Jeyne II

"Anything good yet?" Jeyne asked.

"No," Otto sighed as he climbed up to where she stood. He looked completely at home in the crisp autumn mountainside, wearing such a thin layer of furs that you would have thought it was high summer. Otto's squire Jon was the polar opposite; he was bundled up in such a thick layer of furs that he looked like a direbear cub. The boy was huffing and puffing to catch up to his lord, red as a ripe tomato.

Otto's direwolves scampered up the rockslide after him. The Wolf Lord paused to scratch some of them behind the ears, then turned back to Jeyne. "The plateau looked promising from up here, but when you hike down you realize it's a lot smaller than it appears."

"Don't worry. Nobody expected much from this location anyway."

"I told you it wouldn't work," Lori gloated.

Jeyne gave her friend a weary smile. "Well you were right. For once."

The two of them were having a competition to see who could guess the final base location. Almost all of Lori's predictions had been wrong, since she tended to look on the optimistic side. She always vouched for the more scenic locations with good vantage points over the rest of the surroundings. Jeyne on the other hand favored places with strategic value. The plateau in question was very low on the mountains, just barely above the tree line. However, it had a small stream that ran right through it, providing a source of freshwater.

In the end, however, jurisdiction over their final base location was up to the entire group. Jeyne and Lori were mainly trying to have fun and keep themselves occupied in the bitter cold. Although being this deep in the mountains was an adventure in and of itself, surveying base locations became a monotone task rather quickly. The group had already visited at least thirty places but had not deemed any of them to be adequate. Besides, anything to keep the mind distracted was a welcome reprieve from the frigid atmosphere and the freezing winds that seemed to occupy most of Jeyne's thoughts.

Otto was sitting on a rock, with a piece of charcoal in one hand and his map spread over his lap. Jeyne went to see what he was doing, leaning on his shoulder to get a better view of the map. Otto smiled at her.

"Looks like that's another potential base crossed off," Jeyne remarked.

Otto sighed. "We've still got quite a bit of work. If we hurry, we can visit two or three other locations today."

The scouts had identified over fifty locations in the mountains, dotted in between the Wolf's Den, Lookout Hill, and Ice Harbour in a roughly circular formation. The survey group had departed from Wolf's Den and travelled all the way up to Ice Harbour, visiting locations along the outskirts of the circle. Now they were returning to the Wolf's Den along the middle lane of the circle, visiting new base locations along the way. If the base still wasn't finalized by this run, then they would travel back to Ice Harbour once again along the far end of the circle, completely visiting all the identified spots. Jeyne was hopeful that they would find suitable locations on this stretch of the journey. If their new base ended up being selected here, then it would be in the middle of the three other castles. A perfect crossroads for trade and mingling.

Jeyne gave Otto's shoulder a friendly pat. "I'll round up the rest of the team and we'll move out."

Jeyne motioned for Lori and Jon to join her, and together they hiked up the mountain to where the rest of the group was gathered. The exercise helped warm her up, but there was a certain threshold at which Jeyne preferred the numb coldness of the mountains over being roasted alive inside her fur clothing and drenched in sweat that would soon freeze. They took frequent breaks on the way up to prevent overheating, and eventually reached the area where the rest of the team was camped. One archer was perched on top of a high outcropping, scanning the perimeter for danger. The other four survivors were tending to their mounts, cleaning their weapons, or checking their maps. Rodrick the Head Ranger waited on the edge of the cliff to welcome the returning group.

"What's the verdict?" Rodrick called out.

Jeyne shook her head. "Otto says the plateau is too small."

"That's a damned shame," the Head Ranger shrugged.

"Assemble the men and women," Jeyne ordered. "We're heading out."

"Aye, Lady Jeyne." The Head Ranger gathered all the others and they mounted up. Otto returned to the group with his pack loping around him. He briefly organized his saddlebags, then jumped onto Dacian's back and circled the elk around to take point position. Everyone else fell in behind him. Rodrick and his two sharpest marksmen took the rear, to protect the rest of the convoy with their bows.

