ith him with magic were killed.
	Why would they send you, Triana? Elke asked.  If hes killed that many Were-kin, wouldnt it be smarter to send some other kind of creature?  Cant they ask an Ogre or a Giant to deal with him?
	They did, she growled.  They asked a Wood Giant to try to stop Stragos Bane, but Bane killed her.
	Tarrin frowned.  Wood Giants were not easy to kill.  This Stragos Bane had to be formidable to kill a Wood Giant.
	Then why send you? Elke pressed.
	Because they dont have anyone left, she said with a dark frown.  I may be Were, but Im a lot older than most of the ones hes killed.  It wont be easy, but I should be able to deal with him.  Permanently, she said, flexing her claws ominously.
	That wouldnt be wise, Triana, Jula said from her chair.  Ive heard the stories, straight from Haley.  This Were hunter has some kind of magic that puts Were-kin at a major disadvantage.  You shouldnt even try, not without removing that advantage from him.
	And if I dont do it, who will? Triana challenged darkly.
	She gave her the most cursory of glances.  If you want to deal with a rampaging monster armed to the teeth with magical weaponry and possessing something making him immune to magical attacks, then you send something that cant be hurt by magic itself, she reasoned calmly.  That puts them on an even playing field.  It makes it easy when your champion is invulnerable to normal weaponry as well as magical weaponry.
	Tarrin pieced together the clues instantly after that hint.  Shiika! he said suddenly.
	Jula nodded.  Shiika could disassemble this Stragos Bane without breaking a nail, she said, looking at Triana.  Or any of her children, for that matter.  Im sure if we ask her nicely, Shiika might lend us someone to take care of this Were hunter.
	Tarrin put a paw to his amulet immediately.  Shiika, he called.
	There was a lengthy pause, then came the reply.  What do you want? she asked shortly.  And make it quick.  Im busy.
	I need to talk to you, he announced.  And its important.
	Oh, bother! she snapped, and then there was a sudden magical disturbance in his study.  Shiika appeared on the far side of the table, wearing a sheer, sleek nightgown that had no neckline, but that didnt matter, for the garment was so diaphanous that it was all but transparent.  She was in her Demon form, with her wings, and that frilly, feminine garment looked strangely out of place on her, despite her breathtaking beauty.  Her unnatural scent struck Tarrin like a hammer, but he managed to distance himself from it quickly and effectively.  What is it, Tarrin?  Im busy!
	Doing what? Tarrin asked lowly, blatantly looking her up and down.
	Doing what good little Demons do when they need more cambisi, she replied with a chilling leer.  Now step it up and get your business on the table, and well discuss my compensation for this favor.  I have no time for chitchat.
	How do you know we want something? Elke asked.
	Please, she said scathingly, looking at the tall Ungardt.  Why else would Tarrin contact me?  He never calls me unless he needs something.
	Tarrin, Elke said disapprovingly.  Thats abusing your relationship with her.  You were taught better than that.
	Tarrin waved his mother off.  The Hierarchs have a problem, he told her.
	That?  I wondered when someone would think to ask me to deal with it, she said with a wicked little chuckle.  Which one of you geniuses realized that Stragos Bane cant do much more than spit on me and use harsh language?
	Actually, that was Jula, Tarrin told her honestly.
	Really?  Maybe I should have kept you, girl, she said, looking in her direction.  Youd have been a good cambisi.
	Jula shuddered, but said nothing.
	Im too busy to go human hunting, she announced.  But I have daughters who can take care of it just as easily as me.  So, Ill send one of my Alus to kill Stragos Bane.  Now, what do I get in payment for this magnaminous gesture?
	The gratitude of the Hierarchs, Tarrin replied.  And thats no paltry thing.
	Bah, she snorted.  Gratitude from a bunch of half-rate magicians too afraid of the sun to come out from under the canopy?  Forget it.  She tapped her cheek with a long, slender finger.  Alright, heres the deal.  I send an Alu to kill Bane.  In payment, you owe me a favor, Tarrin Kael.  And I keep any magical artifacts my daughter strips off the body.
	Not quite, Tarrin countered.  You send an Alu to kill Stragos Bane.  You get a favor from me only if she kills him, and shes more than free to take anything she wants off his corpse.  And the favor can be no greater a service than youve done for me today, he added quickly.   And if your daughter fails to kill Bane, the deal is off.  He was well aware of the dangers of making a deal with a Demon, but he was rather sure he had limited the damage.
