The Sparrowhawk flickered it’s lightscribe to the tiny dock just outside the lighthouse on the cliffs. The lighthouse’s lightscribe was dark for a long moment, and I held my breath, but it soon burst into flickering flashes of light.

Lakshmi grinned up at me, and said “I thought so. She was so surprised, she probably hasn’t used that lightscribe in years.”

I blinked. “She?” I asked curiously.

“Well, probably. Monanin culture is largely matriarchal. Except when it’s not.” She paused and grimaced. “It’s complicated.”

I blinked several times in surprise. “Huh.” Well. That’s not expected. I thought to myself.

As we flew towards the lighthouse, two small figures burst out of the door at the base of the tower, and ran towards the dock, jutting into thin air from the side of the cliff where the lighthouse rested.

Lakshmi gave a little mischievous smile, and looped around the side of the cliff, settling into the back yard of the astonished couple, with the delicate grace of a leaf coming to rest.

“There.” Lakshmi flicked a series of switches and toggles, the hum and whine of various parts of ultra-high magitech equipment slowly fading away.

She paused, and stared at the console silently.

I frowned in worry. “Something wrong, Lakshmi?”

“No… no? No. I just… I just realized. This is the first time that I’ve shut one of my machines down, and nothing’s gone wrong. Everything… worked.” She giggled, then started to laugh. For a moment, I was genuinely afraid for her, but then it suddenly clicked.

Of course. She’s relieved. I giggle when I have a stress fit and she’s laughing. I started to giggle as well, her laughter feeling infectious.

And that’s how the others found us, laughing hysterically at nothing at all.

Eshaan of course, was genuinely worried, but to my surprise, Daniyel placed a hand on his shoulder and shook his head.

“They are relieved.” He intoned solemnly. “They have fought a battle only they can fight, and now the battle is over.” He turned and raised a single eyebrow at Eshaan. “Surely you know this stress?”

Eshaan’s eyes went wide with understanding and he nodded, turning slowly to look at us. “Yes.” He said, his eyes hooded in shadow. “Yes, I know that feeling.”

He reached over, and for a moment, I thought he might hug me again. Instead, he gripped my forearm, and said “Let’s have a drink, Lilyanna. In honor of spitting in the Wake’s eye.”

I blinked in surprise and then smiled, pulling him into a tight hug, and a quick kiss. “Yes!” I said happily. “That sounds very good!”

I could see the blush spreading on his cheeks, and it made me feel a little warm and gooey inside. “Now, let’s go explain ourselves to our impromptu harbor master.” I said. “And we should pay them for their time. That’s what a good sky pirate would do.” I paused, and then added with more practicality. “Plus, if we pay them, they’re less likely to be irritated and sell off our presence to anyone who asks.”

Camaxtli frowned. “I do not understand. Is this the city of which you spoke? It does not appear… large.” He peered out the cockpit windows at the solitary finger of the lighthouse.

Lakshmi laughed brightly. “No, of course not, fool! We’re being proper air pirates! Stealth! Hiding in plain sight! The city is over there!” She pointed into the distance, where a glowing line of twinkling lights was just starting to come into view as the sun settled over far mountain peaks.

Camaxtli’s confusion immediately cleared. “Ah! We have changed plans! Very good, my expectations have been properly realigned.” He nodded in satisfaction.

Daniyel opened the hatchway, at the side of the ship. We were greeted with the surprised and slightly wary faces of two Monanin individuals, wearing the garb that looked a little bit more rough and homespun than I had come to expect from Eideth.

Lakshmi poked her head out, and gave her best dashing pirate smile. “Hi! We’re much indebted to you for letting us borrow your yard here!”

“Ah… well…” the woman of the pair stepped forward and cleared her throat, giving a proper empire style curtsy. “Think nothing of it. Would I be correct in assuming that you’re air pirates?” Her accent was pure highlands drawl, just like Eideth.

Lakshmi’s smile could have rivaled the sun. “I am! We are!” She stepped forward, and dipped into an elaborate bow, sweeping off a nonexistent hat. “Captain Lakshmi the Red, at your service! She stepped down the stairs of the hatchway onto the ground. “I should be greatly pleased to offer payment for your kind assistance and the use of your harbor facilities!”

The male of the pair goggled at us, and then coughed, nudging the woman beside him. “Well that be right kind of ye.” He said, with an even thicker accent than the woman. “We’ll be happy to take you up on that offer.” He shot a stern look at the woman before she could say anything else.

“I’m Cameron Cloudheart, at your service.” He doffed his hat to us, and then nudged the woman with his elbow again.

