being so high above the ground, scares me, but in this charming room I feel no discomfort."

Adena's lips quirked. "I'm glad to hear it. Airships are very stable, more so than people believe."

Zared nodded, tucking into his soup as Conner set out covered dishes. To Zared's surprise the meal comprised hot food. "Do you have a galley aboard, Captain?" He gestured to the bowl. "I'm surprised any means of cooking is allowed aboard, given the risks of explosion."

"We don't permit naked flames, that's true." She patted the bulkhead with obvious affection. "Oculus may be old, but she has a state-of-the-art electric stove."

"Fascinating." Zared wished he'd never thought of explosions. Hydrogen gas and fire didn't play nicely together, he knew that much. He'd never thought of journeying aboard such a craft, let alone on an important mission for his uncle. That thought reminded him of something. "Would it be permissible to pay a visit to your hold to check on my uncle's cargo, Captain? He charged me with looking after it."

"Of course. As supercargo, you have that right. All I ask is that you tell me or one of my officers first. It's for safety reasons."

"Thank you. I'll go after dinner."

Conner removed the bowls and served the main course. Zared looked at the food on his plate, large triangles of bread which appeared to be covered with a red sauce, cheese, meat and vegetables. "May I ask what this is, Captain?"

She'd already begun eating and swallowed a mouthful to reply. "It's called pizza. Something from Earth, or so Cookie says. Try it, it's great."

He picked up a slice, trying to emulate the way Adena held it, and bit off the sharp end. A wonderful variety of flavors filled his mouth, and he grunted appreciatively in spite of his manners.

Adena wiped a dribble of sauce from her chin with a napkin and smiled. "Good, isn't it? Cookie learned the recipe off an Earthling refugee from the City of Night. Of course, he can't get all the ingredients the recipe needs, but the refugee told him he's gotten close."

"I think he's done a creditable job." He swallowed the first delicious bite. "Do you venture to the City of Night often, Captain? I confess I'm apprehensive about going there."

Adena leaned back in her chair with a glass in her hand, her eyes narrowed in thought. He noticed that, unlike his glass, which held wine, hers contained beer. "You're right to be concerned. The Pure Bloods don't like visitors from outside their domain. Most times they'll tolerate a certain amount of covert trade, but they execute those they dislike in the most horrible ways."

Zared swallowed his next mouthful before chewing it properly and had to wash it down with a heavy gulp of wine.

Adena appeared not to notice his discomfort. "Having said that, the Pure Bloods spend most of their time either watching each other for inevitable treachery, or fighting a nasty low-level war between their various Houses. Those times are the best for my work. They tend to let their perimeter guard down. It means I can slip in and out without too much trouble." She smiled. "I hear there's a war on right now, so I'm sure things'll be okay on this run. We'll get you where you want to go."

Zared thought of the envelope in the inner pocket of his light jacket, sealed with wax, only to be opened one day's journey out from Penumbra City. "I hope so." He gave her a mournful look. "And I sincerely hope we can get back."

She grinned and reached for the green bottle. "Well, we'll know tomorrow. More wine?"

After dinner Adena showed Zared to the cargo hold and waited while he checked all was well. Once he'd pronounced himself satisfied, she escorted him to his cabin and headed for the flight deck. Jake Dyer stood next the wheel, his form little more than an outline in the subdued red lighting.

"All well?" she asked.

He turned and nodded. "All's well, Cap'n. I took a sighting within the hour. Our course is steady. I ordered running lights doused a few minutes ago."

"Good. No sense in advertising our presence now we're away from PC." She moved up beside Jake and clapped him on the shoulder then peered out and down. Wind-rippled sand glided by below, smooth and blue in the starlight.

Jake cocked his eye at her. "How's our passenger settling in, Cap'n?"

Adena chuckled. "He's nervous as a cat in a room full of rocking chairs."

He grinned. "Doesn't like flying, eh?"

"No, but I think I settled him down."

"Any clue as to what the cargo is?"

Adena shrugged. "Zared's close-mouthed. He didn't say. To be honest, I don't think he knows."

Jake tossed a flop of his auburn hair out of his face and frowned. "I must admit I'm anxious to know exactly where we'll have to go in the City of Night."

"Agreed. It'll make all the difference as to how hard — or easy — it'll be getting in and out." She sighed. "We'll know tomorrow when Zared gives us the sealed orders. Until then, I'm heading for bed. G'night all."

A chorus of good-nights followed her from the flight deck and Adena headed for her cabin. Mr. Phibuli had chosen not to join her there to roost on his accustomed perch. She frowned at the empty place. No doubt he has reasons of his own. She settled down in bed, read for a while then turned out the light.

In the tiny booth down the passageway Zared tossed and turned in fitful sleep, dreaming of flying and almost crashing. Occasionally, he muttered and whimpered in his sleep.

Mr. Phibuli stood on the perch in the passenger lounge, flexing his claws every so often and brooding on the events of the day. The glow of his eyes illuminated the lounge in soft yellow light.

Down in the cargo hold, the Silver Lady slept and dreamed of fire and ice.

Chapter 4

Adena woke with a start. The speaking tube

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