Transferring the Asherouboros from his tank to the gated sea-dock had been a comedy of errors. Ideas and strategies flew through the air. Most were overly complex or impractical. It was finally decided that the simplest method would be the best. Since the dry-dock was very large, easily three times the length of the tank, it was decided that a large brick ramp would be constructed within the empty dry-dock to allow the tank to be rolled in on the cart.

When the thirty-foot deep dock was filled with sea-water, the Asherouboros would be maneuvered out of its enclosure and the empty tank removed in preparation for its journey out of the crater-bay where it would be re-filled, floated and hopefully re-inhabited by the enormous creature on whom the fate of so many depended.

The construction of the ramp was straightforward. Stone and brick was used rather than timber because of the enormous weight of the filled tank. It took an entire day to complete, including the rigging on the tank itself with blocks, tackles and pulleys to allow its descent into the dry-dock to be controlled. The actual procedure began early the next morning. The brakes on the cart were replaced and manned by a dozen of Frega's wolves. Thoris and Chumley stood on the top of the sea-gate which separated the bay from the dock and provided the best view of the procedure.

The tank was pushed to the edge of the ramp and held there just on the edge of the decline by the block and tackle rig and the Lokians pulling on the brake handles.

The Asherouboros seemed calm, but confused. It turned its gigantic head from side to side taking in the various groups of toiling beasts. Thoris, confident that the tank was lined up correctly, gave the signal for the lowering to begin. The two long lines of creatures on the ropes began to move forward slowly and the tank began to move down and into the dock. It was slow going, but steady.

Then everything went wrong. One of the ropes snagged in a pulley and the cart began veering to the right. Thoris barked orders and the break-beasts tried to compensate for the shift by releasing the brakes on the left side. Unfortunately this caused additional strain on the jammed pulley, causing it to shatter, which released the tank completely. The wolves could no longer hold the cart with just the brakes and it rolled uncontrolled down the ramp into the dry-dock. It struck the sea-wall knocking Chumley back into the bay and Thoris forward into the Asherouboros tank.

The shocked weasel landed directly on the Asherouboros' head. The creature reacted instinctively, jerking its head upward and launching Thoris in a high arc over the sea-wall and into the bay. He landed a few feet from Chumley who was treading water about ten feet offshore. Chumley looked at his friend and chuckled.
"Ah didn't know weasels could fly."

"It cometh ath a thurprith to me ath well," Thoris laughed, "on the bright thide, we're way ahead of thchedule."

"Not to mention we got our baths out of the way, didn't we?"

Chumley and Thoris swam for shore where they were helped out of the water by a pair of wolves. They looked down into the dry-dock and were happy to see that the tank had come to rest evenly at the base of the two large sea-doors behind which the water of the bay pressed relentlessly.

"What say we fill 'er up Sebastian?" Chumley asked.

"Leth do it," Thoris agreed. The two beasts, with the assistance of the wolves who had hauled them out of the bay, manned a large wheel next to the sea-wall. They grunted with exertion as the wheel slowly began turning. A small gate at the bottom of the sea-wall began to rise and the bay-water rushed in furiously. It took about half an hour for the dry-dock to fill to a level equal to the bay.

The Asherouboros stayed in its tank at the bottom of the dock for quite a while. Finally it allowed itself to float above the confines of the tank and began to swim in tight circles around the dock. It arched its back and stretched its body, reveling in the larger area after all that time trapped within the confines of the restrictively small tank. Several barrels of fish were emptied into the dock and soon the creature was churning up the water in a feeding frenzy. Water splashed everywhere and the beasts around the enclosure backed away.

Robbi walked up to Frega, who had been joined by Thoris and Chumley.
"So far, so good," the little wizard said to her friends.

Frega looked at the feeding leviathan and smiled.
"Not exactly as we planned it, but a success so far none the less. I checked the other riggings on the side of the tank...the ones to spin it over so we can remove it...they appear in tact. We will let the beast eat its fill before we proceed, but I think this step should go smoother. The tank is comparatively light, being thin spider-glass, so if we can maneuver it as planned...upside down under the water, we should be able to haul it out in no time."

