Avalon Revisited by O. M. Grey Read Free Book Online Page B

for volunteers. He chose five men around the edges of the ship by pointing at each, including me.
    “You, you, you, you, and you,” Captain McAdams said. “You five, notice where you are standing over the side of the ship are hanging several large bags of sand. On my mark, you will grasp the rope securing them, and give it a strong pull. This will release the bags. ON MY
    MARK,” he shouted at a young man who had already started to tug. “It’s very important that this is done together or the ship could become compromised. Ready?”
    I grasped the rope, careful not to pull it yet, and turned my attention back to the captain.
    Avalon looked on with great interest. I was suddenly very glad the captain chose me.
    The captain looked toward the back of the ship, behind the cogs, where some of his crew were doing the same thing as we were. Once satisfied everyone was in place and ready to work together, he continued.
    “Ready. On three. One. Two. Three,” Captain McAdams said.
    I tugged with what I made look like all my strength, but it really took no effort whatsoever on my part. The knot slipped, and Avalon and I watched the sand bags fall stories to the ground with a thud. Just then, the several men with hatchets raised them into the air, moving in rehearsed unison. With the command of “NOW” from someone below, they all brought down the hatchets together, severing the rope in one stroke. With a jolt, that nearly toppled Avalon into my arms, we were lifting off.
    It was the singular greatest sensation of my long existence, no doubt amplified by the beauty beside me. Within moments, we were soaring above the trees, and I could see the Houses of Parliament in the distance. What a sight! The clock tower looked like a matchstick at this distance, and the Thames but a silver snake in the moonlight. Amazing.
    The chattering of all the guests soon drowned out the sound of the steam engine, and the party officially started. I turned to Avalon, and her eyes were wide with amazement. Still, she cared nothing about the gala. Her only interest was this ship.
    “First time on an airship?” I said, finally breaking our silence.
    “It is,” she answered without looking away from the magnificent view of London below.
    “You?”
    “Yes. This is definitely a first,” and I wasn’t just talking about the airship. I drank in every curve of her face. Every curl of her hair. I etched this lady into my memory. Every delightful detail of her.
    “The size of those propellers,” she said, pointing to the large one off the starboard side, leaning over the side slightly in her excitement. “Each blade is bigger than a man.”
    “There is one off the port side as well.”
    “Do you know your way around ships, Lord York?”

    “Arthur, please.” I must get her to use my familiar name. That is the first step. “I’ve been on a ship or two in my time. You?”
    “I once sailed to France for holiday, but nothing this large. Not nearly this large.” Her eyes, still wide and full of wonder, took in everything around us, just as I took in her.
    Avalon put a gloved hand up to the ear on which I had seen the strange earpiece and tilted her head slightly. After which she said, “Would you excuse me, Arthur. I mustn’t seem rude to the other passengers. My Aunt gave me strict instructions to mingle. It was a pleasure to meet you.”
    Yes. The familiar. She’s dropped her guard.
    “The pleasure was all mine,” I replied, kissing the hand that was so recently at her ear. “Save me a dance?”
    “Oh, Lord York, I do not normally dance.”
    Back to the formal.
    “Well, then. Perhaps we shall talk more later this evening?” I wasn’t letting go of her hand.
    “Perhaps,” she replied, then taking her hand resolutely out of mine, turned and walked away.
    I stood watching her bustle sway as she headed towards her aunt and Lord Grimshaw, but she didn’t go to them, rather she stood very near another young man who was not in the least