With the nectar flowing in his veins, Captain Vern was a master tactician, and an airshipman beyond equal. Without, he had been dull enough to divulge details of a crime that wouldn't, and shouldn't be widely known for a day at least. Luckily, he reflected from his cabin aboard the [i]Mountaintaker[/i], The Mercenary of the Wind could be relied upon to keep his mouth shut. Unluckily, he could also be relied upon to get the job done. He might actually catch up to Yllicus. And he would surely realize that the Steward of the throne would pay a great deal more than a mere captain could. This could not be allowed. 

Vern left his cabin, and barked a strange order at the first airshipman he saw. "Ready a Falcon, a weeks provisions and ballast for one man." The man saluted without question and hopped to his task. With luck, it would take Darius longer to find a ship than it would take Vern to prepare one of the many he had at his disposal.