As the companions passed through the isles they came across a variety of sights, both ugly and beautiful. The tall, nimble trunks of the palm trees swayed with the southeastern wind and waved bright green leaves to the them providing an inviting reception. Flowers of pink, blue, red, and orange drew their eye to the further natural beauty of the place, possibilities of joy and relaxation. The water had cleared from a dark black, to a turquoise so much that they could see several feet into the water and pick out coral reefs and large schools of fish. They encroached closer to Big Savage and it was clear that the eastern coast of Tenbap was controlled by the cannibalistic Hinghi. The coastal villages made of thatched homes were built more sturdy and looked as if they would stand the severe storms of the oceans, while the goblin huts on the tiny islets looked more like temporary shelters. The goblins dwelled in the Savage Isles, but the Hinghi tribes called the islands home.

Being far clear of the goblins, Wess steered closer to Big Savage so they could quench their curiosity and look upon the large Hinghi village. There was native folk fishing from long, skinny boats. Children played in the water and on the beach.

Wess wanted very badly to drop his line into the water like the other fishermen, but he knew how some, especially the Hinghi, would probably be territorial about their waters. Instead, he brought the boat a bit closer to shore, which in turn brought out many of the tribal warriors with their bows, harpoons, and spears.

"They may recognize the boat," said Wess.

Anyu screamed out a Hinghi saying, "Kalimdap Wan Akillu!" This translated to Death to Goblin scum.

The Hinghi warriors in turn whooped a war cry and cheered for the trophy the companions had won for their enemy knowing it would be much harder for the goblins to raid their villages without it.

"Best to pull away now, Wess," said Haygen. He waved to the children and gave a courteous nod to the warriors while showing his strength by wielding is massive double bladed ax. His primal Orc instincts of dominance boiled his blood. This meant the Hinghi were also feeling the same.

"Perhaps we should trade with them for food," said Kayla.

Anyu agreed. "I could speak to them if you like."

Haygen glanced over to Otis and gave a quick shake of his head. No good.

The Dwarf gave a quick nod at Half-orc's subtle gesture. They were severely out numbered, and the natives were cannibals. If there was a fight, children might get injured. "I've a bad feelin' about this place, Kayla. We best be moving on."

"Of course," the Wizard was a bit frustrated. Kayla's plan was to document their travels and the culture they witnessed. She made a mental note of some of the native's tattoos, weapons, dress, and architecture. She truly wanted to hear some more legends of the Hinghi besides what Zahdu told her. She would have to lean on Anyu for more information.

They waved farewell and course corrected back to the east and pulled away from the island chain. The open water was once again before them.

Because the wind held, the companions reached the western shores of the Far East two moons later.  When it appeared on the horizon, no one said a word.  The only one who smiled was the Ranger. 

They sailed for weeks to get to a land that civilization fled centuries ago.  Now, only the wild, the untamed, and the desperate folk came here.  However, many expeditions were lead in search of precious metals deep underground.  Some hunted exotic animals not found in the West to sell their precious skins to armorers, organs to wizards, and the creatures themselves for the odd collector.  Few left to escape justice for crimes they committed, taking their chances with the Far East than swing on the gallows.  In turn, bounty hunters found work.  Some, like Haygen's mother, fled to pursue their gods.  Perhaps their god guided them there.  There were those like Anyu, whose native tribes refused to leave their homeland and outlasted the great war.   

As if it were a warning from the gods, dark storm clouds blanketed the sky.  Swift clouds devoured the yellow noon sun like a hungry monster.  It lashed out with rolling thunder and bolts of red lightning. 

A rain drop fell to Kayla's hand, then another hit her head.  The drop sizzled on her skin and burned like fire.  Soon, their final warning came as the boat rocked with white capped waves--raindrops fell like arrows as they approached blood red rocks that jutted out of the sea like spiked armor protecting a vile beast.

"Acid rain!" screamed the Wizard.  "Prasidius!"  Kayla's clear protective shield covered her.

Otis put his large shield over his head and the rain rolled off of it.  But as the drops hit his feet, it burned holes in his breeches and boots.  His legs sizzled and he grunted with pain.  He ran inside the cabin for shelter.  Haygen quickly followed him as he brought his large arms up to protect his face.  Anyu brought her red cloak up to protect herself. 

Wess, however, stayed with the rudder to keep the ship straight covering his body best he could with his own cloak.  The acid rain came down and was soon burning holes wherever it fell.   

