Theo took my elbow and pulled me back as the airship careened downwards. We ended up backed against the flivver, watching the airship's rocky descent. A moment ago, Blaise had been balanced perfectly, grinning. Now he held on to the rigging with both hands, riding the thing as it descended, calling out directions to some unseen person. I must admit, I was impressed; I have always acknowledged my twin as intelligent, but neither athletically-inclined nor phlegmatic in the face of an emergency. Nevertheless, by the time the airship shuddered to a creaking, uncertain stop, Blaise had leapt off onto the grass.

As soon as the last billowed folds of the airbag settled to the ground, Blaise was scrambling up the side. Lying on the ground, the ship was huge, half as tall as the Ruritanian embassy and half as long as an underground train. It towered over Theo and me, crushing the rustling meadow down to nothingness.

Before Blaise could reach the fallen airship's deck, a blonde head popped out of a porthole.

"You see? It wasn't such a bad landing, Blaise!" Cartimandua Silverstar called out as she pulled herself up.

"You call that not so bad? Mandy, the ship is on its side!" He retorted.

"All the better to keep my uncle busy when he arrives!" She said.

They continued this light banter as I turned to Theo. I admit, I was feeling most perplexed.

"Since when were those two on a first-name basis?" I asked, quietly.

Theo shrugged. "I couldn't say, Miss Auber." He then walked past me, and in a loud voice, called out, "Cartimandua, Dr. Auber, I take it you are both unhurt?"

"Fine, fine, we're fine, Theo," Miss Silverstar said, as Blaise helped her down onto the grass. "But we have to get moving. My uncle cannot be more than an hour behind us, based on when he stopped sending angry messages. You did bring your flivver, didn't you?"

"Yes," Theo said, gesturing back towards the vehicle. "But what do you mean, angry messages? How do you get a clockwork carrier pigeon to an airship in flight?"

"Radiotelegraphy!" Blaise exclaimed, gleefully.

Theo and I exchanged confused glaces as Miss Silverstar said, "Never mind that, we have to go."

"Follow me, then," Theo said.

Blaise and Miss Silverstar followed a short distance behind. I allowed Theo to help me back into his little aircraft, looking back over my shoulder as I took his hand. I stopped abruptly, halfway into the flivver, staring.

"Miss Auber -" Theo began; then it was his turn to stare.

Blaise was kneeling in the grass, one of Miss Silverstar's hands in his own. He looked up at her beseechingly as she clapped her free hand to her mouth.