Tales of the Island Symphony

by Light Onthemayo

With Cunimincus and his demonic crew gone, the search is on again for Irleen's home. The following stories have NOTHING to do with that search. This is a series featuring the crew of the Island Symphony at their looniest (mostly), detailing events that may or may not have happened during and after Sky Lines.

23. Well, When You Put it That Way

NOTICE: This is just text from Sky Lines; it's already canon.

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Tale #23: "Well, When You Put it That Way, It Sounds Like I've Lost My Mind"

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Official Log Book, Skyriders Airship Island Sonata.

—I, Lieutenant Link, do hereby declare this ship, the Island Sonata, to be under my command as skipper on the above date as a fleet vessel of the Skyrider Company.

—Set out from Skyrider Port after repairs and refit were completed with only one airman aboard, destination Castle Island, purpose recognition ceremony.

—This has been a rather worrisome day for me. Not only was I promoted to lieutenant when I didn't realize that promotion was possible, but I've been given command of the Island Sonata against all expectations. Just an hour into my command, and I feel that I've already experienced conflict with Line, my only crewman. I consider Line to be one of my best friends, and I shudder to think of what kind of problems I may have with even a small crew. I can't help feeling that this is some kind of mistake, but I don't want to tell anyone else right now. Maybe if I just run with it for now, something interesting might happen.

—Took on two passengers from Castle Island for transport to Forelight Island: Princess Zelda of the Hyrule royal family and a Sorian girl called Rireen. Course laid out along the Northwest Sky Line, transfer at Turtle Island, and resuming passage along the Dawn Sky Line.

—I've only been in command for a matter of hours, and I feel like I've already lost my mind. I can only imagine the trouble I can get into for ferrying the princess to what has to be the most dangerous place in the sky, so I rest assured that I might be killed as we cross through the Undying Storm. I don't know if I can even tell Captain Alfonzo about all of this. I just hope that I can get Princess Zelda and Rireen to Forelight Island safely. After that, I should be able to relax.

—As for the princess and my crew, no one appears to have caught on to who she is. It's actually a bit of a surprise; even Line doesn't seem to have realized it, and I expected him to pummel me into the deck boards for not cluing him in on her presence earlier. This may have something to do with Rireen being on board; she seems to be far more interesting.

—I tried to have a personal conversation with Princess Zelda this afternoon. I must be some kind of idiot.

—Supplemental.

—We've been traveling the Dawn Line for a little over two hours. I guess the maps I brought from the branch office in Castle Town weren't very accurate, but who can expect accuracy when Forelight Island is the last place anyone wants to go. Life on the deck has quieted down. It leaves an almost grim atmosphere as each one of us slowly comes to what may be the conclusion of the Island Sonata's days as well as our own. The Sorian Rireen still hasn't revealed this secret which will prevent us from being torn apart in the Undying Storm. At this point, I find myself hoping that it's at least some kind of charm that might protect us from being struck by lightning.

—We need all the help we can get.

…

Personal Journal of Captain Link/Official Log Book, Skyriders Airship Island Symphony

—Day 2. I guess.

—Meilont gave me this journal last night. I suppose she was just trying to help cheer me up. But I really don't know if I can. I've lost practically everything. The Island Sonata's been destroyed. And I've made shore on the surface world. All hope of seeing anything remotely resembling home is gone. And my crew—I don't know if they're alive or not. Talein said that my ship was the only one to fall out of the sky the evening before last. I suppose that can be some comfort; it means that somewhere up there, the crew and passenger of the Horizon's Eye may still be alive. Although what has become of them—I'm not sure if I want to think about it.

—At the same time, I feel guilty. Now that I've had time to reflect on things, I can't help noticing all the signs that I missed. That dream—I remember Irleen telling me that whatever magic she used to impress my experiences with my crew onto Captain Koroul may have caused that, although I had the dream just the day before. I've spent some of my waking hours struggling to remember anymore dreams that I might've had, but they keep eluding me. It makes me wish I had the knowledge behind the magic. But worse, I wish I had her. And that's just another part of my guilt: the fact that I survived and was found, but she seems to have disappeared without a trace. I can't remember anything before we impacted the ground—I must have hit my head. I want to believe she survived, too, but where could she be?

—I suppose I'm cond—no, "condemned" is the wrong word. I've been trying to shake the idea of the surface world as a prison. But just repeating the idea of this becoming my permanent home doesn't make it any easier to accept. I've never been long without the feel of a rocking airship beneath me. Now I'll never have it again. I just don't know what to do.

—Just finished dinner with Meilont and Talein. She didn't tell him about what happened earlier, and I find that I'm grateful for it. I think I've had enough people tell me how stupid I've been for today.

—I'm sitting in my bed now, writing using what light I have left from the setting sun. It feels so strange not being able to feel the full warmth of the sun on my face. The haze I've come to know from looking beneath my feet now feels like it's made a permanent home high over my head. Was I really so d—stupid to not realize what kind of problems it would make for those who still lived down here? Are w—Are we really that ignorant?

—I've toyed with the idea of setting out and discovering what makes that haze. But I think part of me would rather stay in Whittleton. With her.

—Day 3.

—I've spent most of the day in bed.

—Meilont brought Dissal and Lura to visit me. She told them about my wounds, so they were surprised to find out that my catching Doctor Beld's attention was not as clever an act as they first thought. I really don't know what I was thinking! And I think everyone else I talked with today made me have that same thought over and over again. I've more or less promised everyone that I won't do it again, but I'm not sure what I can do if I ever see those guys again. The way I feel now, I probably couldn't even run away. I might just stay here tomorrow; Doctor Beld says I need to take it easy.

—Day 4.

—I ache all over. Doctor Beld was giving me a thorough examination today, which appears to include pressing down hard on my wounds. I can barely move; I had to ask Meilont to bring this book since I left it on the desk last night. The doctor says that I still have a lot of bruising; his examination proved that even before he told me. I feel like I know exactly where my pain begins and ends. But he also said that I should be well enough to move soon. I wanted to tell him the chances of that were slim thanks to the exam, but I think I've already caused enough problems for him.

—Something else, too. I dreamed last night that I was back on the Island Sonata while it fell out of the sky. It seems a little blurry now; it's early into the evening right now. I remember seeing the whistle for the ballast tank pop. The fear—I'm amazed I was able to think so clearly back when it happened. Just recalling it now makes me wonder where I had the presence of mind to run to my cabin while the ship fell apart around me. That part, I remembered, too. I know I had Irleen with me; she was asking me why we had run to my cabin. I threw my spare clothes onto the floor under my hammock, and then—I've forgotten again. This whole day, it felt so clear to me that I could almost feel what Irleen was feeling as we dropped. But, I suppose it's a little too late now.

—Talein brought me a map of the surrounding region. I guess he thought he'd try to help me find home or something. But I couldn't; the map was just too small, and there is no way to tell where Forelight Island is compared to Skyrider Island, not without one of the ship's charts. Judging from what I saw, though, it looks like the Island Sonata came down in an opportune location. If she had fallen from the sky further south, I might not have made it; most of that area is ocean.

—Day 5.

—I had that dream again. This time, I think I know what happened just before we hit. I'd jumped into the cot with Irleen, and

—It's been a long day. I forgot the dream. It's frustrating. So far, these dreams have been causing me nothing but trouble, and I wish I could stop them before I go mad.

—I've been contemplating the town's situation lately. If Luggard is right, that the haze may be coming from something to the west of Whittleton, then maybe there's something that can be done. I suppose one obstacle stopping me is the forest, the "Lost Woods" as Luggard called them.

—And I suppose that I'll need some money, too. But if something can be done about the haze, then someone has to do it. Maybe I

—Day 6.

—I haven't been able to move all day. My body is stiff from last night. In addition to the wounds I received when I came down with the Island Sonata, I have bruises on both shoulders, the skin on my hands are raw, and Doctor Beld had to wrap up a large cut on my upper arm. I have barely had the energy to get out of bed to relieve myself. This morning, I tried to walk down the stairs, but I tripped on the first step and nearly fell the whole way down. Talein hauled me back up and dropped me in bed again. Even now, the pen in my hand feels like it's made of iron.

—I gave Gwait his sword back when Dissal brought him by. I can't seem to recall much after the Bulblins ran off yesterday, but someone must have cleaned it for me. I'm still not sure how I feel about having to kill last night. Everything just went by in a blur, and I can't be sure it was even me doing all that. No, I know it was me. I'm not proud of it, but I find that I can only satisfy myself with the knowledge that I prevented a massacre which would have deprived me of another home. Talein keeps commending me on what I did. He told me that, when the Bulblins left, they did not take any of the Bullbos which they rode in on. Apparently, I missed a feast tonight. At first, I thought he meant that they roasted all of them, but he explained that they only ate the dead ones; the rest are being fitted with proper saddles so that they can be used to draw lumber carts.

—So far, it looks like the Bulblins have given up on attacking the village again. I've speculated on why they attacked in the first place. Considering what's been happening with Whittleton and what Talein has told me about them, I think it's possible that they may have attacked for the supplies that Old Seventeen brings. If the situation is bad with the town, I imagine that the Bulblins may not be any better off. I suppose no one will ever know without asking one.

—Day 7.

—I felt a lot better today, so I decided to survey the damage done to the town. A lot of houses were damaged, and the one being used in conjunction with the wall burned completely to the ground. Part of the train platform collapsed; when I saw it, the men were still removing the damaged boards. The Bulblin bodies had already been burned in the field south of town. It amazes me, though, that everyone seems to keep going as if nothing had happened. There were plenty of injuries, but no one appears to have been killed. I guess we stumbled on that tunnel just in time.

—I haven't had that dream in the past two days. It's left me curious, because it feels like there was something important in that dream, but I just can't remember what. I think it might have something to do with Irleen, maybe why Talein did not find her with me. My memory of the fall is still vague. I wish I knew what had happened to her; I'd hate to feel responsible for her death. This whole situa

—I finally found Irleen today! She's trapped in a fairy body, but she thinks she can reverse it. We have to get back to Forelight Island, though.

—I've had my misgivings. I guess I was just ready to give up on going home and make a new one here on the surface. But it seems that the sky won't let me go that easily. I've had an interesting time here in Whittleton, and I want to come back some day. Whether that day is soon or later, I can't say which I would prefer. Soon means that we failed to get an airship. Later means—I guess I don't know quite what it means. I want to go home. I want to stay here. I know I have a place here now, but I can't leave Irleen like she is now. She's in trouble, and she needs help before something decides to eat her. I'm her only friend.

—Meilont says that her mother might be able to sponsor our train ride out to Library Town. I have to make this work. If not for the sake of returning home, then at least for Irleen.

—Day 8.

—Meilont sent out a letter to her mother this morning. She said that the postman was just arriving when she got to the mailbox, so it should get to Library Town by the afternoon. Whenever that will be. I still haven't quite caught on to how they tell time without a clock nearby. The only clock that I've found around here is a broken one near the train platform.

—Talein told us that the Bulblins have been circling the grasslands to the south of the town in tanks. He suspects that they might try something again, so he asked the town elders to send for help from Library Town. Until the Bulblins settle down, he told Meilont that he'll remain in Whittleton instead of searching for more healthy trees to harvest. His bringing that up just reminds me of the haze in the air above. I wish I knew some way to help out.

—I've recently discovered how impatient Irleen can be. I can't tell whether it's because of her new form or if she's always been like that. It makes me glad that she can't read Hylian; she won't stop hovering over my shoulder and badgering me about writing when we should be doing something more constructive. Even now she won't leave me alone. I just hope she'll allow me to sleep.

—Day 9.

—For the first time in days, I woke up feeling great! I don't feel sore at all, and the cut on my arm is almost healed. Doctor Beld still hit me on the head, though. He doesn't like the fact that it took me so long to heal in the first place because of all the "trouble" I've caused. In hindsight, he's probably right. Between getting beat up by Gwait and his friends and the battle with the Bulblins, I suppose that I've taken more punishment than—well, I was going to say "more than necessary", but I think the Bublin attack should be excused. I—

—Meilont kidnapped me. She barged into my room excited, saying that her mother's response was here. She sent a package filled with rupees, totaling 1500. Meilont took me to buy a ticket at the small kiosk next to the train platform, which cost 1465 rupees, so I only have 35 rupees left for—I'm not sure. If money down here works like it does in the clouds, that's barely enough for a few hot meals. She sent along a wallet as well, which Meilont told me to use. But it's pink! I think Meilont's mom might've sent it for her.

—The ticket we got is a morning train, the Twenty-Seven. I was hoping to get a ride on the Seventeen, but I guess it doesn't arrive that early in the morning. I'm really excited about riding on a train, so much that it's late at night and I can't sleep. At least, I think it's late; I still can't tell time. Irleen passed out on the desk not long ago. She probably wore herself out with all the worrying. It seems like I have to reassure her every five minutes!

—I hope I know what I'm doing.

—Day 10—Well, Day 11 now

—I met Meilont's mother and one of her students, Cale. We spent most of the night and a good part of the morning trying to find everything we could about the Architect Ryain. It has probably been the only time I've ever been grateful about not knowing how to tell time down here. Even as I write, I keep drifting off. I'm staying in Cale's place on the east side of Library Town near the Eastern Platforms. He lent me some of his writing stuff while he's out talking to his day-sleeping landlord. Irleen collapsed only a moment ago; I'm using her light to write with since Cale doesn't have any more candles.

—I'm surprised by the amount of luck we had tonight. I fear that, if Luggard hadn't let us into that tavern, our finding out about Ryain would have been much further into the future if even at all. Unfortunately, the revelation that Ryain may have spent his last years hidden in the Lost Woods has caused me some misgivings. I want to be confident that Luggard will navigate us safely to this crypt on the temple grounds, but I'm daunted by his claims of what the Lost Woods do. He said that dead reckoning was one of things that gets lost in the woods, but that, and the hope that the Spirit Tracks can't become lost, are our only means of making it through. If it's a puzzle, I hope it has some kind of solution before we find out just how many of the stories Luggard has heard are true.

—Again, I've found myself torn between the idea of going home and of just staying on the surface. I think it might have something to do with Meilont. When I saw her as the train left, it felt as if I was leaving her to misery. Maybe it was just my own illusion. But if it wasn't, was it possible that I might have hurt her?

—Day 11, afternoon

—We stopped for a late lunch in Fishington before continuing to the Lost Woods. It was weird eating fish. I've had it before, but the fish they have here on the surface are unusually spicy. And the oil reminds me of the kind of grease they use to polish cannons. Maybe it's just me.

