Chapter 104: The Dangerous Game Part 2
She, Pentam, Hans and Bundo spend a week of evenings setting up the system to split hydrogen from the water. Cal made a chute to capture the hydrogen from the barrel of water as it bubbled up and deliver the gas to the envelope. The fan engine on low pressure turned the magnet as fast as Cal thought safe. Very slowly the envelope took shape. Lacking a rigid frame on her airship, she used nets from fishing boats to hold the gondola to the envelope.
***
Bedlam greeted her as Cal walked into the house. The students paced nervously with Pentam in the parlour. Crysabel was in her room accompanied by Matilde and the midwife. The sounds of her labour floated down the stairs.
"Sorry, my lady, but I've been busy so with helping Lady Crysabel; I haven't had time to think of supper." Beth wrung her hands.
"I'm sure the students have raided kitchens before, they'll have to fend for themselves." Cal glanced over at Pentam who looked ready to faint. "I'll get one of them to take care of Pentam."
A knock on the door sent Cal back to open it as she waved at Beth to do whatever she needed.
Hyansea stood on the step. That's right, she sent a card asking to visit.
"Come in and welcome." Cal stepped back. "But the house is in chaos, as my dear friend is giving birth to her first child. I won't be insulted if you decide to return another day."
"No, I would be honoured to join your chaos." She called something to her driver in a language which sounded half song. The driver bowed and drove away. "La will bring some things from the embassy. We will help you to celebrate as we do in Zithaya."
"The parents-to-be will be delighted." Cal led Hyansea to the parlour. "Pentam, you remember Hyansea. I forgot I'd invited her tonight. She is going to help you celebrate the birth in the Zithayan fashion."
"Welcome, welcome, Crysabel will be so excited." Pentam took a couple of steps toward the stairs, then stopped. He looked at Cal with panicked eyes. "Can you take the message, I, I can't go up there."
Cal hugged him, "of course." She climbed the stairs, not much less nervous than Pentam. A gentle knock brought Matilde to the door of Crysabel and Pentam's suite, her father's old rooms.
"My Lady, the birth is going as expected and the young mother is doing well."
"I will take the news to Pentam. He wanted you to let Crysabel know the Zithayan assistant ambassador is here and planning to celebrate the birth as they do in Zithaya."
Matilde looked doubtful but went back into the room. She returned less than a minute later.
"Lady Crysabel is ecstatic. If she isn't able to travel to the world, the world is coming to her." The door closed again and Cal took the news down to Pentam and Hyansea.
More than an hour later, a knock announced La's return. He brought three women with him who carried baskets in. The students ran to fetch tables to put them on while exotic odours wafted from the baskets. La carried a box which he set beside Hyansea. The women uncovered the baskets and laid out a feast.
Cal's stomach growled, Hyansea laughed and led Cal to the table and filled a plate for her. The students followed and even Pentam took a small plate. Hans and Bundo appeared and joined in. When they'd made a sizable dent in the food, Hyansea opened the box and took out a tiny bottle.
"This is a special wine for new fathers, to calm them." She pulled out a clay cup, opened the bottle and poured it carefully, emptying every drop.
Pentam took the drink cautiously and sniffed at it like a brandy. His eyes widened and he took a sip.
"Cal, I'd offer you a taste, but Hyansea said it is for the fathers." He drank again and sighed.
Hyansea dug into the box again and took out a red silk cloth. It had a tiger embroidered on it. The beast looked ready to leap from the fabric. She handed it to Pentam.
"When it is time, wrap your child in this. Year of the Tiger, very good luck."
Pentam ran his fingers across the square of cloth. Hyansea smiled and put two tiny figurines on the table, each fastened to a fine chain.
"This one if a girl." She pointed to one. "And this if a boy. Give to the mother of your child for good spirits." Hyansea closed the box and folded her hands on her lap. "We wait and send health and strength to the mother." She closed her eyes. Cal copied her and saw most of the others do the same before she closed her eyes.
Crysabel had become her dearest friend, there at Cal's father's funeral and here to help make Cal into a lady. She almost snorted. All that time she'd spent fighting against it, and her friend accomplished the impossible with humour and grace. Encouraging her and Pentam to meet ranked among her best ideas. They were so madly happy; it scared Cal a little. What would it be like to feel that?
The sounds upstairs changed, and soon after Matilde appeared on the stairs, a grin on her face and tears in her eyes.
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