Zolomon found the boy, lying on the starboard deck, unconscious,
and white as a sheet.  He picked him up, and carried him to a room
below-decks.  Then, he went back topside to see if he could find out
what was going on, and who he was supposed to be fighting for.
     He  had seen many things in the world, having traveled into many
remote parts, but these green-skinned men were completely outside of his
experience.  Let alone a cloud-sailor...
     He had learned of ships that could sail the skies as a squire.  His
mentor had told him that none were in commission since the disappearance
of the Elves and Dwarves.
     Atlon didn't sleep for long.  He had regained consciousness almost
as fast as he had lost it.
     He had never been to the Mainland, and so had never seen anything
outside of life indigenous to the Ryxx Isles.  The huge, flying skittish
was no doubt something that lived on or near the mainland.
     He took a moment to examine the dagger.  It had a well-crafted
hilt, studded with some humble-looking, but very expensive stones, a
sharp blade made of a golden substance.  According to the tests, the
weapon had no magic, but was expertly crafted with a hint of glamour.
---il
     Seeing the ship land, however abruptly, Niki breathed a sigh of
relief, and vowed that Pen was going to learn to sail a sky-galleon if
she had to stay up all night with him to do it.
     If she ever got down, of course.  The clouds were starting to look
rather close.  Testing a theory she wet her finger and held it up into
the wind.  Yup, she was being blown directly towards the island.
     Looking down again she saw only clouds and quickly realized this
was very bad.  Having nothing better to do, Niki experimentally tried
waving her arms.  After a few minutes practice she couldn't tell if she
was making any progress, but it did seem to help her control her
direction somewhat and rate of climb.
---pw
     Now Pen was free to join the others in battling the flying lizards
and perhaps rescuing some of his friends.  It was then that he heard
Valkyr's words.  The thought never crossed his mind: What if these
flying beasts were just protecting something after all?  He reached Sir
Didymus's side and shouting above the chaos he queried: "Sir, sir...what
of Valkyr's notion?"
---ds
     Didymus gave a hearty "Hah-Haaaa!" when Pen finally landed the ship
on the water.  "Good work lad!"  He called out to his squire.  Turning
to Sir Zoloman, Didymus nodded and said, "My thanks, sir, for your help
in our defense."  The two were interrupted by a running Valkyr, who
relayed his suspicions about the Draconians/Flying Lizardmen to Sir
Didymus.  "If what you say is true, and they were not pirates, then it
is indeed unfortunate, for they have already been vanquished, and
victory is ours."
     Didymus was taken from his deep thought at Valkyr's words by the
sounds of struggle in the water.  "But come, we can discuss he
intentions of the attackers in full once we fish our friends out of the
sea.  Look there!  T'would appear our dwarven mage is doing his best to
drown good Rorandair!  Hurry, let us send rope ladders down to them!"
---je
     To this, Pen was on his way to the port side, hands cluttered with
rope-ladders and such.  However, before making his ultimate destination,
he stumbled clumsily upon a loose rope and fell into a heap. "Arrrg!"
cried the young squire as he lay in a tangle at Sir Didymus's feet.
---ds
     The shudder of the ship lighting on the water had thrown Zolomon
halfway across the starboard deck, and threatened to throw him
overboard.  However, Zolomon kept his balance until the shuddering
stopped.
     In seconds, he was at the stern, looking down into the water, which
wasn't quite so far now.  Several people were swimming in it, and the
other Knight was sending down a rope ladder to retrieve them, with some
help from his apparant squire.
     Zolomon couldn't see the other boy, the one he had rescued once
already, out in the water, so it stood to reason that he was still on
deck.
---il
     Meanwhile, back in the water, the Magnificent Karaz-Gorm was
becoming quite agitated by the apparent lack of attention that was being
afforded his plight by those remaining on deck.  Struggling to keep his
head out of the water (and every other part of his body, in accordance
to the standard affinity of dwarves to water...that being, none), Karaz
said in protest, "My good man Rorandair, can't you keep steady for even
the shortest length of time?  How do you expect me to stay perched on
your back with all that bobbing all the time?  I say!"
     Then, shouting louder as to be heard by those still on the galleon
(and oblivious to the close proximity of his makeshift island's ear), "I
say!  Er, I guess it would be 'Ahoy!'  Sir Didymus!  Are you *ever*
planning on rescuing me?  How could you leave such a valuable member of
your party foundering away in shark-infested waters such as this? 
DIDYMUS!!  I demand you fetch me out of the water this *instant*!!"
     Turning back to Rorandair, he asked, "Have you seen Niki lately?  I
do think I would like another pastry!  All this excitement has really
worked up quite an appetite, wouldn't you say?"
---med
     Stumbling about with the rope ladder, Pen finally freed himself to
face his patient master who was, for good reason, loosing said patience.
     "The ladder, Pen," Sir Didymus strained.  "Now!"
     "Yes...right away Sir."  And that said, Pen dropped the ladder over
the side of the galleon and into the sea below.
     Poor Pen stared down at the coiled rope below, sinking like a dead
snake, for he forgot to lash the top end to the ship=92s banister. 
"Oooops!" came from a flustered youth, too embarrassed to raise his head
from the direction of the waters below.
     "Please don't be angry with me sir," pleaded Pen.  "I'll fetch
another ladder."
---ds
     It was about that time that Kaega came swooping down and snatched
Liess (who consequently snatched Tan, lest he be left behind) out of the
water and safely deposited them back aboard the ship.
---med
     Liess, who'd been keeping an eye on Niki since she was curious to
see how the Captain was going to get out of her current difficulties,
absently waved thanks to the rainbow dragon.
     "Whatcha lookin' at, Liess?" Tan asked, joining her at the ship's
rail.  Liess pointed.  "Oh.  Hey, is that our Captain?"  Liess nodded. 
"She's flying, isn't she?"  Liess shrugged.  "Yeah, doesn't look like
she's very good at it."
     Liess glared at the little taliessin.
     "So you think we should help her?" Tan asked.
     Liess raised an eyebrow.
     "Well no, now that you mention it," Tan admitted.  "I'm not very
good at it either."  He gazed up at the retreating form.  "Yeah, maybe
you're right.  Maybe she'd like to be alone for a while." 
     They watched a while longer.
     "Looks kind of peaceful up there," Tan remarked.  Liess nodded. 
They watched some more as Niki became a tiny speck on the horizon.
     "Wonder when she's going to turn around and come back," Tan said.
---al
     Karaz saw Kaega pluck the pair of taliessins from the water (one
who was a taliessin by name, the other a taliessin by stature), and
immediately began wondering where the great rainbow dragon had been
throughout the fight.  Why, if it hadn't been for her disappearance,
they might not be thrashing about in the drink right now!
     As Kaega began to return to pick up Rorandair and Karaz, the dwarf
began shouting at her, "Oh, ho!  The great dragon finally makes her
appearance *after* the fighting has died down!  What's the matter,
Kaega, you afraid that those lizard-things were going to hurt you?  See,
Rorandair?  I've always said that you can never trust a dragon, no
matter what color!  Hey!  Stop it!  Unhand me, you scaly beast!  How
dare you!  UNHAND ME THIS INSTANT!!"
     Kaega happily complied.
     The round little dwarf made a perfect cannonball off the starboard
side.  Tan could be heard "Ooo-ing" and clapping his hands.  When His
Magnificence bobbed back to the surface, he sputtered and shouted,
"DIDYMUS!!  Look what that evil dragon has done to me! <gurgle> Get me
out of the water NOW!! <glub, cough> DIDYMUS!!"
---med
     After watching Karaz cannonball into the water, Kaega snatched him
up again and dropped him on deck - from about ten feet up.  While the
dwarf was attempting to regain his feet, so as to begin another tirade,
she landed and transformed to human.  This time, though, she did not
appear as human as before. Her ears were much longer and pointed, and
her silver eyes were glowing softly with anger - focused on Karaz-Gorm.
     "As for why I stayed out of the fight, I am *not* required to
explain that!  You see, it has to do with honor, so it's *nothing* you'd
understand."  She waited, hoping the dwarf would be foolish enough to
respond.
---at
     Karaz's ears burned with the obvious insult the dragonlady had
hurled at him, and his dwarven pride was about to get the better of him. =

