OUTLANDER
Chapter 23
Northwest Passage
The Shark weighed anchor just as the dawn was breaking on the eastern horizon. Dax and Cran were standing together at the bow as the ship started to move toward the point of land which was the northern most point so far explored by anyone. Their expectations were high, as were the spirits of the entire company and crew.
As the ship rounded the point the shoreline receded southerly for several leagues until it reached a delta where a river dumped its fresh water into the northern sea. After that the shore returned to a northwesterly direction undulating for farther than a man at the bow could see. You could only see about fifteen leagues on the open sea and the man in the crow’s nest could only see a few leagues more. This river appeared to come from the northern side of the mountain that they had just passed around the previous point. It was tall and looked to be rocky at its highest peaks having a stark contrast to the heavily forested lower elevations.
There was a fertile and wide v-shaped valley between this mountain and the next. Leagues wide on both sides of the delta. Dax mused at the possibility of many bountiful farmsteads that could thrive here and at the vast amount of trees for home, bairn and fence construction so easily available. Along either side of the delta was ample locations for a dock here, almost half a moon from Sovladen. Someday there would be need to explore it better and see if there was an accessible over land route here. Today they would sail on until dusk, maybe they would get close to the next point along the coast and see more as they rounded it.
It was late the next day when the crow’s nest watch yelled out the call of sighting around the next rather rounded point on the coast. “An island, Captain, several leagues distant and looks to be a deep bay behind it.”
Pendil yelled back. “How many leagues, Mister Chaz?”
“Say ten, Captain.”
Bien Pendil turned to Dax who was not far away on the main deck near the starboard side. “We can make that by dusk, Commander. What would be your wish?”
“That would be too late to scout it out. So let us make safe anchor close by, then my men and I will cast off at dawn and take a closer look at this new island.”
At dawn Dax, Cran and his platoon shoved of in two boats with some of the crew, rowing toward this new island. Once these men of the Wolf Pack were safely on the island shore the two boats rowed back to the Shark. Pendil on the Shark would sail around the northern shore of the island and then anchor on its west end. There they would send the two boats back to the western shore to pick up the expedition there.
Cran with Sergeant-at Arms Bern and his team would climb the central mountain and trek to the western end. Dax with Sergeant-at Arms Dien would take a lower route along the more southerly side of the island. That would give Cran with East and Bern’s partner Heart traveling with his men, Dax with Darma would have two other wolves traveling with them.
Cran and his men started the arduous climb up the mountain’s eastern slope, plodding their way upward and making observations of the trees types and searching for any tracks they crossed as they continued to climb. There were pines, alder and oak intermixed along the way. They found tracks and scat from squirrels, other rodents, and deer along their path as well as various types of birds squawking at being disturbed. Below them, Dax and his men were noticing the same, but also found abandoned nests for ducks and terns along the close to shore areas. Many lizards scurried away as they walked westward and many small crabs dove into their smalls in the sand when disturbed. At the island’s most southerly point Dax could see a very deep bay receding along the main coast shoreline.
Although the route Dax and his men walked was longer in length, it was far easier walking than that Cran was taking over the mountain. By the time he and his group made their way to the far western point, he could see Pendil’s seamen rowing to the sandy beach there. It was quite a while before Cran and his men were seen descending the western slope of the mountain and joining Dax and his men near the two boats.
Once there they talked just long enough to be sure that there was no need to return to anything of special discovery. Once on the Shark the expeditionary men took a mid-day meal break as the Shark now made way for the deepest point of the bay. Even though eating, everyone was watching the shore line along the cruise there. A large river was seen emptying into the bay at its most southern juncture with the bay. The Shark made anchor again at a safe distance off shore. By now it was late in the day and the sun was starting to wane toward the western horizon along the more gently sloped terrain. Dax and Cran decided there was still time to disembark the ship and set up a camp near the river for the night. Then at dawn they could explore deeper inland for a couple of days. Captain Pendil would send some of his seamen on both days to forage around the seashores both east and west of the river. This would leave Dax’s men to concentrate on deeper explorations up river.
At first light, Dax and Cran with their men, rose from their night’s rest and started the trek up river. Dax took the same men with him on the west side of the river, while Cran and his walked the eastern river bank. In both teams men spread out so that they could see as much of each side as possible. By mid-day the journey started to become somewhat steeper, but as yet not treacherous. Tracks of deer and wild pig, were plentiful there had also been one area on Cran’s side of the river where the tracks of a large cat were found. As the elevation increased fox tracks started appearing along trails to the river. Now muskrat, raccoon and tracks of a medium animal that was dragging a flattened tail behind him, close to one of these was a log jam built at the river’s edge where many smaller trees had been chewed down and dragged to the log jam.
