Chapter Text
Camera cuts to the ship, docked on a beach
“Today, we’re interviewing “The Herons”, a local wolfship crew, to get an inside glimpse of these battle-crazed Skandian warriors.”
Camera drifts to the campfire
On a sandy shore riddled with grass, our crew sits around a campfire. “So,” Hal starts, “The villagers from the last trading village said they saw the raven go southwest. At dawn, let’s set out in that direction.”
A chorus of groans erupted from the group. “But Hal, we’ve been rowing for days,” Stefan moaned. “Can’t we have a bit longer of a break?”
Hal put his hand on his chin and looked off into the distance.
Cut to interview with Hal
“If my crew really are exhausted, rowing to the next landmark could over do it. Even if we find Zavac, they’d be too drained to fight.. but,”
he tilted his head to eye the camera, brow furrowed.
“We can’t lose them. Maybe a good night’s sleep is all we need!”
Hal puts his hands on his knees and hoists himself up, and the camera pans to him trudging back to the group.
“So, does anyone have any similar complaints?”
A few murmurs cut through the group, until Stig raises his hand.
“I think a day of rest could recover our strength for a strong day of sailing,” says the orange-haired boy.
Edvin, Jasper, Stefan, and Ingvar nod their heads. Hal sighs, and puts his hands on his hips.
“And we’re sure a good night’s sleep isn’t enough?”
They nod, “Ye-” “We need to keep rowing, skirl.” interrupts Lydia.
The camera pans to Hal, his eyebrows raised comically.
“With their team of rowers, our rate of catching up gets slower and slower. We can rest when we’re dead!”
In the background, Thorn snorts.
Hal breaks into a pace. “Next village, we could get more leads and then rest. Or we could restock, rest, but the choppy conditions could make rowing worse, eh but the sail- Uh, thank you Lydia, I’ll consider it. Everyone meet back at nightfall.”
She shoots him a thumbs up, and his ears turn pink. Camera cuts to Stefan throwing his hands up in exasperation and falling backwards off the log.
Stig storms off, grunting, and Edvin follows briskly behind him.
Camera pans to the two collecting driftwood at the shore.
“I can’t believe Hal! My arms are so cramped, this driftwood feels heavy!” Stig snapped.
“Mhm-hm!” replied Edvin, who then tripped, and faceplanted into the sand. “This is why I need fucking rest.” he hissed as Stig pulled him up.
Cut to interview with Stig
“Edvin the sailormouth!”
He put his hands on his head in a shocked motion.
“I feel like you learn the most about people when they're sleep-deprived.”
Cut back to the two
They pick up the driftwood slowly, like slugs.
“So, do you like Lydia?”
Edvin nudged him in the ribs, laughing.
Stig responded with a stone, concerned face.
He then knelt to the ground.
“Yes, and it sucks! I feel so jealous when she and Hal talk and smile at each other. And if she and Hal do get together, our friendship will be in jeopardy. Frick my stupid baka life.”
“Aw shit, man.”
They continue to walk in silence for a long period of time.
The camera zooms in slowly as they walk along the beach, and eventually sit down to toss pebbles into the ocean.
Camera cuts to Stefan and Jasper, napping in a hammock together. Lydia walks by, looks at the camera and chuckles.
Cut to interview with Lydia
“Do you, like, even know what an Andomal is? If my country kicked me out because I lost a piece of amber, I’d probably burn their government buildings down.”
“Wait, was the question?”
“If they’re dating? I sure hope so.”
Cut back to the campfire
Stig and Edvin have arrived back to it, and both dump their driftwood into a pile on the sand. “Hal, is this alright?” The young man looks up from his array of maps.
“Uhh, maybe grab some from the forest over there for safe keeping. Edvin, could you look at this map real quick?
Camera pans to Stig, shuffling to the woods, then pans to Thorn watching him from the entrance. “You should go, I predict drama,” he whispers.
Following the Skandian through the thick sand beech oak forest, it is hit by leaf after branch after leaf to keep up, until finally coming to a sudden stop.
“Auagh!”
Stig had bumped into someone.
The camera pans to a fallen Lydia.
“Watch where you’re going, redhead!”
“Watch where you’re going.. Uh.. other hair colour!”
She gets to her feet, and Stig begins in the other direction. Glancing to the left, she turns to follow Stig.
“So, collecting firewood. Need any help?”
“No.”
“Ok.”
She continues to walk alongside and pick up branches.
“Lydia, why would you even say that?!”
“Say what…?”
“Weh weh we need to keep rowing skirl.” he mocked, twirling in a circle.
“Oh, skirl, your smile is so cute.” he continued.
“We can’t lose their trail! And I did not say that.”
“You totally did! And you totally like him, just admit it!”
She sighs. “Ok Stig, why do you think I like Hal?”
“Well, anyone would like Hal. If I were a girl, I would like him too.”
She raises an eyebrow. “... explain..”
“Ugh. Well, his eyes look at you like their full of sparkles, and when he’s talking his expression changes like 3 times a second which is really funny, and he cares about his crew over his honor, he-”
Cut to interview with Lydia
“He continued like this for 5 more minutes. I checked. I don’t like Hal. But someone here does.”
She turns around and looks at Stig, and back to the camera.
Cut back to forest with Stig and Lydia
“Stig. I don’t like him. There is no one on this crew that likes him as much as you. You have nothing to worry about.”
“So our friendship will be ok?”
“There’s no way to go but up! Maybe more than friends!”
“Best friends!” he says, high-fiving Lydia.
She rolls her eyes and looks at the camera.
The two walk back to the camp, where it is approaching nightfall.
The crew, including Thorn, gather back at the campfire. Hal stands in the middle.
“Ok, so.” He pauses. “I’ve considered your request, Lydia, but I’m afraid we’re still going to take a rest. We’ll never be able to catch up if we’re constantly exhausted, and the currents southwest will likely keep them from rowing far.”
“Yes!” roars Stig, and the camera pans to Hal smiling down at him.
The crew cheers happily. Soon, they pack up the fire and walk down to the tents.
Cut to interview with Hal
“I’m glad I made this choice. I care about my crew. As Thorn likes to say, the power of friendship will keep Zavak at bay.”
The Office intro soundtrack starts playing.