He raised a pointed finger into the air and opened his mouth to begin a
brief oral thesis on the respective trustworthiness and integrity of
dragonkind and dwarvenkind, with a comparison of known histories of each
(from a decidedly dwarven perspective, of course) that would *clearly*
show that the stout little humanoids were obviously the superior of the
two (how *dare* this overgrown lizard have the audacity to claim to
understand "honor", and especially that the Fabulous Karaz-Gorm would
not!), when he noticed her eyes fixed upon him.  Freezing a moment, he
mentally debated the effectiveness that such an oration would have upon
the immediate audience, and the likely response said audience would have
on the orator (something along the lines of a hideous belching of smoke
and fire that would surely singe his precious beard...definitely an
undesirable outcome).  He quickly withdrew his finger.
---med
     Zolomon blinked.  Two of the green-skinned men had disappeared,
already flying away a good distance.  He stood and brushed himself off. 
He continued to look for the boy, but found a small group instead.
---il
     It took several hours to get everyone back on board the King's
Ransom.  It took much longer than it should have due to magical
assistance from the great Karaz-Gorm, advice from Tan, and plain bad
luck on Pen's part.
     Once everyone was back aboard, Pen began passing out tin's of hot
chicken broth he had started cooking earlier, as well as blankets to
keep everyone warm.  When he got to Karaz, he looked about him, then
snuck the dwarf the last pastry from the pantry, wrapped in a cheese
cloth.  An act of kindness giving testimony to heart of the young
squire.
     Didymus was pacing the deck.  Victory was theirs!  His friends
rescued from the tumultuous seas.  Yet something seemed amiss.  He just
couldn't put his finger on what it was.
     It took an outspoken question from the great Karaz to clue Didymus
on what it was.  Licking his fingers, and through a crumb infested
beard, the dwarf asked, "I say, Niki.  Have you begun another batch of
these wonderful pastries?"
     Everyone looked about, but Niki was nowhere to be found.  "Niki! 
Where is Niki?!"  Didymus shouted.
     Rorandair, who was skillfully making himself a shark-skin shirt,
piped up, "Gods!  In all the hub-bub, I had forgotten.  In an attempt to
save her, Karaz floated her out of the water.  She was floating up to
the sky, last I saw.  Then the dwarf fell on my head again, and..."
     Kaega was quickly on the task, and she took to the sky.  Off in the
distance, over the Spire Draconis, she spied Niki.  Using her good
Dragon vision to the fullest, she could see that Niki was in the arms of
two Draconians.  They were taking her into an entrance to a cave on the
side of the mountain.  Kaega swooped back down to relay the news of
Niki's capture to the others.
---je
     Tan and Liess looked at each other.
     "Oops," Tan said.
---al
     Karaz muttered under his breath, "And I suppose you all are going
to blame *me* for this?"
---med
     Upon hearing of Niki's fate, Rorandair was outraged, both at
himself and the situation.
     "We were so close to saving her!  I can't believe that I just
forgot that she had floated off!  If they harm her I will not rest until
every last one of those foul beasts has been crushed between my hands!"
     Unfortunately, the bowl Rorandair was holding also felt that
crushing force, and it exploded into dust and fragments, showering the
esteemed Karaz-Gorm with a powder that coated his beard.
---mp
     "You know..<sniffle>..if I had been...<ah>..brought on
board..<ah>..when I should have been..<ack> ..I could
have...<ahh>..could have..<ahh>..uh, oh.."
     The galleon was rocked by an ear-splitting "AH-CHOO!" as the Great
Karaz-Gorm's nose finally succombed to the tickling effects of the bowl-
dust.  Once again, Sir Didymus would need to clean his armor.
---med
     Didymus looked down upon the new design upon his breast plate, one
provided by the generosity of the nasal cavity of the great Karaz-Gorm. 
He looked back up at Karaz, quite incredulously, and glared.
---je
     Recovering from his monumentous sneeze, Karaz said, =93Ah!  That=92s=

much better!=94
---med
     The giant was obviously angry, but Zolomon could barely understand
the man.  He recognized the tongue as a remote form of the Eldax tongue,
but too much was out of place for any true understanding.   No doubt,
thought Madoal, the Noble Tongue is worthless here.
     Zolomon decided to try to speak with an Eldax greeting, perhaps
something could be gleaned from one of them.
     "I greet.  I am Zolomon Shembryll."
     Zolomon inwardly cursed himself for not spending more time for his
studies.
---il
     Rorandair was still fuming at himself and did not even notice the
greeting.  Slowly, he cooled down and looked around only to see confused
eyes on him.  "Uh, hey.  Rorandair," he said, motioning towards himself. =