—I've come to the conclusion that I just might not stay on the surface. It's not for a lack of interest; I imagine I could manage a very happy life down here if I had no other choice. But these events lately have me convinced that simply settling down might not be an option. I think it might be my years onboard airships somehow manipulating things around me to make sure I don't stay in one place too long. Then again, maybe it's just something wrong with me. What kind of insane world would compel me to move around all the time, anyway?

—Day 11, night

—After getting lost, we realized that we can follow the energized rails of the Spirit Tracks straight to the temple. Unfortunately, that required us to stop and get attacked by Skulltulas. We're resting inside the temple right now using the office car for shelter.

—I'm covered in Skulltula blood. I can't wait to get out of here.

—Day 12

—I think we got an early start on the day. I can't be sure; Luggard is the only one with a watch. It's just into the afternoon – I think – as I sit and write this. We're back on the Seventeen on our way to Diggerton, a large town on the west side of the Lost Woods.

—I don't really know if I can sum up everything that happened this morning. We found the crypt when Cale fell into it almost three floors. It's nothing but luck that he didn't die when he hit the third floor. I had about the same amount of luck when I fell in after him, but at least I stopped before I fell too far. The first floor was okay, but I got attacked by tiles on the second floor. Tiles! I guess I should be glad it wasn't giant blades flying out of the walls or an endless pit falling into the ground. And the third floor—Spinuts and Blastworms, that's all there is to say. Then, when we got back to the surface, we got attacked by a huge bug! I must have been out of my mind to try finding clues in such a stupid place. My clothes are covered in three different kinds of remains and dust. I could use a bath.

—And some sleep. Cale's sleeping right now, and I thought I'd drop into a bunk just like him. But those nightmares I had—I can't seem to shake them. Even now, I feel a little sick, but I think I might also be a little fatigued. And I don't think the packaged rations Luggard brought along are settling in my stomach right. And there's the motion of the train—~~

—I'm glad there's a can nearby.

—I'm feeling better now that we've stopped in Diggerton. I'm waiting on the platform with Cale for Luggard to pass again so I can tell him about the track further down. He wasn't joking about the trains passing by; I've counted three other trains stopping at the platform, one having to wait for another to depart before it could stop. Like the ones in Whittleton, these ones stop, unload supplies, load minerals, and depart. They don't appear to need as much as Whittleton, though. I can't help wondering how things are going back there. How she's doing.

—Our destination is set for the forest south of Diggerton tomorrow. With any luck, we'll find an Architect living out there; from what Cale told me, it's certainly worth a shot. Even without an actual Architect, whoever lives in the forest sounds like the kind of guy we might need.

—I've been having problems getting to sleep. It feels like the moment my head meets the pillow, I can't help thinking I'll have another one just like it. I wish I could do something about it.

—Day 13

—I guess I had another nightmare, but something was different about this one. It didn't scare me. When Irleen woke me up, I realized that I was crying. I had the vague sense of pitying someone, but I just can't figure out who it was. I'm beginning to feel like the dreams are somehow connected, and that they might have something to do with Captain Koroul. Now that I think about it, Irleen did mention that when someone's mind is imprinted onto a crystal, there is a tendency to share dreams. I know I must have had one of Captain Koroul's dreams that day, although I still can't figure out why I saw it even before he had that crystal. Could it be possible that we're still connected? I'm certain that Captain Koroul appeared in this dream, too. Does it mean he's still alive?

—We met Leynne in the forest south of Diggerton. He agreed to help us find another airship which he saw fall into the Snow Realm. I have my suspicions; I think it might be the Horizon's Eye, Captain Koroul's ship. But I find that there are a couple of problems with that. First, the Horizon's Eye should have dropped out of the sky soon after the Island Sonata. The ship Leynne saw fell two days ago. I suppose it's possible that the Horizon's Eye managed to make it some distance before it finally gave out, but that's where the next issue appears. Both the Horizon's Eye and the Island Sonata were travelling south on the Dawn Line. The Island Sonata was shot down first. How did the Horizon's Eye fall out of the sky north of where my ship landed? These are why I doubt that the ship may be the Horizon's Eye, but the question becomes what ship it is. There couldn't possibly be anyone travelling that far north, could there? They would probably have to be somewhere in the middle of the Undying Storm if not further north. I can't be sure; I'm going to ask to see a map of the Snow Realm when we get back to Library Town.

—I've been wondering how we should ask for more money. While we found the descendent of an Architect, it doesn't seem like much. We need money for supplies, fuel for the train, Luggard's pay, possibly some therapy for Cale; he's sleeping in the berths near me, and I can hear him mumbling about gigantic bugs in his sleep.—Then there's Leynne's needs, which I can't really begin to imagine beyond just needing extra supplies. He has a large bag full of stuff that rattles whenever he moves it. I don't know what's in it, I don't know what he's going to do with it. I just don't know.

—Day 14

—It's been so long since I last thought about the crew of the Island Sonata. Now I find that any thoughts about them fear for their eventual deaths when the second ship fell from the sky. I find myself horrified to realize that I've been looking at my compass the wrong way for years. As it turns out, what I once thought was 'north' is called 'south' down here. I didn't think about it until Irleen pointed out the direction the sun had risen from. I don't know why she hadn't corrected me when I said that both the Island Sonata and the Horizon's Eye were both traveling south before; maybe she just thought that the directions I claimed made sense to me. So it is entirely possible that the Horizon's Eye had fallen after my ship. But that still leaves a couple of questions. If it is the Horizon's Eye, why did it take so long to fall?

—And… if I'm still getting these nightmares from Captain Koroul, could that mean that not only is he still alive, but part of my crew as well? Maybe even… Princess Zelda? Irleen and Luggard's mother, Elle, are both right. I can't jump to conclusions now, and I can't keep mourning for them when I don't even know if they're dead. I'm trying to keep all that in mind, lest I drive myself nuts believing that I'll have to explain my actions that lead to their deaths. I suppose I'm looking a little too far ahead at things. For now, we just need to get to the crash site.

—Luggard's almost done with the modifications he needed to make to the Number Seventeen. But he says that, even when we reach the Iyuk Mountains on the northern border, we won't be able to take the Seventeen into the mountains because there aren't any tracks going that far north. Leynne explained this to me, and he also bought a few more supplies to help us trek into the mountains. Somehow, despite being almost rupee-less when we met him, he has had money to throw around ever since we returned to Library Town. What he brought in that bag must have been some really valuable stuff.

—I visited Cale at the clinic earlier. He's still not feeling well, but I let him know what we were going to do. His journal is still on the Seventeen, so I told him that I would keep an eye on it for him.

—I've recently discovered the taste difference between good and bad rations. It would have been helpful information before; Cale would probably be with us. And if Cale was with us, we might have another person going hiking with us. Without anything to do in this office car, I nosed into the backpacks that mysteriously appeared in the night. It looks like warm clothes and camping gear. That's my best guess; I can't say I've ever seen either up in the sky or down here.

—I do know cabin fever, though. It's probably only been an hour, but I can't help the feeling that I'm slowly losing my mind. I guess it's because I'm so used to having something to do. Even as I was recovering in Whittleton, I always had something to occupy myself. Recovering mostly, especially since my own actions left me too hurt to move around. I shudder to think what Doctor Beld would be shouting at me if he knew what kind of trouble I've been getting into lately.

—Now that the sun is out for the first time, I wonder how Whittleton is doing. I imagine it would be years before the woods around the town recover; it took decades for it to die in the first place.

—Day 15

—It's early in the morning by Leynne's guess. I'm writing this by light of a small lantern which Leynne let me to use while he surveys the area around us.

—We arrived at the Iyuk Mountains. And we found evidence that an airship, more than likely a Sorian airship, is nearby. While there isn't any solid evidence that it is the Horizon's Eye, I feel it in my gut that it couldn't be any other ship. Leynne expects us to find more wreckage further up the stream in the ravine below us. I'm not sure if I'm as eager anymore, but we have to move on. If it is the Horizon's Eye, I have to know what happened to my crew. And the princess. I don't know if it's some kind of captain's instinct or not, but I seem to be more concerned for my crew than her. Maybe it's because I've known them longer than her, especially Line.

—Valley and I were attacked by a pack of Wolfos towards the end of the day yesterday. Well, Valley was attacked; I was just stupid enough to fall in after her, thinking I could defend her. I almost had my leg torn off. When we set up shelter about an hour's walk away from the Wolfos attack, Leynne finally got mad because he could hear the limp in my step. It's hard to keep footsteps quiet around here with all the mud and rainwater covering everything. Fortunately, the wounds weren't deep enough for serious damage. Leynne says they should close in a few days. He's got it bandaged now so it won't bleed, but my left boot is covered in blood. I feel a little naked because I had to cut off the lower legs from my body suit. Now there's a drafty spot around my knees because I cut them too short. I'll have to get a new suit when I get back up to the sky.

—We found the ship.

—Day 16

—I found out last night that Line might be alive, and I have reason to believe that he took the Horizon's Eye for a final voyage before it was scuttled. Now that I think about it, I wonder if the ship made Autumn Island before it got down here. It might not be much, but it's enough that I want to get back up there a whole lot more.

—We discovered that the Yook had buried the bodies of the Sorian airmen and Airman Albert from my crew. The fact that there were so many other airmen missing has to mean that they are alive somewhere else. Though it's occurred to me that they may just as well be dead wherever they are, I'm trying to keep positive. The Yook brought us to their village, I guess you can call it. It's almost as large as Whittleton, yet they've crammed all of their people onto this one plateau on top of the mountain neighboring where the ship crashed. They're a lot nicer than Leynne made them sound. I have to admit that, for a moment back on that other plateau, I was worried we'd be getting into another fight. I think I've had enough battle wounds for now. I sure don't want to have any more treated; all the treatments I've received so far feel like they hurt before they get better. It's like they all went to the same school of medicine and pain. It has made me miss the days when I would just bang my head on something.

—Everything around me feels like such a mess. I want to get back to the sky, and I know I have to in order to help Irleen. But all I seem to be doing so far is touring the surface. Now that I think about it, Luggard joked that we'd probably be going to the Fire Realm soon. I wonder if it might be true. I suppose, if there's another Archit

—No explosion. Sello told us that, since we had displaced all the lava in the mountain that he was using, the volcano would explode. All that happened was lava poured out of the top of the volcano. And I think we saw part of Sello's machine, "Drumstik" (his spelling), fall out the top and roll down to the eastern face. Goddesses help me if I ever see another contraption like Drumstik again. Come to think of it, we just took Sello with us, so I just might. I can't think about it without shuddering.

—We returned to the Yook mountain maybe an hour ago. Valley, Sello, Irleen, and I spent most of the evening climbing down the volcano and back up here, so it was far enough into evening that twilight was in the sky when we made it back. Kohg treated the burns Valley had on her skin from all the heat. He also treated and wrapped my hands. It hurts to write. I cut my hands bad on the glass from Drumstik's body, and having to climb down the mountain just put more pain and gravel in the wounds. I also have a large burn mark on my suit where a Keese landed on me. We're enjoying a late meal while Irleen fills Leynne, Kohg, and Mohk in on the details of our trip. It's weird hearing what happened to us, but I think that's just Irleen embellishing a little.

—Thanks to us, though, Sello doesn't have a home. I feel a little bad about it. Sello though—He doesn't seem to mind. I asked if he would like to come back with us to the Forest Realm. He said yes, then he passed out. It makes me wonder if he even understood me. Whatever's in that barrel he has, it seems to be pretty strong.

—Day 17

—The volcano stopped. I don't quite understand how, but all the smoke and lava just stopped coming out of the top. Leynne says that it looks like all the lava cooled down, but no one really wants to go near it to see. Besides that, it looks like most of the ground around it is covered with lava when it squeezed through the front doors.

—We're leaving for the train soon. We have to stretch our rations since I lost almost half of what Leynne bought for the journey. And Valley doesn't have any more. And we're taking Sello with us. I want to say that Sello's coming with us, but, really, it feels more like we have to drag him along since we made the volcano flood and destroyed his home. He doesn't want to stay with the Yook (and I get the impression that the Yook don't want him anyway), so we invited him along. Again, since we weren't sure he understood us from last night.

—Day 18

—I th—Somet—W

—Sello's out of alcohol.

—We made it back to the train without anyone killing anyone else. For a while, I thought Leynne was going to strangle someone. Not that it isn't still a possibility. Sello is still drinking from his barrel, and he is very loud about it. He, Leynne, and Valley took the berths at the back of the office car, so I've been lying against the desk off and on. It's not very comfortable, and the train seems to like hitting something hard when I'm about to fall asleep.

—I just found out that there may be another Architect among the Gorons. Unfortunately, I also just found out that all tracks going to the Fire Realm are cut off. Luggard says there isn't another

—Day 19

—I'm convinced now that these nightmares have some kind of meaning to them, but I can't quite figure out what. Somehow, I think I've seen through the eyes of another the Island Sonata when it was sunk in the Undying Storm, what the Sorians call the "Storm of Purgatory". I keep thinking it's Captain Koroul, but something just doesn't seem right about it. I just can't understand it at all.

—Cale suggested going through charts of the railways at the Library. He's suggested that we might be able to find another way to the Gorons' town. I hope he's right. Without access to the Fire Realm, we'll have a hard time finding more Architects.

—I'm not sure if I can explain what happened this evening. It would take too long, and I can't be completely certain it happened; it's so far out there.

—First, the tower. I met a Lokomo named Byrne, and he told me that something bad was happening in the sky. He knew about the demon in the Undying Storm. I can't help feeling worried, especially since I seem to be the one who's supposed to stop it. He gave me this new sword, which he claims was used to stop a demon king that used to live in the Spirit Tracks. I don't know if I'll have to use it. It's a little overwhelming, especially being told that I have to defeat Cunimincus just because I have the sword. Really, all I want to do is return home.

—Next, the Seventeen. I can't be sure what happened, but it looks like Sello made some modifications to the locomotive. I don't know where he found the junk he hammered to the locomotive, but I'm fairly certain that Sello doesn't have any money. If he pulls this kind of thing without money, I shudder to think what he might do with a few rupees in his pocket. I told Luggard that I'd pay for repairs to the train, but that just reminds me that I don't even have any money.

—We'll be going to the gateway south of Whittleton tomorrow morning. I really hope this all works out.

—Day 21

—I'm convinced now that the nightmares I've been having actually belong to Princess Zelda. I don't know what changed or why, but I seem to have become more conscious of the contents of these nightmares. Then again, what I saw last night could hardly be called a nightmare. It felt like a nice dream, and I can't help wondering if she got to see it, too. If the past nightmares are any indication, she's been suffering ever since that day I lost the Island Sonata. At least I know she's still alive.

