Chapter Twenty
On the Southern Archipelago
“Andel, could you stand a bit closer, please,” Huldar said. “Cobar won’t bite, and I believe Casco had a wash this morning.”
“But did you?” Casco said wryly.
With a muttered song Huldar stepped the four explorers through to the rocky shore of a small bay on an island in the planet’s deep south. Andel was almost knocked sideways by the unexpected force of the wind. Beside them, a wild grey ocean heaved against a long headland. Giant waves swept foam across the shallow reef in an endless cleansing roar. Small shrubs dotted the stony dunes behind them, pressed low and westerly as if extruded by the savage polar winds.
Portal needs a little tuning, Casco said.
“Sea levels won’t begin to fall for several months,” Huldar yelled against the wind. H
