Captain Aerys

293AC

Aerys nodded to himself as he glanced towards the departing sight of his pride and joy, the Wave-Dasher, he would be coming back soon enough.

He had been chosen from among the surviving captains (poor Jon) to lead the expedition onto this little island because he was known for having a sharp eye, and as he glanced across the beach he planned to put it to use.

The beach itself was clear, a sandy, pleasant white, as was the ocean floor beneath the clear blue water under their boats, which seemed to teem with fish that he couldn't recognize. There were a few mid-sized waves here and there, but the rowboats got onto the beach alright, and he got off at the head of ninety marines from across the remaining fleet. Ten came from each cutter and forty from the Sword.

He called a halt to the men once he got on shore, his eyes now scanning the closer treeline, where a large grey lump seemed to be moving, close to the ground.

He drew out his pistol and advanced at the head of the men. At about sixty yards from the thing, he stopped again, as it was clear that it was some sort of enormous lizard, walking on four legs and perhaps chest height at the shoulder, and with a spiny ridge rising from its back.

"Is that a Dragonling sir?" One of the men asked behind him, and he shook his head plainly.

"No, just a giant lizard of some sort by the looks. No wings. Still, I don't want to tangle with it. Shoot it if you please."

"Yes, sir." The Maine Lieutenant nodded, before ordering his men. "Five of you Form a line. Then fire at will."

"Sir."

A ring of gunshots rang out from his side, sending small tropical birds in the surrounding area flying, and the thing collapsed, bleeding.

"That will be enough I think." He said, raising his hand. "Break up into your squads and begin moving. I expect everyone to return to this beach by sunset, oh, and keep an eye out for any more of those things. I haven't seen them before, but anything that large is likely to be dangerous."

"Lieutenant bring your unit with me" he pointed up to the hill which rose at the center of the island. "We'll be heading for the pinnacle."

The trek was initially fairly easy, the area around the beach was fairly flat and simple to walk through, but as they progressed further into the interior it became clear that the island had a bit more in store for them, while it was clearly bountiful, and reasonably pleasant owing to the sea breeze, the trees grew very close together, and all manner of vines grew between them. They ended up having to use hatches to cut a trail through.

At least they ate well, wild boars seemed to be plentiful on the island, and thoroughly cooked they provided a good lunch for the men in his unit. As they stopped to eat halfway up the hill by a spring, before finally making it to the top.

"Now ain't that a view." He whistled to nods from the men as they reached the pinnacle of the hill. From its peak, you could see the whole island, about a dozen miles across, and forming a sort of awkward U shape. The hill looked over some cliffs which led down to a sort of alcove-bay in the side of it. "I think the beaches down there should be sheltered enough to Careen the ships come high tide. Even the Sword."

The lieutenant, who served on the Sword, glanced down after him, nodding slightly. "Aye, sir. I suspect it would work. 'Looks deep enough to get her into."

"We'll let them know when we get back then." He drew out his Myrish eye from its sheath at his side, scanning over the horizon. "As I thought." He pointed out towards the horizon, where a faint bump was vaguely visible with the naked eye. "There's a second island out there, and another one a few leagues southeast of it." He squinted as he did a long drag around the horizon. "There's another three or four further out as well. Trending towards the South.

"Really? Is it an archipelago sir?"

"I should think so." He said, sliding the device back into its resting position.

"But I imagine that the Prince would like to know regardless."