Episode XXIX -- A Warning Is Given

Amongst the rocks, down, deep in a crevice from which came a foul stench we came upon a dank, dark cave, littered with bones. From the back came a terrible moan. And, scuttling, a figure came forward and spoke. “I know who you are and why you are here and what will happen to you. I have been there and have come back again, ruined, destroyed and, yet, I am a lucky one. I have been left to live and warn others that they turn back and accept death in the sea rather than the horror that they will find in this land.” Our deacon came forth, spread incense and ordered offered salvation. . And, thereupon, with an axe, slew this foul thing to save its soul.

And, so we continued our quest, not knowing how much we would regret what we had done.

Upward We Climbed

First light told us what we had feared. The screams that we had heard that night on the beach were those of our shipmates who had drifted further down the shore and been caught up in craggy inlets where they became victims of some terrible hunger, grinding teeth and tearing claws. The flapping and beaked beasts that we had kept at bay that night with a fire had elsewhere found good flesh to eat. And, so, knowing that we must get away from them, we began to climb the cliffs before us, into the dark interior of this strange place. But, then, prayers being answered, we came upon a well constructed stairway and knew that soon we would find much wealth to seize and many souls to save. And, so, certain of the righteousness of our holy work, we marched upward, singing hymns, toward gold, glory and godliness.

Ravvers

These are terrible birds, stinking of the horrible fish that they eat, bilious in manner and snide in characters. Yet, hungry as we were we had no choice but to catch them, wrench their heads and eat them whole, leaving us with fierce thirst, for their flesh was not only stringy but extremely salty and sour. And, yet, so hungry we were that we gave thanks, each of us eating several before the entire rookery took flight and besmirched us with their droppings. But, soon the sun set and we felt the chill of evening as we confronted another sort of terror.

And, Bleegers Too -- Episode CXIV

We did not see them at first. They hide under rocks and come out only when they sense that there is death in the air. But, having decided to spend the night on the beach rather than attempt the cliffs before us, we made a fire, after collecting what we could of our clothing and other stores that had washed up from the sea with us.

As the fire caught, we could hear scuttling all about us and, then, that is when we saw them.

Hundreds of them. Some almost upon us. Intent on getting what nourishment they could from our spent bodies before other scavengers had a chance. Flashing teeth, wet with sticky drooling. Eager, terrible eyes. Glad we were to be ashore but what a shore this was!