Robert walked into the medical tent after noticing that the light was still on.. He wore a cloth face mask and a hood that covered his hair. Rain fell on Anvil’s cove and the water from the top of the cove was falling down on the rocks. Lit by lamplight, he saw Doctor Gabrio inside the tent. Reading his thick leather tomes and writing down on his notes.

The Doctor usually never sleeps. That was what Robert knew of him since he had started working with him. Always working hard and making sure that his studies aren’t declining.

“Always studying, Doc,” Robert sat on the stool. He removed his coat. Then placed the coat on the rack.

“I am not a smart man, Robert. If I don’t read my notes all the time, then I would forget some of my knowledge. How’s the situation outside?”

“Stable, I think. The elven-kin had decided to seal part of the tunnel. There might be problems regarding the gas that the rest inhaled, but the living trees sent in the tunnels have started purifying the tunnels.”

“It’s amazing what these living trees can do, isn’t it?”

Robert nodded his head. The Vitae were creatures that he couldn’t just understand. They could grow out of the ground and form into this terrifying creature that could break a man or wage war in their stead. The Vitae formed by the Elven-kin had been useful. It showed in their campaign on the Icean Spine how these living trees could turn the tide of battle. He saw it well.

“Do you wonder if they are purely magical or that there is a method to recreate it?”

“I would rather not talk about it, Doctor. You know how sensitive they are.”

“That they are,” Doctor Gabrio agreed. He placed his leather tome down and swiveled to look at him.

“So why are you here so early?”

“Doctor,” he laughed, “it’s already dawn.”

“Oh,” Gabrio took a look over his shoulder. “It looks like I haven’t noticed.”

“What is that anyway?”

“I’m cross-referencing some of the symptoms here to the symptoms that we are familiar with. Our peers have identified the symptoms, so I didn’t have to work so hard to understand what was happening.”

“That’s a lot of notes, Doctor.”

“You could always help me, Robert.”

“I'm afraid I can’t, Doctor.”

Doctor Gabrio shook his head. He walked to one of the crates, opened a strongbox, took out a brown grounded powder, placed them inside a kettle, and started brewing it on the charcoal-burner.

“Do you want a drink?”

“Sure,” Robert accepted the cup from the Doctor. “Anyway, it's been a long time since we got out of the continent.”

“Hmm, you missing the old continent?”

“Maybe I am. I think it finally hit me, Doctor. That there might be a chance that I ain’t going to go back home. Even the trips back to the old continents didn’t take this long. It’s been months since we departed. We fought an entire campaign even.”

Doctor Gabrio took a sip of his drink. He always had this calm demeanor. Then again, maybe living in that kind of place had molded the Doctor to be so composed. Robert somewhat knew that he could at least tell the Doctor some of his qualms.

“You don’t miss home, Doctor?”

“I miss some of the peace at least. The people of the Fleet seem to forget all the time that this isn’t a simple voyage, no? We have the Blinder of Light by our side. The mythical figure of legends that will help save the world from the Eyes of the World itself. If anything I admire the people of the fleet for their resilience and ability to endure. We have lost so many of our brothers and sisters ever since then.”

If there was anyone who knew better how many have died. It was the Doctor and Surgeon of the Fleet. Robert had seen the list of the people that died. It was better to think of them in numbers. But he knew that among the people of the fleet, the Doctor had a bleeding heart.

“Do you think that we’ll reach the thousand islands, Doctor?”

“We must. At least Terin Gaspar needs to reach the thousand islands. If he doesn’t reach the thousand islands, then I don’t know. He is the important factor that keeps us motivated. I mean why would we care about some thousand islands if the world’s going to die anyway?

“That’s a good point, Doctor.”

Robert said with a low voice. He took a sip of his cup. The rain still fell outside of the tent. The view of a rain-covered fleet and the giant Elder Tree on the back of Arkshelled Island made for quite a view.

“To be in a drowned world in the middle of nowhere, accompanied by folks who are said to be so reclusive that only kings know them. It’s a strange time. I always thought that the world was far simpler than this. That such legends are nothing more than legends.”

“I thought so too,” Doctor Gabrio agreed. “But after things that we saw here. It’s hard not to think of a simpler and much more quiet life, no? It is good that we have mostly young men who have experienced pain. Some think that this is a life of adventure and I am glad that they think of it like that.”

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Robert warmed his hands with his cup. He took another sip, leaned back, and stared at the view that covered the whole fleet. “I still don’t understand why we have to stay in this place, knowing the dangers below us.”

“Resources,” Doctor Gabrio went on, “are important to the fleet. We had consumed too much and they are right that we need to replenish our supplies.”

“We could just start using bows again.”

Doctor Gabrio stared at Robert amusingly.

“You’re very good at that. But it would take time before anyone would start being used to it. Besides, I think that they have far greater intentions than just scavenging the place of the dead. What do you think?”

“I think that there is.”

Robert thought back to the actions of Caldor Ando’s group. How they seemingly know the way and were able to find what seems to be a pillar that boosted the powers of the Blinder of Light.

