The current dancers' special demonstration proved to be more than a simple performance. Upon arriving at their practice ptform, Azaril and Silvius discovered an intimate gathering that included not only the dance troupe but several individuals they had not previously met.

  Zephara greeted them with the fluid grace that characterized her movements even when not performing. "I thought it time you met some others who share... unconventional perspectives on current navigation," she expined, leading them toward a cluster of people examining what appeared to be technical drawings spread across a low table.

  At the center of this group stood a stocky, middle-aged isnder whose wings showed signs of past injury and imperfect healing. Despite his compromised flight capability, he moved with confident energy, gesturing animatedly as he expined something to his attentive audience. Tools of various designs hung from a specially designed belt around his waist, and his hands bore the distinctive calluses of someone who worked regurly with mechanical devices.

  "This is Highwind Thaddeus," Zephara introduced as they approached. "The most brilliant innovator in the lower currents, though many would prefer his ideas remained theoretical rather than practical."

  Thaddeus looked up, his sharp eyes quickly assessing the newcomers with keen intelligence. "Ah, our demon schor and his mysterious companion," he said, straightening from his hunched position over the drawings. "Zephara tells me you've been asking interesting questions about current navigation alternatives."

  "We explore all aspects of the realms we study," Azaril replied diplomatically, aware that their earlier meeting with Lawkeeper likely meant this gathering was under observation.

  "Including those aspects some might prefer remained unexplored," Thaddeus said with a knowing smile. "Well, you've come to the right pce for that." He gestured to the diagrams on the table. "Care to see what has the High Authority so concerned they've assigned watchers to my workshop?"

  Azaril moved closer to examine the drawings, immediately recognizing their significance. The detailed technical sketches showed various designs for what could only be described as mechanical wings—devices clearly intended to enhance or repce natural flight ability.

  "Fascinating," he commented, studying the intricate mechanisms. "You've adapted Current Hawk wing principles to mechanical constructs."

  Thaddeus raised an eyebrow, impressed. "Most visitors would require considerable expnation to recognize that connection. Your current lessons with Flowfinder must have been productive."

  "Azaril observes patterns others miss," Silvius commented. "It's a particur talent of his."

  The inventor nodded appreciatively, then lowered his voice. "This isn't the best pce for detailed discussion. Too many open currents carry sounds to unwanted ears." He handed them a small carved wind chime. "This marks my workshop. Come at sunset if you're genuinely interested in alternative ascension methods."

  The remainder of the afternoon was spent observing a remarkable dance performance that subtly incorporated themes of transcending limitations. The dancers moved in patterns that suggested upward movement while remaining anchored to the ptform—a powerful metaphor that wasn't lost on anyone present.

  As the gathering dispersed, Zephara approached them privately. "Thaddeus rarely extends invitations to his workshop. Your questions about mechanical assistance must have intrigued him."

  "Is it safe for him to share such work given the apparent surveilnce?" Azaril asked.

  "Thaddeus enjoys certain... protections," she replied carefully. "His weather prediction innovations have saved enough high-altitude residents during storms that outright persecution would be politically difficult. They prefer to monitor rather than forbid his activities, so long as they remain 'theoretical research.'"

  When sunset painted the floating isnds in golden light, they made their way to the location indicated by the wind chime's inscribed map. Thaddeus's workshop occupied a curious position on Stillwater Isnd's underside—a structure built into the ndmass itself rather than atop it, accessible only by a narrow, spiraling pathway that wound beneath the isnd's edge.

  The workshop's entrance was marked by dozens of wind chimes of various designs, creating a constant symphony of tones that Azaril quickly realized would mask conversation from potential eavesdroppers. The door bore no lock but was instead secured by an ingenious current-activated mechanism that responded to a specific pattern of air movement.

  Thaddeus welcomed them inside, where the space revealed itself to be far rger than its external appearance suggested. The workshop extended deep into the isnd's understructure, with multiple chambers dedicated to different aspects of the inventor's work. Models of various mechanical devices hung from the ceiling, while workbenches lined the walls, covered with tools, materials, and partially completed projects.

