Chapter 1: Discovery
The mystery airship became clearer and clearer as the ship Martin was aboard changed course. They could now see that the ship was dulled intentionally and that its construction was different than anyone had seen before. It was smaller and more agile than the Wind Rider, Martin's ship. It had only one car that span the entire gas bag. Its propeller car was much bigger and housed three props instead of the Wind Rider's two. Along the port side ran a large opening that was not different from the airplane hanger on the Wind Rider's aft section. No name could be found any where on the ship, as required by the airlines agreements, but also no pirate mark was visible either.
The Wind Rider settled into a space two hundred feet of the others ship's bow and stopped. Nothing happened. All was quiet.
"Helmsman, bring us within boarding distance. I want to see the inside of this thing. I think it may be a ghost ship, and in that case, needs to be recorded."
The wheel was turned and slowly the ghostly ship came closer and closer. It seemed inhabited but no form of life could be seen.
"All crew in duty set A will be sent aboard; all in B stay on the Wind Rider and keep the passengers occupied. Open the port doors and use the planks, those are the safest, and be careful."
Martin became excited as he realized that he would go aboard. His heart beat fast as he made his way to the hanger and put on the leather jacket and safety harness offered to him. Planks were run across the gap and the team of thirty men made their way into the ghost ship.
All was dark and quiet, but strangely comforting in the first room they arrived in. Martin guessed that this was the kitchen or mess room of the ship, as there was a long table in the middle of the room. Four places could be found at the table and cups and a pitcher of water sat in the middle. It was cool to the touch and had cubes of ice in it.
The next room they found was long with strange patterns laid into the floor. Basic swords hung on the walls in special groves. A dozen or so of these were empty.
Every other door was locked so they returned to the Wind Rider. Once inside, the planks were drawn in but the connecting ropes were left to hold the ghost ship to the Wind Rider for further exploration later.
The next morning found the two ships in the middle of a dense cloud. The captain ordered the Wind Rider and her companion above the cloud level and into the sunshine.
Martin decided to use his spare time to use a telescope to examine the other craft from the hangar, so he wandered along the catwalk to the rear and climbed down into the hanger. Momentarily blinded by the sun now streaming in the open door, he didn't notice the two figures sitting in the doorway. One was a tall man stretching his arms, and the other, a massive dragon with half its body hanging out the hanger doorway and enjoying the sunshine.
The stranger turned and noticed Martin. He waved and cut the last rope holding the two ships together with a large sword. He saluted Martin and jumped out the door, the dragon one step behind him.