Nordak returned to the Laughing Goblin early the next morning. He was pleased to see that Arannis and Hana were both up and ready along with four horses and a pony. Pallas and Nalos weren't to be seen, but given what the dwarf knew of them both, he wasn't so surprised. The half-elf was the next to show up, emerging from the Laughing Goblin with his horn filled with ale. When questioned on where Nalos was, Pallas chugged down his horn and shrugged.

Twenty minutes later, Nalos showed up, and surprisingly enough, didn't come out of the Laughing Goblins. "Good morning, everyone!"

"What took you so long?" Arannis asked.

"I was busy saying goodbye to Jerica," Nalos answered. "That's the girl I married. She's looking forward to me coming back to tell stories of a ghost ship when we get back."

Hana rolled her eyes. "We really need to sort this sham marriage out."

"Another time, lass," Nordak said with a sigh. "We need te get ready te leave."

"We'll be riding along the Iron Route by the Moonsea," Arannis explained. "It's expected to storm today but travel should be safe enough."

"So, are we just going to look around for something that might be attacked?" Pallas asked, attaching his horn to his belt.

"Actually, I may know where our enemy will strike next," Hana said and shook her head. "There is a small island in the Moonsea that separates Phlan from the previous attack, and on that island is a village. I believe that might be where we need to go."

"We have horses when we need a boat," Pallas chuckled. "This is a wonderful start to my morning."

"It could be possible that there is a dock in the Stormy Bay that could take us to this island," Arannis noted and tapped his chin in thought. "We shouldn't dwell on this for too long. We need to ride out."

"Aye," Nordak agreed with a nod. "Let's get on our horses an' ride out."

While the others mounted their horses, Nordak pulled himself on top of the pony, which was the only creature small enough for him to ride. Although he was an inexperienced rider, traveling across the Iron Route would be a simple enough ride. Arannis led the way on his horse with the others following behind him. The dwarf hoped that they would be able to find some way to get to the island or any other clue that may help them figure out what's responsible for the attacks.

The group traveled westward for several hours. Even though storm clouds gathered in the sky, no rain fell and the sun peeked enough through the cover to light the way. The horses galloped forward without complaint with the only sight being a few passing merchants and caravans every now and then. Nordak was glad that they hadn't had anything to fight but the approaching storm proved to be ominous. The cleric kept his guard up throughout the ride.

Arannis held his hand up to signal for the group to start. Nordak was able to see a wagon pulled off to the side of the road with a broken axle. While a young boy tended to a campfire with a pot over it, a merchant, likely the child's father, used a shovel to dig around the back of the wagon. The back of the wagon had axes, saws, and various other tools that a lumber worker could use at work. Nordak saw no reason not to help the two, and when Arannis dismounted, so did the rest of his party. When they approached the wagon, the merchant stopped digging and held his shovel in both hands.

"Greetings," Arannis greeted on behalf of the group. "We don't mean to cause any problems. Do you need any help?"

"I don't see how you can unless you have a spare axle on you," the merchant said although he loosened his grip on his shovel. "If you want, my boy is cooking up some goose that we'd be willing to share."

"You know, there's plenty of wood around," Nalos said, motioning to the trees. "We could probably make some sort of makeshift axle if we try hard enough."

"Good thinking," Arannis turned to his companions. "Nalos, you come with me. Everyone else can take a break."

While Arannis and Nalos broke away from the group to venture into the woods, Hana bowed politely to the man. "My name is Hana Zuriko, and with me is Nordak Durthane and Pallas Semele. We're thankful for your hospitality."

"I'll be thankful if your friends actually help," the merchant said with a shrug. "I'm Gilfron and this is my son, Gilmont. Please, have a seat and have some goose."

Nordak joined Hana and Pallas by the campfire. Gilfron took a break from his digging to join in the meal. Gilmont carefully served each person a helping of roasted goose meat with Hana asking politely to save some for Arannis and Nalos. The meat wasn't exactly flavorful, but for something cooked on the side of the road, it was good enough. Nordak finished his meal, taking note of the two travelers. They both seemed friendly enough although Gilmont was very quiet.

