Chapter 121: New Command Part 3

At The Impossible, Cal double-checked the boiler pressure and fastened ropes to the rings at either end of the keel. She then coiled and fastened them to the floor of the gondola. The prince tied himself to the ring at the rear while Cal strapped in.
"Stand by to release mooring ropes." Cal cranked the fins out into position. The slight breeze tossed them about. "Release."
The Impossible floated up and clear of the warehouses. She hadn't topped up the hydrogen, so their buoyancy was closer to neutral. Better for flying, anyway.
Cal fed power to the engine and The Impossible headed across the port as she rose higher into the air.
"That should be good." Cal levelled the fins after turning to follow the railway track back to the city. "I'll need a better way to steer. Don't want to lose any passengers when we turn. Maybe something driven by foot pedals."
"You're the engineer." The prince sat watching out the back of the Gondola. "I never imagined this."
"Quite something isn't it?" Cal said. "I didn't have much chance to enjoy the first trip. It was too dark to see much."
The noise of the engine and propeller made conversation a challenge. The prince didn't look interested in talking anyway.
When they reached the city, Cal left the tracks and looking down, tried to figure where they were in relation to her home. She saw the river in the distance and the bridge where they'd been attacked. Now she knew where they were, so she steered toward homewards.
Hans had the roof open, Navy personnel standing by to assist. Cal flew over the barn and lowered the power until they hung high over her home.
"Drop the rope out the stern, Your Highness." Cal pushed the bow rope out. "I will release hydrogen to drop slowly."
The Impossible drifted down. Cal felt the shift through the floor when the ropes were fastened to the winches and they started pulling the airship down into her berth. She cut the power to the engine and stopped the hydrogen release. Twenty minutes later, The Impossible floated in the barn as the roof slowly closed above it. Cal lowered the rope ladder and suggested the Prince climb down first. Cal inspected her craft, then gave it a pat before following him down.
"A pleasure flying with you." The Prince saluted and Cal returned it. "Mother is looking forward to the experience."
"Her trip will be much more comfortable."
Cal set the guards to maintain watch outside the barn.
"It is too much to hope our arrival wasn't noted." Cal pointed at the ship. "It was somewhat dramatic after all. You are ordered to destroy the ship if you are put in a position where you can't defend it. I fully expect airships will appear in other countries, but there is no reason we need to make it easy on them. Your Highness, if you would honour me and join me for tea? Beth has been cooking up a storm in the hopes you would stay for a visit."
"I would be delighted, Marquise."
***
Three days later, the coach from the Zithayan Embassy stopped by to allow Pentam and Crysabel to say farewell before they started on their journey toward the Dynasty.
"I am going to miss you." Cal brushed her finger across Calli's cheek.
"What about me?" Pentam grinned at her.
"Certainly, but there is something about holding Calli which pushes all the worries away."
"I know what you mean." Pentam looked over at Crysabel holding Andrew. The love in his eyes made Cal sigh inwardly. They were so lucky.
"We will write at every opportunity," Crysabel said. "Hyansea says it will be months before we get there, even with taking the train across Locania to Hassarah. It will mean we don't need to sail around the whole continent. We'll board ship in Sombi. The University is on the far side of the Dynasty, so not many outsiders have ever been there."
"I will look forward to hearing of your adventures." Cal tried to smile. "I'm glad Hyansea is accompanying you, but I'll miss her visits."
Her friends climbed into the coach and waved one last time
"You are kind, Cal. I have left a note introducing you to my successor. Please consider showing her the hospitality you have given me."
"Of course."
Hyansea climbed into the coach as Crysabel shut the window. The driver snapped the reins and they were off.
"I understand you wish a tour of your estate, Marquise?" A man climbed out of a waiting coach. "I'm Fredrick Gooly. His Highness has given me a list."
"Yes, I need something to distract me, or I'll spend the day moping about." Cal climbed into the coach. "Shall we go?"
They made several stops. The first was at a large mansion on the far side of the river.
"This has been held by the Crown for the better part of a decade. It's been used to house guests, but recently has remained empty most of the time." Frederick climbed out of the coach. "The staff will show you through the house.
The place was at least three times the size of her home.
"What am I going to do with this much space?"
"That is up to you, Marquise." Frederick waited as the coachman helped Cal in, then followed. "The Crown has given you the estate complete, so you may use it for whatever you like, even sell it. Though I wouldn't recommend it, you wouldn't get a good price."