(Due to water damage, many of the entries in this journal are barely legible.)
If Mirah had coin for every time a smoothskin had a map and a dream, she’d never have to charter her ship to fools for scraps again. Today, a treasure sniffer by the name of Gallus begged every sailor he could to take him out into Thrassian waters. Poor fool doesn’t realize what a superstitious bunch sailors can be.
* * *
That Gallus came back around the docks today. Mirah snuck a quick peek at his map. Maybe he’s onto something after all.
* * *
Gallus says that Mirah’s eyes frighten him. That they shine like a beast’s when the lantern goes out. This one does not think that is a bad thing. Mirah has learned that fear is a powerful tool when dealing with treasure-seeking smoothskins. Besides, it wasn’t this one’s idea to sail at night, lanterns dark. Gallus insisted on it, even now as he squints at his map. A dull-clawed fool with barely a hair on his face. Jone and Jode guide us!
* * *
We’ve come to the edge of a dead coral reef. Gallus seems excited, but all this one sees is a week wasted in dangerous waters. However, Gallus has proven to be a gifted swimmer with some apparent knowledge of water-breathing magics. He spent most of the day diving and pulling up bits of stone and debris. He promised me riches and insists that we’re close, but Mirah has her doubts.
* * *
Something strange happened today. While fishing, this one thought she saw Gallus come up for air near her hook. Mirah was ready to scold him for scaring away dinner. Even had one of his rocks in hand to throw at him. But it wasn’t Gallus. This one blinked and, where Mirah thought she had seen the face of the treasure-seeker, she saw only dead coral, pale white and dull in the afternoon sun.
* * *
Three days of diving and finally Gallus has something to show for it. A sack full of gold stamped with the Alessian Empire’s symbol. Damned smoothskin found the wreck of an All Flags Navy ship. Mirah’s mouth waters at the thought of what else might be down there.
* * *
It’s sundown and Gallus has yet to surface for air. Even with what little magic he possessed, Mirah knows he can’t have lasted this long under water. Mirah’s stomach churns at the thought. No use in sailing away now. Sun is too low and even the breeze has deserted us. If Gallus hasn’t returned by morning, this one will sail back to Vastyr.
* * *
Knocking on the hull? This one is not imagining the sound. Something is banging on the outside of the ship, below the water line. Dawn can’t come soon enough.
* * *
This one saw him. Gallus. Even with the wind behind us and the reef far back, Mirah’s claws shake while she writes this. He was twisted. Transformed into a misshapen husk. Curse that map. Curse those waters. May Khenarthi guide Gallus to Llesw’er.
* * *
Knocking. Mirah still hears the knocking.
