Pascale Auber & the Ruritanian Riddle

LXXVIII Rescue - 2

Having travelled in silence for an hour it was well and truly dark when we set down in a grassy meadow bordered on two sides by a long curve of the river. In the light it would be an ideal spot for a picnic, but as it was, the meadow felt uncanny. The broad, unseen river hummed to itself as it wound around of copse of trees, black against the dark grey sky, before hemming in the sea of grass in which we stood. I crossed my arms against the chill, and we waited.

It seemed an eternity before Theo exclaimed, "There!" and pointed to the silhouette of an airship on the south horizon. A thrill went through me as I recognized the ship - it was Simpelstur's!

In an instant, though, it became clear that there was something odd about the ship. When I had explored it previously - and then been precipitated from its deck - the ship had moved smoothly through the air, ably crewed and well-flown. That was not what the ship was doing now. She was canted over to one side and her movements were broad and inexpert. As the ship grew closer, I noticed a man standing on a yardarm among the rigging where the gas bag met the gondola.

I did not, at first, recognize this adventurous man. At first, he was silhouetted, a splash of darkness against the barely-visible grey field that was the airbag. Gradually, I became aware of slightly-longer-than-fashionable dark hair blowing in the wind, dark trousers and waistcoat, and a white shirt, rolled up to the elbows. When I became aware of his eager wave and exhilarated grin, I realised that the mysterious man was none other than my twin brother!

I have previously described Blaise as pallid and brooding, and generally, that is a good description of him. Now, though, his cheeks were as ruddy as I have ever seen them, and his lips were formed into an excited smile.

"Ahoy, Pascale!" he called merrily, as I uncertainly extended an arm to return his wave.

Theo von Hentzau turned to me, his own lips quirked with amusement, "I must say, captivity seems to have done your brother a world of good, somehow."

I nodded in bemusement, "Indeed. I cannot think how, though I am greatly relieved."

The airship slowly started to right itself as it began to rapidly descend.