—It's still early in the morning. I managed to catch a bit more sleep since I woke up from that dream, but it hardly feels like enough. Fortunately, it wasn't as disturbing as before, although I can't seem to remember any of the previous dreams other than the one where I thought I had seen the Island Sonata being blown out of the sky. I remember that Irleen said people using a gem like the one she gave Captain Koroul causes people to share dreams. I think that, sometime after the Island Sonata was destroyed, the gem passed into Princess Zelda's hands. I've been wondering if she saw any of my dreams. I hope that my dreams can comfort her a bit. I wish I knew where she and Line were, whether they took the Horizon's Eye out of the storm or not. It seems likely that at least Line got away. This only serves as proof that I have to get back to the sky kingdom as soon as possible. I have to know what's going on.

—We're at a mining settlement in the Fire Realm, and they need u—well, they mainly need Sello to look at some of their machines. We have a deal with the owner of the mines: if Sello can fix his machines, he'll mine some salt and have some of his men spread it on the tracks so we can reach the Gorons' town. He also said that he'll give us some more fuel so we can retrieve some supplies from the Gorons.

—I'm waiting for Irleen to wake up so I can ask her before we head out for the morning.

—So, as it turns out, Sello not only got Crunchy (the miner's tunnel-cutting machine) operational, he made improvements to help Crunchy dig through the earth around here. According to Bolen, our guide, Crunchy dug further into a tunnel which they were having a hard time with due to using only hand tools and having to deal with some kind of iron ore which would be easier to dig out with a bigger tunnel. They decided to leave Crunchy in the tunnel for the time being while they try to remove the stuff their boss, Roland, ordered for us. It's barely into the evening right now. Everyone's already had dinner, and they're trying to make sure they have the salt and coal we'll need to make it to the Gorons' town. Bolen also informed us that they'll be melting and purifying some of the ice they've harvested from the plain so that we can put more water into the Seventeen's tank. I guess it didn't occur to me that the engine needs a source of water, too.

—Other than a quick look at what Sello's insanity uncovered, we're supposed to be returning to the Dark Ore Station before nightfall. They apparently have a pest problem between the station and the settlement at night.

—Day 22

—I hurt.

—Well, all things considered, it looks like we got done what we needed to do. It feels like it's been almos—Well, apparently, it has been nearly a month since something went as planned. Right now, I'm watching Gorons load up bundles of food and supplies onto the Seventeen. Which actually looks like a train again. We have a passenger car for miners who want or need to leave the Fire Realm, and we also have a freight car for the supplies. The Gorons gave us a fresh load of coal and refilled our water, too.

—I have to say I'm fascinated with them. They have a tremendous work ethic, and nothing ever seems to slow them down. Luggard was telling me a few minutes ago how they shoved the Seventeen onto a revolving section of rail to turn it around and then carried the new cars onto the track. And their work chant is actually quite catchy, even if it only uses the word "Goron".

—We returned to the Dark Ore Station for the night. Roland worked out a list of men we could take back to Library Town with us, mostly apprentices and long-hour workers with a few of the injured. Somehow, only three people were injured when Crunchy went wild: me, Sello, and one of the apprentices who got hit by a stray piece of wood. It seems like Sello runs on an insane amount of luck.

—That seems to be all we have to rely on. Luck. Luck we found the descendents of three Architects. Luck we found a way to the Fire Realm. Luck we haven't been killed somehow. Ever since falling to the surface, it feels like I can't do anything that I was trained to do. I had to learn how to use a sword on the spot. Although, now that I think about it, those few years of broom-fighting on the lower decks with Line might've helped. Still, what kind of training prepares you to take down an armor-plated beetle? Or a psychotic machine?—machines? I have to admit, as a former airman, I'm a little worried my luck may be running out soon. I can only hope to be back home before it happens.

—Day 23. Finally.

—I let it pass as a given that strange things have happened to me since I came to the surface, but I think this whole day has been a large exercise in the world's general absurdity. Last night, Cale, Sello, and I were captured by the Gelto, a desert-dwelling race which I believe Cale had mentioned before. Our capture was carried out through the belief that contact with the Forest Realm (which, of particular importance to the Gelto, contains eligible men) had been cut off. Roland, the leader of the mining settlement that the Gelto attacked, assured them that everything that was being done to restore train travel to the Sand and Fire Realms was being done. How much they believe is open to speculation, but I suppose we'll find out when the rest of the miners go missing.

—Following our escape (which involved explosives purely on accident), we tried to travel the desert until about midday. Or maybe it was after midday; it was very hard to tell. We saw the Seventeen crossing the desert, but we saw the giant Malgyorg at the same time, so I told Cale to take Sello to the train while I tried to distract the Malgyorg. And, as odd as this may sound, I accidentally killed it. According to the scouts who picked me up, the smaller Malgyorgs ate it when I bled it to distract them.

—The scouts took me back to the Gelto camp. They decided to let us go out of gratuity for killing the large Malgyorg. We also picked up someone else to help with building another airship. I hesitate to call her an "Architect" because its meaning seems to be becoming a little muddy lately. Irleen has reminded me a number of times that, while the people we've found before are descendents of the Architects, they aren't exactly Architects themselves. Leynne is an inventor, Lidago is a potter, and Sello is—I don't know what Sello is. At best, he seems to be an engineer. At worst, a piece of furniture. To our fortune, though, Dubbl's position as a sail crafter seems more appropriate to the kind of help Irleen and I need.

—As I'm writing this, we're returning to the Forest Realm from the Gelto camp. We're carrying about fifty men from the mining settlements in the Fire Realm, including men who were injured during the Gelto raid. In addition to Dubbl, we've picked up ten Gelto, most of which are looking for husbands in the Forest Realm. The one who isn't, well—stop looking over my shoulder!

—Day 24.

—I had dinner with the—I just realized that I don't know Dubbl's escort's name. I had dinner with her last night and convinced her to stay at a tavern not far from Cale's apartment. Because you creep me out. Cale, Irleen, and Lidago returned not long after. They're sleeping in as I write. I was waiting for them to wake up before I go get Dubbl and take them to meet Leynne, but I just might go get them first.

—With everyone else busy, I decided to try my luck at a shooting gallery on the Western Platforms. Totaling all of my winnings with how much I paid for three games, I made three rupees. I think I've gotten a little better with this bow the Gelto let me keep, and it seems like it might come in handy later on. It's as if I'm just collecting junk, though. I probably should give Sello his hammer back; up until now, I'd completely forgotten that I had it.

—Found out earlier that shields are still out of my price range. I realize that one would be pointless once I make it back to the sky, but, if anything, it'd probably look good on the wall of my next assignment.

—Whatever that might be. I just realized that losing the Island Sonata probably hasn't won me any sort of favor. I don't know that there are any policies or procedures for captains that lose their ships and happen to survive. I remember hearing a story about one captain who was fired from the company because his ship sank while he wasn't on it. His career was ruined because the Skyriders circulated his picture to other companies to let them know that he wasn't to be trusted as a captain. But then, I think they said he'd done it on purpose, for some kind of insurance scam. I don't know that I'll be allowed to keep any ship that I command back to the sky. I don't think I've done anything to get myself fired, but I can't say I'm looking forward to explaining why I left with the Island Sonata and returned with another vessel. The part involving the Princess of Hyrule is definitely going to get attention.

—It's evening now. Irleen and I haven't had anything to do for almost the whole day. It feels weird. I took a look at a few history books in the Library. Then I took a bath. I just realized that my undersuit's missing. The Gelto must have taken it and replaced it for me; the one I've been wearing for the past two days is grey. They also patched my tunic. I'll have to thank them if I ever visit their camp again.

—Our goal tomorrow is to at least get underway to the Ocean Realm. Luggard seems to believe that our going there is a foregone conclusion, and I think I can see where he's coming from. It'll feel strange not taking the Seventeen far beyond Hovela, but I admit that I can't wait to set foot on another ship.

—Day 25.

—It's nice being on a ship again, it really is. But I can't help getting the impression that my being here is a little confounding, maybe even a little insulting. My first encounter with Captain Albel certainly could've gone better. While Seaman Gold can be open to the prospect of a commanding officer younger than him, I think the captain would rather not hear that I used to command an airship for whatever reason. I certainly don't want to get in his way or anything. I just wish that he hadn't suddenly turned hostile on me the moment Leynne mentioned my former command.

—We're moving east at a steady clip according to Seaman Bently, the seaman assigned to see to passengers' needs. According to him, so long as we don't see any problems, we should be at Kakucha Island by tomorrow afternoon or maybe early evening at the latest. The ship will remain overnight before returning to Hovela, so we'll have to move fast if we want a ride back.

—On another note, I've just found out that Cale suffers from violent seasickness. It didn't set in until after a late lunch provided by the galley. Cale hasn't left his cabin since. I have to admit that I'm feeling a little uneasy myself, but that just may be because I was really hungry and kinda stuffed myself. Dholit volunteered to keep him company, and Irleen suggested taking his mind off the trip by teaching him some more Sorian. Since then, I've just been wandering the ship's weather deck by myself, making comparisons between it and ships I know. I'm surprised to find out that, in addition to the wooden exterior with tar waterproofing, the ship's hull has a layer of steel plates behind it. A seaman explained this as a means of protecting the ship from hull damage in case of pirate attack. Evidently, pirates do more to eradicate ship crews with grape shot rather than just fill the hull full of holes and risk sinking her. Their company discovered that the steel layer in the hull that protects the crew was useful as defense against gunfire. It's very fascinating, but I wouldn't trust that kind of construction on an airship; it could make the ship too heavy to fly. An airship's ballast can only support so much.

—Now that I've mentioned that, I hope that whoever or whatever we find in the Ocean Realm will have some information on how to construct a ballast. So far, it looks like we have people to help us construct the other components of an airship, but we won't be going anywhere without a ballast. We'll need a tank, and then we'll need Loft Steam to fill the tank with. And I don't know where to find either.

—Day 26.

—Day 27.

—We've been delayed a day due to our encounter with the Cloud Moon, an Airliner vessel the Goddess's Tides encountered on the way to Kakucha Island.

—I've been down lately. It's one thing to have someone you actually know die far away from you. And then there was Airman Jared of the Cloud Moon. I didn't even know him, and yet it feels worse to hear a man's name before he dies right in front of you. I w—I never felt so hel—I don't kn—

—I can't tell what I should have done, or even if I could've done anything. One moment, he was lying on the deck having a conversation with Seaman Gold, and, the next thing I know, he dies on the Goddess's Tides with all the quiet of a long sleep. It disturbed me so much that I couldn't do anything yesterday. I didn't even eat or sleep.

—About as disturbing were Airman Jared's last words. He told us that "devils" had attacked the ship. If it hadn't been for us finding "Skyriders are devils" written on the stern of the ship, it would have at least been a stretch to conclude that any single company could have done this. Instead, it's so damning that it's as if I have no choice but to hate myself. To think my own company did this, it's so disgusting that I feel like I can throw up if I think too hard. Actually, I think I did last night. And that statement—No one defaces their ship like that just to make a statement. Something very wrong is going on in the sky, and, somehow, the Skyriders are in the middle of it. I don't think it's possible but… could this have something to do with Line's scribbling all over that map we found on the Horizon's Eye? Maybe to do with whomever Line was transporting out of the storm? It's all so insane right now.

—It's so insane that I'm actually afraid to return.

—We've (kinda) secured passage to one of the outlying islands in the Ocean Realm. Whoever this Rosaline girl is, I can only hope she is who we think she is.

—We found Rosaline, and she's willing to come with us to the Forest Realm to help out the other… Architects. I guess that's the only thing to call them; I just can't think of anything else. Anyway, I guess Rosaline's been looking forward to this for some time. She just hasn't had an excuse. We're on our way back to Kakucha Island, where we're hoping to find a place to stay the night and a ride back to the Forest Realm in the morning.

—Day 28.

—There's luck. And then there's Rosaline. I think the goddesses were having a laugh when they first considered her existence.

—Day 28.

—I've been all over the Forest Realm, and now I'm right back where I started.

—We started back in Hovela this morning. I think things might've gotten a little personal. I'm still embarrassed that I thought Irleen was angry at me because she loved me and didn't like Dholit kissing me. I was half-right, and that last statement looks stupid now that I know why she was upset. She's been more worried about getting back into the sky than I have. I don't know why she thought Dholit would be a distraction, though; I can't stand her.

—Thanks to Leynne, we were able to take a train to Fishington to meet up with the rest of the group. I hope Rosaline's addition will help smooth out things; Leynne seems like he's at his wit's end with Sello and Dubbl. The fact that those two (and Lidago) were in closets when we showed up makes me worry.

—Luggard brought Irleen and I back to Whittleton so we could ask Meilont how she knew about the Architects. It turns out that Meilont had heard about them from Madame Seilon, who heard about them from the old man Irleen and I met on the train to Library Town. We just got back from the platform. Apparently, I'm considered a hero due to what I did when the Bulblins attacked. Since we're taking the Twenty-Seven back to Fishington, we told Luggard to go ahead of us. We're staying the night in Meilont's room again. I feel kind of bad that we're using her room again, but she says that, since Talein is staying in Aboda while looking for good places for lumber, she can stay in his room.

—I'm still a little frustrated that we didn't see all this before. If I had realized that that old man knew about the Architects, I would've tried to get more information out of him. The fact that he knew so much about them should've been a clue. How could I've been so stupid? I just hope Meilont's idea works. I'd hate to think I missed one because I wasn't paying attention.

—Day 29.

—Here we go again.

—We've obtained the map to Alfred's workshop. I hope he does not mind, but I'm sure he would understand if we took some of his supplies so we could put together the ballast tanks we need to get the new ship off the ground. Assuming we have access to Loft Steam. I'm optimistic, and I'm trying to stay that way.

—We've cleared the flatcar in case we need the space to haul materials back to the Forest Realm. Rosaline's cutter has been taken to the house for now while she determines what she would like to do with it. It's too late in the evening to go to the Snow Realm, so we've decided to head out in the morning.

—I've taken a good look at the plans Rosaline and Leynne have drawn up. From what I can put together, this ship is going to be a little larger than the Island Sonata and, by far, more complicated. I've also noticed that they've been writing "Island Sonata 2" on their plans. I've found that I can't really accept the name. The Island Sonata was my first airship, and it just seems to cheapen those two days I had her if we decided to call the new ship the "Island Sonata 2". No vessel in the sky uses a number in a name like that. I don't know whether I should tell them or not, though; it seems petty to nitpick the ship's name after all they've gone through just to put the idea to paper. Maybe I'll just wait and see what happens.

