A Frosty Welcome

The party finally departs for Vasa, but the journey begins with a logistical comedy: ten wyverns can carry only twenty people, and Budhole's elaborate bodyguard scheme—two hammers per person plus Reginald—requires twenty-one guards. After some hasty math, the group settles on a leaner delegation: Penny, Ford, and Ginny share one wyvern; Cormium and Bucky another; Budhole, Farthole (who "doesn't really count as a being"), and Gartok on a third; Reginald and Mo on a fourth; and six wyverns carry twelve hammers as outriders. Quinny rides with Vincent on Chompy.

The Asgard Departure

A hostile crowd has gathered outside the Vasan embassy, pelting the party with produce and shouting at Quinny to abandon the wedding. Chompy "politely reminded them not to do that," and Vinton Eldritch-blasts a tomato out of the sky. The wyverns—described as "babies" on a "dude ranch" level of tameness—launch in a coordinated blast of dirt and debris that knocks a heckler flat. As they fly north over Asgard, Gartok casts speak with animals and learns his wyvern is named Crumpet, who warns him that Vasans hold "opinions about smaller creatures" that "swing in the negative." Crumpet also asks Gartok to put in a good word with Haps (the wyvern carrying Reginald and Mo), hoping for a professional endorsement that might someday lead to romance "like a rose atop a peak." The attempt