From: hsexauer@vax.cns.muskingum.edu (Rapunzel) Newsgroups: alt.pub.dragons-inn Subject: [JOI] Land Ho! (isn't it time for a new thread name?) Message-ID: <1993Apr22.193830.5059@vax.cns.muskingum.edu> Date: 22 Apr 93 19:38:30 -0400 [ADMIN] As far as I recall, our little company is grouped around a table in the main cabin, discussing Quaeros' visions. Segoi is still gravely injured and recuperating in his cabin. Kyar can still only use one arm and the rest have pretty much recovered from any injuries. So we join our companions on the third day after the storm, ten days out from Generican water... While the little company talked in the Rhymand's main cabin, a cry reached their ears from above. "LAND HO!" A cheer rose from their throats and those of the mariners as one. They hurried to the ladders, eager to get on deck. Aleric placed one hand on Kyar's back, steadying his friend as he awkwardly climbed the rungs. Once they emerged from the hatch, they clustered at the rail watching the welcome sight of a shoreline on the horizon. It would still take a day or so to reach it, but it gave sign of their quest's beginning. *** Midmorning the next day...*** "Shorten the jibsheet and prepare to come about," the bosun called to the crew. The adventurers stood at the rail once again eyeing the dark forest rising from the shore in front of them. They were doing their best to stay out of the mariners' way, knowing they were no help. The crew was setting the ship broadside to the shore and preparing to drop anchor. The rattling of the chain as they dropped anchor broke the morning stillness. The captain approached the group with a hearty greeting. "Aye mates," the Old Salt hailed them. "Th' bos'n is lowerin' th' longboat now. If ye'll git yer gear we'll be ready t' ferry ye t' shore. Yer large friend'll go last so's he `as an easier journey." All had packed what little possessions they had and had collected all the packs earlier that morning. The Rhymand was close enough to shore for the horses to swim to land. One by one they were led on deck and prodded into the water. All eagerly swam for shore, amxious to be on firm footing again. Somewhere in the midst of this procedure was heard a thud and disgusted oath from the hold. Minutes later the captain appeared on deck, his whole back side covered with manure. He stormed away, disappearing into his cabin and slamming the door. The whole process, including carefully lowering Segoi to the waiting longboat and landing him, took only an hour. The captain, now in clean clothes, addressed the group. "Now I'm not familiar wi' these lands `ere. I canna direct ye t' a town. Me an' me crew're settin' our agin t' find a port an' restock. I wish ye luck in yer quest." So saying, he climbed into the longboat and the sailors rowed for the Rhymand. Using the timbers left by the sailors for the purpose, the companions fashioned a litter for Segoi and set it between his horse and a packhorse to be carried. Aleric redistributed the packs among the horses to ease their burden. They set out for a ride to stretch the horses' legs and breath the scent of the forest. Since they had no idea yet which way to head, they stopped at the first likely site for a camp. Aleric went off by himself to search for deadwood for a fire. By the time he returned, Ildamar and Elanon had erected a shelter of oiled canvas on a wooden frame. It leaned to the ground on one side, leaving the other three open. It would serve to shield the group from the elements. It was now late afternoon, and the air was still warm. Nevertheless, Aleric dug out a small hole and lined it with rocks for a firepit. He carefully set his wood inside, ready for a fire that evening. The rest of the wood he piled to one side of the pit. When it came to making camp he was always a perfectionist. Darkin and Alarond tended the horses and made sure they were well tethered. Elanon had already made a padded bed of ferns and blankets for Segoi and was tending him. Kyar rested to one side of the camp gingerly poking his shoulder to test its progress in healing. Of Laurenth and Quaeros there was no sign. At least not from Aleric's range of vision by the firepit just under the edge of the shelter. Ildamar was now sitting cross-legged under the trees, playing his pipes softly. Everyone was relaxing after the long sea voyage. That evening, as Aleric was cooking for the group's meal, a shadow fell across the ground before him. He looked up to see what was there... [ADMIN] Mark? It's now or never... For the others, this is purposely vague. Anything you wanted to add before we left the ship or when we arrived has plenty of time in which to occur since I specified little.