Someone Else's Kingdom, BOOK II - Scene LXXXVII

"Only birds survive floods," observed Luteeay, as he prepped his flying machine in the onset of the downpour.

Elgiva made little note of the observation. "We're old, go and help Liofia and the young-uns," she pressed, watching on, the slight electricity in the wet air adding a click of drama to the scene.

"I didn't like to say that you were too old to be worth saving," replied Luteeay, with an irreverent grin playing on his lips - that then quickly receded again, as the gravity of the situation reasserted itself. "You need to head back to Taxilian and Mayleen - do what you can." As he said this he then pushed a few jewelled buttons and levers to take flight, but before fully doing so he stopped and spoke again. A touch of concern overcoming him.

"Try to head to high land. The central mountains if you can. You might find safety there."

"What?" queried Elgiva, confused, "Just head off to the mountains?"

"It's up to you, it may be pointless, but that's my advice. Again, only birds survive floods."

"So you're telling three old hands to just go off on whim? In the rains and the storms, in search of Middlemap?"

"I think you should try to head in that direction at least, you may find refuge ..and there is no Middlemap." He gave a final wink as he said this. "It's nothing but very cold, high mountains up there. There's certainly no comfort, but it's better than the seabed. Middlemap is just a myth - if every curiosity seeker is focused on the middle, their eyes aren't on the edge, you see." He then tinkered with his trinkets and levers once more. Taking one last look at the intemperate sky.

"Time really is at the essence, so I do need to get going."

He pulled one last lever. The seraphine bird took flight, leaving Elgiva alone, on the stony, muddy earth.