—Irleen and I have stayed behind at the house while the rest went out to a local tavern. Rosaline assured me that they would not drink as much this evening, although I can only imagine how she intends to limit Sello.

—Day 30.

—I think I need to start sleeping where Dholit can't find me.

—So. Somehow, we survived an ambush by Wolfos, and I'm still confused why. It doesn't make any sense. Leynne and Luggard first said that the white Wolfos were hunting on the same grounds as the black Wolfos, and they didn't like it. And as much as they probably didn't like us, either, they were too beaten from killing the white Wolfos. When I told them that I think the black Wolfos with the scars was one of the Wolfos that I fought with weeks ago, they just kind of gave up. Irleen had her own theory. Apparently, there's some kind of "pack dynamic" with the Wolfos, where they're organized in a kind of hierarchy. She thinks that, when I killed a couple of the Wolfos weeks ago, I killed their leader and left the pack open to fighting. She remembered the same Wolfos as the one that would back off when I struck it and said that it must have been the weakest in the group. So when the leader died and the pack started fighting, the weakest one either gained control of the pack or broke away and formed a new pack. It still remembered me and showed its gratitude by defending us from the white Wolfos, but that was probably the only time it was going to do that. Luggard challenged her by asking how she knew so much about Wolfos, and she answered by telling him it all came from one of her "game books". So I guess the explanation is still up in the air. Personally, I had the impression that the black Wolfos knew who I was. It had its minions take out the white Wolfos because they were easy kills due to dealing with us. Then it recognized me and decided to avoid fighting us because it knew me. It doesn't really matter what explanation is true; I'm just glad we survived. The Wolfos had their reasons, and I'm grateful that those reasons haven't led to another attack. Yet.

—We used the remaining daylight to figure out what we had to work with. We found that most of the materials for putting together tanks was still here. Fuel for the furnace, molds for making cast-iron tanks. And, most important, plans. Leynne says that we'll need to put together five tanks: four for the ship, and a large one for holding Loft Steam. And we did find Loft Steam. The well on the grounds is still active, so we have a source that we can take back with us. We've experimented with the materials we have available, and, unfortunately, we wound up wasting some of it trying to make a tank. But Leynne believes he has the general concept down. His experience with this equipment is paying off, and he actually seems to be enjoying it. Well, up until Lidago accidentally hit him in the head with one of the molds. Then he was a little cranky for the rest of the evening.

—We found that the stoves in the barracks still worked, so we're staying the night in them instead of the train. I found that someone had left a usable pen and ink here, so I sat down to write. And I think I'm done writing now because I can't focus anymore.

—Day 32.

—We've finished the smaller tanks. They'll have to be assembled once we get back to Fishington since we don't have the smaller parts to put them together with. One thing I never realized was that all the tanks were connected together. I guess it makes sense because the only way to heat up the Loft Steam has always been a control stove in the back of a ship.

—Tomorrow, we'll be working on a large storage tank to put Loft Steam in for transport back to the Forest Realm. Leynne's predicting problems, so we decided that we should make a tank we can fit into the freight car. It's gonna be tricky; we have to find a way to fit enough Loft Steam into a large, iron tank that we'll have to fit into a car that doesn't really have much of a door. Leynne thinks we'll have to use all of the iron we have left, so we need to pray we have this whole casting thing down. We found a mold for a much larger tank, large enough that we should be able to fill the small tanks we put together. We also found a hose, so we can fill and then seal the tanks from there.

—Day 34.

—I still can't believe the amount of progress made on the new airship. We were only gone for three days, but thanks to the people I've met down here, Irleen and I have taken a dramatic leap toward our goal to return to the sky. I've shaken so many hands today, it feels like I've dislocated my shoulder again.

—But now, I have a new problem. The ship's too big. Whereas I've been expecting a schooner similar to the Island Sonata, the plans for the final vessel show that it's going to be much larger and much more complicated. This includes whatever experimental contraptions that Leynne, Rosaline, and Dubbl have come up with, and possibly whatever Sello has planned. I'll need more than general airmen. I'll definitely need an engineering group. I'm still missing some of the key details for the ship's sail plan, so I might need Dubbl to teach me how it's supposed to work. I thought it was going to be a three-masted schooner, but I can't seem to get a straight answer out of her. Probably because I'm relying on Dholit to translate for me.

—Tomorrow morning, Leynne wants all of us to meet to discuss the progression of the ship. They're still referring to it as the "Island Sonata 2", and I'm hoping I can deter them from continuing with that name. The problem is I can't seem to come up with a better one.

—Day 35.

—Fifteen. Including myself and Irleen, this new ship has fifteen crew members for its first voyage. I don't really know whether to call it a "maiden voyage" or not; once we get up there, there's no telling what we'll do. I was really kind of surprised that thirteen people signed up. That was thirteen more than I expected, twelve more than I hoped for. I suppose the biggest surprises were Gold and Cale showing up. Cale—I don't know what's gotten into him. He seems different somehow. I guess between this adventure we've had on the surface and him finding out what he wanted about his mother did it. And Gold—He seems to think that sailing under me will be some kinda historical occasion or something. I don't know. But I'm glad to have him aboard.

—I didn't get the chance to see it, but Rosaline told me that they put Sello's engine in the ship. Tomorrow, they're going to install the ballast tanks. Then we get to see if the ship takes off without us. Meanwhile, I'll be talking with my new crew, laying out how I want to run the ship. I see myself running it similarly to the way Captain Alfonzo ran the Grand Sails, but I don't know if I can duplicate his brand of discipline. They're not just my crew; they're my friends. Without a finished ship to practice on, I think I'll have to give the crew a crash course in modern sailing while we raise the ship. But I'm confident in this crew. I know who they are. They'll sail with me.

—Day 36.

—Something's going on with my dreams. I keep seeing myself talking with someone, but I'm not myself, I'm the person I'm talking to. I can't quite tell who I'm talking to, but I know it's a gir—I think I was talking to Princess Zelda dressed as me. Now that I'm thinking about it, it feels like I'm talking to her as her while she is me. (For as much sense as that makes.) But the conversations don't go the way I remember them. Instead, it's like I'm talking to her about what happened before. I don't know what's going on, and I feel like I've lost a lot of sleep again. I know Irleen says that, even if the princess had the gem Irleen gave to Captain Koroul, I can't be seeing what the princess saw because that isn't how the gem was supposed to work. I don't want to say she's wrong, but I can't think of any other explanation.

—This whole thing is becoming a reality. I don't know how, but I have another ship! I feel a little guilty about all the people giving up what they need to put it together, but I don't want to say anymore. I think my moping about it is beginning to make people wish I would just go away.

—They called her the Island Symphony.

—Day 37.

—It's time to go home.

—Dholit's on board.

—So far, the Island Symphony's rise has gone smoothly. Leynne has confirmed that all of the controls connected between the helm and the engine work, although he comments that some of the connections are not the same ones he put together. He suspects Sello, but I see it as a bit of a given. Still, as long as the controls work, I'm not worried. I've just about finalized the routine, and I've assured everyone that it'll only be temporary until I can get a payroll and hire more airmen. Though, I have a feeling that this crew will be staying with me for a lot longer than just the day I predict. I hope I'm right; I'd like them to remain.

—Day 38 (Command, Day 1)

—So far, the crew has responded well to life on the Island Symphony. Most of them have adapted to the schedule, although Airman Harley has voiced concerns about having to work with a half-intelligible retard and a Goron that makes a lot more sense in comparison. I told him that if he ever needs help, he can always ask Helo or Lawrence.

—I don't know why, but I keep having the impression that something wasn't right about the sky around Autumn Island. I've maybe only ever been there a dozen times or so, so I think that I'm just a little leery of it. Once we make it to Castle Island, being back on familiar terrain will get rid of this stupid feeling.

—We passed Turtle Island just a few minutes ago. Just like Captain Gale's log says, there are airships guarding the Sky Lines. Due to the distance, I couldn't quite tell if they were Skyriders, but they definitely looked armed. If we're lucky, the branch office on Castle Island might give us permission to make a quick run through the storm. If not, well, it means that it'll take a little longer to get Irleen home. I don't like the idea, but whatever it takes to get her there.

—I'm afraid. I'm afraid that my ship is doomed to be destroyed again. I'm afraid that my actions are going to get my crew killed. I'm afraid that they're just blindly following me. I can't sleep. It's been five hours since the Island Symphony left the Sky Line on its course toward Thicket Island for supplies. I keep worrying that one of those navy ships will spontaneously be on the horizon behind us and shoot us down before we can get anywhere. I don't think I can stand losing another ship, another crew.

—This is all my fault. If I had just said no at one point, there wouldn't be a fake princess on the throne. The Island Sonata would still be under my command. And those thirteen lives buried next to the remains of the Horizon's Eye wouldn't have been lost.

—What the hell was I thinking.

—I know where Zelda is.

—Day 39 (Command, Day 2)

—Aside from a need to clarify command to the deck crew, today seems to have gone much better. Considering the circumstances. The crew has repeatedly expressed their eagerness to help in my new goal of locating the King and Queen of Hyrule. Although, I have to admit that my attempts to have a serious discussion on the subject with Airmen Layna and Biluf have been difficult with the amount of context Dholit seems to omit from her interpretations. I can't really tell, though; the only real way I can be sure of her accuracy would require me to constantly defer to Irleen while exchanging her translating gem so that she can tell me what the other Gelto are really saying. I can only guess that this kind of arrangement would just annoy all of us.

—Leynne and Dubbl seem to be a little more comfortable with each other now that they are working on opposite shifts. Well, as comfortable as they can be without having to deal with each other. I really don't want to have to call all hands on-deck again, especially now that I know that Dubbl likes to hit people whenever they disagree.

—I've checked into both engine room shifts to see how they've been doing. So far, everyone on both shifts seems to understand the basic upkeep of Sello's engine. This seems to be helped along by Sello coaching them between drinking sessions. Admittedly, allowing Sello to drink as much as possible is beginning to have its effect. The engine room smells funny. And Sello's couch is missing. I don't think he realizes it's missing, but all four airmen have admitted that they didn't even see Sello remove it from the room.

—Our current course is still northbound toward Thicket Island. We've been reaching for most of the day, which I really had hoped would eventually allow us a full run with the sails open. Leynne has taken some time to examine the port capstan controlling the outboard spars. He says that one of the gears which facilitate operation had failed to mesh correctly and that the capstans probably should not be operated until he can fix the problem. I've told him to get whatever he needs at a general store. Since we can't identify the Island Symphony as a Skyrider ship without attracting attention, we won't be able to obtain supplies at branch offices (assuming those are still open). No other company is likely to help us, either. Approaching Sagacity Island as we are, we'll be in territories close to where the Airliners and Zephyr Sails operate, and neither company likes Skyriders. We're sailing by the soles of our feet, and our lack of funds is going to eventually start hurting. We need support.

—We need the company.

—Day 40 (Command, Day 3)

—The crew seems to have taken quite well to routine. I didn't expect issues to arise from Airman Gold, but the whole crew was especially bright this morning during the shift change. They worked out a meal schedule and rotate one person out at a time for lunch. I lent my assistance to the dayshift's schedule by taking the helm for Leynne. I asked Gold if he needed relief so he could get a ration at midnight. He explained that, with the engine disconnected, he has a panel which he can put a ration packet on so that he can eat while still working the helm. I just asked him not to make a mess on the console.

—We've still been reaching on a northeast wind, but it's been a little stronger today. I'm hoping that we'll make Thicket Island some time tomorrow.

—I'm a little dismayed that Princess Zelda didn't try to contact me in my dreams again last night. I have to admit that I've been a little skeptical about the whole thing. I haven't told Irleen about it until I was certain. The more I think about it, the more I realize that it could have easily just been a crazy dream. Maybe I'm just thinking about it too hard.

—Day 41 (Command, Day 4)

—We made it to Thicket Island this morning, and there've been some interesting developments. First, no one here seems to like Leynne's accent.

—Second. One of the dockers I spoke to about a vessel carrying the king and queen sounded a little confused. He explained that he had heard something about some of the southern islands wanting to break off the kingdom to form their own nation, but he had no idea that the King and Queen of Hyrule were supposed to be passing by Thicket Island. I know that it wasn't likely that they stopped here, but the fact that he had not heard anything about it says that it's possible that they did not take this route. I've been trying to remember the layout of the Sky Lines, and, now that I think about it, I think the River Lines might've made for a more direct route from Castle Island. Still. At least we know where they aren't.

—Third. We actually got asked about a shipping problem that occurred a few weeks ago. When the dockmaster found out that we had just come from Autumn Island (technically true), they asked us if the Autumn Island dockmaster reporting any missing supply crates. We told him that we hadn't heard of anything like that, and he explained that if we happened to go by Autumn Island again, we could tell the dockmaster that he's seen some supply crates go through here. Leynne asked why they weren't here anymore, and the dockmaster told us that someone had slapped a set of shipping instructions on them and sent them off to East Iron Island before he could stop them.

—The dockmaster said that no one knew what was in them and that someone had gone over the top with adding warning brands to the outside. He said that he thinks that someone was playing a prank because that same person had marked the crates "Perishable", "Flammable", "Do Not Feed", and "This End Up" (among other things) on every side, and the "This End Up" indicated that every end was up. It might be wishful thinking, but that sounds just like the kind of thing Line would do. Leynne and I talked about it a little afterwards, and he's agreed that we should ask about the crates when we reach East Iron Island.

—We've managed to get our hands on some cheap supplies, mostly rations and the part which Leynne needs to fix the capstan. We also found some cheap clothes for the crew, knowing that they probably did not expect to have to live in their clothes like this for too long.

—Day 42 (Command, Day 5)

—Sighted an armed vessel for the fake Princess's navy and left Thicket Island bound for the next closest island, East Iron Island. The vessel hasn't appeared on the horizon, so it looks like they've stopped at Thicket Island. Still, we need to watch it; if it takes word back that it saw a strange vessel out here, we might have more ships out here looking for us. Dubbl, Leynne, Gold, and I have already talked out a solution in the event that that ship or any other navy ship appears. And we also have a plan in place in case we look too suspicious in asking about the king and queen and the cargo from Autumn Island. We figure that the armed ship we saw at Thicket Island will eventually overtake us, so we have to be prepared.

—I still haven't heard anything more from Princess Zelda, but I'm trying not to just write the experience off as just a strange dream.

