Marius moaned as he pulled his head off from the table. It thumped in time with his heart, and he felt as if the floor refused to stay still. He looked around at the bar, and his moan turned into a groan as he saw his brother strewn across the floor. Marius decided that he was making a habit of waking up in bars with a headache, and didn't like it.

Yet again, Olaf sat in an armchair and puffed away on his pipe, whilst Huldain sat beside him playing a game of cards with Orei. A grandfather clock chimed in the corner, and Alun rolled over and groaned loudly, causing Marius to smile; his older brother was clearly not as experienced with his drinking as Marius had become.

Marius made to stand up; he found the floor coming up to meet him, and swore. clearly he was not as experienced as he had thought either. He rolled over, and found himself next to Alun and smiled. Alun looked at his brother, and rolled his eyes; Marius seemed to still be drunk as he rolled about on the floor.

Although the Trystem brew was strong, the Dwarven brew was stronger and Alun pulled himself up into a sitting position, feeling the room swirl around him.

Orei took a moment to look up from his cards and laughed. "Good morning, sunshine. How are we?"

Alun waved her away, and grumbled to himself, trying to discern where he had left his brain. Huldain showed Orei his cards, and Orei cursed loudly in Dwarvish.

The door swung open with a bang, and Durie walked in with a big grin on his face, as Alun and Marius moaned and covered their eyes from the outside sun.

Orei turned away from her card game with Huldain, and beamed at Durie. "uncle, it’s been a while."

Durie's smile grew as he hurried over to his niece. "Orei, you little squirt, you've grown so big since I last laid my eyes on you! How are you? How is your old man? And Saurin, how is Saurin?"

Orei tried to breathe as she struggled out of her uncle's crushing embrace. Panting, she tried to answer. "Fine, fine, they are both fine, I am fine, everything is alright. But you would know that if you had stayed in Doflhiem."

Durie looked guilty for a moment. "Aye, I know. But, you know what it’s like for me there. Ever since this big lump," – he jerked his thumb in Olaf's direction – "came and recruited me to free Nordlhiem from that dragon, I've had no peace. At least here I can hear myself think."

Olaf raised his eyebrows slightly as he puffed on his pipe, and Marius was starting to see that it was not just Bartholomew's life that was affected by Olaf's meddling’s.

Olaf raised a finger in protest and defence. "I distinctly remember a certain young Dwarf who was quite excited by the idea of reclaiming Nordlhiem, especially the part about the dragon."

Durie rolled his eyes. "Yes, well I thought it would be a lot smaller, a lot closer, and a lot less intelligent. Bartholomew was lucky to get out alive."

Olaf thought about this, and nodded to himself as he replayed the events in his mind, some of which leaked out into his pipe smoke. Marius watched a smoky figure of a young Bartholomew shooting a bow haphazardly in the direction of a giant dragon, which in turn produced an echoed roar. Olaf realized that his smoke was portraying his memories, and waved them out, to Durie's and Huldain's amusement. Alun and Orei simply stared at the smoke, and then at Olaf, transfixed by the magic. Marius smiled at his older brother's fascination, and attempted to stand up again, this time with a little more success. He made a few shaky steps, and fell into an armchair beside Olaf.

Olaf offered him a smile, and then looked back to Durie, who was settling beside his niece in an armchair of his own. Olaf packed away his pipe, and looked across at the grandfather clock which showed an hour before midday.

Olaf cleared his voice, and then to Durie, said, "I'm sure you didn't just come here to socialize. Indeed, I am sure you are thrilled to see your kin, but what reason was it for you to come and seek us out?"

Durie looked up at Olaf, and frowned. "Apart from the reason to bid you farewell from Trystem before I take young Marius's gold to your castle, Olaf, I came to tell you that the ship builders have finished fixing your vessel. I must say, it looks almost seaworthy now."

Olaf smiled at the news and clapped his hands, causing both Marius and Alun to cringe. "Excellent news!" He boomed, and jumped to his feet, causing his armchair to fall back and crash to the floor. He slung his sword, which had been leaning against the wall behind him, across his back, and his satchel, which was at his feet, over his shoulder, and looked down at his companions expectantly. Huldain gave a resigned sigh and rose to his feet, wrapping his cloak about him before picking up his axe and following Olaf out of the door. Alun had already started to stand when Olaf was speaking to Durie, and now he picked up his pack, and with the help of Orei, they staggered out after the two ancient heroes, leaving Marius and Durie to trail along behind.