Otto pressed his heels into his mount and led them at a steady canter. Winter and a few wolves scouted out ahead, sniffing for danger. Jeyne herself rode behind Otto, with Lori at her side. She had spent a few months learning how to ride elk and was definitely improving. It was easy enough to keep up with the Wolf Lord when they were this low in the mountains and the paths were still wide, but up above it got much harder. She found it difficult to navigate the narrow gravel paths, and the thought of plummeting to her death made it hard to even move. Fortunately Jeyne's elk was a sure-footed creature who could navigate the trails without much guidance. Besides, Otto was usually around to help shout encouragement whenever Jeyne had to cross the steeper sections.

The group ascended higher into the mountains. The hardy spruce trees grew sparser, but there were still occasionally groves and clusters. Jeyne took the time to admire the great wonders of nature; the flowing wispy clouds, the hardy tufts of grass and weeds that sprouted up in mountain crevices, and the great stone formations along their path. Jeyne loved studying the striated bands of colorful rocks that lined the cliff walls; the dark shale, pale white limestone, and breathtaking green feldspar. She admired everything from the remnants of recent erosion and landslides, to and the smooth banded walls. It was always a sight to behold, as if mother nature knew she was the best architect in the world.

After a few hours, Otto halted the group by a wooded clearing. "We'll leave our mounts here and hike up on foot. It looks too narrow for the megaloceros."

Rodrick, three other men, and the wolves stayed behind to guard the elk. Everyone else equipped gloves and hiking sticks to make the climb. Otto led the way up the narrow footpath, batting away errant vegetation with his walking stick. Jeyne followed closely behind, shielding her face from the branches. Their current mountain was short, at least by the standard that its peers set, and it was entirely covered in trees. The forest was mainly composed of evergreens, which seemed completely indifferent to where they took root, be it grassy plains or arctic mountain. However, there was also the occasional oak mingled amongst the pines, spruces, and cedars. The hike to the designated location took nearly half an hour. Jeyne was sweating from exertion by the time they reached the spot, though fortunately the thick foliage shielded them from the worst of the bone-slicing winds and the freezing cold.

The mountain abruptly became too steep to climb, jutting up to a sharp rocky peak. Even the trees could not find purchase in the mountain slopes here. The potential base was nestled against the side of the mountain, a somewhat flat clearing that would be easy to build upon. The glade had a decent view of the surrounding valleys and it stood in an easily defendable location, with its back against the mountain. However, the nearest source of fresh water was in the rivers all the way at the bottom of the valley. Besides, it would be hard enough to get mounts up to this location. Jeyne looked at Lori, prodding her for input.

The other girl shook her head and gave a thumbs down. Jeyne laughed and agreed. The location wouldn't fit their needs. Otto and the other survivors had clearly made the same conclusion already, for they were huddled around a map already deciding the next location to visit. After getting their bearings, the group rolled up the map and made the long climb down the mountain to where their mounts were corralled. The guards could tell by their faces that the location was unacceptable, so they got their gear in order and mounted up.

Otto led the way again, his wolves sniffing out the trail ahead of him. Jeyne rode by his side this time. She was glad for the opportunity to get out of the Wolf's Den and explore the world with her friends. The great outdoors were a welcome change from staying inside a castle managing logistics all day but even so, Jeyne was worried about the state of affairs at home. She hoped Willam was handling his duties well. Jeyne knew from experience that the stress of leadership could be a bit too much to handle at times. Even splitting some of the duties with Otto, she still found it challenging to do everything perfectly. However, Jeyne had also learned that sometimes it was impossible to have everything go according to plan. She had learned to be more flexible and tolerant towards shortcomings. Although Jeyne strove for perfection, she knew it was rarely achievable.

Jeyne took a deep breath of fresh mountain air. During her time governing the tribe, she had also learned to ground herself in the present rather than worrying about the future. Otto had been leading survivors for much longer than Jeyne herself, and he had taught her the importance of taking breaks in between work. She understood why he loved the wilderness so much; it was a welcome reprieve from the constant struggles of mankind. Jeyne was making the most of their trip to approve final base locations. Ever since stepping up to help Otto lead the tribe, she had barely had time to relax with her friends. It was always good to spend time with Lori, and of course Otto.