Then he wiped the bowl chips from his palms before realizing how
confusing the surrounding scene really was.
---mp
     Didymus was successful in snatching the blanket from Karaz's back,
and wiped the goo from his armour.  He then returned the blanket to the
shoulders of the great one, who, being engrossed in dodging Kaega,
failed to notice the blanket's short period of removal.
     Didymus cleared his throat, and spoke out.  "We *must* be about
rescuing our Niki.  Rorandair, Valkyr - please lower the launch.  Pen,
Tan and Liess - you three are in charge of bringing up provisions from
the ship's holds.  A couple of days=92 worth should suffice.=94
---je
     Eager to please his master and more so in rescuing his young
friend, Pen led the charge to the ship=92s pantry and stores.  There, the=
y
would retrieve the necessary provisions that would be required after
leaving the galleon.
---ds
     Sir Didymus continued giving out orders.  =93Sir Zoloman, you and
your charge are welcome to join us, or await our return on this ship,
whichever you prefer.=94
---je
     =93Blast!=94 thought Atlon, =93Another knight!  And he had the gall =
to
call me a *charge* of that overblown tin barrel with a stick!  Well,
we'll see who's a charge when that knight fails in his quest...=94
     Atlon nodded, self-pleased and ready to continue his mission from
his true master...
     =93...But this time, Zolomon won't be the only one to die.=94
     Chuckling quietly, Atlon continued towards the holds.  After all,
he was a thief...and a little profit in his mission couldn't hurt.
---il=09
     Didymus continued, =93As for you two...." he looked at a circling
Kaega and Karaz, "This stops now!  The two of you *must* learn to get
along.  We are at the shore of the Dragon's Isle.  The peril our group
faces is here!"  Didymus punctuated his sentence by slamming his armour-
encased foot down, accidentally bringing it down on Karaz's right foot.

     "Gaaaaaaaaahhhh!" yelled the magnificent Karaz-Gorm, who began to
hop about on deck, cradling his foot in his hands.
     "Goodness, Karaz...my humblest apologies!" said Didymus, following
the hopping dwarf about the deck.
---je
     "All right, all right!" wailed the injured mage.  "You don't have
to resort to physical violence!  A simple little request is all that it
takes!  My word, you people are hard to get along with!  It's a good
thing that you're dealing with the Magnificent Karaz-Gorm!  I suspect
that there are few who would have the patience or the forgiveness to put
up with the abuses that the lot of you seem to enjoy heaving onto me. 
Oh, well, I guess this sort of thing has to be expected when you are
burdened with such greatness as myself.  Sometimes I wonder how I can
even do it at all, but then I remember that, hey!  It's a cinch, 'cause
it's me!  The Great Karaz-Gorm!  And if anyone can bear this mantle of
greatness, it is the Fabulous Karaz-Gorm!  Yep!  That's me!  The
Illustrious Karaz-Gorm!  Dwarven Mage Extraordinaire!  You people are
blessed to be in the presence of someone with such greatness!  You just
remember that.  You just...just...Kaega, why are you laughing?"
---med
     Kaega had barely stifled her laughing.  Addressing the dwarf, she
said, "If you want a matching set of hurt feet, I can arrange it."
     Turning back to Didymus, she said, "I apologize, Sir Didymus, and I
am ashamed of my lack of control. I sometimes find it hard to control my
urges to eat lesser beings (staring at Karaz-Gorm). I give you my word
of honor that I will do better in the future.
---at
     Karaz continued.  "Anyways, as I was saying before I was so
*rudely* interrupted,=94 he glared at Sir Didymus, =93if I had been broug=
ht
on board when I should have been, I could have prevented this whole
debacle in the first place!"  The dwarven mage was careful to place
himself on the opposite side of Didymus as Kaega, although clearly
Rorandair would have been the better obstacle.
---med
     "Aye, and what wouldst thou have done?"  Zolomon spoke, in the same
strange language that these others spoke.  Atlon had finally found him,
and told him what he saw.  And the orb seemed to do the translating for
him.  "Summoned blue hair to defeat these creatures?  Nay, methinks thou
hast much to learn in the way of glamours."
---il
     Karaz was about to give him the verbal lashing that had been so
nearly flung towards Kaega.---med Zolomon didn't blink as the odd little
man scowled at him in rage.  From behind, Atlon warned him, "Careful,
that little man does have some potency."
       He was also speaking in that odd language... and the dwarf
smiled.
---il
     "You're darn tootin'!" said the Illustrious Karaz-Gorm, as he
crossed his arms over his chest and nodded his head once in an air of
confidence.  "So, you better watch you step, or face the wrath of the
Magnificent Karaz-Gorm!"  It didn't bother the mage that these strangers
from a strange land were speaking the common language.  He didn't have
time.  He had to keep moving so that *he* didn't face the wrath of Kaega
the rainbow dragon.
---med
     Zolomon had put his hand on his sword, ready to strike down this
vile creature, when he remembered that the mage had called himself
"dwarven".
     He nearly fell to the ground, realizing that this was the name of a
long-dead race.  He stood, and spoke, "Dwarven?  Thou art a Dwarf?  Or
didst thy tounge speak wrongly?  There hasn't been Dwarves for thousands
of years!"
---il
     "Poppycock, son!  There have been dwarves *for* thousands of years! =

Boy, you're not from around here, are you?"  Karaz-Gorm was looking at
the man somewhat sideways, trying to guage what sort of person he was. 
He seemingly hadn't heard of clearly the most advanced race on the
planet, so he couldn't be that good of a man.  Karaz wondered what sort
of fool Kaega had rescued from the ocean anyhow.
---med
     Didymus listened to the exchanges between Karaz and Zolomon, and
rolled his eyes back and shook his head.  Now *another* member of their
party was arguing with the esteemed Karaz-Gorm.  Sometimes he wondered
if the dwarven mage had had any friends in his entire life!
     Didymus interjected himself into their conversation.  "Please, my
friends, perhaps you can discuss the realities of the existance of the
dwarven people at a later date.  Right now, Niki is captive to those
draconians who just attacked us, and heaven knows what they are
subjugating her to.  We *must* make haste!  Please ready yourselves. 
From what Kaega has said, once we get to the island, we will have to
scale the Draconis Spire, then begin a spelunking enterprise.  As you
can see, there is much to be done *before* we can even get to Niki."
     Didymus hoped his words would sink in, but left the two still
glaring at each other.  He passed Kaega, and saw that she was overjoyed
that someone else was also giving their dwarven comrade some grief. 
With a stern look, he whispered, "Behave yourself."  As he left to check
on the progress of lowering the launch, Kaega began to feign a look of
shocked innocence.
     As he reached Rorandair and Valkyr, he saw that the two had
successfully lowered the launch, and were once again absorbed in a
discussion on the art of combat.  This time, it concerned fighting in
enclosed spaces: caves, dungeons, and the like.  Didymus stopped and
listened for a time, enjoying the discussion immensely.  Then he began
to look about, wondering what was keeping Pen, Tan, and Liess.
---je
     Once below deck, Pen hoisted Tan to the pantry=92s upper cabinets an=
d
readied a large canvass sack. "Okay, Tan, I'll hold the sack open and
you can toss into it whatever looks appealing within these cupboards."
---ds
     Atlon heard footsteps coming, and hid.  Almost instantly after he
had positioned himself, the boy, another, much smaller being, and a
woman appeared in the galley.  Wherever Atlon was, scale was much more
varied.  The smallest beings Atlon have ever heard of were the Gnomes,
immortal crossbreeds of the
Dwarves and Elves.  And those were almost as tall as the Noln, Zolomon's
race.
     The group rummaged through the pantry, and left.
---il
     In what they had thought was no time at all, the trio was back
above deck.  Pen took to the launch and waited for Liess to lower the
hoard they had just collected.  "Ready to set off," the young squire
piped.  "All aboard!"
     This startled Didymus, for apparently he did not see the trio make
their way with the goods.  "Oh, there you are boy," he declared loudly.
     The launch was slowly filling up with the party members.  When the
craft was nearly full, Pen looked up anxiously at his master who was
still stationed aboard the galleon.  "Sir, sir, we must make haste,"
cried the boy.  "We have to chase after Niki!"
     Startled by the boy's cry, Didymus looked down at him from his
cloud and mumbled something incoherently just as a whiny dwarf came to
his side.  Now what?
---ds

