oking exci

hisper, "The airship is coming in tomorrow. I thought I'd swing down and s

't thi

and flipped it open. A passel of thick pieces of paper lay inside, each bearing a grainy black-and-white image. They weren't drawings, or at least not any sort of drawing she had ever

houldn't be buying anything from those black marketers from

sn't

hat had nothing to do with supporting her back and everything to do wit

hs. Apparently you needn't be an artist to create them. They use something called a cam-er-a." He said the unfamiliar words syllable by syllable, as though they were in some alien language. "A push of a button and a puff of smoke, and you've got one of these. If it is that easy, I mi

em to display this wonderful n

use leads!" He winked at her, then tu

lock had been the horse itself. The frame and chassis were little more than thick wire. The wheels were hoops half her height with thin spokes and narrow treads. She opened a container between the rear wheels and slotted one of the coil

stance away, but she didn't mind. It gave her a chance each day to take in the scenery of the breathtaking Tellahn countryside. The islands were fortunate enough to enjoy temperate weather through most of the

crown. Even Amanita, who had spent her life here, was frequently struck by the beauty of the place. The Calderans valued inspiration and creation above all else, and it showed in everythin

ngs took their breakfast on the family's sun porch where they could enjoy the sights and aromas of their front garden in the warmth of the rising sun. Amanita quickly took a seat. Already at the tabl

with a frizz of silver hair barely tamed by a white bonnet. In her hand she held a basket of freshly baked roll