Lacking a better plan, the group follows Coric's lead and goes scrambling between two of the big metal boxes. The platform at the other side is a couple of feet above ground, but it's easy enough to climb up and join the general gaggle of robed children. The youngest don't notice the newcomers, for they are fixed on the male "wizard" who is herding them to one end of the platform; the older ones, for their part, are proceeding along a different path that takes them away from the platform without passing where the five strangers are skulking along.

"Alright, first years, listen up!" says the man as the group moves ponderously past the end of the platform and toward the shore of the lake, "Five to a boat now! Look lively, for if you are late your elders shall be cross on account of the late dinner!"

As he speaks, small spots of flickering light suddenly appear, illuminating the air over a fleet of rowboats beached along the shore. At the fore, the robed children are already starting to sort themselves into the little vessels, and as each fills, it pushes off into the water without any sort of oars or other visible propulsion. The flame-like lights continue to hover over the boats as they move out, giving the impression of so many will-o-wisps on the lake.