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The extra three days of preparation time was well spent. We had an assortment of dried venison, and salted fish. We also had killed a bear that had thought our camp would be a good place to have lunch after his hibernation. While we erred on the side of caution and used the meat for the remaining days starting with it being roasted. Then it was tossed into a huge pot to be stewed for the remainder of the days we stayed on the shoreline. Even Calliope was enjoying the time spent on the shore line, especially since she was allowed to eat anything that was available at any time. Seems she was at the stage of her pregnancy when she started getting ravenous. The pelt from the bear was carefully prepared and stretched onto a wooden frame to slowly cure in the wagon as we traveled, I wasn't to sure the children and infirm in the wagon would be terribly happy with that idea.

We did keep an eye on the local tides and did notice that the edges of the land bridge were high enough that the tides never affected them. We had spied over time what we hoped were either birds or more Gryphons flying in lazy circles in the far distance north and south of the bridge. With the group at the Aerie not reacting to it we figured everything would be alright.

The day that SwiftFoot informed us we would acquire our entourage, we had the whole camp prepare to leave and we waited for the gryphons to arrive. While I look over at the Aerie to see if the Gryphons were heading in our direction as of yet I notice a fairly large group of them flying in our direction and I turn to Cheshire who had already changed his head to that of an eagle. "So that looks like an invasion force, is that our guards?" Cheshire eyes me in the way only a bird could, {well. If you need someone to protect you from a Dragon certain you did not think you would be getting a handful?}

Well that was a good point, it would need to be more than a handful. I look on in wonder at the precise flying the Wing of Gryphons was doing as they flew. It was a sight to behold, they were spaced evenly apart in the standard "V" shape you can see geese flying in during their migrations. {They fly in that manner because if you place the larger animals in the front the ones behind can use less effort to keep up}. I nod slightly to Cheshire for the explanation.

The Wing lands in unison so perfectly it makes everyone applaud, this was truly something a human of our age had yet to see. The lead Gryphon was a large Bengal type who slightly bows to me then eyes Cheshire. Cheshire starts 'talking' to the Gryphon and I do notice a bit of a rhythm to the language, {maybe before we finish our journey across the sea I will pick it up}. I could feel Alberich chuckle in my mind, {it is possible. The twins haven't as yet heard the rhythm in their speech as yet, and Dusk has not decided to inform them of it. I believe he is waiting to see how long it'll take them to figure it out before they try teaching it to the twins.} I concur with this as first you have to see the pattern in the language to be able to differentiate the sounds.

Cheshire eyes me as the Wing slowly walks to edge of the bridge and once arriving there waits for us. {There is thirty pairs of Gryphons in this group. Half will be in the front and half will remain in the rear of the group, as they can move fairly fast they will be able to close any gaps if there are issues. Also in case you are wondering, those were not gryphons you saw flying in the distance. They do not know what they are, but they do not fly in gryphonic patterns}.

I nod my head and wave the group forward, Jake and half the fighters in the front the wagon in the middle with the other carts spread out around the wagon and me and my group near the wagon to help protect it. I see Jessica sitting in the rear of the wagon with her notebooks out and I nod to her. This will a great time for her to use her desire of learning to mark down everything she sees . We may sometime in the future need the knowledge she can write down in those note books.

The first month of the journey was rather boring, the only thing of note that occurred was finding that birds had started spreading seeds about as there were some very young berry plants starting to grow. I had Jessica mark down what the different clumps were based on Harriet's knowledge, who by the was spreading some kind of seeds. When I had asked her about it she had informed me they were of some of the shore line plants we had been gathering back in Nova Scotia. That was probably a very good idea, because if any of them liked the area they could spread long before any regular 'traffic' started moving along the bridge. One other thing we had Jessica doing was making a map of the land Bridge with notations for the berry plants and possible good camping spots.

When we were a third of the way across the land bridge we started noticing what appeared to be a group of seals jumping through the water on the Northern side. I have the group stop to set up camp so we could watch them for a while, as I did not know if the children would have another opportunity to watch these creatures in their home again.

I gathered up the group of children to keep them busy while the rest of the group set up camp and relaxed a bit, the gryphons sending out half their group to do some fishing for the rest of them. As I watch the seals with the children whom all seem to be very excited by the 'show' I notice something in the seals' movements. I had guessed they had started out about five miles off shore from us, but they seemed to be getting closer.

