READ THIS if you are part of the Barrow-Down's Birthday Party

[Mithadan]

Just north of the catamaran's course is a small island. One of the Elves, standing watch on the center prow, cried out suddenly, "There is someone on that island!"

Gritting his teeth at the delay, Mithadan diverts his ship towards the North. As the ship swept by the island a rope was thrown to the lonely elf who caught it and climbed aboard after being dragged a dozen meters in the water. The dripping elf collapsed to the tarp only to be splashed again by an errant wave rising between the hulls. Sputtering, she rose and clambered over to Mithadan. "Thank you!" she said. "I am Meneli and I was picked up by some fishermen while I was swimming and they dropped me off on that island and..."

"Don't thank me until our little adventure is over," interrupted Mithadan. "I hope that you're armed." Meneli began to wonder if being rescued was such a good idea.