The sky island of Paradys has spent a period of isolation within the Forbidden Zone of Shabar, but now it has broken free, open to the calm skies once more. Fields and woodlands spread out far below, part of the untamed regions of Ur. During this time of isolation, however – and afterwards as well – work has continued on the sky island in the examination and restoration of Shokar's curious old airship, designed solely to ride up and down the column of energy transferred between the bottom of the sky island and the Forbidden Zones it passes over.

Progress has been slow … but the challenge is formidable. Much of the work has required the replacement of old rotten wood with new pieces cut to the same specifications. Fortunately, Paradys has quite a few trees to spare, but some of its materials were salvaged from the "airship graveyard" … and it was deemed that it would be better to fetch some replacement materials from the surface instead. (This, of course, wasn't an option available to Shokar at the time.) Shokar's old ship looks skeletal now, held up in a construction frame, numerous sections split off here or there as the Paradysian Sphynxes carefully study each bit – comparing to the sketchy plans they have – and dutifully replicate replacements. With any luck, the reborn ship should be better than the first, since Shokar didn't have so many resources at his disposal.

Jezebel has spent a lot of time masquerading as her sister, and roaming the sky island, revisiting the site of her seduction by the promise of power so long ago. Her physical scars that resulted from that ordeal have faded long ago – with the help of Life Magic, no doubt – but that doesn't reflect the inside.

A new day finds Zoltan in the airship graveyard, where several Paradysians are cannibalizing old wrecks for ironwood nails to use. Pouncer is playing in a mini airship constructed for her by Redwing, pretending to be the captain of her own ship … with Enos as the crew in charge of identifying the shapes of clouds and anything else he sees, and occasionally reporting if there is one, two or "tree" of them.

Third-Vision sits on the prow of a broken airship – shattered enough that, really, only the prow remains. One might imagine her to be a living figurehead, how she sits there, still, looking off of the sky island at the clouds that drift by. Her reverie is broken, however, as she spots something … and she sits up, slapping a stick against the boards of the deck for attention, waving to Zoltan and pointing toward the horizon.

Zoltan jerks awake from his catnap against a sturdy pole of wood and sleepily pulls himself to his hoofed feet. He looks over to the source of the noise, Third-Eye, and then towards the horizon where she points.

It's an airship coming in … a member of the small Paradysian fleet, returning from a trek to Rephidim and other spots.

The Vartan works the few remaining bits of sleep from his joints. "Looks like some folks are coming home. Want to meet them?"

"YEAHHHH!" squeals Pouncer. Enos does likewise – probably just because Pouncer's excited, rather than that he's actually figured out what the excitement is actually about yet.

The humble-looking airship glides in, flanked by some impatient Paradysians who – having wings to fly on their own – are eager to use them to get to the island that much faster.

Zoltan kneels down a little, holding his arms out. "Well come on, I'll carry you." He glances up at Jezebel. "I can probably manage a third, but you'll have to hold on. I'm sure that Pouncer and Enos can help you."

Jezebel rolls her eyes, and signs, "Unless there's trouble, the ship will get here soon enough! You go on ahead?"

Pouncer and Enos respond quickly to the cue, dashing up to the big Vartan and leaping into his arms.

"FWY-y-Y-y-Y-y!" exclaims Enos.

"Suit yourself." Zoltan grins, hugging up the two cubs and unfurling his wings. "Meet you back in a bit. If the ship's brought in any exotic fruits, I'll try and get you one." A moment later he's up in the air.

As Zoltan approaches the ship, he's met by two waves of Sphynxes that fly directly toward the black Vartan and his cubs … then part ways into two groups, rolling to each side. They laugh and call out greetings as they pass.

"Teaching them to fly, eh?"

"Enos! Hey there, fellah!"

"Nyah, can't catch me, Pouncer! Got some bugs for you when you land!"

Enos waves vigorously with one paw, smiling widely … then remembers himself and grabs Zoltan a little more tightly again.

"They can already run like the wind. I'm in a whole nest of trouble if they start flying," the black Vartan scrawks back. "What's the business for the new airship here? Or just doing the normal rounds?"

One of the Sphynxes breaks "formation" to fly a loop around the Vartan and call back, "Normal supply run – and some more parts for Shokar's ship. Oh yeah – a message for you from Rephidim. Check with the captain!"

