Kildare begins a new log during his time at sea, few of the writings survive but this one has been restored for your viewing. The note from Ms. Leipzig has not survived the ravishes of the elements.
Three weeks at sea, we make our first land fall for fresh water at a small, little known island free of any national claims and kept secret by the various seaman who visit it for several reasons. It’s too small to fortify or defend, and it is really more an atoll than an island, it’s pure water spring and abundant fish, unique life that abounds here and soft sandy stretch of sand on the inside of the horseshoe shaped section of the island. We take on water and the three captains take a meal together on the beach. During our break my brother finally reveals the meaning of the poem, he says that it was a poem I had penned to him in a letter meant to convey that everything was well, despite the somber tone of the text. It was concealed in the manner that it was to make sure I knew it was from my brother, the same way I had taught him to conceal messages so long ago. A simple enough explanation but I can’t recall ever writing anything remotely poetic; perhaps I borrowed it from a shipmate?
As we broke from our meal Nastia slipped a note into my pocket – I would not have mentioned it or even noticed except that my dear wife had noted it and after we were back aboard Voyager, she decided to pull it from my pocket and read it aloud to me. The noted explained, in sparse detail that Ms. Leipzig had reason to believe my brother to be quite mad and asked for me to come up with some excuse for her to join me aboard Voyager for the next leg of our journey. I know my brother to be quite mad indeed and thought little of it, I planned then to reassure my friend that she was simply attracted to that kind of fellow it seemed, and she should not worry so much. Still her judgment and council are wise so I mull over her note now. My wife was disappointed not to see any secret affections or longing expressed, I assured her as best I know how that there would never be such a declaration from any woman. Probably not even my own wife.
I have ample free time aboard Voyager, the 1st mate was the master and commander prior to my arrival and so I let him handle the day to day chores, he knows the men and the vessel. This allows me to conduct some research and so I will, if she likes, extend an invite to my apprentice to join me. My wife will not join me in my laboratory and fears my cat statuette as well as many of my books and tools. You’d think I had a candelabrum made of human skulls and bones in my office. I think too she had discerned the secret bond between me and my cat and she has gone to considerable length to keep him at bay, wearing some warding charm against him, which of course he has just the other day stolen and I believe eaten.
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