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"An order to sail thus was cause for the crew to mutiny and throw the captain overboard. It was an ancient and bedrock article of common law that no such crew returning to port without their captain would ever face punishment if their tale held true under questioning.

"But in the days when the dragon Demonstroke raged free there was revolution in the Land. The Saiph Republic flourished for a time, and many longstanding laws were overthrown. Reason reigned over custom, and when the time was ripe angels, nephilim and men were found to crew two ships.

"These sailors were willing to disregard the strict commandment of the God of Kemen never to sail much south on the Great Sea. There spread rumors of a choice but unconquered land at the foot of the Southern Ice, indeed a land the gods created for their own enjoyment, a beautiful realm filled with gold, rich in abundant fruit, never without the most select game, and their divine interdict was merely to keep it from being despoiled by angels, nephilim, and men.

"The two ships commissioned by the revolutionaries of the Saiph Republic were named Will O' The Wisp and Fire of the Covenant. They drifted in the slow current with sails unfurled, for the currents of Thalury moved stately south, and tales abounded of ships that were becalmed and drifted south never to be seen again.

"In two days the ice reared up over the horizon, and and some of the older sailors muttered in fear, since the tradition was deeply embedded within them, while certain others scoffed. But it was seen that the wall of ice did not continue west in an unbroken line, but failed after a certain distance, and some said it was the gate to the choice but hidden land.

"That night the lookout manning the highest mast of Fire of the Covenant screamed that the horizon ahead was closing in on them. There was a sharp edge to the sea! Captain Dogtrapper signaled with lamps to Will O' The Wisp that he was raising his sails and veering off.

"But Captain Skulldagger aboard the Will O' the Wisp did not alter his course until it was too late. With billowing sails Fire of the Covenant barely escaped, but the current became too strong for her sister ship. The Will O' The Wisp and all aboard fell over the edge of Kemen. In the uttermost south Thalury pours over a great cataract, a vast waterfall with no bottom, and ever the waters of the sea are replenished by melting ice.