Eight people stood on a dock at the edge of a town called Mefal. It was a strange assortment of folk: several humans, a dwarf, a halfling, a half-orc, and a half-elf. And the dock was strange, too. Like any dock in any port town this dock was made of wood and beams, set at the edge of a vast space. Nestled against the dock were dozens of boats. But these boats were sand craft, built for speed, constructed to endure the winds and sands of the region and outfitted with tall wheels so that they could sail over most of the rocks of the Hinter. For all that though, they looked like traditional sailing vessels.

At least, most of the boats had a traditional design. The boat that the group stood contemplating was different – more of a raft, really. It was tall, certainly and had two triangular sails, like the other boats. But it was half the size of the other boats, and the planks that made up the deck looked cracked and splintered. Plus there was no railing circling the edge of the deck. Anyone or anything could roll right off the edge. Netting lay in heaps on the deck, and the main sail looked like a patchwork quilt because of dozens of repairs to the cloth.

Gil, the captain of the boat jumped down to her deck and spread his arms wide. “Welcome to Ladja, queen of the sands.”

“Will we all fit on it, I mean her?” Isa brushed the hair from her eyes and gave Gil a smile.

“Of course!” He held out his hand. We’ll need to be careful about moving much when she’s under sail, but it will be fine. Mimay?” The halfling cleric took Gil’s hand and hopped down to the deck. “Of course,” Gil went on, “it helps to have a few lighter folks in the mix. No offense to the fighter or the dwarf.”

“I’m not joining this expedition,” said Dulrak. “I’m just here to say my goodbyes.” He held out his hands to Alice and said, “You’re a smart one. Smart, strong, and ready for the trials ahead.” He smiled and squeezed her hands. “I know it.” He pulled her forward and whispered in her ear.

Alice hugged him and jumped down to the boat deck. Lund held out his hand, and Dulrak grasped his forearm. “Safe travels,” Lund told him. “I’m glad our paths crossed. I am in your debt, and if you come to Bywater, I can begin to repay you.”

With that Lund sat down on the edge of the dock and eased himself to the deck of the craft. Gil directed him to sit in the center of the raft, near the main mast.

Now only Marissa, Isa, and Dulrak stood on the dock. “Thanks for finding Alice today,” said Marissa. “And my goddess thanks you for your help in the tombs. Ysel, She knows that they would not have survived without you.” Marissa handed him a wooden disk about the size of a quarter. “If you should find yourself in the eastern lands, She would gladly welcome you and heal your face of the damage done in Her service.”

Dulrak touched the edge of his cheek where gray, crusted skin met shiny pink and smiled. “I didn’t do it for your Lady.”

“All the same, She bid me give you a token. Safe travels to you.” Marissa nodded and dropped down to the raft.

“Thank you,” Isa said, “for saving my life. Repeatedly.” She shook her head. “We had no business going into that tomb. Don’t know that it was worth it. For either of us.”

Dulrak took Isa’s hand. “It’s sadness that ages you, not years. Sadness and regret. The future – the future is a blank page. Write your story on it in bold strokes.”

Dulrak’s words surprised Isa, and she stood with her mouth open trying to think how to respond.

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“Isa?” Alice’s question was punctuated by the thump of ropes hitting the dock. “We’re ready to cast off.” Gil, Lund, and Marissa all stood at the edge of the raft, long metal-tipped poles in hand. Mimay was on her hands and knees covering their gear with netting.

“OK,” Isa smiled at Dulrak. “Um, farewell, I guess.”

“You, too lass.” He thumped her back. “Good luck.”

She jumped to the deck and turned around to wave. Alice tucked her arm through Isa’s “We’ll meet again!” Alice called to Dulrak.

He laughed. “Count on it, Ally!”

“Do you rea—” Isa bit off her question. In the few hours since they’d been reunited it seemed that they were both trying to be kind to the other. Isa had wanted to ask if Alice really thought she’d see Dulrak again and in which realm, Varana or in Portland, but she stopped herself. Such a question might seem confrontational.

Instead Isa shrugged off her pack and pulled her bag off her shoulder. She pushed them under the netting and helped Mimay tie it off.

Marissa grunted with effort as she leaned against the tall pole. Isa looked at Lund and Gil at the front two corners of the raft planting their poles and pushing them down and away, making the raft move slowly away from the dock.

“Can I help? Is there another pole?” Isa asked.

“It’s heavier,” Lund grunted with effort, “than it looks.”

“You and Alice can take my spot,” said Gil. “I’ll get the minsel up.” He held the pole up. “Watch your friend there and follow his stroke.”

Isa strode across the deck with Alice at her heels. She took the pole from Gil and almost dropped it. “It’s heavy,” said Gil.

“We got it,” said Alice as she grasped it.

Lund said, “On three. One, two, push.”

After a few tries Isa and Alice found a rhythm. The height difference between them helped. Alice kept her hands high on the pole, and Isa had hers low, almost at her thighs.

The wind blew her hair into her mouth, but the stiff breeze smelled clean, and the chill felt good as Isa’s muscles warmed to the task. She hadn’t realized how smoky and rank Mefal had been until the fresh desert air filled her lungs.

Behind her Isa heard the fa-lump of a canvas sail catching the breeze. Gil scrambled up beside them and quickly untied a smaller sail. He hauled on a thin rope and pulled the smaller sail up and secured it. “You can pull in your poles now. She’s not the fastest, but Ladja will prove her worth on the lees.”

They all settled down on deck in a loose semi-circle near Gil, who stood beside the mast.

Isa glanced behind them. The docks of Mefal were a speck in the distance, and the tracks of the boat stretched back, deep, unwavering parallel lines connecting them to the town. Something about the tracks caught Isa’s attention. They were wider than she’d expected, and the sand was rucked up into crests after the boat had passed.

Alice said, “Are there pirates out here? What if we’re followed?”

“Did you have to say that? Honestly.” Mery gave Alice a backhanded slap on the arm.

“Sometimes,” said Gil. “But not lately. No one’s sailing these days.”

“Right,” Isa nodded. “I remember your sister saying that. Why?”

“Strange sightings, strange weather, strange creatures....” Mimay’s voice trailed off.

“So... strangeness,” said Mery.

Gil shrugged. “Sailors are a superstitious lot. We need the winds, stars, sands for survival, and when even one part of that is unbalanced, the whole comes into question.” He rubbed his thumb along one of the taut ropes. “Without a lodestar, a man might lose his way.”

“What’s that from?” Mery craned her neck to look up at Gil.

“What’s what from?”

‘The lodestar bit. It sounds familiar….” Mery snapped her fingers. “Malvolo’s first speech, from A Digger’s Tune. You’re a little young for the part, though. Should be an older man in the role.” She fell silent, squinting into the distance.

“Mery is a bard,” said Isa by way of explanation.

“Do you like theater?” Mery stood up, and Gil grabbed her hand to steady her. He said, “Can’t say I’ve ever seen one.” He loosened a rope and let the main sail out a bit. “Hold tight,” he said. “See that smudge there in the distance. That’s where we’re headed. We’ll shelter there overnight and if Bywick favors us, Mimay, we’ll pick up the trail there.”

“Onyx Hills,” said Mimay.

“The Shimmer is that close?” asked Lund.

“We have to rescue Dockma first,” said Gil.

“Dockma?” Lund’s eyes opened wide. “Dockma walled-us-up-in-a-tomb, Dockma? The woman who stole priceless treasure literally from my hands? That Dockma?”

“You know her, too?” Mimay gave Lund a crooked smile.