you, Miss…?”

“Oh, of course. My name is Holly.”

Devdan frowned. “No last name?”

“Oh we’ve never needed such silly things here. If your contract requires it, just call me Holly of Breezewood.” She said.

“Very fine then. Thank you, Miss Breezewood. And to your daughter as well.” He nodded to me. “Now, as profitable as this venture has proven, I think we should be going.” He gestured around the table. “We have an airship to catch.”

I twitched a smile. “Yes, I suppose we do. First, we have to catch Darshanna, though.”

“Ah, the {Tinker} girl and her unusual companion.” Devdan nodded, then paused, eyeing me. “If I may suggest, Miss Breezewood… why don’t you dye your hair once more, while I fetch our travelling companions. Your hair is quite vibrant, currently.”

And leaving me standing there with an open mouth, he turned and walked casually out the back, Priya followed him.

I grabbed my braid and pulled it around to look at it. Sure enough, the dye was gone, my hair once more it’s normal vibrant shade pink rather than black.

Soriya whistled low and soft. “I hadn’t even realized it. It must have happened in the sewers.”

I glared at her. “Nobody said anything?!”

Eshaan scratched at the back of his head. “Sorry Lily. It’s just so normal for you… I didn’t even think about it.”

“Eshaan! Devdan is a huge fan of adventurers! He’ll have seen the wanted poster!”

Mother frowned and set down on of the potions she’d been examining. “Wanted poster? What’s this now? What’s going on?”

I panicked. “It’s… it’s nothing, mother!” I could see from the way she looked at me, hands on her hips that my inability to lie was on full display.

“It’s just some case of mistaken identity!” Her frown got even worse.

“Lilyanna, what have you done!? Who is putting up wanted posters with my daughter’s face on them!?”

Soriya interjected smoothly. “It really is just a case of mistaken identity, Holly. Someone put up posters asking about a 17-year-old girl with pink hair.”

“What?! Who?! Why?!” Mother shouted.

Soriya winced. “As I said, it’s probably just a mistake-”

Eshaan said “The church. And they specified that the girl in question was probably a {Spiritist}.”

I stared at him in betrayed shock. “Eshaan!” I protested; my voice filled with hurt.

He looked at me. “Sorry Lily, but she’s your mother. She really does deserve to know. And you already had a fight about leaving home. She knew it would be dangerous. She’s done this before; she’s got more experience than us. Certainly more than me.” He said wryly.

Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

He turned back to mother. “We don’t know why. We’re dying her hair because it’s… well it’s strange and we don’t understand it.”

“What about that young merchant boy then?!” Mother protested angrily.

“Well… he’s a special case.” Soriya scratched at the back of her head in embarrassment. “He’s a lot more perceptive than we really expected. Some sort of {Merchant} trait or something probably. But he’s got a reason to keep it quiet, and I trust him, at least.”

After a bit more shouting and some of my best {Persuade} work, mother finally agreed to let us leave, though she admonished me to be even more careful. A quick trip to the sink to dye my hair once more, and we were finally ready to go.

“It’s strange that no one commented on my hair changing.” I said to Soriya.

“It is strange.” She agreed. “I’ll look into it while you’re away. Don’t stay too long, and be careful on that airship encounter… whatever it is. Darshanna’s sure to be under leveled.”

I nodded grimly. “Right.” I clapped my hands to get everyone’s attention. “Is everyone ready?”

General muttered agreement, as well as the expected misgivings from Mother and Eshaan. She hugged me, followed by Eshaan, which was a genuine shock.

He whispered in my ear “Be sure to come back! Promise me!” And then stepped away, blushing furiously.

I could feel my own cheeks blazing scarlet as well, as I hurriedly called up Gate, and requested a transit back to Yirath.

Back in Yirath, the street lamps blazed brightly, and it was a shock to realize just how late it was here.

I looked around the quiet back alley we’d arrived in, nervously checking to see if there were any street thugs. Then I checked the color of my braid for the fifth time.

Still black. Or… is it fading a little bit? Maybe? I chewed my lower lip, and flipped my braid back over my shoulder. Nobody said being a healer princess was this hard. I groused to myself.

“Ok.” I stage whispered to Devdan. “We’re here. The Air Port is that way.”

