<div align="center">(http://images7.alphacoders.com/339/339161.jpg)</div><br/>"Land Ho!"<br/><br/>The cry from the Crows Nest made everyone on deck look up. The Ships Boy who had climbed up the main mast to the Crows Nest was leaning over the edge and pointing towards a point off their Starboard Prow. Immediately, the entire crew rushed over to that side of the ship, pressing up against the railing, eyes straining to try and pick out what the Ships Boy had spotted.<br/><br/>The last two months at sea had been brutal, for everyone.<em>The Albatross</em>had left with much fanfare and celebration from the Port of Reynar. It had been part of a Fleet for its first few days - warships providing an escort - as it started to head out to sea. Once it had cleared the Wayward Islands - and the threat of its Pirates - the escorting fleet started to dwindle in size. After a two more days,<em>The Albatross</em>was on its own, fully stocked with supplies and not much else as no one was really sure just how long it would take to travel to the West.<br/><br/>The two weeks went smoothly, with a steady wind from the East sending them well on their way. A chance encounter with a small, uninhabited (and mischarted) island allowed them to get some fresh water and fresh food on board, but that was the last piece of good luck that they'd had. The wind had died shortly after that. At its peak, it was barely enough to fill a sail. The ship simply drifted at the mercy of the currents, setting everyone on edge.<br/><br/>And then the tide had turned, literally. A Gale had erupted out of nothing, tossing<em>The Albatross</em>about like it was a child's toy. Three men had been washed over board and another had been crushed when some cargo broke free. No one was really sure how long the Gale lasted but when they finally broke free of it, they had clearly been blown off course and had no idea where they were.<br/><br/>The Captain decided to continue on with the mission of course, and set a general heading of due West. With luck they'd find the land they were looking for. The wind had been consistant for several days after that and they made good heading, though with no real knowledge of what - if anything - lay ahead.<br/><br/>Up until a few days ago, the wind had died once more, leaving them drifting again. Supplies were running low by this point and rationing had begun. They needed to make landfall in a bad way - they needed fresh water and fresh food - before they'd be able to do much of anything.<br/><br/>Cracked lips curved into a smile as the faint outline of land could be made out on the horizon. Even if it was only an island, there was sure to be food and water to be had, and if nothing else, the crew could use some time relaxing land-side and some minor repairs could be made to the ship.<br/><br/>A few long hours passed and the small dot on the horizon continued to grow and grow until it was clear that it was more then just an Island. The ships crew seemed to suddenly have an extra spring in their steps and soon shore birds were circling over head. The Ships Captain, a man earmarked for greatness should the return voyage be successful, was not foolish though. Instead of making for the nearest landfall, he made the crew earn their wages and sailed up and down the coast a few miles in each direction. There were no signs of any villages or boats, save for the ruins of what could have been a castle at one time upon a rocky outcropping that formed part of a harbor.<br/><br/>With no signs of life, and the noon sun starting to sink over the landmass before them, the Captain had<em>The Swallow</em>lay anchor in the bay. A Shore Party would be needed to locate fresh water and any sort of food but with over half the day gone, the Captain erred on the side of caution.<br/><br/>A tin whistle called hands to deck. "Listen up!" The Captain bellowed from the fore-castle. "Clearly we have arrived, somewhere in the West. What dangers now lie ahead of us I can not say but by the ruins above us there were men here once upon a time. There is no saying what led to their demise, or what sort of dangers lurk in the woods on shore. But I will not hold you back - especially you land lover." His gaze slid over those who had boarded the ship that were not Sailors and were the 'muscle' behind the expedition. "But I caution you to clear the ruins first and make camp there for the night, with a Night Watch as we shall have on this Ship. I will not be caught unawares, thinking we are safe now that we have arrived!"<br/><br/><hr/><hr/><hr/><br/><strong>Posting Format:</strong><br/><br/>See this  Specific Post  (http://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=174637.msg8309193#msg8309193)