“I don’t want to die.” I repeated more quietly, wringing my hands together at my chest. “So we should go find the lost Keys in the Sylvan jungle. We can get chocolate there.” I said with a small voice, hating the way I sounded.

They were quiet a bit longer and then Soriya said “She foresees her death at the church.”

I jerked as her blunt wording, feeling even smaller. She walked over and placed her arms around me in a hug. “I don’t know why she won’t say it, but that’s what she sees.”

Eshaan let out a long “Oooh!” of understanding. “But Lily, you don’t need to worry! I’ll protect you!”

I pushed out of Soriya’s embrace and advanced on Eshaan, feeling a sudden surge of furious anger. I slapped him hard on the face.

“That is what I can’t stand about you! That… stupid mindless arrogance! Oh you’ll try your very best, but then I just die in your arms all to fuel some stupid plot to fuel your own tragic backstory! I won’t have it!”

Eshaan staggered backwards, his eyes wide and clutching at his cheek in disbelief. I spun away from him, crossing my arms and looking at the ground. I felt horrible for acting like that but he was just… so… so stupid!

Soriya said to Eshaan “If you trust her, then listen to her. Even if you think you can take on the world barehanded, if you want to protect a woman, you have to respect her fears as well.”

Eshaan blinked several times, his mouth opening and closing silently. Finally, he said “I see.” His voice chill.

I felt a stab of guilt, I’d been very mean to him, and I could tell he was hurt. I wanted to explain, but at the same time, he was so stupid sometimes! And so I didn’t.

Lakshmi filled the void. “Well that’s good enough for me! So far she’s been right about everything else, and it seems like a very good idea to me to keep my crew alive!”

She turned to Eideth. “Eideth…” She stopped, then suddenly grinned and then gave a swirling bow, the cape of her red trenchcoat swirling around her. “Mistress and Mentor Dûnhark, it has been my honor to have been your pupil! I will honor your teaching by forging a story fit for an airpirate!”

Eideth blinked in surprise and then smiled back at our redhead princess captain. “Well, if you say so, then it must be so.” She stepped forward and hugged Lakshmi.

Pulling back she wiped at her eyes a bit, then said “You mind the pressure in the manifold ducts. I warned you the mana flux can get choked in those!”

Lakshmi nodded. “I think I can remember that, this time.”

Eideth picked up a few of the manuscripts and nodded to me. “And we’ll get these published for you, just like your promised.” She paused then turned back to Lakshmi. “You better come back with one just as thick so I can get it published as well!”

Lakshmi blinked in surprise, taking a short step back, and a slow smile spread across her face, her eyes slightly distant.

Behind her Danyiel rolled his eyes. “I cannot thank you for putting dreams of glory in my ward’s head, Mistress Dûnhark.” He glanced over to Lakshmi and back. “But I will thank you for giving her a reason to live.” He said gravely, bowing low to her, and then taking one of her hands in his and kissing the pack of her palm.

Eideth turned red as a tomato, and mumbled something I didn’t catch.

I reached over and grabbed Soriya’s hand in mind. “No hexes.” I muttered to her.

Her head snapped to me in surprise and I could see a faint hint of color in her cheeks.

“He’s already yours, and you don’t need to be so touchy about it.”

Soriya glanced away, but I caught a faint smile playing about her lips as she did.

“And so our next grand adventure!” Lakshmi said. “We’ve stocked and shopped plenty on this trip, so when you’re ready to return to the Sparrowhawk…?” She looked at me questioningly.

I nodded. “Yes. I think so. It will be a relief to be out from imperial scrutiny.” I sighed. “And out of this library!” I added fervently.

“The observation posed no difficulty.” Daniyel said. “I am not certain they are even aware that we have arrived, despite their obvious interest in our movements.”

Camaxtli nodded in agreement. “It appears that your foes are unaware of the purpose and presence of the System key you call ‘Gate’. This is to your advantage.”

Soriya tapped her lip thoughtfully. “But if they are looking for the Sparrowhawk, I think we should be cautious when we take off from the cavern.”

Lakshmi flipped her hand dismissively. “Pfft, losers. My Sparrowhawk can outstrip them easily!”

Soriya and Daniyel raised a single eyebrow in unison, and I giggled furiously.

“What?!” Lakshmi demanded, turning to spot Daniyel and Soriya’s eyebrows. She scowled, hands on hips. “Don’t you give me that! Have faith in your captain!” She demanded, turning back and forth between them.

“While the Sparrowhawk is indeed a most expeditious mode of transportation, and is indeed likely to outstrip any pursuit, our direction of travel is likely to be noted.” Camaxtli said quietly.

Danyiel grunted agreement and then said “In addition, the engine exhaust is a distinctive color.”

Soriya added “And easily tracked, it’s laced with a very distinctive mana signature.”

I sighed and shrugged. “We’re fugitives, more or less. But I have faith in Captain Lakshmi. I know she won’t let us down.”