Jeyne had found herself enjoying his company more and more over the past few months. She admired the way he cared about his friends and the people he led. He was a great pillar of support for both loved ones and new castaways who had just washed onto the Island alone and confused. But Jeyne knew that in spite of how sturdy Otto appeared on the outside, the pillar was cracking on the inside. The Wolf Lord was good at hiding it from most people, but he had confided in her about his fears of inadequacies. They were insecurities that Jeyne too shared; making the wrong choices, causing others to suffer for your mistakes, and not being good enough to lead anyone. However, as Otto had once helped Jeyne, she had been able to return the favor and console him. Leading a tribe of hundreds was too heavy of a burden for one person alone. Jeyne was glad that Otto had let her share his duties, responsibilities, and struggles. They worked well as a team, with Otto handling the defense of the tribe, the rescue of new members, and their day-to-day affairs, while Jeyne worked to secure alliances with other tribes and ensure the safety of their future. She felt that their styles of leadership were complementary and their two halves were part of the same whole.

After two more hours of travelling, they came within sight of the spot. Jeyne rounded a cliff corner and was blessed with the formidable view of a tall plateau against the backdrop of a soft pink evening sky. The flat clearing sat about halfway up the mountain, cradled between two large peaks that formed a nice corner. Two sides defended already, Jeyne remarked to herself. She scanned the area where the clearing met open air and was pleased to discover there was only one visible way to get up. The path was wide enough for a fully grown mammoth to follow, and gradual enough for carts to ascend. It snaked back and forth, folding in on itself twice before reaching the plateau. A few trees sprouted up along the path, but otherwise the mountain cliffs were too steep to host much in the way of vegetation. Jeyne could see thin trails of what she first assumed was smoke rising from the top of the clearing.

"People?" A ranger asked.

"Steam," Otto replied.

As the group ascended the slope, they were greeted by the faint scent of sulfur. Shoals of orange and yellow leaves fluttered past with every breath of the wind. It took about twenty minutes to get all the way to the top. Along the way, Jeyne marvelled at the natural fortifications that nature had already thrown up, remarking how easy it would be to defend the pass. They could set up forts at every bend in the road, and station archers at the higher slopes. Just a few dozen men could easily hold the mountain against hundreds of attackers by raining down arrows, boulders, and boiling tar from the higher ramparts and retreating whenever a fort was captured.

Suffice to say, the plateau exceeded everyone's expectations; it was larger than it appeared from the bottom, and home to a diverse myriad of fauna and flora who were attracted to the natural hot springs in the clearing's centre. Herds of wild goats and elk nibbled on lush grasses that sprung up from the mountain oasis. Gold-green trees bordered the clearing on all sides, while a few stalks of lime green reeds poked out of the waters, which rippled rose and gold from the reflections of the evening sky. Aside from a few hills and boulders, the clearing was relatively flat and could easily be terraformed to fit their needs.

The group dismounted and continued on foot to explore further. The wildlife watched them warily, bleating and snorting whenever their wolves got too close. There were four large pools in the clearing itself that provided heat and water for the animals, a natural paradise in the cold mountains. Jeyne saw a few more wisps of smoke rising from behind a sharp protrusion of rock, farther up the mountain yet still accessible through hiking. The air was warm and toasty by the hot springs, and Jeyne shrugged off a layer as they passed, silently yearning to stay by the pools forever. As they got closer to the mountain, a set of previously hidden cave entrances became visible, tucked against the side of the cliff behind some pine trees. From just outside one of the entrances, they could hear the dull roar of a waterfall. That piqued Jeyne's interest. The only major flaw she had found with this base so far had been a lack of fresh water. Well, assuming we can't drink the hot spring water. It might be possible but it's always better to err on the side of caution. If worse came to worst, they could melt snow, distill the hot spring water, or travel all the way down into the valley to collect it from the river, but a fresh source nearby would have been much more convenient. After a brief discussion, the group elected to explore the cave system further.

A row of spearmen entered first to secure the entrance. After them came Winter and his pack, who sniffed out the cave system for danger. Their hackles were raised and they growled at one of the passages. "A direbear and her cubs," Otto informed the group with his eyes closed. "But as long as we stay away from them, they'll leave us alone."