     "There are times, my dear Liess," Tan said as the pair climbed into
the launch, "when I despair whether you will ever learn to be devious
enough."
     Liess tossed him a look that implied that he was chronically two or
three twists and turns behind her own thinking.
     "Be that as it may," Tan said.  "You may have doubts about the
utility of some of the gear I tossed in, but I have a plan."
     Liess simply looked at him.
     "No, really," Tan said.
     Liess continued to look at him.
     "Fine.  You'll see.  By the way, do you think we should -- "
     Liess shook her head.
     "You're sure?"
     Liess nodded.
     "Really?  You call that hiding?"
     Liess shrugged.
     "What do you mean, the Purloined Letter?"
     Liess shrugged again.
     "And who're you calling a Philistine?  I mean, it's not as if I had
much chance to do any reading on this voyage."  Tan settled himself on
Liess's shoulder.  "You're kind of upset about Cap'n Niki getting
carried off, aren't you?"
     Liess nodded.
     "Well, don't worry," Tan reminded her.  "I have a cunning plan."
     Liess sighed.
---al

     After apologizing to Sir Didymus, Kaega slipped away from the rest.
Preparing to once again resume her true form, she suddenly stopped.
     As Atlon neared the cargo holds, he abruptly stopped to stare. 
Kaega had forgotten to close the portal to her horde, and its treasures
shone through the doorway.  Atlon took an involuntary step toward it.
     Kaega suddenly materialized from the shadows.  "Tell me," she said,
"what one so young can find so interesting about the cargo holds of a
strange ship?  Except, perhaps, if his intentions are less than
honorable."
     She waited quietly for his response.
---at
     Atlon knew he had overstepped his caution... But how did she get
past... and how did she become so invisible?  No matter, now, a good
story was called for.  Or something else.
     When first ordered to sabotage Zolomon's mission, Atlon had been
given a few tools.  Several of the tools, including his original dagger,
had been confiscated by the sailors on the last ship.  However, nobody
took the scat dust from the lining of his clothing. 
     He looked around, momentarily hesitating to view the huge pile of
treasure... and saw something, something large, something invisible,
heading for him.
     Atlon brought his sleeves together, and the blinding dust filled
the breezeway.  Having found a niche to hide in, he instinctively
remembered the direction, and jumped for safety, watching the woman with
his special vision.
---il
     Kaega disappeared instantly and reappeared inside her horde-room. 
She rolled her eyes.  "Young people today, they're so *rude*."  She
attempted to locate the boy in the passage.
---at
     Atlon watched as the woman walked into the room.  =93Shame to leave
all that treasure,=94 he thought, =93But the guildmaster would have skinn=
ed
me alive, had he known about what had just happened.=94
     As soon as the woman was clear, Atlon ran through the fog up out of
this breezeway.  No doubt he could lose her in the hundreds of other
halls within this ship.  He had to, until a good story could be thought
of.  Or maybe... he could use one with his talents...
     Atlon banished that thought immediately.  That woman would be onto
him too quickly for any story.  She had found him, when even his
guildmaster had failed so many times!
     He continued, hoping to find another place, one with which to
conceal himself within, but within the reach of food.
---il
     Kaega once more disappeared.  She vanished from her hoardroom and
reappeared on deck with the others.  She approached Sir Didymus
immediately.  "Your pardon, Sir Didymus, but we appear to have a thief
on the ship.  The boy I pulled from the lifeboat was approaching the
cargo holds.  When I appeared and asked him what his business might be,
he threw some sort of dust into the corridor and fled.  I can only
assume that his intentions were less than honorable."
     "Also, there is something I must tell you about the draconians.  If
they do not attack me, I *cannot* attack them.  My people have an
ancient truce with them.  They are, after all, kin."
     She waited for his response.
---at
     Karaz muttered under his breath, "Kin, eh?  I *knew* there was some
reason I didn't like them!  All the more reason to slay the lot of 'em,
I say!"
---med
     Kaega whipped her head around and pierced him with her silver gaze. =

