I watch out the window across the sea, wondering how many days has it been since the boat left for the new land. I turn back to Emily and Henry, asleep in their beds soundly. I kiss their small foreheads and take a shawl, stepping out of our cottage home to walk back into the village, in need of some fresh air to clear my worried mind.

There is noise at the town hall, which is odd for so late at night. I make my way down the dirt path to the stone steps and into the brick building, finding many of the villagers inside, Councilman Doultry at the pulpit.

"... and that the men must return soon!" I find a seat fast next to my dear friend Katherine.

"What's going on?" I whisper to her.

"There is word from the north," she says with a worried expression. My heart freezes in my chest. "The land that they are sailing to is tainted. Another colony in the west islands has already traveled there- they killed all but four of their men and send those four back to share the tale as a warning to stay away. We just got word from their council of these events."

"Joseph," I gasp. "And Walter," her husband, also on the sail north.

"Yes, Colleen, they are trying to get a crew to go them, but it has already been a month- it will not be soon enough!" I put my arm around her, angry. Why hadn't we had this information before? How could such a thing happen to us?