hollow. They are so light, it takes much less effort for them to lift themselves into the air than you might imagine! But as men, we do not have this advantage." Realizing this, he tried studying magic carpets, but found them unreliable. "For every one that will fly you into the sky, you will find at least ten that are duds, fakes, or faulty. Magic is an erratic thing!" 

Ryoo, the younger of the two, has made the study of science his goal, from the weather and winds to what he calls 'aerodynamics.' Well-traveled for a young man, Ryoo told the Four Winds that he first saw balloons like the one he and his brother have made in far-off lands. "It was stunning to see! With these balloons, they could lift into the air, see the world the way only birds do! I learned everything I could about how it was done."

Ryoo gave the Four Winds a detailed explanation of how it all works, using words that this reporter admits to having some trouble following. In layman's terms, he then explained that the air used to fill the balloon makes it rise up, even when its load is heavy. Then the winds are used to guide the balloon along its path. When asked about the unpredictability of the winds, Ryoo laughed and confidently replied that the winds are more reliable and predictable than most people think. The brothers are more focused on trying to predict what their customer base will look like--although on that note, too, they have a fair amount of confidence.

“We expect both foreigners and natives alike will be excited to see the isle,” Ryoo stated. “The Winged Ones don’t take kindly to visitors, but we think we found a way to allow people to see

the Isle the way it was meant to be seen.”

When asked directly what the Winged Ones think of the Mountgo Brothers’ business, a representative replied with the following statement, “As with all businesses seeking to commerce on our island, we are allowing the Mountgo Brothers to proceed but on a probationary basis. An official approval from Lord Azure is pending following a full review and inspection of the facilities.” Despite this, the Mountgo Brothers are not worried. “We believe that Lord Azure will fully sanction our business once he sees it in action.” Our sources, however, tell us that Lord Azure is only allowing the business to operate for the time being because of a personal request from His Majesty, King Alexander.

The inaugural flight will take place two weeks from now, and big names are already attached. The brothers recently provided us with a list of confirmed visitors, and it appears that almost all of the isles are sending representatives. Among them are Prince Cocteau III and his wife Beauty from the Isle of the Beast, an unnamed representative from the Isle of the Sacred Mountain, and the Red and White Queens from the Isle of Wonder.

“I’m very much looking forward to seeing the Isle of the Sacred Mountain from a bird’s eye perspective,” the Red Queen stated in an exclusive interview. “After all, I received a personal invitation from the Mountgo Brothers themselves.”

The White Queen, on the other hand, had something different to say, “That Red Queen stole MY personal invitation! I will of course be attending regardless, as a chess piece of my stature should always make an appearance at such functions.”

In addition to these names, there have been growing rumors that King Alexander and Queen Cassima will themselves attend. The Crown would neither confirm nor deny these claims. Captain Saladin provided the following statement: “At this time, we cannot say who will be representing the Crown at the inaugural flight, but rest assured there will be a representative on hand for the occasion.”

The Four Winds has a reporter lined up for the inaugural flight as well, and a full review of the experience and the service will be forthcoming in a future issue. Plans for an exclusive Four Winds tour of the Isle of the Sacred Mountain via balloon are also in the works and should enable us to provide our readership with an unprecedented feature article on this reclusive island. The Mountgo brothers are even hopeful that their business will pave the way for more open and friendly relations between the Winged Ones and the other Green Isles citizens; in Amar's own words: "With the increased exposure and admiration of their lovely city, the Winged Ones will surely begin to consider opening their gates to foot traffic as well!"