Zoltan nods. "Will do! Thanks for passing it along." He beats his wings a bit harder on his way to the airship, his strong hands grip the two cubs a bit tighter, just in case one of them might just happen to lose their grip on his feathers.

The side panels that roughly seal in the deck area nestled between gondola and envelope are all wide open, giving Zoltan a wide portal to fly in and alight upon the wooden deck. He receives a few more hails from the "skeleton" crew tending to the duties of bringing the ship in safely to land in the docks at the edge of the Airship Graveyard.

Nodding, Zoltan scrawks out, "Zoltanos Cambio and family requesting permission to board? May we land?"

The captain for this particular trip, Woodlore (son of a hunter), turns to salute Zoltan. "Permission granted! Greetings to the Baron! And to the little baronets, too! Sorry we're a bit late – didn't find the island before it went into Shabar, so we passed the time by doing a little shopping at Gigi before catching you here."

"Thank you graciously, Captain!" The Vartan sights out an open spot in the deck and lowers himself to the ground. "I was told you had a message for me?"

Woodlore nods, and digs into his brightly colored captain's coat. He pulls out a bone scroll case, and hands it over to the Vartan. It has some sigils engraved on the outside – one of which Zoltan can identify as the symbol of the Sphere of Spirit.

"Now don't run about. We're guests here," Zoltan whispers to the cubs as he sets them down. He bows and accepts the case, turning it over in his hands a few times before trying to open it.

Enos starts to dash as soon as he's set free … but Pouncer leaps on him and tackles him to the deck. She scolds him, and Enos pouts while Pouncer holds him firmly, smiling up to Zoltan. "We'll be good!"

The ends of the scroll case twist off, allowing the scroll inside to be pushed out with a talon-tip.

The Vartan pushes the scroll out and smiles down at the two cubs. "I'm always proud of how you act when we're guests. Maybe if you're extra good, the captain might show you how to work the wheel." He unrolls the piece of parchment and peers at it.

"WHEEL!" exclaims Enos. Yet another shape he recognizes.

The parchment bears the seal of Mage Qing of the Sphere of Spirit.

In spidery script, Qing's letter – short, brusque, to the point, without flowery greetings and other such frills – warns Zoltan of a possible danger to Paradys: that there may be some Eeee who believe there to still be a "boomer" on the sky island, and who may have acquired an Exile who has knowledge that may help them to locate the island again.

Zoltan frowns a bit. ( This may be trouble … although the fact that we don't keep the same course might be to our benefit. ) He rolls the scroll back and tucks it into its case. "Thank you, Captain Woodlore. Were there any others who came with you? Particularly unfamiliar Eeee. Any signs of being followed?"

Woodlore shakes his head. "No sir. If there were, we'd have led them on a false trail to one of the other sky islands."

"Double your efforts and warn the other ships. Trouble may be afoot." Zoltan kneels down and scoops up the cubs. "We have to cut our visit short, children. Time to get back home."

Enos and Pouncer gather up into Zoltan's arms. "Trouble?" asks Pouncer, frowning. "Did we do bad?"

"No. You're both very very good. Trouble might be coming, and I want to keep you safe from it." The Vartan dips his beak one final time to the Captain and then takes off, heading back to Jezebel for starters.

The flight back to the dock is without incident – and a lot shorter, since the airship is just about to land now. Jezebel stands, waiting, watching Zoltan's face. She must catch something in his expression, for she gives a worried frown.

Landing, the hippogryph sets the two cubs down. "Babelites, but they couldn't be from Boghaz… at least I hope not. Here." He digs out the parchment and hands it to Jezebel. "It may be dangerous to leave now, and in all honesty we may need your help if you can spare it."

Jezebel scans the document, then frowns and nods. "If I can help, I will stay."

"Get the cubs to Moon-Brow. I'll try to find Kryago's son and see if he knows anything about the boomers. I remember seeing more, but the ship that was leaving for Babel must have only had the one, or any others it was carrying were lost when Himar went up. How I made it through alive is still beyond me." Zoltan shakes his head. "I'll be back soon."

Jezebel nods, handing the scroll back, and takes the two cubs. Enos takes a little work to pry away, as he clutches onto Zoltan's tail, looking worriedly up at the big black Vartan.

