A month later, as the setting sun was finally giving way to full night, a small skiff called The Triumph waited at Moor Spires. On the deck were two men, Linus and his brother Drew, who were watching to the west.
“There,” Drew said, pointing, “They’re coming. Right on time, like always. I knew they would.”
“I owe you five, then. I’ll bet you double or nothing that they deliver a ransom demand instead of Nita.”
“You’ve got a real dark streak, Linus.”
The airship, low to the waves, drew nearer, revealing itself in the dim light of night. There had been good deal more repair work done to the ship since last they’d seen it. One whole side had been replaced with new planking, and it had what looked to be an entirely new envelope. A new and particularly sturdy-looking gig replaced the one that had held their salesman last month. Crew appeared at the railing on either side and threw skillfully tied loops over each of three mooring stones. A few grinding noises came from inside the ship, and down came the gig.
When it was low enough, Linus and Drew were able to see that it held not one person but two. The first was Lil, wearing a mildly ill-fitting dress of elegant Calderan design. The other was Nita, outfitted in her standard work clothes.
“Drew! I’m so glad to find you here! I was afraid I would have to wait until after your shift!” Nita called down as the gig continued to lower down to the water.
“I traded shifts. I wanted to get you away from these people as soon as possible,” Drew said. He looked to Lil. “No offense.”
“Aw heck. I’m pretty sure the bad influence went both ways, Mister,” Lil replied.
Nita leapt from the gig a few feet before it reached the water and landed in the skiff. “How has everything been since I’ve been gone?”
“Well, the foreman is pretty sore you took your relief time for the whole year at once without notice, but no one seems to think anything much of your sudden trip otherwise. You’ve always been a little impulsive.”
“And my mother?”
“I understand she’s been holding on, but your sister says she’s in a bad way.”
“Listen, I need a favor. I know you came here to do your monthly trading, and I assure you there are better goods today than you’ve ever seen before, but I need you to take me back to Tellahn immediately.”
“You got the medicine?”
“I did. And I’ve got to get to my mother. The sooner she gets it the better.”