Journey of the Messenger Cycle 2 Part 4c

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Lady Felitta greeted them as they boarded Bounty Fool from the rooftop of the palace. Roddarra thought that she looked good in the winter uniform of Harlk, which consisted of quilted pants, jacket, as well as a round cap, all of blue and gold. Black gloves, boots and belt finished the ensemble. The belt had a holstered alchemical shooter, a sheathed broad bladed knife and a sturdy looking pouch, again all in black leather. The only oddity was the lack of rank insignia.

“Is this your first time aboard an airship?”

Ijah replied with a simple, “Yes.” She looked around the small ship taking in the details and glancing at the five other crew, standing in a line behind Felitta. Three women and two men, also in their winter uniforms.

Elli seemed nervous and hung back. She may not have slept much the night before, her pale complexion appeared more so in the morning light. Her voice croaked a bit when she replied, “I’ve never been on an airship before. I’ve heard they are not very safe.”

Roddarra turned her attention back to the young mage, “I was on your grandfather’s airship, but only when it was docked. This is a very different looking vessel.”

“It is. Less than three years old, built at the Cardoon Aerodrome in High Fort. There have been a lot of innovations over the past decade. Despite being considerably smaller than Grandfather’s old airship, this is a much better vessel. Safer than earlier designs.

“Seeing as none of you have flown before, there are some safety concerns I’d like to go over with you. We are presently on the main deck, when you are not in your room or the facilities you will be here, on this side of the railing. The rest of the ship, including the officers cabin, cargo bay, mechanic’s room and the fore and aft top-decks are off limits. Is that clear?”

Roddarra could not help but smile at Lady Felitta’s serious tones, but gave a curt nod and said, “Yes ma’am.”

Elli and Ijah both replied affirmatively. Ijah stepped forward with a scowl across her face, pointed at one of the crew and demanded, “What is that man doing here?”

Taken aback, Lady Felitta turned and looked at the indicated crew member. Roddarra recognized the man, who was grinning foolishly at them, or more to the point, at Ijah. Felitta pointed to him, “Step forth.”

The man did so, keeping a rigid posture, his wide smile remained. Ijah stepped up to him, “What are you doing here?”

He glanced towards Lady Felitta who indicated he should answer. His reply was in broken Andalee, “As I said once ago, we could be seeing much of each other, again one more time. Of recent happening I moved from Black Tower to household guard, reserve fleet. Now am I here, and are you.”

Felitta moved up to Ijah, “Is there a problem?”

Ijah glanced down at her, her scowl had deepened,”This man says he transferred here from the mercenary company. Is that a thing that happens?”

Felitta nodded, “It is. If you have an issue with this man, I can have him removed.”

“Would that delay are departure?”

“Likely, yes. At least a few hours, crew member Datton is our weapon’s specialist.”

“I see…” Ijah looked the man over with a critical eye, her scowl still apparent, “I believe you had claimed your name was Lumbra Todsven?”

“I had indeed done so. The situation seemed to require it.”

Ijah gave him a doubtful look, “I’m loath to delay further. My apologies, please continue.”

Ijah turned her back to him as he reversed smartly into the line of his crew mates. Lady Felitta continued, “The mid deck area is the safest place to be when on deck. These lines will attach to most belts and we have extra harnesses on board, if you’re going to be up top often, they are highly recommended. If we run into any sort of troubles along the way, not that there’s likely to be any, please go immediately to your room. Any questions?”

“How long will it take us to reach West Port?” Elli asked.

“That largely depends on the weather, but also, to some extent, how quickly you would like travel. I can use the helm stone to get us there in about two days, if we travel through the night at speed. More reasonably and likely more comfortably for everyone involved, three to five days. Unc-, Lord Jostan has provided me with a short list of places where we would be welcomed for the nights, if you need better accommodations, food and company. Though, that would likely extend the trip two extra days.”

Ijah looked to Elli and then Roddarra, “Preferences?”

Roddarra shrugged indifferently, Elli said, “That’s really up to you, Ijah.”

“So, if we don’t stop for the night, does that mean you need to stay up?”

“Only if you want to get there as quickly as possible. Typically, if the weather is fair, we’d increase altitude, bring the fins in and float in the breeze.”

