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Chapter 7, Chronicle III - Interlude to Flights of Fancy By William Black Will walked with Dr. Laroux in silence, but knew the other's eyes were on him. How he hated being under scrutiny, but because of his illness he attempted to quiet his irritation. Both men walked to the tent containing the Hot Air balloon where they found most of the workers taking a well-deserved break. Some were sitting on boxes, others sat cross-legged on the ground, and still others just stood about, but all smiled at them as the two men walked towards the balloon's gondola. "Hmmm...you're planning on going up in THAT thing?" Laroux looked incredulous. Snickers were heard rippling around the tent. Apparently the workers had similar reservations. "Yep! Isn't she a beauty?" Will smiled and slapped the other man on the back. "Looks like the gondola and supports are finished. Now all we need is to mount the heat generators, ballast, and the balloon itself. Oh, and that's when the fun begins." Will chuckled as he walked forward to pat the basket affectionately. The young artesian Will had spoken to earlier stopped his conversation with one of the seamstresses, and beamed with pride at Will. The girl glanced at Will, blushed, and turned back to the young man giggling. Dr. Laroux just shook his head. Just then Morgan entered the tent and started to laugh. "Looks like an overgrown egg basket for my beloved egghead!" She tilted her head at Will, "So you're going up in that thing? You really ARE brave. What should I scrape you off the ground with?" She slowly walked around the basket, gazing at it as she would a new creature she'd never seen before. "I hope you told the engineers make a man-sized spatula." "Very funny." Will scowled "Why don't you make yourself useful and leave." Will said, keeping a straight face. "You don't love me any more," she said accusingly, her lips puckering into a child-like pout. Then she gave him a dazzlingly wicked smile, "But I could change that real fast." She moved towards him, her hips swaying seductively. "Ahhhummmmmm," Laroux cleared his throat loudly. Morgan turned to him and smiled, "Oh lighten up! I was just teasing." Her face grew stern though her smile remained. "Will, Morion wants to see you in her...I mean David's tent. Apparently she has some news that she'll only reveal to you. " Then in a lower voice, "You seem to have a disturbing effect on people." Will frowned. He sensed she had a deeper meaning to her words than she allowed, but with Dr. Laroux standing there he didn't dare pursue the matter. "Please let Lady Morion know I'll be along shortly." "Will, she said now. I've already taken up too much of your time, for which I think you'll unfortunately get the blame. You'd best hurry." "On my way." Will gave her arm a squeeze as he past. "Doctor, would you walk with me? I have one last request of you." "Certainly, my Lord." Laroux made a slight bow to Morgan and followed Will out of the tent. "Sir, I just wanted to let you know that the potions are all ready." Laroux said breathlessly as he attempted to keep up with the Druid. "Good. Now for my request." Will stopped and turned to the winded man. "We need to make sure the potions stick to their targets and are very hard to wash off." Laroux gave a worried smirk, "My Lord, this is already done. I anticipated you. Our enemies won't be able to escape the effects of my brews. Yet I have a serious concern. If the concoctions should get on our men or beasts, even with the remedies readily available, the injuries will take a long time to heal. Should the falcons, hawks, and your Arrow get any on their wings or in their eyes, they'll plummet from the sky." The thought of Arrow getting injured jolted Will. Until now he'd given the matter little thought with everything else that was going on. What if Arrow did get hurt? The Eagle was not a possession or pet. He stayed out of his own sense of loyalty and belonging. The Druid tried to shake the sinking feeling now churning in his stomach. After a long pause Will sighed, "I'll need to direct the birds to fly sharply upwards after releasing their packages. I won't let any of them fly underneath another who just dropped their load." Too late Will realise what he'd just said. "Sorry about how that sounded." "No worries, my Lord. I got your meaning." Laroux chuckled in spite of himself. "Anyway, as long as you are aware of the dangers to our feathered friends." Laroux grew serious as the approached Sir David's tent, "You'd better get in there. I'm sure Lady Morion is becoming impatient." William Black © Continues... Chronicle III, Main page |