The Story Of The Others

      Nick and Sam Thatch sat together on the side of Ilona's bed in the captain's cabin while Mason pulled chairs over for her and himself.  They took their seats and braced themselves for whatever they were about to hear.

      "We were at sea for several days before we saw the island," Sam started, "We found the other boats first, and we all stayed together.  Nick did his best to navigate us towards the Mountain Lands, but we were already starving and thirsty.

    "When one of the men with a spyglass caught a glimpse of this island on the horizon, we all rowed towards it as fast as we could, not caring what land it was.  Luckily for us, it was nighttime as we rowed, and we arrived just before dawn when the dragons would start to stir."