As night came he was back to his desk writing on his journal. He had nothing to say about the free mercenaries that arrived two days ago and had instead focus on the clinic.

More ships along with their escorts came to the bay of Old Carthan. The docks became congested with many ships gather in one dock. He had not come out of the Gallean, other than the one time he passed the time with his fishing rod and bought ingredients.

Zyra, bored out of her mind, decided to take a trip off the Galleon. When she came out of the ship, she acted like a nocturnal creature that hissed at the sun. She had baggy eyes, untidy clothing, and disheveled hair.

The two of them went outside of the rounded walls of Old Carthan. They went to a small lake located near the outskirts of the town, it had two underground tunnels. Filled with ancient rock crystals that led to a system of caverns connected to the coastline.

Gabrio was catching bass the size of his forearm as an old diver told him about the lake. Since he had the time and patience. He grilled the fishes he caught with Zyra.

Speaking of his colleague. She did not share her past. Which was fine for Gabrio, since all he needed to know was that she came from Accad. Gabrio liked that. He came from Fort Rava, and that was that for him. There was nothing to talk about. She was fine with this arrangement as well. She had recognized the writings of the Butcher of Fort Rava. Even she admitted that she doesn't want to hear anything about what happened in Fort Rava. Which put Gabrio at ease. He didn't like talking about Fort Rava. What happened there stays there. It shouldn't leave the tomes. It should stay in memories and paper only.

Besides, he was not the only one taught by the Butcher of Fort Rava. He had many apprentices who survived his teachings. Among his disciples, Gabrio was a bonded man who stayed with his Mentor until the day he passed away. The day he became a free man.

To not meddle with private affairs was one of the reasons why they could get alone and fish on the small lake. It was a simple relationship of don't tell unless there is a need to tell.

Even so, if there was something that she wanted to pry from him. It was the confection that he had fed the cabin boy that fell. She wanted to learn. Gabrio agreed to teach her and taught her how to make a batch of them. It happened yesterday and was one of the reasons why they were spending time on the lake. They had made too much and ate too many samples.

Gabrio thought that it was fine. They needed to relieve their hangover and boredom somehow, so the lake was a good place to do that. Besides, they might not be able to relax like this when the voyage starts. Death and illness were going to be their companion in this voyage after all.

Also, they wanted to eat grilled bass. If their life in the seas was going to be about a future of eating hardtacks, dried fish, and meat. Then it was better to fill their stomach before they go. At least they didn't have to worry about scurvy anymore. He had to thank the experiments in Accad for that. That allowed the creation of the hardtacks. He could imagine the cargo hold filled with those things.

After the trip to the small lake. They were able to renew their bearings. They were still getting used to the shaking and the tight halls and rooms of the Galleon. Sometimes, it reminded Gabrio of his cell in Fort Rava. The difference was that he could at least leave his room as he pleased. He was going to be fine, at least he thought so.

Back to his cabin, Gabrio focused his eyes back to his journal. He wrote his experiences, confessed his thoughts. And started thinking about the imaginations inside his head. The imaginations were a constant plague inside of his head. But even so, he refused to place any record of his imagination inside the journal. He wanted them to stay in his head unless he needs them for an idea.

The Grand-Galleon shook. A howling that sounded like the beast of the end coming out of the darkness sounded. Gabrio shuddered, he tightened his grip around his writing stick, cursing that sound.

Outside of his cabin, he felt like the Caulkers and Carpenters were making a fuss. He wondered why. But then again, they always make a fuss. Gabrio went back to his journal, he wrote a few lines before he decided to stop because of the groaning of the hulls. He hung his coat on the wooden hook and did push-ups and sit-ups. After that, he climbed to his bed and listened to the sound of the Galleon.

"A Galleon of this size shouldn't float," Gabrio muttered. He had heard from rumors about the materials used to construct the Grand-Galleons. A gift from the Elven, the Elder Trees located above Old Carthan was used to create the hulls of the ship. Besides, the eleven people helped in creating the Galleon. He had heard this when he was delivering a medical report and package to one of his contacts. If he didn't look up the rumors, then traveled to Old Carthan. He might not have contact with the Magistrate who was looking for a Doctor for the Grand-Galleon.

There was a nasty rumor that surrounded the Galleon. Those rumors were not good for the soul and morale. He didn't like thinking about the rumors that he heard when he was looking up the Galleon. Blood-letting, ritual sacrifices, and ceremonies conducted to create strong hulls.

"I should stop before I scare myself," Gabrio thought, putting the thought to the back of his head. He rather has a good dream than a nightmare at that moment.

*****

In the Cabin of the Captain.

"Does the Grand Fleet intend to leave?"

"The Union of Merchant's are still waiting for their ships, Milady."

"Captain," a gentle voice said. "Pray tell, how are Merchants needed in the thousand islands."

"They hold cargo that could be used to trade, Milady. If we meet civilization along the way then they might be useful. We can negotiate with the natives and trade our goods."