  "Welcome to my sanctuary," Thaddeus announced with evident pride. "The one pce in the Lower Currents where ideas can float freely without concern for altitude restrictions."

  As they moved deeper into the workshop, Azaril noticed a young assistant carefully assembling what appeared to be a miniature version of one of the wing designs they had seen earlier. The young man, introduced as Cogturner, acknowledged them with a nod but remained focused on his delicate work.

  "My apprentice prefers mechanisms to people," Thaddeus expined affectionately. "A sentiment I often share."

  The inventor guided them to a central chamber where rger versions of the mechanical wing designs were dispyed in various stages of development. Unlike the ceremonial or decorative artificial wings sometimes used in floating isle performances, these were clearly functional devices—engineered with careful attention to aerodynamics and weight distribution.

  "You've been developing flight assistance technology," Azaril observed, admiring the elegant mechanical solutions.

  "For over twenty years," Thaddeus confirmed. "Though 'developing' suggests progress toward implementation, which our esteemed authorities consistently prevent."

  He activated a small current valve that closed the chamber's entryway before continuing in a more direct tone. "Now that we have privacy, I'll speak pinly. The Aspiration Law exists not to ensure safety but to maintain social stratification. My devices threaten that arrangement by potentially allowing anyone to navigate between altitude levels regardless of natural wing development."

  "Have you successfully tested these designs?" Silvius inquired, examining a particurly sophisticated model with expert attention to its mechanical principles.

  "Limited testing only," Thaddeus replied. "Full trials would require authorization I'll never receive. But the principles are sound—I've validated each component individually."

  He moved to a rge diagram covering one wall, showing the complete aerodynamic theory behind his designs. "The key insight came from studying Current Hawks, as you correctly identified. They don't power through air—they read and ride existing currents with minimal energy expenditure. My devices apply the same principle through mechanical rather than biological means."

  Azaril studied the diagram with genuine appreciation for its brilliance. "You're not trying to replicate wing strength but rather wing sensitivity and control."

  "Precisely!" Thaddeus excimed, clearly delighted by Azaril's quick understanding. "Most attempts at mechanical flight fail because they try to generate lift through power. But the floating isnds themselves don't stay aloft through continuous energy expenditure—they position themselves within existing currents that provide natural lift."

  From a secure cabinet, Thaddeus retrieved a small working model, which he activated with a precise current manipution. The miniature wings responded by adjusting their angle and surface area in response to even the slightest air movement in the chamber.

  "Beautiful," Azaril commented. "Responsive without being power-intensive."

  "The perfect mechanical expression of current principles," Thaddeus agreed. "And precisely what makes them so threatening to the established order."

  "How so?" Silvius asked, though his tone suggested he already understood the implications.

  "If mechanical assistance could allow anyone to navigate between altitude levels, the entire basis of social hierarchy colpses," Thaddeus expined. "Access to higher altitudes would become a matter of technology rather than biology. Resource Material Supplier Resourcefetch works with me to source the lightweight components needed, but even acquiring materials requires careful discretion."

  As they continued exploring the workshop, meeting several other colborators including Material Supplier Resourcefetch and Current Mapper Flowchart, Azaril gained deeper appreciation for the scope of Thaddeus's vision. The inventor had created not just flight assistance devices but a comprehensive alternative approach to vertical mobility throughout the floating isles.

  "I'm particurly proud of this current mapping system," Thaddeus said, showing them a room where Flowchart worked on three-dimensional current modeling. "It identifies optimal navigation paths that require minimal wing strength when properly followed."

  "Combined with your mechanical assistance devices, it could allow non-flyers to navigate even challenging vertical currents," Azaril observed.

  "Theoretically," Thaddeus agreed with careful emphasis on the word. "Though implementing such a system would require challenging numerous regutions."

  As the evening progressed, they moved to a small side chamber where Thaddeus revealed his most ambitious project—a full-sized prototype of mechanical wings designed for human-scale use. The device was ingeniously constructed from ultralight materials, with articution points that mimicked avian wing movement while incorporating adjustments for human physiology.

