OUTLANDER

                                                       Chapter 20

                                          Seeking Answers

“We are passing our first anchorage, Commander.” Eron said to Dax as he watched the shoreline pass by where they had first went ashore many months ago.

“I see that, Eron. I wonder at what we will find over the next half moon.”

Commodore Cavidar had walked over to where the two were standing at the rail. “Are we ready, Dax?”

“Yes, Ernstal. Is your man ready to plot the coastline from here?”

“He is. Let me know when you think we should make an anchorage, so you can probe deeper inland.”

“I will, it will be more helpful if we anchor where we can climb to higher ground. Then we can record more terrain from a single point of view each time.”

“Agreed. I think it would also be good if we do that where we anchor for the evening, say at some bay type location early enough for you and your men to go inland. When you return we can plot any additional sightings you find that evening. Then when we move on at dawn we will be starting afresh each day.”

“That makes sense. We don’t need to do that every day though, only when we see it would be advantageous.”

“I will let you determine when, Dax. I am as anxious as you to know more of Borland.”

The day passed with them cruising in a southwesterly direction away from the first shallow inlet where they had anchored months before. By dusk they anchored where the coast was starting to angle to a more westward direction. As per their plan, they anchored at dusk each day. This way they had full view of the coast as they traveled. Very little discussion was needed that night when they compared the new notes and drawing of the extended shore.

As the dawn started breaking behind them they all were on the upper deck, having already had their morning meal. The Windlass cruised around a broad point of land and the crow’s nest spotted a broad bay with the shoreline then protruding furtherer out to the ocean on the other side, far enough to disappear toward the horizon. The point rose to a mountain of considerable height. As it came into full view for all on the upper deck, Dax and Cavidar looked to one another.

“There, close in the bay let’s anchor. Eron, his men and I will take a boat to the shore and explore inland and climb the mountain.”

“That looks like a good point to make observations from. I’ll take some soundings in the bay and we can be making the first notations on the chart while you are on shore.”

“Sounds good.” Dax turned to Eron. “Have the men get ready to go ashore for the day. The Commodore’s men will get the boat ready.”

“We will be ready directly Commander.”

By the mid-morning hour Dax, Eron and his platoon were beaching the boat on the shore. They headed inland from the beach to a moderate notch in the mountain to the west, there was another notch to the east but the hillock between them was lower and they wanted to climb to the much higher peak overlooking the bay and inland.

At points they had to hack through dense undergrowth to make their way upward. Once at the notch between the two caps. The back one was the lower of the two, so the men moved to the south and up the highest peak. The higher they climbed the sparser the forest became. By the time they reached the mountain’s peak, the view was spectacular in all directions.

“Look, Dax, to the south this mountain makes a long point between two bays. And there is a channel separating the coast from a sizable island. The bay on the other side from where we are anchored is twice the size of the one we were in. That could one day be another good harbor if we needed one.”

“I see it, Eron. I also see that there looks like an even higher mountain on the other side of the bay as well. Take out the parchment we brought and draw in the features we are seeing. Try to do it as close to the scale we are seeing as you can. Let’s turn around and look inland.” Once they had turned around it was Tervil who spoke first.

“Commander, if I turn all the way around on this peak and then look at the lower peak we turned away from to climb up here, doesn’t the two of them look like a fang or maybe a shark’s tooth to you?”

After a few moments, Dax answered the Sergeant-at-Arms. ”It does. What do you think, Eron?”

“I agree with you both. Dax, do we have the right to name prominent land marks?”

“Yes we do. I think Tervil’s first impression is the one we will use. Let’s call this peak we are on, Mount Fang.”  That said all four of Eron’s platoon yell in agreement. “Thus it is, this will be known as Mount Fang. Put that on your chart, Eron.”

Looking inland now, there was forest with valleys and hills or higher as far as they could see. Unfortunately, the growth within view was too dense to rightfully add much other than that to the chart. So Eron just added the first couple of elevation changes and then stopped marking the chart beyond that.

“Okay, let’s walk back down to that notch and walk to that smaller notch to our east and see things from there. By that time it will be time to get back to the beach and row back to the ship before dusk sets in.”

