The Bright Spot on the Sea

The sun had set, but bands of orange, blue, and purple still loomed on the horizon. Astra had settled out of the river of air, although she was still many thousands of paces (a pace being about a yard, or meter) above the tops of the waves.

I think that I shall look at that spot of light on the sea, said Astra, silently, to Sartoma. Not enough to endanger anybody, but enough to see what it is. If it is a ship, I can observe, and see where it is going, and that might lead us to the nearest land.

Sartoma replied, It is an idea. I see that spot. I do not think that it is a ship. It is far too bright. It is like a small bonfire, as if it were on an island. But go ahead and get closer.

Astra started to glide down. The object was moving slowly. It had to be a ship. It was going east by north. One would not think that the ship would be doing that, unless there was some land in a northerly direction. Astra followed the ship, while slowly gliding down. Now the ship seemed to be going towards the south, as if it were lost, and thinking about where to go. Down Astra went, with the air getting warmer and warmer. She was now close enough where she could see ripples of the waves in the sea, porpoises jumping and breaking the surface of the water, flotsam bobbing up and down, and fire consuming the deck of a ship.

Astra projected to Sartoma, There has been a disaster! That is a ship below us, and it is on fire! Is there any chance of us helping without endangering ourselves?

Sartoma gave her opinion. Maybe. We could use the golden rope to lift any survivors or artifacts into the gondola. We could send Checkers down to help any survivors grip the rope or tie them to it, if she feels up to flying. She said that it would take her a couple of days to a week to fully heal, so she may be ready. But the help that we can offer is very limited. We could not pick up more than one or two without throwing out some of our supplies, or part of your treasure. We could keep going east and hope that land is near, so that the local people can start to rescue them. That may ultimately save more in the long run. And you will need to get some sleep soon. It is a tough choice.

Astra replied, I am not sure that there are any survivors. I do not see or hear anyone calling for help, but it would be easy to miss them in this light, and at this height, even for a dragon.

1. Keep flying east.
2. Look for survivors.

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