463 Engineering Solutions (1/2)

”Gnomes are extinct, you've got to keep your identity a secret until we get to Rocket Mountain. Thankfully, we're travelling by air so you only need to be careful once we reach the towns,” Zero told the inventor who agreed.

”Won't take me longer than a week to repair the Crafting Suit,” he told Zero. ”Also, are we really riding on a mythical horse?”

Zero nodded. ”It's the only one I could borrow on short notice. There isn't a saddle so I practised a little last night enough to not fall off. Then again, just in case I do, I'm wearing this angel wing set. Here, tie this rope on your waist. In case you fall off, I can still fly to support both our weights.”

Thomas looked at the flimsy rope and blinked. What was Zero thinking? Riding a pegasus that will fly several thousand meters into the air without a saddle was akin to suicide for him. The journey hasn't started but already, Thomas was beginning to regret it.

”Actually,” he said. ”Could you give me five minutes? I'd forgotten to bring something from the lab.”

Zero nodded. They were still early so there was still a little bit of time. ”Don't take too long,” Zero told Thomas who agreed and dashed off as quickly as he could. Neither Zero nor Bob knew what the gnome needed but they decided to dip their legs into the Spring of Vitality pond while waiting for him. Zoe also took the opportunity to pack more snacks for them.

Fifteen minutes later, Thomas returned with a bunch of ropes and metal hoops. Zero raised his brow and Bob flicked his tongue.

”What's all that for?” Zero couldn't help but ask as Thomas walked around Pegasus and threw several ropes over the horse.

”Call it a last-minute invention but I think we need some insurance when riding a flying horse. I'm making a harness and some stirrups so that we won't fall off when flying. Due to the wings, it isn't convenient to fit a saddle.”

The invention soon took shape and Zero was told to climb on top of Pegasus' back while Thomas fitted the leather straps and the ropes around his thighs. The harness sat snuggly but firmly around Pegasus' body and Thomas told Zero to try moving in the harness after putting his feet through the metal hoops at the side.

To Zero's amazement, no matter how he moved, the ropes held his lower body firmly on Pegasus' back. With this, he wouldn't be falling off the horse's back.

”This is brilliant!” he exclaimed in approval at the last-minute invention.