—Day 43 (Command, Day 6)

—I don't think that brigantine was interested in us. The horizon's been clear all day except for another schooner passing to the east. Cale alerted me twice about seeing something on the horizon, but it only turned out to be specks of dust on the duoscope; we found out that he sets it on the deck when he needs to rest his eyes. Leynne later modified the duoscope by attaching a belt to it so it could be hung around the user's neck.

—We've still been reaching for the past two days, but the wind's shifted enough to give us a better push south. I'm hoping the wind will shift to the west a bit; if we're going as far as Sagacity Island, like I suspect we eventually will, we'll need it to get there fast.

—Day 44 (Command, Day 7)

—A drunk, a walking inun—inuendo (whatever that means), a brawler, and a trained killer. I'm not sure what's going to come up next.

—Day 45 (Command, Day 8)

—For the first time since we left the Sky Lines a week ago, the wind's shifted enough for us to open the sails for a decent run. It should give us a lead on the Moon's Shadow. We can use all the lead we can get since Captain North is following us. I'd like to think he would show some compassion for a fellow Skyrider captain, but the last time I saw him makes me think compassion went with his eye. I'm willing to bet that he would start shooting if he ever laid his remaining eye on the Island Symphony, so we'll have to hide her beneath Sagacity Island once we make it there.

—Day 46 (Command, Day 9)

—We found Sello's couch. Well, he put his couch back in the engine room, but no one knows where it's been this whole time. It smells like a shipment of fertilizer.

—We're still running full toward the northwest with all sails open. So far, no sign of the Moon's Shadow.

—Day 47 (Command, Day 10)

—Our first passenger, a bar girl named Lilly, finally felt safe enough to come up on-deck. Although she stayed far away from Layna, she seemed interested in asking the rest of the crew about themselves. She spent a long time speaking with Cale especially. I guess it stopped when they both got distracted and fell through the poop deck into the boat deck. Fortunately, Cale's had enough experience falling from greater heights, and Lilly landed on top of him. But I think we should put a tarp over the hole so he doe—so no one else falls in. I'd been recently thinking about having Rosaline's cutter converted, but I'm beginning to realize that it breaks people's falls and muffles the sound they make against the deckhead to my cabin.

—I can't believe I wrote that.

—Day 48 (Command, Day 11)

—I learned a couple of things today. First, Biluf is a fan of pyrotechnics. Dholit explained to me that she's one of the Gelto who makes bombs and shells for their flare guns. According to her translation, Biluf was trying to modify the color of the flares with different powders that she suspiciously obtained on Thicket Island. She had a lantern over her work table (which is now splinters all over the galley) while she was testing powder combinations, and she struck a match to light the lantern again. She dropped the match on the table and only had a moment to dive away from the table before the match lit her bag of gunpowder. Everything on the table exploded; there was shrapnel everywhere. Biluf agreed to clean it during her off-duty time. I discovered only about a half-hour ago that she had completely swept the galley clean. The only evidence left is the scorch marks on the deck where Dubbl and Lawrence beat away a couple of small fires.

—Second, because of all the mechanics that work the masts and the controls to the engine, there's no cargo hatch in the weather deck. Leynne, after asking Gold to take the helm for him, showed me that he had already thought up an alternative to my inevitable question. He showed me that, between the frames in the hold, he had cut out panels which could be easily raised or lowered to allow heavy cargo in through the hull instead of the deck. He showed me all four panels by opening them, revealing two on each side of the ship. The best part is they can be controlled with ropes while standing perfectly safe behind the permanent hull. Thanks to this, we got the whole deck aired out within an hour and got the night shift back to bed so they had time to sleep before they went on-duty. Yet again, I'm stymied by this invention. It's almost as if half of this ship wasn't even built on conventional vessels just to mess with me. But, in this case, I'm glad they decided to experiment with the ship; a hatch in the deck might not have been as effective.

—I've told Biluf that, if she wants to make more shells, please do it where it wouldn't cause such a problem. She decided to do it on the boat deck, which will be fine as long as she doesn't blow it up.

—Day 49 (Command, Day 12)

—Biluf has provided me with a range of shells which burn different colors when fired. We tested them out earlier today. Although they don't mix well with a sunny sky, they still show enough that at least it's possible to tell that there's a flare. She's made four different colors, so Leynne, Dubbl, and I worked out a system to determine what each color will mean if I ever have to fire one. We're planning to use this system so that we can communicate while we're at Sagacity Island. Knowing that the Moon's Shadow could show up there next, we've decided to create a few contingencies in case they come close to discovering us.

—Twali has also provided me with something interesting: arrows. She's a fletcher and used to work on a skiff, using a bow and arrows to hunt Malgyorgs. The arrows she made came from the same source that provided Biluf's powders (which I'm trying not to interpret as theft), and she only had enough for a handful. They're only sharpened shafts without arrowheads, but I was still grateful. If it came to anything attacking me, I think something with any kind of point will come in handy.

—We had a bit of a shift in the wind today, so we've had to go back to reaching. Still, I think we're close enough to Sagacity Island to be there within the next day.

—Day 50 (Command, Day 13)

—In memory of Airman Kaheel of the Horizon's Eye, I report that the Sky Lines around Sagacity Island are back.

—Day 51 (Command, Day 14)

—I slept in a bit, along with most of the day shift on deck. Layna was the worst, and no one wanted to wake her because they were afraid she would slit their throat. Lwamm didn't seem to mind covering for her, although she was the first one to try to wake Layna up, and she won't tell anyone what happened. I suspect that, while Layna is dangerous to people when she's awake, she's even more deadly when she's trying to sleep. I would've tried, but I had only woken up about half an hour before and didn't hear about it until after she came on duty. To tell the truth, I'm a little afraid of her.

—Most of the day was spent looking at clear skies again. No ships in sight, and I think we've lost track of the Moon's Shadow. I hope this means they aren't following us. The wind hasn't let us run the sails open all day; in fact, a couple of times, Leynne had to tack just to make sure we were still traveling toward Might Island. Tonight, we're sailing close hauled, but at least we're still moving. Still, Leynne had to correct our course. I don't see why the wind isn't behaving. As we were going north, the wind was with us, but now, it's as if the wind is trying to push us back to the south. Maybe it's an effect of only part of the Sky Lines being active; I don't really know.

—I don't know who to (maybe just myself), but I feel like I should explain last night's entry. We found a message from Airman Kaheel, the Sorian that the Stalarmors were using to find and manipulate the technoworks under Sagacity Island. The poor man was hungry, tired, hurt, and determined not to let himself be used. At least, that was how I interpreted it. Irleen's still taking his death hard, and I'm beginning to wonder if she really did know him. Sh

—She's fine. They're all fine. Just a little crazy.

—With the Sky Lines back, I hope that ships will return to traveling like normal. I wish we could use them, but we still seem to be destined to take the long way. We're probably better off; the lack of Sky Lines is the only things preventing Skyrider ships from finding us.

—Day 52 (Command, Day 15)

—Leynne had a large mark in the middle of his forehead. He explained that, last night, Dubbl had hit him with the door to my cabin after he gloated about being right. I asked him if he'd like me to talk to her again, but he admits that he had it coming for being a prick. Layna is back in her routine, although she seems to prefer avoiding Dholit when she can. It's beginning to make me wonder what exactly Dholit does to people that makes them afraid of her.

—Conditions have improved a bit. We've managed to keep a straight course toward Might Island while reaching. It's not the ideal speed, but it'll do.

—I must admit that I've had some question as to what happened to the Moon's Shadow. I know we probably lost Captain North when the Island Symphony was hidden under the island, but does that mean he stayed there at Sagacity Island? Or did they move on to Timbre Island? Or maybe even Might Island? With the Sky Lines back, maybe North decided to return to Castle Island and get some reinforcements. It would give us a lead, but it would also mean we'd have to outrun more ships.

—I think I'm just making myself worry.

—Day 53 (Command, Day 16)

—Surrendered a whole crate of rations to Sello, mostly out of fear that he'd beat the stuffing out of us. He must have been wondering where the crate disappeared because Leynne and I had just brought up from the deck below, where we've been storing our spare parts and some of our extra ration crates. We'll have to keep a better watch on the rations. And maybe Sello, too. I couldn't tell if he was drunk or not; he smells the same no matter what. But his rambling made him sound pretty bad. I wonder if he knows what's been going on.

—We finally caught a break today. The wind shifted to the northeast and let us run with both the main and outboard sails open. It lasted all afternoon before we had to return to reaching, but at least it's made this trip a little shorter. Still no sign of any other ships out here. My belief at this point is that other vessels haven't been traveling between Sagacity and Might Islands because of their distance. Since both islands are really good at supporting themselves, it's likely that most of the local captains have just kept moored while waiting for the Sky Lines to return. Although, now that I've thought about it, that would have been over two weeks ago. So, maybe there just isn't much shipping between the two islands. I don't know. It's late. I'm going to bed.

—Day 54 (Command, Day 17)

—Things were a little more normal today. We had the locking mechanism from one of the wenches break, and Leynne had to replace it before we could raise the port foresail again. We're still reaching, so we needed that sail up in order to maintain speed. He must have anticipated this because he had a few spare parts on hand, and he actually got it done pretty fast. I'm glad he could do it so quick. Hopefully, when we have a larger crew, he'll show them how to fix some of the complex things onboard. I can't even begin to imagine what they all put into this ship.

—We finally exchanged greetings with another ship heading toward Sagacity Island. Not much was said, especially since we don't have a set of signal flags. It was a Zephyr Sails airship, so I'm glad that's all that got exchanged. I can only imagine the response the Gelto might have if they had started hollering cusswords at us. Half of their deck crew might've been killed. The fact that we've finally sighted a vessel seems to indicate that trading is still going on, although probably at a reduced rate. It would have to be goods that can't expire; there's very little chance that fresh fruits and vegetables would survive as long of a journey as it is to Sagacity Island from Might Island.

—Ask about toy cucco.

—Try not to talk with a pillow in my mouth if she does it again. It's kind of embarrassing.

—Day 55 (Command, Day 18)

—Sello's couch is gone again. No one seems to care that a piece of furniture just seems to disappear from the ship at his whim. And I can't blame them; it's just Sello.

—For years, I've wondered what the weird rocks in ration packs are. I have to admit I'm mildly surprised to hear from Helo that they actually are rocks. Unfortunately, I've forgotten what kind he said, but he claims that they are actually tasty. To a Goron. I've informed the crew to set aside the rocks in their rations for them, but it still confuses me why people have been putting these stupid rocks in our rations. I've toyed with the idea that they are supposed to be emergency ammunition.

—Still reaching, but at least all our sails are still up. Leynne took a moment after his shift to double-check the other mechanisms and even peeked under the deck. Saw another vessel, too, but we didn't make contact.

—Day 56 (Command, Day 19)

—Sello's couch is back. And I'm beginning to wonder just where he puts it.

—Irleen's been irritated all day with having to stay in my cabin. I asked Leynne if it would be possible to give her access to the rest of the ship from my room, and he agreed that he might be able to put in a small tube to the deck below, but it would have to wait until we reach Might Island because he doesn't have any sort of drill or spare piping.

—I found out that Lwamm and Twali like to use the hold for running before they show up for duty. And I found this out because Lwamm ran into me while I was investigating the sounds they were making. Not much more was said because I was more inclined to return to my cabin and relax. She landed on my right arm, and it really hurts.

—The wind shifted enough that we were able to make another run with all sails open. No other vessels in sight. I think I understand why no one wants to travel like this. It's kinda boring.

—Day 57 (Command, Day 20)

—Sello set part of the engine room on fire.

—Sello was putting more coal into the engine when, according to Lawrence and Helo, something spat out of the engine and set the nearby deck on fire. I guess we found out what he did with the chemicals he swiped from Biluf, although I can't help wondering what their purpose would be inside the engine. Leynne thinks he may be trying a new form of combustion so that he can cut down on the amount of fuel used just to keep the ballast heated. It would probably be good for us; nearly a week sailing toward Might Island, and half of our coal is gone. With the Sky Lines, that reserve should've lasted us nearly a month. Unfortunately, throwing Biluf's chemistry set into the engine doesn't seem to have done the trick. Not to mention that it's too volatile. We're probably lucky that he could only get a small amount. Having the Island Symphony burn up because of Sello's whimsical experimentation would be kind of embarrassing.

—Our fuel shortage may be due in part to Gold running the engine at night. No one realized it until tonight, when I noticed that I could make out the main propeller spinning out through the windows in my cabin. The wind, for the past four nights, had died out in the middle of the night, after most of the day shift had already gone to bed. He explained that he noticed the ship's weathervane would occasionally whip around like the air was playing with it, although he couldn't notice much wind flow on the deck. I didn't fault him for it; if he hadn't run the engine, we would probably be further behind in reaching Might Island. The coal is going to cost, though, and the ship's current bank only has enough to buy one, maybe two loads. We've used about ten loads since setting out from Sagacity Island with a full supply.

—Today and for a good part of the evening, we've had a fairly strong wind. We're still reaching, but if we can get this kind of movement more often, we might be able to make Might Island before we start falling out of the sky. Because once we lose the ability to control the ballast, we might need to go all the way to the surface. And I don't know if we'll ever get back up again.

—Day 58 (Command, Day 21)

—Lawrence and Harley came to me this morning and expressed their concerns that we'll run out of fuel before we reach Might Island. I told them that we're trying to avoid using the engine to drive us and, if it comes to it, we'll tear apart the cutter and start using our crates (which we're really suppose to save) as emergency fuel. And we'd start pulling off pieces of the ship itself if we had to. They left satisfied. Earlier this evening, I asked Leynne to draw up some plans in case it came to stripping out non-essential parts of the ship and using them for fuel. I've made it as clear as possible that our empty storage crates will go first. If it's possible to save the cutter, I want to. And, if it comes to it, Leynne believes we can afford to sacrifice some of our speed by felling the two main masts and cutting them apart. The problem is that if it comes to it, all of the standing rigging will have to be changed around. It would be a risky affair, so I've spoken with Dubbl about what we'll have to do. She says that we can rearrange the rigging if we have to, but we'll have to place more anchor points on the deck and the bulwark since it would be difficult to distribute the strain of the standing rigging between the masts, as they are now. We have the tools for it, but I really hope it doesn't come to it.

