Setting out from Antonidas Harbor at the westernmost edge of the Wetlands, the orc boatmen rowed their boat upstream toward Stonewrought Dam.
Brann Bronzebeard sat lazily on the deck, watching the busy orcs, dwarves, and humans on the land along both sides of the canal, as well as all the oddly shaped machines...
"Karin's territory certainly is thriving!" the dwarf muttered to himself.
The gryphon Gryphadin and the gorilla Grybe were likewise sprawled lazily on the deck behind Brann, basking in the sun.
"My lord, we've arrived!" The orc boatman brought the boat to a stop by the bank and addressed Brann in less than fluent Common.
"Oh, all right. Thank you!" Brann picked up the rifle he had tossed onto the other side of the deck, then deftly gave Gryphadin and Grybe a kick each before jumping off the deck.
"Grim Batol?" Gazing at the mountain in the distance, the Bronzebeard dwarf frowned and patted the gorilla's head. "Grybe, can you smell that Wildhammer dwarf stench even from this far away?"
"Who are you calling stinky?" A displeased voice came from the sky.
Then a powerful gryphon descended from the sky and landed in front of Brann.
Kurdran Wildhammer puffed out his chest, displaying the gleaming gold medal on it, then jumped down from his gryphon, Skare.
"What business brings you to our Wildhammer city?" Kurdran demanded haughtily. "You troublemaking Bronzebeard."
"Oh, if it isn't Kurdran, the one who gets his backside pecked by gryphons!" Brann retorted mercilessly. "I'm here to see my friend Karin. What's it to you?"
As he spoke, Brann half-concealed his movements as he removed the Silver Insignia from his chest.
Both the gold and silver medals had been awarded by the Alliance to honor warriors who had made major contributions during the Second War.