Zoltan pauses to give Enos a comforting kiss on the head before taking off again.

Enos and Pouncer wave good-bye to Zoltan … and then Jezebel shuffles them back toward the cabin. A short flight takes Zoltan to the central tower, where he should be able to find Krazuu with little trouble.

Whistling for attention, the Vartan hastily ducks into the tower. "Hello! Krazuu?"

The Sphynxes pass on the word that Zoltan has arrived, and at last Krazuu shows up, standing on one of the ledges rimming the central pit. "Greetings! I heard the airship came in. Is all well?"

"There might be trouble. I've gotten word from Rephidim that there may be some Babelites looking for more of the boomers from Himar, and word of someone named Seagull that knows about this place." Zoltan shakes his feathers out. "Do any more boomers here remain? And does the name 'Jonathan Seagull' mean anything to you? Apparently he is an Exile."

Krazuu shakes his head. "I'm afraid not. I don't know any Exiles." He tries to fake a smile. "I don't get out much, you know." His expression quickly sobers. "As for the 'boomers', we took the last one off of the metal bird, and stored it in the tower. Not that I'm keen about being close to one … but given what it did to Himar, I imagine it doesn't make much difference if it's here or in the Airship Graveyard if it goes off."

"Have it guarded, and make sure there's no more here." Zoltan hands the scroll to the Sphynx. "You should also make sure that there are no Eeee here who shouldn't be, and have every airship searched."

Krazuu takes his turn to look over the letter, then nods. "If there were any more … I'm afraid that the Babelite invaders took them away when they first attacked. I believe there were three before then … and the Eeee took two."

"Two? But I saw only the one… " Talons click against the black Vartan's beak as he considers. "I saw an airship leaving Paradys, which we chased in the Intimidator. Was there only that one?"

Krazuu shakes his head. "There were two. They split up once they left Paradys. But … I … I thought both of them were taken care of, right?"

Zoltan growls. "I only saw one. Hrr. Did you hear them speak of where the second one might be going?"

Krazuu shakes his head again. "No, I'm sorry. At that time, I didn't know the least bit of Eeee … and I'm still working on mastering it."

"Hrrr. It couldn't have been with the Plaguebringers we fought back, because we would have noticed, and if it were in Rephidim it might have been used already. Did the airship bear any type of seal or symbol?" The Vartan starts to pace back and forth. "What lands are we over right now?"

Krazuu replies, "We're south of Shabar, over untamed wilderness, heading south. As for symbols … no, the ship bore no insignia."

"Hrr. Well, as far as I know, the first ship was due to head to the Sabaoth's Palace. That may be as good a place as any to check… and Prince Boghaz should probably be warned of this as well." Zoltan clacks his beak. "I think I may be departing soon."

Krazuu nods. "Let us hope that your connection with the good Prince is strong enough that he would tell you if he knew of this thing's whereabouts."

Sighing through his nostrils, the black Vartan peeks down the shaft. "Is my father around? I've not seen him much since landing, and I think he may prefer to stay here rather than accompany me."

"He's been out at Shokar's old cabin," replies Krazuu, "patching up the roof and generally making the place his own."

"Keep the guard up here, although I think you have the boomer in the safest place known right now… There may always be risks." He pats Krazuu's shoulder. "And if Herbir does decide to stay, take care of him? He's got a temper, but a good tactical mind and he's distrustful enough of folks that in a case like this he might be very useful. I'll go see him now."

Krazuu returns the shoulder-pat. "Fly straight!"

The black Vartan bows one final time and then zips out the door, trying to recall the location of Shokar's cabin from his last visit.

It takes a little bit of searching – and thus, contrary to Krazuu's well wishes, it's not a straight line that Zoltan flies – but at last he finds the clearing which holds Shokar's old cabin. An older black Vartan is currently on the roof, hammering some shingles in place (imported from off the island, most assuredly).

Zoltan circles overhead. "Permission to come aboard? I've news! And I can help you with your hammering if you like."

Herbir spits out a beak-full of beetle tacks, then gives Zoltan a salute. "Permission granted! Heh. This cabin wantings lots of fixings up, but it's a good solid frame!" he scrawks.

The younger Vartan carefully lands and reverts to Rephidim Standard. "Shokar know how to build." He looks around. "Find anything interesting while you heres? Journal or diary?"

