Garalt quickly climbed aboard the vessel.  Indeed it was a ship, and of fair size.  Drakon was next to climb up.
    "Look at this, Drakon," Garalt said awestruck, "It's a ship in the middle of the forest."
    "Astounding," Drakon replied, looking about.
    "Remarkable," Garn said, climbing up onto the deck of the ship.  He then turned around and helped the princess aboard as well.
    "How did a vessel like this get into a forest so far inland?" Alyia said slowly.
    "Perhaps a major flood?" Garn looked at Garalt.
    "Or maybe it was just built here in place," Drakon said.
    "Look at these odd tubes running down the length of the ship," Alyia said, moving closer to the bow.
    "This is certainly NOT a conventional craft," Garalt said to himself.
    "Look there," Drakon pointed to two large planks coming off the bow end of the boat.
    "What are those?" Garn looked them over.
    "Paddles?" Alyia mused.