"Threading the needle," Arkadios remarked in disbelief.

As the ship closed in on the tree line, it began to become clear why piloting a fragile balloon that was somewhat at the whim of atmospheric pressure and unpredictable gusts of wind was usually done at high altitude as one of the gusts of wind drove them drifting off to starboard, quite outside of the ability of anyone, mechanic or pilot to control, dangerously close to a thicket of trees.  There was an audible tearing noise as they tried to veer back on course though they didn't seem to have lost any lift.

For anyone deciding to investigate the damage, the outer cover had been torn just fore and above the gondola though thankfully, perhaps miraculously, the gas bags had escaped any damage.

"That didn't sound good," Zoe looked nervous.

"Mister Carter," Arkadios added, sounding cool as a cucumber despite everything else going on around him, "May I strongly recommend we take this ship up to a safe elevation to avoid any further obstacles."