I admit, Gabrio wrote in his journal, that it has been long since I’d written something in my journal. I’d asked around if they knew the day, but because of the travels. Most of the soldiers of the Grand-Galleon have cared less about the day. I could ask some of the learned scholars of the Galleon, but I had decided against it.

  Gabrio stopped his pen and drank a concoction. Although the fleet is passing through the Thatkean Channel, hoping that we could reach the Great Gates of Brampi. We had expected trouble because of the passage, but it seemed like our scholars had underestimated the volume of water that was stored behind the Great Gates.

  The once rocky and green land of the Icean Spine coated on top with snow had become a turbulent sea where logs and all manners of creatures float, lifeless. I confess I felt no emotion other than pity when seeing them. The fleet must move if it intends to fulfill the very mission of reaching the thousand islands and deliver the light’s blinder to the eye of the world.

  Gabrio’s gaze wandered on the window of his cabin. Covering the now-flooded Icean Spine was a layer of mist on top of the muddy sea. Visibility became a problem, and only through the coordinated lights from our spirits and the colored smokes that the fleet could press forward.

  Gabrio inspected his writing stick with his pointer finger. Although I am a Doctor of the Grand Galleon of the Milostiv, my ranking, and my status, was not enough for them to divulge information regarding the movement of the fleet, the military tactics that they shall employ to continue the progress in the Icean Spine. I am only a personnel of the Grand-Galleon, and I must fulfill my duty while I leave the affairs of the journey to those who are in charge of the fleet.

  Gabrio stopped when he heard cannons firing. Because of the flood that spread all over the lowermost area of the Icean Spine. The fleet had sighted sea-kin, and sea monsters of different sizes and weight. Thus, the smaller ships and boats were the first one to move forward, firing upon the enemies, dealing massive blows to the monsters, scales that are feared in the Great Seas. Gabrio continued writing. The Great Seas are fabled for the Great Monsters and the erratic weather.

  Gabrio recalled one tome that his teacher had. A brilliant man theorized that the size of our planet was about forty-thousand miles, and that there are regions of the planet that are covered in biomes that have a different diversity of floras and faunas. Many had argued whether the man was right, and there were many who had called him mad for saying that there was an inherent reason the creatures beyond Aon had gigantic traits. He explained that high density of air caused such creatures to have larger sizes. They mocked him for his theories, and through this mockery that he had secluded himself from society, and later on hanged himself on a crossbeam.

  Gabrio adjusted the lamp with his finger. And years after that great man’s death through the knowledge of the Elven-kin who had much more insights to nature had revealed that there might be truths to the man who had produced such a theory. The man who was mocked because of his intellect turned out to be right. It was a loss for humanity, but they took some theories that the man had made into consideration.

  Gabrio thought back on what he had learned from Dom in one of their conversations. Dom had said that there were studies made, predicting the size of the creatures that might appear. Through the use of artists and painters, they could somewhat run a what if scenario where they would meet these creatures.

  Gabrio thought about what Dom said to him.

  “There was a lot of planning, organization, and preparation for the thousand islands,” Dom said, while producing the notes used in the discussion. He described the notes, details, and drawings of what the fleet might meet during the journey through the testimonies and sightings of those who have tried to sail beyond the dread line.

  It was said that through testimonies, notes, and stories, that it was speculated that it convinced the nation that they must make a journey to see the fabled thousand islands. Of course, Gabrio knew it was only because they desired what wealth they could get from the thousand islands that they could make a convincing argument. And that, there are those who knew who were boarding the Grand Fleet that there was more to it than getting more resources from untapped islands.

  Gabrio tapped the point of his writing stick on the top of his journal. My journey throughout this part of the world had made me reflect on my mortality. Even in my sleep, I was proud that I could resist temptations and became better than that. It was through my persistence that I could somewhat survive, and be rewarded. I would be a liar if I say that I did not appreciate the idea of living beyond my natural lifespan. Half of Mana’s life had become mine, and only because of this boon that I am alive and able to continue my journey. And even with her life given to me, as a Doctor, I find her blessing heavy. I could not refuse it, and only because she gave it to me I could live.

  Gabrio held his chest. He felt it steadily beating, and it was far different from the normal beating that a heart should have. Gabrio admitted he had taken an interest in his own body, wondering what the effect of the treeheart would be to his body. His teacher was sure that through the heart, it produces air, and the vital hormone and substances keeping the body alive.

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  It was also something that Gabrio feared because he had the chance now. A chance to improve his knowledge through the study of medicine, and refining the methods that he had learned. However, hearing the cannons, the fighting, and the news that are spread all over the fleet made Gabrio wonder if he could last long enough to produce such results.