Over the next two hours nothing of real note was spotted, the only thing they remarked on was the types of animal tracks they saw, trees and bushes they knew and especially that no one saw any tracks or evidence that any person had been there before them. Just before the last hint of light was vanishing beyond the mountain or from the sea’s horizon to the south, they were all back on the Windlass and the boat had been lifted back to its position onboard.

                                                                 *****

Melody, Gayla with Ruthor and Aiela with Cran were all sitting at a table and getting ready to eat their midday meal when Delpha and Mesan came to join them.

“Got room for two more?”

“Of course we do. Sit down.” Melody answered.

Aiela turned to Cran and Ruthor and asked a question. “Do you not think it would be a worthwhile improvement, if we paved the square with cobblestone like the streets are in Throgmarden? Or maybe with flat quarried stone similar to what we have building the buildings with?”

Melody answered her friend before the men could speak. “I have been thinking the same thing.” Delpha and Gayla quickly added there agreement.

Ruthor then had time to answer. “I can agree with all of you. Since the masons and prisoners have the lower portion of the watermill and the weir is above the waterline of the river. I suppose we could divert their attention to making the square more stable and useful for a while. That would let the carpenters get some of the beams and lower framing done on the mill mechanisms started before the upper part of the mill and weir are capped. But we will have to stop somewhere with the square paving, and make sure the mill walls are capped and ready for the roof to be built before winter sets in.”

“That sounds great, my husband.” Gayla answered as the others nodded their heads in agreement.

“All right then, Cran and I will see to the change in priorities this afternoon. We will talk with Darl and Savid Mamed and they can discuss the needed stone with Kurl Mars and Dom Swen. We will put the necessary prisoners to the tasks they require tomorrow.”

“I’ll talk with Weren and Paol Dhal as well, they can get with Wilem Kemp and Maynard Symes about the sizes and lengths of timber they need for the mechanisms of the mill.”

“Alright, can you think of anything else we could elevate in priority on improvements, ladies?”

“Not right now, Ruthor. We thank you for being so accommodating. There will be many of the women who will appreciate this.” Melody answered.

“I agree, Captain. At some other time later, we might discuss the possibility of some way to get the fresh water a litter closer to Sovladen than the river. It is not necessary yet, but later on in a few months it would make many things easier for everyone.” Delpha added.

“Yes, I can also agree with that. Let’s say we discuss the possibilities after the Watermill is fully operational.”

Everyone at the table nodded to this. Then as they finished their meals everyone started leaving the table and going back to that day’s tasks.

                                                             *****

Captain Moule came down his gang plank to the dock in Throgmarden and walked in the direction of Lord Daka’s office, it was midday. Once he arrived and was granted entrance, Daka sent a man to fetch Lord Ceric and another to inform Thane Eric of the Captain’s arrival. He and Captain Moule started walking toward the council chamber. It was a brief walk and they were there a short while before the Thane and Mage walked into the chamber. Thane Eric strode in just ahead of Ceric and greeted his Captain with well wishes home after so long a voyage.

“What is your assessment of Borland, Captain?”

“You would be most pleased, my Thane. Commander Dax and Commodore Cavidar are doing an amazing job getting the settlement in Sovladen operating much better than you might think this quickly, considering the small number of people there and how far they are from the rest of the world. I am not sure I would call it an island any longer. There is much they have not been able to explore as yet. But I can tell you my perception is that it is very large and the possibilities are astounding. As I was leaving for my return, they were setting off on an extended voyage around the south part of it to see if they could find just how large it is. They intended to be on this exploration of at least one full moon, mapping what they find.”

“A full moon? So you think it is that large?” Eric asked.

“I cannot know for sure, my Thane, but yes I do. They already knew of at least three days travel north and a day’s travel south with no slight impression that either direction was starting to turn in a direction of heading toward the west, back so that either would be joining together again.”

“If that is true , Captain, which would infer that this could actually be a size close to all the land we already knew existed.”

“Again, I cannot say that either, Mage Ceric. All I can say is that it is going to be much larger than anyone ever thought possible from the myths we knew as children.”

“And, it is all ours.”

“So far, Thane Eric, there has been no evidence that anyone ever found it before the rebel Fargyn stumbled upon it.”