—Leynne is estimating that we still have one full week before we make it to Might Island, but he mentioned that he doesn't expect these maps to be very accurate. I agreed with him since I know they're inaccurate. Given the general layout of the maps he purchased at Castle Island, I'm pretty sure they're just the old maps with the missing Sky Lines removed. General maps of the kingdom have never been accurate enough to sail by unless you're using the Sky Lines. We need maps that detail the regions of Hyrule because those have been measured out. That, and, being probably over three weeks since the Sky Lines were turned off, I think there's a chance that the islands may have drifted away from each other, just like Irleen said.

—We managed to run all sails open again for the afternoon and into the evening. I've just ordered the sails back to reaching since the wind shifted on us again. This allows us to make some good sailing. I just hope it's enough to make it to Might Island before we run out of fuel.

—Day 59 (Command, Day 22)

—Sello got to the empty crates first. Lawrence and Helo never saw him grab the trash crate we were using, but he had broken it down and thrown it along with the trash into the engine. They found the nails all over the floor. The nice part about this is he's already rationing our remaining fuel supply. Unfortunately, we'll have to pretend that it didn't happen; the dockmaster at Might Island will fine the ship for destroying them. Thankfully, Sello knows how to take care of the evidence. As if we aren't already in trouble. Here I am, fugitive from a fake princess and my own fleet, and I'm worried about being fined for destroying crates. At the end of the week, we'll be lucky if we don't get captured or shot down or just plain fall out of the sky.

—We got enough wind to run all sails open again early this morning and well into the afternoon. As we haven't encountered ships lately, I'm thinking that, if the pattern of the wind lately is an indication, ships sailing in our direction are probably going toward Timbre Island instead of trying to beat their way to Sagacity Island. It kinda makes me wonder how sailors were able to tolerate traveling like this for all of these years. I'm beginning to get impatient, and I think the crew is as well.

—Day 60 (Command, Day 23)

—It's just occurred to me it's been two months since I started this journal, two months since the Smiling Gunner shot the Island Sonata out of the sky. It feels so strange. The month I've been on the surface, time just seemed to go so slow. Then, coming back up here, it's like time just got away. It's probably because of the tedium that's developed in the days since we fled from Castle Island. Aside from what happened on Sagacity Island, there hasn't really been much to do. Since we're keeping out of range of the Moon's Shadow, most of the crew has had to find something to keep themselves busy on-duty and off. It probably doesn't help that there isn't much to do while on-duty. Twali and Cale keep themselves busy with lookout and Leynne and Gold always have the helm. But the rest of the deck crew, well—Lwamm likes to do pull-ups in the doorway to the boat deck and occasionally climbs the rigging. Layna always seems to be glaring at something, sometimes on the deck and sometimes in the open air. Dholit thinks that she's working to memorize the sounds on the ship so she can react if something happens to be wrong. Dholit follows me around like she's waiting for me to give her an order or something. Sometimes I have to go below just to get away from her; she knows she has to stay on the weather deck. Biluf talks to herself. At least, I think she does; she's aware that no one but the other Gelto understand her.

—Off-duty, things get a little awkward. Dholit has hidden herself in my bedroom just to ambush me before I go to sleep. Layna, Twali, and Lwamm tend to work out before and sometimes after their shifts. There's generally no telling what Biluf does, but she tends to go to the boat deck a lot, probably to use her chemistry set. Dubbl, Cale, and Gold seem to be the only ones who go straight to their berths.

—I've been a little restless myself. I think it's mostly because there's really no telling at this point whether we'll reach Might Island or not. Leynne approached me today with plans to convert the cutter we got from Rosaline into a usable air launch. We have an idea of what we can do about our lack of supplies and funding, but we're really pushing ourselves at this point. I keep thinking how much easier things would be with the Sky Lines around. With the supplies we brought up, we could've run circles around the kingdom in the month we've been up here. As things are now, though, it's like we're slowly starving to death.

—No, I can't think like that. Captain Alfonzo once told me that if a person uses the words "starving to death", then he becomes useless. I can't afford to be useless, not now. There's too many things that have to be done.

—Day 61 (Command, Day 24)

—I decided on a change in duties today just to keep people from performing the same thing over and over again. I did it mostly because it would help break up this feeling I've been getting that the crew is suddenly going to go crazy (not that it isn't possible they already have). I also thought that it would be better if, in case something horrible happened and Leynne or Gold weren't available, others could man the helm in an emergency. So I put Leynne and Gold on deck patrol, shifted Biluf and Lwamm to lookouts, and put Cale and Twali on the helm. I've been considering permanently removing Leynne from the helm and leaving him to deck patrol since it shouldn't be his constant responsibility to man it. He's supposed to be my second-in-command, after all. He needs to be more aware of the ship than just the helm. I told him as much, and he argued that he was only supposed to be temporary second anyway. He seems to prefer manning the wheel, but I explained my reasons to him. For a moment, I thought he was going to punch me, but he just calmed down and accepted it. I asked him why the sudden hostility when he had appeared a little enthusiastic when we talked yesterday. I had not realized that he was losing sleep, and it was rubbing on his nerves a bit. I suggested that he go to bed earlier and trying to get a little more sack time. He said he's tried it, but he can't help shaking the feeling that something bad is going to happen to us once we reach Might Island. We just sort of left the conversation there. I can't blame him, though. Without knowing where the Moon's Shadow disappeared to, it is possible that they may have headed us off.

—Cale decided to use some of his off-duty time to learn a bit more Sorian from Irleen. The last I heard of the session, she was shouting at him about pronunciation. I myself have been trying to learn a bit of Geltoan. Dholit tried to translate a few of my commands, but I just can't seem to remember the words. And the way Geltoan is spoken, it felt like I was going to rub my throat raw with all the pronunciations I couldn't get. It's something I should learn. It would be nice to be able to tell the Gelto something without having Dholit or Dubbl (especially Dholit) translate it for them.

—We spent most of the day reaching. I'm hoping that, if we can get a good wind behind us, we might make it before the end of our second week out here. The engine crew is getting worried about our fuel, although Sello is still trying to stretch it out by burning empty ration packs. I've even noticed that a case of the alcohol we bought for him has gone missing, but I don't really think that means much.

—Day 62 (Command, Day 25)

—I maintained the duty roster I made yesterday so that some of the crew had time to get use to other duties. I thought about bringing up some of the engine crew, but I decided I'm not going to unless they ask. So far, Lawrence, Lidago, Helo, and Harley don't seem to be bothered by the lack of sunlight, although I did see Harley this evening before his shift began. He was on the forecastle chatting with Cale for a bit. I hadn't thought about it, but it appears that Harley had joined my crew in the heat of passion. He had just broken up with his fiancée before the call went out for volunteers to come out to Fishington and help build the ship. He explained to Cale that it had been pretty ugly and he didn't want to be anywhere near her for fear that they would actually kill each other. Cale commented that he felt a little sorry for Harley, but I guess Harley told him that it was the best thing that could've happened. He wanted to get away from her, so he was willing to take a post on the Island Symphony. And he seems to have hated both times I gave the crew the chance to leave because it made him feel like he was being forced to go back to her. Now that I think about it, he did sound kind of eager to overthrow the fake Zelda a couple weeks ago.

—We got a running wind this afternoon, but it maybe lasted for just a couple of hours. Leynne wanted to try lowering the ship on a hunch that the winds below us might offer something different, but I didn't want to chance that we might find a worse wind than what we've been following. I saw him still on-deck before I decided to turn in for the night. But I can't be sure what he was doing.

—Day 63 (Command, Day 26)

—Finally! After almost two weeks of switching back and forth, we finally had a whole day of northeasterly wind to push us toward Might Island at a full run. This surely should've shaved time off our journey. And it's definitely welcome. I don't know how we got so lucky, but I hope our luck will last into tomorrow. It would be great to see Might Island on the horizon in the morning.

—The crewmen I switched around seem to be taking to their jobs quite nicely, and that was what I was hoping for. If we don't make it to Might Island tomorrow morning, I think I'll shift them around again, get other people used to the helm and lookout.

—Leynne raised a few questions today which I actually hadn't considered. His main concern was that, while the Moon's Shadow was chasing us from the western islands, it was possible that more ships were approaching us from the east. He has a point, and I told him that it was possible that they were. When he asked how we might avoid running into another Skyrider vessel, I pointed out that Might Island not only has two docking areas, but plenty of mountainous areas which we could use to hide behind if we need to leave or pick up someone away from the docks. When he brought up the idea that someone might see us just as we're approaching, I told him that the moment we see the island, we can increase the ballast and rise so that we can get a look at the docks without anyone being able to observe the Island Symphony. When he pointed out how suspicious that would look, I had to agree with him, but I also said that some captains do that to keep an eye out for rival vessels.

—Day 64 (Command, Day 27)

—Our luck held out, and we ran up until the early evening before the wind shifted and forced us to return to reaching. I explained this to the crew, and it was nice to see their spirits lifting a bit. We still haven't made it to Might Island, but we're so much closer now. It's saved us another day of fuel since we haven't had to use the engine for propulsion. As for rations, well, we're still having to stretch them out. The engine crew won't eat the rations Sello stole, and our current supply only tastes mildly better than that. It feels like it's been forever since I last had a decent ration from this area of the kingdom.

—The discussion I had with Cale about Harley a couple days ago sort of inspired me today. After Dholit was done at lookout (I had rotated the deck crew again), I asked her about the other Gelto on the ship. She explained to me that Gelto like to be around warriors that pull off incredible feats. They mostly hope that being part of my crew will let them see some action. They already know about my fight with the Malgyorg in the Sand Realm. Actually, she told me that some of the stories around me have been exaggerated. One story, which she heard from Lwamm, goes that I punched a bunch of smaller Malgyorg out of the desert and used their noses to make a pair of gloves so that I could punch through the big Malgyorg's thick skin and rip its heart out. Twali seems to think that I used the smaller Malgyorg to make a bow and some arrows so that I could shoot its eyes out and then slash its belly open with my sword, which I suppose is close enough to the truth. Biluf's version, though, seemed to involve me shooting a cannon full of chemicals into its mouth and making it explode into a humongous ball of purple smoke (and she was very adamant about the color of the smoke). She couldn't get a story from Layna, but she did say that Layna is actually a little afraid of me. I really can't understand why; I think everyone onboard is afraid of her!

—I can't help feeling a little optimistic right now. Maybe it's just the fact that nothing's tried to kill me in two weeks. I know it'll probably change once we reach Might Island, but, for now, I think I'll just sit back and enjoy it.

—Day 65 (Command, Day 28)

—We saw light on the horizon tonight and corrected our course. It turns out we've probably gone a little further south than we needed. I also ordered everyone to their previous duty stations and had Gold increase the ballast so that we're above the level of the island. I also told Lwamm (through Dubbl, of course) to stay on the bow and keep track of the island since Gold can't see it from the wheel. I decided to go ahead and get some sleep, and we should have the island close enough in the morning to tell if there are any Skyrider ships looking for us. The day shift is gonna be relieved when we dock. Hopefully, we'll have a bit of time before we have to hide the ship to get done what needs to be done. The main thing, of course, being supplies.

—Other than that, today was actually pretty quiet. Cale got sick (probably from a bad ration), and he threw up in the head. It must not have been that bad if he had time to run from beside the aft capstans to the bow. I thought he just might pitch himself overboard and kinda chased him. But he's fine. I told him to take it easy.

—Day 66 (Command, Day 29)

—This morning, we reached Might Island. This afternoon, we set sail for Tabletop Island. Captain North, in his mission to get me, took Lilly, our first passenger, from Sagacity Island while I was in the technoworks. I don't know how he found her, but now he's using her to force us to surrender. What's worse, I can't see any means of getting out of this without someone getting killed. Gold said that North has to be bluffing, and he might let her go if we refuse to answer his demands. Dholit wants us to sacrifice her so that we can keep going on with our "mission". But I can't do either of those things, knowing that someone else is about to die because of me. I lost Albert to Cunimincus because I was too late to warn the Horizon's Eye. I watched Airman Jared die because the fake princess commanded it. She wouldn't have been able to if I had just reached Captain Koroul. I had to witness Airman Kaheel's final message left from before he starved himself to death just to end his suffering. Part of the crew of the Horizon's Eye and the entire crew of the Cloud Moon all died because of me. I wish I had stopped it all. If I had just taken a step back and thought things through a little better—There were so many times I could have said no. I could have asked the princess to wait so we could take her home. I could have told the princess that we don't sail into the Undying Storm for a reason. I could have exposed her before we left Castle Island. I could have gone back and asked Lore to give the letter to someone else. I could have even turned down my promotion to lieutenant. That should have been where I started. Who promotes a fourteen-year-old to a ship's commander? Through that, I've lost my first ship, I've caused the deaths of probably almost fifty people, I've opened the door for a homicidal airship crew to invade the kingdom, and I may have even lost my best friend. Everything's just gone straight to hell!

—No more. I can't have anyone else die because of me. If I have to take Lilly's place just to stop it, I will. If I had to lose another crewman, I would sooner have it be me. No more. This is how far the killing goes. Not my crew. Not North's crew. Not Lilly. No one else.

—It ends with me.

—I've got the best crew ever!

—Day 67 (Command, Day 30)

—After almost a day moving west, I ordered the Island Symphony to turn south for Might Island again. It'll probably be another day and a half before we get back to the island, but, this time, we have the supplies to handle the wait. In the meantime, we're sailing high so that we might see the Moon's Shadow coming for us before they can catch us.

—I've told Lilly that, if all goes right in the next few days, we'll have her back on Sagacity Island while we buy time for Leynne to produce some funds. She's asked us if there's something she can do while she's aboard. Unfortunately, I couldn't think of anything. But then she pointed out that she might be able to discover where the King and Queen of Hyrule are or may have gone. So we called Leynne in, and he agreed to take her with him to Might Island. We all reasoned that, if Leynne and Lilly were together, they could watch each other's back.

—Irleen's been mad at me for most of the morning while I was trying to nap. I know I nearly let her down, and I want to set things up so Captain North can't try this whole situation again. So, after we're through with Might Island, I'm going to ask Lilly to become part of my crew, if only temporarily until we can do something about the Skyriders chasing us. If North expects us to take her right back to Sagacity Island and run into whoever he might've sent over there, I intend to disappoint him. As long as we were last seen moving west, he should be under the impression that that's where we're going.