Once the entrance chamber was secure, the rest of the group entered. It took a moment for Jeyne's eyes to adjust to the musky darkness. The cave was cool and refreshing, and the scent of sulfur was much duller here. Jeyne felt water vapour settling on her face and heard the thundering of an underground waterfall nearby. Three passageways branched off from the central atrium. The middle one would eventually bring them face to face with the direbear family, so they gave that entrance a wide berth. The passage on the left curled upward abruptly, while the one on the right slanted down in a more gradual manner.

The group split up to explore both passages at once. Rodrick and some more experienced climbers took the passage on the left, while Otto led everyone else down the right. After some torches were lit, they went their separate ways with the agreement to meet back at the entrance in twenty minutes.

Otto and Winter led the way, lest some wild creatures ambush the party. Jeyne was one of the torch bearers so she followed closely behind the Wolf Lord. Lori was also with them carrying a torch, but she was near the end of the group. Jeyne paused every now and again to strain her ears. She could tell they were definitely getting closer to the water source. After a few minutes of descending down the gentle slope past stalagmites and stalactites, they emerged beside an underground stream. The water was cool and fresh, safe to drink. Based on the amount of footprints in the silty streambank, Jeyne inferred that the direbears knew about this freshwater source as well. The stream widened out and eventually ducked underneath a stone overhang. What was on the other end, Jeyne could only guess.

After a brief rest, the group continued upstream to find the waterfall. The sound of water splashing got louder and louder until they eventually rounded a corner to see the massive water feature. A great stream of water at least ten meters high thundered down, splashing against the gravel streambed in an explosion of white foam. The rock walls on either side of the waterfall were very steep, but with the right gear they would be climbable. However, that was an adventure for another day. They didn't have the means to scale the cliff and besides, their twenty minutes were almost up.

Jeyne had to shout to be heard over the immense noise of the waterfall. "We should head back now!"

Otto nodded and the group turned back the way they came. While admiring the stalactites sticking out of the river, Jeyne noticed tiny black crawfish and blind grey fish in the waters. Yet another source of food. This place is truly a paradise, Jeyne reflected. Of all the places they had visited, she felt this one was the greatest. The location was perfect and the resources plentiful. This place has the greatest chance of being chosen as our new base.

"What do you think?" She prodded Lori.

"I say yes. The smell of those hotsprings is just about the only bad thing."

Jeyne laughed. "I have a good feeling about this place as well. We'll see for sure when we reunite with the others."

Rodrick and his rangers were waiting for them outside. It was darkening fast, with the pink and purple hues of sunset being washed away by dark blues and greys. Jeyne was once again reacquainted with the smell of the hotsprings as she emerged, but even then it was less noticeable than before. I suppose Lori's right about that being this place's greatest downfall. However, the sulfur isn't that bad once you get used to it. I'm sure I'll forget it even exists once I spend enough time here.

"What did you find?" Otto asked the Head Ranger.

"The passageway spiralled up and onto an overhang." Rodrick pointed it out for them. "Two other tunnels branched off it from there. We hiked halfway up one then turned back."

"We found a freshwater stream underground. It'll be very useful if we decide to settle here."

"So what do you say about choosing this place?"

Otto scratched his head. "That remains to be seen. Come, it's getting late now. We can discuss this further over dinner."

They established a camp near the hot pools, on the opposite side of where the wild herds roamed. Jeyne was pleasantly surprised to discover that they could actually see the fires of the Wolf's Den from here. When she went to the edge of the plateau, she could very faintly make out lights in the distance, half-hidden by mountains and forests. The smoke trails drifting into the sky were the most tell-tale signs of civilization. This will be very convenient for communication. The distance is very deceiving; it would take a day or two just to travel from here to the Wolf's Den due to the mountainous terrain. But communicating through smoke signals would be almost instantaneous.