“Do you think we should send more military men or civilians to settle it?”

“I doubt that either Commander Dax or Commodore Cavidar would be anything but grateful, for any help we could lend them. But I would say this though. You picked exactly the right two men for this. They are in total harmony with one another in their goals, plans and quest to give Marden a land in a place no other realm even dreams of, with defenses to protect Borland from any intruder that might stumble upon it, until you, Thane Eric, is ready for it to be known of. Both are as loyal to you and Marden as you could possibly desire.”

“I am as sure of that as you, Captain. Is there any man of your crew that you have doubts about. Who would let this secret become known to any but your crew alone?”

“Not one, my Thane.”

“Good, then you and your ship will become our one source of travel between the two worlds. From now on we will only send people from Marden, who we can trust and who know they are moving for good.”

                                                                              *****

As the first rays of a new day crept over the eastern horizon, the Windlass was weighing anchor and making way toward the tip of the mountain peninsula. Shortly after being under way the large island came into view of those on deck. Since Dax and Cavidar had compared all that had been seen from the top of Mount Fang, and all notations made on the new chart, they had decided to cruise around the island and add it’s dimensions to the chart until they came into full view of the this bay again.

At the first point in the island they could see it dip to a shallow lengthy shoreline and then there was another sharp point of land. The beach was empty and wide with white sands. Once around the second point a deeper bay appeared with a thinner beach, and steep climbs to the mountain top. But there was an unexpected surprise here.

“Commodore, look there is a derelict beached and on its side at the far end of the beach.”

“I see it.” Cavidar turned his head to First mate Slogin. “Mister Slogin, set your course to anchor as near her as we can and have two boats ready to oar up on shore.”

“Aye, Commodore.”

Dax and Eron’s men climbed into one of the boats with two seamen, while Cavidar and a group of seamen climbed into the second one as soon as they were lowered to the water. Then the two boats made way to the beach where the derelict lay beached.

Once out of the boats; Dax, Eron and his men took the point toward the seemingly abandoned ship. Commodore Cavidar and his men at close quarters behind them.

When they came up to the ship’s prow they could see that there was a gaping hole along its waterline somewhat behind what had been the forecastle above. Eron started his climb up some of the damaged timbers as his men followed slowly, Dax was climbing the other side of the damaged ship along with them. Two of Cavidar’s men then crawled inside the gaping hole and started to maneuver along the ship’s interior. The rest of the seamen were walking around near the boat looking for tracks or other signs of life. Cavidar followed his two men who crawled inside the ship.

The ship was not in as bad a condition as it first looked, aside from the gaping hole. The sails were in tatters and had sea wind rot from hanging from the spars for what had to be years. Much of the interior if the orlop deck was strewn with debris and the rotted bodies of three men, now but skeletons.

The half deck and main deck were in similar disorder but without as much hull damage. And there were no skeletons found. The upper decks, masts and spars were still is serviceable condition though.

Cavidar came up on top and went to where Dax was standing on the forecastle upper deck staring all along the length of the ship. She was a fine Galley at one time.

“I found the Captain’s log in his cabin. She was called the Dolphin and she belonged to the Captain, his name was Deric Torvil and he was from Escaldia. The last entry says they hit an underwater rock or reef while trying to get close and anchor. So he steered her to the beach. It says most of his crew had died while they were becalmed and they had been at sea for six moons. Then a storm came up and blew them even further off course toward this island. Only eleven men counting him came ashore. They were heading inland to seek shelter and forage for food.”

“So where are they now?”

“There’s no way to know. He left this behind in case someone found the ship. We can break up into our two groups and search for signs of them.”

“I have a better idea. You go back to the Windlass, have Mister Slogin come ashore and we will break up into four groups and search from the beaches toward the beach on the other side of this island. You can take the Windlass around and anchor there. From what we have seen we can all meet up there tomorrow. Have Slogin bring enough rations for two days.”

“Yes, I like that idea better. Now let me ask this, what do we do about the Dolphin?”

“Is there anything we can do, her hull looks shattered and her sails are in shreds.”

