Three Forks was two days down river. The barge stopped and made deliveries to several small hamlets and the group refreshed on the stops. Boomer and Nigel found the nearest ale and usually dragged the youths with them. Knarra and Cara did not insist on temperance, only moderation. Cade’s stories always got better after the treks to the taverns. They spent the night under the stars because the weather was pleasant and they wanted to continue to make progress down the river.
They arrived at Three Forks at midday and disembarked.
Nigel had talked at length about strategies once they were in Three Forks. The merchants were crafty and expensive but not cutthroats. They would find plenty of cutthroats in Rancide!
Nigel advised against hiring a captain and crew. It would be unlikely that any honest captain would be willing to risk the trip anyway. They bought two sturdy outriggers from the local fish monger. The poor fisherman would be able to retire with the price Knarra insisted on paying. He asked two thousand Dakin but the priestess insisted on paying twenty thousand! Eomore wore a simple cloak and kept his identity hidden.
Cara was approached by several river men with less than honorable intentions.
Eyerthrein, Kyrsstina, Dael, Cyttia, Vanni, Erinnia, and the young at heart Cade got into one large wooden canoe.
Knarra, Cara, Eomore, Roscoe, Big Jon, Lyana, Nigel, and Boomer got in the second canoe.
The canoes were made of bluewood! An axe would barely scratch the remarkable wood.
The river narrowed after they left Three Forks. They traveled a day without incident, but nightfall found them in the shadows of the great peaks of the Southern Mountains which created the eastern border of Donothor. The number of settlements had diminished.
Nigel said, “This is about it! The lights ahead on the north side of the river are those of the hamlet Eaden. There is nothing east of Eaden loyal to the crown of Donothor. This is a rough place. Expect no charity. Give no more detail of our party than necessary. We need rest. The passage through the mountains will be arduous. We must secure the boats.”
“I’ll take care of that,” Erinnia said.
The elf touched the bluewood canoes and a Hedge of Thorns formed over the two canoes. The boats were covered by innumerable thick foot long thorns as strong as porcupine quills.
Boisterous sounds came from a tavern ahead. A sign over the door read “The Blushing Barmaid: B. Badinough, prop.”
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