He was able to get a small blank book with a hardcover made from leather that smelled funny. It was a perfect book for keeping a journal. Along with this journal was a writing stick that was the size of his middle finger. Writing sticks were popular in the Old World. Better than the ink and pen that usually makes him almost threw fits of anger. And they are cheaper to buy, though some prefer ink and pen. Makes them feel elegant, though in the end it was still a tool used to write. He couldn't understand.

As for why he bought these items. He had to have something that would keep his mind in check. He had no convent. He had no confessional stand. No convenient bystander or friend that could understand the words of the lost. Two years after he escaped Fort Rava, he became a member of the Frontiersmen of Old Carthan. He had none to share his thoughts, and would not share it.

This was his way of examining his thoughts.

As he neared the docks where the Grand-Galleon was. He saw the beautiful elven woman who had graced this town. With hair that reminded him of the color of wheat. With a movement that was so graceful that it stunned him. He was the creep who eyed the maiden. And she was the fair maiden who had come here to share her people's art and provide help.

The help that comes from their Artes, rare spells that the Elvens use. The Elvens themselves are rare and few. To pursue them is immoral and illegal. Evil men had wanted to get their hands on the Elvens. But as they are blessed by Nature, to capture them is an impossibility.

Eletha Erna of Roan was her maiden's name. Though she was of smaller stature even for a woman-elf. She had earned the respect of the people of Old Carthan. Old Carthan folks don't trust people and seldom do they have good thoughts towards the elven. Thus it was astonishing to him how she could gather the trust of these people.

As he found himself staring at her. Her cold eyes sent him packing. He had it in his mind that there was no way for him to acquaint with a woman-elf of her caliber. He was avoiding her. Watching from afar in fear that his curious eyes would disgust her.

But then again his whole world does not revolve around her. He couldn't help but admire her like a beautiful flower seated upon a golden mountain. After all, her status was the same as Holy in the eyes of men.

Back to the journal with empty pages. He bought this journal in hopes to discern his thoughts. Elder Khan, a good friend, and a teacher of the Academy in Accad, master of sword and bow. Had lectured him in his theology classes about memories from past lives. He described memories as strange tiny lightning that formed a complex web inside the head.

"What happens to the lightning inside our heads? We know that through lightning rods, the lightning itself can conduct. So what happens to these memories of ours?"

He had believed that his memories are his own. Memories of metal birds and weapons that could break nations. Most of these memories were blurry, and he would forget most of these dreams.

He had come to Old Carthan to ease this concern over dreams. For in the library of Old Carthan, there are books of old people that remembered their memories. Some of them he was convinced were imaginations while some had him feel like the way they describe it was the same for him. Yet he did not abandon these memories, the use of it landed this job to join the Thousand Islands Expedition. His life in Fort Rava had taught him to accept the imaginations inside of his head as tools. He had used it as an advantage instead of a disability. He was sure that he wouldn't be here if he didn't accept it.

Nonetheless, here he was commissioned by the Lord of Angus, through Magistrate Abad. It was his first time seeing a Magistrate. And one that had been guarding Old Carthan against foes. He remembered him seated with his discerning eyes, watching as he then allowed him to join the Voyage.

To be part of the Reconnoiter Company.

To be part of the fleet heading the fabled Thousand Islands.

The fleet is docked on Old Carthan. At that moment there were two Grand-Galleons and a Man-o-war and oared sailing boats. He suspected that the Grand fleet was not yet complete.

Assigned to one of the Grand-Galleon as a Doctor. His position eclipsed by the title of Healer and then Surgeon. The title of healer belongs to the Lady of the Ship, Lady Eletha of Roan. There was also the Surgeon coming later, which made his position even lower.

Before he started living in the Grand-Galleon. He had gathered his belongings and placed them inside his cabin. His cabin was in the last deck of the ship, near the office and clinic of the Grand-Galleon. The deepest part of the ship, the part appointed by the Chaplain. He had believed that it was placed here in the last deck to prevent the smell of the dead contaminating the decks. The Grand-Galleon does not stack them unless there was a need for it. The Surgeon would handle most of those things, but he was there to help if he could.

