[center][h2]...Amidst Mist & Gentle Waves...[/h2][/center]

For a moment he could only squint to guess the rippling form emerging before his eyes, as it undulated toward him in frenetic rhythm, a small yet haphazard mass of a murky shadow rapidly growing in size and clarity. The early morning sunlight, try as it might, could barely pierce the veil in little more than a haze of shimmering Sea Green light. Caleb clasped desperately to the bow of the boat, hand at his hilt, nerves steeled for any sudden surprises...
	. . .
	. . . ...[b][i]"FLOWER!?"[/i][/b]

PHWOOMPH! Like an arrow the gull shot out through the green mist, whipping past its surprised sea-side companion and just about knocking him off his sea legs in the process. Caleb struggled to regain his balance against the sudden turmoil he'd caused to the shaky wooden vessel, then his eyes snapped back towards the bird. Round and round it flew in a dizzying dance of loops and arcs, crying out a screech of delight at its quarry. Like the rising sun, a gleeful smile beamed across Caleb's face:

There, in the seagull's talons, hung a Cherub-Twig -- the succulent and pulpy volume of it betraying only the best of signs...LAND! Despite the mist and murk surrounding him, the sea-tanned boy spun about on his heel--

	[i]--and promptly slipped and tumbled flat onto his ass-[/i]-

--But was [b]back up again[/b] just in time to wince through the pain and behold the silhouetted fore-shore-form of his salvation! There, just as the gleefully screeching gull at his back had done not a moment earlier, peeking out through the eerie fog arose the crisp shape he had been searching for; in fact for a second, a whimper of homesickness almost upset the boy's stomach - but no, he had to steady himself for this. He'd made this journey to prove to the others that he was [b]Strong[/b], strong enough to become a Knight like all those that'd passed through on their way to...well, frankly more important places - but [b]STRONG[/b], [b]STRENGTH[/b], and now was the time to prove it! [b]HERE[/b], at [b]THIS PLACE[/b], with the [b]JANKY OLD WOODEN PIER[/b], and the [b]CROOKED LAMP-STRUNG TREE[/b]...and...and the [b]Chipped Church Belltower[/b]. . .

As the boat slowly bumped to a standstill against the familiar moss-covered pier, the scent of pipesmoke drawing close stung at Caleb's senses. His nose twitched and his eyes watered up at the acrid smell, so much so that he could only hear the sudden arrival of heavy footsteps plonking down along the creaking wooden boards stretching out into the sea:

[b][i]"...Crowsnest...Is That You? Where in the World have you been dear boy?!?"[/i][/b], "she" inquired with surprise and anger.

...[b]Home[/b]. Now he wished he hadn't plugged that map after all.