They set out in high spirits, their duty yet light,

they went down from the city, went out towards the sea

for there were mysteries there, things yet unknown.

Their first task was clear, although it seemed daunting

to cut down the tall trees, fashion them into ships

that they might be carried on their way by the waves.

That work fell to the lowest of castes, they did it gladly

with joy in their hearts as they bent their strong limbs.

They went out in search of tall trees, wandered for days

for no trees may grow tall if they grow near the shore.

They followed a river, followed its twists and its turns

until at least the coarse sand gave way to the sweet grass,

which gave way to the woodlands, that was their goal,

and there the lowest caste went to its noble work

tamed the tall trees, put an end to their wildness

and then cut them to shape that they might serve

some useful purpose to civilized souls at long last.

Who knows the number of trees that fell to their axes?

Who knows how much of the savage land that they tamed?

They built seven long ships with the skill of their hands,

seven long ships, each with three masts bearing sails

and three banks of oars, that the wind need not guide them

alone, but that the submissive wind might be aided by rowers.

And each ship bore a figurehead, carved with great skill

that all who saw them would know the truth without doubting

that Halllifax went forth out into the world in great force

and that none could stand against them, it was folly to try.

The first was an eagle, carved with its ever-watching eyes

the second was a falcon, its claws spread for the slaugter,

the third was a grim face, with cold hate carved in its eyes

the fourth was a soldier, bearing his arms shaped all of wood

the fifth was a staff, the sign that we rule over the winds

the sixth was a spear, the sign of our blood stained valor

the last was a spire, the sign of our eternal dominion.

They sailed down the river, those ships crafted with care

and they served well, they moved with great speed

sailing deep down towards the sea, making good progress

until at last they came to the tide-washed Toronadan sands

where Halon ordered the fleet come to a halt, that

the highest caste comrades might go to their work,

search for creatures unknown, make a map of this place.

Little was known of that place in those long-faded days

and there was much to be learned, but the hazard was great.

The risk came not from a foe that could die by the spear

but from the land itself, for the coarse sand hungered.

The sand itself grasped out at the men, clung to their feet

and pulled them down harshly, they sank deep into the earth

and fear took the lifters who went out with the scholars,

those who bore samples were cut deep by their fear,

but the higest caste comrades had more steel in their souls

their minds ruled over their passions, fear could not claim them.

This risk was a puzzle, a curiosity they longed to examine

and they pondered its nature even as they sank ever deeper.

They sought a solution, that their lives might be saved

and the lives of their comrades, but not only that

but so that a solution might be known, and wildly recorded

and that nature itself might be made to submit to their minds.

Halon himself, long accustomed to swift and clear observation

spoke first, as he sank down, the sand reaching his knees.

"Comrades, my comrades, look to your own positions with care

and see how far down the sand has pulled you, look to the trend

we who bear this without fear, we who made no effort or struggle

have sunk down to our knees, and yet those who bent their limbs

and tried to pull themselves free are trapped at their waists.

We must hold still, that much is certain, and then we call out

in loud voices for our comrades, our eternal salvation

and point out to them all of the safe places, where they can stand

and reach out to us with spears or staves, whatever is at hand

that might serve as a lever to pull us out of harm's way."

This they did quickly, they cried out in all haste

and their voices were carried along by the good wind

that is nearly our comrade and serves us in all things.

Jekkex heard this, as he lingered on his fair ship

and rushed out to his comrades, calling the others

who obeyed straight away, fair Fafri first among them,

who ran with swift feet and was first to reach the sands.

Then Halon greeted him in his clear voice, free from all worry

and gave his commands, which Fafri obeyed with great haste.

He did what was proper, reached out with his spear

held it out for his comrades, who reached out and grasped it,

and pulled them free from the ravenous sand of that place.

With that crisis averted, each one returned to his work

for fear of death was no reason to turn from their duty,

and with the solution uncovered, that known risk was gone

and nothing restrained them from seeing to their work.

The spent three days searching those Toronadan sands

for all things that might be learned, and after those days

they returned to their ships and set forth for the sea.

Though they had conquered one peril, and thus were elated

their hearts were soon filled with dread at the sound

of the next threat that faced them, that threatened their lives

the rushing of water as it ran past the cruel rocks

as it raced toward the sea and swirled every way.

The rapids awaited, threatened their fair ships

with harsh obliteration and doom on those rocks.

They could not turn away, there was no other path

and so they set their worry aside, faced this new doom.