It had been an all-out sprint for the small World's End Armada since their escape into the Cold Narrows in front of the relentlessly approaching storm. The leading winds of the storm-front had kept the sails of all five ships full and straining, shooting them southward toward Xenoth. Even the Dragon-ship, pulling the Asherouboros, moved with incredible speed, propelled not only by the hundred tireless Lokian warriors, but its single massive rectangular sail as well. If all went well and continued without incident, it appeared they would all reach Xenoth in record time, a full day ahead of schedule and two days before the dreaded ceremony to awaken Xenophus.

Whether their journey, would in fact, continue to its culmination without incident became a matter of worried debate, as, despite their velocity, the main body of the storm prepared to engulf them. Hard wind-driven rain had already begun lashing through the riggings and onto the decks of all the vessels, soaking them and lowering their efficiency. The winds began whipping in all directions and forced the lowering of various sections of canvas to keep them from being torn from their masts. The ocean became choppy with huge swells and wind-driven waves that pounded the sides of the vessels violently.

Soon, with their forward progress impeded and their visibility impaired, they could no longer outrace the attacking storm and found themselves in the belly of the beast. Sails were lowered and all loose gear was stowed or tied down in preparation for riding out the frightening deluge. Ropes were stung along the decks as safety lines to keep beasts from being washed into the churning sea. The sky screamed with thunder and lightening cascaded through the clouds.

The crews remained below decks or in covered spaces, in a futile attempt to remain dry. The relentless bobbing and jerking of the ships played havoc with everyone, especially those poor beasts unaccustomed to a life at sea, whose stomachs suffered at the constant motion. Frega was one of those beasts, as were Egbert and Thoris and all three found themselves suffering together, grasping the side-rails of the West Wind tightly and heaving painfully into the attacking ocean.

Thoris turned to the Wolf-King and swore that the proud white-maned warrior had turned a pale shade of green. He addressed him weakly.
"Drowning theemth quite tempting to me right now. Thith hath to be the worth I've ever felt."

Frega stared the weasel grimly in the eye. He was about to speak when the nausea once more overtook him. He threw up violently, then wiped his muzzle and continued his original thought.
"I pray to Targas that I be struck by lightening. It is a far more dignified way to die than this. If I am able return to Lokias...I shall never set foot on a ship again."

Chumley and Bobo sidled up alongside their suffering friends. Neither seemed particularly affected by the sea-sickness which incapacitated their comrades. Chumley was smiling broadly and slapped Egbert on the back. This prompted the mole to retch, after which he looked up at the rat in annoyed frustration. He managed to moan out a protest.
"What are you so happy about, we're all doying?"

Chumley dismissed his mole-friends grim outlook.
" 'Ere, 'ere, mah fine friend, you'll be right as rain once this storm passes won't yah?," he chuckled, "This is quite excitin', ain't it?"

Egbert smiled despite himself and addressed Bobo.
"What koind of bodyguard lets annoying rats torment their cloient? Throw Chumley off this boat before he tortures us further," The mole said lightly.

"I would, Eggy, but its too dangerous to move that close to you, what with all the stuff you three are spewing into the sea," The nutria laughed.

Frega glared at the two unaffected beasts and managed a convincing snarl.
"Be gone villains! Let us suffer in peace!"

Chumley nodded.
"We will, just wanted ta let ya know that the captain's fairly certain this storm'll pass in a coupla hours. Me and Bobo are gonna visit with Robbi now. She's doin' fine, ain't she? Cast iron constitution and all. We're gonna 'ave a bite to eat with 'er...eggs ah think, with gravy. Ah can send some up if ya like."

The mere suggestion of food was enough to send the three sorry victims retching once more into the sea. Wisely, Chumley and Thoris quickly scuttled away before Frega could regain his composure enough to smack them in their heads.

A hundred miles south of the battered World's End vessels, the pirate and Deev fleet headed westward toward Xenoth. The five ships were scattered across the Narrows in a tight cluster with the Flying Fox, now under Captain Mauby, in the lead. Xenoth was growing ever closer. The lookout high atop the Fox's mainmast stared intently landward toward the distant cliff upon which the Deev Castle was perched. Squinting  through his spyglass, he scanned the seas below and around the castle. Spotting something, he leaned forward and did a double take. The lookout collapsed his telescope, re-inserting it into his belt and quickly shimmied down the mast to give his report. Captain Mauby saw him coming and left his spot at the helm to hear the cause of the lookout's distress. The young sailor snapped to attention and stuttered out what he had seen.
"T-t-t-there's a m-m-mess of red ships anchored b-b-by the castle. I done counted thirteen of 'em."

