It took all of Chumley's limited sailing skills and most of Thoris' energy to bring the Vengeance back to port safely at World's End.

As soon as the ship was safely berthed, Thoris set about contacting Zian's family to let them know he was trapped, but safe. When he learned they were still in Minga, he sent a messenger, feeling that it was better that his wife, Lily, knew the whole story before someone without the facts terrified her with speculation.

Chumley arranged transportation for Thoris back to Thoth and gave orders to the local constabulary to search out King Frega with news of what had transpired and ask that he go to Thoth.

Finally, he arranged for a meal of historic proportions for Gladiverserac, while having a local craftsman fashion a light saddle to fit on the albatross so that she could be ridden without Chumley plunging to his demise. The rigging that was agreed upon was simple, basically a molded pillow with three sets of straps which allowed Chumley to lay belly-down across Gladiverserac's broad back, with head slightly raised forward to allow the rat to see ahead of them. One set of padded straps encircled her bosom in front of her legs, one set secured the back of the saddle behind her wings and around her bum. The final straps were set in the saddle itself to hold the nervous rat safely in place.

When Thoris was done with his local responsibilities and bid his good-byes to Chumley and Gladiverserac, he departed in all haste to Thoth.

The albatross listened intently as Chumley explained their flight plan. It had to be done prior to the flight, since it was unlikely Gladis would be able to hear the directions of the rat once airborne and even less likely that Chumley could see anything beyond the blue open sky once he was strapped in.
"Mind that you fly level, luv, wouldn't want to test my flyin' skills by droppin' me, would we?" the black rat instructed.

"Funny thou art, Sir Chumley, thou would certainly drop to thy death like an un-hatched egg." Gladiverserac said gaily.

"Yeah, quite a pep talk Gladis, me gel. Now then, just so we got it straight, let's go over this first leg of the flight, all roight?"

"As you request. Fly we shall to Minga, where thine Lady fair visits the family of her mother. To Thoth thou shall send them and then depart we shall for the Lands of Man. Is that correct, Sir Chumley?"

"Quite excellent, you got it roight, 100 per cent. Anything ah need to know, 'bout flyin' ah mean before we does this?"

Gladis seemed to want to say something, but appeared embarrassed. Chumley pressed her.
"Come on, darlin', spit it out, ah don't deal all that well with surprises," he insisted.

Gladis was silent for a moment and then answered shyly.
"Worried I am for thy safety when we land. A master flier am I, a master lander, I am not. Thou recallest my landing on the boat, where knock thee into the boat I did?"

Chumley remembered the collision quite clearly.
"Yeah, sad to say ah do. All ah can suggest is that ye remember that ah'm tied to your back and to try not to squash me too bad, can ye do that?"

"Try with all my might, I will."

Chumley let out a long sigh of resignation.
"Let's get on with it then."

Gladiverserac guided Chumley in securing the saddle and then huddled low to the ground to allow the rat to climb aboard. He slid forward into the center of the padded mat and tightened the strap tightly around his midsection. He turned over, so that his belly pressed tightly to the albatross' back. There were two paw-holds attached to the saddle directly in front of him which he grasped tightly. When Chumley felt as secure as he was likely to get, he called out.
"It's all on you now Gladis, next stop... Minga," he shouted.

The huge bird began running down the path, gaining speed and flapping her wings powerfully. She hopped into the air once without success and touched down several yards down the path. She continued to build speed until she launched herself once more into the sky. This time she continued to climb, flapping with determination. Chumley held his breath and closed his eyes. He could feel Gladiverserac leave the ground and the wind rush through his fur. He gripped the handles tightly as he felt himself slip backward slightly from the speed and incline of the ascent. After a short while the albatross leveled out. Her frantic flapping became more certain and less frequent as she reached the high thermal currents which would guide her south.

Chumley opened his eyes to the brilliant light of high sky and cloud. Where fear had been in his heart, there was now only awe and wonder. He positioned himself comfortably and took in the sensation of flight.

"Be seein' ya soon, Belinda, me luv," he whispered to himself.