  Gabrio had what they called time.

  Time that can be used to do some research and improve upon older theories. An investment called time was the greatest thing one could have in this world. Gabrio felt honored at the thought of being able to live past the natural lifespan.

  And despite the investment called time at his side.

  Gabrio was afraid of what may come.

  The Great Seas, they did not know it as a place where the tides were calm. It was a place that one must pass in order to reach the thousand islands. A place teeming with beasts that are hostile and dominant.

  Islands that may number thousands but are filled with many dangers. It was not even the monsters that were their greatest obstacle. It was how many miles they must travel, what the weather might be, and the problems that might arise in the fleet.

  Gabrio stared at the notes next to his journal. It was the list of the crew members and through their journey; they have lost eighty crew members, and eight, crippled.

  They had a way to keep their food supply. They could fairly produce through the Arkshelled Island, but the crew members were not a loss that they could easily recuperate. A loss of one life meant that there was one less person who could help maintain the operations of the fleet.

  The Inquisitor had visited Gabrio about this matter. About how he should keep records of any individuals that might become a liability for the Galleon. Inquisitor Cooper Ackie had already convinced some of those who had bought their way to this voyage that they must work if they intend to continue living in their rooms.

  He was told by the Inquisitor that they must assess anyone with a liability depending on what they can contribute to the Grand-Galleon with. Gabrio had somewhat found a compromise through the disable soldiers and had argued that they were still able to defend the Galleon despite missing a leg or two.

They will throw those who are sick and diseased into the brig, where they shall judge whether they should stay in the Galleon. Gabrio knew that this was coming because of the recent firefights, and though it was cruel and unfair, especially to those who had fought for the Galleon, it had to be done.

  Sickness might spread, and if they do not contain, then the Galleon would become a plague-ridden ship. Gabrio had judged whether one of the crew members could continue living with them, and through examination and application of medicine that he concluded the person must not stay with the Galleon. The others that Gabrio had judged were quarantined and examined by him. And because of the threat of the disease they got from the Icean Spine. Gabrio had no other choice but to report his findings to the Inquisitor who made the last choice.

  He did not like the thought of throwing a life away. But he also understood that they did not have the luxury to be flexible in the things that they could not kill through the use of weapons.

  Luxury was not something they could afford. He was hired because he knew how to spot diseases, and somewhat make use of the medicines that they had prepared. If this was a normal vessel, and not a Grand-Galleon equipped to journey a thousand miles from the homeland; then he was sure that they would have already been far demoralized.

  Painful as it was to make the choices. If there was anything that he was glad about this journey was how there were only so little children. Children were susceptible to disease and would likely suffer. Measles, diphtheria, scarlet fever, typhoid, smallpox were diseases that Gabrio feared the most when dealing with his patients. Though some called him ‘caring’ for inspecting them everyday. It was actually part of his duty to keep on checking their condition, making sure that none of them are sickened or ill because of a disease. It was his duty to the Galleon, and for the good of all those who are able and healthy. He would strive for them to be good and healthy.

  At least that’s what he wanted if he had the resources and the ability to do so. There are things he has complete control over, things that he has no control at all, and some that he has some, but no complete control over. He hated the thought of losing a life, and as someone who saved lives, it was abhorrent to him.

  But what can he do other than do his best? Nevertheless, he would never abandon them as long as they did not dare to risk themselves as well.

  Gabrio rested his back on the chair. It was dim in his cabin. There was constant groaning on the side of the Galleon’s hull that made him pray or shudder. He had gotten used to life in the Galleon, but nonetheless there were just fears and worries that did not go away.

  Gabrio tied the leather straps of his journal, and placed it inside his luggage where it could be hidden and safe. He then placed the rest of his items below the nailed down bed. Gabrio stopped as he heard the cannons still firing loudly alongside the gunshots.

  He was rather glad that they could finally get out of the first problem that they have when coming to the Icean Spine.

  At the same time he was worried about the defenders of the people that lived in the northern area of the Icean Spine.

  But then again, what can he do other than wait for the results? It was nerve-wracking, but he had no other choice about it.

  He was not a leader of the fleet, not a chosen one, and not even someone who held authority or the qualifications to even dare tell them on the actions the fleet should take.

  Nonetheless, Gabrio didn’t dare to underestimate those who have been commanding the fleet and have been leading them to safety.

  And that the responsibility that he had right now was more than enough to burden him. He didn’t want to be on the shoes of his leaders.