📖 Week № 7: May 23-30, 1823.

📝 Day № 43: May 23, 1823.

⏳18:46

After about twelve hours on the horizon we saw a small island where we hoped to find clean water and maybe some edible vegetation. The jerky that the grateful villagers had supplied us with was not endless and we needed to replenish our supplies...

After reaching a safe distance to the island so as not to run aground, we decided to transfer to our boat. We loaded up the empty barrels, empty bags and didn't forget our stowaway, a resident of the swamps here.

• Stan, Pancho, Lin, stay on the boat, we'll head to the island, get some water and mushrooms with berries. In the meantime, you guys try to catch some fish.

  I handed out instructions, got in the boat with Bioz, Keith and Win and we set off towards the island.

After half an hour of paddling we reached the right place. Keith jumped off the boat, hammered a wooden stake into the ground with the back of his axe and tied the boat to it.

• I hope no one is here and no one will drag our boat away. - he said, tying the last knot.

• Leave the barrel with the mermaid by the shore. we'll decide where to put it later. We'll take the rest when we find water so we don't have to carry them with us.

So we did. Unloaded, the barrels taken from the ship and left them on the shore in the care of the baby mermaid.

We made our way through the bushes and tall grass further and further into the interior of the island until we finally came upon the source, from which the clearest water was gushing.

• You fill the barrels with water while I gather something edible. - Win took the bag, got the knife and went into the bushes the opposite direction from where we came from. Drawing water into a barrel from a small spring wasn't easy. We had to fill the canteen first and then pour into a bigger container… Meanwhile on the ship the guys were trying to catch fish:

• Didn't your grandfather teach you how to fish? Put the bait tight on the hook. There, that's better. You youngsters need to be taught everything. - Stan, was a little nervous, teaching Lin how to fish.

• On the island I used to fish off the shore, with a spear. I was pretty good at it by the way.

• Well excuse me Mr., you're not on an island now, you're on a deadly voyage and I wouldn't recommend you going in the water. - With irony on his face Stan replied to the boy.

Suddenly from the direction of the swamp the team heard a childish shriek. Pancho jumped out onto the deck and Stan and Lin dropped their rods.

• Did you hear! It's hardly the lads on the island squealing like that but it's not like there should be any kids there either. What the hell? - Said Stan looking out towards the swamp.

We meanwhile also dropped our activities and rushed towards the boat as that's where we heard the sound from. As we got closer we bared our blades and coming out of the bushes towards the shore we found just a broken barrel. The barrel in which the cub was sitting. After looking around we got closer and saw blood drops and tracks leading from the barrel to the water.

• What the hell? Who dragged him off? There's knee-deep water. - Bioz asked with surprise looking at me

• I don't know, but we’ve gotta get out of here. A minute later Win came out of the bushes towards us. And we met him with our guns up. And there's not many people out there coming out of the bushes.

• Hey put your guns down I'm in peace," laughed Win. - Why'd you all quit, then? And why did you break the barrel?

• Someone dragged him into the water and I think he got hurt. Or maybe he was...

  - I pointed to the pile of wood left from the barrel and the blood on the ground .

• Well I heard screaming that's why I ran to you. Okay, I picked some mushrooms and berries. Let's get some water and get out of here. Let's ask the guys on the ship to see if they've seen anything.

When we got back we exchanged some info with the crew and decided to get out of the dangerous area.

One less passenger on the boat today. Good or bad I don't know. The church and the secret door in it are not long away so we're off again…

📝 Day № 44: May 24, 1823.

⏳14:22

Today at lunch while laying out the food on plates Win quite accidentally remembered that he had brought an island where we had recently stopped to replenish supplies, not just berries and mushrooms.

• Flies in my soup! Guys, I found something on that island! What a memory. I'll show you now. - Win pulled out his bag and pulled out a piece of paper and something that looked like a weird hat...

• Hey! Look what I found. You won't believe it, but right in the middle of the island there was a mannequin standing. At first I thought it was a man I called out to him but he didn't say a word and didn't move. So I approached him from the side and poked him with sword gently to his shoulder - no reaction. Then I understood it was a dummy. - Win told us enthusiastically and in detail.