The woman jumped and then stammered “Oh, yes! Yes, my fool of a husband has it right! My name’s Elspeth, Cloudheart for my sins.” She smiled so fondly at the man that I could see they had that kind of relationship. The kind where insults meant ‘I love you’ and a true kind word was doled out like rare gold.

“We’re the lightkeepers here on Greenspar Rock.”

The man pushed forward again. “And how much would ye be paying us? Docking’s not exactly something-“

The woman elbowed him out of the way. “Cam! Get that glint of gold out of your eye, they’re guests!”

Cameron glowered at Elspeth, and growled out “They offered to pay, it’s not right to just-“

Lakshmi jumped in with both feet. “Would the sum of 10 zeni a day, suit you?” She said.

The Cloudhearts stopped glaring at each other, and turned to her. Cameron nodded slowly. “Aye… that might do…” he said cautiously. “But how long are you planning to stay?”

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“How long would you consider having us?” Lakshmi returned. “We’re on our way to Hecate, but the docking fees there are pure robbery!”

I goggled, and then hurriedly looked down and squeezed my robes in my hands again. She’s a princess, she spins tales and words like silk! I thought to myself. And who’s to say it’s not actually the truth? Maybe she really does know how much it costs to dock an airship at a city she’s never been to!

The Cloudhearts expressions smoothed and they suddenly nodded in understanding. “Aye, big city prices, we understand that!” said Elspeth. “Why, just the other day, my Cam was in town to sell some wool from our sheep, and they wouldn’t give him but thirty zeni for the lot! Fine quality cloud spun wool! Thirty zeni!” her voice grew strident at the pure indignity of it all.

Camaxtli said “Am I to understand that you raise animals here? For their hair?”

The conversation went dead as everyone turned and stared at Camaxtli.

Lakshmi recovered first, laughing brightly. “Ah, that be my cabin boy. New chap, hasn’t seen much of the world! He’s from Belgenmir!”

“But I’ve heard they raise fine sheep in-“ Cameron protested, before Lakshmi pressed a small pile of zeni into his hands. His eyes grew wide, and he stared at the glittering coins in his palm, then looked up and smiled wide. “And who am I to say otherwise! Welcome to the Lighthouse air docks, Mistress Lakshmi!”

“Why thank you, Master Cameron, I am most grateful to be here!” She gave a little wink. “Now, if our cargo arrives successfully, we’ll be more than happy to spread some of our largess around.”

This time, the glint of greed in both Cameron and Elspeth’s eyes was unmistakable.

I pressed both my hands tight over my mouth for fear of letting out a hysterical giggle. It was simply astonishing how well she played that part! I glanced from her to Daniyel and saw a look of wistful pride on his features, before he quickly schooled them to an impassive emotionless mask once more.

“Well, we won’t say no to that!” He paused, and then said with a suddenly grave expression. “You’re not… Captain Lakshmi, I’ll not have weapon runners on my turf. Money or no money. Money that’s stained with blood… A little honest smuggling, that’s only sensible, but I’ll not tolerate blood money.”

Lakshmi took a step back, affecting a wounded air. “Weapons!? Good heavens no! No no! This is a dangerous world, and a lady has a right to protect herself, but I… ah… trade. My crew and I are professional delvers and ruin explorers. And while I’ll admit we find a few weapons, that’s not what we offer. And this particular run, we are picking up, not selling!”

She paused, and then said cautiously “Has there been… problems?”

Cameron grimaced. “Oh aye, the Empire has been nothing but a pain in the side since the council opened the ruins under Hecate to exploration!”

Just then, a bright flash of light shot into the sky, and splintered into a star of red and blue. Elspeth turned, and then grimaced. “Ah, that’ll be an Imperial courier now. You can always tell by how proud they are to announce themselves.” She turned back to Cameron. “Help our guests to the back yard, maybe show them the special caves. I’ll go make sure these fools don’t run into something trying to avoid our mountains.”

Cameron nodded complacently, and pulled out a pipe from somewhere, tamping it down with fragrant shreds of… something. I frowned in puzzlement. I don’t know if there’s tobacco on this world? I don’t even… what is he…?! How do I not know what smoking is?! I recoiled in surprise as the Monan pulled a small device from his pocket and lit the shreds on fire, a curl of blue smoke drifting up from what was unmistakably a pipe, with tobacco. Something that apparently, only half of me knew about!

I looked around and was surprised once more. Only Camaxtli and Lakshmi seemed to be taking this in stride. Eshaan had his mouth open in surprise, and Soriya looked like she’d swallowed a spider with the realization that apparently, in the Empire, no one smoked! But apparently, they did back in Camaxtli’s day?! How strange! I thought in bafflement.

