South of the Pass of Larks, two major water courses rise in the hills of Lochann. They grow rapidly, fed by smaller tributary streams as they flow north and west across the plains of northern Syldriss before finally uniting to create the great River Osyndar. The only practical way to cross both rivers is near their source, where the flow is still shallow and rapid. 

When they had traversed the pass, therefore, Klane and his party travelled due south, keeping the hills on their left until they found the shallow fords where their horses, wagons and carts could all safely cross. 

A spell of cold weather had come early this year, and a hard frost and light snow covered the ground. This was no bad thing. On soft, wet land, wheels could have become bogged down and slowed their progress but as it happened they were able to travel with reasonable speed. 

Once they could strike out to the west, the journey over the expanse of southern Syldriss would take twenty days or more. Klane was keen to bring these people safely to their new home and to be reunited with Lucalle and his adopted tribe before the worst of winter set in.

In that age, Syldriss was a fertile and varied region. Between low hills, exposed ridges and open moorland were wooded vales and streams, some flowing north and east to join the river Osyndar and some flowing south and west to meet the river Gyth. Klane and his companions travelled west, weaving between the hills and avoiding the temptation to wander too far to the south. The river Gyth meets the Gulf of Ptral, which is the western limit of Syldriss but Klane’s plan was to pass beyond the gulf much further north on the narrow strip of land that separates its tip from the small, landlocked, Sea of Spices. 

Due to their hasty departure, the party had not been able to take their fair share of food from the granaries of Ironhope and they must live off the land. Every day, before breaking camp, the hunters would separate and try to bring back such game as might be caught. 

Klane had an idea. When he described the way he had once tamed an alegoyle chick, the other riders and the former citizens of Ironhope were amazed and more than a little sceptical.

"Suak is an excellent hunter and I have taught him to share his catch,” he told them. “He can help us, if I can call him. His adopted flock roost in the north in Ilunon, but he flies far and wide over Syldriss and Windrise, so we are in their territory now.” 

Still, the riders shared some jokes between themselves when every morning, Klane rode to high ground and whistled for Suak. They were far from convinced. Then, on the tenth day of their travels, a distant speck in the sky turned and flew towards them.

Suak's return had been a great help and everyone developed a respect for the virtues of the klane, not only as a weapon but as a tool. When a fresh snowfall melted, leaving waterlogged paths, Klane found that, after some experimentation, the klane could be used to create a field that helped the wheels gain traction over the more difficult ground. It was a great digging tool where this method failed and as a source of heat and light it was invaluable. The klane was an instrument of remarkable subtlety and versatility, and because it drew energy from inter-dimensional force gradients it never seemed to lack the strength it needed for even the most difficult tasks Klane set for it. Truly, the knight wanderers of Glysaranda 4.IV had crafted a supremely elegant artifact for all the ages, leaving a legacy of wonder and power long after they were themselves extinct and all but forgotten. 

Syldriss was deceptively peaceful but not without dangers for the unwary traveller. The gene sea had spread both bounty and fear when it flooded the damaged lands to fulfil the Vow of Earth and heal the biosphere. Whilst many of the alien plants and animals that had apparently arrived on Earth at the beginning of the Great Forgetting were benign, some were ambiguous and some were definitely hostile to humans. The alegoyle we have already met, but they were not the only flying terror. 

Foraging for berries, during a short midday break, Kleo, the youngest of the Baker sisters was unlucky enough to disturb a nest of neowasps. Klane was not far away, and hearing her scream, quickly ran up the hill, adjusting the klane to generate a suitable field for electrocuting the enormous and potentially lethal creatures. Fortunately, no one was hurt but it was a nasty scare.

It was a great relief to finally reach the narrow spit of land between the Gulf of Ptral and the Sea of Spices. Somewhere deep underground there were caverns that connected the two bodies of water and perhaps one day, they would be joined, but for now the bridge of stone between them held firm. This was the border between Syldriss and Windrise. On the opposite side, the exiles would be able to turn south and from there it was not far to the court of Lucalle and the home Klane had left behind with so much heartache and unresolved emotions. 

Now, for the first time, however, Klane began to wonder about his reception. He would send Suak ahead with a message and hope that the queen would forgive his return and bless his companions.