*~The Fifth Faction~* (Pirates SMP)

Treasure Hunt (2).

(3rd POV)

The first stop this path led to was the small Lake that was situated not too far from where they started, but it was the kind of place you'd imagine Birds and Deer and Fairies to all hang out during fairytale shows. Whimsically over-looming trees with a trickle of sunlight falling on the diamond-like water below, lily pads and logs scattered on and around it, flowers sprinkled around the edges.

Yes, quite the elegant sight.

But this isn't where the trail ends just yet.

The lake has a stream travelling and winding further along, the pathway following closely beside it. But of course, the Captain let his crew take a moment to bask in the beauty before proceeding, as once you're under the Humid Tree-Shade it often feels a lot hotter and stuffier. And once you feel all hot and stuffy, a beautiful glistening lake of cool water seems like a pretty good idea for a resting spot.

"Alright, everyone, you've- *Hic* -had your time near the lake. It's time to get moving again."

"Y- yeah..! Um.. j-just-"

"Just- *Hic* -Follow us downsteam."

As everyone gradually gathered themselves together, the Captain mumbled something to his deck-hand:

"I'm surprised You aren't Captain."

"Oh please, you just- *Hic* -ain't used to it yet! Besides, y'know.. Drunk- *Hic* -DriVing isn't very 'Captain'-y"

Along the stream, chatter arose. General discussion between the New and Old members alike, introductions and the works. However, this was short-lived as the group found themselves at the end of the treeline, falling into silence due to pure awe.

The clearing was not only the end of the trees, but the grass too. The floor had shifted into a marbled mix of the pale sand from before, and a more yellowish sand swirled within. The clearing was structured like an arena, the Dramatic northern mountains lining it like the spines on a dragon snaking its way around the outside. With The sun high above, beating down, the dragonish mountains may as well have been breathing fire on them right then and there.

And, yet, this wasn't even the most enthralling part.

Towering Above stretched a sandstone bridge about half as high as the mountain it led to, crumbled down in the centre due to age and use. The support beams were about half as wide as the recruitment office, but far, far taller than it. The bridge towered over a much more Open lake, like a crawling giant trying to avoid getting too wet.

At the receiving end of the bridge, from what our buccaneers could see, was a large door engraved in the mountainside. The giving end, a hill of sand and stone with a staircase leading up it, the place where you'd climb up to get to the bridge in the first place. The best way to describe the mountain door was that it's about the size of the Trojan Horse (or, how I picture it at least...). It had patterning vaguely like a monstrous face, with a coloured stone in each of the four corners and one in the middle, and Engraved at each side was a pattern like a pair of bird's wings.

"Woah..."

Someone finally spoke up, and it ended up being the Brunette from before, with his newly acquired boat passes stored safely in his pocket.