The albatross and the rat sauntered through the tamer section of town towards its outskirts where Belinda and Dema were staying. As they proceeded eastward, the buildings and houses became more sparsely distributed and the cobbled paths became packed gravel.

They stopped in front of a gate which guarded a large multi-story house. Beyond the fence and gate, a small gang of young toads played hide and seek while  shouting exuberantly. The gate was unlocked and the two beasts entered  and went to the front door. Chumley knocked loudly. After a short while, the door opened, revealing Dema Primus.

Dema Primus was  an ancient toad. She was a healer of the highest order, and while not a  practitioner of  magic herself, she was an expert in the history and protocols of both the Black and the White Arts. She had been in forced servitude to Khalis and was instrumental in the Witch's downfall. A loving, if somewhat contrary beast, she had adopted the orphaned servant girl, Belinda, who was now the center of Chumley's life, his wife.

"Well look what  the...," she glanced with curiosity at  Gladiverserac, "...albatross  dragged in, Lord High Governor Emeritus  Bilgespike..., unless of course you've decided to give yourself some additional titles."

Chumley smiled.
"Ah've added Airbeast Extraordinaire, luv, it's good to see you."

Dema stared ominously for a second, then broke into a broad smile and rushed forward, hugging the rat tightly.
"It's good to see you, you scoundrel," she smiled, "I won't ask  why  you're here, we have time for that later. Belinda is going to be   thrilled, she's been worn to a frazzle by my horde of great-grand-nieces and nephews, bless her heart, she'll enjoy the break.... Who is this  fine looking albatross?"

Chumley motioned to Gladis.
"This brave beast is mah new dear friend, Gladiverserac Presapornaweev, ah calls her Gladis, 'cause as you know ah'm lazy, ain't ah? And this,   Gladis...," he motioned to the toad, "is mah slave-driver of a mother-in-law, Dema Primus."

Gladis curtsied her massive frame.
"It is a pleasure most special to meet so dear a friend to Sir Chumley. At thy service I am, Lady Dema."

The old toad chuckled.
"Dear girl, if you continue to call Bilgespike here, Sir Chumley,  you will swell his head to new boundaries and he is already barely  tolerable," she stepped aside, "come on in, both of you, you most be  starving. I'll brew some tea and break out some food," she pointed to some chairs and cushions in a large room, "make yourselves comfortable and I will rescue your lovely wife from my family." She left the room  and made her way to the kitchen.

Belinda came running in, excited at the news of Chumley's arrival. The two rats hugged each  other tightly and whispered sweet greetings to each other, while Dema smiled and Gladis averted her eyes and giggled lightly. When  the  couple's reunion was complete, Chumley introduced Gladiverserac to his wife.

The albatross took an immediate liking to Belinda and  addressed her cheerfully.
"Sir Chumley of thee has spoken most   eloquently. His love for thee he has expressed often. Sir Chumley has called thee his 'ball and chain', an expression of affection I have been   told."

Belinda snorted a laugh and Dema gave Chumley a stern look and shook her head. The toad gave the black rat a light slap on the   head. Gladiverserac looked confused.

"It's a toad expression of affection," Dema explained, smiling.

When everyone had eaten, Gladiverserac was introduced to a plethora of young toads who had never seen so large a bird. After a  multitude of questions from the amphibian throng, Dema rescued the albatross and led her back into the house where the adults had settled  to exchange news.

Chumley explained all he had come to discover and the mood in the room became very grim.  Dema, in particular, seemed moved  to depression by Chumley's tale. Belinda questioned her adopted mother about her sadness.

Dema looked up at her friends and answered slowly.
"I am sorry to say that Darus is of my line. Distant, far in the past...true, but he is of my blood and when he created the Deev, he   brought a deep shame on my family which has stained it ever since. If the Deev are free, as you say, killing wizards and stealing the Rubitar,  they have a much darker purpose in mind. What that might be, I cannot say, but you are right to not ignore it, to act with purpose. Whatever they plan, it is most certainly in this world's best interest to oppose them actively. What can we do, Chumley, to help?"

"Ah'd like you to go back to Thoth with Belinda. Thoris will be there and ah'm  hopin'  Frega can be found. Gladis and mahself'll be 'eadin' to Seth-e-Raman ta meet Vattus and Robbi to try and find out what's goin'  on."

Belinda looked nervously at her husband.
"Please be careful, my love."

Chumley took her paw and squeezed it gently.
"Always. Ah'm no 'ero, am ah? Just askin' some questions and such. We'll be leavin' right away, but ah've got to go to a meetin' at the  waterfront tonight first."

Dema pulled a face.
"The waterfront? Whatever for?"

"Ah found out there's a get together for crooks there. Somethin' that may 'ave to do with the Deev. Just checkin' it out."

"They won't take kindly to having the governor at their get together." Dema noted.

" 'Ave no fear, mah dear, none of them beasts know what ah look like, they think ah'm a disreputable pirate named Ashy."

