Below them, the entire valley floor was consumed by a writhing inferno, powerful new thermals suddenly sending the Silver Skies into a steep ascent before the helmsman managed to regain control. Elletra could hardly believe one of those capsules was the cause of such a fire.

“We can’t let the Earl – or anyone – have these,” she repeated. “especially the Earl. We have to destroy them.”

Hawkeye didn’t acknowledge Elletra, instead drawing a notepad and a fountain pen. He started scribbling a long chain of alchemical symbols, interspersed with sketches.

“They must have created a compound which can both stabilise and limit the rate of conbustion – once the burn rate was lowered they could simply thicken it to increase its potential for igniting the target -”

There was a soft oof sound as Elletra hugged him tightly, immediately derailing his chain of thought. After a moment of complete shock, he returned the hug warmly.

“We have to destroy them,” she said into his coat. “They’re too dangerous.”