Once the launch party was over, it was generally agreed that it was time for them to move on. (Much to Sir Leeroy’s disappointment, he had become quite the regular feature at the local tavern. (His wife would find out about that in time, resulting in a little lecture.)

So they went to visit The Mer grotto, surprised this time to find Coral among the delegation. Apparently her coming out with the tactic to take out multiple predators at the same time had finally convinced her mother, that maybe, she was starting to grow up a little. so could be trusted outside. (Of course the removal of several super massive predators from the local area may have also had a little bit of an effect on that. Parents tend to be more happy letting their kids out when they aren’t likely to be eaten, I know right? So over protective.)

Next up was the Tattoo shop, where she granted permission to the artists to continue experimenting with the power of tattoo magic. She had a feeling that they had barely scratched the surface of the potential there.

The mayor had wanted to thank her personally, but Mibbet hated dealing with that, especially as politicians had a nasty habit of making a big song and dance of that sort of thing. So she politely declined.

Next was a final visit to The Wellerman, Captain Acab, and Ed Land already plotting their next voyage. Though Mibbet managed to get them to promise no Quacking monsters, or overgrown fish this time. They were apparently off to look for a sheep of some kind this time. (Don’t worry no golden fleeces are involved this time, Briony just lost a wager with Baramyew, patron deity of shepherds, so her temple now had to look after his sheep for a few weeks. The sheep in question was specifically created as a deterrent to theft, and alone ate enough for fifty regular stock. Attempts to kill it however resulted in it turning carnivorous, and turning the rest of the flock. Unsurprisingly since he had introduced this measure theft of livestock was way down.)

The ship seemed to be holding together well, and now that their captain had avenged himself on The Don, they were a lot more relaxed than they had been previously. Of course that is not to say they weren’t still armed to the teeth, they were happy, not dense, and there were no shortage of beasties and assorted gribbly grim things haunting the waters hereabouts to really act as a deterrent to letting their guards down.

That done Trundles was retrieved, and loaded up, then, once Elvira had been convinced to part with Coral, (no mean feat, they got on really well, and their personalities really complimented each other, in fact that was part of the problem. They egged each other on thoroughly.)

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Puppy was not happy with Mibbet though, she had just gone on en entire adventure without them. (Rascal and Alba weren’t too bothered on that front, the towns-folks had either through fear, or respect for The Princess, agreed to keep the treats and fuss coming.) They timed their departure perfectly too, as a thoroughly waterlogged Addy finally made it to shore just before they decided to leave.

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Nowadays, if you head towards the town of Daveejons, you will encounter a

vastly different place to the one Mibbet visited.

In a little alley, not far from the centre of town, stands a friendly looking shop. Yet one that carries a reputation, as home of the most famous expert on the issue of magical tattoos, and her wife. From what can be figured out with a little bit of research, they met after the store owner placed a recruitment advert for a witch. She was the only applicant, and after a few months of research and development, they had realised they argued constantly. They then ended up marrying, so as to do it more conveniently.

After The Princesses particularly painful introduction to the world of body art, they also figured out that there was probably a market for temporary tattoos with those properties too. All of the power, none of the needles, time limited. Too late for poor Mibbet, but still.

If you head to the harbour you will find two major features, a temple to Briony Deyp, which is carefully maintained by the crew of a nearby ship, and a statue depicting, of all things, a battle between a massive rubber duck and a shark. A lot of people when they first hear this tale, doubt its veracity. Until they learn that Princess Rosalind was involved. Weird stories follow in her wake, and more often than not they turn out to be true.

There is one ship, that is practically a constant presence on this harbour. The Wellerman. The crew look thoroughly seasoned, yet the ship is maintained scrupulously. For a few coins they will take you on a voyage to the site of the battle between The Quacken, and The Don, and to listen to them speak about it you’d almost believe they had been there.

The crew seem to have good relations with the local Mer folk too, and between the ship, the Mer, and the tattoo shop. (Who sell temporary tattoos of water breathing as a speciality.) They will arrange to take you on an undersea tour of the grotto of statues. The site of the first peace treaty between The Mer and the humans of town. There is a rumour that those who take it, and the on land walking tour come out of it with a unique, and interesting perspective on the early days of this truce. Though when asked most will just shake their heads and change the subject as quickly as they can. If pressed they will just insist that you really will have to see it for yourself to believe it.

Oddly for places on The Princesses tour, this particular location does not have a shrine to Wannashowa, most locals are dedicated to Briony Deyp though, so maybe it isn’t that unusual after all.