Day 1 Week 1

We set sail at midnight and are all anxious to be underway. The Captain, John Palos, says that the journey should not take too long, about two months. Our destination is the Northern Shore. An expedition party has been there for the last year and returned with chests full of gold and gems. They said they're plentiful, enough for a whole new populous to survive. With this fortune ready to be recovered, I'll be able to ensure that we live confortably. My wife and two sons are also coming. We plan to settle the area with the other families. There are about twenty-three of us plus the crew on board and hopefully we'll make it to the Northern Shore.

Day 3 Week 1

It is only the third day but if feels like a week. Captain John says the weather is not good, not enough wind. I was in the storage hold yesterday and it looks as though the food and water supplies should last us well after we reach the shore, but the Captain feels as though we should start to ration just as a precaution. My wife is not coping well with the movement of the ship and I find her constantly hanging over the port side. My sons are doing their best to stay out of the crew's way and I usually find them with a couple of other children on the ship. It is getting dark and the Captain recommends against the use of candles as we might need them later. I must finish now.

Day 2 Week 2

Food supplies seem to be okay although some meat had spoilt and had to be thrown overboard. My wife appears to be getting used to the sea, though she has lost so much weight. With the way our food is distributed I fear for my wife, I hope she's strong enough to hold on. We almost had an accident today. The first mate was on the bridge and the clumsy oaf dropped the sextant. Luckily it did not break as it is our only means of navigation, we would've been lost without it. Last night I was on the deck with my wife and as we looked to the heavens we saw the most wondrous sight. Three comets crossed the sky. We both made our wishes, me hoping to get to the Northern Shore before too long, and she, that we would be together forever.

Day 5 Week 2

I was talking with the captain today, he is a tall fellow. His chin and left portion of his face is scarred, remnants of a battle perhaps. His manner of clothing is simple but it has an air of authority. When near him the smell of damp tobacco fills the air, making him truly remarkable. He is supposedly a veteran of the sea and this passage. He tells me that this is the first time in all his voyages to the Northern Shore that he will arrive ahead of schedule, though I do not hold too much faith to his words. I can see that the sails barely fill and our progress has been torture on the crew, as they seem to be dull and lacking the enthusiasm sailors are noted for. I feel as though the captain is lying to me, to the crew, sometimes I wonder if we're actually headed for the Northern Shore. Perhaps I have been in the sun too long, in any event, I am beginning to feel that something is wrong.

Day 6 Week 2

My wife has fallen ill and my sons show great concern. God I hope she does not die. I am finding it hard to write, my emotions are besting me.

Day 5 Week 4

It has been a week since my wife died and I am still mourning for her. Why am I here? I knew she did not want to come, I should not have made her come. Damn it. If it was not for me she would still be alive. My dreams have been shattered, I want to return home, but the captain tells me that we have passed the point of no return, now we are committed to the Northern Shore. No amount of money can be worth this. My sons seem to be handling this well, but I must not let them see my pain.

Day 3 Week 5

My beard has become untidy. My wife, she would help shave me. Always she would say "If you must grow one be sure to keep it tidy." Now she is gone and I am alone. My two sons have taken to the look of two girls aboard. I guess I should pay more attention but I have been too occupied. Captain says that the weather may become rough and the temperature will begin to cool. Our food supplies are half what we started and so we should be fine. Last night, I was topside and I swear I could feel her there, next to me. Whatever shall I do? She was part of me and now emptiness. Can my life still have meaning?

Day 4 Week 6

The wind has picked up today. Captain says it will not be long now, maybe within the week. The morale has picked up and I feel like the only one who is not happy. As I looked out to the horizon I swear I could see land, Captain John assures me that it was just the sea playing tricks with me. There are some clouds building up to the west, hopefully, with not far to go we won't run into any trouble. What does it matter?

Day 1 Week 7

We had a brief encounter with a storm last night. Everyone seems to be all right. One of the sails was torn by the heavy winds, luckily the Captain anticipated this and had organised to carry spare sails in the hold, so we're still underway. Through the use of the sextant and the captain's crude map navigation tells us that we should reach the Northern shore any day now. I cannot say that I am overwhelmed by this prospect, but I can say I do feel some happiness. My sons seem to be getting on well and our food supplies will last may be another two weeks. I cannot say that this was worth it. I do hope I can start again.

Day 4 Week 7

LAND! I can see it, the crew cheers, but the Captain is hesitant. We want to go ashore but the Captain says we should wait until tomorrow when there is more light. We cannot see much as we are too far out, but the mountains look magnificent. Their peaks are covered in snow, almost half way down it becomes green. Trees! Oh to hug a tree. To have soil beneath my feet. These things I want, I need. If only my wife was here to see it. She would have loved this. Then again she would be alive if it was not for me. My sons are calling to me I must go.

Day 5 Week 7

We left the ship by skiff and are surveying the area. The land is bountiful, the forest to the north will provide us with enough lumber and game to help us survive. The ship leaves for the city of Toran in a week and Captain John has told us that we could return with him should we want to. We will be spending most of the next few days carting our tools and belongings ashore. Some of the settlers feel ready to tackle the mountains others are off to search for the gold and gems. As for me, I will settle near here, so that I may glance out to the sea. Maybe I will see her again, who knows? Maybe soon I'll join her.