The garrison arrived two hours later than they were supposed to arrive, but with that many men there were going to be some complications during travels, it's practically a miracle they arrived on the day they said they'd arrive on. I waited in the cabin with William and Merrick as they maid their way through the camp ground. "Are you sure that I'm not needed here while the fortification is in progress?" I ask. "No, it's better if you leave with this shift; it will help to keep your... condition under wraps. I'm sure most of the camp's soldiers will talk about you and you actions here, but with their numbers and position they won't get the attention of public or top brass. But if we wait till next shift change, the leaving shift will include much bigger number of soldiers and actual knights. So doing it this way gives you four months of peace and quit during your research." I wonder what he means with my condition, as I haven't told about the possession but... Wait, four months? "What do you mean four months, isn't the shift change in six months?" "They changed it because of the higher dead rate."

Merrick handed me a scarf made from overstock of different fabrics and told me to wear it over the lower portion of my face and black tinted glasses he made from breaking some of his equipment. With these my mouth and eyes stay hidden, but I wonder how is he going to explain a blind man as a watchman. I get my answer soon enough as the leader of garrison steps in the cabin moments later and asks after seeing me: "Is this the recruited scout that was supposed to leave with this shift? He's blind." To which Merrick retorts: "So are all the men in the dark of night, it's his hearing that matters." The leader gives a dismissive nod and starts talking to William as I'm guided to the leaving wagons, apparently the two hours lost have to be gained back and we can't wait to leave, after the stuff is unpacked of course.

I get to sit in the wagon as hour goes by unpacking, but Sam joins me after five to ten minutes, so I get to hear more about his family history. Beats just sitting. It seems that there are going to be regular deliveries to the camp withing next five to six months that the rest of the needed equipment is brought, or that what I heard while simultaneously listening to Sam and the men unloading the wagons. So I guess it's still possible to return if I get my research done in four months, five in maximum.

The leader returns with Gareth, who also decided to leave with this shift and comes to sit with me and Sam. And with that we are off.

********************************

"Crap, crap, crap..." I whisper under my breath as I stare at the snake lying on the floor. I have no idea how I got here or where here is. One day I'm walking to work and suddenly I'm on an island in the middle of some storming ocean. As I walk around the shore line to confirm if there's any boats, even rowboats, a gigantic snake, like from some fantasy movie my kids would love to watch slithers on the shore and starts chasing me till I'm standing in the center of the island, next to a obsidian altar with weird, white sphere on it. It matches the snakes white scales that glitter with saltwater, and sometimes when I move, its eyes, like a dinner plate sized whirlpools of crystal blue water move between me and the sphere. Is that it? Does it want me to touch it? Should i? Would it take me back to my family?

After few hours in the freezing rain I decide I have no other choice but touch it. The erupting white column of smoke can probably be seen on the other side of the ocean.