Advent Of Darkness. Gary Caplan

and manner, he did not wish to discuss the matter further at this time.

      Glade took a different road, stating he would meet them at the aerodrome. Ragan stopped along the way twice and talked briefly with another Tauri and, later, a member of the Red Lodge. He did not share what he said and seemed slightly secretive about the events. Gideon even had a small pastry while he waited for Ragan to finish his conversation, a conversation that he could not overhear.

      A few short hours later, they met at the appointed rendezvous point at the skyship aerodrome where they found Cordlyer waiting for skyship departure. Gideon was happy to see Glade Gilding, who was sitting and writing a letter as a young courier waited. Sitting impatiently beside Glade Gilding were three dwarves. One was the artificer and weapons master Tain Ironfoot, whom Gideon had met earlier and told of the ship they were taking toward Urzan. One was introduced as Grimbold Greyhelm, Tain's cousin on his mother's side and a skilled craftsman and blade master of Khagmar Province, as well as an excellent jewel smith. Tain introduced his partner and cousin on his father's side as Sim Oakenbrand, the lord of the city of Vespgrod; he was a renowned master crafter and artificer from Urzan Province. All were returning home to start another crafting session. The skyships of Illúmaril, Lord Sim informed him, were fast—so fast, in fact, they should be near the border of Urzan in a little over four hours, for these skyships could travel at over eighty leagues an hour. He actually seemed to be ready to enjoy the ride, unlike his other Dwarro relatives.

      A short while later, a beautiful swan-shaped skyship appeared and glided elegantly into the docking area, its sails billowing in the gentle breeze. It was huge and white, and crystalline portals glistened on its hull. Its beauty impressed Gideon. Just as the ship sailed in, Laurelin Leaflock and some members of the Order of the Horn arrived along with their mounts. Soon, everyone was onboard, and all his or her provisions placed in the cargo hold. Then, the dockhands loosed the moorings, and the great white ship lifted itself into the sky and moved toward the clouds.