“I just don't know what it is. I think they are up to something.”

“You could always follow them, Robert,” Gabrio said. “You know how to fight well. If anything, you are one of the best marksmen I’ve seen.”

“I have my duties, Doctor.”

“If you are curious, then go ahead, Robert.”

“Glad that you are confident in my abilities, Doctor. But I don’t think I can follow them.”

“If you can help, then help Terin.”

“Why? He’s the Hero of Light. I don’t think they’ll have much use of me.”

Gabrio placed his cup down. His head lowered.

“Just put yourself in the shoes of Terin. He’s carrying all this weight and in a way, I pity that he has to carry this duty of being this figure that we have to follow. Have you seen the eyes of the people when he’s near? So full of hope that he could lead them to salvation. He blinds everyone with his light of hope. But the person himself must be quite tired of his role.”

“But he’s the hero of light. `I'm sure that God himself chose him for this reason.”

“Maybe. But we must not forget that before he was the hero of light. Before he was the Blinder of the World, he was Terin Gaspar and was human. People tend to forget what he was before all of this. Who’d want to put his hope and faith on someone who doesn’t have the blessing of the sun in him?”

“A lot of folks admire the Admiral,” Robert said. “But he’s the Grand Admiral you know?”

“Take away the power of the light and he's just another man like us. I am not a person who likes to rely on one singular person for salvation. I’d like to be saved using my own way.”

“Well, I don’t know. Still, it's hard to think of him other than you know. The Blinder.”

“Indeed. That is his role in all of this and it’s quite fortunate and unfortunate at the same time. I wouldn’t want to bear the weight of the world on my shoulders. Can you, Robert?”

“No. I don’t think I can.”

Robert thought about it and it made sense. If he was the Blinder of Light. Would he even have time to sit knowing that the world might end if he wasn’t fast or strong enough? Robert had always believed that a chosen hero must be an ideal person to wield the powers given by the light.

But from what he saw Terin Gaspar had worries that of a normal person. A worried young man who had been given the weight of the world to bear.

“I never really thought that it must be hard for him.”

“Even our Elven-kin are incapable of worries. Miss Mana always seems worried. The Elven-kin themselves aren’t free from emotions, they are simply composed enough that they could prevent themselves from reacting.”

“You really spend time observing folk, Doctor.”

“That’s what I do. Why do you think that I visit my patients so fervently? It’s not simply because I am such a nosy busybody, but because they are stubborn as a bull. They are strong and brave folk -- if they are not brave, then why do you think they come into this voyage in the first place knowing that its future is uncertain? Courage and bravery come with recklessness and it seems that I am unlucky enough to care for folks who are strong and do need my help. I think they are tolerating me.”

“That’s not true. They appreciate your hard work, believe me, Doctor.”

Doctor Gabrio said nothing. No, Robert could see that the Doctor doesn’t easily believe that folk is welcoming of his nosy checkups. If anything the folk that Robert had talked with have always somewhat believed that despite the annoyance that the Doctor sometimes gives them. It made them feel like they were cared for.

“It looks like they are bringing some of the folks to clear the tunnels.”

Doctor Gabrio peeked outside. His hands in his pocket. His eyes followed the Brigade that was armed to the teeth. The Brigade wore leather cloaks and was carrying masks with herbs and charcoal on them.

Robert stood next to the Doctor.

“Looks like they are ready to venture further.”

Behind this Brigade was a group of Elven-kin Warriors in their Vitae. They carried luggage and sticking out on the backs of their living trees were cannons and extra weapons for the group. The rest of the living trees carried supplies for the group. They were like the convenient walking wagons that the fleet now fully utilized for convenience. It was a good thing that the ones who are letting themselves do this were the younger elven warriors of the Ark.

“So you’re not really going?” Gabrio asked again.

“I don’t know, Doctor.”

“I’ll be fine here. If anything it would mean a lot if you have information. Besides, I don’t think anything will happen outside of the cove.”

Robert hesitated. He had a duty here and yet so far the Doctor was pushing him to join the exploration that he almost wondered if the Doctor simply wanted to spend time with his new best friend, Miss Mana.

Or that he doesn’t want anyone pestering him about him not sleeping properly. Robert held an accusing eye to the Doctor before giving up. And in a way, he had always wanted to join his brothers who are going to explore the tunnel themselves.

“Fine, if the Officers warn me about this. Then please tell honestly, Doctor. But are you really sure, Doctor?”

Doctor Gabrio looked away then placed a hand on Robert’s shoulder. “Truthfully, I just want you to look out for Zyra and our brothers and sisters of the Milostiv. Although I like to think that the people of the fleet are our allies. We must not forget that family comes first. It would mean a lot to me if you could protect the people of our Grand-Galleon.”

“Goodness, Doctor,” Robert shook his head. He shouldered his rifle and adjusted the bow across his shoulder. “Could have said that instead of being so vague.”

“I know. Good luck, Robert, and make sure that you return back safely.”

“I can manage, Doctor!”

Robert ran and joined the group of soldiers from the Milostiv into their venture to the tunnels of the Anvil’s Cove.