Chapter sevenOby’s dreams of becoming a famous voller kampeon had become true. He was, as I could testify, if not the very best then one of the very best of pilots of Vallia. He held honorary rank of Chuktar in the Vallian Air Service; but he was employed as the emperor’s personal pilot — that is, my personal pilot. Now he had no need to be told what to do.
He took Shankjid up with that smooth easy ascending curve that is the mark of the superb pilot. There was nothing left of the rapid jerky recklessness with which, say, Rollo, took up a flier. Rollo was a green novice beside Oby, yet Oby, once, had been just such a tearaway.
Clinging onto the companionway rail I managed to prevent myself from being hurled bodily back to the deck. Delia, on the step above me, swung back like a graceful
