You realize the river hasn't washed you back as far downstream as you thought. At least you're on the right bank, and no one was likely to pursue you… although the smoke still rising in the distance, above the treetops, suggests your former captors had other priorities, if indeed there were any survivors.
A shudder of terror runs through you as you recall the terrible beast that attacked the outpost. Claws like spears, scales harder than steel, a fire that devours everything, wings that make the air tremble, and a roar that freezes the bravest heart… Far from the description of legends, this dragon had been all too real, and you have no desire to see it again.
Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author's preferred platform and support their work!
At the same time, where there's a dragon, there's treasure: there's probably a good “opportunity” to be seized in this region, at the very least by taking advantage of the chaos caused by the monster, and at the most…
Putting aside your greedy dreams, you decide to head northwest upriver. Venturing north into an unknown forest wasn't very prudent, especially given the size of the local woodlands. Following the river eastward would lead back to lands belonging to the kingdom of Nonearby, and crossing the water wasn't an option anyway.
After a few minutes' walk, you discover signs of civilization: a fallen tree here, a rather tame-looking stray hen there, a few huts nestled among the trees. Less than an hour later, you spot the first buildings of a small village, which you reach at 130.