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Morning light warmed the home field. Post landed on the basket rim. Then he crashed into Vega's coat pocket. He popped out, proud. A red tube held a letter. Ruby and Captain Vega looked up.
Vega opened the envelope. For the first time, the letter was for her. The name said Captain Vega. The note was from Ruby. It invited Vega to a mystery voyage. Post cooed.
Ruby smiled, but her cheeks felt hot. She planned this trip in secret with friends. Friends came from every stamp in the journal. Please ride as my guest, she wrote. I will pilot.
They checked the patched red and gold balloon, the Skylark. Ruby tied her cap, blue scarf, and green boots. Vega wore her long mustard coat with brass buttons. Today Vega rested. Ruby flew.
Ruby licked her finger, like Vega always did. The wind felt steady, so she opened the burner. The flame roared. The Skylark rose. People in the village waved and cheered below.
They sailed over the lavender valley. Purple fields stretched like a quilt. Farmers waved yellow flags and laughed. The smell was sweet, like honey. Ruby waved back, because they helped her plan today.
Last spring, the wind hurt the crops here. Ruby remembered. She and Vega carried new seed by balloon. The farmers never forgot. Today their flags marked the path. Ruby followed each bright square.
The coast came close. Halvor's lighthouse flashed white across the water. He rang his big brass bell. Ruby saluted. Halvor set three lanterns, so Ruby knew the turn. Vega smiled and folded her hands.
They drifted along the sparkling coast. A whale spouted hello. Silver spray rose like a fountain. Post cooed and bobbed. Ruby kept them high and safe, because sea winds pushed.
A sudden gust pushed them toward black cliffs. The basket lurched. Ruby felt fear, but she breathed. She opened the burner wide. She dropped a little sand. The Skylark rose clear and strong.
The wind settled again. The cliffs fell behind them. Vega nodded. You read the wind well, she said. Ruby smiled, but she kept her eyes forward. She checked the map on the letter.
They crossed the wide river. Blue boats drifted like leaves. People on shore waved ribbons. Friends from every stamp in the journal helped. Each friend placed a bright sign, so Ruby knew turns.
They followed blue kites across a green plain. They heard small bells on poles. Children painted a red arrow on a school roof. Mai sent that idea. Ruby laughed and waved to the playground.
They floated past the stone hill of the astronomers. Silver scopes pointed at the sky. The astronomers waved and shouted. See you at dusk, they cried. Ruby nodded and checked their height again.
Late afternoon painted the fields gold. Home lay ahead. Little lanterns marked the landing path. Ruby took a breath. Please close your eyes, she said. Vega laughed and closed them, hands still folded.
Ruby set the Skylark down gently at the home field. The crowd burst from the shadows and cheered. A long banner waited. It read FIFTY YEARS OF CAPTAIN VEGA. Vega's eyes shone. She wiped one tear.
Mai hugged Vega. Dr. Adeyemi shook her hand. Halvor boomed a cheer. Farmers and astronomers smiled. Ruby opened the voyage journal. The last stamp was a small red balloon. They glued it in together.
Music faded. Night came soft. Post slept on the burner frame. Ruby wrote the date in the journal. The Skylark rested. Stars appeared. The letter for Vega stayed inside, safe with the stamps.
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