	A service no greater than the service Im providing you today? she pressed.
	No more, no less, he affirmed.
	Deal, she said immediately, offering her hand to him.  He took it and shook it, but his eyes were locked on hers, and the dreadful look of anticipation within them.
	Jula burst into laughter.
	What? Shiika asked her sharply.
	I do believe you were just taken, your Imperial Majesty, she announced.
	How so?  Tarrin just agreed to perform a service for me when nobody else is capable of it.
	No, Tarrin just agreed to arrange to have someone else perform that task for him, she said with a wicked smile.  No more, no less, remember?  Youre not doing the deed, youre having someone else do it for you.  The service youre providing is nothing more than acting as an agent.  And the service isnt even guaranteed.  So long as Tarrin has someone else perform this task when you call in your favor, he fulfills the terms of the contract.  This replacement doesnt even have to be qualified to perform the task.  He just has to agree to do it.
	Shiikas arched eyebrows knitted, then a look of indignant anger stormed over her face.  She glared at Tarrin hotly, her wings bristling, then she burst into chagrined laughter and scratched the back of her head absently.  So you did, she admitted.  Thats what I get for underestimating you, Tarrin.  Next time, I wont be so hasty to close a contract with you.
	Then you agree? Triana asked.
	I do what I agree to do, she told the Were-cat with a steady look.  Ill dispatch Shun to deal with this Stragos Bane.  Where was he last seen?
	Jerinhold, Triana answered.
	Tarrins ears picked up and he looked at her.  The last time hed heard anything about this Bane person, he was in Dayis, and that was some months ago.  Was he traveling to Suld?
	Then consider the matter handled, she said dismissively.  Ill send her out as soon as I get back.  Is there anything else?
	No, not really, Tarrin answered, a bit worried.  Thank you, Shiika.
	Then Ill talk to you later, she said, folding her wings behind her back, and then she simply vanished.
	Elke slapped Tarrin on the back of his head.  I thought I taught you manners, boy! she snapped at him.  You dont use people like that!
	Mother, you--
	Only talking to her when you need something! she said in outrage.  Why not put her on a leash!
	Mother, shes a Demon! Tarrin shouted at her, making her come up short.  If I could trust her, Id be nice to her!
	Tarrins right in treating her like that, Elke, Triana said in support.  Especially that one.  When he made that deal, he was putting his immortal soul on the table.  He just outbargained her, this time.
	Shiikas not exactly a friend, Elke, Jula mirrored.  Shes not evil, and she is an ally, but shes very dangerous.  Were right in not trusting her.
	Hmph, Elke snorted.  I just think she needs a friend, and she wouldnt act that way.
	Elke, I love you like a sister, but trust me, Triana told her bluntly.  You have no idea what youre talking about.  Shiikas a Succubus.  She doesnt understand the concept of a friend.  To her, there is nothing but people she owns, and people she doesnt.  Tarrin puts everything on the line every time he deals with her, because if he makes just one mistake, shell strike a bargain with him that puts him under her control.  Once she gets that kind of a hold on him, she can take his soul.  That is what shes after, Elke.
	Elke was quiet, giving Triana a serious look.
	This isnt Ungardt, Elke, Triana told her.  In this case, you dont extend full hospitality to your friends, because Shiika is not our friend.  Shell help us when its in her interests, but shes never a friend.
	Elke had an uncertain expression on her face, which for the first time ever, showed her age.  She was only a year from her fiftieth birthday, but her Ungardt heritage made the advancing of the years very difficult to take hold on her.  His grandfather, Anrak, had been in his seventies, but was still as burly as a bear and highly active before he was killed.  Ungardt didnt show age the way other human races did, except for the appearance of gray hair.  With her mouth pursed like that, the fine wrinkles around her mouth and eyes were pronounced, making her look nearly her age.  Any other time, she looked like she was in her late twenties.
	Well, I dont like it, Elke announced.  So, dont forget, son.  Tomorrow morning.
	Ill be there.
	Elke went back upstairs, and Triana looked expectantly at Tarrin.  Were going to Suld tomorrow, he told her.  It seems like everyone wants a piece of my free time.
	It looks like it, she agreed.  Im going to go tell the Hierarchs about this.  Ill come to Suld tomorrow and tell you whats going on.
	Alright.  Safe journey.
	She used her Druidic magic to open an invisible gateway into that dimensional space she used to travel, and then vanished when she stepped into it.