By the end of the day the river was splitting into two different tributaries. Both were coming down from two distinct mountains, there were rapids and a couple of short waterfalls just before they had reached this point. Here Cran’s men crossed the river on large boulders strewn across the river itself giving it a natural place to cross. All the men set up a camp on the western shore. They decided that in the coming morning, Cran would cross the river back to its eastern side and both teams would trek up the two mountains. Once climbed they would take the two different routes back in the general direction of the bay where the Shark was anchored. With any luck they could both be back at the shore by that following evening.
The path Cran’s group took was higher than the one Dax and his men were ascending. By the time they reached the summit they were about the tree line and standing on bare stone outcrops of granitic rock. In the distance to their right were the twin peaks of Twin Mountain which they had seen from the previous bay days ago and was prominent from the upper reaches of the northern most extent of the eastern shore. In front of them was a somewhat smaller peak which gave this mountain the look of a large saddle back. Their trek northwest would have them descend back into the forest and then climb again onto the smaller peak ahead of them. As they walked along the rock face two things struck Cran as notable. First there was scat from what appeared to be mountain sheep and second, when he dropped to a knee there seemed to be dark green crystals in a few places within the rock itself. Finally after some prying with his knife he broke one out among some of the granite itself. He placed the chunk into his pouch and then they moved on.
Dax and his men made the crest of their highest peak without too much trouble. The very top of the mountain was barren rock and gave an excellent view to the northwest. He and his men stood and took in the entire vista and saw that there was a seemingly endless gradual slope as far as they could see. Dax himself thought this slope possibly continued all the way even more westward to the Sea itself, if so it was farther than a man could see from here. One could see far enough to tell that trees became farther apart until it was eventually a broad sloping plain of what looked like long grasses. More to the north it was similar, yet the slope was steeper. There was little change in the tracks that they encountered from the previous day’s journey though. By the late afternoon they were back at the beach and had seen that a second smaller river emptied into the bay north of where they disembarked onto the shore when they landed.
It was very near dusk when Cran’s group came down the second and smaller mountain crest of their travels and within sight of the beach on the east side of the river where Dax with his men and the two boats from the Shark were waiting. Without any hesitation everyone climbed into the two boats and started oaring for the ship anchored off shore. No one wanted to be rowing once the dusk waned into the dark of night.
The next morning it was decided to name the Island at the bays mouth, Shark Island for the ship they were on when it was discovered. As they sailed out of the bay and beyond the low sloping shoreline at its west end they could see that the shoreline was fairly long, and northwesterly oriented with continuing wide gentle plains of tall grasses. As they neared what appeared to be an eventual change in the shoreline to turning back in a more westerly direction, the crow’s nest watch yelled down that he was sighting another large looking island more directly ahead.
Captain Pendil and Dax decided to stay a course for this Island as they had done before. Once again making anchor for an expedition to row to the island and investigate its interior. The island appeared to stretch a long distance to the northwest with a chain of mountains along the same direction. It would take at least two days to explore it properly. Once the Wolf Pack teams were deposited on the shore, Pendil weighed anchor and started cruising along its more northerly shoreline.
Both teams rejoined one another that night in a saddle between the island mountain chains two most prominent peaks.
“Did your team find anything other than what we expected, Cran?”
“We did see scat of a large cat crossing a deer trail just below the summit. Before that we saw quite a few hops vines close to the lower elevations as we started the climb up. Not much else was different than the Shark Island or the area we explored from the bay. How about you and your men?”
“No cat tracks. Lots of smaller animals scurried away as we walked. The island has a large bird population, some are quite good for hunting. But other than that, nothing very unusual.”
“Someday we might think about a second settlement on one of these islands or along that large sloping grass plain.”
“I have had the same thought. But I think we would need to find a route where we could build a road between Sovladen and where ever we chose, maybe even in that sheltered cove across from Shark Island. But first we should get better established in Sovladen. I think we will hold a meeting once we are back. Rather than waiting on Marden, I think we should send a ship back to Viral or Roden, maybe even both and find more civilians looking for a better life. We have done very well so far when we recruit people ourselves.”