I was interrupted by a loud clatter and shouting from outside the alley. “Check all the streets! Make sure you don’t miss any! Remember, they have hostages with them, so be especially careful of Miss Priya!”

I rolled my eyes, while Priya clapped her hands over her mouth, her eyes wide.

“Oh, of course. Because nothing is ever simple.” I grumbled.

Devdan gave me a sympathetic smile, and then patted me lightly on the shoulder. “If anyone can do it, I’m confident you can, Miss Lilyanna.”

“Now you’re just being cruel.” I pouted. “Alright let me think.” I knelt down and chewed my lip.

I don’t want to fight them. I guess I could… the thought slowly curled around my head. The way we dealt with those street thugs… I shook my head wildly dispelling the thought. No, force is not the answer! Never the answer! But… well… ok so… what’s the opposite of force? Stealth? Deception? But I’m so bad at lying! But what if I don’t have to speak to lie…?

I looked up. “Devdan, are there females in the city watch?”

He looked confused. “Why, yes, of course. Why wouldn’t there be?”

I grinned. “Stupid reasons that you don’t want to know about.”

I stood up and Chanted. “Forge, guardian of craft and making! I call you!” The familiar roaring rush of power flooding up out of my stomach, and the feel of my mana dropping rapidly, though I noted with pride that I could summon twice now, without coughing blood or dipping into my hitpoints to pay for the cost!

Forge roared into existence, his voice a harsh rush of air over heated flame. “I answer, Child of Æther. What would you have of me?”

“Forge, I need you to create clothes for me and my four companions.”

The dragon’s head slowly surveyed our small group. “Of what manner?” it inquired.

Yes! I thought triumphantly. I hadn’t been sure that he could do this!

“The uniforms of the city watch.”

The dragon mulled over this, then nodded slowly. “Difficult, but doable. Let us begin.”

The dragon exhaled over us, flame roaring over us like the heat of a forge. Priya gave a little squeak of fear, and fainted dead away, while Daniyel placed himself in front of Darshanna before realizing that the heat did not hurt or harm, though I found myself blushing crimson and giving a little shriek of embarrassment as my clothes were blown into ash and dust. I slapped my hands over my breasts and groin, mortified, as Darshanna did the same.

Huh… she’s a redhead. I found myself thinking, followed by Lilyanna, for shame! Don’t gawk!

I yanked my gaze away, just in time to feel the steady roar of Forge’s breath materialize clothing around me, the feel and touch of a city watch uniform cloaking my body. I let out an enormous sigh of relief, and let myself unclench.

“I’m sorry!” I found myself saying, giving rapid and deep bows to everyone. “I’m so very sorry! I had no idea, please, I apologize!”

“Our pact is done, Child of Æther. Be warned, the next creation will cost you considerably more.” And then he was gone in a flash of heat and red gold light.

Devdan looked down at the unconscious Priya, then back to me, his eyes suspiciously bright. “It was nothing.” He said gallantly. “It is forgotten.”

“I cannot say I will forget this, Miss Lilyanna.” Daniyel’s voice rumbled. “But as the embarrassment was shared equally by all, I hold no ill will towards you.”

“Well I have some beef!” Darshanna shrieked at me. “Naked! ALL OF US NAKED!”

I made hurried and frantic shushing motions.

“I will not -mmhuhmum!” As Daniyel’s large hands clapped firmly over Darshanna’s mouth.

“Captain.” He said gravely. “The task at hand, now. The recriminations later.”

Darshanna’s eyes were fierce, but she reluctantly nodded once, and Daniyel slowly took his hand away from her mouth.

“We have beef, {Spiritist}!” She pointed at me. “Don’t think you’ll get off lightly!”

Devdan coughed. “As I am local to this city, and know a fair few of its laws, I recommend that I be the spokesperson for our little ‘detachment’?”

I nodded, as I knelt down to check on Priya. “That sounds like a very good idea.” I agreed, as I cast a quick {Heal}, bringing Priya back to awareness.

“What happened?! Where am I?! C-city watch!?” She started to panic, but before things could get completely out of hand, Devdan knelt down and placed his hand over her mouth.

