Duncan just wanted to get off this river, to get back on land where he felt most at home. He would fight any man, any army, any beast or creature—he only wanted to do it on land. He did not like to fight where he could not stand his ground, and he did not trust this cursed river, its creatures or its whirlpools. As indomitable as those mountains appeared, he would choose them anytime and have solid ground beneath his feet.

As the river gushed on, they neared the base of the mountains and Duncan saw the vast, empty plains surrounding it. On the horizon, stationed on these plains, Duncan was concerned to see garrison after garrison of Pandesian troops. The river was luckily far enough to keep his men shielded from view, especially with the trees bordering its banks. Yet between the trees Duncan could spot the Pandesian soldiers, far off, guarding the mountains as if they owned them.

“The men of Kos may be some of the best warriors of Escalon,” Seavig said, drifting up beside him in his raft, “but they are trapped up there. The Pandesians have been waiting for them to descend ever since they invaded.”

“The Pandesians will never risk ascent,” added Anvin, drifting in close. “Those cliffs are too treacherous.”

“They don’t need to,” added Arthfael. “Pandesia has them trapped and will wait until they force their surrender.”

Duncan studied the landscape, pondering.

“Then perhaps it’s time we liberate them,” he finally said.

“Shall we not have a fight on our hands before we reach the mountains?” Anvin asked.

Seavig shook his head.

“This river winds to the mountain’s base, through the narrow pass,” he replied. “We shall disembark on the other side and climb the mountains unseen. It will spare us a confrontation with the Pandesians.”

Duncan nodded, satisfied.

“I wouldn’t mind confronting them now,” Anvin said, hand on his sword as he peered out through the trees towards the distant plains.

“All in good time, my friend,” Duncan said. “First we rally Kos—then we attack Pandesia. When we fight them, I want us to be unified, one force—and I want it be on our own terms. It is as important to choose when and where to fight as it is who.”

As the boats drifted underneath a natural stone outcropping, the river narrowing, Duncan looked up and studied the mountains, reaching straight up to the sky.

“Even if we reach the peaks,” Arthfael said, turning to Duncan, “do you really think Kos will join us? They are mountain people—they are famed to never come down.”

Duncan sighed, wondering the same thing. He knew the warriors of Kos to be a stubborn lot.

“For freedom,” he finally replied, “a true warrior will do what is right. Your homeland lies in your heart—not where you live.”