• Wait" - Keith intervened in the story.

• How could you forget about it?

• Well... I heard the scream and ran to your aid. And then while going back and forth, it slipped my mind. - Win made excuses and we just rolled our eyes and shook our hands.

• Let me see the hat. - I took the strange headdress in my hands and twirled it to get a better look.

• Yeah, only wizards wear one of those. I wouldn't be surprised if there were some in the swamps around here. After what I've been through, I'm not easily surprised. What's the note say? Let me read it.

• Here you go - without unfolding the slip of paper Win gave it to me. It was in the pocket of his robe. There seems to be some poetry in there, or maybe just notes from a madman. I unfolded the paper and read what was written out loud:

The old wizard is pacing in the moors, Ancient magic he radiates, Knows all the secrets of the place, He's been wielding the power of nature since childhood. His eyes are almost blind, but his mind does not slumber, The wind and the birds are all around him. On his boat in the dark, He knows all the secrets. He is Satan's henchman.

• It really does look like he's nuts. I hope he's drowned in the swamps somewhere and we don't meet him. Although, if he's been wandering around here for a long time he probably has information about objects flying over the swamps. - Bioz thought to himself.

• Stan, what do you think of that?

• To hell with the madman. Pour me a drink.

We laughed and hung it on the nail, deciding to deal with it later…

📝 Day № 45: May 25, 1823.

⏳17:34

I shouldn't have put so much pressure on the food yesterday. Damn mushrooms showed themselves in all their glory. Maybe there really are a couple of fly agaric mushrooms in there!

The panic and flight from that cursed island made itself felt on the second day. We didn't have time to replenish ourselves with either water or food! And what we had was coming to an end. We had to put the whole team on rationed food. Otherwise, in case of us running out completely! Hunger knows no mercy and likes to torment for a very long, long time…

• Rogvold! We're in trouble again. Let's go! - A worried Stan said bursting into my small and cozy cabin.

• What happened?

• Come! You'll see for yourself!

On deck, everything became crystal clear. Our past travelling companions weren't going anywhere. They kept a decent distance away from the ship and watched us angrily. Some sang and their singing permeated our minds all the way to our cerebellum. The melody was both dark and prickly. It was also strangely beckoning, becoming clearer and more pleasant by the minute. This made it even more frightening.

• I advise you not to listen to them! It’s probably some kind of hypnosis. All my abilities stopped working properly. Even before I couldn't concentrate properly and now I find myself helpless. - Worried Bioz.

• Let's make earplugs! And we'll be on deck in shifts. Two men each.

• All right! Except the kid better stay in the hold and keep his head down.

• Got it. I won't stick my head out!

• Looks like he didn't have to be told twice.

We moved on. By evening the singing had died down a bit, and we got away from our creepy pursuers. After a couple of hours we saw the island on the horizon. This time let's try to replenish our supplies properly. And now nothing can stop us. Pretty much nothing! We moved closer and dropped anchor. Stan and Pancho volunteered to help me. We launched the boat and sailed out to explore. We docked and looked around. At first glance it looked calm. We didn't risk splitting up and decided to explore the shore first.

• Damn! Guys come here!

• Stan. What is it again? When you call me out, it doesn't end well!

• I'll say it again. But you better come see for yourself!

I walked up to it and was horrified! There was a slightly bloodied and broken barrel lying on the bank. Just the same one we carried the baby in! That was definitely our barrel!

📝 Day № 46: May 26, 1823.

⏳19:22

Yesterday we didn't risk exploring the island again. We waited for the morning on the ship and again disembarked for supplies. Lucky to got water on board without any problems. We also collected some fruit and berries. Our handyman Pancho even shot us a couple of hares. The roast for a couple of days will please us nicely. And this time I specifically warned him. No mushrooms!..

Let's get out of here again. But how did we get to that damn island again? No one could explain it. Even Bioz with his superpowers was powerless. Something is deliberately jamming it and thus putting us in an even greater stupor… What to do? Unknown. We sail on and hope that this time we manage to swim out of this depressing madness.

