The next two weeks on board the ship passed without any major calamities. Hanro was unable to keep the two boys from Bedge's influence, but on the other hand, the half-elf was kept so busy with navigation and other duties that he didn't have much chance to spend with them himself. Like the rest of the crew, the scouts helped manage the sails, check the ropes, and keep watch.

There were several storms along the way, but each time, the ship rose above them. Telbech maintained spells to keep the air thick around the ship and protect it from the winds. Several times, they would see something moving at a distance. It may have been a dragon far off, or a seabird much closer. Once, a roc approached within fifty yards of the ship before veering away.

They passed over islands on occasion, some of them with vegetation. Thistle made note of each, marking its position and what traits could be discerned. He then placed them into the charts, occasionally having Bedge make the entries under his watchful eye.

At one point, they saw something very large on the surface of the water. It was difficult to tell scale at the distance, but Thistle later estimated its size at just under a hundred feet long. It was much like a whale, but it had too many fins, and its tail was too long and slender. It dived soon after it appeared.

Finally, just sixteen days after they left Endrok, they sighted a dark mass on the horizon. It soon resolved itself into tall dark cliffs. Trees could be seen above them.

As soon as they were seen, the scouts were called to the captain's quarters. "Well, lads and lass," he said, "It'll be time soon for you to leave the ship. Remember, this is a trading mission. Do what you can to make peaceful contact. Don't try and make negotiations yourselves, I'll be handling that part. Just sound them out to see how open they are to the idea. Hopefully, at least one or two of them will speak draconic. Do you have any questions before we land?"