Someone Else's Kingdom, BOOK II - Scene XXXVI

Across the island another boat was arriving. Liofia tiptoed over the stepping stones that led, like a jetty, to the forest cove, followed by Box, Goola, Julen, and Eartaria. Finally, Allacat and Celalah, the two half-tails that had come in the hope of powder, stepped onto the soil. Completing the squad. The muddy sea gave way to a rocky land, and the long branches of the trees overhung the water. The slippy forest womb a gaping doorway, offering a hiding place from the overbearing mainland.

They'd spied several ships from Caster and the Northern Kingdom on their trip across the sea, but their little vessel had made the pass unseen. Nevertheless, they still felt a sense of trespass as they made the crossing. Apart from Eartaria, of course, who, careless in his manner, held no such fears. Back on his native turf he quickly led the way, striding onward through the dampened grove. The others left feeling quite out of place - foreigners in an unknown land. Goola, perhaps the most apprehensive, inwardly wondering where they would stay, and how they would eat, sleep and live, as she dashed to keep up. With Box and Liofia having thoughts quite similar. The woodland itself giving a devilish feel, and a note of agrestal dread, to people so used to life over on the world island.

Unbeknownst to the strangers they were heading in the direction of Colm's house. The unassuming heartland, where Essen was finally finding sleep after his long jaunt through memories. Had Eartaria been more mindful he would've worried about the reception that was awaiting him, yet he stalked past the oaky trees with abandon. He was home, and his only impulse was the one upmost in his mind. Here he was, back after his own long journey, equally hungry to put his own plans into action.