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The basket rocked in the cold. Post the pigeon came. He aimed for the rim. He crashed into Ruby's hood. Frost dusted his gray feathers. A red mail tube rattled.
Vega fished out the letter. Her coat pocket filled with snow. She read it aloud to Ruby. Elmi was snowed in tight. Grandmother Asli needed cough medicine. Roads were blocked, but the sky was open.
They checked the Skylark balloon. Its patches shone red and gold. Ruby tightened ropes and wrote. She kept the voyage journal. Vega licked her finger and grinned. The wind said go north.
The burner roared, and they rose. The valley town waited below. They landed beside the pharmacy. The pharmacist handed a box. Medicine for Grandmother Asli sat inside. They packed it safe aboard.
They rose toward the mountains. Snow blew across the pass. The air was sharp and white. Ice kissed the basket rails. Vega watched the flags for drift. Ruby hugged her blue scarf.
The fuel line stiffened in cold. The flame fluttered and shrank. The balloon sagged toward a ridge. Ruby saw frost on the line. She wrapped it with her scarf. Warmth returned, so the flame grew.
Ahead, two white peaks glowed pink. Low sun painted their sides. Vega tasted the wind and pointed. A narrow wind river flowed there. She chose it, calm but firm. The Skylark slid between them.
It was the coldest crossing. The basket creaked in frost. Their breath made pale clouds. Post tucked into the mail tube. Ruby fed the burner more. The balloon climbed, because heat rose.
The pass opened into a bowl. Below them, Elmi finally appeared. It looked like sugar cubes. A white tablecloth lay everywhere. Smoke rose straight from chimneys. Bells rang thin across snow.
They circled the square for landing. Ruby tossed the long ropes. Villagers on snowshoes waited below. Hands reached up and caught. Boots stamped wide prints in snow. The Skylark settled, light as breath.
A path led to a door. Grandmother Asli sat by blankets. Her cough shook the quiet room. Ruby placed the box gently. The pharmacist's note explained the drops. Asli smiled, and hope warmed.
Snow hissed off their boots. A stove glowed in the corner. Cups of hot spiced milk waited. Steam curled like little flags. Post thawed beside the kettle. His white feather finally shone.
Asli measured the drops carefully. She swallowed, and her cough eased. Color returned to her cheeks. She lifted a basket of thread. She offered to sew something. The room brightened with smiles.
Asli's needles clicked like little skis. Cloth grew warm across her lap. She made a scarf for Ruby. It was thicker and bright red. Tiny balloons marched along the edges. Ruby hugged it with thanks.
Outside, villagers showed their snowshoes. They walked lightly because shoes spread weight. Ruby tried and laughed at first. Then she learned the careful steps. Vega listened to the mountain hush. The wind spoke in soft lines.
The clouds thinned after lunch. It was time to go. The villagers handed up warm bread. Ruby wore her new scarf. They lifted gently, because winds calmed. Elmi waved like small white hands.
The return ride felt easy. Sunlight slid down the slopes. Lakes turned silver under them. Vega pointed out a safer path. Ruby drew it in her journal. Home rooftops showed in orange light.
Dusk colored the yard and shed. Ruby glued a new stamp. White peaks shone on its corners. She wrote, Elmi, the snow village. Post slept on the burner frame. The Skylark rested, quiet and proud.
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