James Ruggles looked at the people left in his command. Few had survived this journey; so few that his crew equally numbered the unicorns they'd brought for gifts. They'd wound up in the care of clan Aoilth by coincidence or providence this clan and his forebears had the closest relationship from all others on the island. Perhaps the being beyond the stars had looked out for them on this journey and set them on the correct course even though it felt they were far, far, from his main concern. 

Captain Veraxes is the one who deserves to be here. Not me, he thought darkly. Though she would have his hide and mount it on a wall if she saw what had become of her crews. It wouldn't matter she was his great–aunt whom he loved; Aunt Emmaline Veraxes had spent most of her life on ships and was a likable but stern woman.   

The crews of her three ships, which she owned in her own right, were her true family. Not that Emmaline didn't love her blood relations on land, if that were true he would be dead, but she spent so much time away that unless you grew up on the boats you would barely know what she looked like. Many of the original sailors that started with her were old friends of Emmaline and gotten married to their fellow sailors in her service. Many even reared children on those ships who then went to serve on them, marry their fellow sailors, and again rear their children on board. Most left when they wanted to retire which occasionally left a vacancy so Emmaline would sign on a new sailor from the docks when needed. It made this situation worse as the surviving crews weren't just mourning their fellow sailors but close loved ones. Emmaline had come into money on a lucky game of chance which allowed her to buy her own ships at the young age of twenty–five. She'd served in the Navy and fought under the command of some of Gormth Bay's finest. He wouldn't be surprised if seawater instead of blood ran through her veins.   

Her first love had always been the sea and even though she'd been determined to make a career on it, the Navy wasn't where her heart was. It was set on exploring. Since she was a small girl running around the docks she'd dreamed of sailing for the horizon. The tales of their family fed that dream even though most no longer sailed and had gotten into other lines of work.

Of course just because she'd come into money enough to buy three ships of decent size and high quality it didn't mean she could set off on her lifelong dream. Purchasing the ships had nearly wiped out those fortuitously gotten funds and she couldn't set off without having money for supplies and good connections. The next fifteen years of her life were dedicated to that goal. She took on shipping charters of fabric and food stuffs but it didn't bring in much money after paying her crew and seeing to repairs. Emmaline founded her own shipping company which took five years to be prosperous and then another five to save money enough for a short journey.   

Ten years later on her first big adventure she was missing and feared dead. Emmaline was just as fearless at sixty as she was at twenty–five. 'If she's dead will she look back on this journey from the next world and say it was worth it?' James rubbed his temple as a stress headache began to rattle his brain.  

James held a small leather book in hand. It was a journal he'd bought from the ship stores soon after he boarded The Snowfall. He planned to draw any new plants he spotted. Now it had to be used for a different purpose. With a hard swallow he began to record their expedition though he was doubtful anyone across the sea would ever read it. Emmaline would expect him to do this and he'd failed her so badly he couldn't fail her in this small as it was.        

Ship Log 1: Acting Captain Brigadier General James Ruggles recording new log as the old one was lost along with missing Captain Emmaline Veraxes, for those it may concern I am the great-nephew of Captain Emmaline Veraxes. We began the voyage with three ships, the flag ship The River Orchid, ship two which I commanded under the supervision of Captain Varaxes, The Snowfall, ship three commanded by my younger sister, Hanai Ruggles, under supervision of Captain Veraxes, The Rainbow Leaf. I will give a more detailed account of our voyage in later entries to the best of my memory. The purpose of this first entry will be to give a general account of our journey thus far and to record the names of the living and those who have died getting us here.

Voyage to the island of Myras has been fraught with challenges. Our navigator mistakenly set us on the wrong heading and we ended up going too far south. Reason for such an error was too much whiskey. Previous navigator who I'm assured wouldn't have made such an error wished to retire as her mother was sick. We were left with only apprentice navigators all too green to rely on with confidence for a journey into ill mapped waters. Captain Veraxes had many strengths and was normally very aware of her weaknesses. She would have been the first to admit that navigation wasn't one of them as painful and embarrassing as that it is for a ship captain to admit. In her haste to be underway she hired a man who she knew too little about.    

