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Gabriel reached back inside for their bags, handed a lighter one to Alexandria, and then signaled to
the hired driver to move along. Casting his gaze around the perimeter, he searched for signs of any-
one following them. No one he could see at this late hour of two o clock in the morning. He chuck-
led. Even though the sky was so bright, they just might hasten away with no one the wiser.
 Let s hurry. He nodded in the direction of the balloon. It wasn t a time to take any chances.
His wife gave a little squeak of excitement gazing up at the huge balloon.  It s much bigger than the
one we saw her in before. And so beautiful. I can t believe we are about to fly!
Gabriel smiled over at her. She was right; it was beautiful sight striped red and gold on the top,
like an umbrella, then rows of blue with pictures of animals and symbols in gold, then a wide gold
band around the middle of the balloon, with an elegant scroll of gold-leaf pattern, and finally blue
with white swirls resembling rolling clouds.
There was a wide mouth at the bottom of the balloon, above the basket done in gold with lines run-
ning to the basket, or gondola as some called it, to halfway up the balloon on all sides. The gondola
was quite large, shaped like a wide boat. As they neared he saw that one side was covered with an
awning of sorts, making a sheltered section for sleeping.
Sophie s head was just visible from the top of the basket, bobbing around, her hands coming up to
tug this rope or adjust that line. Alexandria called to her when they were close enough.
 Sophie, we have arrived. Is everything in order?
Sophie climbed up a ladder, spun around with quick little movements and a flurry of white petti-
coats, and then shimmied down the other side to the ground. She curtsied, her eyes wide and in-
tense.  All appears to be in order, Your Graces.
 Are you all right, Sophie? You look nervous, Alexandria asked.
Indeed, Sophie did look pale, like a white-faced doll. Gabriel wondered yet again if this was such a
good idea.
 I have never made a journey of this length, so there is some hesitation. Sophie s hands squeezed
together and her fingers fiddled.  This is the largest balloon I could find in so short a time. I hope it
will do.
 It looks perfect. Gabriel motioned to their bags.
 How would you like the weight distributed?
 Oh yes. Follow me. She climbed back up the ladder, which was longer than the basket and trailed
on the ground, and hopped over the edge to the inside.
Alexandria lifted up her skirts and followed after her, as agile as any girl used to climbing trees and
hiking across craggy beaches. Gabriel handed the bags and supplies up to the two women and
scrambled after them.
 Here. Let me show you around. Sophie pushed back the canvas awning and revealed three sleep-
ing cots with pillows, a bag of food stores, blankets, and clothing.
Another area revealed supplies including a good deal of iron filings and sulfuric acid, should they
need to make more hydrogen, which Sophie assured them they would only need in an emergency.
On the other side of the gondola, against the perimeter in neat rows were twenty or so large bags of
sand.
 When we need to ascend, we throw out the appropriate number of bags, and when we need to de-
scend, we let out a little hydrogen. The key is catching the proper air currents, those blowing in the
direction we want to go, do you see?
 I m guessing it won t be as easy as it sounds, Gabriel murmured.
 Well, yes. Sophie shrugged her slight shoulders and pressed her lips into a tight line.  Not easy,
perhaps, but possible.
 I shall pray for fair winds. Alex put a hand on Sophie s shoulder.
Sophie stared up at the bright sky.  It is a perfect night to begin.
 Excellent. What can we do to help?
 If you could loosen the ropes holding down the balloon on one side, Your Grace, and I will do like-
wise on the other side, we can time it so we can hurry up the ladder as the balloon begins to as-
cend.
Alex clasped her hands together in excitement.  I ll do it.
 No. Gabriel shook his head. Then seeing the crestfallen look on her face, he hurried to add,  Per-
haps the next time. Let s get some experience first, shall we?
 But how will I get experience if you won t let me try?
Sophie smiled a very small smile but remained silent, watching them.  There are four ropes. Per-
haps Alexandria can untie the first one, for experience, and then climb safely back into the gondola
before we untie the other three?
 Excellent compromise, Sophie, thank you. Gabriel winked at Alexandria.  Go on then.
Alexandria hurried over the side and ran to one of the lines. It was tied to a large metal spike se-
cured into the ground. Gabriel watched her struggle with dislodging the spike but waited in silence,
knowing she wanted to accomplish the task on her own.
 I ve got it! She turned with the rope in her hand and ran back to the ladder, throwing the heavy [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

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