The Forgotten Way (Champions of the Crystal Book 6)

Chapter 6.3

Near the end of the next day's itinerary, which brought them to the halfway point on the equator, Ford finally hit on a strategy. "I see that your planet is growing plenty of food after all," Ford remarked. "Perhaps we could see some of the other sights in addition to the farmlands? I'm told your mountains are lovely, and I'm curious about your coastal lowlands."

The Chancellor seemed pleased. "The lowlands are my favorite places. There is one lovely region in particular not far from here, if you would care to see it."

"Thank you; I would," Ford replied. He stepped out of the cockpit while the Chancellor and pilot made various calls to arrange the change in plans, and flashed a grin at Sabrina. She smiled back, then turned to Stecklan, who was frowning.

"What's the matter?"

"I don't like deviations," Stecklan said. "Wherever we're going, I doubt I have the security brief on it."

"I thought you said the security briefs for the agricultural settlements were mostly a waste of time," Sabrina pointed out.

"Better than nothing," Stecklan replied. "Please take care not to wander off this time, Lady Sabrina."

She grimaced at him. "I have to take it from Ford. I don't have to take it from you!"

He raised his eyebrows. "I know you don't remember, but as a lowly lieutenant I once had the honor to locate and escort you through Dansestari."

"When was this?"

"I believe it was shortly after your return."

"Then I claim extenuating circumstances," Sabrina said. "You would not believe how much the palace has changed in the last century, Captain."

"I would, actually," he said with the hint of a smile. "We are required to study old blueprints as well as the current ones. Some of the old passageways underground still exist."

"Entirely too many of them, I suspect," Sabrina said.

"I agree."

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The lowlands were lovely, Sabrina found to her surprise. She had vaguely been expecting a swampy environment, but the chilly latitude prevented that. It was more of a salt marsh, she thought. There were seabirds and other wildlife that she had missed in the agricultural districts, and the air seemed fresher. The drawback was that the sharp sea wind went right through her thin clothes. She tried to stay in Ford's wake; he made a fairly good windscreen if she followed closely enough.

The second time she ran into his back when he stopped, he turned. "Why are you stepping on my heels?" he demanded.

"I'm cold. I'm keeping you between me and the wind as much as possible."

"Glad to be of service. Just don't push me over into a puddle," Ford said. "I'm afraid I might have to retaliate."

"Don't you dare. I'd drown in all this fabric."

"You probably would, at that." He made a feint toward her, and Sabrina stepped back, slipping on the wet grass and barely righting herself in time.

"I don't think it's appropriate for the Realm observer to be tipping his cousin into puddles!" she said firmly.

"Alas, no," Ford said. "Come along. Let's see what they're digging up over there at the waterline."

They headed over to the workers in question, where Ford, translating for Sabrina and Stecklan, found that seaweed was a valuable commodity for both nutritional and industrial uses. It contained necessary vitamins and was also the biggest component in the Fiersain version of rope. He also managed to ascertain that the sea turtle eggs being dug up were supposed to be an aphrodisiac.