Aru could tell her sister didn’t want to talk, but she recalled the moment when Mini lost consciousness in Lord Vasuki’s treasury and the way Rudy had shifted his shape and coiled protectively around her. She wasn’t so sure Mini was right.
The palanquin had a wooden roof, open sides with a pitiful-looking railing, and three rows of cushioned benches. Everything felt rather cramped, and the wood held the smell of rot. Rudy sat on the front bench, tapping the ceiling. Aru could see fragile levers next to him and a small knobbed stick that might be some kind of steering device.
“Go forth!” commanded Rudy.
The palanquin didn’t move.
“Are you sure that’s what you’re supposed to do?” asked Aiden, leaning forward. He was sitting next to Brynne on the middle bench, while Aru and Mini were in the back.
“No backseat palanquin drivers!” huffed Rudy, tapping once more at the wood. “Honestly, it’s just supposed to move—”
FWOOMP.
The Potatoes screamed as the palanquin dropped straight through the marble floor. Aru’s stomach swooped. She grabbed tightly to the flimsy wooden railing, which was all that stood between her body and an immense amount ofnothing.
“EVERYTHING IS FINE!” Rudy shouted over the noisy wind.
Aru felt the palanquin tilt hard. Mini’s elbow slammed into her ribs. Aru slid to the left, her hands grappling for some kind of purchase. She would’ve opened her eyes, but every time she tried, cold wind lashed at her face.
“I thought there’d be some kinda windshield!” said Rudy.
“What do you meanthought?” shouted Aiden over the wind. “What are you using to drive this thing, Rudy?”
“INSTINCT!”
Aru flew backward, her spine thudding against the rear wall of the palanquin as the structure began to climb through the air. Her neck felt tight, like when a roller coaster inches toward the top of a free fall. She opened her eyes a crack, and then quickly wished she hadn’t. The palanquin looked like it was aiming straight for the side of a mountain.
“RUDY!” shouted Aiden.
“INSTIIIIINCT!” roared Rudy, toggling maniacally with the driving levers.
Aru turned her head as the mountain loomed closer. Suddenly, the vehicle made a sharp right. Mini screamed, her body sliding sideways and nearly tipping out of the palanquin. Aru flung out her hand, but Mini’s fingers were too slippery. Just when it looked like she was going to fall, Mini thudded against something.
“Ow!” she said, scuttling upright as the palanquin straightened out.
Mini pressed her palm against the air, her fingers splaying as she met the solid surface of a windshield that hadn’t been there moments ago. The roar of the wind died away, replaced with a faintwhooshing.
“See?” said Rudy. “Windshields! Instinct! Told you it’d be fine!”
Brynne looked like she was going to vomit. Rudy didn’t look so great himself. Naga scales had bloomed all the way down his neck, as if he was transforming into his full snake form out of pure panic.
“Rudy,” growled Aiden.
“Look around you!” said Rudy, with a slightly guilty smile. “I mean, the views are great, right? Perfect for picture-taking…”
Aru looked to her right, trying to fight the wooziness that came with the realization that very little was protecting you from a thousand-foot plummet to certain death. When she peered through the windshield, she saw the sharp peaks of mountains cutting through a snowy mist. It was terrifying. Yet Aru had to admit it was beautiful.
They flew through the mountains and blankets of mist. At one point, Aru thought she saw the solemn eye of an elephant regarding them through the fog. But when she blinked, it disappeared.
“PREPARE FOR LANDING!” hollered Rudy.
There was no time to get ready. One moment, the palanquin calmly sailed through the air. The next moment…it dropped.
Aru screamed as the top of the palanquin popped off and her cushioned seat slipped out from under her, transforming into a parachute that erupted as the bench catapulted her into the air. For a few weightless seconds, cold blasted across her face, stealing the world from sight. When she could finally open her eyes, the mist cleared and the ground rose to meet her—
Thud.
“Ow!” said Aru.
