When they’d reached the top of the northeast tower, Morgan realized that the visiting airship crew had spent some time reinforcing the structure and adding a more comprehensive wooden platform to the top. A semi-permanent walkway connected the new platform to the midship boarding port on the enormous airship. When the crew members waved Issa and him forward, it felt like they were walking into a building—everything was so steady and solidly constructed.

“It almost feels like we’re on the ground,” Issa said, a hint of disappointment in her voice.

“Yeah, I guess with a ship this large, you don’t really notice the fact that it’s in the air. Maybe if we were flying through the clouds, though . . .” Morgan trailed off as he noticed Tanna ap’Cilla approaching down the wide, wooden hallway. She wore a black gown with a deep, open neckline that stretched all the way to her waist. Her pale blue skin glittered in the yellow-white Energy globes mounted along the walls, and Morgan wondered if it were some racial enhancement or if she had actually put glitter on herself.

Issa straightened next to him, and Morgan smiled, lazily putting an arm around her shoulders as they waited for their host. Issa leaned into him, and he could feel her shoulders loosen as she relaxed.

“Greetings! Thank you so much for accepting my invitation. I’m Tanna ap’Cilla, and I already know your names, Morgan Hall and Issa ap’Roald.” She wore a genuine-seeming smile that was reflected in her eyes and reached out a hand to Issa. Morgan wondered at that choice. Was she trying to win Issa over by showing her extra respect? Issa reached forward to take the smaller woman’s hand.

“Pleased to meet you, Tanna. I’ve always wanted to see an airship like this.” The two women smiled at each other for a moment, then Tanna released Issa’s hand and held it out to Morgan. He took it, and though she held it with her knuckles facing upward, he squeezed it in a normal handshake. He wasn’t about to try kissing her hand or whatever she’d intended.

“Good to see you again, Tanna. Any chance we could get a tour of the deck later? I’m also interested in this vessel,” Morgan said.

“Absolutely. Follow me to the captain’s table for now, though. They’re getting ready to start service.” Her fingers were cool, and, as she withdrew them, she let their grip linger, sliding along Morgan’s palm and fingers. Morgan couldn’t help his nervous glance at Issa because the touch hadn’t been benign. Issa’s face was impassive, though, and she reached up to take hold of Morgan’s upper arm, and they walked together as Tanna led them down the hallway.

Morgan admired the craftsmanship of the vessel. While it was steady and spacious, the tooled wood and round, brass-lined doorways were constant reminders that this was a master-crafted construct and designed for sturdiness in motion. There were no loose bits of furniture, and strange sounds vibrated through the wood: faint rumblings and hisses and the occasional shouted order echoed through the hallways they bypassed.

“Does the airship use a lot of Energy to stay docked like this? It seems the crew is awfully active for a vessel at rest,” he asked as they traversed a short, elegantly crafted spiral stair.

“These vessels require constant adjustment, and yes, we have a full crew responsible for charging the propulsion rings. They’re on light duty while it’s docked, but they still have to maintain the charge, keeping her ready for departure or maneuvers at a moment’s notice.” Tanna glanced back while she spoke, her bright green eyes glinting in the light.

“Tanna, was one of your parents Shadeni?” Issa asked suddenly.

“My grandfather,” Tanna said, turning her gaze to Issa but still smiling. “It’s why my hair is black, I imagine.”

“I thought as much; one of my good friends had black hair, though her eyes were a shade of orange. Her father was Shadeni.” Issa’s voice was friendly, but Morgan was wondering if there was some subtext to this conversation that he was missing.

“You know, there are scholars who claim the Shadeni and Ardeni are the same race. That they simply favor different bloodlines.” Tanna didn’t wait for a response to that statement, gesturing to a large open set of double doors. “The captain’s table!”

The dining room of the Skybreaker would have been impressive in a manor or vineyard estate. The fact that it was on a floating skyship made it stand out even more so. In Morgan’s estimation, the room was around a hundred feet by fifty, and the ceiling was high enough that he could have jumped, using his wings for a boost, and not touched it. Waitstaff stood to the sides of the opulently appointed room, all in uniform, wearing white jackets over black pants, towels draped over their forearms.

At the head of the long, rectangular table sat Captain Gella, his navy blue uniform impeccable with brass buttons glinting in the bright lights. He didn’t wear his hat, and his long mustache and beard puffed out as he spoke to the man standing to his left, whom Morgan didn’t recognize. He was one of the large, otter-like people—Vodkin, if he remembered correctly. He did, however, recognize the others seated at the table: Baron Finneal, the man he’d tangled with outside the portal, and Haku-dak, the huge warrior that had wrestled with Bronwyn.

“Good evening, everyone. Might I present Morgan Hall and Issa ap’Roald?” Tanna said, smoothly speaking over the conversations. The room stilled, and everyone’s eyes turned to the trio coming through the door.

“Wonderful! Come, come,” Captain Gella said, standing up in front of his chair. The Vodkin he’d been speaking to bowed slightly, then departed through a door on the other end of the room. Haku-dak and Baron Finneal also stood.

“Thank you all. No need to stand,” Morgan said, walking forward with Issa still holding his arm. He walked to the two vacant chairs on the captain’s right, pulling one out for Issa and then taking the other. As soon as Issa had sat down, everyone else sat. Tanna sat in the empty seat across the table from Morgan, and then the captain spoke again, “I’m so pleased that you were able to join us, Morgan and Issa.”