Robbi cut in.
"Then we float it out to sea and get it ready to hold the Asherouboros again...if...if I can generate and maintain a field long enough to get Chumley's pal out to sea."

"We've got faith in yah, luv," Chumley said clapping the rat on the back, "if anyone can do it, you can."

Robbi was about to answer when Gladiverserac landed next to her. The albatross had been scouting around the Cape which separated the Northern Sea from the Cold Narrows. She appeared distressed.

"What ith it Gladith? Ith thomething wrong?" Thoris asked.

"I fear so," she answered nervously, "three Brotherhood ships there are, barring entrance into the Narrows. Joined they will be soon by the boat that was anchored here. Hard it will be to pass them on our way to Xenoth."

Chumley let out an exasperated sigh.
"If it ain't one thing its another, ain't it? Ah guess we just 'ave to take it one step at a time, won't we? Let's get Ashy out to sea first, then we'll deal with those scarlet fellas."

"I agree," Frega said, "there will be plenty of time to worry." He looked around at the beasts milling about waiting for the creature to finish its meal. "Where are Egbert and his friends?"

Robbi answered.
"Eggy and Bobo are with Winky and Grogs at the Mayor's place copying some maps for us to use on our journey to Xenoth." A smile planted itself firmly on her face as she continued, "Zian's family returned from Minga and he is with them telling them his tale of adventure. He will join us when we are ready to depart."

"Zian's a nice bloke," Chumley added, "ah envy 'im though...wish ah could spend time with Belinda before we left. Ah'd sure love to see 'er again."

Robbi put her arm around her friend's shoulder and kissed him gently on the forehead.
"You will...you're going to be a dad after all and you'll be needed to raise whatever little hellion you've fathered. Targas favors parents, so he'll watch over you."

"Ah accept 'is protection, ah do and ah'll put in a word for the rest of you as well," Chumley chuckled, "now ah believe ah will dry mah soggy body off and take a cue from Ashy and find mahself some proper food to cram down mah gullet."

As accident-prone as the first part of the transfer was, the remainder of the procedure progressed exactly as everyone had hoped. While the Asherouboros rested at the bottom of the enclosure away from the tank after its meal, a long tube was lowered to the bottom of the dock below the tank. Ropes were still attached along the bottom edges of the glass structure and when they were pulled, the tank rotated below the water until it was upside-down.

Air was pumped through the tubes and bubbled up into the inverted tank. As the water was displaced by the air, it began to rise, until the overturned base of the enclosure floated slightly above the surface of the filled dry-dock. It was a relatively simple matter to hoist the tank onto the flat area adjoining the bay-front. Though extremely large and strong, the spider-glass in the structure was thin and light and the entire process of removing and righting the tank was accomplished by a mere two dozen beasts.

The empty, now upright tank was moved to the bay, where it floated easily with only three feet of draught below the surface of the water. Canvas flotation bladders were attached around the top of the tank, un-inflated, in preparation for when the Asherouboros would again occupy its glass transport on its way to Xenoth.

It was decided that the attempted moving of the creature itself would not take place till the next morning to give time to the crews of the ships to make their vessels ready for the journey and allow all the beasts returning to Xenoth to say their goodbyes.

The leadership of this enterprise scheduled a meeting to address their plan of attack and determine how to navigate the Cape, which Gladiverserac had warned was being guarded by a small fleet of Brotherhood ships. At first the meeting was going to be held in the Drunken Crab, but realizing that the pub would be packed with beasts on their last night of celebration, it was decided that the meeting take place at the mayor's residence where everyone could be heard without shouting.

The strategic meeting was overseen by Frega, as not only the ranking beast present, but the most knowledgeable in matters of warfare and battle. Robbi did not attend, choosing instead to rest prior to the extremely taxing spell she would be casting the next day. Egbert, Bobo, Chumley, Thoris and Gladiverserac, as well as the captains and officers of the three allied ships, the mayor, and ranking Lokians listened intently as Frega spoke.

