[b][u]Landfall[/u](2)[/b]

A bell rang hard over the top of the crashing waves against the hull. Voices shouted from above deck while Shri-Rah and Vriis-Nar packed their belongings in the study. With studied efficiency they packed as much as they could into the knapsacks that they proceeded to fling over their shoulders. 
"Ready, love?" Vriis-Nar hummed. "Back home already. It felt so much longer this time". Shri-Rah hummed in return.
"Yes, it did. But at least we are back." Vriis-Nar could see the rare moment that was upon her husband. A calm settled over him and if only briefly, he was no longer afraid. "Come, let us lead our new neighbors to land" His voice was cool, not filled with his usual apprehension. Vriis-Nar smiled he sharp toothed smile, he was far more than the blubbering archaeologist some people thought he was. The swung out the heavy wood door onto the main deck where burly sailors were running back and forth and pulling ropes, making small adjustments for a quick and perfect landing. Captain Vrund's voice boomed heavy in the background, like the steady drum that held the symphony of movement together. The colonists must have heard the commotion, because they were all on the upper deck now, packed and ready to disembark. 

Shri-Rah gave them each a cursory inspection to gauge their moods. He saw fear, excitement, uncertainty, apprehension, wonder, and many more things on their colorful faces. He took a moment to smile inwardly before he walked out to address them all. Clad in his full combat gear, Shri-Rah was a sight to behold. The iron rings holding dozens of blue-tinted throwing knives clinked together softly, while his leather boots clacked against the deck, seeming to bring everybody's attention forward. Maybe he simply imagined it, but for a brief moment it seemed the ship went quiet, waiting to hear what he had to say. "Fellow neighbors," he began "You would not be here without knowing how dangerous this land is." The skyward peaks loomed high overhead in the backdrop. The beautiful sandy beach gave way to a slow moving river where sparsely placed cabins lined along the riverbank, smoke rising from chimneys. The faint sounds of hammers and other tools ringing against stone and metal could be heard. 
"But even though you may think you understand, this land is far more dangerous than any of you realize." Shri-Rah stopped his pacing at one end of the line of colonists and turned back toward the other side. "This land has been cursed by powers far beyond our understanding. We are not meant to be here. The beasts of Ialdia are the most powerful in Veruulis. Skarves, the cavern dwellers frequently raid the colony, we see trolls taller than five men high stalking on the horizon, hoping they stay away." He stopped for a moment, letting the eyes of the colonists fall upon him and see he was in fact serious. 
"Dragon's of unimaginable sizes are seen flying through the skies high above us, while unknowable tremors wrack the ground beneath our feet. So much of this is a mystery to us, and we have come to chart and understand it." He cleared his throat. "To have a chance of survival, we must remember that we are all on the same side. No, I am not asking you to get along with every individual you meet, but I am asking you to remember that the death of one could very well lead to the death of us all." He paced back down the line again. The ship was slowing, pulling into port. 
"You will meet some of the toughest people I have ever met in the days to come. They have seen what this land can do, and they will never be fully prepared. Learn from them, and for the love of the Ancients, do not leave the camp unless you are with a party of others."
As if on queue the ship slid to a halt and a deckhand immediately threw down a gangplank to the dock below. 

"Now off with ye, ya madmen!" Shri-Rah heard Vrund yell in the background. His booming laughter seemed to overpower even the crash of the ocean. Vriis-Nar whistled off to the left of the colonists. 
"Forward, neighbors! Onward to Ialdia!" She shouted. Shri-Rah took the head of the line, while Vriis-Nar brought up the rear. The gangplank whined under the strain of over a dozen disembarking individuals. They moved quickly and efficiently, keeping the colonists in a straight line as they hit the docks. As soon as Shri-Rah set foot upon the soil of Ialdia, he stopped a moment. The line wedged at his sudden stop. Then he felt it, as he knew all of them would. The palpable air of the curse seeped into his bones once more. He could feel it scrambling for purchase and finding none where his bond with Vriis-Nar had filled the gap. Like worms crawling through his bloodstream at a breakneck pace. And then it was gone, unable to find purchase, it planted the seed of the curse as it always did, so that if his bond were ever to break, no matter where in Veruulis he was, he would die. He started up again quickly, feeling the shiver of fear and disgust from the colonists behind him. 
"We make for the Inn." Shri pointed straight down the dirt path to the three-story building Along the western side of the dusty square that was the center of the town. The smell of fresh bread and smoked meat seemed to emanate from it. "Your rooms will be there. I will give you all some time to settle in and get your bearings before we begin in earnest." 

The skyward peaks to either side of the colony loomed over them. Massive trees dotting their sides. This land was green beyond imagination. Colorful flowers and robust plant life was everywhere except where it needed to be cleared for work and travel. Various colorful birds flew in small flocks overhead, while just across the river a heard of dear drank from the waters. Shri-Rah smiled. Dispite the danger, he could never forget how beautiful this land was. Finally coming to the door of the inn, he opened it wide for the line of colonists behind him. 

"Oh, and welcome to Iadia, colonists." He smiled big once more, before he and Vriis-Nar made off toward a cabin across the clearing.