The Asherouboros was giddy, all the pains in his body, all his injuries were forgotten. He roared in joy. He was so different now, so complete. The centuries of torment fell off his soul like dead leaves off a tree. His mind cleared and memories that were not his filled him. Memories of his race and of his ancestors, of the times before his birth and with those memories, the destruction of the Ürgod became even more fulfilling, even more joyous. In the distance he saw the crowd of beasts gathered on the beach cheering. He sensed the wizard who had tried to protect him, to whom his plea of "Cease!", was addressed. But what drew him landward was the sight of a familiar black rat, the first friend the mighty creature had ever had.

Despite the fact that the Asherouboros had, for all intents and purposes been an ally in the fight against the Brotherhood and the Deev, his imminent approach created a good deal of nervousness among the collection of beasts on the sandbar. He had, after all, been a feared monster long before he was a hero.

Everyone with the exception of Chumley and Robbi backed up considerably as the mighty creature reached the shallower waters surrounding the beach and moved to within ten yards of the shore. There was a sigh of relief when the leviathan simply plopped down on his haunches and sat in the shallows staring at the small band rather than attack. It cocked its head to the side and stared quizzically at the creatures staring back at it.

This was the first time any of the beasts had had a good look at Ashy since his transformation through the ingestion of Arisha's potion and it now became apparent how incredible a change had transpired.

For one thing the Asherouboros had nearly doubled in size to well over a hundred feet from snout to tail, but that was not the most stunning change. His entire appearance was completely different. Whereas once he had looked like a gigantic eel with small vestigial limbs and a blunt short head, he was now clearly reptilian.

His forelimbs and hind legs were no longer useless little stumps, but well-developed and powerful limbs, fully capable of supporting his enormous weight and terminating in large fully articulated webbed paws with dangerous-looking razor-sharp claws.

His back was arched upward with a rigid fin which extended from his head, across his long, well-muscled serpentine neck and terminated at the base of his forked tail. The scales which covered his body were markedly different as well, where once they were so small as to be nearly invisible, they were now large, a foot across, and thick, like small plates of armor.

His head was completely changed as well, no longer short and stout, but rather narrow and extended like a lizard, with cruel curved teeth and a pair of front fangs that were easily seven feet long and arched back under his jaw when his mouth was closed. A fleshy comb of a dozen long strands of scales hung beneath his jaw like a great white beard.

His bad right eye was completely healed, but was a pale green color as opposed to the icy blue of the left. The most obvious difference in the Asherouboros was its color. Prior to drinking the potion he had been an electric blue with splotches of dull green and brown, now he was an almost metallic blue-white, like the great icebergs that occasionally found their way to the northern shores of Arishamal. He almost appeared to be carved out of ice, so even and complete was his color.

Frega's eyes grew wider and wider the longer he stared at the creature. He seemed to become hypnotized by the beast and approached it slowly, stopping only once he stood ankle deep in the water, almost directly under the resting Asherouboro's impressive head. He stared deeply into the blue and green eyes which intently stared back down at him.

Chumley approached him casually in the shallows and pulled his arm.
"Ah know 'e saved us Frega, but offerin' yerself up as a snack is a bit too much of a reward, ain't it? Ah think that ah'm safe up 'ere, but ah can't guarantee yer safety, can ah? Your wolfies would be mighty sore at me if ah let their king get et."

Frega ignored what Chumley had said and spoke in a voice filled with awe.
"I know this beast, Chumley! I know him."

Chumley smiled.
"We all do, 'e's Ashy, ain't 'e? We been leadin' the poor guy around in a tank for weeks now, 'aven't we?

"No Chumley, no longer. He may have been the Asherouboros, but the creature before me must surely be Ymiresh, there can be no doubt."

"What are ye talkin' about, Frega?" a perplexed Chumley asked.

Frega turned and began walking back to his troops, still shaking his head in disbelief.
"I will tell you when I have consulted my wolves." he answered cryptically.

Chumley raised his eyebrows and chuckled. He looked up at the enormous beast in front of him.
"Ah honestly don't know what that crazy wolf is talkin' about," Chumley stared at the beast deeply. "You are Ashy...ain't ye?" he asked in an almost pleading voice.

