THE MORNING AFTER CHRISTMAS Day, the weather was a fine one, with the sun shining and the sky a mesmerizing blue, showcasing an enchanting, fantastical land blanketed in white that stretched across the horizon. In the airfield, a thick crowd gathered, among them the lord and lady of Norsewood, as they watched the wood elves and mountain dwarves, along with the Norsewood volunteers, proceed into the airships. When the contraptions lifted, shouts of farewell echoed across the plain as hands.waved in the air.
Inside the Norsewood Skywarden 2, Juan waved to the people, and Liam said, "What a sight, the likes of which I've never seen before."
Juan raised a brow. "Did you not get the same heartfelt send-off when you left Bedford?"
Liam snorted. "None whatsoever, and neither did I, we ever want one. We were just glad to leave that place behind and start anew."
Juan said. "Sounds like you don't like Bedford much."
"Not in the least," Liam said, turning on his heel. "I'm going to check the clinic."
"Again?" Juan asked. "This will be your, what, tenth time now?"
Liam's cheeks turned crimson. "I want to make sure we have everything ready. From the report we've received from Les regarding the circumstances in Wodria, we'll be having our work cut out for us."
"Yes, indeed," Juan said. "Then as captain, I should proceed with my duty, too, at overseeing this expedition."
"Yes," Liam said.
Juan smirked, amused as he watched Liam stride toward the door.
Despite it being winter, the weather during the trip was calm as they traversed across the treacherous alps, much to Juan's relief. He was pleased, too, that Vicky kept him up to date on the important matters during the crossing of their expedition.
Two days later, they reached Wodria, and the land, like Norsewood during the current season, was covered in snow. It wasn't long before they spotted a village down below nestled between a valley of hills. Shabby wooden cottages were built close to one another, with smoke rising from chimneys.
Like most villages in the northern region of the continent, this one was isolated, and supplies would have dwindled, not that there had been much to sustain them during the harsh season to begin with.
"Captain, are those people down there?" one of the soldiers asked.
Juan shifted his attention and gazed out through the floor-to-ceiling glass window that permitted a vast view before them. He saw what looked like people running across the snow-white field. He said, "Vicky?"
At your command, Vicky's voice echoed inside the cockpit.
Once again, Juan still marveled at just how extraordinary Vicky was. She was a skill with many unique abilities, and he had yet to wrap his head around how she managed to be everywhere at once and operating multiple tasks.
On-screen, video footage appeared, and indeed, it was a group of people.
More specifically, they were wood elves, and the moment Les, who was permitted inside the cockpit to aid with identifying important landmarks of
Wodria, saw them, he said, "The villagers, they are isolated during winter. I wonder how many are still..." He went silent, and Juan knew he feared the worst-case scenario.
"Why are they running after our airship?" one soldier asked. "Can they see us from down there?"
Vicky's voice came, The village elves have spotted our vessel. At this height, they know we are no bird.
