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Morning light touched the red-and-gold Skylark balloon. Ruby held the basket and grinned at Vega. Post landed on the rim with a letter. Then he dove into Ruby's hood, very dramatic.
Vega smoothed her mustard coat and opened the letter. The paper said, "I watched the sky fifty years." "I want one flight above my island," it read. "Please help. From Keeper Halvor."
Ruby wore a sky-blue scarf and green boots. Her red curls escaped her leather flight cap. Vega's silver braid shone under her wide hat. They fired the burner, and the Skylark rose.
They sailed toward the coast and the open water. Flying over the sea felt new to Ruby. Sea winds were wilder than the land winds. Vega licked one finger and grinned at Ruby.
Whitecaps danced, then the breeze stopped without warning. The Skylark drifted in bright, glassy silence. No sound came but soft rope creaks. Ruby held her breath and watched the water.
Gulls circled ahead and suddenly climbed. "We follow birds to find a higher current," said Vega. She fired the burner because they needed lift. The Skylark rose and met a steady, cool wind.
The higher wind carried them toward Puffin Island. Ruby marked the map and smiled with relief. She wrote in the voyage journal about sea winds. Birds show wind, so pilots watch them closely.
Dark cliffs rose, and white surf curled around stones. Puffins burst from burrows and fluttered over waves. A tall white lighthouse stood on the point. Smoke lifted from a small cottage near the tower.
An old man waved and ran to their landing field. His beard was white, and his eyes were bright. "I am Halvor, the lighthouse keeper," he said. He gripped his hat and climbed into the basket.
They lifted off again with careful, steady breaths. Halvor looked down and held the basket rail. He laughed and cried at the same time. Ruby stood beside him and felt his joy.
From above, the lighthouse was a tiny white chess piece. He saw his cottage beside the path. He saw his boat tied safe below. His whole life fit inside one loving look.
Halvor spoke softly about storms and calm days. He kept the light bright for every ship. He saved boats in fog and in night. He loved the island and its strong people.
Ruby listened and learned about the sea winds. Halvor pointed at long lines on the water. Vega read the ripples, clouds, and gulls in flight. Winds change with tide and water temperature, she said.
They circled once more above the lighthouse and cliffs. Halvor waved and cheered at his tiny island world. They showed him the far shore and blue hills. He said, "Thank you. This is the best day."
They landed by the lighthouse yard, gentle and safe. Halvor stepped down and hugged his new friends. Post puffed his feathers and strutted like a captain. Halvor poured hot tea and shared sweet biscuits.
The sun lowered, and long shadows reached the beach. They said goodbye and lifted off for home. Golden light lay on the calm, wide water. Post perched on the burner frame, proud and sleepy.
At dusk, Ruby glued a new stamp in her journal. The stamp showed a small white lighthouse. She wrote, Sea winds change fast, so watch the birds. Post slept on the burner frame near her hand.
Ruby remembered Halvor's wish and his shining smile. She knew birds show wind to careful pilots. She loved the wide sea and the sky. The Skylark sailed home, safe and bright.
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