"Hopeful of you think that, Captain. You do realize that they would think twice if they see thousands of soldiers on their beaches? We are foreigners to them. They'll point their weapons at us without hesitation. Not to mention, we have people of the blood here as well. A lot of them have gathered, and I don't see them having pointy ears. That Chancellor of yours, he's an impressive man as always."

"We can't help it," the Captain said. "We are going to be traveling in high-seas with the possibility of enemies attacking us all the time. The legends of the Thousand Island and its oceans are not easy to underestimate. We need Soldiers, Guns, and Merchants if we intend to flourish on those islands."

“I do understand that. But what I don’t understand is why you place your hopes that peace would come. Your Chancellor, he knows what he’s doing, and if he succeeds in this then he might crown himself Emperor.”

“I doubt it.”

“I agree.”

“What?”

“Your face tells me that you don’t believe me. I do believe in the Chancellor. He has honor, unlike this filth that we are bringing to the grand fleet.”

“Lady, their honor's made of gold and contracts.”

“And this kind of ‘honor’ couldn’t pay for the trees that we have sacrificed in a promise with the Chancellor. I am here to aid the Galleon and make sure that our Elder Trees are not sacrificed in vain. May I remind you that the trees itself are our people. If it wasn't for the Chancellor, then this pact would have meant nothing. Do you believe in Aon, Captain?"

“I want to believe, Lady. It's made from the ruins and corpses of those who fought for Unity. We are of the same homeland and I do believe that we should unite instead of wait for a bigger Empire to divide us. I should know better, but there is something in me that believes that peace can happen.”

“You are getting too hopeful, Captain. You must have spent a lot of time with the Chancellor.”

“I served under him. I was his banner-man, lieutenant, and Captain. I saw him fight in the front and not once did I saw him turned his back at the enemy.”

“And now he’s eager to leave a legacy.”

“He’s growing old.”

“I know.”

“Those people you have welcomed. I noticed that two of the blood in them. One of them is strong enough to match me. Why does she hide? Oh, your face stiffens, Captain.”

“I can’t tell you that.”

“You don’t have to tell me indeed. I was here to believe that there were only one of these Children. And they have Caldor Ando with them. He was young the last time I saw him. Now he’s guarding three. There was only one, Captain. And it looks like this was important enough for Caldor to give his life to this fleet.”

“I have no comment on this. The Chancellor does what he pleases."

“Very well. But if we are to come near to the Heart of the World then know that we must fight the Drow.”

“That’s what we signed up for.”

“Do you believe that?”

“I don’t.”

“It is a shame that such a grand undertaking must come with a price. But all good things must come with the bad, Captain.”

Then, someone opened the door to the cabin.

“Captain!”

“What is it, man!?”

“New arrivals!”

“Looks like the gold mongers are here, Captain.”

“L-lady!?”

“Go, lad! Tell them to light the fireworks! Have the other ships out of the way! Damn these dullards! To come in the night!”

“Do not blame the wind now, Captain. It might turn against you.”

“I am not blaming the wind!”

“It sounded like you were.”

“Do you always speak like this, Lady?”

“I am sorry, would you like to prefer the usual dialect of my people?”

“No, I rather not have headaches, Lady.”

“Good to know.”

“Captain!”

“What is it with you lads and entering without knocking!? Knock lad! And don’t you dare to stand and gawk at the Lady of the Ship! And Lady, please make sure to put your veil on! You are going to turn this whole ship into yours!”

“C-captain, the Merchants want to sail close to the Galleons.”

“Tell them in my exact words that they either follow the Chancellors order or not at all! I won’t tolerate any change to the formation of the fleet or they will answer to the Admiral!”

“Got it!”

“Calm, Captain Malfor. You are going to lose your head before we leave for the seas.”

“I am surrounded by fools sometimes!”

“I insist that you calm down.”

A spell flew on Captain Malfor's head.

“What did you do?”

“I cast a spell to make your head lighter Captain. I haven’t given you a gift for the wonderful cabin, so think of this as my gift.”

“Thank you, Lady. But I hope this doesn’t happen again.”

“Yes, I sometimes forget that most of the bondless do not have the resistance to channeling. I hope you do not become too lightheaded, Captain.”

“I have this.”

“A medallion jeweled with a ruby. Interesting.”

“Your spells worked.”

“It cannot suppress those that affect the mind, Captain. But it can shield you from a spell thrown with an element.”

“That’s good to know then. Lady, I should go back to managing these fools. I’ll have a courier send your missives to your people," he paused on the doorway. " Are you sure that you want to come, Lady?”

“Do you know that I am one of the first who had been able to leave my lands with the blessings from the elders? Once, they purge those who have married the bondless, and they have shunned their blood. If the Chancellor had not come and changed things. Then I don’t think that I would have offered my life to this Voyage. So kindly give them my missive. It might be the last time that I could send them this. This is for the good of the people and of Aon”

“I don’t think so, Lady. You might outlive us all on this trip.”