Chapter NineLeaving the two Norsemen behind, the remainder sailed on up that mighty waterway with Frakkok beside Erik in the stern of Sea Serpent and Melcorka trying to ease her troubled mind through constant work. The land on either side was fertile and well-forested, with the occasional Skraeling village on the banks. They passed the small native boats, known as canoes, and sometimes traded with them, asking for information about the Dhegian Empire. On one occasion there was a skirmish, when a whole fleet of canoes swarmed out of a waterway and fired arrows at them. The Norse lifted their shields and shot back, glorying in this opportunity to show their prowess. Their arrows were longer than those of the Skraelings and landed with more power so, after a few moments, the canoes backed off
