The birds are gone.
They screamed their warning:
Turn back! Turn back! Land is behind you!
The birds are gone.
Intelligence is mute, save for our soulful boat. We have had no contact wth anyone since Sorak spotted oars in the water far off, two nights past. It is doubtful we were spotted. Helmut was not informed despite our long-range proximity to Scrape. Even a friendly encounter would have only delayed us. And of course, it could have been the Danes ...
Now that we are in the deep and settled into steady progress, The Party, so as to separate from The Crew, are free to meander. Kheops goes for daily gallops on his flying steed. Helmut has reached the bottom of the ocean in a feat of his own. When I write the famous tale, I shall dedicate some pages to it. One exploit among many that will become associated with the mission. The wizards are bored. I should make those wimps row!
Sorak is building a diving board. He has picked up carpentry since we last journeyed together. I must admit, the board matches the ship well, and is retractable. Wouldn't it be hilarious to force someone to exit the ship by that means? Simply walking over the edge and left to their fate. Not execution - call it "eviction".
All is well. No storms. No sea monsters. At current pace, we should be well within the three month window when we touch the Eastern shores. In living history no one has even attempted this. That knowledge hovers over the crew. But for all that, morale is high. May good fortune perservere.
Captain's Log - July 24 - 1 week before departure
One month of preparation before sailing around the world will seem completely insane to my people. Touched by the human curse they'll say. But I had no choice: the seasons change at the pace of men, not elves. The summer is slipping away.
The Carthy crew is ready. And I mean to reward them for their efforts. Tomorrow over lunch I'll give them the news. When our mission is complete, I will take the first two picks in the division of spoils. Hannibal shall have the third. the fouth shall go to the "most valuable crewman" and any picks I have left will be distributed by lot. The entire Carthy crew will split 1/2 of my share of the nonmagical wealth evenly. If they didn't have enough incentive to be loyal before, they certainly will now.
The Aelfbane is the most seaworthy vessel I've ever encountered, Squatter and sturdier than the much ballyhooed longship. She is in her element in a stiff breeze and remarkably sound in deep sea and high waves. I have no qualms with her Norse craftsmanship. My wish to see their race entirely vanquished in no way competes with my respect for their seacraft. Besides ... we captured this ship in battle - the spoils of war come with their own rules of heritage.
We are on schedule. I shall take an inventory tomorrow morning. No chickens.
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