Captain Veraxes had been dreaming of this journey since she was a little girl. The government of Gormth Bay has no interest in what lays beyond the sea. Captain Emmaline tried to get additional funding for this trip from the council but they refused. Though the last voyage to Myras was peaceful and we established profitable trade with them, the council had no time for such concerns as it looked like the Draconians and Opilains might invade again.     

Since the green fire, Gormth Bay has been besieged by larger countries surrounding us due to a power vacuum caused by the loss of a significant amount of leaders and military men across my nation, and those nations that close in around us. Nanit's government and armies, which we were territories of two hundred years ago, were the most powerful force the world had ever known and yet somehow destroyed in a single night and day. With only Logos as an ally at this time scant resources couldn't be allocated to anything but preparations for the future war effort. As a former solider in the Draconian Army I'm sure another bloody war is coming. Especially after the actions my great–aunt took to break me out of a Draconian prison. I was about to be executed under false allegations. My trial was swift and as my accuser was the Princess there was no way I would be found innocent.           

After leaving the harbor of the Draconian capital city, Nobrisk, we sailed with all haste to the north. It was the only safe heading as the cursed lands lay to the north. No captain even under the orders of a king would sail there unless they were desperate. Desperate we were as for a time three royal ships chased us. After our parents died, my mother was Emmaline's niece and my father was a soldier in the Draconian army, they married during the Draconians last occupation of Gormth Bay, Emmaline took in my sister and I. We grew up on her ships and though Hanai chose to remain with our great–aunt once I reached adulthood I left them behind. I went to seek a career in the Draconian Army though they both begged me not too. In hindsight I wished I listened. I was lured by the better pay of a Draconian soldier and seen as a traitor to my mother's country by the majority of her family.   

I apologize for getting off topic. Having grown up on Emmaline's ships I know how to sail. Upon my rescue there was nothing I could have done but agree to leave with Captain Veraxes. She instilled the rank I previously held when serving on her ships so I was once again a Brigadier General. As I stated before Captain Veraxes felt our best chance to lose our pursuers was to head north. 

Those who know their history and geography will realize there is only one shattered continent across the sea and to the north from Draconia. The green fire came from this place and ripped it apart. The land was once called Nanit. Whatever the magic users did there resulted in total destruction on the land and left no survivors on Nanit or anywhere it consumed. There are no records of what they were trying to do but it left the world in shambles.

The green fire burned over the ocean slowly creeping and no one knows how it was stopped; at least no one that I ever met. The ruins of Nanit have been considered cursed ever since. Strange things reportedly happen there and we witnessed odd things as we passed through it so perhaps the place has been cursed.

Once we determined it was safe we tried to head for Myras but as previously stated we ended up too far south. We were set upon by a hurricane where we were separated from The River Orchid, were tormented by and fought with pirates from a strange land, and then were lost until an apprentice was able to get us back onto the correct heading.   

Crew of The River Orchid:
Captain Emmaline Veraxes (60) – MIA
Brigadier General Yvonne Farris (55) – MIA
First Mate Don Saczs (35) – deceased
Second Mate Elisha Cromwell (37) – MIA
Third Mate Xane Koli (38) – MIA
Surgeon Wallis Farris (55) – MIA
Surgeon Apprentice Wilameana Machevilla (16) – deceased
Second Surgeon Apprentice Darnel Koli (12) – MIA
Quarter Master Alex Quartz (29) – deceased
Boatswain Cali Sask (30) – deceased
Boatswain Gerry Dodds (34) – deceased
Navigator Kody Cornell (45) – MIA
Navigator's Apprentice Selma Koli (12) – MIA
Carpenter Elizabeth Koli (34)– MIA
Carpenter's Apprentice Donny Quartz (17) – MIA
Second Carpenter's Apprentice Brittyne Dodds (16) – MIA
Cook Orlan Farris (34) – MIA
Cook's Assistant Percy Reuben (30) – MIA
Cook's Apprentice Isaiah Saczs (10) – MIA
Able Seamen Josiah Weis (27) – MIA
Able Seamen Franklin Ro (27) – MIA
Able Seamen Tia Sask (27) – MIA
Able Seaman Coraline Smith (26) – MIA
Able Seaman Jon Smith (26) – deceased
Able Seamen Timothy Raleigh (26) – MIA
Able Seaman Samantha Groslin (26) – MIA
Able Seaman Jang Marc (26) – MIA
Able Seaman Georgina Farris (26) – deceased
Able Seaman Reuben Pierre (24) – deceased
Able Seaman Sadie Paxtson (23) – MIA
Able Seaman Branden La Rue (23) – MIA
Able Seaman Tammy Augustus (21) – MIA
Able Seaman Em Dodds (21) – MIA
Able Seaman Zackery Dodds (21) – MIA
Ordinary Seaman Patrick Augustus (18) – MIA
Ordinary Seaman Sorcha Madison (18) – MIA
Ordinary Seaman Charles Albany (16) – MIA
Ordinary Seaman Nash Keal (15) – MIA
Ordinary Seaman Santa Peka (15) – MIA
Ordinary Seaman Lerado Jefferson (13) – MIA
Ordinary Seaman Jack Siana (13) – MIA
Ordinary Seaman Benedict Akron (13) – MIA
Ordinary Seaman Gabriella Akron (13) – MIA
Ordinary Seaman Mylie Koli (9) – MIA

