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.