—Day 68 (Command, Day 31)

—We've changed direction east so we can return to Might Island. Dholit reminded me that, with so many of his airmen injured thanks to Layna ambushing them as well as the deck crew beating the stuffing out of the boarding party, North will probably be looking for a clinic on Might Island. I tend to agree, especially since a surgeon stationed on an airship is generally unable to take care of more than four men at the same time. The wind has been with us, so we're probably looking at maybe less than a full day of sailing before we sight the island again. Once we have the island in sight, we'll drop below the island and come up on the north side so we can dock where I hope the Moon's Shadow won't dock. I'll be looking at the ships' banners; as far as I've seen, the Skyriders are the only ones who use black banners. From there, finding an opening to the technoworks is going to be interesting. Irleen told me that, while each island is only controlled from one point, there may be two or three different sections in the technoworks. Which means we probably got lucky with Sagacity Island. Might Island, with its mountains and potential for many different places to have the entrance, we need a way to find the right one.

(The following are loose papers between the original pages.)

—Day—I don't know what day it is.

—I've been away from the Island Symphony for almost two days. Both Layna and I were injured after facing the Lizalfos down in the technoworks under the center of Might Island. We're both resting at a clinic on the north side of the island, hopefully far enough away from the Moon's Shadow that Captain North won't find us. I couldn't sleep tonight because of my shoulder, so I found some paper and a pen at the doctors' desk.

—I met with Leynne and Lilly earlier this afternoon. We know where the king and queen are, or at least where they've been.

(This ends the log entry on the loose papers; the remainder of text are regular pages in the log.)

—Day 70 (Command, Day 33)

—I'm amazed how much has happened in the past two days. Both Layna and I have been injured, her more horribly than me. We've returned the northern Sky Lines. And we've discovered the remains of the people whom the Lizalfos had eaten ever since they took over Might Island's technoworks. This last development makes me afraid of what we might find on the next island. I can't be too sure, but, after looking at an old map, it seems pretty clear that we could be looking at Bold Island next. Cunimincus and his murderous crew are the only ones who know what's waiting for us out there. And, unfortunately, that's just on top of trying to keep the Skyriders away from us. So I hope that we find the king and queen soon.

—We're on our way to West Iron Island now. At least I hope we are. We're using an uncharted Sky Line. We've been heading east for a good part of the afternoon, though, so I'm a little hopeful.

—Well, we didn't find the king and queen, but we have another lead. And, just as expected, we're heading south toward Bold Island.

—I met Captain Luke for the first time in over three years. I have to admit, I was just about as paranoid as Gold, so I'd call myself pretty lucky that Luke actually likes me. He didn't believe me about the Sky Lines, and, granted, I'd probably be about as believing as him. But at least he's willing to back me up and buy us some time to get to Bold Island. It's occurred to me, though, that Captain North might be able to use the Sky Lines we've already restored to beat us there. So now I really hope the distraction we left on Might Island works.

—Day 71 (Command, Day 34)

—I can't say watching Layna throw Sello to the deck was fortunate. And I can't really say I'm glad she did it, either. But at least I had a reasonable excuse to punish her and make her stay in bed until she can heal up. Biluf seemed relieved, and I think the other Gelto were, too. I don't know why, but I felt really tired at the end of today.

—Day 72 (Command, Day 35)

—We had to spend part of the day using the engine to push us south due to horrible winds. Leynne thinks this might've also affected our course, so he spent some time keeping track of our movement and went off-duty into my cabin to figure out our position. He reported that, at best, we've deflected from our course a bit, but it shouldn't be significant enough to make us miss Bold Island. He suspects that we may miss South Sand Island, though. Personally, I don't think it'll be a problem; if we miss it and reach Bold Island, we could always double back. It'll be easier as long as Bold Island is where the technoworks were sabotaged.

—I'm glad to report that Layna has begun to heal properly. Dubbl says she's been silent about being punished, but, somehow, I'm afraid that she might be mad at me. I don't want to say it was something I had to do because that's just too easy. I really feel kinda bad that I had to punish her just to get her to feel better. Maybe, by the time we reach Bold Island, things will be back to normal. As creepy as it's been having her secretly follow me ashore ever since we started running, I'd feel more comfortable if she was able to come along.

—Day 73 (Command, Day 36)

—Today, we've probably done one of the weirdest things ever: we spent part of the day harvesting cubes of technoworks from a bunch of floating rocks. We have four total, and Leynne thinks that we'll be able to put them on the cutter with some of our spare parts. This probably put us a day behind, but if we can get the cutter working as a launch, we won't have to worry about risking the safety of the Island Symphony every time we approach an island.

—We had to run the engine more today, but Leynne reminded me that the islands always produce wind that push outward from the island. His hunch was right; the larger rocks in the area produce the same thing, although maybe not as strong. Although neither Leynne nor Gold really enjoyed sailing near the rocks, it gave us some reprieve from using the engines and save fuel. But unless the winds in this area shift, we could possibly run out of fuel before we reach even South Sand Island. It feels just like the journey from Sagacity Island to Might Island, only this time, things are happening too quickly. We need a way to move faster before we chance falling out of the sky again.

—Day 74 (Command, Day 37)

—We're still traveling through the scattered technoworks, but we've attempted to lessen our reliance on the engine by continuing to move near the larger rocks. Leynne modified two of our oil lanterns so that the light they give off is brighter in one direction, which makes it easier to move at night. Still, we've been hit by three rocks today. I'm glad Leynne was right about the hull, but I never thought I'd be testing it by flying through a bunch of rocks. It makes me wish we had started at Bold Island, although I wonder where we would be now if we had.

—Day 75 (Command, Day 38)

—The rocks were thinner today. Unfortunately, this means we've had to rely on the engine again. We tried beating to windward for some of the smaller distances between the larger rocks, but the Island Symphony being such a large ship makes it difficult for her to tack. We could run close-hauled for a bit due to having six gaff-rigged sails, but it doesn't get us to Bold Island any faster. Most everyone's been quiet today, and I can't help feeling that things are quickly going hopeless around here.

—I found us a new option.

—Day 76 (Command, Day 39)

—I spent the morning receiving lectures on what scares the crew the most, even what scares me. I guess I'll be holding onto any more ideas for when it won't separate my crew from their souls. But both Leynne and Dholit have had some very good points. As eager, I guess, as I am to return to the Undying Storm with some way to rescue Princess Zelda, I need to remember that just willing it to happen isn't enough. I have my crew to think about, especially since we're still being hunted by the Skyriders.

—The wind gave us a little bit of help this afternoon, allowing us to sail south much better. According to Leynne, between the Island Symphony sailing close-hauled and the technoworks driving us, we've been moving faster than we were a couple days before. When the wind died down, we decided to try running the engine with the technoworks.

—Needless to say, we won't be doing that again. As it turns out, when Sello's engine doesn't have to do so much pushing, the resulting speed makes even the Gelto cringe. I guess it's one thing when the ship's being driven by a Sky Line, but a completely different nightmare when we're being driven by a drunk.

—Somehow, it's made me anticipate telling Captain Alfonzo all about my command so far. Just to see if he's capable of laughing.

—Day 77 (Command, Day 40)

—Today was probably the quietest day we've had for a while on this ship. Other than Layna still recovering, things seemed to just flow without any trouble. I talked to Lilly when she came on-deck, and we decided that, while Layna is still recovering, she could fill in for a while. Although, I have to admit, I really don't think she understands how rough being an airman can get. Then again, now that I consider it, I'm beginning to wonder if there are some duties that I've forgotten to assign.

—We got lucky again with the wind giving us an opportunity to reach to the south. We've managed a good bit of speed for the day before the wind shifted on us again. But, for once, it felt like nothing had gone very wrong. Gold even suggested turning the engine on again just to scare the hell out of the crew. Apparently, he thought it would help the status quo of things going wrong for us. I know he was joking, but I have to admit that I was actually considering it.

—Day 78 (Command, Day 41)

—Found out today that there's very little for me to do on this ship without it reminding me of my troubles. I've spent most of the day practicing on the blues harp I found on Sagacity Island. I can still remember some of the small pieces that Lukka taught me, and I might have put that song on Might Island back together. I can't seem to do anything else without thinking about someone who's in trouble. Princess Zelda, Line, Flower, Albert, Captain Alfonzo—They just seem to work their way into my thoughts when I'm not playing. I kinda wonder what Captain Albel would say if he knew how much trouble I was in. Probably shout at me and say I did something wrong. Or would that be Captain Alfonzo?

—We sighted a ship in the distance this evening. If it was a mining vessel, it could mean that we're near the end of this slice of nightmarish sky. The wind still isn't working with us, but at least we're maintaining speed without having to use the engine. If I didn't have to control each individual block, I'd seriously consider keeping them so we don't have to use up our coal stock. But, once we reach Bold Island, Leynne will install them on the cutter.

—Day 79 (Command, Day 42)

—I'm beginning to think the universe as a whole is conspiring to make me look like I'm crazy. It probably doesn't help that things keep happening to me which I can't explain without sounding like a lunatic. Today, I had to get around explaining that I now hear Princess Zelda's voice in my head even when I'm awake. I was just trying to find out what Sello did with his couch, and she spontaneously laughed at the whole thing. It's a good thing we have Irleen aboard; I would've never been able to give a decent explanation. If I have to explain one more weird thing to my crew, I think I'm just going to let them think I'm nuts. I think I've already gone insane anyway.

—On a less rant-y note, we're still sailing under the power of the technoworks. I can't really say for how much longer. The wind had shown a little promise this morning, but it just didn't work out. At this point, I'm mainly just glad we're still moving. We were slowed a bit by the rocks; they seemed a little thicker today. By my best guess, we're about four or five days away from South Sand Island.

—Day 80 (Command, Day 43)

—I wish we would get there faster.

—Day 81 (Command, Day 44)

—I've been talking with Princess Zelda for the past couple of days. For someone trapped in the brig of a demons' airship, she's actually been pretty level-headed. I hope it means that I was right, that it would be better for us to keep in contact. I would sure feel stupid if this whole situation really does drive us both crazy.

—Today marks the second day that we've found Sello sleeping in a strange place. Well, stranger than usual anyway. Yesterday, he fell asleep leaning on the capstan while his eyes were still open. Today, Cale complained that he had done something similar in the berth deck, leaning against the interior of Cale's berth. According to Lawrence, Sello scared the hell out of Cale doing that, and Lawrence took Sello down to the engine room when he went on duty. We discovered that Sello's stock of alcohol is dwindling; it was something that both Leynne and I hadn't really thought about before leaving Might Island. I've since added it to the list of supplies we'll be needing once we find an island, whether it's South Sand Island or Bold Island.

—The way we're traveling, though, makes me wish we would be at Bold Island right away. The wind hasn't helped for the past two days, and I'm thinking it just might be the same once we get to either island. At least we have the supplies if we happened to overshoot South Sand Island (aside from the aforementioned lack of fuel for Sello), but—Now I'm not sure where I wanna end up. With the way the wind has been, Bold Island would be better, but stopping at South Sand Island would give us some time to set up before going to Bold Island.

—And I've just discovered how hard my desktop is. I'll be going to sleep with a concussion tonight.

—Day 82 (Command, Day 45)

—We're finally out of the rocky area of the sky between West Iron and South Sand Islands. With this, we should be able to maintain a straight course due south. Whether it'll be a steady course I think will rely more on the wind. Which hasn't been any more cooperative today. Earlier today, we'd been getting hints that the wind might actually shift northeast instead of northwest. It would be good if we needed to move east, but it really wasn't that strong anyway. So we've been moving with the technoworks again. I checked on them, and I was surprised to find that there wasn't any dirt on the outsides. I asked Irleen about this just a minute or so ago. She says that, since we're moving, it's possible the breeze from the wind and the ship is blowing the dirt off as the cubes excrete it. (Man, that sounds weird.) I guess it makes sense since dirt doesn't seem to grip onto the technoworks too well anyway.

—We found Sello sleeping under the forecastle today. Probably the only reason we noticed was because he nearly lost his foot in the steering mechanism. I've asked the engine crew to tie him down if he tries to leave the room again; I really don't want him to wander the ship like this. It's a little scary.

—Biluf gave us an interesting evening. She flooded the boat deck with purple smoke. She hadn't set the ship on fire, and I didn't really believe she actually had. You know, again. I mean, how does burning wood produce bright, purple smoke that smells like flowers? She was a little hard to understand, even when she was speaking Geltoan with Dubbl. But, from what I gathered, she's making more shells for our flare guns. Now that I'm thinking about it, if she's making shells which use smoke instead of the bright flares which we've been using, those might actually be pretty useful. It's hard to see flares in the day sometimes, so making shells that produce smoke would be great.

—I haven't heard anything from Princess Zelda today. I don't know if she was just being quiet or if something might've happened back on Cunimincus' ship. Or she probably just couldn't make contact today. It's been happening so frequently lately that I already miss talking to her.

—Day 83 (Command, Day 46)

—Saw a pair of ships heading north this morning, though we were too far east to hail them. Saw one more ship this afternoon, too. It's gotta be a good sign; those should be miner ships traveling into the rocky region behind us. We've gotta be close to South Sand Island. After the third ship, Leynne suggested changing our course so that we would sail in their wake and come closer to South Sand Island.

—We found Sello sleeping on the countertop in the galley, though it wasn't for lack of trying; he somehow brought up one of his empty crates with him. No one really noticed him until Lwamm came running onto the deck declaring that something was making a crate in the galley float. It turned out that Sello was sleeping on the counter with one of the crates tied to his back. We moved him back down to the engine room and filled one of his bottles with grog. Maybe it will keep him in the engine room until we can reach the South Sand Island.

—I still haven't heard anything from Princess Zelda. I'm getting a little worried.

—Day 84 (Command, Day 47)

—I've just realized that I'm coming up on three months since I started this journal. I look back through these pages and I always seem to realize that so many things have happened in all that time. This time I tried flipping forward, and I realized that I don't know what's going to happen tomorrow, next week, or next month. It would really help at this point. I'd like to know if we succeed in restoring the last of the Sky Lines. And I'd really like to know that I'll find the king and queen before something bad happens. With this news that the queen's condition might be getting worse, I'm becoming concerned for Zelda as well. It might've been better that we didn't keep in contact after all, but we're too far into it now. Things might get harder without her.

—We docked at South Sand Island this morning. We resupplied Sello, had Layna checked out and cleared for duty, and the whole crew has had the chance to enjoy a little time off the ship. As much as I want to let them have a few days, we left just before sundown for Bold Island. Something seems to be going on there; Cale and Lilly said that the port's closed itself off to Skyriders, and there might be a problem with the technoworks. You know, other than the fact that Cunimincus' airmen are probably tearing it apart.