Marius shaded his eyes from the sunlight as he crossed the square towards the dockyards. Carvey's headless, upside down corpse was being ravaged by two small Vakringuardian ravens as he passed. Marius walked through Trystem's dockyard gate, and stopped to look at the 'Go Fast', surprised to see it look completely new. Its sails had been replaced with new black and red ones; the boat itself seemed to be patched and lined for any holes, and the rudder had been replaced with a wheel.

Marius nodded at the work, and Olaf seemed in the best of spirits. He met the architect from the day before, shook his hand, and gave him a large purse of gold, which surprised Marius because he rarely saw Olaf pay for things. Marius made his way down to the dock and had a closer look at the boat.

Durie smiled beside him. "Completely new, ain't she? Beautiful craft now – Orei will be relieved. That girl hates water."

Marius smiled, and shook Durie's hand. "I guess this is it then, Durie. I'll see you next time!"

Durie smiled and nodded. "Aye, I'm looking forward to it, lad. Look after my niece; Olaf has a record for leading my people astray."

Marius assured Durie that he would indeed look after Orei, and walked the plank onto the Go Fast. Orei embraced her uncle, and smiled sadly as she followed Marius on deck with Alun. Olaf and Huldain were already at the helm of the boat, and gave Durie a cheery wave before the Dwarf turned, and walked back up the dockyard and into town.

Huldain pulled up the chains which held the boat into dock with the help of a few deck hands on shore. When the chains were stowed, Olaf used a large oar to push the boat out into the Mother-locke's current, before racing back to the helm and steering the Go Fast out into deeper water.

Olaf was in his element as the wind picked up and blew through his crossed and braided beard. His hair flew out behind him, and he pointed at the sail before yelling over the wind.

"Release the sails! Have at them, lads: pull the cords and let her fly!"

Huldain strode over to the boom, and with Alun's help, loosened the sail into the wind. Instantly, the boat picked up speed, and soared through the water. Orei and Marius stood either side of Olaf, hoping that the old warrior knew what he was doing. The steady thud of the waves was hypnotizing, and soon the five companions were thoroughly enjoying themselves, even Orei, who still stayed clear of the side. Marius and Alun tightened and loosened the sail as time went on, and with the help of the northern wind, they had already passed halfway through the plains by nightfall. Olaf steered the Go Fast out from the stronger currents, and called out for Huldain to drop the anchor as the boat slowed.

The sun sank below the Mjolik Fjords in the far distance. Marius could make out the Black Forest towards the south, and shuddered at the memory of what Alun had told him about the place. He could just make out the high ridges of the dragon's backbone, and marvelled at its size. High above, Rocs flew towards their mountain nests to roost, the thunderous footfalls of the Vakringuardian bovine slowed to rested pace and out of the reeds the antlered head of a giant deer, known locally as a hart, came to drink at the lapping shore of the Mother-lockee.

Marius rolled out a sleeping mat close to the side of the boat so he could see the water as he fell asleep. Orei laid huddled around the mast in the centre of the ship, beside Alun, who had surrounded himself with Huldain's, Orei's, and his own packs for warmth. Olaf sat at the helm, wrapped up in his overcoat, and hugging his blade to his chest. Huldain led at the prow of the boat in a similar position.

A loud splash caused Marius's drifting thoughts to snap to attention. His eyes scoured the water's face until he saw large ripples, fanning out from deeper water. Marius rolled off from his mat, and picked his way over to Olaf who snapped awake. Huldain rolled over as well, waking Orei as he did so, who in turn slapped Alun awake. Marius looked into the water, worried by the size of the ripples.

No small fish could have made waves like that, and if the Rocs and cattle were anything to go on, this could be a big creature. He scoured the river just as Orei pulled out her rifle. Alun followed with his revolver, and the pair of them walked towards the side of the boat.

Olaf hissed at them anxiously. "You two, get away from the side! We don't know what this is, and the last thing we want is to end up in its belly!"

Marius was no longer enjoying his cruise down the Mother-locke.

