Fuzzy: The Lady of the Lake
Helga listens impassively as Andalon makes his speech, but nods as he finishes up with his warnings of cultural differences. Then she flicks a hand towards the sailor on the dock, who releases the ties that hold the small ship to the jetty, the jumps aboard. His two fellow crewmen use long oars to move the vessel away, and into the lake, before they all work together to hoist the large single sail that will power the vessel. Helga stands at the stern of the vessel, tiller tucked under her arm, as she oversees operations. A couple of young children stand by the edge of the pier and wave the Lady of the Lake on her way. One of the sailors responds with a cheery wave, then returns quickly to his duties.
Helga doesn't drive her crew hard, nor does she try to make good time, instead she lets the The Lady take a leisurely passage down the Tusk Water. To the west you can see wetlands leading up to the forest, home to The Swamp Witch who is lady Pipre's mother. To the east there are angular hills and scrubland, with a river that leads (or so you are told) to lake Silverstep.
Eventually, Helga manoeuvres the Lady of the Lake up against the lake's bank at the bottom of the lake, and from the darkened circle of a fire place and the piles of timber, you can deduce that this is a regular stopping place. "We can make the Chain Ferry tomorrow. And we will pass thought Candlemere in daylight ..."
Brief discussion, short questions etc - next post takes us to The Chain Ferry