"Either those monks know we're a comin' or they're bein' real careful," Mauby surmised, he shouted out orders, "lower the sails! Set the sea-anchors! Signal our brethren for a meetin'!"

It wasn't long before all the corsair captains were present onboard the Deev ship, Neure, to discuss the gathered Brotherhood fleet. Mauby filled them in on the lookout's report. Captain Yellowtooth of the Xenos voiced his concern.

"They're waitin' fer us. We don't stand a chance against that many war-ships. It'd be suicide to get any closer!" There were nods around the table.

Prince Vasheron stood and addressed the pirates.
"It doesn't matter that they own the sea around the castle, all the important fighting will be on land. If we can land our crews somewhere along the coast away from their curious eyes, we can attack the castle before those ships can re-enforce it. They have no access up to the castle except for narrow stairs up the cliff face which can be defended against hundreds by a handful of beasts. Those ships in the harbor will be useless to the Brotherhood. We will attack the castle and compound from without and my allies in the Brotherhood will attack from within and open the gates to us."

Willum hit the table for attention. All eyes turned in his direction.
"A lot of yer plan depends on these so-called allies of yourn. I figger since we're here riskin' our lives, that you let us in on who these priests are what are gonna go agin Azmeritus...how many? How high up?"

Vasheron smiled.
"A fair request. The coup will be led by the Brotherhood's Chief Acolyte, Zaphyr. Many senior clergy stand by him. They will begin the coup upon our commencement of the attack."

Willum looked at the other captains.
"Looks like we need to decide. I reckon they know we're here by now, so sooner or later that fleet's gonna pull anchor and hunt us down. On that count alone I gotta throw in with the Deev's plan, it beats waitin' to get caught and hung," he paused, then continued, "I say we wait till night, keep our ships dark and some of us swing north and some south. We make land somewhere up and down the coast and make for the castle come dawn. I don't know about you coves, but I could use a little action ta get my blood up. I kin feel that red devil Azmeritus out there and him and me got us a meetin' to attend."

The captains continued to debate for a time, but all eventually agreed with Willum's argument and plan. As dusk began to herald the dark, the pirate fleet, with a watchful eye on the Brotherhood ships, prepared to get underway for the patches of coast which would allow them passage up the hills of Xenoth to the fortress of the Scarlet Brotherhood.

As the Crimson Rose prepared for its nighttime departure, Willum, with Max perched on his shoulder, Wilbur, and Ursamus leaned on a forward rail, looking northward toward the far shores of Xenoth. They could see the same imposing, quick-moving storm approaching down the Narrows which was proving so formidable to the World's End vessels, now engulfed in its raging fury. Willum pointed at a spit of land well past the Deev castle.

"I'm thinkin' that little stretch o' land there be Farewell Ridge where me and Max first went ashore. I reckon that would be the best place to make land and unload our crew. We kin seek out old Ozab...I'm figgerin' 'e's still livin' in his cave. We'll meet up with our otter pals too and see if'n they raised any locals ta help us."

"What about re-enforcements from World's End?" Ursamus asked

Max cocked his head to the side.
"They should be underway, underway," he stared at the violent northern sky, "they may be in that storm, storm."

"Oi hope they're all right and Oi hope they have the Asherouboros with them, we may need him if we can't stop the ceremony," Wilbur added.

Willum answered without turning.
"Ain't no use worryin', things is what they is, we just gotta hope fer the best...we'll know soon enough. If'n they are stuck in that there blow, they got a rough ride ahead of them and there ain't nuthin' we can do to help."

"I could fly there and see If I can find them, find them." Max offered.

"We ain't about ta let ya fly into a storm at night, my friend," Willum said flatly, "we're gonna be hard pressed enough ta make land before we're stuck in the same blow. The one good thing about that blasted magic shield around that cursed land is that the storm can't pass through. We'll travel as far north as we can afore dawn and then pass through the shield afore the storm hits.

"We'll anchor near Farewell Ridge and send parties ashore to find our friends. I' back ta you Maxey, once we gets inta the shield, ya can go searchin' fer our friends to yer heart's content and let 'em know where we're landin' and what we knows."

"Aye-aye Cap'n!" Max answered brightly.

"What about the Deev and the other pirates?" asked Ursamus.

"The Deev'll be headin' north with us, but they'll be makin' land closer to the castle. I think they be anxious to be on Xenoth. I'm thinkin' what we suspected was true, they can't be injured under the magic dome, only out here 'mongst us common folk.

"As fer me corsair brethren, well, they'll be headin' to the south and makin' their way to the castle from there. I don't wanna depend too heavy on either set of them villains, there ain't no tellin' what they'll do if the battle looks lost. It wouldn't surprise me if they just turned tail and ran if'n things get iffy."