Otis yelled to his small friend, "You get your arse in here, Whiteknucke, or I'll skin you myself!"

"We're almost there, Otis!  We need to stay on course.  Ahhh!"  The acid rain burned through to his skin.

"Wesley, get yourself below!" Kayla ordered as she ripped the rudder arm from him.  Seeing that the Wizard was magically protected, the Faeling nodded and ran in without argument.

The three friends watched in awe as Kayla guided the boat on.  Her blue eyes flashed in the darkness of the storm like beacons of safety.

Acid crashed hard all around her and each drop that landed on her magic bubble sparked a white light of energy.  Soon, the deck began to dissolve just as the cabin started to leak.  The triangular sail was reduced to nothing but a shredded rag.  The Wizard fought wind and waves, but soon the acid ate through the rudder arm and it snapped free from its base.  What was left of the boat was now free floating and they were headed straight for the jagged rocks. 

Kayla closed her eyes in deep thought.  She clutched her protective charm around her neck, rubbing the magical runes for hope.  Guidance came to her with a start.  She reached overboard and scooped her palm full of seawater, tossed it into the wind, then yelled to the blackened sky above her, "Tempesera!"  

The clouds above the boat lit up with white lightning and cracked the companions' ears.  The wind blew wild.  Instead of a southern downpour of acid rain, a new storm above clashed with the other and rainwater battled acid rain.  The collision of storms sent the wind, rain and sea into a crazed spiral.  Just as the sailboat was about the smash into the rocks, the ocean spun into a massive whirlpool.  The companions held on to whatever they could to stop from falling overboard.  The Wizard held firm to the aft ledge as the boat went around and around.  As the craft picked up speed it spun lower and lower into the whirlpool. 

Right when the boat was going to be sucked in, though, the water flattened out.  As quickly as it came, just as quickly it was over.  The storm of acid rain dissipated and left the sky a dull gray that the sun above tried to dissolve. 

Kayla blinked the water from here eyes and shook her head to stop the spinning.  She stood and found her friends climbing out of what remained of the cabin.  The entire boat looked like termites had eaten their fill.  The small sailboat bumped through the pointed rocks that pierced the sea, but it now ground up against a jagged cliff like a steel file put to wood. 

"The boat is sinking," announced Otis.  "Grab what you can salvage and let's make our way up this cliff."  He pointed up.  Angry ledges of blood red shale towered thirty feet above them.  "We've a bit of a climb ahead of us—"

A rogue wave smashed the craft hard against the cliff wall and knocked them all off their feet.  The boat's hull cracked and sounded like a falling tree. 

"Let's get off this thing, now!" Demanded the Dwarf.  "Move!"  He slung his shield over his shoulder, then put hand and foot to stone.  He was a deft climber of anything stone and clung to the cliff like a squat beetle. 

Haygen picked up the Elf maiden with one arm and jumped high up to clear the boat that smashed towards them.  He landed with a firm handhold and swung Kayla to one next to him.  He reached a hand down to Anyu, but she already latched on to the cliff with one foot and one hand.  

"Wesley!" Otis searched for the Faeling.  I just saw the little devil, he thought to himself.  Just then, something heavy and wet smacked him in the face.  He brushed it away and it was a sopping wet rope dangling from above.

"Could the rest of you move a bit quicker?" Wess announced from atop the cliff above.  "I'm getting bored up here!"  The Assassin stood with hands grasping his loaded crossbows. 

Otis shook his head and was quietly relieved to find the rope firmly tied to a rock above. "Here!" the Dwarf yelled over noise of the waves to the Barbarian, Wizard, and Ranger drawing attention to the rope. Slowly made their way up the cliff.

The friends peered out to the rocky terrain of the Open Wastes.  Mountains of red and yellow stone soared above them.  Large natural arches stretched several hundred feet into the air like stone rainbows.  Water collected into a small pond nearby.  There were several odd formations and caves that drew their attention. 

Otis readied his hammer and shield.  "Let us get out of the open."  He led them towards the base of a mountain to the north.  "Does anyone see a northern trail?"

The only answer was the singing of weapons freeing from sheaths after a long, wet journey.

A/N A shorter one this week, but I want to iron out the next two chapters and work Anyu into the story more. Hope you are enjoying!

This chapter is dedicated to Deepakmokal