“I’d rather not be stopping along the way, but there is no requirement to inconvenience yourself by rushing there.”

“Very well. If you’ll follow me, I’ll show you to your room.”

Most of the back quarter of the ship, not including the aft top deck, was dedicated to the luxuriously appointed room. The room had been finished in expensive hardwood, well carved around the door frame and the sills of the two small windows. Erotic art hung on the walls. The bed was large, taking up much of the space. There was also a couple small wardrobes, three chairs, a chest, a collapsing table along one of the walls and a coal brazier in a corner where the wood had been covered in bronze.

From the doorway Felitta said, “I hope none of you mind sharing a bed. Meals will be brought to you and I believe Lord Jostan has provided some extra goodies.” She stepped back into the narrow passage, “The head is right here, my room is there. These facilities are for your use, the crew has a similar set up near the front of the ship. If you have any problems with the crew, please let me know.”

She looked the three of them over with a friendly smile, “Any other questions?”

Elli sighed and flopped onto the bed. Ijah shook her head no, Roddarra said, “Thank you, captain.”

“Ah, I’m actually not a captain. Skipper would be fine, or my name.”

“Thank you, Lady Felitta.”

“You are welcome, Lady Roddarra, Ijah, Ellicinta. We will be under way shortly.” She shut the door, leaving the three of them to settle in.

Ijah began searching through the room. Elli sat up and proceeded to undo the buttons down the side of her blue and black dress. Roddarra learned against the door and listened to Felitta’s receding footsteps. After a few breaths she slowly slid down the door to sit on the floor. She pulled the combs from her hair to let down her locks. She felt weary, tired of courtly manners, servants and extravagance.

A long silence held between them. Elli stood to pull off her dress, went to the wardrobe and hung the garment. Stockings and garters followed. She left her shoes by the bed, pulled back the dust cover and crawled under. She briefly sat back up, “Sorry Lady Roddarra, I’m very hungover.” She flopped back, pulled the dust cover over her head and rolled to her side.

“Just Roddarra is fine. Especially in here.”

A long while passed then Elli croaked out, “Thank you.”

Roddarra looked up to find Ijah watching her with a gentle smile and a fond expression. She felt her heart give a jump and she flushed, she smiled back a bit sheepishly. Ijah asked, “Do you mind if I put the fire on?”

“No, I’ll just get out of this coat.”

“There’s food in the chest, fancy meats, cheese and breads, fruit as well. Enough for a couple days.” She fiddled with the fire stick a bit, then said, “Your friend is very generous, dare I say past the point of reason.”

“Well, I think that part of it had more to do with us saving his life.”

“No.”

“No?”

“No. It was there the moment you showed up in his life needing help. It was all about you.”

“Don’t sell yourself short. I think he was much more interested in you than he was me.”

Ijah shrugged and blew on the burning slivers of wood under the coals, all the smoke went up into a well crafted flue and out the back of the ship. Ijah kept her coat on and sat in one of the chairs. “There are games, wine, other beverages.”

The two of them looked at each other in surprise as they felt the ship lift up into the air. They laughed. There were odd creaking sounds from the airship as the craft settled onto its new heading. Occasionally there were strange mechanical sounds as well.

Roddarra stood, took her fur coat off and hung it in the wardrobe Elli had not used. She looked around a bit, not really interested in what was in the room, but more to keep herself occupied. After a while she said, “I’m feeling tired, I don’t think I’m up for playing games right now.” She looked at the bed, “Elli has the right idea.”

Ijah stood, moved to where Roddarra was and started undressing her. She shivered, less from any coolness, more so Ijah’s gentle assistance. Ijah added the garments to the wardrobe, pulled back the dust cover from the bed, then knelt in the confined space to remove Roddarra’s stockings and garters. When she stood she gave a gentle push and Roddarra settled onto the bed.

Ijah pulled the cover up and Roddarra asked, “Are you not going to join me?”

“Not yet. I’m very curious about this sky-ship. I’m going to take a look around.” She shut the door quietly behind her when she left. Roddarra slowly drifted off to sleep, listening to the strange sounds the airship made.

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