A story trade
Written by illogical
 
      Once, in a distant land, there was a ferret named Illas Lacigolli, also known by his pals as illogical. He and his pal, Vulpin Fox, also known as Vulpes, were travelers. They loved to travel to many exotic places, meeting new furs and trying new things. They thought they had traveled long and far, but something escaped them. Why have they not ever tried traveling to the extreme, forbidden north? A land rumored to contain beasts and monsters, it was the last place anyone would want to go, But illogical was determined to go there and return with news of his exploits.
      “Vulpes, is the Flitter ready to go?” the ferret asked his fox partner. Vulpes was busy inflating the small, two passenger air balloon that both traveled in. “Yes, just making ready to fly.” The fox replied with the pump moving furiously up and down, slowly filling the latex and cloth patched balloon with a special air and helium mixture.” Slowly but surely it filled up, the entire rig measuring 20 feet tall. Illogical was pleased as he pulled a map out of his jerkin and showed it to his partner. “Look, here is the plan.” he carefully explained, rolling the map out on a nearby table. “The land up north isn't all that far away. In fact if we leave now, we might make it within land fall by late tonight!” Vulpes began to dance for joy, finally securing the seal on the balloon. “Oh boy! I hear there are giants in that land! Whooo! I can't WAIT!” he yelled, dancing in anticipation.
      But illogical looked a bit differently on that thought. “Maybe giants, maybe beasts. We'll just have to fly there and find out.” Quickly, he jumped into the small passenger basket, waiting for Vulpes to join him. After the fox got in, illogical tested the current, making sure the wind was with them. Nodding in agreement with the conditions, he bid Vulpes to sever the tether, allowing them to rise rapidly in their 2 passenger, tiny purple balloon craft. Up, up, and away the duo went, sailing toward their goal: A land of forbidden sights and untold secrets.
      Lazily, the balloon sailed high into the air, now hovering many hundreds of feet off of the ground. Soon, they had cleared the coast and the wind was still in their favor. Illogical ket his eye on the map as Vulpes kept the craft in the right heading. Everything was going pleasant for their afternoon of travel. That was when things became a little rough. After the sun had reached its zenith, illogical noticed a faint smell of ozone. “Vulpes, tie yourself to the craft!” he yelled, tossing Vulpes a length of rope to hold him in. “Aye, and what is the matter? It's still very nice going.” Vulpes replied, tying his waist to the center post in the craft. Just then, a loud crack answered Vulpes' question. Sonn, the wind began to whip up hastily behind the craft. “Oh no, it's a coastal squall!” illogical cried out, bracing against the craft as the winds whipped at them. At that moment, torrents of rain, flashes of lightning, and loud rumbles filled the sky. The ship was pushed about helter-skelter, still being sent in their desired direction. Suddenly, a blast of wind hit the craft, causing the two pilots to hit against each other hard, knocking them out cold. The craft flew on into the raging storm, the two oblivious to where things were going.