Someone Else's Kingdom, BOOK II - Scene XXIII

Prince Reach stepped out onto the hard wooden deck and released the Tunida Bird into the air. It darted south towards the orangey sky, carrying with it the secret knowledge he'd headed north to seek. He felt contented as he watched it soar, and hoped with confidence that it would soon be put to good use.

As his own vessel sped swiftly in the direction of Tunida, sailing parallel to the great landmass of Caster, he made readiness to tack hard east - to round the tip of the great continent, dangerously close to the enemy shore. He wouldn't be heading back to Tunida, he had other orders to follow. "Tunida Birds don't fly north as we must," he thought, as he prepared to give the signal. The plump bird, his winged messenger, now gone from sight. A glancing touch, or skipping stone, passing on the softest brush of his presence, as he undertook to pass his natal island.