I had totally forgotten the spyglass…! Let me have a proper look around!

• Well? Do you something? - Win was on duty at the helm and noticed my concern.

• Nothing! Absolutely nothing! Not even a single glowing marking around. I'm not talking about anything natural anymore. Islands, reefs…

• I don't want to make a big deal out of it. But I feel like we're sailing in circles.

• Me too. Wouldn't be much fun if we went back to that damn island again!

• Here we go!

I turned around and saw hundreds of ugly non-human heads sticking out of the water again.

Again the chanting came from all directions and got even louder than before. They want to slowly drive us crazy. This time they decided to act in the twilight to increase the already building pressure on the deck.

• Bloody bastards! Fuck off! Suddenly Bioz jumped out on deck with his gun. He rushed to the port side and started firing inexplicably. I threw myself at him to make sure he didn't do anything irreparable!

• Stop! Bioz! Calm down! They annoy me too, you've got to be patient!

• You don't understand! It's like they get inside my head and yell right in my ear. This fucking singing is driving me crazy. I tried to concentrate! Wanting to get us out of here! But I can't do anything! Fucking things!

A few more shots echoed across the deck. When he stopped to reload, I snatched his gun and tried to calm him down. The others were already standing behind him in confusion and didn't know how to help.

• So Bioz is no longer on duty. Put him in the hold and look after him one by one. And... And no weapons for him!

This ever-pressurising atmosphere. That nasty hypnotic chanting, can shake a healthy mind too. And here's a visionary who sees the world differently. Sees things differently than we do. Yes and more than we do. No wonder he got influenced and started giving up his position first. We’ve gotta get on with it quick! But how?

📝 Day № 47: May 27, 1823.

⏳19:54

The singing kept us awake until the morning. In the morning everyone wanted to unload a clip or more than one at the creatures. By some miracle we restrained ourselves. But it was getting harder and harder by the minute. Thankfully they finally shut up and got out of sight. I guess even these critters need a rest…

• Let me on deck! I felt something. - Bioz said as he suddenly jumped up from the hammock and headed outside. Stan tried to stop him, but this time he didn't seem as crazy as before.

• Give it to me! Hurry up! And lower the sails! - Bioz stared into the water to starboard.

• I'm not giving you the gun! Don't even ask!

• What gun! I need a hook and a long rope. And slow down!

We quickly found what he asked for, but we were still on our guard. There's no telling what he might do after that crazy night Bioz tied the rope to the hook and threw it overboard. Once... Pulling it out... Then a second time... Several more unsuccessful attempts followed.

• Got him! Help! Pull it up!

Indeed. The hook was caught on something. We wrapped our arms around the rope and dragged it towards us. Something big and iron was on the other end. At first we couldn't move it, but after a few tries we managed to lift the weight. The rope jerked away from the side and we finally saw what was at the other end.

The guys' eyes widened in surprise. A cage the size of a large barrel was dragged onto the deck. Inside of which a baby mermaid was sitting, barely alive. It seemed scared to look at us, it looked completely exhausted. And couldn't even move.

• What are they doing?

• looks like some kind of torture. Is the cage attached to the ship? From below?

• Yes! Bring it something to eat. - Bioz opened the cage and took out the tortured creature from there.

• I wonder if it can talk? - Asked Keith, looking at the strange body.

• Could. But it doesn't have the strength right now. Let it rest. - The seer replied dryly.

It greedily ate fruit and passed out. We won't learn anything from it today. The sun was coming down behind the sky. Bringing the imminent arrival of darkness. Our enemies were already getting ready… They couldn't wait to give us another crazy night!!!

📝 Day № 48: May 28, 1823.

⏳21:35

Another hellish night has come to an end Will we make it through the next one? Not only Bioz, but everyone else's nerves were starting to fail. Besides, this endless sailing around in circles did not seem like speculation to anyone anymore...

