The riverbank appeared to sail by as they stood on the deck. The Marianne was a small boat by most standards, but big enough to sail downriver with a cargo of iron ore. The captain had been more than happy to have a Water Mage aboard, though he was less excited for the inclusion of the Therengian. A mage could help protect the ship should danger lurk, but Athgar was just another mouth to feed, and Captain Howe saw little usefulness in the axe wielder.
Athgar spent the whole time on deck, even sleeping there, for the close confines of the hull did little to comfort him. He stood, staring eastward, watching as the vast forests rolled by.
"They say it"s all wilderness," announced Natalia.
"I doubt that," he responded, "there"s bound to be much that lives there, a rich country like that!"