"I tolerate you, dwarf, for Sir Didymus.  This does not mean that I will
allow you to insult my kin.  There are many among my people who support
destroying the dwarves, but we have not.  This is because of a balance
which we respect.  If you come to understand that balance, and through
it my people, then I will not take offense at your petty insults."
---at
     "How do you like that?" said Karaz aloud but to himself.  "I wasn't
even *talking* about her and she gets all huffy!"  Then, louder and to
the dragon, "Boy, Kaega, you really need to learn to calm down!  A trait
you could learn from us dwarves.  See?  I'm calm!"  The great mage
walked casually away before Kaega could offer a retort.
---med
     Zolomon could barely conceal his outrage at the blatant disrespect
this... this... this miscreant had given to the lady.
     "Thou art, beyond  all argument, the most sickening, black-hearted,
loud-mouthed,... MONSTROUS of creatures I have ever beheld!"  Zolomon
unsheathed his sword, which had miraculously remained with him during
his voyage from Ryxx.
     "Prepare to die, miscreant!"
---il
     Kaega smiled to herself. It was nice to have at least one in
agreement with her about the dwarf.
     She wondered, though, what Sir Zoloman would think if he knew that
she usually considered knights as food in a can.
---at
     Karaz-Gorm's first reaction was probably not vrey indicative of the
seriousness of the situation.  His first comment was, "Put that thing
away, boy.  You're liable to hurt someone with that, you know?"
     His second reaction was probably more suited.  Realizing that
Zolomon *intended* to hurt someone with that thing, and that intended
someone was *him*, he froze dead in his tracks (err...so to speak), his
eyes bulged and widened, and he let out a deafeningly shrill, "YIPES!!"
     The Illustrious Karaz-Gorm's third reaction was much more suited to
his persona.  He ran.  He ran straight for Sir Didymus.  Panting, he
pleaded, "Sir Didymus!  That man is trying to skewer me!  And I have
definite misgivings at becoming a shish-kabob for anyone!  Besides, I
*am* the most important person on this quest!  If it weren't for me,
you'd never be able to find or negotiate with this Nicol-Bolas you
seek."  With that, he turned a quick glance to Zolomon.  Seeing that he
was still brandishing his sword, he dashed away again, last seen headed
for the galley.  Where else?
---med
     Zolomon had heard that last statement, and stopped advancing.  "Sir
Knight, is what the toad said true?  Hath he an important duty in thine
quest?"
---il
     "Indeed he is!" said a perturbed Sir Didymus.  It was so simple: 
They would all get into the launch, and then go and rescue Niki.  But
once again the extremely diverse personalities of their party was taking
them astray from their true course.  Didymus sighed heavily and placed
his hand on the rail to steady himself.  He was feeling so....weak of
late.  "Indeed he is, sir!  He is a member of the team who has pledged
themselves to the quest for the miraculous elixir.  As such, he is as
important as Rorandair, Valkyr, or I.  We are a team, and as you have
joined us on our quest, I ask that you treat Karaz as a teammate,
irregardless of what his tongue might warrant.  I ask that you check
your temper, sirrah!  Kaega here has had many battles of wit with Karaz,
but has been able to control herself on those occassions when Karaz came
out on top.  She has instead bided her time and used her wit as a weapon
against her nemesis in a future engagement.  If you find you must do
battle with Karaz, do it with words, not steel!"  Didymus paused in
thought, then continued without trying to sound threatening  "By my
blood, I am bound to do all I can to see all members of this party
through in this quest.  I ask you as a knight, not to threaten him or
any other member of *our* party again with physical harm."
---je
     Zolomon wasn't sure what to think.  On the one hand, the dwarf...
Zolomon had to roll that word in his mouth a little... was an arrogant,
dishonorable, rude, cowardly, and apparantly inept creature.  However,
if
he was conveying any kind of service to this group, then Zolomon would
tolerate him... until he makes too big a mistake to ignore.
     Zolomon sheathed his sword, and walked away.  If he was to be of
any assistance to this overly odd team, he would have to spend as much
time away from that dwarf as possible.
     Of course, the boy disappeared again, and Zolomon would have to
find him, before he began to behave dishonourably... again.
---il
     "Now what trouble has that dwarf gotten himself into.  I
swear...he'll own more enemies than a wild rabbit before this quest is
through," Pen thought aloud.  Noticing that Sir Didymus had slipped back
into his day-dream like stance at the disappearance of Karaz and
Zolomon, Pen, out of character, barked at his master, "Sir!  Niki!"
---ds
     "Indeed Pen....quite right!  We must be off to rescue Niki as quick
as we can.  Could you please run and speak to both our esteemed mage and
Sir Zolomon and inquire as to whether or not they will be joining us in
our rescue attempt?  You might mention to Karaz that you have placed
food in the launch, including some of Niki's pastries, which Rorandair
has been eyeing quite hungrily."  As Pen ran off to see to his charge,
Didymus turned to Kaega.
     "Kaega, I know that you feel some kinship to these draconians, and
I must tell you that this brings up a concern I have had from the start. =