“Thank you for having us,” Issa said.

“It’s truly my pleasure,” he paused and motioned to one of the servants, who stepped forward with a tray of delicate, tall glasses. “I’d like to propose a toast,” the captain continued, watching as each of his guests took one of the slender glasses filled with pale, orange-red liquid. When Morgan lifted his glass to his nose, taking a sniff out of habit, he knew it wasn’t wine but some sort of liquor. It had a smoky aroma, and a thin sheen of oil sat atop the liquid. “Beneset bitters with House ap’Anua gin,” Captain Gella said, nodding to Morgan.

“A toast?” Morgan asked, prompting the captain to continue.

“Yes, to new friends and profitable ventures.” He lifted his glass, and as the others followed suit, so did Morgan and Issa. Morgan took a tentative sip of the liquor and was pleased with the dry, rich flavor—berries and herbs with a smoky aftertaste. Issa made a soft, happy sound, and Morgan smiled at her.

“Excellent, Captain,” Morgan said.

“Thank you! Please drink up; my chefs have prepared several pairings to go with tonight’s meal.” He made himself an example finishing off his glass and nodding around the table as his guests did as well.

“Captain, wasn’t there some business to discuss before we eat?” Haku-dak asked, his baritone rumbling over the table.

“Oh, Haku, so quick to charge into the fray,” Tanna tsked.

“Well, he’s right, I suppose. Morgan, I did have some things to discuss with you while you’re at the table with me, but, Haku, we can certainly eat and talk business at the same time, no?”

“Naturally, you can, Captain,” Baron Finneal said, glaring at Haku-dak. Morgan took the opportunity to look at the man, noticing more than his glittering wings for the first time. He was tall, lean, pale-skinned with orange-red hair and wide, dark eyes that glittered with tiny pinpricks of light. He was undoubtedly a Ghelli, but his appearance reflected a lot of racial advancements or an unusual bloodline. He wore a suit much like the one Morgan had first seen him in, but this one was a deep shade of ochre that somewhat complimented his orangish hair.

While he’d been distracted, looking at the baron, the captain had indicated to a servant to proceed with the service. In short order, servers were swarming into the room, depositing delicate gold-leaf plates in front of the diners with paper-thin wafers of some sort of fried root with a thick, creamy dollop of herbed cheese. Other servers deposited another type of fizzy cocktail in front of each guest.

“Ahh, wonderful, pateen root with herbed cheese from Volai. Let me know what you think!” The captain said, setting an example by scooping some of the soft cheese onto one of the root slices and plopping it into his mouth. Morgan followed his example, and the cheese nicely complimented the salty, sweet root. He tucked into the little dish, and so did Issa.

“Bah, this isn’t enough for a man,” Haku-dak said, quickly munching down the tiny serving.

“Patience, friend,” the captain said, “We have several more courses!”

“Delicious,” Issa said.

“Isn’t it, though?” Tanna asked, smiling at Issa.

“What sort of business are you wanting to discuss, Captain?” Morgan asked.

“Ahh, well, you realize we’re here to offer recruitment opportunities to the citizens of First Landing, yes? We have a lot to offer on behalf of Lord ap’Gravin. I even have an opportunity that might be fit for someone of your stature.” He looked at Issa and added, “And yours, of course, Miss ap’Roald.”

“Ahh, I don’t think that’s going to work for us. Thanks, though, Captain. No, I’ve been gone a while, and I’m eager to spend some time here in town, and so is Issa.”

“That’s right. I’m working to become more involved with the community here,” Issa added.

“Oh? That’s a shame. One of Lord ap’Gravin’s exploratory teams has recently found the entrance to an ancient ruin. He believes a dungeon lies within.”

“Ahh, that sounds exciting, but this isn’t the right time for us. If things change, I’ll be sure to get in touch with you.”

“We could have you in Gelica within a week, and from there, you could be to the ruins in another week. If you didn’t like what you saw, you could teleport home—you have the means to make a portal, don’t you?” Tanna asked, and though she was smooth, Morgan felt like the line was rehearsed.

“Hmm, yes, I do. But, no, I’m not interested right now. Thank you again.” While he spoke, Issa reached a hand under the table to rest on his thigh, indicating, he thought, that she supported what he was saying. Morgan took a sip of his new cocktail, and it was crisp and sweet, with a hint of alcohol under the fruity flavor. “Are you having much luck with your recruiting?”

“Oh, not nearly as much as we’d hoped. I’m afraid your council has poisoned the well somewhat.” The captain's usual smile faltered, and Morgan saw his eyes dart toward Tanna and Finneal. Was that subconscious? Was he worried about them? Who was really calling the shots here?

“Poisoned the well?” Issa asked.

“They’ve issued statements discouraging your citizens from leaving and warning about unfair contract practices,” Finneal said.

“Well, that’s hardly poisoning the well. You have to understand the need for a fledgling community to have a growing, local citizenry. The people of First Landing are also quite new to the System and Energy use—it’s perfectly normal for the council to give them information about contracts, don’t you think?” Issa said, scoffing lightly.

“Yes, but so many opportunities abound. Think what your citizens could return with if they spent some years learning and working for a thriving merchant empire like ap’Gravin’s,” Finneal said.

“Just so,” the captain said, nodding. He gestured, and servants began to clear away their dishes. “Let’s switch subjects. I trust you’ll let me know if you change your minds, Morgan and Issa. Meanwhile, Morgan, pray, tell us about that amazing tower of yours!”