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Post swooped to the basket rim. He held a red mail tube. He tried to stop, but tumbled. He crash landed into Ruby's hood today. Ruby laughed and took the letter.
Ruby opened it with careful fingers. Captain Vega read the neat lines. An invitation to the Floating Market of Lin River. A hundred boats tied like a wooden quilt. Our burner ring is cracked, so we go.
The Skylark waited, red and gold, bright and patched. The basket held ropes, maps, and Ruby's journal. Captain Vega licked one finger and grinned. The wind said yes, she said. They lit the burner and rose.
Fields, hills, and silver streams passed below. Post rode the burner frame like a king. A sudden gust pushed them toward a rocky ridge. The flame flickered because the ring was weak. Ruby opened the valve. The Skylark climbed clear.
By noon the Lin River curved like silk. Boats crowded the water from bank to bank. Ropes tied them together like a wooden quilt. Drums thumped. Flags snapped. Cookpots smoked. Children waved. The Floating Market glittered and shouted.
Captain Vega found a quiet eddy near shore. She licked one finger and nodded. They dropped the rope and kissed a pole. Post tried to help, but missed the pole. He crash landed into Captain Vega's coat pocket.
We need a new burner ring, Ruby said. The market has everything, Captain Vega said. I have no coins, Ruby added softly. Then trade, said a boatwoman with jasmine hair. Trade is a river here.
Ruby wrote a neat ticket for one balloon ride. She drew the Skylark, patched and proud. A fruit seller saw the drawing and laughed. He traded a basket of mangoes for it. Ruby thanked him and hugged the basket.
A rope seller sniffed the ripe mango smell. My lines are tight, but lunch is empty, he said. He traded a strong coil of rope. Ruby shared slices with laughing children. The basket grew light, and her hands grew sticky.
Music drifted from a blue boat with lanterns. A musician tuned a drum but frowned. My drum slips. I need rope, he said. Ruby offered the coil. He offered a song. Deal, she said, and sat on the deck.
The song rose and danced over the boats. People clapped, laughed, and stamped their feet. A smiling woman shouted, My aunt fixes metal! Auntie Mai the metalsmith works by the red flag. The happy crowd waved, so Ruby followed them.
Auntie Mai's boat held hammers, tongs, and shining scraps. Her eyes were kind, and her hands were strong. A burner ring? Yes, I can make that. What do you trade? Mai asked, smiling. I trade a ride above your river.
Mai touched the railing and looked at the water. I want only one thing, she said softly. I want to see my river from above. Deal, Ruby said, and Post fluffed proudly. Captain Vega checked the wind and grinned.
Mai measured the old ring with a string. She chose brass and cut a shining strip. She hammered, heated, and cooled it in water. The market sang around her. Soon a new burner ring sat on cloth.
Ruby and Captain Vega fitted the ring carefully. It clicked into place like a key. The flame steadied, bright and strong again. Sunset painted the river gold and pink. Auntie Mai climbed in and held her breath.
The Skylark lifted above the Floating Market. Boats and lanterns glittered below like spilled treasure. Drums softened. Voices floated up like birds. I can see my river, Mai whispered. Thank you, thank you, she said, eyes shining.
They drifted along the Lin River at sunset. Ruby named islands, bends, and fires. Captain Vega watched the wind and guided gently. They landed by Mai's boat. People cheered and waved. Post yawned and settled on the burner frame.
Dusk cooled the market. Lanterns shone like moons. Ruby wrote in her journal about Lin River. She glued a golden fish stamp inside. Captain Vega smiled and tucked in the maps. Post slept on the burner frame, one wing white.
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