The rodent Skreek leans over a pot that is suspended from yet another gear-tooth, being heated by a poor excuse for a fire that threatens to give out before supper is fully cooked. Supper in this case would be another stew of chewy tentacles, crunchy crawlers ("Adds spice," claims Whiptail) and assorted mushrooms and patches of nutty-tasting dried moss. If it weren't so chewy, and if the air weren't permeated with the smell of the sewers, it wouldn't be that bad.

Whiptail pulls out a ladle and takes a sip to sample the soup, then makes an "Ahhh," sound in approval. He hangs the ladle back up, then turns to Baddock. "Bravely have you faced many trials in the Sewers, Baddock. Well have you learned the ways of fighting! The time has come, then, for the ultimate test… "

The rat fishes around in a nook full of scraps of parchment, and pulls out a rolled-up scroll. He blows off some dust and mold, and unravels it. "What mean these to you? … 'Emerald Eggs from the Sabaoth's Royal Aviary … Xocholatl from the Emir's Storehouse … Sugarfir Leaves from the Orchard of Aelfhem … ' " He rolls up the scroll again, and pulls a leather strap around it, then looks at Baddock expectantly.

Baddock tilts his head slightly as he ponders Whiptail's question. He gives himself a few good seconds to consider the question before he allows himself to reply. Finally, he realizes that there's really only one answer he can give. Baddock looks back at the old Skreek. "Well, to be perfectly honest … absolutely nothing."

The Skreek cackles. "Ah! Honesty! Yes … many are these things, and hard to find! But together are they put, to make the grandest of wishes come true!"

"That," adds the Skreek quickly, "and the components already in Master Whiptail's collection. Only these four remain to be gathered."

The rat then pauses and counts on his fingers. "One … two … three … These three, that is."

The young boy grins and nods. "Well, their names sound pretty weird, so I figured they must be something special." He then adds with a shrug, "But, I've never heard of any of them before."

"Ahhhh … Well, many things will you learn, then!" says the Skreek, as he sits down on a cogwheel stool. "Unlike any other are the Emerald Eggs of the Sabaoth, and found only in the Sabaoth's Aviary. The Sabaoth, no more is he … but the Aviary still stands, off in distant Babel … place of the flappy Eeee!"

"Also then, the Sugarfir Forest … in Aelfhem, place of the Aelfin … a magical, wondrous place, far to the west of here, across the ocean… south of Babel. Pink leaves, the color of sunset, imbued with magical energies, and the life of Sinai itself!" The Skreek nods sagely.

"And lastly, Xocholatl, substance of delight … ebon blocks fashioned by experts in the service of the wicked Emir of Abu Dhabi. Many sorts of Xocholatl are there, but only one possessing enchanted qualities, worthy of a hero's quest! Stored are they within the Emir's storehouse, enchanted to withstand the heat of the desert sun." Master Whiptail pauses to sip at a cup of tea. "And those three, only they remain. Gathered together, and a wish may come true. Those three, and the rest already gathered." He pats a wooden trunk next to him.

As the old master speaks, Baddock listens intently. His mind tries to visualize the far-off places the Skreek describes. He notes the trunk as the Master Whiptail points it out. It all seems a bit overwhelming to the young boy at first … but comprehension slowly dawns, and the boy acknowledges with a smile. "Oh … so, you're trying to get the last three? What are you going to wish for?"

"Ahhhh!" says the Skreek, and he then holds his fingers to his mouth in a shushing gesture. "It is a secret. But get your wish as well, you shall! And plenty extra to go around for a few good friends!"

"My wish?" Baddock didn't even know he had a wish. Although now that the old master mentions it, it does seem likely that there are probably a few things he could wish for.

"So?" queries Master Whiptail. "Willing would you be to embark on quest for three things, to bring back? Up to you which to go for first. What order does not matter, only so that all three we get, eh?"

Baddock nods to the Skreek and smiles. "All right, I'll do it," he says confidently. He really doesn't have any clue what he might wish for, but that doesn't even matter right now. The opportunity to see three new lands is far more important to him, and he can't pass it up. He takes a second to ponder which destination he should head for first.

Master Whiptail watches Baddock's thoughtful expression, and considers. "Babel is real pretty. So is Aelfhem. But Abu Dhabi's closest right now. Probably wouldn't be hard to hop a ship down to the surface … but then, Aelfhem should be pretty this time of year … and it is summer down there in Abu Dhabi, which is hot enough … so Babel would be a lot cooler, being further north and up in the mountains. Eh. Guess all three are good or bad, eh?"

"So it's pretty much up to me, hm?" Baddock nods to himself as he paces the room a bit, quietly pondering each location. After a moment, he turns back to Master Whiptail. "Okay," he says, smiling. "I'll go to Aelfhem first."

Master Whiptail nods in approval. "Well then … bear in mind the lessons you have learned here, young Baddock Shen … and travel well!" He holds up a hand in blessing.

Baddock bows deeply to the old master. "I'll be back!" the young boy boldly replies with a smile, one clenched fist held near his chest in a gesture of strong self-confidence.

