"Flesh is frail, but my heart is as steadfast as Gleaming Stone."
"Without that resolve, the path of Preservation could never stand."
"Do you understand now?" Jade smiled at Firefly.
"This is more than an oath. It is the collateral we ten have put forward."
"In exchange, we gain opportunity, wealth, survival, tomorrow..."
"And everything those things bring us will make the Stonehearts more unbreakable still, so that we may accomplish Preservation's great work in the War of All Gods that is sure to come."
"..." Listening to Jade, Firefly had to admit that the Ten Stonehearts and the Stellaron Hunters did have something in common.
"I understand." Firefly fell into thought.
"Go on, child," Jade said with a smile.
"You needn't give me an answer right away."
"Waiting is what I do best."
Firefly met Jade's eyes and said firmly, "If fate truly turns to that page, we'll meet again."
Meanwhile.
Yan Huan opened the cockpit door, restored the airship's flight controls, and was promptly stopped by Oti.
"Old man, hurry up and get a real captain back to fly this thing. A doctor's time is precious."
Yan Huan straightened his collar and strode away.
He passed through the banquet hall and corridor, then took the elevator up to the airship's deck.
The Clover Family members had kicked every last person in a black hood off the airship. Now they were fabricating wanted notices for the other three.
They were Sparkle, Sampo, and Sunday in a face mask.
Aventurine hurried over to stop them. "All right, all right. Put up notices for the other two if you want, but you haven't even seen the masked guy's face. What good would a notice do?"
"Leave him to the company. We'll deal with him later."
While Aventurine was busy with