Haas-Jucar and his chief of staff watched from the tower of the Embassies building as a brigantine put into the harbour of what had been Port Gull. A few of the other factors and ambassadors appeared on the fortified tower as news of the new arrival spread through the building. They were all looking somewhat gaunter than they had just over two months ago when the old fortress city had fallen.

“Shall we go down and meet them or should we wait for them to come to us?” asked Velgor the factor representing Tarasand.

“I really feel we should wait for them to approach us but somehow I don’t think we are important enough any longer. I vote we send a delegation to meet them and see if we can work something out about passage home.”

Haas-Jucar watched the ship work its way towards one of the least cluttered piers. “Much as I hate to admit it, I agree with you Var-trand. And thankfully there aren’t enough people on that ship for it to be a pirate.”

Shortly the roof of the tower was empty and a gaggle of factors and junior ambassadors left the Embassies building escorted by a handful of guards and worked their way down to the harbour. They arrived to find the ship docked and four liveried guards guarding the pier.

“Blue Lagoon,” murmured Velgor. “That’s Tomcat’s ship.”

“What’s that Velgor, who’s Tomcat?” asked Haas-Jucar.

“He’s a cat beastfolk, captain of that ship and rep of the Silver Dolphin shipping company. He’s also a shameless philanderer.”

“Well considering where we are he’s not going to find many opportunities for that. So you think he’ll be reasonable?”

“Depends. He is very loyal to his mother and will invariably do what she wants.”

“His mother? What has she to do with this?”

“She is the owner of the Silver Dolphin company.”

“Ah.”

The assembled dignitaries watched as a handful of well-dressed people descended the gangplank and gathered behind a middle aged man and a young woman. Long experience allowed them to recognise a diplomat, his assistant and staff. They almost unconsciously formed up in order of importance as they waited.

The delegations met, exchanged polite nothings and moved aboard the Alessandrina’s Glory where refreshments were served and Count Helder’tron got down to business ably assisted by Baroness K’tara. The meeting was resumed on the following day at the Embassies building. A tentative agreement was reached as most present could see the advantage of Port Gull as a commercial hub open to all.

Over half those present wished to be repatriated and this was agreed to.

* * *

“Well Tomcat you’re heading north. And it looks like you’ll be crowded. We’ll remain behind for now and head south to the Empire on the next ship.”

“Aye, that’ll most likely be the Blue Wyvern.” Agreed Tomcat as he leaned on the rail of his quarterdeck and watched the assorted diplomats boarding his pride and joy. “Don’t get me wrong Helder, but this lot look remarkably young and fit for diplomats and merchants.”

Count Helder’tron smirked, “you forget what this place was before Mother had it squashed. Nobody in their right minds sent female, elderly or unfit representatives here. It was a hardship post.”

The two remained silent for a while watching the loading then Helder’tron stirred. “Good voyage Tomcat,” he said as he walked towards the gangplank. Tomcat watched him disembark and then ordered the Alessandrina’s Glory to sea.

Velgor waited until the ruins of Port Gull were disappearing behind the horizon before accosting Tomcat.

“Forgotten me old cat? So when were you planning to visit? Clarrina misses you and her father really wants a word or two with you about that present you gave her.”

Tomcat froze momentarily before turning, “Velgor! What are you doing here? Do you mean Clarrina’s ...”

“Pregnant? Yes Tomcat she is. Very much so.”

* * *

Mary looked round with interest, she was floating beside Ocidon in what seemed to be a limitless crystal clear ocean. Also present were five other gods and goddesses. She recognised Hel-Arlizzy and Bordianna the harvest maid.

« Be welcome all, may I make you known to my consort Mary Silvestre. Mary you know Hel-Arlizzy, the others are Zoratus the sage, Bordianna the harvest maid, Plutonis, and Varina the Defender. »

There was a general murmur of approval and a certain amount of manoeuvring for precedence before Zoratus intervened.

« Things have started well. Our opponents have blundered and scored several self inflicted wounds on themselves. While Vortexius Blackbeard is much diminished he is still more powerful than some of us. I suspect Ice Heart is currently the most vulnerable of the new gods. Paradoxically Frost King though diminished is actually more formidable now than before his mishap as most of his negative qualities ended up as part of Ice Heart. »

Bordianna radiated benevolence and smiled. « So you’re saying Ice Heart is ripe for the harvest. By all means lets destroy him. Frost King and now Ice Heart are destroying too many of my harvests. »

« Can you keep yourself hidden Hel-Arlizzy, should the new gods attempt to retaliate? »

Hel-Arlizzy looked round somewhat nervously. « With your help, yes. Without help, no chance. »

The harvest maid smiled. « Good. Ice Heart first. Then we will see. Now Mary dear, that underground dwarf wheat you created for your rat people. That was naughty of you, wheat belongs to ME after all. »

Mary blinked in surprise, « You’re welcome to it Bordianna so long as my folk can grow it. My man-rats prayed to me asking for a new food source. »

Mary felt something pass from her to the harvest maid.

* * * INTERLUDE * * *

Tod gripped the rail of the as the yet unnamed sports cruiser entered the domain of a dungeon he had come to recognise. He remembered Mary casually waving out to sea but he had not truly believed her until now.

Mary throttled back her new toy and concentrated, linking to her core. She slowly stretched the hull by about a meter to better handle the current passenger load, then her sports cruiser settled slightly in the water as the placeholder core hiding in the fibreglass sandwich mutated into an advanced composite armour.

Mary smiled slightly on noting Tod’s discomfort. Meadows for his part was watching the coast through his binoculars. She stroked the console and fed manna into the inbuilt enchantments.

Then she slowly brought her toy up to full power while changing her lines very slightly.

After running the motors on full for half an hour she throttled back to the recommended maximum cruising power and relaxed.

* * *

“Mama, you want to pilot her for a bit?”

“Later dear, when we don’t have the navy on board.”

Mary chuckled. “Hey commander, how ‘bout you? Want a go?”

Meadows had not missed the fact that the sports cruiser he was on had grown slightly to accommodate its passengers or that it seemed to have gained mass while idling off the coast. He had also noted that Tod had seemed uncomfortable. But he was unable to resist a chance to see how the boat handled.

Commander Meadows was impressed by how the big boat handled. He was enjoying himself as he tested her limits. The speed gauge was hovering at forty-five knots while the motors running at the recomended cruising speed.

All too soon Mary passed him a plastic bag and took over the controls again. “Think I’ll call her Wave Dancer. And then again maybe not.” She looked at Meadows, “not too friendly sticking those things all over, I suspect most aren’t yours but some of ‘em are.”

Meadows opened the bag and examined an eclectic collection of bugs and trackers. He sighed and passed the bag to lieutenant Partlow. “Any chance we can identify those?”

Anna Partlow looked through the collection, “I think a couple are Chinese, one of these certainly wants to be mistaken for Russian but it doesn’t look that much like the Russian one. The rest, no idea.”