<div dir="ltr">So at the prompting of my friend Jack, I wrote a story for MK. I'd appreciate any and all feedback. This story takes place in the year 719. “What are you working on this time Lodo?” I turned my head to see a platypus—it was my friend Turik. I smiled and put down the cloth I’d been working on. “Something interesting! It ought to be a nice surprise. At least I hope. What brings you here today, my friend?” My workshop doubled as a house and was near one of the more secluded areas of the Valley. This suited me well, since I wouldn’t want to disturb any of my neighbors with my racket and odd hours. “Do I need a reason to visit? Besides, if I don’t make sure you’re okay no one else will. I brought some food by the way.” He hefted a large basket on the table and I set down my tools. We quickly made a nice table with sandwiches and tea. I put the extra away for later. “I’m glad you came. I do miss company. I really wish my apprentice had stayed.” “As I recall she was more than eager to stay, but her parents were less than happy when you turned her fur blue.” “It was only temporary! It’s not like what happened to that one poor fellow at all!” Turik chuckled. “That may be, but I don’t think they wanted to take chances. Your magic lanterns are making a fortune, by the way. I don’t suppose you have more?” I waved casually to a couple of boxes. “They’re not technically magic, you know, just alchemical. Strontium carbonate for red, calcium chloride for orange, sodium nitrate for yellow, barium chloride for green, copper chloride for blue, a mix of strontium and copper for purple, and magnesium for white. The only real magic is making sure the colors don’t burn out too soon. Other than that they’re just paper lanterns with metal bottoms filled with chemicals and fire.” “All the same, no one’s seen anything like them before. Which leads me to another question what is that?” He pointed to cloth I’d been working on. “A cloth.” “Yes, I can see that it’s a cloth. In fact it is a white cloth. It is also a very, very long piece of cloth. What I’d like to know is why you want or need a piece of cloth that size.” “Ah, well, help me bring this outside to my barn and I will show you.” We hefted the cloth out to the barn where several other strips of different colors were. There was also a huge wicker basket easily large enough for two or three people to fit in it. I moved the red strip and purple strip so they met with the edges of the white one. Taking up a paint brush I slathered the ends with a special glue. I then took a few dozen needles (already attached to thread) and set a spell on them. They immediately began sewing for me. “If any of the seamstresses catch you doing that you’ll be tarred and feathered!” “What they don’t know won’t hurt them. Besides, that spell is not easy. I only came up with it out of desperation after my apprentice had to leave.” “So are you going to explain?” “Yes, well, this is like one of my lanterns. See, here’s a ceramic holder for fire and around the metal area here I’ll attach the cloth. The hot air will fill up the cloth and it should rise up into the air!” “Have you considered visiting the local healer, Lodo? Are you feverish?” Turik asked in a voice of concern. “You’ve been working really hard, maybe you need a break?” “I am not sick Turik! Nor am I delusional. Here, help me out and I’ll show you!” With obvious hesitance, Turik helped me move the basket and the cloth out once the sewing was done. I made sure to use a long, strong length of rope to secure the basket to the ground. It took a while for the two of us to attach the cloth to the metal circle I made. I hopped into the basket, lit a fire and started fanning the hot air into the cloth with my wings. Slowly, very slowly, it began to fill up, lifting off the ground. “Ye gods, it’s actually working!” “See, I told you! At last, I can fly!” “Lodo, you’re a pterodactyl. You could always fly.” “I can now fly without using my wings.” “Okay, I’ll give you that. How are you planning to get down?” “I attached this string to a panel of vents near the top. Since hot air causes it to rise, I should be able to make it descend by letting the air out.” “I see, and controlling the direction?” “Uh, well, I have some plans for that later. They’d involve Misha making something for me. I’ve got the plans worked out.” “Uh huh. And until then?” “Well I could always get out and push.” Turik slapped his head. “There are so many things that can go wrong with that.” He sighed and hopped into the basket next to me just as it was beginning to lift off the ground. I blinked and he chuckled at my surprise. “You didn’t seriously think I was going to let you go up in this thing alone, right?” “Well, I wasn’t sure. That rope should hold us in place.” “Let’s hope. I don’t fancy being stuck in the air.” It took a long time, but it was finally full. We began rising as I fed the fire and soon the trees and my barn were far below. Eventually the rope became tight enough to hold the balloon in place. All of Metamor Valley was visible from this height. While I’ve flown over it any number of times, it’s an entirely different experience to see it while still instead of always having to