Crew of The Snowfall:
Brigadier General James Ruggles (32) – living
First Mate Salem Olympia (57) – living
Second Mate George Akron (36) – deceased
Third Mate Katie Jones (37) – deceased
Surgeon Kallie Madison (46) – living
Surgeon Apprentice Sean Augustus (25) – deceased
Second Surgeon Apprentice Robert Madison (15) – living
Quarter Master Dawn Machevilla (43) – deceased
Boatswain Jeremy Keal (38) – living
Boatswain Kayleigh Dodds (52) – deceased
Navigator's Apprentice Shelly Machevilla (13) – living
Carpenter Walter Peka (48) – deceased
Carpenter's Apprentice Consella Groslin (18) – living
Second Carpenter's Apprentice Sarai La Rue (15) – living
Cook Valery Keal (38) – deceased
Cook's Assistant Sandra Quartz (28) – deceased
Cook's Apprentice Jason Raleigh (12) – living
Able Seamen Noah Machevilla (29) – living
Able Seamen Tamar Siana (29) – living
Able Seamen Ruth Madison (27) – living
Able Seaman Sayuri Marc (27) – living
Able Seaman Jessica Pierre (27) – deceased
Able Seamen Jane Ro (26) – deceased
Able Seaman Grace Albany (25) – deceased
Able Seaman Jamie Rueben (25) – deceased
Able Seaman Evan Sask (24) – deceased
Able Seaman Nikki Quartz (23) – deceased
Able Seaman Sam Olympia (23) – living
Able Seaman Phoenix Lansing (23) – living
Able Seaman Micheal Doddle (22) – deceased
Able Seaman Telem Bunny (20) – living
Able Seaman Theo Doodle (20) – deceased
Ordinary Seaman Courtney Bunny (19) – living
Ordinary Seaman Paul Ken (19) – deceased
Ordinary Seaman Francis Lamb (18) – deceased
Ordinary Seaman Harrison Lamb (18) – MIA
Ordinary Seaman Laurie Maple (14) – living
Ordinary Seaman Lisa Ellis (14) – living
Ordinary Seaman Ariel Weiss (13) – living
Ordinary Seaman Kevin Maple (10) – living
Ordinary Seaman Tommy Lamb (9) – living
Ordinary Seaman Noah Maple (9) – living