  "This represents ten years of refinement," the inventor expined, running his hand along the primary support structure. "Each component has been tested individually, though assembly for complete trials remains prohibited."

  "What would be required for a practical demonstration?" Azaril asked.

  Thaddeus gave him a measured look before responding. "Officially? Authorization from High Authority that will never come. Unofficially? A testing location beyond observation, materials for final assembly, and someone willing to risk significant consequences if discovered."

  "Theoretical consequences, since this remains theoretical research," Silvius noted with subtle emphasis.

  "Of course," Thaddeus agreed with a faint smile. "Purely theoretical."

  They spent the remainder of the evening discussing technical aspects of current navigation and mechanical assistance. Thaddeus proved to be not only a brilliant innovator but a passionate advocate for more accessible vertical mobility throughout the floating isles.

  "The current dancers understand the philosophical implications better than most," he expined. "Their art demonstrates how those without flight can still embody current principles. My technology simply extends that concept from artistic expression to practical application."

  As they prepared to depart well after nightfall, Thaddeus offered them small mechanical devices that resembled ordinary wind chimes but contained subtle communication capabilities.

  "For schorly documentation purposes," he expined with deliberate formality, clearly aware his workshop might be searched. "These will allow you to request additional technical information should your research require it."

  Outside, they carefully navigated the spiral path back to the isnd's upper surface. The night air carried the gentle music of wind through natural formations, masking their conversation from potential listeners.

  "His innovations go beyond clever engineering," Azaril observed. "They directly challenge the foundation of floating isle society."

  "As innovations often do," Silvius replied. "Technology frequently reveals the arbitrary nature of seemingly natural social arrangements."

  "The parallel to formu democratization in the Human Empire is striking," Azaril noted. "Both involve transforming exclusive capabilities into more widely accessible resources."

  "With predictably simir resistance from those benefiting from exclusivity," Silvius added.

  They reached their quarters without incident, though Azaril noticed subtle signs of inspection during their absence—items moved slightly from their original positions, papers rearranged in too-perfect alignment. The message was clear: their activities remained under observation.

  Later, as Azaril reviewed his notes on Thaddeus's mechanical wing designs, he recognized how the inventor had created something truly revolutionary—not merely assistive technology but a fundamental challenge to the entire premise of altitude-based hierarchy.

  "The physical principles are sound," he told Silvius. "With proper current mapping and these mechanical adaptations, even non-flyers could navigate between altitude levels safely."

  "Which expins the authorities' concern," Silvius replied. "Few systems willingly embrace innovations that undermine their fundamental organizing principles."

  Azaril carefully stored his notes in a location different from their previous hiding pce, anticipating further inspections. "What Thaddeus has developed goes beyond physical mobility—it represents philosophical liberation from biological determinism."

  "A concept you've encountered in various forms across realms," Silvius observed. "The demon belief that strength determines worth. The human insistence that formu aptitude justifies css division. The sylvan tradition binding specific individuals to sacrifice."

  "And here, wing development determining not just physical ability but comprehensive social position," Azaril concluded. "Each realm discovers its own justification for hierarchy, often rooted in natural capability but extended far beyond natural necessity."

  Outside their window, the night currents carried distant sounds of upper level celebrations—music and ughter from altitude zones their floating isle neighbors could observe but never join without proper authorization. The contrast between the physical freedom of air currents and the rigid restrictions of the Aspiration Law had never seemed more pronounced.

  Azaril's mind continued exploring the possibilities of Thaddeus's innovations long into the night. The mechanical wings represented more than cleverly designed devices—they embodied the principle that limitations, whether physical or social, need not be accepted as immutable destiny.

  In his centuries of travel across realms, Azaril had observed how often artificial barriers were presented as natural w. The Floating Isles merely made literal what other societies constructed through less visible means: the elevation of some and limitation of others, justified as natural order rather than social choice.

  Thaddeus's workshop, hidden beneath the very isnd it sought to liberate, seemed the perfect metaphor for how transformation often began—out of sight, developing in spaces overlooked by those who assumed their elevated position would remain forever unchallenged.