Dema laughed.
"Mostly true. Only you would take that monster's name."

"Ah'm fond of that beast. When you gets to Thoth, Dema, see that Thoris feeds 'im, will yah? Wouldn't want the ole Asherouboros getting'  too 'ungry, would we?"

"I'll instruct Thoris to feed your pet. You are an odd creature, Chumley Bilgespike," Dema said with resignation.

"Ain't it the truth." Chumley laughed.

It was considerably easier for Chumley and Gladiverserac to return to the waterfront than  it had been to leave it. No one challenged them  or inquired their  purpose.

The waterfront was alive with drunken revelry, fights, and song. Small bonfires lit various streets. Con-beasts and charlatans ran gambling games and sold phony potions, while pick-pockets traveled through the streets and saloons practicing  their skills.

Chumley instructed Gladiverserac to wait for him  by the docks, telling her he would return in an hour or two. She wished to accompany him to the meeting, but the rat explained that no sea-faring beast would ever believe that a creature as noble as an albatross would ever associate with the low type of sea-scum attending the meeting. She accepted the  explanation without dispute and settled  herself in at the edge of the water.

Chumley made his way to the old fish market, where the meeting was to take place. On his way, he purchased a floppy hat from an  old street vendor as an added precaution to keep from being recognized. 

When he arrived at the square, he was surprised by the number of beasts present. Easily three hundred hardened creatures packed the foul-smelling space. A makeshift  stage had been erected at the far end of the market.

Chumley stood to the rear and awaited the beginning of the meeting with increasing  unease. After about ten minutes, a rough-looking fox with a patch covering his right eye mounted the platform and faced the crowd. He  spoke in a loud and gravelly voice.

"Welcome, all ye scurvy dogs! I be Redbush, most of ye sea-scum knows me when I captained the Demon's Breath till those scarlet villains set her aflame. I'm here to gives ya all the chance to line your pockets and excite yer souls. I'm speakin' here on behalf of a great  prince who wishes to buy the services of the best salts and scoundrels money can buy. I gots four boats to man, all fine three-masters, sound and strong. I needs all types, from sea-dogs to killers...."

"What's the pay!?" a voice from the crowd demanded.

The fox held up his paw and continued.
"Good o' you to ask, cully. The pay is top-notch, me buckoes. Fer non-sailin' beasts what can handle a sword or bow, fifty pieces of  silver...," an appreciative rumble rose through the mob, "fer regular salts what can handle rigging and such...sixty pieces of silver. Fer navigators what can read the stars... one hundred and fifty pieces of silver, the same fer healers and arms masters. Fer proven officers...and I sees some of ya out there...fifty pieces of gold."

Excited chatter increased in volume and the fox acknowledged the commotion.
"Aye mates, finer pay you won't find nowhere and there'll be bonuses if'n ya do what yer asked."

Chumley shouted out the question he wanted answered.
"What is the mission mate? That's a lot of scratch for simple sailin'."

The fox looked in Chumley's direction and smiled broadly.
"Aye, this ain't no tradin' run. We'll be fightin', fightin' some folk ye might be familiar with..." He paused and the crowd went silent, "Do ye remember those scurvy devils, dressed in red, what killed so many of yer friends, the same scum what burned me ship?"

Loud shouts of acknowledgement grew into a general din. The fox raised his arm once more.

"Aye, I'm speakin' of those scummy priests what helped the witch Kahlis wipe out the corsair brethren. We was all respected and feared afore then and look at us now. 'tis their fault me buckoes, 'tis them that brought us to this sad life we live. Revenge, I say, revenge for our friends! Revenge for our lives! Revenge!"

A mighty roar filled the square. Passions rose as the chant of 'Revenge' filled the air.     

After a while, the fox spoke once more.
"That's all I can tell ya fer now, 'cause that's all I be a knowin', 'ceptin' to say that these here red devils are bein' used by the prince for purposes I don't know and we can't be actin' afore their part in this is done, but then we will be loosed and heaven help that  red-robed scum, 'cause we'll be eatin' their livers fer tea!"  

A loud short cheer erupted, "So, me devils of the deep, head to yon table and put yer marks on the affidavits. If ye be signin' as an officer or navigator, you'll be needin' either papers of proof or the oath of three good beasts what served with ya. Targas be with ye my friends!"

The fox hurried off the stage and made his way to the table as almost every beast in the fish-market queued up, ready to sign on to the venture for money, revenge, or both.

Chumley stayed back and when the mob had gravitated toward the enlistment table, he   quietly left the square and headed toward the docks.

He found Gladiverserac sleeping lightly and wakened her gently. She eased her bulk into the water with the rat on her back. Once they had traveled a safe distance from the pier, Chumley strapped himself into the saddle and patted Gladis on the head.
"Next stop, Seth-e-Raman. Ah'm ready when you are."

With that, the albatross pumped her mighty wings and soon she and Chumley were high in the night sky making their way south along the meandering shoreline.