Thoris and Chumley returned to the Vengeance in a state of confused determination. They had started this venture as a rescue mission in search of their friends. Their friends were alive and well, albeit trapped on Xenoth. Now with the combined intelligence from Max and the castaways, it was clear that a major threat to the well-being of their world might be present. Wizards murdered, relics stolen, innocent creatures kidnapped for some dark purpose, and a slightly mad pirate pursuing his nemesis to the heart of a forbidden land were only the things they knew for certain, the whys, whos, and whats were all unanswered.

Gladiverserac sat listening  intently to her two new comrades as they discussed plans for the immediate future. Chumley listed the things they needed to do.

"  'Eres 'ow ah sees it. First we need to get back to World's End, don't we? Cap'n Crazy left us on our own and it's gonna take both of us to  get this little ship  'ome," Thoris nodded in assent and Chumley continued, "Your main  task, mah fine weasely friend, is to find Zian's wife and tell 'er  'e's awright, then you'll be needin' to go to Thoth. Try to set up some kinda communication with Gleneden so all us good guys are on the same page, right?"

"Where are you going?" Thoris asked.

"Ah've got to get Belinda and Dema back to Thoth, don't ah, what with all these scoundrels about. Ah also need to go see Robbi and Vattus, let 'em know what's goin' on in Xenoth and all. Last, but not least, accordin' to Max, I need ta find these Assassin  types and report to King Sigus."

"Thath a lot of traveling, ith gonna take you a long time," Thoris noted.

"Yeah, ah got an idea about that, ah do." He turned to where Gladiverserac was sitting,       "Gladis, me luv, would you mind comin'  'ere for a second, ah got a  question to ask you."

"Certainly, Sir Chumley, at thy service I am," the enormous bird said as she stood and approached the two mammals.

Chumley looked up into Gladis' warm eyes.
"You said your family served the wizards, am ah right?"

"With certainty, Sir Chumley, the Presapornaweevs have followed the wishes of the wizards for hundred of years."

" 'Ow would you like to meet the wizards, would that be sumthin' you'd be wishing' to do?"

Gladiverserac began jumping up and down with such jubilation that the small ship began to rock.
"It would be such a thing as I have dreamed of since a nestling I was. So jealous would father be," she giggled, "he hath never met a wizard. Would such a wondrous thing be possible?"

Chumley smiled at the mammoth bird's exuberance.
"Ah certainly hope so. Ah hate to be asking' you this, but could you carry me, flyin' I mean?"

Gladis laughed.
"No offense to thee, Sir Chumley, but thou art of a slight build. From the sea have I rescued and taken to safety beasts many times thy girth," the albatross said proudly.

"Slight build," Chumley sniggered, "ah'll 'ave to have ya tell that to me mother-in-law, Dema, says I look like a pear she, does."

"A pear is a fine fruit, Sir Chumley, it speaks well of thee that thy mother-in-law praises you thusly."

Thoris laughed loudly and Chumley gave him a severe glance, then laughed himself.
"Have I made a jest?" Gladis asked.

"No luv, not at all. 'Ow far could ya fly with me on yer back?"

"If I had occasional rest and much food, as far as thou would like."

Chumley patted the albatross on the back.
"Ah guess you'll be seein' the wizards then, Lady Gladis. It'll be in Aolas, can ya do it?"

"To see the mystic city, the Holy Hills, I am at thy service...but..."

"But what luv?" Chumley asked.

"As I said, much food do I eat," Gladis said shyly.

"Not to worry, Ah feed a beast named Ashy what eats a great deal more'n you, ah wager."

"What sort of beast is he, Sir Chumley?"

" 'E's a monster, but ah've grown fond of the beast."

"A monster?" Gladis asked.

"Ah'll tell ya all about it later, for now we need to get this boat home, don't we?"

"It is indeed true, I shall await thy tale of monsters with anticipation." The albatross said earnestly.

Chumley smiled broadly.
"Bless your 'eart Lady Gladis, you're a fine creature."