“Why I’d forgotten all about the Argenta,” said Alan. “Can’t we go now?”
Mavis looked from one to the other. “Do you want Dez?” she asked pathetically. “I seem to have seen so little of him lately. Dez come—come home, and Baby, you and I will have a long, happy day together.”
So it was decided that Sir John, Alan and Masters should go back to the Jkak’s with the Waz, and arrange about the trip to the Argenta. “Waiting men and maids have already been dispatched to your houses,” announced the majordomo, Marlinok by name.
“Is the Jkak at liberty?” asked the Waz.
“He is, my Waz.”
“Tell him, if it is his desire, the strangers will show him their air bird now.”
A few minutes passed and Marlinok returned. “The bhors are ready and waiting, my Waz. The Jkak has already started.”
Outside they found two double bhors ready, and Sir John and his faithful Masters travelled in one, while Alan and Waz-Y-Kjesta occupied the other. Alan was now able to enjoy the scenery through which he passed. The path by which they travelled ran by the side of an island lake, with tall mountains towering on the further side of the water. The woodland nature of the scene with the twining paths and overhanging branches reminded Alan forcibly of the bank of Loch Lomond between Tarbet and Ardlui; yet the almost tropical colouring of the flora—the wonderful brightness of the birds’ plumage, the waving palm-like trees that were interspersed here and there, were unlike anything he had ever beheld. This place seemed to possess everything to make it perfect—mountain—moorland—water—and woodlands. Nothing was missing from this panorama of glory.
At last the Argenta hove in sight, and somehow its beauty seemed to have lessened in this land of glory. The silver brightness of its aluminium looked dim in the golden sunlight; the torpedo-shaped body seemed ugly and sinister in comparison with the beauty and symmetry of the Keemarnian air birds. The Jkak waited for the strangers to alight, and the Waz whispered his instructions. “Welcome the Jkak, my friend,” said he. “It is our custom. Ask him to honour you by boarding your craft. Let him bring peace and prosperity to your house by stepping across the threshold of your boat.”
“My Jkak,” said Alan, going to the side of the state bhor, “will you honour us all by boarding our Argenta, and bring us joy and peace?”