kept sounding the depth using a line and stone, and as the young priest had said, the water was safe. The tide was past high and darkness was but a few hours away. Captain Cook gave the order to lower the anchor and drop all sails. When the anchor had set, the watch was posted. Heather had finished feeding her baby and returned topside. She asked, "Could a boat be put ashore on the mainland?" Captain Cook responded only after examining the shoreline carefully. "A boat could be landed but what then?" Heather responded, "I would have those of the Forest scout ahead." "You would have them climb that cliff?" Heather nodded in the affirmative saying, "If those of the Forest are willing and able it would be best." Several of the Forest were examining the cliff and said, "If we can use a light line from the ship the cliff can be scaled." Heather said, "I would that four of the Forest set out and scout the defenses that those of the Red may have erected. We would expect to pick you up shortly after dawn so that we can use the tide to enter the harbor." Those of the Forest chose amongst themselves and the four chosen prepared their equipment. The sailors lowered one of the boats and those of the Forest were taken across the small waterway to a small beach where they landed. The beach was almost completely covered at high tide. The sailors advised those of the Forest, "You may need to get wet in order to return." Those of the Forest acknowledged the warning and climbed onto land for the first time in several weeks. They felt real joy at having solid rock beneath their feet, but noticed that if they closed their eyes the world would roll as if they were aboard the ship. They wasted little time and began their ascent of the cliff, which was composed of different layers of rock, some of which appeared markedly eroded and others very sound. The series of ledges thus produced made for a relatively easy ascent. Then they were gone from sight. Aboard ship it was mostly a time of preparation with a checking and rechecking of their weapons and other preparations. Daniel was fascinated by the layers of rock he was seeing and so wished he could explore them, but was trapped aboard the boat. Heather too felt confined but used the time to practice with her sword. Her right arm remained stiff and somewhat weak from an injury sustained during an earlier battle. She found it easier to control the sword with her left arm. She practiced holding a knife in her right hand and using the sword in her left. This produced a better sense of balance but she definitely lacked the finesse she had enjoyed before the injury to her right arm. Betty interrupted her practice, bringing her baby forth who was demanding to be fed. Heather sheathed her weapons and resumed the role of mother. The night passed slowly, and as dawn approached the boat was lowered and those of the Forest retrieved. They were in high spirits as they returned to the ship. They reported to Heather that a catapult was mounted on the cliff overlooking the harbor. They explained that it was unguarded, so they took the liberty of slicing almost completely through both the launching and the controlling ropes. There were no other ships to be seen. They then described the harbor, which was large enough for only six or seven ships of their size and connected through the cliff by a very tiny channel. The people lived in stone homes carved into the soft layer of stone about a quarter way up the cliff. A more traditional building seemed to house those of the Red and was adjacent to a dock structure. The boats of Larby's people were simply pulled ashore on the small beach. Heather and the Captain received the report and Heather thanked those of the Forest for their efforts. She and Captain Cook then conferred only briefly before the order was given to hoist the anchor and raise the sails. Slowly the ship moved forward, and with but an hour and a half of sail they spotted the cleft in the cliffs.