Lakshmi perked up and smiled brightly at me. “Thanks Lily! Er, I mean, Crewman Lilyanna!”

I smiled back at her. “You’re welcome, Lakshmi. Now. Is everyone ready to go?”

There was a brief period of confusion as everyone headed upstairs to pack their luggage, and various nicknacks and trinkets were stowed safely. We made our farewells to Eideth and Rangrim, and I summoned up Gate, and we headed through.

We arrived in the shadowed interior of the cavern, the camouflage netting still draped securely over the top of the Sparrowhawk.

Lakshmi nodded in satisfaction.

You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

While the boys stripped the netting from the Sparrowhawk and Lakshmi supervised, I announced “I’m going to say goodbye to the Cloudhearts.”

Soriya nodded. “Good idea. I’ll come with you, so they don’t mug you.”

I jerked in surprise. “They wouldn’t!”

Soriya took my hand and led me out of the cavern. “They might. You said it yourself, they’re smugglers. And we can’t forget that Cameron dropped us off with those smugglers who ambushed us the first time.”

I frowned. I couldn’t deny that was true, but he hadn’t said anything when we showed up again… I huffed in frustration and pushed the issue to the side.

As we headed up the hill towards the cliffside and the lighthouse came into view, Soriya suddenly stopped dead and hissed at me to get down and hide.

I dropped into cover and peered out. At the door to the lighthouse, Cameron and Elspeth were standing and talking with three imperial officers, while an imperial skiff had landed nearby. The Cloudhearts did not look terribly happy, and neither did the imperials.

I opened my mouth to say something, and Soriya popped her hand over my lips. “Shh!” she hissed. “You’re going to say something stupid like ‘let’s rescue them’ and then we’ll all be in the soup! Wait! Just… wait!”

I pinched my lips together and nodded reluctantly. Finally, the officers departed, looking extremely unhappy, while Cameron stood on the steps of the lighthouse, and glared up at the departing skiff. He made a single sharp gesture of shocking rudeness towards the departing airship, and then turned on his heel and stalked back inside.

I made to rise, and Soriya pressed me down. “Wait!” She hissed. “Honestly, I’m the one who casts lightning bolts, and you’re the impatient one?!”

I fidgeted uncomfortably. “They could be in trouble! Trouble because of us!”

Soriya nodded seriously. “That’s right, they could, so they might not enjoy seeing us!”

“And maybe they learned something we need to know! We should at least apologize!”

Soriya rolled her eyes and sighed. “You really are the most obnoxious. This is just like the time you insisted on healing the babbit we found in the hedges!”

I frowned. “I’m pretty sure the Cloudhearts aren’t going to bite us!” I replied heatedly.

“You were sure the babbit wouldn’t bite you too. You remember how that worked out?”

I winced. That… had not worked out. Not unless you counted the fact that I learned how fast I can run when babbit's charged!

I sank down and waited. Clouds passed overhead. The wind played gently on the grass. Some of the Cloudhearts’ sheep grazed nearby and baaed quietly.

Finally Soriya nodded. “Alright, we can go now.”

“Finally!” I popped up and jogged towards the lighthouse, Soriya trailing shortly behind.

The Cloudhearts must have seen us approaching, as the door opened and the two of them appeared as we were jogging up.

“Well well. Wasn’t sure if we’d ever see you again.” Cameron said lazily, sucking on his pipe.

Elspeth snorted and whapped him on the back of the head with a towel. “Don’t let him fool you dear, he’s been saying ‘they have to come back for their ship’ like a mantra.”

Cameron snorted in irritation. “If they didn’t I’d have to work out how to sell the blasted thing, wouldn’t I?!” He said grumpily.

I smiled at them both. “Thank you for taking care of it for us. It can’t have been easy. Let us pay you for your trouble!”

“Oh no, lass!” they said in unison, then laughed politely.

Soriya smiled briefly, but then her lips turned down again. “We saw the imperial skiff. Have they been giving you trouble?”

Cameron’s face turned thunderous. “Bloody imperials! Acting like they own the land! We’re not a satellite state! We’re not servants of the empire!” He turned and spat into the grass nearby. “It were a pleasure to send them chasing after clouds, and no mistake!”

Elspeth nodded firmly behind him.

I sighed. “So they are looking for us.” I looked at Soriya and we traded a look. Yes indeed, we should expect pursuit the instant we were airborne. I turned back to the Cloudhearts and gave them a deep bow of gratitude. “Thank you. Truly! Thank you, so much! Please let us pay you for the rental of the cavern and your trouble!”

The Cloudhearts were stubborn, but I’d been taking lessons. We compromised. I paid them 500 zeni, and Elspeth loaded us down with comforters and provisions to take.

“Not rightly sure what you did to rile up the imperials, but you tweaked their noses good.” Cameron puffed in satisfaction. “But given that the war they started with Kushistan, I don’t rightly think they’re in a position to make much of the demands.”

I gasped. “They really did start a full war? They didn’t just…?”