“No. This hull can be repaired, even easier since she is already beached. We have enough extra canvas for sails. Our biggest problem would be getting her back in the water. That would take some engineering and time. But I think it would be worth the effort. She could be a fine addition to our fleet once she was made ship shape and we did some alterations back in Sovladen.”

“You really think we could make that happen?”

“Yes. If I left the Boatswain, ship’s carpenter and just a few men behind, they could be working on it while we search the island. If we find no one, then they could stay here while we complete our voyage. The on our way back we anchor here again and finish the repairs and getting her launched.”

“Gads Bones! Then let’s give it all we have. We’ll all go to the Windlass in the boats. Slogin and some seamen, I and Eron’s men will come back and search. You can send your repair crew here and we will still meet up tomorrow on the other side of the island.”

“Great, let’s get to the boats.”

An hour later the four groups of men started climbing the mountainous areas of the island. Eron with Shem and Tumach took a route east of the center of the mountain, while Dax with Tervil took the route west of the mountains center. The two groups of Seamen took routes closer to the west and east ends above the beaches on those points.

As soon as the two boats went back with the repair crews, Commodore Cavidar weighed anchor and continued sailing the Windlass westward around the island. That night the four groups of searchers camped separately at points in the mountains. The next morning they continued their searches. Late that afternoon Dax with Tervil came out of the forest on the north side of the island to see Eron with Shem and Tumach waiting on the beach for them to arrive. Dax and Tervil walked to where they were sitting.

“Have you seen the two groups of Seaman yet?”

“No, but the Windlass is anchored not far off shore from here. He sent a boat ashore not long ago. It is beached not far to the east waiting.”

“Did you find anything of the missing men?’

“Yes, we found a very old looking set of crude shelters at almost the mountain’s peak. There were 9 graves dug close by.”

“That’s all but two of the remaining crew then.”

“No they were all there. The other two we found as skeletons in one of the shelters. So long ago that their clothes were rotted like the sails on the ship. That’s not all though, it looked like those two died fighting each other, their hands still had knives in them.”

“Then that is an end to this mystery. Let us go to the boat and join whoever has made it back before us.”

Dax and his men climbed the rope ladder up and on deck, followed by the seamen who had waited for them. Then members of the crew started lifting the boat back on deck.

Commodore Cavidar walked their way. “The other two groups are already on board, they found nothing but animal tracks and there were none unusual. How did your men do?”

“Eron and his men found an old shelter with nine graves and then two skeletons in one of the shelters. He said it looked like the last two fought to the death.”

“Well then that puts an end to anyone being alive. Are you ready to continue our voyage?”

“Yes, as soon as you are.”

Cavidar turned and yelled to Mister Slogin. “Weigh anchor, Mister Slogin and come about to continue toward the southwest if you will.”

“Aye, Commodore.”

Just as dusk was settling in the Windlass was approaching an even larger mountain abutting the coast. Cavidar and Dax agreed to anchor here. In the morning the Wolf Pack would row ashore and explore this mountain and get an overall view from its summit. That evening after their meal the crews who had explored the last island and the chart maker met and compared notes and drawings again until it was time to take to their beds.

At dawn the next morning Dax and Eron’s platoon went ashore. It took them the full day and until after dusk that evening to complete this exploration, returning to the Windlass during the early dark. Once the boat was brought back up to the upper deck, they met with Cavidar and some of his men below decks and talked while Dax’s men ate an evening meal.

“There looks to be at least two more islands around this next point, and possibly a third. We couldn’t be totally sure of the third one it was almost beyond the horizon. There is a strait between the middle and much larger of the two and what looks like a channel between it and the island to the south of it. The strait curves with the shorelines of the large middle island and the shoreline of Borland, dipping to the north and the curving around to the west. It will take us a couple of days at least to explore both with more parties on land at the same time.”

“Fine, which would you like to sail towards first?”

“I think toward what appears to be a point on the middle islands southeast, then to the south island. We could explore it first then cross that channel to the middle island. If we make there the next day once several crews go ashore you can sail the Windlass around its coastline to the northern shore and pick us all up there again, as we just did.”

“Sounds like a good approach. Then we could decide that night on our next course.”

“I agree and by then we might have a better idea if there is a third island in that group.”

