Quartermaster Greggor led the group that would look for sustenance on the newfound island, their doctor Hank was with them, as he had the best chance to determine whether something might be poisonous or not... or at least could heal the poor fellow who taste-tested unknown herbs and such.

Following the stereotype of a ship's doctor, Hank was a man in his late-forties. His stature was slim and waning, especially compared to Greggor, who was at least two heads higher and thrice as wide as the doctor. Despite their physical difference, both men got along well, partly because they both felt regularly distraught and respect for their captain, but also because Hank was as stubborn as a goat and Greggor may be the only one on the ship who didn't endure it, but also accepted that part of Hank's personality, which in return earned Hank's improvement and later trust.

The foraging party had some empty backpacks, while others carried the explorer's equipment, like knives, ropes, spyglass, and compass. Also torches, in case they get lost in the mist. Even though it would be barely visible in the thick fog, it was better than nothing, especially as this group didn't have one the mages on them, as without those it would be impossible to return. The Reverence could still sail without a doctor or a quartermaster.

They do have three female magic-users though, all new to the realm of magic and while they could use either Water or Air Control for some support, pushing the mist away like Scarlet would be an impossible task for them.

That's also why Lennart—one of the look-outs—was with them, as he specialized in perception-enhancing spells and these should be enough to find a stray comrade or two.

“If you get separated, make sure to not move. Light up a torch, stand still, and wait for us to find you. Only yell if you are sure that you're not surrounded by potential enemies. We don't know what sorts of monsters live here or if even some strange humans made this island their home. Let's head out, everyone behind me. Stay close to me, Lennart.”

“Aye, sir!”

This is how Greggor led the group from the rocky beach to a forest that laid behind it. The trees had black-gray bark and leaves that were moist and almost felt like meat to the touch. This was promising as it was a sign of fertile grounds. “Look for fruits.” Sadly, those were akin to pine cones: Too hard to eat to begin with.

However, Lennart put his hand on Greggor's shoulder: “There is a bird on that tree...” With a swift pine-cone throw, the quartermaster killed the bird. It was an owl with tiny eyes and a long claws. Just what did it hunt with those?

The question was quickly answered, as there were mice with quills running around, too quick and small to bother hunting, unless they were about to starve. “Let's put some snares around here. Maybe we are lucky.” Those were quickly made and put, after the crew took a long time to find animal tracks. It could be something like rabbit, but Greggor was no hunting expert, he just learned a few tricks.

Slowly but steadily, the foragers went through the forest. The ground was bumpy, roots crawled up at every corner, and they looked at every plant, guessing whether it was edible or not.

After a while, Greggor decided to press forward: “Let's move closer to the center of the island. Maybe there is plenty to eat here, but the mist is still too thick.” He took out his compass and checked it, they needed to head west as the Reverence was in the east. “All in one line, I will make a trail.”

The quartermaster used his magic to enhance his body, and with every step, he teared down roots and underbrush with his feet. A body as strong as his combined with enhancement magic was indeed herculean. While the torn way was in no mean easily traversable, it was easy to find and better than to fight through the undergrowth.

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The forest was more wide than long, it could have been a ring around the beach, but that wasn't a concern for Greggor. What he wanted to do was to find food and water, and as he emerged from between the trees, he found that the mist already was much lighter and that it got undeniably hotter.

From within the light mist, he could see a huge mountain in distance, it might have taken a day or two to get there. But instead of the distance, he was much more concerned of what was right before him, as a landscape he never saw before expanded from here.

Almost no grass, but plenty of plants he never saw before, but reminded him of vegetables. Bulbs and turnips, cucumbers and pods, cloves and herbs, berries and fruits, everything seemed to be in abundance, even though it was clear as day that several animals had eaten them, but still, there was plenty of them.

Which meant, that these were also hunting grounds! Greggo lifted his arms, ready to strike whatever may dive down from the sky, but he wasn't expecting birds of preys the size of cattle. Could these be the fabled Rocs? While some would have called them sailor's yarn, Greggor knew exactly that they were on the kind of journey that should expect to surprisingly find monsters of the myths.

With its sheer size, the bird that swooped down easily lifted the quartermaster off the ground. That was a big mistake, as the Gentle Giant was not as gentle to monsters and therefore threw an uppercut right into the beast's belly, which didn't expect its prey to be able not only to withstand the piercing pain of its claws right into their muscles, but also had so much power in their fist, that they could split stones with bare hands if needed. Needless to say that the bird's inner organs ruptured immediately, causing a reflexive opening of its claws, while it could only glide to the ground as it would slowly die.

Greggor used Body Enhancement on his legs to endure the landing, any other man would have broken their legs by this—except of the captain, who was more than used to high altitudes and the consequences of gravity. Even after absorbing the shop with leg-movements, he felt the pain shooting up to the top of his scalp, as eruptions of blood shot out of the deep scratches on his shoulders.

Still, that was just one roc, there were more. Four to be exact. Two of them dived down at the beginning, so there was a struggling Lennart inside the claws of one—he was supposed to stay close to Greggor and therefore he was targeted at the same time—and two more were almost at the end of their dive.

The quartermaster was only able to watch, but the crew already was in motion. While two were grabbed, both of them already had not only their Body Enhancement on to endure the pain better, but also grabbed the hands of those around them, making the whole bulk too heavy to carry. They certainly learned from the bat-incident and had a strategy going on!

Greggor used some magic on his voice, encouraging and strengthening the brave crew: “Hold on tight and bring those birds down!”

He himself quickly got his rope from his backpack and swung it like a whip, right at the bird above them who was about to carry Lennart away. The body of the bird trembled at first, then a second and third hit followed on each of its wings, making it get rid of its load to get away quicker. The last one didn't even bother to fight.

With all of his magic concentrated on his left foot, Greggor leaped through the air, trying to capture Lennart. What was it with lookouts being carried away on this journey? Or were they just at the most dangerous spots against flying monsters?

He caught the man, balanced Body Enhancement out to both legs and then took the impact of the fall, right into a field of turnips. “Hahahaha!” He laughed in delight, as the only broken things were some vegetables. They made it out fine here.

The others brought down the rocs and clubbed them to death like fish. Then Hank took a look on the wounds, treating them with needle and magic. “Making me do all the work...”

Greggor took it stoically and he looked at the rocs: “These and vegetables. We may need some more water, but this looks like a promising first foraging.” They still didn't know what of it was edible or not though. “Let's pack a lot of stuff and return for the Reverence for now.” He lifted one of the rocs over his shoulder, then he noticed something: A metal ring wrapped around one of its claws and there were some strange signs engraved into them.

Unless these birds were surprisingly able smiths, this could only mean on thing: Something that is also lived on this island and would take notice that some of their pets were missing...