The beast lowered his head until it was directly in front of the rat. Chumley's answer came in the form of a playful shove with its snout that sent the rat sprawling in the water on his rear. The beach erupted in laughter.

Chumley shot his friends a harsh look.
"Don't encourage 'im...ah wasn't ready is all," he smiled up at the impressive countenance in front of him, "ah knew it was you, mah friend...a fine job ya did today... 'eroic it was.. that's it, you are an 'ero, you are!"

Chumley smiled up the Asherouboros. His eyes widened as he looked into the mighty creature's mouth. He stood and approached the beast, gently placing his paw on the side of Ashy's snout. He spoke gently to the great animal.
"Ah need ya ta do somethin' for me chum," he looked into the monsters nearest eye and thrust his arms out in front of him, alternately putting them together and spreading them apart, mimicking an alligator opening its mouth, "ah needs yah to open your mouth, just like this..." he repeated the gesture, "just like this."

The Asherouboros stared at Chumley quizzically and cocked its head to one side. Suddenly, as though realizing what the rat was asking, it threw its jaws apart. The gesture caught those watching off guard and everyone on the beach jumped slightly at the immense gaping yaw.

Chumley thrust his head into the cavernous mouth and looked around. After a short search, a broad grin grew on his face and he actually climbed into the opening.

He stood on tiptoes and reached up between the Asherouboros frightening front teeth and grabbed hold of a grey-pink chunk wedged between the tooth and gum-line. He tugged on it briskly and after a few tries, it came loose. Chumley picked up the pumpkin-sized mass and exited Ashy's mouth.

"Yah kin close your gob now, mah friend, ah 'ave what ah need," he repeated the arm-gesture and the Asherouboros obliged him by shutting his mouth.

Chumley walked back to the beach and approached Robbi. He held out the fleshy mass to the slightly confused wizard.

"Ah believe you were lookin' for this, luv. If ah'm not mistaken this 'ere is a chunk of that nasty Ürgod's brain what got stuck atwixt Ashy's teeth."

Robbi broke into a broad grin and gave Chumley a kiss on his snout.
"Oh, thank you Chumley...," she looked to the Asherouboros, "thank you, Ashy. I'll get this to Dema as soon as possible to make an antidote for Arisha."

Chumley put the fleshy mass down and draped his arm over the wizard's shoulder.
"Ah think we should ask our friend Gladis there if she can take a coupla travelers and a hunk o' meat over to Thoth in the mornin'." He smiled at the albatross, "What about it old girl?
Gladis walked over.

"Small thou both art, to Thoth we shall journey with the sun," she cocked her head, "is the war over...is Arishamal safe?"

Robbi looked around at her friends and up at the Asherouboros. She smiled gently.
"I believe it is, Gladis, I believe it is."

As evening fell, a camp was built and bonfires lit. The Asherouboros swam in circles just beyond the shore, becoming accustomed to its new body and reveling in the joy of the open water. Egbert and Bobo were expertly patched up by the Lokian healer and sat around one of the fires with Frega, Robbi, Wilbur, Ursamus, Willum, Max, and the Scratchbacks. Wilbur tapped Willum on the shoulder.

"Where did all de other poirates go?"

Willum laughed loudly.
"Pirates ain't heroes. I reckon that when that Ürgod thing came a rambling down the cliff, they turned tail and set out fer bluer seas. 'Cept of course them poor coves what was on the Neure. Those sad blokes mostly got themselves kilt fightin' their way up the steps. I don't imagine we'll be seein' too many pirates in the days ta come...," he clapped Wilbur on the back, " 'cept of course fer you, Cap'n Blacksnout, and the fine crew of the Crimson Rose."

Robbi got up and re-seated herself next to Frega.
"What did you mean before when you said that Ashy was Ymiresh?"

Frega poked at the fire and smiled.
"We Lokians have many tales of heroes and monsters, they are part of our collective soul. You remember the rams on our dragon-boats?"

Robbi nodded.

Frega continued, "Dragons are in many of our tales. We call them Fafnira, the sea-dragon tribes. Very few have seen them, but they are important to us. In our tales there are stories of a mighty ice-dragon, Ymiresh, who is the lord of all the tribes. In the stories he is always portrayed with one green eye and one blue."