move. We could not just see the Keep, but as far north as the Giant’s Dike and as far south as Castle Grenier. The mountains rose on either side of us, high and proud with frosty white caps, but below the forests were a lush green over the lighter green of grasses. The river was a silvery ribbon to the west, shining and shimmering in the sun. I could even make out people walking around, working on their farms, and so on. “I…” Turik tried to speak, but the words caught in his throat. Tears were running down his face. I gave him a hug and he returned it. We stood there for a while next to one another, looking out over the world. The wind began blowing gently, and I was glad that I had attached the basket to a rope. It pulled in the direction of the wind. I really would need to see Misha about the device I wanted to ensure this went in the direction I wanted. Suddenly, however, there was a snap and we began drifting over the Valley. “Lodo, why are we moving?” “Uh, my guess would be that the rope broke somehow. Most peculiar.” “So help me Lodovico Buonarroti, if I end up dead because of you I will find a way to haunt you for eternity!” “Now, now Turik. We’re in no danger. I’ll just pull this cord and we’ll be fine.” I pulled the cord. It broke. Turik’s look could have soured new cream. “Really, we’ll be fine! I’ll just make the fire go out!” I chuckled nervously and put a stopper on the top of the fire. The silken bag, however, would probably not lose its air soon. Turik sighed. “Only in Metamor Valley could a platypus and a pterodactyl get stuck in the air in a… what are you calling this thing anyway?” “A balloon. I was thinking of calling it a balloon.” “Well, at least it’s a nice view from here. We’re passing over Lorland. Macaban’s done a wonderful job.” The fields below were, indeed, pleasingly lush. The castle had been nearly restored to what it was before Altera Loriod turned it into an architectural nightmare. “It’s hard to believe it’s been thirteen years since he died,” said Turik. “And twenty years since the Battle of the Three Gates. That’s what I’ve been working on this device for—that and my lanterns. I’d heard about them being used in the Oriental Coastlands and I thought I’d try to recreate them.” “Ah! So that’s your plan.” He chuckled. “I must admit, this is certainly an interesting experience. I think we’ve been spotted.” Several people working in their fields suddenly stopped and pointed up. I couldn’t make out most of them, but I saw a couple running towards the castle. “Drats, there goes my surprise!” “I’m more concerned about archers. What makes you think they won’t just shoot us down?” “Well, I actually hadn’t planned on sailing over towns, you know. Plus I think we’re still too far up for an archer to hit—at least, one with an ordinary weapon.” The wind, however, was brisk, and it pushed us north and a bit east. Ellingham and the signal tower near it were soon under us. Fortunately we seemed to be sinking as well. The people in that town stopped and stared at us and I could see the signal tower sending out smoke signals. By this time we were getting lower and closer to the Keep itself. Several winged creatures took aloft from the Keep and began circling us. A bald eagle approached closely. “Greetings gents. Captain Iolara Banite. What in the name of the Nine Gods of Light is this thing?” “I’m calling it a balloon,” I said. “It was supposed to be a surprise for the Duke.” She chuckled. “Well, it certainly surprised us. Are you planning to land?” “As soon as most of the hot air in my balloon has gone out. It seems like it will soon.” “I hope so! I’d hate it if we ended up in the Haunted Woods or—worse—somewhere beyond Giant’s Dike!” “Want any help down? Me and the others could probably help pull you down.” “I think—yes, we are descending as I hoped. Perhaps you could help to better guide our landing so we don’t end up on one of the towers or someone’s house?” I asked. Captain Banite laughed and swung away to talk with her troops. Most returned to the keep except for a couple of dragons. With their help we were able to land safely just outside the Keep. Explanations were given as to what I had planned and what went awry. Fortunately, the Duke was in good humor about the whole incident. I suggested that we could use my balloons as a form of transportation and military spying. As far as I know, the idea is still in consideration. Turik joined me as I went back to my barn. “That was a fun adventure, but you know I got the strangest idea in my head while we were flying up there.” “Do tell. I love novel ideas!” “I thought that, if it were large enough and properly supplied, we might be able to sail around the world in it.” I chuckled. “That would be an experience! Around the whole world! I wonder how long that journey would take.” “My guess would be at least eighty days.” I smiled and shook my head. Around the world in eighty days? Preposterous! And yet it had a nice ring to it. “Well, let me work on some plans for a larger balloon and we shall see!” It was nightfall as I finally arrived home. Turik, of course, would be staying the night. As I went to sleep in my cozy bed, I smiled at the idea of flying around the world.</div>