In taking on this quest, we are going against a dragon-mage, who is
probably more akin to you than the draconians.  You must decide what
your stance will be should a conflict with Nicol-Bolas occurs.  We need
your strength, but if we cannot count on it at pivotal moment because
you have misgivings...."
---je
     Kaega looked straight at him and responded, "Sir Didymus, however
close a relation of mine he may be, I have sworn my loyalty to this
party, and I will defend you.  To do any less would be dishonorable."
---at
     Didymus looked deeply into Kaega's eyes.  "I have had to kill many
men, many of *my* kin, in my many journeys over the years.  I tell you
true, it is *not* race which makes a noble being, but the nobility of
that being's will and spirit.  As both Rorandair and Valkyr can attest
to, though there are many noble dragons, so too are their dragons who
reek of evil.  I give you the legend of the Dragon-demon Xeen as an
example of how truly wicked your race can become."  Didymus reached into
his pack, and pulled out an ancient, leather-bound tome.  "This, is a
history of that which you would know as The Sundering, or the Great
Dragon Wars.  Based on the histories, the draconians who attacked us are
directly descended from men who fought on the side of Xeen, and were
given dragon-like abilities by the dragon-demon, changed by the twisted
magic of Xeen to become the race which attacked us.  Though they may no
longer be evil, as Valkyr has said, they *did* mean us some harm.  The
fact that they have kidnapped Niki gives testament to that."
---je
     Kaega sighed, and as she spoke, he glimpsed a weariness in her eyes
greater even than his own, and an ancient pain that would never fade. 
"I know these facts even better than you do, my friend.  In five
thousand years I have seen more killing than you would believe, and I
myself have killed more than enough.  I am tired of it.  But I will not
hesitate to fight any who threaten this group, whoever they may be. 
Kinship will not stop me.  I am a Watcher."  She stopped speaking, and
the weariness and pain disappeared as once more the calm mask fell.
---at
     Didymus knew that Kaega had much to ponder on now, so he quickly
wrapped things up.  "I ask that you stay aloft while we row to shore, to
insure that we are not attacked again from the air while we are
especially vulnerable.  Unless you feel you can lift the launch with all
of us in it, and fly us to shore?"
---je
     She nodded. "If you want me to carry the launch, I certainly have
the strength."
---at
     Didymus watched the other two men-at-arms in their party, and saw
that though they were listening to his conversation with Niki, both
Rorandair and Valkyr were sharpening and preparing their weapons. 
Didymus hoped they wouldn't need them, but was glad to see the
preparations nonetheless.
---je
     As Pen headed out to search for the missing people, he and the
knight exchanged places rather clumsily.  Pen begged his pardon and was
then quickly off to gather the remainder of their crew.  Finding Karaz
was no challenge.  There, tucked within the confines of one of the
pantrys' cupboards, was the tiny mage munching away on some biscuits. 
"Ahh! There you are," declared Pen happily.  "We are ready to set off
after those feigns who stole off with Niki.  Are you with us?"  Then
remembering his master's advice he added, "We have plenty of those
pastries you enjoy so aboard our launch."
---ds
     Between bitefuls, the mage replied, "Good!  It would seem that with
all the commotion on deck, our food supplies have been thieved!  These
biscuits are...<gulp>...were the last things I found.  I'm afraid that
those pastries are going to be the only things to keep us all from
starving to death if we can't find any other source of food!"
     Pen tried to explain to Karaz that the "missing" food was also
packed in the launch, but he didn't have a chance.  As the little man
lept to the floor, he shouted, "Onward!  Let us rescue our fair damsel
in distress with all the skill and glory of a truly dwarven venture! 
Come on, Pen!  Let the Magnificent Karaz-Gorm save the day!"  And he
bravely marched forward, up the stairs and back on deck, with Didymus's
squire close behind, shaking his head the whole way.
---med
     The two were soon back on deck and as they approached the starboard
side where the launch waited, Zolomon appeared, causing a tiny squeak to
escape from Karaz-Gorm.  Pen quickly took his queue and assured the
dwarf that the knight meant him no harm, there upon the tiny mage
responded haughtily that he feared no one.
---ds
     After hearing Karaz-Gorm, Zolomon placed his hand on his sword's
hilt, and smirked at the... Dwarf. 
     "Really?" Zolomon started.  Karaz's face was enough to convince
Zolomon of his influence on the hideous creature, despite their
similarity in size.
---il
     As Didymus awaited the return of his squire, Pen walked back with
Karaz and Zolomon in tow.  "Ah good!  We are all here.  If the three of
you would be so kind as to climb down into the launch?  Valkyr,
Rorandair, and the Taliessians are awaiting us."
---je
     "Certainly!" replied the mage.  "Ah, Sir Zolomon, why don't you go
down first?"  Karaz smiled sheepishly at the knight, lightly tapping his
fingertips together.
     Zolomon looked back at Karaz, then to Didymus, Pen, and back.  He
wasn't sure what to make of the...dwarf's...request (and it was still
hard to believe that this was a real, live dwarf!).  He cautiously took
to the rope ladder and lowered himself to the launch.
---med
     As the three began to climb down, Didymus looked up at the
darkening sky.  The sun was starting to go down, and there was much to
do before they could turn in *this* night.
---je
     Soon, all the two-legged creatures were aboard the launch,
destination: Dragon's Isle.
---ds
     Zolomon had much to chew on as the launch made it's way to the
island cave.  First the green-skinned freaks.  Then the dwarf.  Now a
magic cure-all elixir.  He had heard tales of odd happenings, but this
was wild.  Perhaps he could get some sense from the boy... or perhaps,
if he was extremely blessed by the Rheds, the dwarf.
     He then noticed the orb, hung from a chain on his belt.  It was
warm to the touch, even through Zolomon's heavily-plated gauntlets. 
Perhaps the dwarf could tell Zolomon what it was...  Then again...
perhaps the King spoke best.  He smirked slightly.  If it truly was
protected, perhaps this could do something to the Dwarf that would
possibly be an improvement.  Or maybe just a lesson.
     "Dwarf, if thy skills art what thou speakest, methinks thou wouldst
find something in this."
     Zolomon couldn't resist.  Kaega might have the words, but Zolomon
was sure that this orb would do *something* to the dwarf.  And if not,
anything the dwarf could glean would be useful.
---il
     Karaz took the orb in his left hand, and brought it close to his
face for scrutiny.  First closing one eye and then the other, he looked
at it closely for several moments, and then deflty tossed it back to
Zolomon.
     "It's just some blue glass ball...nothing more."
     Slightly incredulous, and a little off-balance from having to catch
the orb so unexpectedly tossed by the dwarf, Zolomon answered, "Art thou
sure?  Wouldst it be wise to take a closer look?"
     Karaz sighed and held his hand out again for Zolomon to deposit the
sphere.  Again he pulled it closer for inspection.  Then, he tapped the
top of the ball with his little stick.
     Big mistake.
     As soon as the end of Gorm's little twig touched the top of the
orb, a small explosion and a cloud of white smoke shook the launch. 
Everyone inside hit the floor for cover, and Karaz dropped the orb to
the bottom of the boat, screaming and carrying on that he was in pain. 
"My hand's a-fire!  That a-cursed orb has singed me!"
     Zolomon stood quickly and offered a hand to the short man.  "My
humblest apologies, sir!  I expected not this result!  Come, let me..."
     "Git your hands off me, you....you...."  Karaz couldn't think of an
appropriate insult, so he instead said, "...just get your hands off me,
you!"  Snatching the orb up again in his left hand (and keeping his
stick some distance away, for good measure), he peered inside, as if
looking for the thing that stung him so.
     He was surprised to find a face staring back at him!  A stark,
featureless face, tall and narrow, with a stony expression as if a
statue, gazed back at Karaz from under a jutting brow.  Suddenly Karaz
thought he saw it laugh and instantly return to its stoic countenance. 
He then felt all the hair on his body stand on end!
     "Take this back!  I never want to see it again!  It is cursed, I
daresay it is!"  Karaz again tossed the orb back to Zolomon, but he was
expecting it this time and caught it without problem.
     Karaz-Gorm sat back down, and purposely turned his back on the
strange Knight they had picked up not long before.  Who was this odd
person?  And why was he carrying around a cursed orb that shocked
dwarven mages?  Karaz snorted in disgust.
---med
     It was all Zolomon could do to repress the urge to fall off the
boat, laughing.  That little orb came in handy, after all! 
     Zolomon retrieved the orb from the floor of the boat near the
quaking dwarf (from fear or rage, Zolomon didn't know), and replaced it
within his belt pouch.  The blue glow faded, at least enough to stop
shining through the leather.
     Then the woman appeared.  Somewhere along the time he'd been here,
Zolomon had heard her name as Kaega the Dragon.  Odd surname, but...
     Suddenly, she was no longer there.  In her place was the biggest
skittish Zolomon had ever seen.  This time, Zolomon DID fall off the
boat!
---il
     Kaega sighed.  These mensch, always falling off boats!  Why could
they not grasp the concept that boats were for riding on, not diving
over the side of.  She reached down into the water with her tailtip, and
fished out the knight.
---at