Rodrick started a fire, while some archers went to kill a goat. Jeyne looked away from the scene, instead opting to help chop firewood. However, the heavenly scent of roasting meat drew her back to the fire. They feasted on roasted goat meat that night, a welcome change to hard cold rations. The general agreement around the fire was that this was the best place to build their new base. The only dissenting voice was Otto, who wanted to see all the other locations before deciding for sure. However, Jeyne and most of the other survivors were weary of travelling. If the previous thirty or so locations weren't good enough, what chance is there that the others will be better? On the other hand, Jeyne also understood the sentiment behind Otto's decision making. He wants to be absolutely sure that we aren't making a mistake.

In the end, everyone reluctantly conceded to seeing the other locations before declaring this to be their new base. Many people tried to dissuade Otto and let them return home to begin preparations, but he remained stubbornly hesitant. Finally, Otto had enough and stormed off alone.

Afterwards, people began settling down for the night. Some brought out their sleeping bags to get an early rest, while others pored over maps to plan out the route for tomorrow. Most bathed in the hot springs, taking this rare opportunity to relax and clean themselves. Jeyne was tempted to join them but the lack of privacy made her hesitate. Instead, she retrieved her sleeping bag and furs from her doe's saddlebag and rolled it up beside Lori's bedding. Jeyne laid down on the cot and closed her eyes but sleep would not come to her, so she stood up.

"Where are you going?" Lori mumbled.

"I'm going to find Otto."

Jeyne had a slight idea of where the Wolf Lord might be. She had seen him heading off toward the caves, so she went in that general direction. When Jeyne got close to the stone walls, she craned her neck and noticed twin plumes of steam drifting up from a hidden spot in the mountains. So that's where he went. Jeyne wandered around the cliffside for a bit then found the trail Otto had used to get up the mountain. The rough gravel path was generally easy to follow, but there were some steep parts where Jeyne had to use rocks as handholds and climb up. She made her way around twists and turns, cliffs and canyons, beneath looming archways and across stony ledges. She lost sight of the hot springs behind her, but soon enough she came within sight of the hidden springs higher in the mountains. There were two pools, one deep and wide, the other small and shallow. Otto was partially submerged in the shallow pool, with only his head and shoulders sticking out. Winter, Eclipse, and Artemis were lounging on the warm rocks nearby. Jeyne waved in greetings and Otto responded by inclining his head.

"Mind if I join you?" Jeyne asked.

"Go ahead."

Jeyne disrobed behind a large boulder, where she was hidden from sight. When she returned to the main pools, Otto had already averted his eyes to let her in. Jeyne dipped a toe in the pools to find it pleasantly warm. She sat down on the edge and slipped inside. The water only came up to her chest, so she crouched to conceal herself such that only her head poked out. The feeling of the warm water was very soothing; it soaked out all the dirt and sweat and left Jeyne feeling clean. She dunked her head underwater and rinsed out her hair. After some bobbing up and down to cleanse herself, she moved over to where Otto was. He had found a nice ledge that made for a perfect seat. Jeyne sat on the edge of the step and sank back to rest her head against the stones.

She closed her eyes and soaked in the warmth of the springs, listening to the soothing sounds of nature. The gentle gusts of wind and burbling of the water made for a relaxing melody. However, in spite of the serene location, Jeyne could still sense Otto's unease.

"Still adamant about visiting the other places?" She tested.

Otto sighed. "Was it really that unreasonable of a request?"

"I understood your reasoning, but everyone's tired of travelling. We've visited thirty other locations and none have even come anywhere close to as good as this one."

"I know, I know. I just want to be absolutely sure. This is a big decision and I don't want to make any mistakes. Besides. . . I'm still a little shaken up from meeting the Mountain Hermit. While I was talking to her, I realized just how much I don't know, if that makes any sense."

Jeyne took his hand reassuringly. "When I was doubting myself as a leader, you gave me some good advice. Remember? Don't be afraid of failure. Even if this winds up being a mistake, you'll learn from it and do better in the future."

Otto managed a small nod but he still looked unconvinced. "Regardless of whether I learn from it or not, the consequences of my mistakes are of greater concern. Settling in the wrong spot could cost hundreds of lives. I've been careful so far with Ice Harbour and Open Hearth but I'm always worried I might end up making a fatal flaw."

Jeyne squeezed his hand. "You're not alone. Remember that you can always count on me and the others. We'll figure it out together."