Herbir shakes his head. "A few notes on weather, some recipes." He holds up a hammer. "Shokar know how to make tools, though!" He grins beakily. "Still poundings good after all these years!"

"Recipes? Hrr… Never think of him as cook. Sound like he was Vartan of all trades." Zoltan's feather bristle. "I thinks I gots to go to Babel soon. The boomer that hit Himar wasn't only one and there some peoples looking for others. They may come here, but I need to find out where third is."

Herbir drops the hammer. "Comings heres?" He sighs. "Just when I was gettings to like the peace and quiet."

"MAY come heres." Zoltan holds up a finger. "Paradys hard to track because it move funny, but I gets word that troublemaker Babelites gots someone who know where Paradys is – or at least was. I leaving for Babel as soon as I can, probablies with Third-Eye. I thinks you do best to stay here in case there trouble, but I leave decision to you."

Herbir frowns. "I thinks I rather be stayings here." He looks at the roof. "Lot of work to do before visitors comings by, hmm?" He holds up a talon. "MAYBE."

The younger Vartan nods his head. "Is 'maybies' that always cause trouble. You gots a good military mind, better than I does. The other boomer is secure in tower, so invaders going to have to work reallies hard to gets to, and I thinks you can come ups with all sorts of ways to make harder."

Herbir grins. "Maybe."

Zoltan passes the scroll to his father. "This was message I gots. Qing an alrights fellow, helped me fight… Her." He pats his scarred gut.

Herbir nods grimly, and looks at the scroll. He starts to read it, but gets distracted by a thought. "If you headings to Babel … be careful. Babelites are sneaky. Maybe not all … but enough that you can be bettings that one with some pull will finds an excuse to make life rough for the Baron of Paradys." He then goes back to the scroll. "Egh."

"If I gots enough time I probably do good to learn language. Maybe I can find someone loyal on island to come along and teach me." The younger Vartan nods. "I gots deep connections with Rephidim and Temple. Is probablies a few sore folks who want a piece of my wings. I watch my backs, and thank you for advice."

"Just hopes they don'ts remember you in this 'Plaguebringer War' I hear about," warns Herbir.

Zoltan coughs. "Probablies do. I… hrr… think I took down six of them."

Herbir raises an eyebrow. "A disguise, maybe?"

"High Prince on my side I hopes… I not one for disguises. Is no likes I can pretend to be Creen or Skeek after all. I just trust I keep keen eye and that the Sta – hrrr … thats someone out there watch out for me. Is better than risking another Himar." Zoltan dusts his feathers off.

Herbir nods. "Yous can watch out for youself." His eyes hint at the vast understatement, as he winks.

"You takes care of my island! I no wants to come back and find it painted purple or everyone wearing funny hats or such!" The younger Vartan shakily stands up on the roof of the cabin. "I no sure when I be backs."

Herbir nods. "Yous be careful … son." He stands up and extends a taloned hand. He quickly adds, "And if those bats troubles you, you gives them what for!"

Zoltan gingerly takes the offered hand and clasps it firmly, hard enough to impress the older Vartan. "I do my best. You be careful too. Bats no fight fair lots of times."

Herbir gives a gruff nod. "All right. Now you gets to packing, while I gets working on my roof. It mights rain, and I'm short on buckets!"

"Yes sir!" Zoltan gives his father's hand another firm shake and then takes off into the air back to Third-Eye.

Back at the cabin, Zoltan finds Third-Vision exchanging signs with Moon-Brow. Third-Vision has already gotten dressed up in her regal finery, while Moon-Brow is wearing the same clothes Jezebel was wearing earlier … No, scratch that. Moon-Brow is wearing Third-Vision's regal finery, and Third-Vision is dressed as she was before.

"Je – " The black Vartan does a double-take and looks between the two cheetahs. He finally finds the one he was looking for and addresses the plainer dressed one, "Is your ship still planning to go to Babel?"

Third-Vision nods. Yes, that's her. "Yes. We were planning on doing a switch – Moon-Brow would take my place and go along to Babel and then back to the City of Hands, while I take a separate path. But with our change in plans … we may need to revise this."

Zoltan nods. "I need to go to Babel. I think Prince Boghaz might know where other boomer is."

