"Anyway, the rumors about this Nightmare in that area are getting wilder and wilder. You've got people trying their luck and others just going to watch the show."
After hearing Holland's report—imprecise, yet clear enough in its broad strokes—Roland already had a plan.
Screaming Cape and Shipwreck Bay, relatively "accessible" areas on the outskirts of the Broken Star Sea, were perfect targets for a preliminary investigation.
"In that case..."
Roland stood up, brushing the dust from his robes as his gaze swept over Holland and Ellis.
"We're changing course. We'll head to the Screaming Cape area first."
Neither of the other two objected to this decision.
Holland was driven by a pure love of adventure.
As for Ellis...
He had nowhere to go after leaving the academy anyway. Following Roland at least meant he wouldn't have to worry about his next meal.
Over the next several days, the scenery and the atmosphere quietly shifted.