“Pri. It’s me. Part of the escape. We’re headed to the Air Port now. We’re going to dress as City Watch. All of us.” He lifted his hand slowly, and Priya’s eyes got wide as she realized she was wearing a city watch uniform as well.

“Oh.” She said, with a small voice, then started to struggle upright. She suddenly blushed crimson. “I was-”

“It’s really best if we don’t think about it, Pri. I love you regardless.” Devdan said sincerely.

Priya’s blush was nova bright, and I could feel a sympathetic echo in my own cheecks. “Right. Um. Lets…” Priya waved vaguely, then staggered upright.

“Yes, lets.” Devdan led the way out of the alley and into the brightly lit streets.

Devdan was as good as his word. Walking boldly around the streets in the guard uniforms, we were immediately accosted by a senior watch officer, and reprimanded for being ‘in the wrong place’. Devdan played the role of the haughty jumped up son of a local noble to the hilt, and we were shortly “ordered” to the Air Port to investigate continued traffic and escaped criminals. I let out a long breath I didn’t realize I’d been holding as we marched stiffly towards the Air Port.

“That was a close one.” I said.

“Not at all.” Devdan assured me. “There are enough noble’s third sons in the watch that it was an easy guess. And once the captain knew that that’s what I was, he would be more than happy to get rid of us on a simple and hard to screw up mission.”

“But why are they looking for us so intently?!” Darshanna asked.

“I told you… or, rather, I explained it to Miss Lilyanna. Priya and I are considered quite important. Our families will both be screaming their heads off and demanding that the city watch find us.”

“Oh, of course! That makes sense.” Darshanna nodded.

Yes, I rather imagine the panic that was spreading in the royal capital when you went missing was similar. I thought wryly.

Several streets down, and we had another encounter, then another as we tried to ‘patrol’ quietly to avoid another. The city watch truly was out in force, but Devdan displayed a natural talent with the guards, each time talking us through the issue, though we had to backtrack several times to throw off suspicion. To my surprise, Darshanna displayed a shocking amount of common sense by suggesting a better route, and a clever distraction based on the watches patrol route.

Things went much more smoothly after that. I felt almost embarrassed to realize we were having so much trouble with a basic mini-game.

Things sure look different when you’re walking inside the maze instead of isometric. I thought.

Still the delay gave me time to do something I’d been meaning to do for too long. I slipped beside Daniyel and asked quietly. “May I speak with you on a sensitive topic, Daniyel?”

He looked at me with almost serene calm, but I could feel his surprise. “Of course, Miss Lilyanna. I shall do my best to remain discreet. Though if it affects my captain in any way-“

I held up a hand and smiled. “No worries, I understand. No, it does not.”

He relaxed again. “Then I endeavor to be attentive to your concerns. Please continue.”

“You know that Soriya is a very dear friend of mine, yes?”

“Of course. Your connection is obvious to any with eyes.”

I nodded in satisfaction. “So you know that I’m concerned for her happiness. So I want to be clear, I’m ok with you dating her, but if you harm her, there will be honeysuckle’s own judgement raining on you.”

He looked at me with such a startled expression, as though a kitten had suddenly clawed his nose. I couldn’t help a small giggle, which only made the expression on his face even funnier.

His flustered expression soon cleared however, and he gave me a grave bow. “Miss Lilyanna, I hold your friend in the highest regard. I assure you that I would never stain her honor. I am… aware of her interest.” His face flickered with conflicted shadows before he went on. “It is not that I am averse to them, but rather that I have a task that has precedence to it.”

“Ah.” I said softly. “Your captain. Of course.”

His eyes flickered briefly with thought, then he gave his polite bow. “It is as you say.”

I chewed my lower lip in thought for a while. “I suppose I can understand that… but perhaps you should let her know. I don’t think it’s fair to ask her to wait forever. Or to leave her emotions hanging unanswered like that.”

Daniyel gave me a glance, then looked away. I could almost hear a guilty voice in my head asking like you do with Eshaan? I shoved it to the side, and focused on Daniyel.

He gave a short nod, after a moment. “It is as you say. I do not often fear conflict, but in matters of the heart, I am as weak as a sandkitten.” He firmed his mouth and nodded, standing straighter. “I must thank you, Miss Lilyanna. Indeed. I have been remiss in my duty. When we return, I will speak forthrightly to Miss Soriya.”