“Yes, and pick our course accordingly. Let’s allow everyone to compare notes and make accounts on the chart. We’ll sail at dawn. Was there anything out of the ordinary when you explored the mountain today?”

“No, But it was over twice the size of the one we named Mount Fang.”

The next day they sailed as they had discussed. First in the direction of the middle island’s southeast point and the almost due south to the smaller island. It was late when they anchored off its shore. The next morning, the Wolf Pack went ashore and started exploring while the Windlass sailed around the island to its more northern shore. Late that afternoon, Dax and his men came back on board. The Windlass sailed across that channel and anchored along the middle islands southern shore. At dawn the next morning all the boats took crews to the beach there. Then returned to the Windlass which weighed anchor and put to sail around the large island. The men on shore broke up into six groups and started hiking and climbing six routes northerly over the island’s terrain. All six groups camped in the forests and hills that night separately. It was almost dusk the next day when the last of those groups were coming back on board the Windlass. Every man on the six exploration crews were beat from their treks across the island. It was well beyond the middle of the night before all accounts were noted on the chart.

The men who had taken the most westward trek over the mountain as well as the ship’s crew could well attest that there was indeed a third island in this group and it was across another channel to the northwest. Thus everyone decided jointly to make for there with the dawn.

The third island was approximately the same size as the southern one but shaped more like a crescent moon. The next morning the Windlass weighed anchor and returned to mapping Borland’s mainline coast. Farther north was a longer point of land jutting toward the southwest. Once around the point, Dax’s men once again climbed to its summit and made more notations.

For three more days the ship sailed more northerly along a long stretch of undulating coast line without any prominent mountains within view. As they approached another point on that third day at around dusk the ship anchored once again. While everyone was having their evening meal, a sort of council met together talking and eating.

“We are agreed then that in the morning the ship will turn about and make sail for where the repair crews are working on the Galley.” Cavidar finally stated.

“Yes, we all agree on this. I would hope though that you will make that course somewhat farther from the coast during the return trip. That way you could see if there are any more islands within fifteen leagues of Borland?” Dax said.

“Yes I think that would be a good precaution as well.”

“Then I think I will bring up one other point that Eron and I have discussed earlier today. According to what we can see on the chart, it appears that we are within a good proximity of just north of due west of Sovladen.”

“It does appear like that.”

“Then we think that in the morning before you weigh anchor, I with Eron’s platoon will disembark the ship here. We will then explore a route due east on the land. If we trek at as good a pace as possible, then we could possibly be back to Sovladen by the time you can sail there. If you get held up with the Galley repairs and launching, we could set sail for the island from there to assist you.”

“I like that idea, however I don’t think you should leave Sovladen. If we find that we need more assistance, I will send men to you. Otherwise we may just be delayed temporarily in our return.”

“Even better. We will take provisions for several days. But try to live off the land as much as we can. We can add the new information we find to the chart, once we are all back together again.”

“Sounds good. I think I will find my bunk, see you men in the morning.”

The next morning the Wolf Pack contingent was on the beach as the sun peeked over the eastern horizon. Behind them the Windlass weighed anchor as soon as the boat was back on its upper deck coming about and sailing off in a southerly direction, disappearing over the western sea horizon as it sailed farther out to sea.

Dax and Eron’s platoon shouldered their gear and provisions and started inland over a more gentle sloping upward terrain. During the first two days they continued along the gentle undulating grasslands finding plentiful long grained Barley, Oat and Buck Wheat grains ripe for the harvesting, nearer bushes and trees had Hops vines sagging with the aromatic cones. Small game of rabbits, squirrels various rodents scampered away as the men neared their where they were feeding or resting in the warm sun. Occasionally a pheasant or quail would be startled and take flight around the men’s path forward. Small groups of deer could be seen running for cover away from the strange intruders. The stream they had followed started to rise over rocks into the nearing, more mountainous landscape. On the third morning the climb became slightly more laborious, the rising elevations became more heavily forested and steeper and there were increasing amounts of boulders and rocky ground to traverse.

The following days found them leaving the stream’s course, which took a more northerly track as the men stayed their due east direction as much as was possible through the rising mountain range. Eron was at the point of their small column and stopped to get a closer look on the ground in front of him.

