Spivey says that we are welcomed to stay for the evening to dry out and decide what to do next. We thank him for his hospitality and we are taken to the center of town to an elegant wood-framed home with three extra rooms upstairs. The corsair gives us a token with a seal on it, and says that we just need to show it to the guards and they will allow us through the city.

We rest for the evening and discuss our options of getting off the island. Josephus says that we must not forget what our main goal is — the world is on the verge of a divine war. We need much power to be able to defeat them, and must be mindful of that. Sarthisis asks if we should recruit the pirates to our side, and Josephus says that we can try that if we think it will work.

Later that evening, before we leave, Josephus pulls Sarthisis aside and tells him that it is time for him to learn why he is there. He says that his thinking of recruiting others to the cause — in fact, the history of his people is that they are savage, disorganized and barbaric race. Historically, attempts to ally the tribes of Kithsara have failed miserably, but Sarthisis is destined to unite them. The Kithsara are powerful, and united they will be nigh unstoppable.

Josephus has read from records about the Kithsara that were thought lost. They spoke of a prophecy that one of them will be able to unite the various tribes under one uniform rule. There are drawings of a lizard standing upon a very large stump in the swamp, with legions of other lizards standing before him. All of the descriptions and sketches have also shown this lizard holding forth a rod or sceptre — in Kithsara tongue the item translates to the Sceptre of Command. It looked somewhat like a gnarled tree-branch with vines encrusted into it. It had an orange-ish globe embedded into it. He says that he is having difficulty describing it, so he produces it from his cloak and gives the item to Sarthisis. He says that he does not know how the item works, but perhaps it is meant for Sarthisis.

Sarthisis, as he is examining the item, notices that his pet lizard is staring at it intently. The magic must work on lizards after all.

The rest of us have come to the town square and ask to speak to Spivey again. He appears a few minutes later and Sarthisis explains the situation of the outside world. Spivey seems to think that these issues do not concern him. Sarthisis is adamant that they and their people are in great peril. Spivey says that we will have an audience with their high priest to discuss the matter, though he knows nothing of the terrors that have been occurring, and furthermore does not believe in gods such as Necros and Galignan.

We are taken up a winding path to a small shrine near the town on the craggy side of the hill. There is a relief on the wall of a hideous looking demon on a fish’s body. It smells very strange in here; we see small pots with incense burning nearby. Sitting near the altar is a very old human. He points a crooked finger at all of us and asks us what we desire. Sarthisis says that he should be warned of the dangers of the outside world. He gets extremely animated explaining that his god, the Sea Demon (depicted in the mural) protects him and will destroy any enemies. When asked about the sea snake, he says that he is of little consequence and if the Sea Demon wished it, he would already be dead. It is decided that the old man is completely insane and we must move on. Spivey apologizes and says that he will take us to see the king.

Spivey asks us to wait and goes to fetch the king, since this is a most irregular hour. Shortly we are taken into a hall with a large mural depicting a mighty sea battle. There are many bodies laying on one of the ships, and one man is standing on the bow of the ship harpooning a sea monster. There are a few small chairs arranged here, and on a dais there is a throne. Presently, from behind the throne, steps a red-haired woman of astonishing beauty. She seems haughty and sarcastic, and asks us how we have come here. She introduces herself as Chiana Mcgirk. When we explain the situation with Elleday, and she has a very serious reaction, the first of such since we landed on this island. As she is contemplating this, she brushes her hair back and several of the party see that her ears are slightly pointed.

Chiana asks us what we need, and we say that we need men and ships. She says that they are much more than a simple fishing village, and she will show us. We follow her down a long corridor through the mountain and we see an odd bluish light. The hall opens into a giant underground cavern, and from the walls and ceiling we see blue crystals, and on the floor there are piles and piles of gold and jewels. She explains that they have been high seas business-people, and they had been raiding ships for many years. However recently they have stopped the practice since they have so much. She says that maybe it is time for them to give back some.

Sarthisis suggests that we give the money to the other, smaller countries that might need it badly at a time like now. Chiana asks about the state of the other countries, and we give her the bad news. Sarthisis suggests that a naval force could do a great amount of good to assist the cause. Chiana says that our immediate problem is the sea snake, but we can use some of their thirteen ships to combat it. Four of them have ballistas.

Chiana says that they will begin preparing immediately, and we are shown to some rooms to stay for the night in the meantime.

The next morning we eat and gear up. By now the ships are ready. Spivey seems surprised that the King is as fired up as she is.