“Excuse me, sir.” Said Eshaan. “But is that some sort of magical ritual, which lets you breath fire?”

I clapped a hand over my mouth to smother the giggles, and Soriya let out an undignified snort. Cameron looked up from lighting his pipe with a confused look, then let out a loud guffaw, and slapped his thigh. He took the pipe out of his mouth. “Guess you empire sorts don’t go in for this! Never seen a pipe before, lad?” He gestured with the pipe, leaving curls of smoke behind it. He chuckled again, and shook his head. “Breathing fire. That’s a good one, might need to keep that.” He chuckled to him, then went on more loudly. “No, this is tabaccy. You light it, and inhale the smoke. Makes you feel good.” He grinned in a way that conveyed a mischievous joke. “Try some?”

I reached up and grabbed Eshaan’s hand just as he was reaching for the pipe to try it. “Eshaan no! It’s a joke, remember how much you cough and choke when the campfire gets in your eyes?!”

Eshaan paused, looking down at the short Monan, then his eyes slowly narrowed.

Cameron guffawed again, slapping his thigh. “Your missy is sharper than she lets on! Aye, the first few times stings a bit, and it’s got a powerful smell, but it does feel good. Relaxing.” He nodded sagely.

I tugged at Eshaan’s arm and pulled him gently away, while saying to Cameron “Thank you for the kind offer, but I think we’ll leave our fire breathing to actual spellwork.”

Cameron chuckled and nodded agreeably. “Can’t fault you for that, not everything is for everyone. Speaking of which.” He gestured to the back of the hills. “Lets see if we can find you a slightly more discreet place to park your giant flying boat, eh?”

Lakshmi stepped up and nodded. “That would be most welcome!”

Cameron led us around several trails that skirted cliff edges and down steep paths that looked more suitable for goats than humans.

Or sheep, I suppose. I thought, as I carefully picked my way down the slopes. Adventure heels are not all that suitable on this terrain. I looked over at the others, and then corrected myself. Or maybe it’s just that we’re not exactly up on the best clothes for mountaineering! I frowned at a sudden thought. I wonder if I can buy boots of the same stuff as my robe! And would they even change shape to fit the terrain, or would they change shape to fit my class?

These thoughts distracted me the rest of the short trek into a sheltered valley on another cliff edge, where Cameron proudly showed us a sizeable cavern. The cavern was definitely large enough to shelter the Sparrowhawk. Or at least provide some ‘out of the way’ cover. Which was sorely needed, the gleaming dark metal of the Sparrowhawk’s hull had doubtless helped us avoid detection in the fading light of the sun, but if that Imperial courier ship we’d seen passing us was carrying the message I thought it was…

Peering inside, we found what was clearly a Monan style airboat, the smallest I’d ever seen.

I giggled to myself. Well, they are dwarves after all… It makes sense their boats would be small.

“That’s my little runabout.” He pointed to it proudly. “Makes it easy to take trips to the city and back.” He puffed proudly on his pipe. “Be willing to offer you a lift to the city. Reasonable rates?” He smiled cheerfully.

I looked over at Lakshmi to find her looking at me with doubt in her eyes. I leaned close to her and said in a low tone “What’s wrong, captain?”

She looked at me with a slightly fragile smile, and said in the same low tone. “I’m irritated that you seem to be right about everything all the time. Also that the Monan seem to be holding out on tech. They have personal airboats!”

I frowned, and then shook my head, letting my braid slap my shoulders. “Lakshmi… I would have made a complete hash of this. I trust everyone. I’d trust Eshaan’s Commander Khine if he hadn’t slapped me in the face with evil. You… you might not like how you got your skills, but you know when somebody’s lying, and you can tell them a story they’ll believe in an instant. So. Do you trust him? Captain?”

Lakshmi looked at me, and I saw the worry in her eyes crystalize into determination. She turned back to Cameron with a huge smile. “This will be wonderful, Mister Cameron! Let us know if there are any… unexpected security issues for a suitable fee, and I think we may have the beginnings of a wonderful business relationship!” She gave another sweeping bow.

I giggled and said “I think we need to buy you a duster, when we get to Hecate. You definitely need a longcoat to swirl. And maybe a plumed hat too.”

Lakshmi turned to look at me in puzzlement. “Why?”

I shrugged, smiling. “It’s not exactly a seer thing… I just think Lakshmi the Red should have a little more flair. And that bow of yours would look much better with a plumed hat.”

Lakshmi tugged at her lip thoughtfully, then said “Well… maybe. We’ll see.”