     Grundor was, among many other titles, Chief Analyst of the Supreme
Draconian Alliance.  It was he who had been contacted by one of the
Dragon-lords, Nicol-Bolas, to have the crew of the King's Ransom
captured and brought in for interrogation.  Though he had sent out one
of the famed Draconian Corsair squadrons to bring the crew in, only
three returned out of the twenty-two Corsairs, and one of those was
mortally wounded.  Instead of returning with all of the crew, they had
returned with nothing more than a female human, who struggled in their
grasp as a Chentar-cat would, and doing as much damage.
     So the crew of this ship had soundly defeated a full squadron of
Corsairs, eh?  Not all was at a loss, as this information alone would be
valuable to Nicol-Bolas.  He looked at the struggling human.  "Woman! 
Calm you this instant or you thrown in an oubliette shall I!"  He did
not know if this barbarian knew what an oubliette was or not, but she
did calm down at his carefully worded common tongue.
---je
     "Yeah, yeah," the human female muttered under her breath. Then more
loudly she added, "Alright. You've gone to all this trouble, what do you
want?  And I do so know what an oubliette is."
---pw
     He nodded to the Corsairs who were holding her, and they released
her arms.  "Tell me woman, why here you are?  Why came your ship to Isle
of Dragons?"
---je
     With an outraged glare at the draconians Niki tugged her mussed
clothing back into alignment.  "My *name* is Niki or Captain Silverrun."
     At Grundor's scowl Niki scowled back.  "Well you could have just
*asked* instead of kidnapping me like this.  Do you know I almost
drowned and was eaten by sharks thanks to you?"
     Seeing Grundor's growing impatience Niki scowled further but told
him what he wanted to know.  "My ship was chartered to bring a bunch of
travelers to the Dragon=92s Isle.  One of them is an amnesiac dragoness, =
a
couple of them we found drifting in the middle of the ocean, and the
rest want to see someone named Nicol-Bolas."
     "Is the Dragon=92s Isle off limits or something?  You could have jus=
t
said so without all this fuss if it is."
---pw
     Grundor was incredulous!  How *dare* this human speak to him in
that tone!  And she was a lowly female to boot.  He glowered, "I, the
questionsss here ssshall ask!  Interesssted not, your plightsss!  You
sssay you are captain?  Why do the ressst to see Great Nicol-Bolasss to
journey?  Who isss the one Didymusss isss?"
     Grundor was about to signal for one of the Corsairs to begin
flailing this stupid human female.  He *would* teach her to respect and
the proper way to address his great draconian manhood!
---pw
     Involved in trying to puzzle out the overdose of sibilants in
Grundor's last sentence Niki belatedly noticed her interrogator's
enraged quivering and found herself wishing Pen was here with Karaz and
Rorandair right behind him.
     Niki looked nervously at the draconian inquisitor and crossed her
fingers behind her back. "Well, Sir Didymus is the tall one, the
*really* big one.=94  The Rorandair-like one, she thought to herself.
     Niki proceeded to recount in detail the tale of Didymus' journeys
as told her by an admiring Pen, liberally embellishing as she went.  The
purpose behind the journey never quite made it past her lips but that
detail was obscured by the sheer mass of information.
     =93 ...and thats all I know," she added contritely.  "Can I please g=
o
now?"
---je

     Once everyone was aboard the launch, Kaega grabbed hold of either
side with her talons and beat her wings (being in dragon form, of
course).  The launch took to the air, and before even Karaz could get
airsick, she had the launch set safely on the shore of the island. 
Didymus climbed out of the launch.  "Quite good, Kaega!  I thank you for
your endeavor."  Turning to the rest, he continued.  "Kaega's flying us
here has saved us time we lost at the ship.  Here is my plan:  If Tan
would not mind being parted from Liess for a while, we could have Kaega
fly him up near the mouth of the cave up on the Draconis Spire.  His
diminutive size would make him the perfect scout for us.  While he is
scouting out the cave, Kaega could fly the rest of us up there, where we
shall hide and await his return.  Once he relays the lay of the tunnels
in the Spire, we go in, find Niki, and get out quick as we can." 
    He looked at the warriors in the group. "If we get into a fight, it
will be close quarters, so plan your weapons accordingly.  I shall
subscribe to Valkyr's notion that these draconians are not truly evil,
so we must try not to harm them unless necessary."
     After he received a nod of understanding from Rorandair, Zolomon,
and Valkyr in turn, he turned to Pen, Tan & Liess, and Kaega.  "Once we
all go in I shall expect you to stick together.  Kaega, I daresay you
shall have to assume your human form in the close quarters of the
tunnels."  He finally turned his eyes
upon Karaz, who had found the pastries Pen had stored, and was happily
munching away.  "Most esteemed Karaz-Gorm, you're time of showing your
true worth to the group has come.  We shall need you ready to lay down
all sorts of wickedness upon the draconians should we need to leave in a
hurry."
---je
     The Illustrious Karaz-Gorm struck as awe-inspiring a pose as a
short, stout figure with pastry bits stuck in his beard could.  In a
steady and confident voice, he announced loudly, "Why, certainly, Sir
Didymus!  You can always count on the Fabulous Karaz-Gorm to save the
day!  I am, after all, the greatest mage the race of dwarves have ever
produced.  Don't you ever forget that, either!  I am, most certainly,
the Magnificent Karaz-Gorm, the one and only!  Always rely on the
Celebrated Karaz-Gorm to come to the rescue!  With me, you can't go
wrong!"
     It was just then that a slight movement of the launch caused the
dwarven mage to lose his balance, and the boisterous little man careened
off the side of the boat onto the sandy beach.  Despite this, he never
lost his grip on his pastry.  Getting up, he brushed the sand off his
robe and took a bite, as if nothing had happened.
     "Well??" he looked demandingly at Didymus.  "Are we going or what?" =