“I agree, Commander. There are trades we could use that are not on Borland yet. I also think we could do well with more laboring men, say miners, quarries and foresters.”
“I agree with that idea as well. Even men or young men willing to train in a new profession. Once we are back I will talk with Cavidar, Ruthor and others. Maybe we will have a town meeting and get even more ideas. But for now let’s just get some sleep. Tomorrow we have more hiking to be rested for.”
Everyone took to resting places around the dying fire. Going to sleep under the canopy of bright stars was always very relaxing.
At mid-day Cran shot one of his signal arrows into the sky. As Dax saw this he and his men changed their direction of walk and headed to where the arrow was shot from. As they neared the location Dax saw Cran and his men standing in a clearing. Cran seeing him gestured to the other side of that clearing. Dax turned his gaze in that direction immediately. Then now being close to Cran he spoke with the Lieutenant.
“Has anyone approached closer or seen any movement?”
“No. I waited for you Commander. The fire pit had a faint odor of recent use.”
“Alright, then let’s move ahead with caution.”
The entire platoon now walked silently forward, everyone scanning the entire area as they slowly approached the site. Behind the fire pit was a rudimentary structure. It looked to be built out of ship debris remnants. When Cran reached the pit, he knelt down and slowly waved his hand closely around the pit. Then he looked up to Dax and in hushed tones spoke.
“This fire pit was used last night. The ashes are still slightly warm, so it’s only been out a couple of hours at most.”
“Then someone is living here. I’ll take a look inside this hut, have your bow at the ready.”
Cran nodded and all his platoon notched their arrows. Dax pulled back the canvas flap hanging over the entry and peered into the darkness. No one was inside, but there was a crudely built bed and a table with an old crate for a chair in front of it. A worn tunic was hanging for the side opposite wall from the table. Other than these things, the hut was empty. So Dax turned slightly to speak to Cran again.
“Have everyone spread out and search the immediate area, clearing, trees, everywhere. Whoever sees anyone, stop and send up another signal arrow.”
It took some time but finally another arrow was shot. As Dax neared where it had come from, he found Cran and Symes with both their Dire Wolves standing over a distraught older man in disheveled and dirty clothes with long grey hair that had silver streaks. He was crouched with his back to a large oak tree. No one was talking but both Archer and Bow were in their hold stance with their eyes staring at the man and uttering low warning growls.
“Call back your wolves to the sit position.” Dax said and both men gave the commands. Then he turned his attention to the cornered stranger. “Who are you and where did you come from?”
At first the older man did not speak or move. Dax went down on one knee, his dirk in his hand and asked the questions again, this time with a more demanding under tone.
Finally, he very cautiously open his mouth to speak. His eyes were wide with fear. “My name is Devon Wilts and I was a seaman from Tripolia. In truth a marauder. I am the sole survivor of a ship wreck 15 full changes of the seasons ago. I mean no one any harm, I haven’t seen another man in all that time. I thought I would die here, old and alone. Can I ask who you men are and where you are from?”
“First tell us where your shipwrecked vessel is and how you ended up on this island?”
“My Captain took us far out to sea, farther than any of the crew wanted to be. We were too far from any of the known ship lanes. Then we got caught in a terrible storm, so bad men were washed overboard and our main mast was broken in half. By the time the storm passed we were even farther to the east. There was no way we could repair the main mast. And we were running out of fresh water and food. The Captain put us on less than half rations for over half a moon. Then some of the crew mutinied and killed the Captain. Men went crazy eating their fills, fighting and killing each other over morsels and scraps. I hid most of the time for days. Then another storm fell upon us, worse than the first one. I was knocked unconscious by falling debris in the hold. When I woke up I was here and the debris was floating at the shore and on the beach of this island. And I was all alone. I have been so ever since. Are you going to kill me?”
“No, unless you prove false to what you have said. Stand now, the wolves will not harm you unless you make a gesture of violence to one of my men.” Dax turned to Cran. “Have one of your men give this old fool a drink of water from one of your flasks.” It was Symes who proffered his flask to Wilts.
“Thank you.”
“Is there anything you want from your hut?”
“No, there is only an old worn out tunic there. Why?”
“We will be taking you with us then. When we get down to the beach on the northwest shore there will be a ship waiting for us. It will be over half a moon before we arrive back at home. But at least you will not be alone any longer.”
“Thank you, I cannot wait to be off this cursed island. But you never said where you are from?”
