The ships themselves were remarkable in that they had no sails but were instead mounted with huge paddlewheels at their sterns. They were built of a mixture of wood and metalthe wood ornately carved and the metal wrought in baroque designs. There were panels in their sides, each carrying an intricate painting depicting some earlier sea victory for Granbretan. Gilded figureheads decorated the forward parts of the ships, representing the terrifying ancient gods of GranbretanJhone, Jhorg, Phowl, Rhunga, who were said to have ruled the land before the Tragic MillenniumChirshil, the Howling God; Bjrin Adass, the Singing God; Jeajee Blad, the Groaning God; Jh’Im Slas, the Weeping God and Aral Vilsn, the Roaring God, Supreme God, father of Skvese and Blansacredid the gods of Doom and Chaos.

The Aral Vilsn was the flagship and on the flagship’s bridge stood the brooding figure of Baron Meliadus, beside him Countess Flana Mikosevaar. Below the bridge, in Wolf and Vulture masks, the captains of the ships began to assemble, having been summoned to the flagship by Meliadus.

They looked up expectantly as Meliadus cleared his throat.

“You are doubtless wondering about our destination gentlemenand wondering, too, about the nature of these strange ships we sail in. The ships are no mysterythey are equipped with engines similar to those powering our ornithopters, and are the invention of that genius of Granbretan, Baron Kalan of Vitall. They can bear us swifter than sail across continents of water and do not need to wait on the will of the wind. As to our destination, that I will reveal in private. This ship is the Aral Vilsn, named after the supreme god of ancient Granbretan, who made this nation into what she is today. Her sister ships are the Skvese and the Blansacredid, which are the old words for Doom and for Chaos. But they are also the sons of Aral Vilsn and represent the glory of Granbretan, the old dark glory, the gloomy glory, the bloody and terrible glory of our land. A glory of which I am sure you are all rightly

proud.” Meliadus paused. “Would you see it lost, gentlemen?”

The answer roared back. No! No! By Aral Vilsn, by Skvese and BlansacredidNo! NO!”

“And would you do anything to make sure that Granbretan retained her black might and her lunatic glory?”

“AYE! AYE! AYE!”

“And would you all unite with me in an insane adventure such as those embarked upon by Aral Vilsn and his peers?”

“AYE! Tell us what is it! Tell us!”

“You would not shrink from it? You would follow it through to the end?”

“AYE!” shouted more than a score of voices.

“Then follow me to my cabin and I will detail the plan. But be warned, once you have entered that cabin, you will have to follow me forever. Any who holds back will not leave the cabin alive.”