	Tarrin looked at the drake, who was staring at him.  What?
	It shrugged, then chirped lowly and went back to looking at one of the stone tablets.

	Tarrin first thought that the trip to Suld would be another family affair, but he was surprised to find out that he was wrong.  Jesmind and Jasana had already planned to go hunting, the first serious hunting of the spring, which was important for Jasanas education.  Kimmie intended to take the twins out on their very first hunt herself, just not going after the big game that Jesmind and Jasana were after.  This was critical education, and Tarrin fully approved of it and agreed that they should do that instead of go to Suld.  Mist wasnt interested in going, after he contacted her, since this was the time when many animals were coming out of hibernation and it was an extremely important time for Were-cats to teach cubs about hunting.  Jula was more interested in studying the Dwarven artifacts than going to Suld, since she could Teleport to Suld any time she wanted.  That left Tarrin with only Fireflash as a traveling companion as he left the house and used the gateway on the edge of the meadow to take him to his parents farm.
	The morning was full of surprises, it seemed, as he entered his parents sturdy farmhouse and was bowled over by the foul stench of Demon.  And not just any Demon, but Shiika herself!
	He rushed through the door to find the oddest sight to greet him.  Shiika was sitting at the table, sipping at a cup of tea with Eron as Elke set a pitcher of chilled milk down beside a small jar of honey.  She was in her Demonic form, and the bottom spikes and lower membranes of her wings were bent against the floor.  She wasnt alone, either.  The blond Anayi, the only of Shiikas halfbred daughters Tarrin knew by name, was sitting in the fourth chair across from her mother.
	Good morning, Shiika said amiably, holding up her cup.  Tea?
	What are you doing here, Shiika? Tarrin asked with narrowed eyes and an extremely dangerous tone of voice, all but one step from flying across the room and evicting the Demoness personally.
	Having breakfast, she said in an unflappable manner.  I hear youre on your way to Suld.
	Mother, what is she doing here? Tarrin demanded.
	I had Jenna invite her for me, she answered.   And its none of your business why shes here.
	Tarrin was about to really let his mother have it, but he knew better.  Many thought Tarrin was stubborn, but he actually got it from Elke.  Shed made up her mind, and that was thatthere was nothing he could do or say to change her mind, about whatever it was she was doing with this dangerous Demoness.  But it still made him very angry, because he was very worried that the cunning, morally void Succubus was going to try something with his mother to try to get a hold on him.  He had to labor to control himself, falling back on the mental exercises Allia had taught him.  Ill wait outside for you, he said in a low, growling tone, then he pinned his gaze on Shiika.  And Im going to warn you right now, Shiika.  If you do anything to my parents, if I even think youre trying something, Ill come visit you in Yar Arak with my sword in one paw and my staff in the other.  Do you understand me?
	Temper, temper, she said mildly, but there was a wicked enjoyment in her eyes.
	That was just about all it took.  With a savage growl, Tarrin took one step forward and seized Shiika by the neck in his huge paw, then hauled her out of her chair and hoisted her up into the air.  Without even thinking, he Summoned his black-bladed eastern sword, closing his paw around it before it had even materialized.  He whipped the edge of that weapon through the air and stopped it just a hairs breadth from the delicate skin of her forehead, right between her eyes.  Would you like to rephrase that, or do you want to stay with that remark? he asked in a horridly evil tone.
	The malicious delight in her eyes was instantly replaced with sincere fear.   She made no move to grab his wrist, did not move at all, did not do anything that would provoke him in any way.  If you had a sense of humor, I wouldnt have to say anything, she said in a carefully neutral tone, unwilling to openly apologize, unwilling to bend her pride, even when her life was hanging in the balance.
	Boy, youd better put her down and back off! Elke snapped at him.  You dont spill the blood of an invited guest!
	He wanted to, but the urge to finish her off was nearly overpowering.  He struggled against that dreadful desire for a long moment, then finally managed to regain control of his anger, and thereby regain control of himself.  He opened his paw and dropped her unceremoniously, struggling to fight back the power of his anger, until he was certain he wasnt going to lunge forward and take off her head.  He laid the blunt side of his sword on his shoulder and gave Shiika a very cold stare, but Shiikas eyes werent locked on him, as he felt they should.
	They were fixed on the sword.
