[h3]Itzi Ku[/h3]

Itzi’s salute lowered quickly after Zoe gave her instructions, “Yes, Your Highness.”

There was no hesitation after that. Whatever uncertainty she had carried up to the bridge was pushed aside as she moved to the helm. For a moment her hands hovered near the controls, the last time she had stood here everything had been desperation, shouting, gold, blood and madness pulling them all toward ruin.

Now the ship was armed and ready, the crew was looking to move to the battlefield.

Itzi drew in a breath and placed her hands where they needed to be.

“Prepare to release lines,” she called out with confidence, “Engines to standby. Check ballast and trim. I want her rising clean.”

The words passed down, picked up by the proper crew. Metal began to groan faintly through the frame as the great ship stirred from its mooring. The deck shifted beneath her boots, subtle at first, then steadier as the airship began to lift.

Itzi kept her eyes forward.

For a second she thought of Hunyunak, the train depot, Carter, gone now, and the mess he had left behind. Then she looked back to the instruments at her hand and tightened her grip.

“Easy now,” she muttered, mostly to herself.

The airship rose from the dock, slow and immense, pulling free of the port and into the open sky.