Robbi looked perplexed.
"But Ashy comes from the Circe Sea and has been there for longer than Arisha has been with us. Also, he was more like a big eel until he took the potion. How can an eel from a land-locked boiling lake be an ice-dragon, let alone one that appears in Lokian tales?"

"I do not know Robbi, but he is surely a sea-dragon," Frega smiled, "I never thought I would be blessed enough to see one. I will accept this as a great gift from Targas and not question the 'wheres' or 'hows'."

"I think that's a wise idea, but as for me...if we can bring Arisha back, I intend to ask her. If anyone knows the 'wheres' and 'hows', it's her."

Frega stood.
"Would you like to hear one of the Lokian songs about Ymiresh?" he asked.

"I love to." Robbi said enthusiastically.

Frega motioned to his wolves at another bonfire. An older wolf came over. Frega placed his paw on the graying lupine's shoulder.
"This is Castus Tarchak, my great-uncle and the finest navigator in the Lokian fleet. He has a fine voice as well." Frega turned to Castus,
"Would you be kind enough to sing The Dragon's Jig."

"It would be my pleasure, your highness," The old wolf said brightly. He motioned to a younger wolf with a concertina who quickly came over and began playing. Castus began to sing in a warm baritone.

" A young pup out at sea, I was,
    A thousand miles from shore.
I sat up in my crow's nest berth
    And scanned the waves galore.

And there upon the dark deep blue,
    A movement caught my eye.
A burst of spray upon the swells
    That shot into the sky.

A head then burst above the waves,
    A frightening sight to see.
It swiveled back and forth that day
    And settled then on me.

Above the waves, a body rose,
    A brilliant shining white.
It was the size of our ship
    And filled my heart with fright.

I scrambled down upon the deck,
    To the captain I did call,
'A monster comes this way for us,
    I fear he'll kill us all!'

The captain smiled and took my arm,
    Then pointed out to sea,
'A dragon born of ice and snow
    Is what that creature be'

'Protector of the seas, my son,
    And sailor's friend as well.
No harm will come to us this day.
    Now ring the muster bell.'

I did just as the captain said.
    I rang the bell quite loud
And soon the deck with lads was filled,
    And I among the crowd.

'The captain leaned upon the rail
    And motioned toward his crew,
'The dragon comes to read our hearts
    And here's what you must do.'

'Come forward to the rail, my boys,
    And stand here strong and proud,
Then shout the dragon's name, my boys,
    And shout it very loud.'

'By knowing him, he will know you
    And let our vessel be.
He'll dance for us upon the waves,
    Then head back to the sea.'

'And what, my captain,' I did ask,
    is this dragon's name?
What shall we shout? What shall we yell?
    That keeps this creature tame.'

'Shout Ymiresh, the dragon-king,
    For that is who you see
And if you shout it loud enough,
    The king will let us be'

Up to the ship, the dragon swam,
    His scales a glistening white.
His eyes, one blue, the other green,
    Now had us in their sight.

He loosed a roar that shook our mast,
    His mouth was open wide,
When all of us, the whole ship's crew,
    Threw back their heads and cried.

'Oh Ymiresh, Oh Dragon-King,
    Please let our vessel be
And dance for us upon the waves
    And let our ship go free.

He closed his mouth into a smile,
    His eyes gleamed blue and green.
Then turned he to his mighty sea
    And danced as in a dream.

In circles and in spiral jumps,
    He dashed about with glee.
A joyous song of life, he danced
    For all the crew to see.

Oh Ymiresh, Oh Dragon-King
    You've danced your dance for me.
Now go in peace to your deep home
    Within the endless sea.

He circled once, then left our ship
    And disappeared once more
And off we sailed for many years,
    To many distant shores.

Now many years have passed me by
    And I am very old.
I listen to the young pup's tales,
    That they have heard and told.

But happiness still fills my soul
    With mem'ries fresh and free,
Of all those many years ago,
    When Ymiresh danced for me.

Of wind and wave and dragons bold
    Upon the stormy sea,
Of long ago and far away,
        When Ymiresh danced for me, for me,
When Ymiresh danced for me."

Almost everyone was up before dawn. There was much that needed to be done. Preparations were being made for Robbi and Chumley's departure to Thoth on Gladis, when Frega, Willum, and the Scratchbacks approached with a Scarlet brother scribe in tow.

