Because of Gideon's interest, Ragan even discussed some basic spellweaving theory and the importance of names. At the end of the long day, Glade Gilding met up with the two, and all three went into their inn for the evening meal. Gideon came away with a sense that Ragan was quite ancient in years, but he did not inquire about his age, thinking that it would not be polite.
The next day, Ragan, along with Master Gilding and Gideon, got up early and visited Balminewe. The group entered the house and was escorted into Balminewe's office. He had the amnoxillin in a large glass vial that was sitting next to what looked like a type of microscope.
"I must administer one dose into your system directly, and you will have to take the rest of the elixir orally from the vial in two portions. Take one of the doses this evening and one in the morning. I was able to tailor the dose. You will not need as much as is usual for someone from another world. During my analysis, I found that you already seem to have some of the necessary natural protections as if you had an elven ancestor," said Master Balminewe. Glade stood to the side and looked as if he wanted to ask Ragan a question but contained the desire.
Master Balminewe removed a needle that was attached to a glass tube with a plunger. "Now, I have to apply a small tourniquet to expose your arm veins." Balminewe cleaned an area of skin and then inserted the needle in Gideon's arm and into a prominent vein. "Do not worry. I have done these sorts of injections for other processes on many before you." He rubbed a salve over the injection site. Gideon felt a warm sensation and saw the wound rapidly disappear.
"Thanks, Master Balminewe," replied Gideon. "Uh, would you clarify what this elixir will do for me again?"
"To be brief," said Balminewe, "the amnoxillin will modify and strengthen the digestive system. Essentially, it is used for those visitors with less capable physiologic defense systems. It will inoculate you with multiple resistance to our planoi. Since you appear to be a man and come from another world, you may pose a hazard to the other menfolk you meet here, and you could make one of my people a temporary carrier who might infect a few humans or others indirectly. Ragan indicated that he has limited your exposure to others and has used protective energies upon you. Oh, one more thing, this elixir will also act as a laxative, so your system is cleaned out."
Glade looked at Ragan quizzically, wondering what he had gotten himself involved in.
"Thank you again," said Ragan, and the group left Balminewe's estate and proceeded to the southwestern section of the large city, where the transportation skyships docked between flights. On the way out, Glade asked Ragan a question in his people's dialect. "Tauri Ragan, is Master Gideon not from Illúmaril?" Ragan looked at Glade and realized he could not tell a falsehood, so he decided to give a partial answer in the woodland dialect as Gideon was looking at the pretty ladies walking in the street.
"His family is descended from Illúmaril, but he has not been here before and requires some aid and augmentation," replied Ragan with a tone indicating that would be all he would say. Glade nodded. Knowing Ragan, he realized that by his tone and manner, he did not wish to discuss the matter further at this time.
Glade took a different road, stating he would meet them at the aerodrome. Ragan stopped along the way twice and talked briefly with another Tauri and, later, a member of the Red Lodge. He did not share what he said and seemed slightly secretive about the events. Gideon even had a small pastry while he waited for Ragan to finish his conversation, a conversation that he could not overhear.
A few short hours later, they met at the appointed rendezvous point at the skyship aerodrome where they found Cordlyer waiting for skyship departure. Gideon was happy to see Glade Gilding, who was sitting and writing a letter as a young courier waited. Sitting impatiently beside Glade Gilding were three dwarves. One was the artificer and weapons master Tain Ironfoot, whom Gideon had met earlier and told of the ship they were taking toward Urzan. One was introduced as Grimbold Greyhelm, Tain's cousin on his mother's side and a skilled craftsman and blade master of Khagmar Province, as well as an excellent jewel smith. Tain introduced his partner and cousin on his father's side as Sim Oakenbrand, the lord of the city of Vespgrod; he was a renowned master crafter and artificer from Urzan Province. All were returning home to start another crafting session. The skyships of Illúmaril, Lord Sim informed him, were fast—so fast, in fact, they should be near the border of Urzan in a little over four hours, for these skyships could travel at over eighty leagues an hour. He actually seemed to be ready to enjoy the ride, unlike his other Dwarro relatives.
A short while later, a beautiful swan-shaped skyship appeared and glided elegantly into the docking area, its sails billowing in the gentle breeze. It was huge and white, and crystalline portals glistened on its hull. Its beauty impressed Gideon. Just as the ship sailed in, Laurelin Leaflock and some members of the Order of the Horn arrived along with their mounts. Soon, everyone was onboard, and all his or her provisions placed in the cargo hold. Then, the dockhands loosed the moorings, and the great white ship lifted itself into the sky and moved toward the clouds.
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