**Chapter 13 - The Shard Columns**
224 Words
Guided by eddies of wind and wave through Arlo’s surprising skill at maritime navigation, Eira, Vale and their roguish ally sailed northwest aboard a hastily procured, fast-sailing sloop.
As hypothesized from studying the map’s shifting symbols, they reached a craggy outcrop of volcanic spikes jutting sharply from surging ocean - the mythic Brume Reefs. Jagged shadows loomed ahead through the eerie veil of mist lending the reef its foreboding name.
“The Shard Columns must dwell ahead, but skirting the reef itself risks ripping the hull...” Vale cautioned.
Arlo pointed off their starboard side. “There! A clear channel.”
Eira turned sharply, squinting. Between two smaller outlying spikes stood an imposing shard of blackened stone the length of a galleon indeed matching lore descriptions. It appeared flanked by others deeper in the fog. She could swear strange notes hummed faintly on the air from their imposing span as magic older than memory. What awaited within the mist if they dared proceed towards that ancient chorus..?
With Arlo and Vale’s eyes turned to her, Eira felt the gravity of her role now leading this quest to recovering Windwalker history and Caelum’s future. Gripping the tiller with set jaw, she called on the winds and her own numinous instincts before steering them wordlessly towards the towering shard spires and answers blowin’ in the wind...
- Writer