Otto smiled and squeezed back. "I'm glad to have you by my side. And you're not wrong. There are many good qualities about this location."

"We have fresh water, an easily defendable location, unique resources, and to top it all off, we're within sight of the Wolf's Den! This new base would be perfect for binding all our territory together, providing plentiful trade and safety."

Otto laughed. "You get this bright look in your eyes whenever you get hopeful about the future."

Jeyne playfully splashed him with water. "Well you would do well to think ahead once in a while."

"I do plan ahead!" He protested. "You're just so good at it that I leave it to you."

Now it was Jeyne's turn to laugh. She rolled her eyes at the Wolf Lord and leaned back against her headrest. The sky was an inky sea of darkness, with a thousand brilliant shining white islands dispersed throughout. Jeyne stared up into the abyss for a few moments, marveling at the grand scale of the sky. She turned back to Otto and noticed he was also stargazing. "So what's next after this?"

"I guess we just keep building up our strength. Save as many people as we can. Secure as many strongholds as possible. Be ready for whatever comes next," Otto said without taking his eyes off the sky.

"Say we do all those things. . . what becomes of us after? Have you ever thought about leaving the Island?"

"I have actually." Otto smiled with a far look in his eyes. He was silent for a long time before continuing. "I can't remember much of my old life, but after all these months here building a new one. . . why bother? The Island is a beautiful place and I honestly can't picture myself anywhere else. I'm at home here and there's nowhere else I'd rather be."

Jeyne gazed up at the stars. "I'm glad to hear that. It took a while for me to appreciate the Island for what it is, but I've decided to stay as well. When I first washed ashore I thought I was in paradise." She laughed to herself. "Well after a few days in the wilderness, no survivor would entertain that notion for long. But when I found you and the Wolf's Den, when I found my people and my place. . . I knew where I belonged."

Otto smiled at her. "I don't think I've said this anywhere near enough, but I'm grateful that you're here Jeyne. I was crumbling under the pressure of leadership and without your help, I likely would have resigned entirely. I love how well we work together as a team and all the great things we've accomplished together."

"The same goes for you. It's been an honour working alongside you all these past months. I can't tell you how great it feels to be able to bounce ideas off you, or rely on your help to get things done."

Jeyne and Otto beamed at each other in the starlit pool. I'm glad we're on the same page. It feels great knowing we think alike.

Otto cleared his throat. "There's something else I've been meaning to tell you."

Jeyne's heart started beating faster. Could this be what I think it means? She dared not hope too high, in case it turned out to be something else. Jeyne held her breath. "Go on."

"Well. . . ever since we first met you've made my life so much more vibrant and enjoyable. I truly believe you bring out the best in me. Every day you inspire me to do the best I can, and I've felt myself become a better man because of that. Not an hour goes by where I don't think of you. You're such a great person and you're constantly on my mind. You have an amazing personality, you're kind and caring, friendly and passionate." Otto laughed shakily. "I've been rambling on too long. What I mean to say is I love you."

Jeyne blushed, stunned. I wasn't sure it would come to this. She struggled to find the right words for a few moments, then gave up and spoke from her heart. "Otto—I can't believe this. . . I—"

"—I'm sorry. I didn't want to complicate things between us but—"

"—No, no. Don't apologize. I just. . . I feel the same way about you."

Otto was silent for a moment before pressing his hand to his head and laughing nervously. The joy was contagious and Jeyne could not help joining in. The wolves glanced at them curiously but Jeyne didn't mind. She was the happiest she had ever been.

"Am I dreaming?" Otto asked when he regained control of his laughter.

Jeyne splashed him. "You're awake, silly."

"I didn't actually think you would feel the same way."

"I wasn't sure about you either," Jeyne played with her hair.

"How long have you felt this way?"

"A few weeks after we met," Jeyne replied without hesitation.

"Another coincidence," Otto grinned.

Jeyne fiddled with her thumbs. "I— I never brought it up because I wanted things to remain professional between us but. . ."

"You couldn't help it. I know. I was always so frightened of destroying our friendship that I never brought it up, but recently I've just felt in danger of exploding from the pent-up stress. I just had to tell you."

