Now excitement seized Abi- the ship’s observatory boasted an abundant trove of instruments, devices, books (with colorful pictures, she delighted, for her reading was still at a child’s tender limit), and of course, the astrolabe and the great telescoped mounted in its center. The glassing ceiling delighted her most of all- she could gaze into sky’s expanse and be shielded from the rain, hail, or snow. It made her feel part of the heavens, but impervious to it all the same. 

With a jangle of her heavy brass keys chained on her chatelaine, the mother turned the key of the much-venerated chamber, and her eager daughter darted first into the room. Trailing behind his father and mother respectfully, Ruvi maintained his boyish attempt of composure, but fell susceptible to wonder when his father set to lighting the candle beneath the glass lens frame.

With an artful and learned flick of her hand, the mother lit the sconces mounted on the corners by aid of magic, and the room glowed with a ruddy haze. Realizing the room’s coldness, the father conjured a flame upon his fingertips in a nimble motion, and began a fine, crackling fire in the fireplace.

Light and warmth livening the chamber, the parents gathered their curious young ‘round the telescope.

Despite her valiant efforts, Abi, even on her most strenuous tiptoes, could not reach her eye on the telescope’s eyepiece, so her father scooped her in his arms and held her, so she held the cylinder confidently and peered forward, intent on catching all the constellations and nebulas in their swirl of color, light and sway in the heavens. 

Being smaller than his sister, Ruvi received the same aid from his father, but Ruvi was more focused on calling out the constellations and signs he memorized during his lessons than beholding the spectacle of the night sky. 

“So you have been paying attention to your lessons well, Ruvi,” remarked the mother, quietly pleased at her son’s memorization- and the fact that her pain-staking lessons were spent not in vain for her lively charges. 

“Mmh-hmm,” managed Ruvi, now catching sight on the constellation he spent many a night screwing his eyes onto the black expanse in diligent search. This was the Archipelago Dragon- a magnificent array of stars shaped like a winged dragon, posed for flight- or attack. 

“I found it! The Dragon!” (Archipelago was too difficult to pronounce, Ruvi found.)

Abi’s eyes widened. “I want to see it, too! Move, Ruvi!”

 Instantly, she nudged her brother, though now her father, eschewing a reproach for her rudeness, instead, picked her up and switched from Ruvi to Abi infront of the eyepiece. 

“Patience- you’ll both see it,” their father quietly assured his two all-too eager pupils.