"Let us begin by assuming Robbi will be successful in her endeavor to move the creature past the crater rim and re-house it in the floated tank. When that is done, the tank will be rigged to be pulled by the West Wind. She is the only one of our three vessels that has oar ports, twenty to a side, I believe, is that correct, Captain Varga?" Frega asked the scruffy human who commanded the ship he was referring to.

"It is, the oars have been installed," he answered.

"Good," Frega continued, "the Freedom and the Goddess will escort and shield her to either side as we attempt to exit past the Cape. As you have heard, four Brotherhood ships are moored around the Cape. They will no doubt challenge us. The West Wind must get through, it is as simple as that, she must be protected at all costs." He addressed the albatross, "Gladiverserac?"

"Yes, my lord?"

"I sent Max to the Lokian port of Gruverst on the Northern Sea before he left. My forces were to send any sea-faring war vessels and troops stationed there to reinforce us. I would like you to leave immediately with my signet ring to urge their haste and guide them to us. Hopefully they are en-route already. Their assistance would be a great advantage for us. We will hold our departure for no more that four days. The full moon approaches and my understanding from Robbi is that that is when Azmeritus' foul ceremony to wake the Ürgod will commence. We must arrive prior to his awakening."

Gladiverserac rose and bowed to the wolf-king.
"Depart I will immediately, your grace." Frega took off his signet ring and handed it to the albatross, who grasped it firmly and quickly left the room to start her journey."

Frega returned his attention to the beasts around the table.
"We will not over-plan. You know my basic objectives and until we know if we have help, we must assume we will be on our own. We will wait outside the harbor for no more than four days. During that preparation time, we will drill our crews to get them ready for battle and for defense. We will meet each night onboard the West Wind to receive updates and adjust our strategy as needed. Does anyone have any questions?"

The beasts at the table remained silent.

Frega stood.
"Good. I will see you all in the morning for the transport of the Asherouboros," the big wolf allowed himself to smile and then he chuckled, "if today was any indication, tomorrow should be very entertaining."

The morning was crisp and clear. The bay-side was packed with beasts of all types. The Lokians received final assignments from King Frega and busied themselves with their assorted tasks. Four dories, each with six oar-beasts and a coxswain readied themselves to pull the tank and the Asherouboros out to sea.

The tank, already floating alongside the dock, was rigged to two of the towing vessels and began its laborious trek across the crater. Chumley and Thoris sat in the bow of one of the boats pulling the tank, looking back toward shore at the bustle of activity. Thoris leaned back and asked his friend a question.
"Why didn't you thtay and watch Ashy? It theems to me that thith towing ith pretty thimple. It all dependth on Robbi, if she can't do her thpells, all thith is pointleth."

Chumley stretched out and dipped his paw into the bay as he answered.
"Ah've got no doubt Robbi'll do 'er part. Ah saw 'er fightin' Khalis, didn't ah? She saved mah life, Frega's, Belinda and the rest. She's more powerful now that she was, ain't she? Nah, ah ain't worried, she'll do what she 'as to, she will. Ah'd rather be out 'ere, getting' ready ta move Ashy back to 'is tank. It's calm 'ere, ain't it?. Yah know that back there, every beasts gonna be worried and runnin' round getting' all worked up. No Sebastian, we made the right decision, we're gonna 'ave us a relaxed mornin', we are."

Thoris smiled.
"You're right, Robbi will do fine. Can I athk you a perthonal question?"

"Shoot away mah plump pal."

"How do you really feel about the Asherouboroth? I mean do you think he'th aware of what'th going on or ith he juth driven by inthinct? Do you think he knowth you after all theeth yearth of feeding him?"