"We're traveling to Phlan to sell goods," Gilfron said. "How about you?"

"Something about a ship attacking towns," Pallas shrugged. "Possibly a ghost ship."

Nordak sighed at Pallas' answer. "Have ye two seen any signs of attacks from sea on your journey?"

"More than you can believe," Gilfron answered, frowning at the memory. "I've made sure to avoid them since there's no telling whoever's doing the raiding is still around."

"That is a smart choice," Hana said with a nod. "Has there been anywhere that wasn't attacked?"

Gilfron paused, thinking over his answer before speaking. "There's a ferry about a day's ride away from here. The boatman there takes you to an island. Normally, the islandfolk keep to themselves but I loosened the boatman's tongue with some nails and a hammer for him to repair his ferry."

"And what did he have to say?" Nordak asked before taking another bite of roasted goose.

"He's worried about the storm coming and thinks that's more of a problem than some dracolich," Gilfron answered and the words he said nearly had Nordak choke on his food.

"Nordak!" Hana gasped.

"Learn to chew before you swallow," Pallas laughed.

Nordak coughed several times before asking another question. "Why did he mention a dracolich?"

"Funny enough, that's exactly what I asked him too, and he just gave me this funny look," Gilfron explained. "He then said that there's been people talking about dracoliches, including a mad man that his island currently has spouting nonsense about the eyes of the dracolich. I don't think there's a dracolich but I want to get to Phlan as quickly as possible."

"Yip also talked about the eyes of the dracolich," Hana whispered to Nordak. "This is worrisome."

"Aye," Nordak whispered back with a nod. "Although we know where te go."

"What about you, kid?" Pallas turned to look at Gilmont. "Have anything to add to the story?"

The child was surprised that someone had talked to him and was slow to respond. "The boatman made a digging motion with his left hand. He pointed towards the ground with his pinky and the finger next to it."

"That's really helpful," Pallas said sarcastically before returning to his meal.

While Pallas was dismissive of the gesture, Nordak had heard of something like what the boatman did before. It was a motion that some used as a way to ward off the supernatural, including creatures from other planes. However, the movement itself had no magic, meaning it didn't really work. Nordak thought back on Brother Keefe's warnings and wondered if they would have to face some sort of demon before their task came to an end.

The conversation died down naturally as the merchant and his son focused on their food. Arannis and Nalos soon returned, each carrying several pieces of thick wood. The two went over to the wagon, and working together, patched up the cart with a temporary axle and pushed it back on the road. Gilfron thanked the group for their help, and after giving Arannis and Nalos some goose meat to snack on during their trip, the two groups separated. While the merchants continued to Phlan, Nordak and his companions rode on away from the city.

Hours passed by as the sun slowly set, throwing the road to darkness. Nordak's vision adjusted to the dark and he was confident most of his companions were able to see in the dark as well. However, he knew that Hana and the horses would struggle traveling forward. Additionally, his back ached from having to ride a horse, something he knew that the rest of his group could relate to. Fortunately, Arannis held his hand up to signal for a stop, figuring the right course of action before Nordak could suggest it.

"Let's find somewhere to set up camp," Arannis told the group. "I'll take first watch."

"Why don't we keep riding?" Nalos asked. "We need to get to the ferry before the next attack."
"We'll have tomorrow to get to the island before the attack, and as it stands, we don't know how much longer it'll be before we get to the docks," Hana explained. "It would do us no good to show up exhausted."

Nalos shrugged but didn't argue the point anymore. The group started to dismount from their horses and looked for a clearing to set up camp. However, they were quickly alerted to the sign of wildlife by a high-pitched yipping. A small wolf pup emerged from the bushes by the roadside, quickly followed by another that tackled it to the ground. The roughhousing between the two wolf pups was certainly cute but Nordak quickly grew alert, knowing what their presence meant.

"They're so cute!" Nalos gasped. "Look at them play!"

"Nalos, Hana, get the horses off the road now," Nordak told the two. "Keep them calm because our lives may depend on it."

"Is something wrong? Hana asked, unable to hide her worry.

