Sir Thomas was mildly amused. A successful mission has its advantages! Suddenly, everyone’s your friend. I hope it carries over to this meeting with the King. It was only two days since their return from England with the signed treaty. He instinctively reached down to insure the seals were still intact on the pouch. It was in a lot better condition than he was. The return voyage had been swift, due to an autumn storm. Throughout the voyage, he and the Chancellor had both remained below decks, suffering from seasickness. His stomach still refused to keep down anything with even a hint of grease. Scheel, on the other hand, looked disgustingly cheerful. Maybe the good news has put his master in a good mood too. For our sakes, I hope so. The message summoning him had included a pointed request that his partners also come along. His two passengers were in answer to that request. Saul and Reuben Abrabanel had contacted him shortly after he first started putting out feelers to various investors about a planned expedition to the New World.