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"Look at that," Lazarus said.
"Yes," Cindy said, "I see it."
The small crew traveled on the boat for almost two weeks and the mountains he’d seen on the far horizon were now towering over the lake.
Royce growled. "Those statues are as big as the Statue of Liberty."
Lazarus nodded. He needed to ask Professor Jacobs if they still had the Statue of Liberty in this timeline. He shook his head. Too many things had happened from the Breaking of the Bastions to their one-hundred-year hibernation. It had seemed only a month ago he was just an accountant, but it was several lifetimes ago.
"Those statues look just like the picture on the map,” said Grace. “Except there are letters at the bases of the real statues."
Lazarus was so excited to see the statues that he didn't look down at the base of their feet. Instead he stared up at the awesome sight. ]
The boat didn't slow as they sailed into a big chasm cut between the mountains through which a waterway flowed. Shannol was at the stern, talking to Smaagol. Lazarus was too far away to hear their words.
"Master Lazarus," Shannol called. "Please come over here."
He walked the length of the deck, getting used to the creaking of the vessel. Sometimes they helped Smaagol with the sails and some of the steering.
"Yes?"
"Smaagol wants to know if you want to stop for the day before we enter the waterway."
Lazarus was perplexed. They had several more hours of light left in the day and he wanted to travel some more.
"Why should we stop?" he said.
"We think we should stock up before we proceed," Shannol said.
"If I may," Smaagol said in his singsong voice. "Master Lazarus, we need more supplies before we travel. When we get into the waterway there will no forest to camp in and food and supplies will be limited."
Lazarus was surprised. Smaagol had never given a suggestion before. "You know this area. Have you ever traveled this far up river?"
"No, Master Lazarus, I have never traveled this far. We are too scared," Smaagol said. "I only traveled this far because you are the Alphas and you will protect us."
"Okay, let’s camp on shore and gather more supplies. We need food and torches. Is there a place for supplies around here?"
Smaagol scrunched his face. "Yes, I know where."
The small man turned the wheel and the boat edged toward the shore.
***
LAZARUS AND THE OTHERS stood next to each watching the sun hovering lower on the horizon.
Smaagol explained to Lazarus that there was a trapper around those parts that might barter for supplies.
"But we don't have any money or things to barter."
"Do we really need these supplies?” Royce growled. “We can fend for ourselves."
Lazarus gave it a thought, then shook his head. "We might need those supplies. We have been living off the land, but when we get into the caves we will have a hard time finding food and water."
"Also," Cindy said, "we don't know about the Blessed Isles."
Grace looked around the small group. "I think we should just move on."
Lazarus must have looked surprised, because Grace suddenly turned away and glanced at Royce. Shannol didn't intervene. But he needed her vote to break this tie.
"Shannol, you are a part of this group. What do you think? Do we need to get supplies?"
Shannol looked visibly embarrassed. "As a Captain of the Guards, we always have to prepare ourselves for any contingencies. I think we need to get supplies because we don't know what we will encounter."
Lazarus was about to say something when Royce held up his hand. "Lazarus, may I speak with you alone."
Lazarus was intrigued and shocked. He trusted everybody here. But he nodded and they walked down the shore a bit. It was getting dark, and the shadows were long. He knew if they were going to the trapper’s home, they would now have to go tomorrow. They walked until they were out of earshot of the group. Cindy and the others remained standing by the bonfire.
"What's wrong?" Lazarus asked.
"I don't trust Smaagol."
"You don't trust that small man? He's harmless. You can tell by looking at him," Lazarus said.
"No, there is something about him. He looks harmless, but sometimes when I look at him he acts a little odd."
"So, you think he’s going to lead us into a trap?" he asked. "He hasn’t had a chance to talk to anybody about us. I think you are getting somewhat paranoid." Lazarus paused ,and then stared at Smaagol. "But you might be right. Remember the writer, Tolkien? I think he based the villain in The Hobbit on Smaagol."
" I think we need to be careful. I know about Tolkien and such, though I'm just a soldier."
"You were a soldier. Now, you’re an Alpha Mage. You're more now, and I value your opinion."
Lazarus glanced over to their party. Cindy and the others huddled close to the fire as a cold wind blew from the lake. He shivered and wanted to get close to the flames. "So, what should we do?" he asked.
Royce growled and sniffed the air. "Let's wait until tomorrow. Right now, I will get us some food."
Royce instantly changed into a large black panther. He growled and jumped into the forest.