The head female Gryphon came close to watch as well and after a few minutes she shakes her head and squawks a few times and I hear a I think the phrase, "damned selkie's". I turn my head slowly to her and say, "StrongWing. Did I hear you say Selkie?" I wasn't sure I had the right word as I was still learning their language. Yet I had picked up a few simple phrases, it seems the language has a lot of inflection in it. The female, who was named StrongWing nods her head.

I look about for Alberich who seems to be helping out Harriet, {hey Alberich. Are selkie's friendly?} I see him look up at me quickly then trot over rapidly with Harriet behind him, most likely due to how fast he left her. He stops next to me and looks towards the group of what I had thought were seals.

He shakes his head briefly and turns so he can eye both me and Harriet, "yes. Those are selkies, and yes; they are friendly. Harriet you might want to tell someone we will need a group of butchers on this shore shortly. He turns to the children, I want all of you to go find an adult you can help. I do mean help not play around and I want you to do it now. "He impresses his intent on the children with the concept that if they didn't move he'd kick them into the ocean. The children made themselves scarce.

He then turns to StrongWing and calls Cheshire over. Since they cannot hear me cat you need to tell her that next time knowing that selkies swam in this water would be helpful information. Cheshire nods his head swiftly and changes his head to let StrongWing know just that as I watch the approaching selkies. They still seemed to be moving in a specific pattern, and Alberich said a butcher. If the selkies were friendly and intelligent why would be need someone to butcher something?

A group started forming behind me, of the people in our group who were best suited to taking apart an animal in the best possible way. One of the men asks, "OK Alberich. We're here, what is it you need for us to take apart?" Right after the man asks this the Selkies were close enough I could see patterning on their bodies and a large tuna erupts from the water not terribly far from the edge of the shoreline. In it's attempt to escape the selkies it was trying to jump over the perceived obstacle in front of it.

The tuna flew about ten feet in the air arcing toward land and seaming hard into the ground, the man who asked the previous question understood then what was going on and quickly and checked to see if it was still alive. "Oh I imagine the swift drop from that height killed it swiftly, however if you are concerned I suggest you slice about two inches deep here." Alberich indicates a spot on the tuna's head and the man cuts the slightly quaking fish, who then completely stills. Alberich nudges me, {better tell them thank you for the gift}.

I realize then that the tuna was intentionally beached here and strode to the edge of the water where I bow my head and speak loudly over the water. "I thank you cousins of the sea for the gift you have sent to my people." The selkies jump a few times then disappear below the waves.

"Now that was mighty kind of them seal skins." I turn my head to the voice I did not recognize to see a young woman in the water not far from me, her hair dripping water. Alberich, Cheshire, and StrongWing all go still when we see her. She laughs musically, "no worries protectors. I know our kinds do not converse all to much, but like yours ours is maligned as well. We are not these 'sirens' that are in myths," she lifts her fluke out of the water far enough for me to see that yes. She was a mermaid, "we are known for our singing ability. Many men of old would then try to convince us to wed them, I do not know where they got the silly idea that we could form legs at will." Alberich shakes his head and bows slightly, "sorry for the reaction lady." The mermaid waves her hand, "it is alright unicorn. I had been curious as to what the pod was up too, they don't typically take that long to catch their supper unless they are teaching their young." I nod to the mermaid and look back at the tuna, "can I offer you a share of our evening meal? Seems we have more than enough to go around for some reason." The mermaid laughs again, "certainly. I do have a request as I do know you won't be eating for some time as yet." She eyes Alberich and Cheshire, "I would like to spend time teaching the two young Hunters the best ways to swim for the next few hours." She points to StrongWing, "she is certainly capable of retrieving them if I attempt to harm them."

Alberich stamps one of his fore hooves and Cheshire bristles, while StrongWing ruffles her feathers and gives a Gryphonic nod. I turn to Alberich and Cheshire, "listen you two. If my plans for the city ever have a hope of becoming truth, we have to trust others. Yes, you don't know much about her kind; but if StrongWing says she can pluck them out of the ocean in case of danger there certainly is no harm here."

Alberich snorts and nods his head Cheshire stands stiffly and stalks off, Alberich watches him go. "No creature can sulk like a cat can." The mermaid laughs, "agreed. I am sure he will calm down eventually, seeing as he could also free them if I did something wrong." I didn't doubt that as Cheshire's abilities were still a mystery, and Alberich didn't comment on them; ever.

Dawn and Dusk approach with the twins on their back and Shadow following them, Dusk looks to the mermaid then to me. {Uncle says they are to get a swimming lesson next? I can see why he was practically spitting, which is why Shadow followed us. He had been teaching Cassie to dodge throwing knives}. I nod my head, "ah I bet that was amusing to watch." Dusk gives a Gryphonic nod, {he made sure they were practice ones. She is going to be feeling those bruises in the morning}.

