Explorers of the New Century

Eight

Tostig spent two days at the Agreed Furthest Point from Civilisation. During this time he and his men conducted a series of tests, in order to confirm his doubts about the possibility of settlement. They examined the soil to see if it would support basic cultivation (it would not) and they dug a well in the hope of finding water (there was none). They also carried out a brief meteorological study, whose results suggested a severe lack of rainfall in the region. Meanwhile, Thorsson put the finishing touches to his map, on which the area around the AFP was shown in a dull shade of grey. When it was ready he handed it to Tostig.

“With my compliments,” he said. “A depiction of nothingness, complete in every detail.”

Tostig studied the map for some minutes before returning it to Thorsson as a keepsake. It was an accomplished piece of work, he explained, but there was no practical use for it. On the second day, Snaebjorn made an appraisal of the mules’ health and general condition. Afterwards, the five strongest were taken to one side. The remaining five had their bell collars removed; then Tostig produced a revolver from his pocket and shot them dead.

Their bodies were thrown into the well. Deposited alongside them were a number of unwanted items, including the bottle of green ink. The place was marked with a mound of earth, and a flag. Tostig’s final act before departing was to write a courteous note to Johns. This read as follows:

Dear Commander Johns,

As you see, we arrived and found little of interest. Stayed for two days. We now wish you a safe voyage home.

Kind regards

Tostig

The note was pinned to the base of the flagpole. Next morning, with nothing left to do, the eastern party started back the way they had come. Only Thegn glanced behind him as the camp was abandoned by the small procession of men and mules. His companions didn’t bother, and consequently he was the last to catch a glimpse of the flag that had once been so precious to them all. Soon it had disappeared from view. Ahead of them lay the faint trail they had established on their outward journey: a collection of footprints, sometimes vague, sometimes clear, which rarely wavered from a straight line. As such it was a source of regret for Tostig.

“Quite a shame, really,” he said. “I had imagined this trail of ours would develop eventually into a proper road teeming with traffic (though strictly one-way, of course). I envisaged a great thoroughfare running the full distance from the coast to the Furthest Point. Naturally, there would be numerous obstacles to overcome: for example, those huge boulders we encountered would present a challenge to even the most practised of engineers, not to mention the rapids we crossed. Nevertheless, we know the route is at least viable, and consequently it is disappointing to realise our exploits will come to nothing. There will be no road to the settlement. Instead, our tracks will succumb to the ravages of the wind and the dust, before finally vanishing altogether.”

“Will no one visit here again?” asked Guthrum.

“I doubt it,” Tostig replied. “We’ve already proved the place to be uninhabitable, and we will report it accordingly. Having said that, however, there may come a time when other possibilities are thought up by enterprising individuals as yet unborn. Other schemes, other solutions. And then, who knows? Maybe a hundred years from now our steps will be retraced by men with ideas very different to our own.”

“‘Explorers of the new century’,” suggested Guthrum.

“Quite so,” said Tostig.