Cameron shrugged. “When empires go to war, common folk like you and me get ground fine. Smuggling’s going to be right profitable though, war’s always good for business.”

“But… but what about Hecate? What about Galgados?!”

“Oh well, it’s not such a big war that we’re forced to jump in. Not yet, anyway.” He shook his head dolefully. “Lots of folk here seem to think this is just a short incident, that it’ll just blow over. I don’t think it will.” He squinted into the horizon. “This is just the beginning. Something in the wind and stone tells me so.”

I glanced at Soriya worriedly, and chewed my lip. He was probably right.

But why?! Is this Deacon? Is this Khine?! Why would they prolong this war!? What are they gaining from it?! I thought, biting my thumb in frustration.

We returned to the cavern, where the supplies were offloaded to the Sparrowhawk. I peeked inside, we had more supplies than looked safe, every inch of cargo space was full, and there were bundles and packages stashed into every spare corner.

“Right!” Lakshmi said, dusting her hands as she tucked another package into the main boat. “That’s about us! I don’t know how far it is to the other continent, but Camaxtli tells me it’s at least 3 days!” She grinned cheerfully. “Lily, we can rely on you to cook for us, right?!”

I giggled softly. “Yes of course I’ll cook. I’m more worried about taking a bath!”

Lakshmi blinked and then grinned. “Well, I mean, we could just go back to Breezewood every once in a while?”

I gasped. “In flight?! Lakshmi, that can’t be safe!”

Lakshmi made placating gestures. “It’ll be fine, it’s fine!”

I glared at her with an expression that promised this discussion was not over with.

She huffed. “You take things too seriously! We’re air pirates! Free! Adventuring! Heroes for hire!”

Daniyel said “We have yet to make a significant profit on any booty.” As he moved into the cabin.

Lakshmi spun around and faced him. “That’s not true! We made a lot of money selling the bits and pieces from Camaxtli’s place to the monanin!”

Daniyel ducked into a passageway, then pulled out again. “That is not ‘booty’. That might be considered ‘treasure’, though.”

I perked up. “How much did you make while you were shopping and selling, Lakshmi, I never asked.”

Lakshmi got an extremely cocky grin on her face. “Hah hah! See the power of the pirate hat!” She dug into her item bag and pulled out a wad of large zeni notes. My eyes widened in shock. There had to be something like five thousand zeni there!

“Six thousand, seven hundred, and twenty one zeni.” She said proudly.

“Lakshmi… I don’t know what to say, that’s… amazing!” I gushed.

“Heh heh!” She smiled proudly, then suddenly hugged me. “Eee, this is such a great adventure, Lily! I’m so glad I met you!”

I blinked in surprise, and returned her hug. “I… well thank you. For coming along, I mean. Things… haven’t exactly worked out like we wanted, I know.”

Daniyel came out of the hatchway and said “Indeed, but your assistance has been invaluable.” He gave me a short bow of thanks, and I blushed.

“S-so, anyway!” I stammered. “When can we leave?”

Lakshmi shrugged. “Anytime you’re ready, actually.”

I sucked on my lower lip for a bit, then nodded. “Well. I suppose we should start then.” I smiled hesitantly at her. “Would you call the crew onboard?”

“Oh!” Lakshmi perked up. “Yeah, of course!” She shouted out the open hatch.

“Alright crew! Lets get going! There’s sky to burn here!”

Everyone clambered onboard, and settled in between the bundles and packages, while Lakshmi headed into the cockpit. She waved cheerfully to Cameron, who waved back, and then Camaxtli closed the hatch, and Lakshmi engaged the engines. The familiar smooth pulse of mana flowed through me as the ships engines charged and the ship lifted off the cavern floor a few inches, slowly inching it’s way out of the cavern and into the open sky once more.

The Sparrowhawk slipped up into the sky, and then Lakshmi yelled at us to hang on. We scrambled for what seats we could get, and the Sparrowhawk leapt forward, shoving us back into our chairs.

Not even a minute later, Lakshmi hollered over her shoulder. “You called it Lily! We’ve got company! Looks like a fast attack cutter! One of the new ones, too!”

She laughed with delight. “They must want us real bad! Don’t worry, I’ll lose them!”

She pulled down on the yoke, and the ship dove into the twisting canyons and along narrow defiles that looked like they’d scrape the sides.

I grabbed the sides of my seat. “Great.” I muttered to myself. “Next she’ll want to do the Kessel run in 12 parsecs!”

Soriya laughed. “Oh cheer up, at least we won’t get swallowed by a giant asteroid worm!”

I looked at her and swallowed nervously. “But what about a mountain worm?” I asked shakily.

“Oh relax, I’m positive they don’t exist.”

I glared at her. “If we get attacked by rodents of unusual size, I’m hitting you with my staff.”

Soriya laughed as the Sparrowhawk twisted and wove its way through spaces that should not have fit. Behind and above us, the fast attack cutter vanished into the landscape, the glittering trail of our engine exhaust slowly fading away behind us.