Crew of The Rainbow Leaf:
Brigadier General Hanai Ruggles (30) – deceased
First Mate Grainé Olympia (48) – deceased
Second Mate Helena Bunny (49) – deceased
Third Mate Hugh Doodle (45) – deceased
Surgeon Jacob Machevilla (47) – living
Surgeon's Apprentice Laura Lamb (16) – living
Quarter Master Billy Lamb (51) – deceased
Boatswain Tracy Lamb (49) – deceased
Boatswain Karl Bunny (47) – deceased
Carpenter Richland Ro (28) – living
Carpenter's Apprentice Rachael Maple (12) – living
Cook Gregor Ellis (49) – deceased
Cook's Assistant Erick Weiss (31) – deceased
Cook's Apprentice Nicollet Reuben (17) – living
Able Seamen Joseph Albany (31) – deceased
Able Seamen Angelica Ken (29) – living
Able Seamen Stephanie Doodle (29) – living
Able Seaman Melanie Howe (29) – deceased
Able Seaman Albert Howe (29) – deceased
Able Seamen Ian Salvatore (28) – living
Able Seaman Damon Strider (28) – deceased
Able Seaman Anne Salvatore (27) – deceased
Able Seaman Bonny Glacier (27) – living
Able Seaman Jer Glacier (28) – deceased
Able Seaman Nicolas Ken (29) – deceased
Able Seaman Jenel Strider (31) – living
Able Seaman Tiffany Ro (28) – living
Able Seaman Jeffery Flowers (32) – living
Able Seaman Opal Flowers (33) – living
Ordinary Seaman Dany Flowers (10) – living
Ordinary Seaman Carrie Flowers (10) – living
Ordinary Seaman Rose Howe (9) – living
Ordinary Seaman Isabelle Glacier (8) – living
Ordinary Seaman Liam Ken (8) – living
Ordinary Seaman Harry Ro (8) – living
Ordinary Seaman Matt Salvatore (8) – living
Ordinary Seaman Amy Salvatore (8) – living
Ordinary Seaman William Doodle (8) – living
Ordinary Seaman Belle Strider (8) – living

MIA: 35 Deceased: 42 Living: 47

The children are taking this hardest as I would expect. Those lucky enough to have parents or siblings alive are still depressed, there are others in shock and some inconsolable at their terrible losses. I doubt they will ever want to be on the sea again. Not that it matters, our ships are completely destroyed having been ground to splinters against the rocks. Though we have one fully qualified carpenter and three carpenter apprentices still alive they have no experience building entire ships. Through the aid of the old translator, Seska, I asked about the ship building capabilities of the clans. None are able to build ships large and sturdy enough for a journey back. 

Perhaps that's for the best though. Emmaline Veraxes and her ships are well known. By now the stories of how she broke into the prison to save me have been circulating for almost a year. Even if the countries do not go to war, which would be a miracle as this would definitely provide the final spark to set the delicate political situation ablaze, Emmaline and all her crew will be considered criminals. If word got back we docked in Gormth Bay the Draconians would demand all be handed to them for justice.

We have no hope of going back and are strangers here in a strange land where nothing beyond has ever been mapped. Myras is the end of the world until you reach known continents in our minds if not in practice. The strange pirates we fought are proof not even all the lands to the east have been mapped. I hope the people of clan Aoilth don't see our presence as an ill omen. After the stars fell from the sky I'm not sure I'd look at us as anything but. 

I must work to earn our place among these people. I have been requested to work along Irene, daughter of the Thane, to figure out what the stars falling mean. I fear what the answer will be. I witnessed a tentacle emerge from one we encountered and it ate a rodent.

I hope we can destroy these things. If this place is to be a home for us I need it to be safe for my crew who has endured more than their share of hardship. I've already failed miserably at protecting this crew. Tensions have been high and Surgeon Jacob Machevilla, the most senior member of the crew still alive, besides myself were never the best of friends and I fear his grief may lead him to turn the others against me.

While my First Mate Salem Olympia is the oldest member of the crew still alive, and has been on my side, she was planning on retiring and most of the crew had gotten used to that and now treat her as an aged kindly grandmother rather than someone they should obey with haste and without question. I wonder if asking another clan to take half of the crew would be appropriate as I fear tensions will not be calmed by anything less than separation.

I don't want to further separate my people or make a bad impression on clan Aoilth who have been kind enough to take us in. If they witnessed us fighting among ourselves I don't know if they will demand we leave or not. They have enough problems without us adding to them.

The woman I'm going to be working with, Irene seems on edge. Her father missing would do that of course. There's something else between her and her twin. Irene's stance becomes aggressive whenever they are in the same room but I don't think she's aware of it. At the dinner with her family which she took me too so that I may meet their acting leader privately, Irene ate little and didn't touch anything her sister already had had her hands on. Something serious has happened but the other sister, Gean, doesn't seem to care.

I wish I had enough of Irene's language to help Irene or at least to understand what has happened. Seeing their strife pokes at the wound my sister's death has created.

I had a dream I was back in prison last night. Then it morphed into the hurricane which killed my sister. How long must I see these horrible images each night? If I had the plants I would brew a sleep potion to keep me from dreaming.

Tomorrow I'm going out with Irene and her crew to the crater site.