Entering his cabin, he found a single bed and a chest where he would store most of his things. Most of his valuables are inside his satchels. As for the office, the clinic, it had beds made for patients, and partitioned by a wall next to it was the surgery room. It also functioned as a morgue, in case they need to wrap the body or perform an autoposy. They do not stack the dead inside the Grand-Galleon. In any ship, they throw it, and it was also the same in the Grand-Galleon.

Back to his cabin, there were wooden pots near the round glass window, where a shaft of sunlight entered. He doesn't know why they placed a bolted round window with thick glass in the sixth deck. How did the sunlight could enter despite the thick layer of seawater? He had no idea.

He had brought the plants that came from his friend. He had ideas for the plants, and the idea of making use of them calmed him for a reason he did not understand. He turned to his table and placed his journal on the surface.

Purchasing the journal was for him to write those ideas, then make use of them. These ideas or imaginations were sometimes useful. Though people might call him mad for keeping a box of molded bread, he had purchased for five coopers.

The box of molded was under the loose plank that he made for himself. The bakers who he bought it from must have thought of him as mad. He was keeping the box of molded bread, hoping that he could use it as a medicine when it becomes bluish. This was what the imaginations inside his head told him to do. How he could use them? He had no idea. All he knows was that he believed that it could become useful. The potted plants inside his wooden pots were the proof.

For inside those pots were rough brown plants that his friend grew. Plants that grow a vegetable or fruit, when roasted, produced a taste he had not tasted in his life. Especially when these plants are sliced into thin pieces, deep-fried and salted. It was heaven inside his mouth when he tasted it. He kept the plants for the thought of eating it again.

This cabin filled with wooden pots was his home now. Even though it was his home, he couldn't stand the rolling of the Grand-Galleon yet. So after he placed his purchases in the chest. He sauntered to the nearest dives where he might entertain himself with a few card games and a roll of dice. Cooper Bar was one of the many dives the sailors frequent. It was close to the docks and anyone wouldn't find a thug in this place because of the drunken sailors. Who are cranky enough to beat down idiots who try anything when they are on shore leave.

He liked the place. He'd drink here and waste his time. He didn't know if it was the merry cheering, the drink, or the fear of the journey to the unknown. But when he walked out of that bar, he saw Lady Eletha playing a stringed instrument on her leisure. She was enjoying herself on that fence railing. Basked by the shaft of moonlight that shone her golden-wheat-like hair. Creating melodies that soothed the soul. The Lady of the Grand-Galleon called the Milostiv, played her sonata.

She would be the Lady of the Ship, the one that would guide them to the Thousand Islands. None could contend to an elf when she searches for new land, they might be like treasures, but they are far from glass. If there was someone needed for this trip, then it was her. For she was part of the people that could ask nature to do their bidding. Folks loved by nature itself. A people that could destroy towns with a sweet click of their tongues and hum a song of death. For a being like her to come and help humanity search for the Thousand Islands was a blessing. She had heard of the plea and came here to aid the Fleet to the Thousand Islands. Not to mention that she will bbe followed by her people as well.

Yet that dream of reaching new lands filled with new people was only a front. He knows this. But it was an adventure he was going to attend. No matter how foolish it was. No matter what the reason was for the adventure. He was here to see new sights. He didn't have to like what the true purpose of the Grand Fleet was.

Nonetheless, he was also the Doctor of the Milostiv. He was here to aid the injured and cure the sick. He intends to honor that in this journey.

The Lady of the Ship honors her duties, and for that, he will as well. For she was the steward, healer, and guide of the ship.

The one that will sing the songs of ancients among the waves.

She was beautiful, and even as he stood in the place he became enthralled. He couldn't shut his ears away from that wonderful sound.

Then like a mirage in a dream, she vanished. He blinked. He shook his head. Gabrio continued walking back to his cabin. So that he could rest his head on a pillow filled with cotton and dried herb leaves.

The voyage would happen in five days.

His head was in the clouds, his muscles were stiffened at the thought of it. As he started to drift to the world of sleep, he thought of that day. The drinks that had drunken, and the prayer he pleaded to a merciful God whose name he didn't even know.

"Let me be safe," Gabrio of Fort Rava pleaded.

It was the first day of the Third-Cycle of the Year 1500, of the Ghealach calendar. It was the day where Gabrio ended his day by traveling to the sleeping world where dreams live.