“We are from Sovladen on Borland. Tell me why did you never try to swim to the mainland?”
“I am a terrible swimmer and knew I would drown. Funny to hear that from a seamen I guess, but it is the truth. Where is this Borland, I have never heard of it?”
“There that mainland is part of Borland. We have just never been this far northwest before.”
The old man pointed to the mainland that could just be seen near the horizon. “That is Borland, I did not know people lived there. I just thought it was another big island. If I had known, I might have tried to build something and get there.”
“Well, take heart Devon, we have only lived there for just over two winters ourselves. I think we will name your mountain, Devon Mountain. Is that alright with you?”
“It would be an honor to me, but I still hope I never set foot on this island again.”
“I can understand why.” Then Dax turned to Cran and his men. “Okay, let’s start our way down Devon Mountain and get back to the Shark.”
Everyone picked up anything they had set down and started the descent down to the beach. Since Devon was with them they did not make any effort in scouting. When they got to the beach and back on the Shark, they could let him fill in any gaps in information. Before Dusk started its march across the sky all were back on the Shark and Devon had been introduced to Captain Pendil and his crew.
Over the next week the Shark and men on it found two more islands along the western coast, which they named the Phoenix and Dhow, below the Dhow was another large reef not far before they made the western most part of Borland where they had explored on their first exploration many moons ago. Here they changed course back to the north and started making more complete observations along this western coast. It was apparent as they started that this entire coastline was gently sloping upward the entire way. There were mountains on the horizon which appeared to be of one long and high mountain range. About half way up this western coastline and at about mid-day the watch at the crow’s nest yelled down to the main deck.
“Captain, you and the Commander should take glasses to your eyes and scan upland.”
Pendil yelled back, “Thank you mister Dench, what are we looking for?”
“Herds Captain, huge herds of animals.”
Dax and Captain Pendil put the spy glasses to their eyes and focused in. Dench was right, there were huge herds of animals grazing all over the plains here.
Dax turned to Cran who was close by. “Cran, do you see what I am seeing?”
“Yes, Commander. Over to the left there is the largest herd of Cattle I have ever seen. Their horns appear to be longer and their hair somewhat short, but my stars look at the size of the herd.”
“Yes I saw, but look up farther up the slope. I also see animals like deer but much larger and their antlers are humongous. Mixed in am I seeing more horses as well?”
“All of that, Dax and other smaller groups of animals I cannot completely make out. But what I do think I see over to the left and high up on the large outcrop of boulders, is that a wolf I see?”
“Great thanks to nature my friend, yes it is. With the right luck at the right time, our wolves could have mating partners whenever Ofid thought they should.” Dax turned to where Pendil was still surveying the abundance of wildlife herds. “Bien, we need to pick a good anchorage close to here. My men and I will do as before. We will disembark the ship and venture on foot back to Sovladen from here.”
“Aye, Commander. This is one walk I would have liked to have taken with you.”
“There will be other times. We know they are here.”
By late afternoon Dax and his men were on the western shore staring up at the vast expanse of the plains before them. Devon Wilts had decided he wanted to take this journey with them. He had rested up on the few days at sea, cleaned up, gotten a shave and cut his hair to a neatly trimmed look. Crewmen had also found him new clothes that fit him rather well from the ship’s stores. Cran had given him a pack for some provisions and a usable scabbard for his knife. He in no way resembled the haggard old man they had found on Windlass Island. Everyone made camp on the beach that night watching the brilliant myriad of stars plat out their travels across the clear although dark sky.
At dawn they arose had some tea and hard tack for morning meal then shouldered their traveling packs and started inland. As they crossed the wide deep prairie, herds of animals were everywhere. Right from the beginning it was apparent that these animals had no fear of men, which meant they had never been exposed to human beings before. Unfortunately the men knew that would change with time, after people started coming here to hunt or capture herds of cattle or horses to be herded back to Sovladen.
The horse here were quite similar to those that had been found in Wild Horse Valley. Had the wolf pack brought their own mounts on the voyage, they might have attempted to herd some now. The cattle though were large with long horns and hair that was quite shorter than those that they had imported from the old world. They would make for excellent breeding with those that had been imported and looked to have much meat on them for butchering. Beef had been the one meat that had been rare so far in Borland due to the limited number that had been brought to Sovladen for milking and possibly starting a slow breeding program.
