The shores had been devastated far worse than the Keys of Terhilian. High into the mountainous terrain, the twisted mass of mud and severed life dominated the landscape. Birds clouded the skies over the mass of rotted vegetation. Though most of the carcasses had been picked clean, leaving only bleached bones as evidence of their existence, land-based scavengers searched for an easy meal. Even from afar, the smell was overpowering, and Kenward ordered more sail.
"We'll need to find a part of the coast that was not affected by the wave. The waters here are far too clogged with debris to be safe, and no one wants to travel through that mess," he said. For nearly half a day, they saw nothing but destruction, but then they reached an area dominated by towering rock formations that jutted from the sea and sheltered a large bay.
"Look!" Chase called, pointing. Two peaks, close together, cradled what remained of a Zjhon warship. Seeing the ship high above them was disconcerting, and Catrin was filled with a mixture of hope and dread. Surely no one had survived, she thought. Maybe Archmaster Belegra was already dead, and they could just go home. No matter how much she wanted to believe it, she knew it wasn't true. Her death awaited. Like a looming premonition, the feeling had grown stronger every day that Benjin was gone. Even bright skies could not chase away the cloud of darkness that followed her, surrounding her. Despite the nagging despair, she drew a deep breath and turned to face the wind, determined to do the best she could.
Beyond a gap in the wall, pristine, unmolested shoreline was visible. Black beaches skirted heavily forested and mountainous terrain. Along the shores, creatures both varied and bizarre covered the landscape. Huge animals that looked like bloated seals crowded together on jutting rock formations. Others like wild boars, only with skin like marbled leather and the size of horses, roamed in packs. Saltwater crocodiles as long as the Slippery Eel rested in shallow waters, often with only their eyes above water.
In a horrifying display, a whale, black as night, thrust itself from the water and onto a rocky outcropping, grabbing one of the bloated seals and tossing it into the air. Others of its ilk moved in and assisted with the kill, giving Catrin her first glimpse of predators working as a team. Her father and Benjin had told her about wolves hunting in packs, but it was shocking to witness such calculated and communal brutality, something she had thought only humans were capable of.
Painfully aware of her own carnal nature, inherent and blood given, she wondered if it could be overcome or if, deep down, they were all just predators waiting for their next kill. Thinking of Barabas and Mother Gwendolin along with other kind-hearted folks she had met on her journey, she knew it could suppressed, and she gained even more respect for those who did it so well, seemingly without effort.
Across the bay, jagged peaks rose on either side of a wide river valley, and even from the distance the sights there were awe inspiring.
"The Valley of Victors," Brother Vaughn said in little more than a whisper. "I had always thought the old tales exaggerated, but here it is before me. The old tales failed to express its true majesty. I am humbled."
"Looks like a good way to get inland," Kenward said.
"That should be the Perintong River," Brother Vaughn said. "Beyond the Valley of Victors and the Eternal Guardians should be the ancient city of Ri. That's where Belegra would go. I'm nearly certain of it."
Catrin nodded, filled with dread. "Take me as far upriver as you can, please," she said, and Kenward gave the orders.
Trembling, Catrin gripped her staff, trying to master her fears. Even the landscape challenged her courage. Steep walls lined the river valley, and every inch was covered with some kind of carving, but it was the carvings of armed men, monstrous and proud, that demanded Catrin's attention. Even worn by the ravages of time, enough detail remained to convey the ferocity of these men, for men they all were. Not a single female image was to be found, which Catrin found even more disturbing.
Winds, funneled by the massive valley, drove the Slippery Eel upriver, against the sluggish current. Around a bend came the most imposing sight yet. Crouched down, one on either side of the river, waited a pair of megalithic stone warriors, each with one arm in the water and the other held in the air, gripping swords that crossed overhead.
The features of one were nearly indistinguishable, but the other delivered an imposing glare. Half his face was missing, yet he seemed to stare into Catrin's soul and find her wanting.
"The Eternal Guardians," Brother Vaughn said, and Catrin knew their image would haunt her dreams.
Chapter 11
To enslave that which is free is to invite your own betrayal. -Barabas, druid
Beyond the guardians, the valley walls closed in. The river narrowed, and the current became swift and turbulent. Ahead, fallen monuments obstructed the river, evidenced by the mighty but broken hand that jutted from the swirling water.
"Can't go around that," Kenward said. "What will you do, Catrin? Now that we are here, what will you do?"
"I must find Belegra, even if that means searching the Firstland from end to end," she said. She could not turn back, not after having come so far and having lost so many. She had to complete this journey in honor of those who had given their lives toward that end.
Dark shapes moved within the trees along the shores, and strange, raucous calls rose above the roar of the water. Eyes appeared in the water near the ship, and the crew jumped when an impact left the ship thrumming.
"I can't keep the Eel here," Kenward said. "I'm going to have to keep much of the crew aboard and return to the harbor, but that leaves only a handful of people to accompany you. I don't know what to do."
"You know exactly what to do, fool boy. You just don't want to do it, so you refuse accept it. Do what must be done."
"Thank you, Mother. You are correct; I know. If you are to reach Ri, Catrin, I suggest you take a landing party to shore a short ways back downriver, where the waters are calmer. We'll sail back to the harbor and prepare for the long journey home. When you've achieved your goal, come back to your boat. Light a signal fire-the more smoke, the better-and we'll come for you. There are mirrors in your packs; use those if you can't get a fire lit. I'm sorry I can offer no more."
"Well said, my son."
Uncertainty festered in Catrin's belly. Daunted by the thought of exploring the Firstland with only five people, she set her jaw, her determination bolstered by the commitment of those who stood around her: Chase, Strom, Osbourne, and Brother Vaughn. All stood ready to disembark, and Catrin sensed no fear from them, only the drive to do what must be done.
The land slid by quickly, and Kenward selected what he considered an ideal place for them to disembark. The current was sluggish, and reddish, gritty sand formed a bare shoreline. Beyond, the forest claimed every scrap of land in its emerald grip. When faced with the question of which bank to land on, Catrin let her instincts decide: east. She wasn't certain why. She had no visions or overpowering emotion; it just felt right.
"May the gods bless you on your journey," Kenward said. "We'll wait sixty days. If you do not return, we must sail."
"If you've seen no signal in thirty days, leave. Don't wait for us if it puts your lives in danger," Catrin said, a tear in her eye and a catch in her voice.
"You'll be back in less than thirty, but we'll wait sixty," Nora said with a sharp nod, and Kenward smiled. Catrin wished she shared Nora's confidence. "Your packs are loaded, and we're ready to drop your boat. Travel well and return safe."