"I knew that already," she said, "I had to undress you if you recall. Don't worry, I'll cover the expenses."

Brother Ambrose turned red with embarrassment. "Good luck to you, my children. You must excuse me, for I have other things to attend to."

"What got into him?" asked Natalia.

"I think it was you talking of undressing me," Athgar responded, "though I can't think why."

"Shall we look into finding passage downriver?" she asked.

"We shall," he agreed.

On the River

Autumn 1103 SR

The riverbank appeared to sail by as they stood on the deck. The Marianne was a small boat by most standards, but big enough to sail downriver with a cargo of iron ore. The captain had been more than happy to have a Water Mage aboard, though he was less excited for the inclusion of the Therengian. A mage could help protect the ship should danger lurk, but Athgar was just another mouth to feed, and Captain Howe saw little usefulness in the axe wielder.

Athgar spent the whole time on deck, even sleeping there, for the close confines of the hull did little to comfort him. He stood, staring eastward, watching as the vast forests rolled by.

"They say it's all wilderness," announced Natalia.

"I doubt that," he responded, "there's bound to be much that lives there, a rich country like that!"

"Many have tried," she claimed. "Captain Howe tells me that more than five hundred adventurous souls have tried to tame the eastern bank over the last few years."

"No doubt an old wives tale meant to frighten people away. I bet there's Elves out there somewhere, maybe even Orcs."

"Orcs? What makes you say that?"

"They're a scattered people," Athgar said. "According to legend, there was a great war where all their cities were destroyed."

"The Orcs had cities?"

"Yes, why? Does that surprise you?"

"I never really thought of them as civilized. How long ago was this?"

"Many, many generations ago. I don't know exactly, but I'm guessing it was two thousand years ago, maybe more."

"I didn't think Humans had been around that long," she said.

"It wasn't the Humans that destroyed them, it was the Elves."

"Really? Or are you just pulling my leg? I find it hard to believe the Elves had anything to do with it."

"Why?"

"They're said to be so isolationist, having little to do with Humans."

"No doubt because we outnumber them so much," he replied. "Can you imagine what would happen if we declared war on them? It would be a short one for sure."

"I think you're wrong," said Natalia. "They have been working with magic far longer than we have."

"You think them more powerful?"

"I think their mages might be," she said. "Humans take a lifetime to become masters, but an Elf lives much longer. Think of how much more powerful they could become."

"If that's true, why don't they rule the land?"