There were many other animals here to hunt and vary meat supplies. The large deer-like animals they decided seemed to look like one they all remembered from mythical children’s stories called Elk. So that was what they decided to call them. After a day and half of walking slightly south of east they began to start into a more mountainous region, the one they had seen from afar that had appeared to be a continuous range of mountains trending northeast to southwest. The central and most prominent peak they named Elk Mountain.
As they started to enter the range Dax and Cran decided to take the uphill trek along a prominent river on the north side of Elk Mountain.
As the team walked up the vast, gently sloping plain the slope began to steepen as they walked and by the time they reached the foothill of the river’s canyon Dax stopped to talk to Cran.
“We should find some way to mark our route so it can be easily found by others, when we send men back to capture horses or cattle.”
It was Devon who spoke before Cran could answer. “Maybe you should build cairns at any junctures where tributaries join together.”
“That’s a good idea, Commander. If we used stones of large size and built them half the height of a man, let’s say just inside the one we are varying from but in plain view of whichever tributary we take, it would be obvious which way to go.”
“Thank you Devon, I agree that is just what we will do. So let’s move on and follow this river.”
Several hours later they came to the first junction of two tributaries. One led almost due southwest and the other one meandered more northeast. This location broadened into a wider valley with ample room for them to make a night’s camp. After dropping their traveling packs on the northern bank they constructed the first cairn just below where the two streams joined into one and where it could be seen from both streams. After having an evening meal everyone stretched out for rest and sleep. Lying on their backs and looking up at the millions of stars in the clear night sky sleep came easily with the flows of the two streams joining into one having a calming effect. It was close to the sound of the ocean waves slapping against the side of the ship at night.
For several days they trekked this way, along the tributaries at first and then over a small saddle between two peaks before sighting another stream flowing toward the northern coast it appeared. Here they walked up stream again as it turned to a more easterly direction and they camped again. Over the next couple of days this procedure re-occurred a few more times until they finally came to familiar territory where Eron had found the outcrop of slate at an elevation above this particular canyon. Dax and his men knew it instantly and knew they were less than a day from Sovladen, so they made their last evening camp since tomorrow they would be home.
Everyone was up as the dawn creeped over the mountain tops and shouldered their packs for the last time on this trek from the western coast. By just after mid-day the group of explorers had passed the first of the farmsteads and were turning down the road to Sovladen. The men’s spirits lifted at being so close to home.
As they passed the blacksmith shop people could be seen waving to the group. Ahead Dax could see that the Shark had already made it there and was tied to the docks ahead of them and in the bay. Without any seemingly reason Devon stopped suddenly and stared at two women who were tending a fire in one of the baking ovens to the side of the once captured women’s house. Dax noticed he had stopped and turned to see if he was just surprised by all the people doing many things near the town square.
“Devon, you will get used to all the populous in time. It still has not been that long ago you had been isolated for so many years.” At first he did not answer, or make a move. Then he took a couple of steps forward as the two women stood and looked in the direction of the men entering the town. One of them got as just a surprised look as Devon and very cautiously said just one word. “Devon.” Then the two of them walked quite slowly at first, but after a few steps she ran and Devon took her in his arms holding her there with tears starting to creep down his cheeks. Dax was just as surprised at this occurrence and then spoke to them both.
“Devon, it appears that you know Nester?”
After pulling slightly away, but still holding Nester Mishen, he answered. “Nester is my sister in law, Commander. I never thought to see her again.”
”It’s true , Dax, I was married to Devon’s younger brother Bjorn. We were newlyweds when he last shipped out of Tripolia. His ship never returned from that voyage fifteen winters ago, nor did any of the men who had been with him on it. All of us finally accepted that the ship had sank at sea somewhere and all of the crew were dead.”
“Where is Bjorn?”
“He died over three winters ago. We were on a ship bound for Steldar and were attacked by a rebel named Fargyn. He and most of the men and boys onboard were killed and tossed over the side into the sea. Only the women were captured and brought here as captives. Then a few men who joined him instead of being killed.”
“And where is this Fargyn?”
“Dead, killed by Commander Dax and his men when they attacked Fargyn here on Borland over two winters ago. He freed us all and offered to take us back to the Old World. But none of us wanted to go, we all decided to live our lives here. Now I am more glad than ever that we did, or I would not have found you again.”
“As am I. I am so sorry for your loss and the misery of being a captive of this Fargyn. If he was not already dead I would kill him myself.”
