Ed explores the far side of the river

Ed woke the next day in his comfortable bed, any illusions that a warm bed proved the last few days were all just a dream were soon cruelly shattered as he stared at the walls of his shelter and reflected they could almost be prison walls.

Things would get better but with no one to rely on there was no one else to improve things for him, anything he was going to achieve he would have to do himself, the ultimate self reliance. He ate some cooked meat for breakfast beside the river as he prepared himself for the day and gathered the things required for his trip. Weapons, tools, food, water and bedroll.

The swim across was long was exhausting but uneventful, at times it felt almost soothing and he dove underwater discovering orange phykos growing on the riverbed but little else of note.

Ed dragged himself onto the north side of the river and paused to catch his breath, he was concerned to discover that he could see his shelter from this side of the river and from this perspective it looked ****, ripe for attack by... well... other people? other players? whatever undiscovered dangers there might be waiting for him, any new base he relocated to would have to have its location more carefully considered.

Looking across the north shoreline he saw some crocodiles lazing in the sun along the river and decided to move away from them inland where he soon came across some gazelle grazing. He licked his lips considering how much tastier they would be compared to the stringy rabbit meat he had been surviving on. He tested the weight of the sword in his hand, was he really someone who could kill such majestic innocents animals to survive?

Yes... yes he could, the alternative would be another painful **** and Ed felt as though he'd suffered enough. Ed stalked towards his prey which moved slowly away but otherwise seemed unconcerned by him. When he was within range he struck but the animal was larger than the rabbits he'd preyed upon and simply staggered back before turning and leaping away in long elegant bounds. Ed tried to follow but the creature was simply too fast and it disappeared from view leaving Ed frustrated at his failure but hopeful for future success.

Cliffs blocked his path further north and exploring more along the shoreline he followed a path which lead up to a gap between cliffs where he came across some hyenas eating a partially devoured gazelle.