	He watched those eyes widen, then gawk, and then become shockingly demure within the span of a heartbeat.  She assumed a very vulnerable posture, her hands folded before her, and folded her wings behind her and kept them still.  Im sorry, she said in a meek tone.  I should know better than to make fun of you when youre being serious, but you dont have to be so defensive.  I came here at Elkes invitation, and I dont dishonor a host who invites me out of generosity.
	Tarrin was looking for the hole in that statement, but it was obviously too subtle for him to detect.  Why the sudden change?  And why the interest in the sword?  Tarrin glanced at it, and saw nothing that might make her do that.  It did have a unique magical presence, for it was an artifact, was once the personal weapon of a god.  That god was dead, but the simple fact that it had been a gods personal weapon didnt change its status one bit.  It was simply an artifact with no power, aside from the rather unique abilities it had had before it had been transformed into an artifact.
	Then again, there wassomething.  He couldnt quite put his claw on it, but there was a strange power hiding inside the sword, a power he had never really sensed before.  Adormant power.  There was no way for him to tell how strong it was, because the sense of it was extremely vague, and it almost seemed to actively try to hide from him, cloaking itself in the ambient magic of Tarrins own magical presence.
	Niami had said that the sword may have power, because it was an artifact, and that it was Tarrins responsibility to keep the weapon, that it would accept no other.  But since he had never sensed anything from it before, he thought that shed been wrong--after all, she did say she wasnt entirely certain about it.  About the sword, and about any powers that he might have, given his unique state of existence.  But shed been wrong about him, so maybe shed been wrong about the sword.
	Or maybe not.
	There really was no way to tell, so there was no real reason to worry about it.
	He sent the sword back to his bedroom even as he let it go, gave Shiika one more good malevolent stare, then turned and went out onto the porch.
	He stayed out there for a good half an hour, wandering among the barns and the brewing house, letting Fireflash get familiar with the area as he calmed down.  He had no idea what Elke was doing, but she obviously had no idea what she was dealing with.  Elke didnt understand Shiikas nature the way he did, nor did he think she knew just how the Demon came to own people.  Being nice to her wasnt going to do any good.  Shed just use it to gain control over her, and then it would be no matter to take possession of her soul.
	Or she would have.  Now that Tarrin knew what was going on, hed keep a very close eye on his mother and make sure it didnt happen, even if it came to assassinating the second ruler of Yar Arak in as many years.  Shiika fully knew that not only he was capable of it, but hed have no qualms about sending her back to the Abyss one body part at a time.
	The door opened at the farmhouse, and the blond Anayi came out.  She walked over towards him as he moved to intercept her, and then they stopped a pace or so away from each other.  I think you really scared her, she told him.  Of all Shiikas children, Anayi was the one he knew the best, and was probably the only one that hed be willing to engage in conversation.  She was much more independent than the rest of her sisters, and more than once shed directly helped him out of a tight spot.  Because of that, Tarrin had some respect for the blond halfbreed, a respect that translated into favorable treatment among the Demons that the gods permitted to remain on Sennadar.  Hed kill all the others without blinking, but hed have reservations about killing Anayi.
	That was probably why Shiika brought her alongto put her between him and herself if he reacted violently to her presence in his parents house.  Shiika wasnt above such a depraved, cowardly act.
	Shed better be afraid, he snorted.  Ill take her head off the instant I think shes trying to take my mother, Anayi.  Make that abundantly clear to her.
	I think she got the message, she said with a light smile, then her expression turned serious.  Youve been holding back on us, I see.
	Over what?
	That sword.  Its an artifact, Tarrin.
	I know.  I made it.
	She gave him a surprised look.
	Well, I sort of did, he told her.  I dont remember.  But I was told that I created it to fight Val.  It survived the destruction of Gora Umadar, and since Im the one who made it, its my duty to take care of it.
	I almost wet my pants when I felt it, Tarrin, she told him.  It has a divine aura.  Demons can sense that, and trust me, were very afraid of that kind of thing.
	Good.  Now I know what to stick in Shiikas face whenever shes annoying me.
	Dont be too hard on her, Tarrin, she said as they started walking towards the brew house, away from the house.  She really didnt come here to do anything.  Elke invited her to breakfast, and that intrigued her enough to accept.  Why did she do it?
	Mothers curious about Shiika, I suppose.  That, or shes decided that if nobody else is going to be nice to her, then she will.  Shes like that.
	Shes a strong woman, Anayi said appreciatively.  I feel sorry for her husband.