“Dax, come look at this.”

“What have you found?”

“I think this is the track of a very large bear?”

Dax bent slightly beside and looked at the huge track on the ground. “I think you are right. But by this tracks size and depth of the impression, it would have to be huge.”

“My thoughts exactly, this with the mountain cat tracks we have already seen means we need to be more vigilant about our surroundings. Especially since these mountains are getting more rugged and don’t appear to be reaching their summit yet.”

“I agree, we need to stay to the animal trails, as we make better time. But I do not want to lose anyone to a big cat’s hunger.”

Over the next several days they continued their path east crossing streams of clear cold water, even a couple of small lakes and varying mountain glens and steep rises and valleys. The men found streaks of quartz, in granite rock escarpments, and yet huge limestone outcrops intermixed with shale and softer grainy sandstone shelfs. At one point they found a large outcrop of blue grey slate that would be perfect for quarrying for roof tiles and table tops. Occasionally they were within sight of many caves but did not have the time for exploration.

After a few more days they finally started to descend into more familiar country and knew they were close to the broad area where the river flowed just beyond Sovladen. It was not long before they spotted the first of the new farmsteads close to their home. By the late afternoon they were walking down into the western edge of the town and were seen returning home by friends and family.

Melody saw Dax and the men as they came down the gentle slope from the river and walked quickly with Ginger in her arms to welcome her husband. As they held each other in a warm and dear embrace she heard him whisper into her ear. “This is what makes being away worthwhile.”

“I am glad you are back. But where is the ship?”

“It should be here in a few days or so. We found a derelict Galley on our voyage to the west. Cavidar left men there to make repairs. On their return trip, he was stopping to complete them and get it launched before completing their return to here. If he needs help he will send for it.”

“Great, a third ship for our new home.  Look around Dax, do you see our new comfort improvement?”

“Yes, I like it. You have paved the square, or at least a lot of it. With winter not far off, this will make moving round our town so much safer.”

“That’s what we decided and the water mill is almost completed as well. Come and see one more new building we are working on.” As she said this the couple walked around a group of trees and Dax saw a new long building in the final stages of getting a thatched roof.”

“Looks fine, what is this one planned for?”

“This is our Hall, the carpenters are completing long tables right now. When they are done we can hold our meetings, have our meals in warmth during the winter and even have celebrations when they arise.”

“Splendid, you all have been busy, my love.”

“Come get out of your traveling clothes and gear. Ginger will be excited you are home.”

Dax and Melody headed for their house, greeting those they passed as they went. Eron and his men were already at their quarters settling back in and would meet with Dax and everyone later.

Three days later two ships came around the southern bluff and into Sovladen’s harbor. Most of the town was at or close to the docks as they anchored and were tied to the dock.

“I see you didn’t need any help in completing the repairs.”

“I would not say that we couldn’t have used it. Getting her upright in an excavated small channel the men had dug was a feat, but once it was flooded getting her back into the surf was a lot easier. We will start more complete repairs and refurbishing now that we have her tied here.”

“Did you give any thought as to what we will name this one?”

“Yes, Slogin thought Phoenix would be appropriate and I like it.”

“As do I, Phoenix it is. And mister Slogin?”

“You can probably guess, I have made him Captain Slogin.”

“Fine, it is well deserved. I will congratulate him as soon as I see him.”

“He will appreciate that. And you, anything of special interest during your exploration the landward connection?”

“Higher mountains than we had seen before, some fine opportunities for us there. We can go over everything in depth later through. How about you? Did you see any more islands?”

“Not within the fifteen leagues we could see on the horizon as we traveled back to the repair site.”

“That’s actually good, I think. Less for us to keep abreast of. We have enough to be working on. Someday maybe we will have the time and men to explore further. For now we only need to explore the northern coast back to our knowledge of what is to the west. Maybe after the winter has passed, it should be starting before long.”

“It should, we need time to replenish ourselves and become more protected and safe here.”

“We agree again. Go my friend, get yourself unloaded and resettled. We can talk more later. Refresh yourself. You deserve time to rest.”

“I may do just that, I will see you later, Dax.”