“Daniyel…” I paused, then reached out to touch his arm. “Your duty is important, but don’t let it strip all happiness from you. I don’t think your vow should preclude a relationship. Even one that must end.”

Daniyel stiffened and pulled his arm away from my touch. “Some vows are more strict than others.” He said stiffly.

I sighed and let my hand drop. “Yes, I suppose that’s true. But no one knows what the future may hold.”

Daniyel chuckled, looking down at me. “In your case, that does not seem to be the truth, Miss Lilyanna. You have foreseen multiple improbable events.”

I scowled up at him. “That’s different.”

He raised an eyebrow at me. “Indeed? Then I must learn this difference so I may duplicate your feat.”

I scowled harder, and let the subject drop.

Finally, following Darshanna’s route, we arrived. The airship docks were quiet, though I could smell oil and metal and the faint exotic tang that came from the discharge of so many elemental crystals in the air.

“Now that we’re here, the situation is simple.” Devdan said. “I’ll go to the counter, and retrieve our crew documents, and then we’ll board the ship.”

“Is it really going to be that easy?” Asked Darshanna.

Devdan gave a smooth as oil smile. “I am quite confident.” We followed behind him as our little crew of ‘city watch’ appeared at the Ghalagher shipping window. Devdan requested the paperwork citing ‘regulation check, and family influence’ and very shortly we had 6 passenger packets passed around between us. Darshanna examined hers curiously, while Priya clutched hers for dear life, her eyes wide, and her cheeks flushed.

“I would wish that you’d left us our clothes, Miss Lilyanna.” Devdan said dryly, as my cheeks flamed crimson. “But I cannot deny the effectiveness of our disguises. Let us hurry.”

Devdan led the way up several flights of stairs and across a confusing array of open decking, empty hangars and docks, and to a truly massive whale of a ship waiting quietly in its vast cavernous dock. A giant barely streamlined teardrop, magitech engines spinning slowly and the low quiet hum of machinery thrumming in the air. It had about as much resemblance to the smooth sleek lines of the Imperial navy airships that I’d wrecked as a fat cow does to a buffalo.

“Wow.” I said, stumbling to a halt as I realized just how big it was. Priya and Darshanna were much less impressed, and I had to hurry to catch up with our little group as Devdan reached the boarding ramp. A bored looking flight crew snapped alert at the sight of five city watch appearing in front of him, and I could see his visible confusion as we handed him our crew vouchers.

“You’re the excess crew we were supposed to take on?” he asked in confusion, looking over the paperwork. “Oh! I get it! Right, you must be here for the cargo security. Right. Cargo’s in the aft hold, crew bunks 107 and 9 should have space. Now that you’re here, I’ll let captain know, and we should be clear to leave in 30.”

Devdan nodded as though this was all normal, but as we headed into the ship following the neatly labeled directions towards crew quarters Devdan remarked “Curious. I have no idea what cargo they were specifying.”

Behind us, I could hear the sounds of the gangway retracting, and the thrum of the magitech engines started to build in power. Priya let out a long sigh.

“I just want to rest somewhere! This has been the most stressful night of my entire life!” she wailed.

Devdan looked at her sympathetically, then turned to me. “I hope you don’t mind, perhaps we should…?” he trailed off.

“Oh yeah, definitely.” I said.

“Indeed, the lady should have her rest.” Daniyel said calmly.

Darshanna grimaced and shot Priya a look of distaste, but agreed. I was suddenly reminded of her playacting of the Lady Amala. It made an awful lot suddenly click together.

Regardless, we soon arrived at the specified quarters. Plain, ordinary, but very clean and comfortable enough. We took the time to get sorted and splash a bit of water on our faces.

“I would like to examine this mysterious cargo.” Darshanna said once we’d done so.

Priya moaned dramatically, and flopped on her bunk.

Devdan frowned at her, and then looked at us sympathetically. “I’d best stay here with Pri, but it would be best to be seen ‘doing our duty’. I can give you directions to the cargo area?” he offered.

Darshanna smiled brightly, possibly cheered at the possibility of escaping from Priya. “Yes, that sounds grand, right Daniyel!?”