	Dont, he said.  Father may seem mild and unassuming, but youve never seen him in action, Anayi.  Hes the one that rules that house, and dont ever think that he doesnt.  He simply lets mother do as she feels best, but hell step in and set her right if he thinks shes doing wrong.
	Ah, he rules from behind the scenes, just as mother did before you killed the last Emperor.
	Hes the kind of leader that doesnt interfere too much, he told her.  Gentle guidance, thats his style, even back when he was an officer in the Rangers.
	He sounds like the kind of man Id like to get to know better, she said with a curiously thoughtful expression, a finger to her sharp little chin.
	Mother would tear out your hair, he warned with a chuckle.  About fifteen years ago, one of the women in the village made eyes at father where Elke could see it.  She didnt sit down for about five days afterwards.
	She seems the jealous type.
	It had nothing to do with jealousy, he told her.  It was because the other woman wasnt willing to do anything more than flirt.
	Excuse me?
	You dont know my parents very well, Anayi, he chuckled.  Neither of them are jealous, because they love and trust each other so much that they know better.  When Suli made eyes at father, mother challenged her to put up or shut up.  Suli was scandalized and said a few very unwise words to mother, so mother thrashed her.
	Anayi laughed delightedly.
	No woman dared make eyes at father after that.  Not because Elke was jealous, but because shed make them fufill the promises they were making.
	Anayi laughed again.  Oh, Tarrin, you have no idea how lucky you are to have parents like them, she told him.  Growing up here must have been heavenly.
	I have no complaints at all, he said with a sincere nod.  How have things been for you?
	Frustrating, she said with a frown.  Mother still wont teach me Wizard magic.  She says that Im not ready yet, but I can cast some of the simple spells and cantrips, and I taught myself, she said defiantly.
	Tarrin looked her up and down.
	What? she asked, looking up at him curiously.
	You look like an adult to me, he told her.  If youre not happy with what your mothers doing, I dont see any reason why youd stay.
	Leave?  Leave home? she said, seemingly mortified by the idea.  I cant do that!
	Why?
	She floundered for a moment.  Because its home!
	Home is many things, Anayi, he told her as they rounded the brew house and headed towards the barn, Fireflash zipping and darting to and fro around them.  But the last thing it is, is a place.
	What about your house? she challenged.
	I do love my house, Anayi, I wont deny that, but thats all it is.  A house.  What makes it a home are the people inside of it, and the lives that we live in it.  I dont think the people in your house make you feel like its a home.  The Wikuni have a saying, Anayi.  They say a house is a house, with wife, cat, and mouse, but a ship is a home, its where you live when you roam.  A home is where you live, Anayi, not where you sleep.  Vagabonds and drifters discovered that a long time ago.  Home is where you make your fire, is what they say.  I believe that.
	But it is my home, Tarrin, she told him.  I dont know what Id do if I were anywhere else.
	Then Id say youve lived too sheltered a life, and its time for you to see what its like to live outside the safety of the palace walls.
	Thats easy for you to say.
	It is, he agreed.  But that may be because I left home a long time ago.
	I wouldnt know what to do with myself if I left home, she told him.
	You said you wanted to learn Wizard magic, he said.  I dont think Shiikas the only one on this world who can teach you.
	She looked down, her face lost in thought.
	So, has Shun taken care of Stragos Bane yet?
	She hasnt found him yet, she answered.  The last we know, he was in Jerinhold, but now we dont know.  Shes looking for him as we speak.
	Which one is she?
	The black-haired one with the nasty smirk, she answered.
	I remember her, he said with a humorless chuckle.  Shes the one who clipped me.
	Shes got a very bad temper.
	I thought all Demons had a bad temper.
	And I thought all Were-cats had a bad temper, she countered, a bit defensively.
	We do, he answered bluntly.  Even Kimmie.  It takes more to set her off than any other Were-cat, but if you do, watch out, because shes just as nasty and vicious as any of the rest of us.
	Its hard to imagine Kimmie that way.
	Trust me, you dont want to see it.
	The farmhouse door opened, and his parents and Shiika filed out into the crisp morning air.  Come on, son, its time to go! Eron called.
	Time to return to reality, Anayi sighed.
	Its a prison of your own making, he told her as Fireflash landed on his shoulder, and they moved towards the house.
	Ill think about it, she promised.