In the morning the cursed island appeared on the horizon again. And this time no one wanted to explore it anymore. What should we do? Asking myself that question again. How do we get out of this bloody closed loop!

By lunchtime our new passenger came to its senses and started devouring the fruit on board at the speed of sound. And the sound, I note, was disgusting. How long had it been starved by those monsters? And why did they do this to their kin in the first place? - Bioz pondered.

• What is it? Has it said anything?

• Not yet, no. We're just waiting for it to eat. You'd better clear out, all of you. It's afraid of you, and it will be easier for me to talk to it alone. - He shook his head at the seer and pointed to the outside. After a while Bioz came out and shared the information with us.

• Turns out this squirt is not from their tribe, but from a neighbouring clan. Which this one is feuding with. And not just any merchild, but the grandson of a chief! - enthusiastically began the story our shaman.

• This is the second time over the last couple of weeks that he has sneaked onto our ship.

• Is there some kind of attraction for them? - Pancho said sternly Looking at Lin.

• But we're not going to leave that one here for long! And what about these creatures? - As for our enemies, they won't attack us head-on. They'll torture us until we're insane and give up. They'll use magic to drive us around and block everything on the ship. That's why there's no way out.

• There must be some way! - outraged Stan.

• Bingo! Let's pretend to give up! Let's lower the sails and wait in the hold for guests.

• What about this hypnosis? I'm afraid we won't last another night!

• I'll try to make a potion to counteract it! Everything I need should be on the ship.

• Then get ready for battle! All weapons and supplies to the hold. Let's give them one last fight!

We went down to the hold and started waiting. In the evening, as before, the frantic singing continued. Every hour it got louder and louder. The creatures got quite brazen and probably swam right up against the ship!

Next came an hour-long marinade. Around midnight footsteps on the deck could be heard. And after some more time the creatures burst into the hold!

The barricades slowed the attackers down. This allowed us to properly discharge everything we had at them. Did it help? In one way yes! But on the other hand our enemies got more aggressive and angry. A hand to hand fight ensued. Stan, Win and I tried to hold them back in the pass, while the rest of the guys reloaded and fired at those who flanked them. The corpses of the monsters filled the entire hold. But the hordes of creatures following behind didn't think to stop! More than a hundred for sure! Scraps of flesh and body parts were flying in all directions. Suddenly Stan was wounded in the arm and then in the back. He fell to the floor and slid behind me. I, on the other hand, with even more fury continued to chop anything that approached us! Our defences started to give up…

The critters started to slip to the rear and collided with the rest of us. There was no time to watch what was happening... Just kept chopping! Chop! Chop…

📝 Day № 49: May 29, 1823.

⏳18:15

We had some terrible nights on the moor, it was unimaginable! Thankfully everyone survived, it's unclear how. There were, of course, wounded. Stan got the worst of it. He got his arm, back and stomach ripped open. Win almost lost an eye, now he'll walk around with a scar. Pancho broke a couple of fingers. Keith will have to lie down for a week as his leg was badly injured and he can't walk. The rest of us, are covered head to toe in cuts, scratches, and the occasional bite. But it could have been much worse. There's a real carnage and bloodbath in the hold now. It's scary to even go down there. We slept on deck, but there was a horrible stench all over the ship...

• What do we do?

• Kid says we should sail to his clan. They will help us.

• Oh! I don't know! What if it starts there too? We won’t survive a second round!

• Don't worry. My strength is starting to come back. He's not lying and I can't feel any danger from over there.

• All right, let's believe it. Then the course... Where's the course?

• We're almost there. We'll deviate a bit, but not too much.

By evening we arrived at the right place. Apart from the reefs and a small rocky area of a few dozen square metres there was nothing there. The Mermal clan, or rather the Marmals as they called themselves, were underwater creatures and were almost no different from the ones we had fought. At least they did not show any intention to kill us and tear us apart. Everyone was happy to have the baby back and didn't know how to thank us. They even gave us a little feast on this miniature reef island. Mostly fish, but we also came across all kinds of unusual seaweed and caviar. We didn't want to eat it raw, so we built a fire and Pancho started cooking. In spite of his broken fingers... The Marmals took over the cleaning of the ship. They asked us to spend the night on the island while they spent the night cleaning our beloved ship from the bow to hull. They worked until the morning. We didn't have the energy to follow them and despite the situation, everyone slept like a dead man. In the morning we were awakened and told that everything was ready. Their leader was waiting on the ship and wanted to personally thank us one last time.

