The storm had been rough and taken it's toll. Very few saw the next sunrise and even fewer ever saw where the vessel had sunk or the survivors washed up on a strange shore. And then there was the massive pain that felt like a Clydesdale tap dancing on my head.

I did not know how long I was out but I knew It was long enough to grow dehydrated. My eyes cracked open and the skin bled from sand and salt having cemented the soft skin of my eyelids closed. The blood was only a small issue though. As I looked around I realized Blin was not among the bodies on the shore.

In truth none of the bodies surrounding me were breathing. But that did not stop one or two from stirring. Men once dead slowly began to move their limbs. Carrion birds hunted for flesh. My weakened eyes strained to see what was happening, what unholy acts were occurring? Lifting myself from the sand I stood.

My hands reflexively went to my hips, in search of weapons no longer there. It seems the sea thought one last cruel joke was taking my weapons. With small movements I began to stretch my muscles to loosen them. The bodies rose and as one, three and a half pairs of eyes looked my way. The eyes, having gone a milky color, held no life in them.

Their flesh seemed to hand off their bones loose like rags. Each step was a stutter as they moved closer to me. "What madness have I found?" I noticed my tone was slightly unnerved but I felt no fear. "Madness! Madness! Rawwwk!" The words were shouted in a croaking voice. My eyes darted around and landed on a raven as in hopped around the sands. It paid no mind to the bodies and seemed to stare right through me.

"Madness quoth the raven!" The raven said. It pecked at a shell.

"Madness quoth the madman!" Before I could reply it took flight as a dead man lunged for it.

"Lovely." My voice cracked from saltwater drying it out. I took a deep breath and charged the dead. I have been walking the beach of wherever I was for at least six hours. From beginning to now there was only forest leading off of the beach. If I wanted to continue inland I would need to traverse the woods. Not wasting further time I shouldered my way through thick brush and vines.

The canopy made the undergrowth excessively warm and soon sweat drenched my body. Slow going became slower. Thick vegetation became thicker. It was as if the very forest did not want me to progress. I charged forward trying to press my way through, only to stumble out back onto the beach. To make matters worse I emerged only a good foot from the spot I went in.

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The crushed plants clearly visible from where I passed. I let out a loud rawr and cursed the island. "If I found a way to kill you I would." I grumbled. Blin was out there somewhere. I had to find her or her body. Call it honor, a code or whatever, but I wouldn't lose her. She was mine. "Stupid fucking island." I tried again to breach the forest. It took more time than I would ever admit. I do not get lost. Ever.

But I made progress just as the sun was going down. As the sun set behind the tallest trees, I found myself pushing out of the jungle and into an open field. It was more like a valley. Looking around if gave clear view of a mountain range to the north, the forest behind me to the south, a river to the east the sun gave a silver glow to with its light, and to the west had.... Nothing.

It was actual nothing. Like the world itself ended the moment the valley decided it wanted to stop. In the center of the valley was a collection of ten houses. A fire was burning bright in the center. From my position it seemed like figures moved around the fire. Shadows danced among the flames and I made my way closer. The village was small, but the people were more diverse than I have ever seen. All of them were varied: short, tall, fat, skinny.

But that was not all. They had skins of various colors and some had extra limbs. One person had a third eye, or only a single eye. My breath held in my throat and I looked like any fool I had seen visiting the cities for the first time. Quickly I changed my features to seem unsurprised and passive. I moved through the people fluidly.

Hawkers yelled their wears.

"Fish for sell!"

"We have Chickens!..."

"Bangles and rings..."

"Weapons..." The village was rather enjoyable with all the people and oddities.

"It is real." I let a small smile escape, "The Silver Isles." Green men, large and angry grunted by. I knew orcs, having killed them as a child. One ran their shoulder into me purposefully.

"Move it shrimp." He grunted. His tusks were cut to have a serrated edge to it. My body was strong and firm. The shoulder connected and stopped. The large orc was surprised and tried again. The other two orcs looked at their friend,

"What are you playing with that thing?" Before the orc could answer I replied first, "Haven't killed one of you since I was a child. Wanted to see if you are any stronger."

The orcs were shocked and grew angry. The one pushing against me backed away for more room to fight. Each orc stood six feet tall. Muscles covered the body. Orcs looked like large humans with tusks and green skin, these no different from the orcs back home.

The only difference was hair. These orcs had hair on their heads while the ones I knew where generally bald. Two had black hair and one had a whitish silver color. The latter seemed to be their leader.

My eyes grew hooded and my body relaxed. Hands curled into fists since my knives were lost to me. "Allow me to greet you all properly."