Third-Vision signs, "The cubs will be staying here, then? If I am to go with you, then Moon-Brow should stay to look after them."

"I hate to leave them… " He looks down at his children. "… but considering that I probably have many enemies in Babel, they would probably be safer here. I am sorry for causing you to change your plans." He droops a little.

Moon-Brow signs, "I'm a bit relieved, myself. It gives me more time to practice impersonating my sister!"

Third-Vision smiles faintly, then signs, "Since I'm more dressed for it right now, I'll see to making preparations to head out. We are leaving with haste, I'm assuming?"

"You're going to have tough cubs to fool. I think they know you by smell." Zoltan waggles a finger at Moon-Brow before turning back to Jezebel. "That would be for the best. I do not know how long it has taken this letter to reach me, so our friends may have a head start on us as it is. By the way… do you know anyone who can teach me Eeee?"

Moon-Brow signs, "I picked up a smattering of it in the Jade Palace … but that won't help you much. Maybe get a translator from one of the helpers in the Airship Graveyard?"

"I need someone that can be trusted. Just my luck and I end up with an Eeee who teaches me how to say insulting things." The Vartan smirks and shakes his head. "I'm sure that some of the crew of the Freedom's Dream remain here. They seemed loyal. And I'll ask Krazuu for help as well. We may need an Eeee's ears on this trip."

Moon-Brow gives Jezebel a hug, then another to Zoltan. "Be careful," she signs. "And don't take too long! I may not be able to survive the cubs alone!" Her ears wiggle.

"I may not be able to survive alone without them for too long… so take good care of them." He looks to Third-Vision. "I think I should try to focus on saying my good-byes to them right now. All of this is sudden, and I don't want them to feel badly about my leaving."

Third-Vision nods … and she ducks off, coming back with the two cubs. Pouncer has her bag packed. Zoltan can catch a bit of hand sign from Jezebel to the effect of trying to explain that she doesn't need to pack her bags…

"I'm ready!" announces Pouncer.

Zoltan moves over and picks up the little girl cub, hugging her tightly.

Pouncer sniffles. "I'm going, too!" she says with all the firmness that goes with trying to say something strong enough in the hopes that it just might come true.

"Shinyfur, I need someone to take care of Enos and Pa-papa. Star is going to be kept busy here. Do you understand?" Zoltan gently strokes the cub's chin.

Pouncer mews, "Y-you come back … soon?" She looks up into Zoltan's eyes.

The Vartan hugs Pouncer again. "As fast as I can, sweetheart."

Enos sucks on his thumb, looking sad and worried. Pouncer slips out of Zoltan's hands, and rushes over to hug Enos. "I'll protect you," she says firmly.

"Be brave for me, Shinyfur. There may be trouble here, so do whatever Auntie Star tells you, okay?" Zoltan forces his drooping ears to stand back up.

Pouncer nods, and wipes away a tear. "Yes, Papa."

The hippogryph looks over to Moon-Brow. "I know you're not dressed for it, but could you get my things together? I'd rather spend the rest of my time with the cubs." He sniffles a little.

Moon-Brow bows her head, and quickly leaves the room, along with Third-Vision. Third-Vision pauses to give Pouncer a peck on the ear, though, before disappearing.

Zoltan sinks down and hugs the two cubs. "Pouncer, remember all the stories I told you about Shokar?"

Pouncer stiffens her lower lip and nods. "Mm-hmm."

"There was a part I didn't tell you that I think you should know now. Shokar is related to you. He's probably your great-great-grandfather. Enos as well. You have his eyes." He taps a spot on the cub's head.

Pouncer's eyes widen. "Really?" She looks at Enos. "Really?"

"Really. I can't even claim such an honor." Zoltan grins a little.

Pouncer chews on her lip, quiet for a time. Then she promises, "We'll be good."

The older Vartan hugs both of the cubs tightly. "I know you will. Pouncer, you have a good heart in you, and you love people so easily. It makes me happy just holding you. And Enos, you're so clever. I'll bet the next toy ship is built by you! I'll get back as fast as I can, and I'll try to bring some presents from Babel on my way."

Pouncer and Enos both purr in the Vartan's hug. Pouncer whispers, "I love you, Papa." Enos echoes with "Papa… "