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Show "Aaaiiieeee!" cried Janni as the aircar tilted landward on her side. "Ida's Heaven!" cried Dr'Anya, and she righted the machine. But she and Janni were both still laughing. . .and crying. Two hours later, the aircar was banking for landing in the dark, and Dr'Anya took over the manual tracking. With the help of the Thermallmager they landed on the grassy pad next to the stone walls of the FarthestPost's stables, and got out stiffly. Dr'Anya grunted and flexed her fingers, rubbed her knees, and stretched. "Aye, child, limber up I will," she said, "or indeed the wheelchair for me after this adventure!" Janni looked at her sideways. "I see not my lady mother in a wheelchair e'en yet," she said. "Ah well," sighed the woman. "A wight can indeed reach impressive heights when called upon to do i t . " She wiggled her toes inside her boots and locked the aircar doors. The two walked to the darkened PostHouse close to the walls of its adjoining stables, hands near their stunners. A peal on the bell brought the rumpled PostKeeper to the front door, an ionic flare wavering above her head. Dr'Anya frowned. "Aye, a room for two is't?" she said, pushing back a lock of hair from her eyes. "And ye be coming along here pretty late, methinks. Had ye trouble indeed?" "Aye, a touch," ventured Dr'Anya. Where be the good Norma? Sold she the place? This woman here, she has a familiar look about her. At length they followed the manager up the steps to the sleeping rooms above, after having signed in and paid their fee for one night's sleeping 159 |