Everyone stared out across the water silently, imagining what the coming days would bring. Gella walked up cheerfully and addressed the group.
"We've got dinner ready for all you hungry beasts. Salto's cracked open a nice cask of Michilmakinakian port for the occasion."

Willum smiled broadly as he moved to follow Gella back to the main cabin.
"That sounds right nice, I could do with some grub. I'm sure Cookie 'as made us a fine feast." Willum noticed that Wilbur remained at the rail, quietly staring into the distance. The grizzled cat called back to him, "Are ye joining us Mister Wilbur?"

Wilbur glanced back at his friends over his shoulder.
"You gois go ahead, Oi'll be there in a bit."

After his friends left, the young mole continued to stare at the distant storm-front. He thought about his uncle and those friends who were suffering through the storm. It stood like a mountain of coal above the Narrows, flashing with lightening against the darkening sky.

He wondered if the Asherouboros was with them. Despite his worries, he smiled, knowing that Egbert always managed to accomplish the seemingly impossible, especially when the odds were against him. He was surprised that he did not feel afraid, only determined. Wilbur stood and prepared to join the others for dinner. He cast a final glance toward the storm.

"Targas be with you, Uncle Eggy."

Egbert was a suffering mess. Thoris and Frega were faring no better. The West Wind still shuddered, shook and swayed under the storms assault. Even the old salts aboard were getting queasy from the constant violent motion. There was no attempt to control the ship, or any of the ships. The wind was whipping in all directions and cannon-loud cracks of thunder broke through the drenching rain at regular intervals. Of all the beasts onboard, including the ever less cheerful Chumley and Bobo, only Gladiverserac, sitting at the foot of Robbi's bed, seemed completely calm. Robbi, who was feeling the effects of the battering herself, felt obliged to ask her a question.
"How can you be so calm? Everyone but you is so sick they can barely move. We don't even know if the tank is still floating, for all we know, the Asherouboros is swimming the ocean away from us."

Gladis smiled.
"Of the creature's disposition, I know not, but storms I doth know well, especially these great storms of Xenoth. All my life I have seen them. Many a mariner I have plucked from the sea in their aftermath. I doth think we are at the end of our ordeal. To the west this storm doth blow and to the west, Xenoth doth stand. Soon through the shield we will be pushed and there the storm can follow us not," she concluded.

"I hope for all our sakes that you are right," Robbi said weakly.

As though on cue, the rocking and shaking subsided and the loud drumming of the rain ceased. A broad smile filled Robbi's face and she motioned Gladis to follow her on deck. The scene which greeted her was remarkable. As the albatross had predicted, the small fleet had been pushed through the shield which arched over Xenoth. It appeared to Robbi as though they were in a glass globe.

The exterior of the shield, above and beside them was a mass of chocolate-brown swirling clouds. Lightening struck the shield every few seconds as though drawn to it and the sound of thunder still shook the now becalmed ships.

Robbi scanned the deck and couldn't help chuckling at the three soggy, moaning shapes sprawled face-up near the rails. She walked over and looked down at her relieved, but exhausted friends.

Frega forced a weak smile.
"Are we dead? Is this the Hall of Heroes?" he asked.

"Anything theemth like heaven after that hell," Thoris commented as he sat up.

"This poor mole can't wait to feel some soil in his claws. Oi can't believe some beasts loike going to sea," Egbert added.

Frega stood. He tried to sound calm.
"It appears we have arrived at Xenoth," he scanned the water, "and all our ships have successfully joined us and..." he ran to the side of the ship and craned his neck to search for the tank, " and it appears that our friendly monster has seen fit to join us as well...there!"

He pointed to a patch of ocean where the inflated bladders surrounding the Asherouboros tank were clearly visible. The tank had become loose from its towing ropes, but luckily was pushed along with the ships to the safety of Xenoth. As the friends watched, the Asherouboros lifted its head out of the tank and lazily took in its new surroundings.

" 'E seems 'appy enough, don't 'e?" a familiar voice called out behind them.

Frega smiled.
"I should beat you for your torture of us, but I am in a forgiving mood."

Chumley clapped the wolf on the back.
"That's wise of ya since ah've started some chow for all of ye scoundrels. Ah'm pretty sure ya must be starvin', since most of everything ya ate the last few days is floatin' around the sea out there, ain't it?"

Egbert smiled.
"Oi can't believe it, but you're roight. Oi never thought Oi'd want to eat ever again, but loike you say, Oi am quoite peckish."

"Awright then, ya soggy heroes, follow me and ah'll fix ya all up proper."