Alberich chuckles and eyes the mermaid a moment then wanders off towards where I saw Cassie being fawned over by Tammy. Dawn watches Tammy a moment, {I don't get it. Isn't Cassie a grownup?} Dusk bats his sister with a wing, {yes in the sense of being only taught magic. She knows nothing about anything else}. Dawn blinks a moment as if surprised, the mermaid laughs again. "Your group is certainly a lot of fun to watch, now children I need you to disrobe and get in the water." The mermaid reaches into a bag I had not seen before and tosses the children some fabric. "Can you two furballs make a screen so they can change please, those garments are made by my people and should be able to fit the twins."

Dawn and Dusk move so they could spread their wings in a manner that could block the two children from view as they changed their clothing. The mermaid tosses me another bundle of fabric, "I suggest later you put that under your regular garments as not only will they prevent you from getting a chill in cold water they will wick away moisture in warm climates. It is made from a fabric grown in our settlements, it is a plant similar to flax. However it is waterproof and has an insulating layer. The plants are very useful, my people may be willing to trade some to your city at a later date.

I nod my head as the children finish changing Shadow taking their clothes once they finish, surprisingly they get back on the gryphons. Dusk walks towards the shoreline, {even if StrongWing can retrieve them we are certainly able to get in the water with them, as gryphons can swim. Cheshire thought it be a good idea to learn how to mount and dismount from us while in the water at the same time.}

The mermaid's face brightens up, "I hadn't thought of that. It is a good idea to try." I head over to some of the crates far enough I couldn't hear the mermaid talking to the children but close enough to observe. I opened the bundle of fabric and held up the garment, it resembled a leotard in as it appeared to fit skin tight. However it covered from the chin to mid thigh and half way down the upper arms. The fabric was very soft and supple, and a very deep green. Placing it up against my arm I could feel the light wind blowing across it but not a drop in temperature in that spot. {Another gift}, Alberich taps his nose on my shoulder and Cassie steps into my field of vision. She looks to the children and then back to me. "I feel no ill will coming from her. I do believe she is trying to help." Alberich steps next to her and sighs, "while that is good to know. I hope these gifts we are getting don't come with any hidden costs."

The children's swimming lesson finishes an hour before our evening meal was prepared, while they had been taught we had instructed some of the children to help move some of the lighter crates near where the mermaid had surfaced so we could eat with her. Harriet had asked Atsuko if she knew the best way to serve raw tuna that was safe to eat seeing as how fresh this tuna was. Atsuko had stated that without citrus it wasn't really possible.

When the children had air dried and put their clothes back on Harriet asked the mermaid if she needed to eat the tuna raw. The mermaid's response was, "oh I don't need to. I do like cooked food when I can have it as it isn't very easy to prepare cooked food under the water. As any way you would heat the food would heat the water we live in."

So instead we had lightly grilled tuna, still pink the in middle; though Atsuko confirms that it is fully cooked for fresh tuna. We had some vegetables stewed with some powdered dried venison as well as loaves of bread and some flat breads for those who wanted to eat it all together. There was also a batch of fresh cookies for the mermaid to try, seeing as how the mermaid implied she lived in salt water. Harriet made sure to well season everything to limit the salt used on the food.

Suffice to say it was a big hit for the mermaid, "well Hunter." The mermaid said after eating a fifth cookie, "if we ever approach your city. I do hope you decide to feed my people they would adore you for it." Harriet blushes at the compliment from the mermaid, she really was enjoying preparing the meals and to have a compliment just made her smile shine.

A merman slowly arises from the water near the mermaid, "majesty. Your husband wishes to inquire as to when you will be completed with your chosen task?" I blink my eyes in astonishment at what the merman had said. The mermaid sighs and turns to the merman, "shortly I will be returning just give me a moment." She turns back to me, "yes I am the queen of my people. I wish there to be harmony between our species Hunter, when you camp I shall send people to continue the children's lessons on swimming. If needed I will send them once you reach your home. Next time we meet I shall give you a proper introduction." With that she dives under the water her iridescent purple fluke shining in the dimming light.

The merman looks uncomfortable before following his queen, and points off to the South. "I suggest you keep an eye on those shapes in the sky, they won't be gryphons as you are too far out and they have been trailing you this whole time." He then follows his queen into the sea.

I look to where the merman indicated and yes, I could see black dots on the Southern Horizon. Alberich and Shadow stood next to me looking, {so much for a calm journey; lets hope luck is on our side and it's something easy}.