During all of this many people had joined the gathering. Melody with Ginger were now standing beside Dax and Darma. Aiela and Balen had joined Cran. Ruthor and Commodore Cavidar were there as was Captain Pendil.
Dax interject into their conversation. “We need to find quarters for Devon, Nester. You could join us in doing that if you wish. After that we will all be shedding our traveling packs and the like. We can introduce Devon to the entire town at evening meal. We will be telling all what we have found then. I am sorry to be impolite, but we must get settled back in and I need to have some conversations with the council and Melody.”
“You are not being impolite, Commander, but you do not have to find Devon any quarters. Gernain Dimsee and I have taken up residence in a house just above the Women’s House. Devon will join us there. We have plenty of room. That is unless Devon objects?”
“No, I do not object at all. If it is okay with you, Dax?”
“I think that is a better accommodation for you than I could ever find. I am glad for you both.”
As Nester started to walk away with Devon, they were joined by the young Gernain.
Dax then turned toward Cavidar and the others. “After I get rid of this traveling pack and play with Ginger for a short while, Melody and I will join you and the others in the Town Hall. We have much to discuss. I hope that is agreeable with you all?”
Everyone nodded their ascent, so Dax and his family headed for their house. As did the rest of the men who had just returned.
After a short while all of the council joined by their wives; Captains Pendil and Slogan, Cran with Aiela, Delpha and Mesan, and both Lieutenants Eron and Qfid with Abindal were seated in the town’s hall. Over the rest of the afternoon Dax, Cran and Bien Pendil described for everyone what had been found during their journey. Especially their finding Devon on Windlass Island, the final discovery of coming to where the first exploration had ended and then much time describing the vast plain on the northwestern coast, with its large herds of horses, elk, cattle and deer. Finally Cran and Dax described their efforts in finding and marking a good overland route back to that plain so men could be sent to capture horses and cattle first. The later hunting parties could make the same journey bringing back fresh meat supplies whenever needed. Dax also took pleasure in telling Ofid of the sighting of wolves near the plain, that he might use as increasing their wolf recruits for the Wolf Pack. Some day in the near future every man of the Pack would have a wolf partner.
When that part of the discussion was over Dax then told them all of his and Cran’s idea for sending a ship back to the Old World for new immigrants to Borland, rather than waiting on Marden to send them ones they had selected. This idea met with total agreement. Gaben Slogin volunteered for the mission almost immediately and was enthusiastically approved. His ship the Phoenix had not been seen yet docking at Viral or Jav and possibly at Roden before. This would give him a possibility of less scrutiny than either Commodore Cavidar or Captain Pendil. He would just be another ship picking up stores and provisions on a voyage. He would not be asking for audiences with any kings while there. It was decided that he would replenish his stores and ship out in a few days’ time. This time he was only looking for immigrants, hopefully some with trade skills they still lacked and more men who were general laborers to fill in that pool of workers as well. As many as could be found with families, the better. Everyone had already seen the advantage of family’s more than single people, but a few both men and women could be advantageous also.
At the close of the meeting Cran showed everyone the reddish crystal laden rock he had found early during the voyage. Melody and Gayla were both sure it was ruby, raw and uncut, in its natural state. With this they also told Dax and every one of the pearl that had been brought to them by Deson Dessa while the men were on their journey. Melody told them they had recorded the pearl and it was in the towns vault. It was decided to do the same with the ruby and record the location it had been found as well. Some day in the future if they could continue to amass such gems and maybe even locate gold or silver, such wealth could be useful to Borland.
That evening there was much celebration in the success of the voyage, the reunion of Devon and Nester and the voyage to the Old World for new immigrants. The general mood of the people of Borland was no less than jubilant.
Four days later the Phoenix left port on its voyage. It had been decided that the ship would follow a more northeast direction this time making for a direct route to NoFall and Tripolia. This would increase their knowledge of the western sea between Borland and the Old World. The better they had charted all the possible direct routes between Borland and the Old World the better for their security and any trading route they might want in the future.
A few days after the Phoenix departed port, so did many men on horseback headed for the western plains. They also took one wagon carrying their supplies and equipment such as ropes and cooking utensils. This time Ofid and his platoon, Eron and his platoon, accompanied by Dax and Arell. It was thought that they might be gone as long as a moon or more this time. It was hoped that they could bring back both a herd of wild cattle and a small herd of horses. If they could kill an elk or two just before returning, all the better.
