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Back at the Adventurers Guild in Ierendi city the companions discussed their plans for the future over several glasses of fruit punch.
"So where is this treasure of yours Gieve?" asked Darkhawk rocking back on his chair. He was about to put his feet upon the table but was stopped by a glare from one of the stewards.
"Near Akarros, a city on the shore of Lake Amsorak, at least that's what my maps says." Replied Gieve. "The best way to get there would be to sail to Athenos, travel up the Trade Road and head North West to Akarros. It's some way but the map suggests that it would be worth it. At least " he said cautiously "That's what I think it says."
"What do you mean?" asked Ako confused.
"I can't read it."
"What!" Grabthroat ejaculated and nearly choked on his drink. "You mean we are going to Akarros on the strength of a map you can't read! Nice."
"Calm down friend. I'm sure Gieve knows what he's talking about." Said Trimus trying to mollify the dwarf , "Don't you Gieve?"
"Yes Trimus." He replied looking at no one in particular.

The party booked passage on the Dolphin, a largish ship, for the two day journey to Athenos. As they stood on the quay watching their goods being stowed Gieve spotted an Ierendian official hurrying towards them.
"Hold that ship!" shouted one of the Makai with the official in an authoritative tone.
"Uh oh. Trouble." Said Gieve "Makai Internal Affairs and Taxation. I've had dealings with these before. Prepare to make a run for it."
"So Gieve, we meet again." Said the leader of the group in an oily voice. His dark hair cropped short around an angular face dominated by a wide nose above a thin lipped mouth. "But this time we have come to thank you rather than question you."
Gieve's jaw dropped and he offered a stunned "Thank you."
"Yes. You and your companions have done the Islands a great favour in returning the chalice to the People's Temple." He took a garland of flowers from one of his assistants and placed it around Gieve's neck, then proceeded to do the same with the others. Grabthroat looked particularly sweet.
"I would like to wish you all a glad future, long life and riches from the hearts of the people of Ierendi." He said surprisingly warmly. "Now, get out of here Gieve before I change my mind and decide that there are one or two things I want from you. The place won't be the same without you." With that the official ushered the friends up the gangplank and onto the waiting Dolphin.

"What was that all about?" asked Ako later as the ship rounded the headland and headed North, the city becoming a coloured smudge on the coastline of the verdant island.
"Oh me and Larin go back a long way. We have run into each other a few times due to our lines of work."
"I see." Laughed Ako. "Well he seemed pleased to see you go." And he turned back to watch Ierendi slowly fade into the haze above the calm sea. So much had changed for him in the past few weeks. He had gained more favour from the Immortals but he still felt as if something was lacking. He needed a direction, a cause. "I will visit the Brotherhood of the Long Road." He said to himself. "Perhaps they will help me decide which way to go."

The coast of Darokin was becoming clear on the afternoon of the second day when danger once again threatened the party. Gieve and Darkhawk were fencing on the poop, Ako was practising knots with a cabin boy, Trimus was learning how to navigate using the height of the sun and Grabthroat was telling tails with a sun-ravaged old sea dog. All was quiet and calm. Suddenly there was a cry from the crows nest.
"'pus coming Captain. Big 'un. Port side."
"All hands on deck!" ordered the captain, loudly but calmly, and the crew responded with the air of those efficiently trained in their jobs but before they were ready the ship heeled over to port then rocked back the other way. Tentacles emerged from the water seeking purchase on the deck. Seeing the threat Darkhawk transformed, Ako blessed those around him while the others drew their weapons and braced themselves.
"Don't let it encircle my ship!" cried the captain "She'll crush us like a conch!"
The clutching tentacles grabbed mast and deck rails and the boat listed as the creature pulled itself from the water. Using other tentacles it lashed out at those on the deck. Trimus felt his leg nuzzled by a thick rubbery appendage then felt himself grabbed and dragged backwards towards the octopus' gaping maw. To his horror he saw Gieve and Grabthroat in similar straits. Desperately he struggled to free his hands to enable him to cast a spell. With a tug and a relieved sigh they cam free and he sent a magic missile towards the root of the tentacle that held him. It struck in a gout of steam and blubber that almost completely severed the limb from the octopus' body. Gieve managed to let off two of his magic cards blasting the limb holding him while Grabthroat prised his way out with brute strength alone. They were all dazzled as a blue-white bolt of fire seared into the octopus' flank from one of Darkhawk's clawed gauntlets. Trimus made a mental note to ask Darkhawk what else he had up his sleeve.

Meanwhile Ako was bashing at a tentacle that was dragging a bleating passenger, a rich Darokovian merchant by his dress and accent, towards the edge of the craft. The cleric's blunt weapon was doing little damage until Trimus hit the tentacle first with a magic missile then slicing through the hide and blubber with his dagger. Grabthroat braced himself against a hatch cover and hung on to the merchant's legs but still the octopus pulled the merchant ever closer to its mouth. A few well aimed rakes from Darkhawk's metallic talons however caused the octopus to think again so it released it's grip on ship and man, sliding beneath the waters leaving a scum of blood and ink on the surface.

The Dolphin was not badly damaged aside from some broken side rails and a few loose timbers and thankfully there were no serious casualties amongst the crew or passengers. Ako tended the worst of these which included the merchant whose chest had been crushed by the octopus' tentacles. Captain Barros watched Ako at work and when the cleric stood up he grasped his hand and shook it warmly.
"Thank you, young man. Darromar is a valued customer of mine and I'd hate to lose him." From the smile on his face Ako guessed that Darromar was more than just a customer.
The merchant, Darromar, stood up and tried to rearrange his fine cloak and tunic which had been half ripped from his shoulders.
"I thank you too. I am not as fast on my feet as I used to be." He said ruefully patting a very ample paunch. "Too much good living. Let me recommend a place to stay in Athenos. A friend of mine, Carrus, runs a fine inn called the Merchant's Rest. Mention me and he should let you have rooms for free, he owes me a favour."
"Go and lie down, sir." Said Ako kindly. "You've had a bad shock. A rest is what you need."
"Yes, you're right." He replied running his fingers through his thinning hair, "I do feel a little shaky." With that the merchant toddled off to his cabin.

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