A giant yellow duck with runic inscriptions serves as a landmark for Vikings by the sea, aurora borealis overhead

Prompt

A [ORDINARY OBJECT] as a landmark on an epic journey, tiny [TRAVELERS] resting in its shadow after crossing vast distances visible behind them. Caravans, pack animals, exhausted families. The object marks the halfway point, or the border, or the promised destination. Graffiti and carvings from generations of previous travelers cover its surfaces. Offerings left at its base. Some travelers stay, building permanent settlement. Others push on. Golden hour lighting, dust from the journey still settling, the mundane as waypoint.