There's quite a bit of activity out here, given that this is the primary means of entering and exiting what is arguably the most important city on all of Sinai … but the wooden docks are expansive enough, with enough redundant accesses that it's possible to make one's way out here and look around without getting trampled upon. (Besides, a good number of the airship sailors out here have wings, making the walkways that much less used.)

Great zeppelins, blimps and lighter-than-air vehicles of other shapes and sizes are docked here, some supported by wooden trusses, others merely tethered down. Many sport grand sails, while others have outboard propellers. As for the ones with propellers, there is no indication that they are turned by steam power or any combustible fuel – Odds are, they're muscle-powered. Still others have strange spurs and struts sticking out in odd directions that seem to serve no discernible function whatsoever, other than to make the ship a hazard should it accidentally run into another airship's supporting envelope.

While many of the airships sport the Temple's "Star-and-Anchor" emblem, or variations thereof, the rest fly banners of the nations of the world over, or of merchant guilds or private fleets. Over there is the five-pointed star-shaped cogwheel of Chronotopia, on a clumsy-looking craft with unusual mechanical features. Over that way is a spiky-looking ship whose envelope and banners depict a coiled golden serpent of the Nagai Empire. In another direction is a sleek liner bearing the Scimitar and Dagger of the Khattan Emirate of the Himaat. Another, much smaller airship bears an emblem that looks like a pink leaf. A glittering, insect-like airship bears an intricate sigil that vaguely resembles an eye superimposed on a stylized tower, designating a Babelite ship of the Ashdod Territories.

Baddock walks along the docks, taking a good look at each of the huge aircraft. He keeps going until he notices an airship that looks dwarfed among its much larger brethren, bearing an emblem that resembles a pink leaf. Remembering Master Whiptail's description of the region called Aelfhem, he makes his way toward the small ship.

A little creature no taller than Baddock looks up at the human's approach. The creature somewhat resembles a deer in the curve of its muzzle and the soft lines of its face and ears, but it stands on humanoid legs, with a humanoid body … and, to make things just a little more strange, it happens to have four ears. All four of them perk up curiously, and the creature smoothes at a crisply-pressed uniform before raising a hand in greeting. "Hello there! I am Captain Mountainglade. A fine morning, is it not?"

Always happy to meet someone he doesn't have to strain his neck to speak to, Baddock smiles and nods. "Yes, sir!" He greets the Captain with a slight bow as he returns the introduction. "I'm Baddock Shen." The boy turns a momentary gaze across the side of the airship before inquiring excitedly, "Does … this ship go to Aelfhem?"

"Why, yes," answers the captain. "Do you wish to go there?"

"Yes, sir!" Baddock replies with a nod. He smiles and takes another look at the ship, very impressed in spite of its size.

The Aelfin nods. "Fare is pretty cheap. How many will be going with you?" He looks around behind Baddock, as if expecting someone else.

Baddock looks back to the Captain "Oh, it'll just be me. So when do you leave?"

"But … ah … pardon me, but I do recall that humans – You are a human, correct?" The captain holds his hand as far up as he can reach, and stands on his tip-toes. "Don't they come in a larger size as adults? I don't think the locals would be too happy with me ferrying children without adult guardians. The last time I did that… " The Aelfin shudders. "Master Kurai was most displeased."

"Oh, well… " Baddock sighs. "I haven't seen my parents in a few months." The young boy turns his gaze downward, suddenly not wanting to make eye contact with the Captain. "They might be dead, but I think they're just missing… I hope so… " He looks back up at the Captain. "Anyway … I've really got to get to Aelfhem, but I don't want to cause you any trouble. I'm sure I could just take one of the other ships back down to the planet, and get there some other way… " Baddock looks back over his shoulder at some of the other airships.

"Your parents … missing?" The Aelfin holds a paw up to his muzzle. "How simply dreadful! And they might be down there on the surface?"

A second Aelfin comes up, this one wearing a dress. She has a sad expression on her face. "Poor dear!"

Baddock looks at the two Aelfin, starting to regret having said anything at all. He smiles weakly. "It's… it's okay. But, yeah… " he adds, speaking to the Captain, "I'm sure they're down on the surface, somewhere."

The female Aelfin turns to the first. "You must help him! A poor child like him … all alone … in such a big city! Surely you can't say we'll turn him away?"

The captain's ears droop. "But … dear … if … " He looks to the human boy. "I … Do you promise not to tell anyone?"

An slightly guilty, yet sympathetic half-smile appears on Baddock's face. He actually seems more concerned about the Captain's plight than his own. With a slight nod, he replies, "Well, yeah… but, only if you're really sure… "

The captain's wife takes Baddock by the arm. "Now, you just come along, dear, and I'll fix you up some soup. We're heading back to Aelfhem anyway with some cargo, so an extra passenger – especially a small one – will be no trouble at all, you see?"

The captain just meekly nods his agreement.

Baddock smiles, "Thank you, ma'am… " He heads along with the Captain's wife.