Loud growling coming from behind the group served as an answer to Nordak's question. The dwarf turned around to see a large dire wolf, looking aggressively at those that stood between her and her children. The horses started to whine but Nalos and Hana quickly went to work, starting to calm them down. While Pallas stepped off the road, Arannis reached for one of his swords.

Nordak lifted his right hand up to stop Arannis from attacking. The dwarf held his free hand out towards the mother wolf, slowly stepping away. He and his companions didn't want to fight, and seeing as how there was only one grown wolf, Nordak could only assume that she didn't want to fight either. The cleric was able to keep the wolf from attacking long enough for his companions to get off the road with the horses. After Nordak joined them, the mother wolf ran toward her pups and the three beasts disappeared into the wilderness.

"That was a close one," Pallas sighed in relief.

"Good work, Nordak," Arannis complimented the dwarf. "For that, you don't have to worry about taking a watch. Pallas, Nalos, you two can decide who takes the second and third watch."

"What?" Pallas shook his head. "Why can't Hana take watch?"

"I can't see in the dark," Hana answered bluntly.

Nordak ignored the debate between the rest of his companions about who was taking watch. He was simply glad that none of them had bothered him while keeping the mother wolf calm. Arannis nearly did so but attacking the wolf wouldn't have been too problematic. Nordak knew that there were some adventurers that made a game of taming wildlife and ended up losing their lives in the process.

Given how Nalos sulked in the corner, Nordak could only assume that taking one of the wolf pups was exactly what the druid had in mind.

Drizzling rain woke up the group early the next day. With the wind pushing against them, the group quickly rolled up their bedrolls and roused their horses from their slumber. It wasn't a pleasant ride but the group pressed on, determined to make it to their destination. Only Nordak with his hood and Arannis with his brimmed hat were able to keep the rain from coming down on their heads. Hana remained silent while Pallas complained about the weather and the lack of alcohol. Only Nalos was happy about the weather given the way he smiled which made sense given he was a triton.

After an hour and a half of riding, the group came across a dock by the raging Moonsea. An elderly man with broad shoulders, a beard that reached down to his chest, and salt over his coat and trousers, pulls the ferry he stands on with a rope that reaches to the docks. His floppy hat threatens to blow off with the wind but fortunately enough it remains on. The group dismounted from their horses as they reached the dock in time for the ferry to pull up.

"Greetings," Arannis greeted. "We are-"

"It's a gold per head and a silver per beast," the boatman interrupted with a scowl. "I wouldn't come to the village if I were you. Nothing to see on it and a storm's coming."

"We have business on the island," Hana explained. "Might we know your name and that of the village."

"The name's Warsh," the boatman grunted. "Village don't have a name. If you come you'll have to stay until the storm passes. Not risking my neck for you lot."

"Everyone, pay for yourself and your horse," Arannis told the group and reached for his pockets.

Pallas leaned over to Nalos and whispered to him. "Mind spotting me? I'm a bit low on coin right now."

"I've got you," Nalos nodded with a smile.

Nordak handed the two coins required to Warsh. "We heard that ye an' yer village had a mad man."

"You heard right," Warsh said and took the coins from the adventurers. "Won't shut his mouth about the eyes of the dracolich. His body is fine but probably saw something that broke his mind. You better take him when you leave."

"We'll look into it," Arannis said, stepping onto the raft.

Nordak knew that Warsh wasn't in the mood for a talk and asked no other questions. The rest of the group followed in his example and led their mounts onto the raft. With the group gathered on board, Warsh started to pull on the rope, guiding the ferry toward the island not too far away. Nordak quietly placed his hand on the pommel of his axe given by Brother Keefe, cautious as to what awaits on the island and any threat that comes with the storm.

A/N: Another chapter up and only a few more left to go. I didn't mean to double post, but for some reason, I forgot to upload chapter three, which was done for some time, so you get both today. Expect another chapter sometime this week.

Even though the document suggests a kind of accent for the islandfolk, Warsh included, I found that it was difficult to write in and opted to ignore it entirely. I've slowly been shifting away from accents, and even with the typical Dwarven accent that Nordak and other dwarves in my stories have, I've been making minor tweaks to have it more regular. It might phase out entirely one day but that remains to be seen.

Until next time.