“Yes. Grand.” Daniyel said, his eyes rolling slightly.

Darshanna looked up at him, her eyes narrowed. “You know I can hear you when you do that, right?”

He looked down at her impassively, his arms crossed. “Do what, Captain? I am merely repeating your assertion.” He said in a tone as dry as desert wind.

Darshanna huffed and swirled in a flounce that probably looked quite grand in a ballgown, and marched out the door. “Never mind! This is a modified TY-2700. I can find the cargo hold myself.” She said.

Daniyel sighed again, and said “We’d best follow her, to keep her from getting lost in admiring the machinery.” He bowed hurriedly to Priya and Devdan. “We shall return in due time.”

Catching up with Darshanna, we shortly were almost lost within the twisting labyrinth of the lower holds and corridors. The signs became considerably less helpful, and despite Daniyel’s predictions, Darshanna remained remarkably focused on the task, able to navigate the hallways seemingly by a natural mechanical instinct.

As we toggled open our 12th hatch, we felt the ship give a slow lurch under us, and the pulse of the engines increased.

“There. We’re on our way.” Darshanna said, as she stepped through the hatchway. “These old freighters have a distinct pulse to the engine harmonics. One-two-down-down.” She counted to herself. “You get used to it.”

I shook my head, baffled. I couldn’t feel a thing, the mana flows were steady and quiet as far as I was concerned, but Darshanna seemed confident.

We reached the rear cargo area to find a crewman standing guard near a hatchway neatly marked ‘Rear Cargo, Bays 201 – 401’.

Or at least, so my brain interprets the funny fantasy alphabet. How strange, I haven’t thought about that for days now.

Before we could say anything, the crewman perked up. “Oh thank the crystal dragon, you must be the relief!” He came towards us, smiling gratefully. “City watch, eh? Wow, they must really be worried about this stuff. I don’t suppose you could tell us what it is?”

Darshanna affected a high tone, nose in the air. “That’s hardly proper procedure, you know both of us could be in serious trouble if we were to tell you that kind of secure information!” she said. “I hope you’re not suggesting we let you look inside the crates!?”

“No, no! Of course not!” the crewman waved his hands in front of himself. “Well. It’s late, and my bunk is calling.” He gave us a careless wave, and vanished down the dimly lit corridors.

Darshanna watched him go with a gleeful smile on her face. “Oh yeah, this is good stuff!” She clapped her hands together and rubbed them excitedly. “Now, lets see what’s so important that they’re shipping it in high stealth!”

I blinked at her. “But… the hatch is security coded, how-”

Darshanna had already produced a small set of magitech probes and metal tools and was crouched down excitedly tinkering with the security system.

I looked over at Daniyel worriedly. He seemed perfectly unworried, but then he always seemed perfectly unworried.

“Is she…?”

He turned to me, calm. “We are air pirates, Miss Lilyanna. We’re not inexperienced in this matter.”

His words were underlined by a soft ‘click’ and a clear chime as the hatch slid to the side, revealing rows and rows of wooden cases stacked high into the darkness of the hold.

“Oh.” I said. “Well. So you are!”

We stepped inside, the hatch sliding closed behind us. I conjured up a small ball of light, which floated upwards into the darkness, illuminating an endless row of wooden cases that made me wonder if the ark of the covenant was stored somewhere in here.

Darshanna was giggling with glee as she pried the lid off a nearby case. The lid slid to the floor with a thud, and I saw gleaming rows of rifles packed neatly in brown packing fluff.

Darshanna stared at the gear with her eyes wide. “Oh… wow…” she breathed as she reached in and pulled out one of the odd fantasy rifles like Diaboli. “This is… a brand new 87-KM. The design just came out of the imperial labs…” she turned it over reverently, then placed it back in the container, prying another lid off. Rows of staffs with gleaming imperial crests and crystal ornaments at the tip met our gaze. We stared at them for a while, and I felt a stirring of greed.

My staff looks like a stick next to these…

Daniyel said quietly. “Weapons. There are enough weapons here to arm an entire regiment.”

“But… what are they all for?” Darshanna said plaintively.

“Nothing good.” I said grimly.