Chumley went silent for awhile as he reflected on Thoris' question. He sat up and answered quietly.
"Ah believe 'e knows ou ah am, ah can see it in 'ow 'e looks at me. Ah saw it on our trip down 'ere, starin' in 'is eyes. 'E ain't the same beast what nearly killed me those years ago. Ashy's calmed and ah think 'e's knows something big's afoot. Ah also believe 'e's enjoyin' the trip...seein' new sights and all, ain't 'e? Ta answer your question, strange as it might seem, ah think of Ashy as a pal, a big scary pal that don't understand a word ah say, but a pal none the less."

Thoris poked  Chumley in the chest and chuckled.
"Don't worry about it, none of uth understand a word you say either." The weasel's attention was caught by a commotion back on shore, " I think Robbi ith ready to thtart her thpell."

The crowd on the bay-front parted as Robbi approached the filled dry-dock which held the Asherouboros. She seemed very serene and focused. Though she was nervous and self-doubt plagued her, she didn't let those negative thoughts intrude on her. She had awakened rested and found a note from Gladiverserac intoning the confidence which all the beasts had in her. It was re-assuring and the small wizard smiled, choosing the albatross' words as the focus of her morning meditation.

She donned her spider-silk robe and wore a white cap she had brought with her rather than her cone shaped hat which had proved impractical to bring along. The center of her silk cap was embroidered with a representation of Arisha encircled by alternating cabochon-shaped fragments of the Rubitar and Abitar.

She approached the contained dock and looked down at the giant creature which rested unperturbed at the bottom of the enclosure. The monster sensed her and cocked its head, looking upward. There had been concern on Robbi's part that the small wizard's proximity would aggravate the beast, since for centuries prior to its consumption of Khalis, the only driving force the Asherouboros had displayed was a desperate craving for the magical essence which was present in all wizards of Arisha's line. This concern was dispelled as the creature simply stared at her, seemingly calm. She spoke to it gently, not truly expecting it to understand.

"You are as much a part of this world's soul as Arisha. You have an unknown destiny that was written eons ago and now that destiny draws near. You must trust us, we mean you no harm. Your life has been harder than any can imagine and I pray to Targas that when this quest is complete you will find the peace and happiness you deserve. We are all sorry for having looked upon you in fear, we knew no better. We do not deserve your help, but pray you will give it."

She walked to the large dory, already manned by its oar-beasts. A soft cushion had been placed in the bow and Robbi sat on it and gently began to chant.

The Asherouboros was confused. The rat which had stared down at it mouthing strange words was familiar to it. It could sense the essence of magic which the small beast exuded and was surprised that it did not feel the cravings which had consumed it all those previous times when the essence was detected. Instead the creature felt calm, as though bathed in a soothing light. So many new sights and new feelings. Instinct and hunger, its driving forces for millennia had been replaced by curiosity. It waited quietly to see what would happen next.

All eyes turned to the wizard. Her eyes were closed and the chanting increased in volume. The boat was now directly behind the sea-gates which confined the dock. A violet mist began to form directly in front of her. It swirled, grew and rotated until it looked like a glowing globe, hovering above the bay. The globe continued to grow until it was many times the size of the vessel upon which the rat sat. It drifted slowly landward, coming to rest directly over the dry-dock. The beasts around the enclosure stepped back, fearful of the churning magical object.

The violet globe descended into the dock, oozing down its walls and surrounding the Asherouboros, whose eyes widened. Finally the entire area around the beast glowed in the same lavender light. Frega, who had been standing nearby, gave a signal and four of his warriors began turning the massive wheels adjacent to the dock. Slowly, the gates separating the dock from the bay began to open. When the enclosure was fully opened, Frega gave a second signal and the beasts manning the oars of Robbi's craft began a steady stroke, slowly moving out into the bay.

To the relief of all the beasts present, the violet enclosure around the great creature started to move into the bay with its passenger fully sealed within it. To any beast observing it from the security of the bay-side, it appeared as though a translucent glowing egg was moving steadily through the crystal clear water of the bay following the chanting wizard in her journey to the crater's rim on the far side of the harbor.