Daishain, can you let us know how long it has been since the castle took to the sky, and remind us how long we were told the trip would be? I seem to recall someone saying it is about 24 hours (Maybe "A day"), but how long have we been airborne?
You waited an hour after liftoff to make your first move, a generously long estimation of everything else you've done since then might be another thirty minutes.
It really hasn't seemed that short of a time period has it?
You were told by the interrogated guard that this fortress was scheduled to arrive tomorrow afternoon. That would give you somewhere over fifteen hours, presuming they don't divert to some closer cult held location, such as the town you left, on discovering you.
Yeah a long rest may not be a good idea right now until we have better control over this place or know how many may be left. If we can get control of the helm or driving center then we can take it where we want and have more time to deal with the guards.
I don't know, was it examined?
Mages, by all means speak up. It is definitely magical. Bear in mind, while you could determine its properties with an hour of study, that would invalidate your participation in the short rest.
Alternatively, Poljen could learn everything he needs to about it by attuning to the item. But if it is cursed, that would activate said curse.