• Brave warriors! We don't know how to thank you! We have nothing of value. We've gathered you supplies. Cleaned out your ship, but we still owe you a debt of gratitude. For saving my grandson and ridding us of our sworn enemies. Ask us for whatever you want. We will always help you and come to your aid in time of need. Here's a magic shell from us. When you blow through it , it will summon us for help, no matter where you are in the water we will come to you.

• Oh, boy! Great. - Win unabashedly walked up to the ringleader and took the artifact.

• Where did you learn to talk like that? - Keith queried, that's what bothered him the most.

• We know the human language, and we communicate with humans. I can even read. none of the books says how to thank heroes for their help.

• Ha ha ha - we all laughed.

• Now I see where all this pathos is coming from. Good. And thank you for the supplies and the shell. We should be on our way.

• Bon voyage! Our heroes! Be warned, you're being hunted and followed by evil. Be very careful.

• Did you read that in a book too?

• No! It's the true! It spoke to us and demanded to kill you! But we refused and so it stole my grandson.

• What else can you tell us about this Evil One?

• Alas, nothing. We only know that a very powerful mage is behind it. That's all…

📝 Day № 50: May 30, 1823.

⏳18:55

We finally continued on to the main destination. We expect to get there by evening, maybe even sooner. The mood on the ship is dismal. The long days of psychological pressure and now the wounds were a constant reminder. We changed our bandages often and kept an eye on every wound. We didn't want to lose a leg or an arm because of some stupid negligence. Everyone wanted to be back in action as soon as possible and to forget about these unnecessary problems…

The weather also threw us a nasty surprise. The wind had completely disappeared and left the ship with nothing to fill the sails. The ship hardly moved and there was nothing else to do but sit and wait for a change in weather. It went on like that all day and in the evening a heavy fog added to all this.

• Damn! Is anyone besides me wishing we could use oars now?

• We'd be in position by now! And even the wounds wouldn't have hurt! - Joking amongst friends, until Bioz came up to me and spoke anxiously.

• Guys! We need to get ready, something bad is about to happen. I think we're being surrounded!

• From where? There's not a living soul around!

• That's the problem! There are no living ones!

The guests didn't have to wait long. From the back of the ship strange noises began to be heard. As if someone's claws were digging into the wood and climbing up in this way. I cautiously approached the edge to look over the side.

• Who wanted a second round yesterday? All to arms zombies!

  The first of them had already shown their rotten hands and started climbing onto the deck. We tried not to let them do this and dropped them back down. But there were so many attacking. They managed to outnumber us and corner us. We took up a circular defence and fought back with all our might. Firearms were practically useless against them. We could only use brute force. Luckily they were even weaker physically than the previous monsters. This played to our advantage, even though they were wounded. The main thing is not to get caught by their sharp and strong teeth. They would rip us apart in the blink of an eye and nothing would help!

No one knows what higher power has saved us this time too. By some miracle we had escaped! The whole deck was strewn with wet, decomposing corpses. But we survived in one piece.

• Damn! What a pre-bedtime workout! I'm sore all over! - Barely on his feet Stan but somehow managed to make a joke.

• I think I can guess where the zombies came from! - Win walked up to one of the corpses and started searching it.

• They are the missing people from the village where we are going. - Summed up Bioz.

• Looks like it. There's women here too! Ugh! And even children! Ugh!... - Pancho spat angrily.

• Finding some torn note from one. - Win pulled it out and started reading...

My brother dear, you were on target, Almost found what we're looking for. But was burned to ashes by the enemy, By the light of the morning moon...

• Guys! Get out on your own this time... - Stan sat down exhausted and then suddenly passed out…