	The day out in Suld was quiet and enjoyable, which was what Tarrin wanted.  They visited with Tomas and Janine for most of the morning, had a nice lunch, showed them Fireflash, and then Tarrin took Janette out with Fireflash and wandered the city.  Everyone knew of Tarrin, so though there was quite a bit of staring and finger pointing, at least they all had the sense not to bother him.  They left them alone as the two of them wandered the city, then ended up on the docks, as Janette excitedly pointed out each of the many ships and told him what kind of ship it was, whose flag it was flying, and she could tell if it was loaded or empty by how it was sitting in the water.
	Tarrin was a bit surprised at how much Janette knew about ships.  He knew that she was interested in the work her father did, and had been practicing accounting and letting Tomas teach her how to keep books, but her interest had bloomed into something more than a passing fancy.   She was taking serious interest in every phase of being a merchant, of which the bookkeeping was only a part.  Being a merchant was all Janette wanted to do now, and he was convinced that she was quite serious about it, and would remain so for the rest of her life.
	Janine was going to be seriously annoyedbut then again, that was life.  Mothers often were disappointed by the career choices of their children.
	Oh, and that one over there is a Wikuni raker! she said excitedly from Tarrins shoulder, as he had her up on his shoulder so she had unfettered views of the docks.  You dont see them very often, because theyre so narrow in the beam that they have trouble on open water in storms.  And that one over there is a Shacan galleon, like fathers! she said, pointing across the docks.  Its flying a Tellurian flag!  You dont see many of those in Suld, thats for sure!  And thats an Ungardt longship! she said, pointing yet again.  Well see a lot of them now that the springs come, and their harbors have all melted!  Can we go on it, Tarrin?  Aunt Elke might know the captain!
	I doubt it, but we might be able to manage a tour, he told her.  Ungardt are very hospitable, if you know how to approach them.
	Can we?  Really?
	Well see.  If the captains drunk, we might have a problem.
	It turned out that the captain wasnt drunk.  He was a burly blond-haired man named Thurgunn, who looked way too young to be a ship captain.  He was clean shaven, quite handsome, and wearing a mail shirt and horned helm with a pair of canvas sailors breeches and soft leather boots.  He looked like he was about thirty, and Tarrin could see from the way Janette blushed when he came out to see them that he was quite a heartbreaker among the ladies.
	Well, judging by the fur and tail, Id say you were the infamous Tarrin Kael, he said brashly in Ungardt.  What can I do for you today?
	My friend here wants to see an Ungardt longship, he answered, bobbing Janette a little.
	Well, bring her aboard, he answered with a sudden smile.  Did you know that were both clan?  I live in Skalgaad.
	Skalgaard was a small village only a half a day south of Dusgaard, which was well within the clan territory of Tarrins hereditary Ungardt clan.  I thought I knew most of the ship captains.
	I just took over this ship for Surtin Icebreaker, he answered.  Old Surtin finally retired.
	He did?  He was, what, ninety years old?
	Something like that.  He died not two months after retiring, though, he said sadly.  When he couldnt handle the rigors anymore and had to stay behind, I think it broke his heart.
	Old Surtir certainly had Saltemis blood in him, Tarrin mused, remembering the crotchety old geezer, and referring to an old Ungardt saying about those Ungardt who would sail the seas until the day they died.
	May Dalstaad strike me dead before Im too old to handle a tiller, he said sincerely, then he waved towards the ship.  Welcome aboard.  Let me show you around.
	Tarrin had been on quite a few longships in his life, but old Surtirs ship was certainly one of the most interesting.  It was an old vessel, and had quite a bit of character.  That, and Surtir had carved designs and pictures of places hed been, things hed seen, and so forth on almost every bulwark and deck plank, making the ship a floating work of art.  Surtir had taken his ship all over the world, even to the Utter East empire of Shen Lung, and every place he had gone was represented somewhere among the myriad of carved images decorating the vessel.  His picture of Shen Lung was of one of their strange multi-storied towers with the tiled roof, what Keritanima had once called a pogoda.  There wasnt all that much to an Ungardt longship, for the crew slept on the deck and the areas below were committed almost entirely to cargo.  When Thurgunn told Janette that, she looked around curiously.  What do you do when it rains?
	We have bolts of canvas we hang off the mast and lash to the sides, he answered.  Trust me, it keeps us dry as dust and warm as a baby in his mothers arms.
	How much cargo can you carry?
	Thats an odd question, Thurgunn chuckled.
	Shes not your