Willum walked up to Robbi with an embarrassed look on his face. He addressed the wizard.
"I know yer leavin' real soon, but I'm wonderin' if ye might find it in yer heart ta do an old sea dog a favor."

Robbi grasped Willum's paws affectionately.
"Of course, what do you need?"

Willum smiled and motioned the Scratchbacks over.
"Well, missy, now that the battlin's done, there's a lot of lives what need ta be put back in order. Salto and his clan here wanted me ta keep the Rose as me own, seein' as how she's painted in me colors and all, but I can't rightfully take their home from 'em.

"So I starts ta thinking, all me pirate fleet has been kilt or gone home, leavin' that fine frigate , the Neure empty and unclaimed. As the only brigand captain around...by sea law, she's a prize to the crew o' the Crimson Rose. Since the Scratchbacks is the fine beasts what sponsored yours truly by givin' me their boat, they has the rights to the owner's share of the prize...that bein' fifty per cent. If we was ta sell the Neure in Seth-e, she'll bring a king's ransom and me pals here would be set fer life."

Robbi smiled, but looked perplexed.
"That's wonderful, but I'm not sure what you need my help for."

The pirate continued.
"Salto don't know a thing about Seth-e or sellin' a ship and 'e's likely ta be cheated or worse if'n he ain't got someone around ta make sure everything goes smooth-like. If'n I go along, he'll get the best price and no one'd dare cheat 'im. The only problem I got with that is I still got a noose waitin' fer me if I show me snout there.

"Frega said he'd come along and put in a good word with King Sigus, but he mentioned that ya spent time with the old scoundrel and if'n you were ta tell him how it was Azmeritus what did the things I got blamed for, the king might see fit ta give me a pardon. I won't lie ta ya and say it's just fer the Scratchbacks I'm doin' this. I been thinkin' a lot about me dear wife Jessie, whom I ain't seen in ages and how much I'd like ta rejoin 'er if she'll 'ave me. I was hopin' ya'd recite something ta this here scribe and put yer mark to it, so the king'd know I ain't near as bad as folks say."

"Say no more, Willum. Send the scribe over and I'll tell King Sigus the truth about you and how heroic you've been. I'll also inform him or any enemies you might have in Seth-e-Raman that you are under the protection of the Council of Wizards. You'll have your pardon and you'll see your Jessie again."

Willum broke into a broad grin and gave Robbi a hug and kiss.
"Bless yer heart, child, ya made an old scallywag very happy."

Chumley spent his time prior to departing watching Ashy swimming playfully just off shore. The Asherouboros noticed him and approached, walking up into the shallows until it was a mere few feet from the garrulous rat.

Chumley smiled and addressed his erstwhile comrade.
"Ah guess this is goodbye, mah friend. There's a great big ocean out there for yah," he sniggered, "maybe even a pretty little she-dragon for yah. Mah Belinda 'as been the light guidin' me down the path o bein' a good creature, 'asn't she? A good mate'll do the same for you, take mah word for it. Ah surely am gonna miss yah, big fella," he sighed, "maybe ah'll see yah again around World's End maybe. Ah'll surely look for yah when ah'm there. You are a fine beast Ashy...," he chuckled, "and ah'm glad yah didn't eat me when we first met."

The Asherouboros looked down at the small rat and a warm feeling passed through his mighty frame. He knew he would probably never see him again, but at the same time he knew that Chumley would be with him always.

For the first time in the great creature's life, a tear cascaded down his snout, not out of suffering, not out of frustration or anger, but out of affection. He opened his mouth and extended his gigantic tongue, licking Chumley from paw to snout. Chumley sputtered, then smiled.
"Friends forever, Ashy, friends forever!"

With that, the Asherouboros returned to the deeper water and began a graceful farewell ballet for his friend. It went on for quite a while and soon the dawn began to break as the beasts on the beach lined the shore to watch the poetic departure of the legendary creature.

Robbi walked up to Chumley, who quickly wiped the tears from his eyes. She took his paw as the watched Ashy finally head out toward the wide blue ocean and gently whispered in his ear.

"Of long ago and far away, when Ashy danced for you, for you, when Ashy danced for you."