"I'm glad you did," Jeyne said, taking his hand. She laughed to herself. "I wouldn't have told you for months. . . or maybe not at all. It would have just eaten up at me inside."

Otto looked her in the eyes. "I'm glad we feel the same way. Everything's suddenly cleared up so much. It was all muddled and confusing before but now it's all better. I feel great."

They were disrupted from their peace and quiet by shouts from the camp. At first Jeyne thought they might be under attack, but there was no danger or urgency in their voices. A streak of golden light caught her eyes and she glanced up at the sky. Hundreds of brilliant sparks and flashes were zooming through the starlit night. Jeyne stared at the meteor shower in amazement, but her attention quickly shifted back to Otto. There was a look of longing in his eyes. Jeyne realized her own reflection shared that same expression. Otto's hands cradled her shoulders, and Jeyne's arms found themselves wrapped around the back of his neck. After a brief moment of staring into each others' eyes, they pressed their lips together in a loving embrace. All other sounds and sights faded into the background. Something shook the earth and sent hot water spraying up all around them. Jeyne supposed a comet must have landed nearby but it didn't faze her at all. The world could be ending and she wouldn't care. The only thing she wanted was for this moment to last forever.

It seemed like a small eternity had passed before they pulled apart. They were both blushing, their faces flushed pink from both the heat of the springs and the intimacy of the moment. The last few flashes of light were streaking through the sky.

"I wasn't one to believe in omens until recently," Otto began. "But now I'm sure that this meteor shower was a special sign. These hot springs are a place of new beginnings. . . We will settle here after all."

Jeyne smiled but all those worldly matters seemed eons away. "I can't wait to build this place with you. Together," she said, pulling him back into another long kiss.

Author's Note: Romance isn't my specialty I'm sorry if I made anyone cringe. Anyways, this wraps up the second arc and it's time for a few new changes! I used Photoshop to create a new cover, let me know what you think. ALSO I'd like to get an idea about where the characters stand in everyone's minds. Please check out the poll under my account and vote for your Favorite POV Character! Two more polls after this for Favorite Side Character and Favorite Animal Companion. I can only put up one at a time, so vote before the first gets taken down!

DinoNerd89, Glad you enjoyed the chapter and Willam's method of leading the tribe! We get to follow up Joseph's story soon.

King Endercreeper, It's nice to hear from you again as well Endercreeper! Hope you've enjoyed the past few chapters.

Caleb R. Watson, Haha sorry I was tired and misspelled your name. As of this chapter, it's been a few days since Joseph left. The past 3 chapters have all been within days of each other instead of the usual weeks.

TheIckleBoots, Thanks for the big review! I'm so glad that there's a whopping seven things you enjoyed! I'm very happy that my choice of painting the Island in a more primitive and realistic setting has become one of the defining highlights of my story. I always liked the early game of ARK and tried my best to capture that feeling, with a few adjustments and creative liberties such as replacing all the sci-fi stuff with fantasy elements. I'm also sort of surprised that the characters feel genuine! During creative writing, I've always found the hardest thing for me is writing believable protagonists. I'm still nowhere near the level I want to be at, but I hope through practice I will be able to further develop these characters and create more distinctions between them. At some points in the first ten or so chapters, I was disapointed in myself because I felt the main trio had no real differences between them. When switching perspectives, it felt like nothing changed. However, recently I think I've become much better at creating distinct voices for each of my POV characters and that as the story progresses and they get separated further, they'll continue blossoming into unique individuals with their own different traits and nuances. Part of it has been practice and I'm glad that characters who were introduced later like Daven and Alys have had such a noticeable impact and unique personalities! One last thing - I'm so glad you caught onto the deifying the Island thing. I wasn't sure if anyone would catch onto it but yes it is completely intentional!

Einria, The hope is that Joseph doesn't directly meet the other tribe, but we'll see how his group handles it soon!

Thanks for taking the time to check out my work, I hope you enjoyed the chapter! Feel free to comment, ask questions, or criticize my story, review is always welcome! If you liked what you saw, make sure to check out the other ARK stories on this site! Have a great day!

- DaRumpyBurr