Weeks 2 and 3

Taken from the final log entries of Captain J. Ultrich

We have been at sea for ten days now and these cartographers are losing their wits. They will not stop remarking how far we have come in such a short amount of time. They refuse to see that it was my decision to use djemi rowers instead of men that we are so far ahead. No matter how many times I remind them they always forget it was my idea. They will learn soon enough though and when they do I will be more than happy to ensure that they remember. Today the djemi were finally quiet. there were no more clicks or grunts, they just rowed in silence. Other than that there is nothing much to report. We are in the heart of the vast emptiness and haven't seen a single island since we passes the speckled archipelago. The view cannot be contested however. I feel as though we are alone with the gods nothing but ocean surrounding our entire ship. Lesser men would be driven mad but my crew is the best there is and it is only fitting then that they be captained by myself. I find it comforting that the eyes of the gods have replaced the eyes of the djemi that were watching me. 

Thirteen days at sea before my men were at each others throats. Two sailors working the rigging were throwing punches today. No one was hurt, they claimed to just be blowing off steam after duty but I have Shipman Stret keeping an eye on them.I can't afford to have two sailors ruining the mission. I haven't heard a sound from the djemi in five days Shipman Buyers says that there hasn't been a single problem from lash since his licks and that they no longer watch him. I am sensing smooth sailing from those beasts. Now it's just the men on this ship that are looking to cause trouble, I am thinking I might uncork this bottle of rum again tonight. Men can be controlled much easier than beasts so the smooth water shall continue. I shall receive a hero's welcome when I return to Silver City. Maybe I'll even get to marry some nobleman's daughter.

I have been at sea for over a fortnight now, seventeen days on the water and we got our first glimpse of land today. The speed these djemi row at has taken weeks off our journey. we should arrive at this new land within two days. The men had two djemi up on deck today and they were making them scrub the deck. The djemi didn't seem to like the light but did as they were commanded. The stupid beasts had to be shown how to scrub the decks but they picked it up fairly easily for once. I guess even the dumbest creatures can figure out how to scrub. What does that say about new recruits who can't figure out how a ship works. If djemi can learn to do jobs and stay out of the way I am going to have higher expectations for new recruits when I get back. Tomorrow we shall send a shore party of two boats, each with four sailors one cartographer and two djemi to row them there and back. I am hopeful about this island, but nothing is ever this easy.

The shore party returned late and were very disappointing. There was no plant life on this island and it was far to small to support the colony we were looking for. The djemi seemed very happy to return below deck. I went below deck today and heard whispering coming from the rowers. When I went to investigate there was nothing but an eerie silence and those almond eyes staring at me. Shipman Buyers has been relocated to helping the cartographers since they are being overwhelmed with the speed that they need to chart our course. The djemi have been even more docile over the past week and I think he shall be returned to give the morning order to stop rowing at the end of every week. Other than that it seems a waste to use good man power to watch these creatures anyway.

Twenty days at sea and we have discovered new land. It should be about two days before we reach the land. I think I am going to allow shore leave when we reach this new island as the reports of whispering from the lower decks are becoming more and more frequent. The vast emptiness is taking it's toll on the men and it should do them good to have dinner with their captain and get some solid ground under their feet at least for a night. Lash's eyes continue to watch me form the knots in this cabin. I think I will benefit from this night on shore just as much as the men will. After that however we are returning straight to our mission. We sail for our queen and I will not have her frowning on us.