The little man was clearly impatient, and incredulous at having to wait
on these people...especially the dragon.
---med
     Didymus looked at everyone.  "So then, are we ready to begin?"
---je
     Climbing out of the abruptly-beached launch, Tan grinned at Liess. 
"Did you pick up what I picked up?" he asked quietly.
     Liess coughed discreetly.
     "Uh huh!  Really works up some momentum when there's a captive
audience.  'Course it should've been the other way around.  She's the
one supposed to be captive.  Still, she was talking a regular blue
streak."
     Liess folded her arms.
     "Did I say she wasn't being pretty clever in choosing her topics? 
Anyway, it keeps them amused.  So.  You think we tell them we know she's
OK (for now)?"
     Liess shook her head.
     "Yeah.  You're right.  If we did that, we might never get anywhere,
what with all the distractions this group's capable of generating.  But
should we at least tell them where she is?"
     Liess raised an eyebrow.
     "All right, all right, I *know* we don't know where she is.  After
all, *she* doesn't know where she is!  But look at it this way:"  Tan's
voice dropped even lower.  "If we don't tell the gang which way to go,
we *might* wind up following his magnificence over there."
     Liess considered this possibility very thoughtfully.
     "And another thing.  What about the Purloined Kid?  You know, the
one we left back on the boat because you said he was 'mostly harmless'? 
Are we going to be screwing up for the Cap'n again?  I mean, what if we
come back from this little expedition to find that the boat's gone and
bunked it.  We're going to feel really awful.  Just for starters, that
nice anchor the Cap'n has on her boat...aren't we supposed to drop it in
the water before everyone goes off and leaves the boat?"
     Liess glared at Tan.
     "Are you kidding?  Bring up something like that out there before we
came ashore?  Did you see how tetchy everyone was being?  I could've
gotten swatted halfway to shore (about where the sharks were thickest)
by six different people."
     Liess tapped her chest.
     "You?  Protect *me*?  You're usually first in line to abuse -- "
     Liess shook her head.
     "Yeah?  Listen, Liess, that wagon ride -- remember the wagon ride? 
It was a lot more harmful for me than it needed to be."
     Liess shrugged.
     "Anyway!  I think the boat is getting away."  The two gazed out at
Niki's ship.  It was hard to tell whether this was a well-trained ship
or the kind that preferred to range all over the neighborhood oceans. 
Liess pointed at an anchor that was hanging along the side of the ship.
     "You don't think that one's ornamental?"
     Liess shrugged.
     "Right.  Guess we'll just have to find out.  This is going to be a
little tiring, you know.  I'll bet that thing's well secured."
     Liess frowned.
     "Not that tiring myself out right now would be a problem for *me*,
understand.  I can find someone to rest on easily enough.  I mean, our
FL'd never notice me on his shoulder.  It's just that he's so dashed
uncomfortable.  But I should point out that we neglected to bring the
wagon ashore.  You'll have to walk."
     Liess planted Tan firmly on her shoulder and then pointed at Niki's
ship.
     "Fine."  A few moments later, the anchor detached itself from the
side of the ship and splashed into the bay.  At the same time, Liess and
Tan sagged against Rorandair.
     "These mental acuity exercises are exhausting!" Tan gasped.
---al
     After what seemed like an interminable delay, during which the
Great Karaz-Gorm had run out of things with which to amuse himself, the
dwarven mage turned to the others in the group.  They seemed to be busy
with various things, the warriors with sharpening their weapons, Tan and
Liess bickering about something or another, Kaega, well, who cares where
Kaega is.
     Then he looked at Didymus.  There stood his fearless leader, gazing
aimlessly off into space.  Fearless, perhaps, but certainly not without
the occasional sputter.  Must be his advanced years...too bad humans
didn't age as gracefully as dwarves.  This was ridiculous!  How long was
he just going to stand there doing nothing?
---med
     The Great Karaz-Gorm was not the only one concerned with Sir
Didymus.  Turning his eyes from his search of Kaega and the others (Tan
and Liess) Pen noticed finally that his master was rather tied up within
his own  thoughts.  Then suddenly, the dwarf-mage passed by, obviously
to stir things up.
---ds
     The Illustrious Karaz-Gorm stomped right up to the Knight and
asked, "Sir Didymus?"  No response.  "Sir *Didymus*?"  Still nothing. 
"SIR DIDYMUS!!"  The man was a statue.  Frustrated, he did the only
thing he could think of.
     He kicked him in the shin.
     Never mind that he was wearing armor-plated shin-guards, never mind
that.  Well, Karaz never minded that, his toes most certainly took note
of the fact, after which they made sure that Karaz took note of the
fact, after which Karaz made sure that all about him took note of the
fact (possibly even Niki, too, wherever she was).  Perhaps the great Sir
Didymus would be motivated into action now?
---med
     Pen blanched at the aggressive methods used by the dwarf.  He was
just about to pounce on the little cretin in his master=92s defense,
but...
---ds
     Didymus blinked several times, then looked down at what appeared to
be a little man throwing a tantrum beside him.  He knew the little
man...what was his name....yes, that was it....Karaz was his name.
     "Karaz, what is wrong?  Why are you kicking me in the leg when
there is so much we have to do?"
     Didymus had no idea he had blanked out for several moments. 
Clearly, the disease was gaining a firmer hold on the aged knight.
---je
     The dwarven mage merely stood there, staring at Didymus, his foot
throbbing.  He blinked several times, stunned at what the knight had
said.  Finally, still dazed, he said, "Uh, of course...so much to do..." =

He wandered off, shaking his head.  These humans...almost as bad as
dragons.  At the thought, he quickly looked around, his eyes wide, his
head snapping back and forth until he found Kaega...she had apparently
*not* read his mind.  Whew!
---med

     Atlon had waited in the galley for a few hours more.  During that
time, he had listened for whatever sign that anyone would return.  No
one would, for a while.
     He stealthily made his way back to the cargo holds, and into the
treasure trove.  Everything was gone, except for some odd ring, that
glowed with some faint glamour.  Atlon had often heard of magic rings
bestowing powers beyond measure, so he didn't even consider curses.
     The moment he placed the ring on his finger, he disappeared.
---il

     The Invisible Boatman crossed his arms for the umpteenth time,
wishing he had a watch to check. These friends of his captain's were not
getting the job done in his opinion.
     While still on board the King's Ransom, the Invisible Crew had held
a meeting to determine what if anything they could do to rescue their
captain.  No one had had any good suggestions although one's hair was
now invisible-green thanks to a miscast spell from the little mage.
     The debate over the Captain's fate had gotten bogged down over an
argument between the Invisible Kitchen Cook, who thought the dwarf was
wonderful (he always complimented her pastries), while the Invisible
Crewman with invisible green hair thought Karaz was a menace and wanted
to throw him overboard.
     Someone (it was hard to tell who with everyone being invisible),
pointed out that Karaz was already overboard, and the argument started
all over again.
     The Invisible Boatman left about that point.  The Captain's friends
were ready to leave so he jumped into the boat with them.  Now he
waited.  And waited.  And came to a decision.
     He simply picked up the exhausted Liess in his arms and started
carrying her across the beach in the direction Niki had gone.  If
necessary, he would carry the adventurers one by one up the mountain,
but something had to be done.
---pw
     Tan let out a startled squawk as his boon companion lifted off and
made her way over the sand.
     "Right!" he added, attempting to master his emotions.  To the
others he declared (in an atrocious accent) "We go -- that way!" and
then sprinted away before anyone could get and dislike the reference.
     "The girl never ceases to amaze me," Tan muttered to himself,
trying to keep up with the fast-moving Liess.  "Overexerting herself one
minute dropping that silly anchor and then traipsing away across the
strand the next.  The young, they recover so quickly -- Hey! Wait a
minute!"  He stopped.  Liess didn't.
     Tan glared at Liess, who continued to drift away.  "I'm supposed to
be the energetic one," he insisted.  "The bon vivant.  The one full of
that joie de vivre -- "  The atrocious accent threatened to return. 
"The one who's always climbing all over and into places you don't want
me to go -- well, never mind."  He resumed running after Liess.
     "Do...you...have...any...idea...where...we're...going?" he puffed,
the long sprint and the uncongenial surface beginning to take their
toll.  "Hullo?!  Liess?!  Are...you...there?  Dorme...vous?"
---al