Another splash sounded, and this time a large tail could be seen sinking below the waves. Olaf cursed as he saw it, and shook his head. Huldain sighed, and held his axe at the ready as Olaf ran over towards the anchor and heaved it in. Huldain pushed Alun onto the wheel, and told him to steer them out into the current. The Go Fast drifted out, and caught speed as the Mother-locke grabbed them. Another loud splash caused Olaf to draw his sword and jog to the prow of the boat where he came to stand next to his brother, waiting for the creature to attack. Alun did his best to control the boat as the speed increased, and Marius stood on the port side with both of his blades drawn. Orei stood on the starboard, mirroring Marius with her axes. Her rifle was slung over her shoulder, ready for use, and Alun held his revolver in one hand as he wrestled with the wheel in the other.

Something big bumped the Go Fast sideways, and Orei swore loudly. Alun holstered his gun, and used both hands to try and control the boat. Olaf was leaning over the side with his sword at the ready, and Huldain grabbed onto Olaf's coat, prepared if Olaf was to fall in. Another bump caused Alun to tip off balance, then another bump later, he tripped and fell, sliding across the deck, and over the side – right into the open mouth of a massive lizard-like monster. He cried out, a loud bang sounded, and Huldain's arm reached out and grabbed Alun around the waist, hauling him back on board.

The giant lizard had a large mane of tentacles that grew around its neck and lined its spine giving it extra speed within the water; Orei's shot had caused one of these tentacles to fly off, and land on the deck with a loud thump. It writhed about, and then exploded, sending purple liquid flying in all directions. Orei and Marius jumped away from it, leaving it to harmlessly fly by.

Marius turned to Olaf, who was looking about with a worried expression. "Olaf, what is this thing?"

Olaf glanced at Marius with a sombre look. "Not thing, Marius, things."

He went back to scouting the waters around them as Alun jumped back on the helm and wrestled with the wheel for control.

Huldain gave the explanation. "They are Dreagul, Marius. Related to dragons, and many sailors mistake them for one, or a sea serpent, both of which are a hell of a lot bigger. These beasts, however, are poisonous."

Marius's mind boggled at a creature larger than these Dreagul. They were bigger than the Go Fast, and dwarfed the Roc and the hairy cattle on the plains.

Another splash sounded, and Olaf gave a war cry and jumped. His tattoos shone out in the night along with his eyes and the swirling runes of his blade. Marius turned to see one of the Dreagul in mid-air, flying directly at him with its mouth stretched wide open. Olaf's blade came down just as Marius brought his own up, and Olaf sliced off the Dreagul's head, sending the body crashing into the river. Marius sliced with Nurlin's black blade, and separated the giant flying head from its jaw, saving himself from the large poisonous fangs. The tentacles writhed about just as Huldain smashed the head from the deck with the flat of his axe.

He grabbed the dismembered jaw and smiled. "Dreagul venom is hard to come by, it’s those exploding tentacles that do it. Good job, Marius."

Marius frowned as he wondered about the second beast. "Olaf?"

Olaf had shimmied up the mast, and stood on the boon looking out at the river. Alun had finally learned how to control the Go Fast, and looked about himself nervously. Huldain threw the Dreagul jawbone next to his pack, and patrolled the sides for the second beast. Orei had reloaded her rifle, and held it at her hip, ready for a second attack.

The second Dreagul was smarter than the first. It had waited, and allowed its partner to probe for weaknesses, and now it had found one. Powered by its large tail, it went deep down, and then forced itself up, jumping high onto the stern. Alun turned, fired off two shots with his revolver, and then rolled out of harm’s way. This time, it was Huldain's chance to show his strength. His red tattoos glowed brightly, and so did his axe. His single eye shone red with his power as he jumped with amazing speed, to deliver a massive upper cut on the falling beast.

The Dreagul was cleaved from its chest to the crown of its head. Red blood showered the boat, mixed with the purple venom. It fell back into the waves, just as Huldain landed on the deck with a thump.

Olaf jumped down from his vantage point and laughed as the boat shook with his landing. "That was quite a kill there, brother."

He slapped Huldain on the back, and then made his way up to the helm to take the wheel. Alun stumbled back over to his sleeping place, just as Huldain picked up his pack and started bottling the Dreagul venom from the jaw. Orei was still pacing up and down the starboard side with her rifle, keeping an eye out for any more trouble, as Marius looked at his blood drenched blade, and sat down to clean it.