Ventus by Karl Schroeder

Karl Schroeder / Ventus / Page 501
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Marya was doing a dance of frustration in front of Axel.
Tiptoed as she was, he would have found it amusing at any
other time. Just now he would happily have walked away--had
there been anywhere to walk to.
He and Marya stood in a meadow. Snow was falling
gently, disappearing in the yellow grass. Axel was cold,
hungry and weary, and disappointed at life in general. All he
really wanted right now was a hot bath.
monotonously. It was the voice of a ship--a rescue ship, at last.
The Archipelago navy had arrived, and though for the most
part it was standing off so as not to antagonize the wary Swans,
Ventus and were searching for Archipelagic citizens to
evacuate.
Axel fingered his ripped shirt sleeve. "Close indeed."
She puffed out her cheeks. "Pfaw. The arrow missed
intercepted by a group of militia yesterday afternoon.