—Day 85 (Command, Day 48)

—I've often heard other airmen say that the world likes to throw us a day where everything goes bad only to make us appreciate the good it delivers in the end. I didn't think I'd ever live such an extreme day. I was so certain my day would end with me getting no sleep while my crew started to tear each other apart. But then Leynne and Dholit came into my cabin and gave me a present: a new tunic. According to them, the crew just doesn't feel right without me wearing one. And I have to admit that I've missed it. I don't know if I'll ever get my first tunic back, but, somehow, this makes me feel wonderful. I definitely won't let this one get away from me.

—If we're to trust what people said about the journey from South Sand Island to Bold Island, we should be there in at least three more days. We've had to run on the engine for most of the day; the winds still won't cooperate, but they at least gave us a good push away from South Sand Island.

—Work is proceeding on the cutter, so we should have a usable launch soon. I think Leynne said that Sello was still working on the engine, although I'm surprised that he's doing it so quietly now. I hope he stays quiet; I need the sleep.

—Day 86 (Command, Day 49)

—My crew seems to be developing new ways of bothering each other as we continue on. It's a wonder no one's died on this ship yet.

—We're still running on the engine toward Bold Island. This is probably one of the few times we'll ever need to rely on Sello's engine alone, so it'll be interesting to see how it actually moves the ship.

—Speaking of Sello's engine, it appears he managed to build and fit an engine into the cutter (which, in keeping with the ship's name, we've renamed the Conductor because no one can remember its first name) in just two days. It looks impressive, but neither Leynne nor I can figure out how it's supposed to work. I decided to wait until we reach Bold Island before trying it; I'd rather not have an incident on our hands without there being a large island for us to crash onto if we need it. Leynne has managed to put most of the mounting frame for the technoworks-based ballast system in place. Once he finishes it in the morning, Irleen says that she might be able to help us waken the technoworks and figure out how to control them. Leynne said his plan involves using sliding shutters to expose the technoworks blocks so that they can take in what they need from Goron poop.

—That last sentence is going to stick with me for a while.

—Day 87 (Command, Day 50)

—The Conductor flies. And now that we know that it can fly on the technoworks, Dubbl and Leynne are going to fit it with a short sail so that it can be turned. We haven't tried using Sello's engine yet, and, really, I'm a little afraid to. We still don't know what kind of engine he made for it, but I have this strange feeling that it's something we've never dealt with before. Which seems appropriate enough; that was the same problem we had with Sello.

—We're still moving on the engine, but, if the estimated distance between South Sand Island and Bold Island is correct, we could be there by tomorrow evening at the earliest. We should still have fuel to keep the ship aloft even if we can't refuel at Bold Island, and, if it comes to it, we should be able to return to South Sand Island to get some more if we can't get the Sky Lines back.

—I'd like to think that I'm prepared for whatever we find on Bold Island. Irleen knows what Cunimincus sent there, and we know how to control the technoworks. Nothing can surprise me.

—Day 88 (Command, Day 88)

—We came to Bold Island, we kicked ass on Bold Island, we'll leave Bold Island in the morning. I'm way too tired to do ano~~

—Day 89 (Command, Day 52)

—We made it to Skyrider Port this afternoon and found the king and queen. Just like Cale and Lilly said, the queen's pretty sick, and the Port doesn't have the medicine necessary to help her. So we set out and made Autumn Island this evening. We have the medicine with us, and I've just ordered the ship back to the Port.

—We also have something else working for us. The Grand Sails was hiding at Autumn Island. Captain Alfonzo was severely injured after action, and he's been sick since then, but he's sent the Grand Sails to meet up with us at Skyrider Port. If we can get it to look like one of the princess's drafted ships (and if Captain Luke shows up in time), we should be able to get the king into the castle without a problem. There might be a lot of waiting involved, so I'm planning to give the crew some liberty once we reach the Port. Ironically, it's one of the safest places for it.

—I've been contemplating what Captain Alfonzo told me about my promotion. It's all so amazing; I'm still a little shocked by it. All this time, and I never knew about any of it. I'm not sure if I want to mention any of it to anyone else right now. I know there's gonna be one person I'll look forward to seeing once we get back. It's probably the most I've ever looked forward to seeing her.

—Day 90 (Command, Day 53)

—We returned to Skyrider Port by about mid-morning. The queen has had her medicine, and the king is off preparing to return to Castle Island.

—I must admit that I'm a little shocked myself to know that I've been talking to the real Princess Zelda this whole time. It was getting difficult to believe that I might have actually been only dreaming of her. Now I know for sure that I'm not losing my mind; even Irleen says that it's possible if Zelda's able to change the way her gem works. I think that's the general agreement since there's no other explanation at all. But, whatever the reason, I'm glad to know that she's real.

—The Gelto found Sello placing some kind of small machine on a carriage. They weren't sure what he was supposed to be doing, but I'm pretty sure that turning the carriage into splinters and scrap metal against the side of a bakery was just a side effect. He explained that he was still in search of a "smooth hat", but he was so drunk that he couldn't stand on his own, so I doubt if he actually knew what he was saying. No one knows why he left the ship; he still had plenty of alcohol.

—The Grand Sails has a black flag now, and most of the crew have black tunics. However, the Grand Sails does not have any weapons to distribute to its airmen. A few of the crew have personal weapons, but it's gonna look bad if we can't at least make it look like the deck crew is armed. Leynne found a gunsmith earlier this evening, and he thinks that he might be able to build some fake weapons in case another Skyrider ship happens to appear. He also seems to be working on something else, but he's keeping it under wraps for now. I figure he's just inventing something new. I hope it's something we can use.

—Day 91 (Command, Day 54)

—I met with Blair and Mallard this morning to see what we're still missing. Blair asked if I knew what the flag standard was for a captured vessel, and I realized that we still didn't have any signal flags. So we went to the company office. There's just a few of the staff there; I guess they're waiting to see if the ships are gonna be released from service (which, I'm sure, they will be soon). They supplied us with a set of flags, and I also got some of my spare clothes from my old quarters. It's nice having a clean outfit again, especially one that fits me right.

—Leynne is still making fake weapons to supply the crew of the Grand Sails. We're also having some tunics dyed black for Lawrence, Gold, and Flower to make it look like they're crew from either the Grand Sails or the Summer Breeze. Obviously, we can't expect to fool anyone with the Gelto wearing black tunics, but it helps our story if the Skyriders already know part of my crew is made of women.

—The king sent one of his staff to the ship to give us a report on their situation. The queen is recovering, and the clinic staff says that she should be well enough to travel in another day. The Summer Breeze should be here by tomorrow, and the king says that he would like to move out the morning after preparations are finished. I think, at the rate we're going, the last thing we'll need is the Summer Breeze.

—Day 92 (Command, Day 55)

—My face hurts. I don't know if that Darknut might've broken something when he hit me, but I've got a large bruise on my cheek. But now, we have Captain North and the Moon's Shadow on our side. We threw the Darknut over the side of the ship so that, if it came back to life, it wouldn't hurt anyone. Unfortunately, there was damage done to the Moon's Shadow's main-mast. North says that I owe him a new mast, but for now, they're gonna steal a mast from the shipyard and work all through the night and into tomorrow replacing the main-mast. It's occurred to me that the Darknut looked like the knights standing in front of the castle wall. I'm glad that we can get past them into the castle, but I hope they'll disappear once the fake princess is gone. Otherwise, it's gonna be hard to get rid of six more of them.

—We still haven't heard or seen the Summer Breeze. They'll probably be in some time tomorrow, though; lately I've forgotten that mail is gonna take some time. I hope they get here soon. I'd hate to think that even the captain of the Moon's Shadow can be suspected of playing hooky from his duties.

—Day 93 (Command, Day 56)

—Preparations are complete, and, for once, the entire crew has had the opportunity to rest before we set off again. I'm amazed by their willingness to continue on with me, especially since we are now at risk of being blow out of the air sailing into hostile areas. I hope I can arrange a reward for them once the Skyriders are back in business. They deserve it.

—With the Moon's Shadow, the Summer Breeze, and the Grand Sails on our side, I'm confident that we'll be successful tomorrow. The other Skyriders would have to be crazy to fire on our ships. And the king is sure to get us into the throne room. I don't know what it was Cunimincus used to replace the princess, but it couldn't possibly be any more of a threat than what I've already seen. I may be jinxing our luck by even thinking this, but we're ready. Nothing's gonna stop us now.

—I'm a little concerned that Princess Zelda hasn't said anything for the past few days. I wish she would; I'd like to tell her that we're on our way.

—Day 94 (Command, Day 57)

—Well. Here we go.

—Day 95 (Command, Day 58)

—We found out that Forelight Island was abandoned about five days ago, and that the Undying Storm is now running loose in the kingdom. We don't know where the Sorians have gone or whether we can find them anymore. If they aren't here, then maybe there's another island beyond the kingdom they decided to move to. Still, since Lutock disappeared on his own (as far as we know), it's possible that they may have even gone to the surface.

—Unfortunately, returning Irleen to her people has to be put on hold. I received a letter from my father saying that the storm is nearing Autumn Island, and that was two or three days ago. As I write this, the Island Symphony, the Moon's Shadow, the Summer Breeze, and the Grand Sails are heading for Autumn Island to see if we can render aid and find out where the storm might have gone. For all we know, we could be sailing right into it. It'll be the early evening by the time we get there, so we're looking at probably having to search into the sunset. I just hope Cunimincus decided to move on from the island instead of trying to take it. Who knows what his crew might've done.

—Day 96 (Command, Day 59)

—I didn't write it down yesterday, but we got into a fight with a bunch of Cunimincus' men. And, by a bunch, I mean we must have encountered well over half of his crew. North lost eleven men, and the Grand Sails lost three men. I'm relieved that I haven't lost any crew, but I'm still troubled by such an outcome. I don't know; I think I've just been sensitive to loss ever since we found the Horizon's Eye. Maybe the best thing we got out of this is North's men found some survivors under the clinic Captain Alfonzo was hiding at.

—We've cleaned up most of the ship. Some of it, we had to do underway to Thicket Island with the Summer Breeze. We're bound for Bold Island to drop off the survivors, and then we'll regroup with the other ships back at the Port.

—I have to admit that I've been feeling a little sick to my stomach lately. All this stuff going on, running around, finding out that people are being hurt—There's so many things going on, and I've just been getting overwhelmed. I can't even think of how we'd go about rescuing Princess Zelda once we find the storm. Clearly, we'd have to board the ship; we couldn't fire on it, or else we might hit the princess or some of the Horizon's Eye's surviving crew. But that's gonna be worse than what we saw on Autumn Island. Whatever plan we come up with can go wrong in so many ways. But, maybe gathering more Skyriders will change Cunimincus' mind; he wouldn't willingly challenge a fleet of ships, would he? Well, now that I think about it, probably. If his entire crew has gone crazy, then he's probably just as insane.

—We found out earlier today that the Undying Storm is heading straight for Center Island. I don't know what Leonard expected when he sent his letter to Flower and Line, but he's getting 65 airships to take the population and run them to the Port. I hope it's enough. Leynne says that he was amazed that so many people were willing to put their lives on the line, especially considering that they didn't believe us. Still, that's barely half the ships Leynne said we would need. I hope we can pack over 60,000 people the right way. If that's possible.

—Day 97 (Command, Day 60)

—The evacuation was mostly successful. Some people were hurt, others have gone missing. But I suppose it's better than letting Cunimincus just wipe them off the face of the world. At least that's thousands more people that he can't touch.

—We departed for Bold Island late this morning because we have a bit of a crazy plan. Since we have a way to do it, we're gonna try changing the Sky Lines or putting Cunimincus' ship on a new Sky Line. Irleen says that we should do it from Bold Island since it's the closest island. She also said that it's crazy because only Greys have the ability to manipulate the Sky Lines like we want to do. But it's something we have to try. If anything, we can alter the Sky Line and buy ourselves some time before Cunimincus reaches Bell Island. It'll give us a little more time to come up with a way to rescue Princess Zelda and deal with Cunimincus. I've been thinking that, once we have the princess and Captain Koroul's crew, North, Luke, and Blair could then go in and sink the ship. Considering we're dealing with a bunch of different creatures, we might have to take a trip to the surface to make sure none of the Stalarmors or Darknuts survive.

—I just re-read everything I wrote. I can't believe I'm plotting the deaths of another airship crew. I know they're monsters, and I know they've killed people. I don't know what that makes me. Maybe I'm just over-thinking this. Something has to be done about Cunimincus. I may not be comfortable with killing an entire crew, but I'll do what it takes to get Zelda back from them.

—Shit.

—We're on our way back to Bold Island. Again. Now that we have to confront Cunimincus, we're trying to make it up to the northern part of the kingdom as fast as we can. Our first stop is Bold Island because we need more ships for bait. After that—Leynne has the course laid out. We have to wait for the Grand Sails and the Moon's Shadow.

—The plan hinges on me getting onto the Smiling Gunner and freeing Zelda and the Sorian crew and then making it back to the Island Symphony before the crew kills us. I've just avoided writing down five different sarcastic remarks to follow up with that last sentence. I'm having a hard time thinking straight. I think it's just the fact that I haven't slept since the night before last. Between the fight on Autumn Island, evacuating Center Island, and finding out that we may have doomed Might Island after saving it from the Lizalfos, I just have way too much on my mind.

—Wow. I wonder if that whole last paragraph could be any less sarcastic. Or maybe this one. Or—Forget it.

—Day 98 (Command, Day 61)

—We're only an hour away from where Leynne decided we should deploy the ships for our fake convoy. Amazingly, the crew has been responding well despite the fact that we're about to take on a fully-armed battleship crewed by homicidal lunatics. In fact, I've never seen them more normal, if normal could ever be applied to the way my crew behaves. So far, Dholit has tried to seduce me again, Cale fell down the stairs into the galley, Line busted his chin on the helm (I'm not sure why), Layna's snuck up behind me three times, and Sello showed up on deck trying to bowl with a set of eleven empty bottles and a fish bowl. The bowling thing failed because drafts all over the deck kept knocking his bottles over.

—I'm glad that my crew made me go to sleep. I don't think I've ever felt so refreshed before. Then again, compared to the way things have gone in the past couple of months, today has felt pretty normal. Again, if the word "normal" could ever be applied to my crew. I've even been dwelling on the fact that I'm about to jump on a ship full of things that'll wanna kill me, and I just go with it like it's nothing. I'm beginning to wonder if I might actually be losing my own mind.

—Day 99 (Command, Day 62)

—It's all over. The Smiling Gunner has been destroyed and its crew killed. Princess Zelda is safe and sound with us on the Island Symphony. And everyone on the Island Symphony, the Moon's Shadow, and the Grand Sails is unhurt. In hindsight, it felt like Cunimincus' men were nothing. I wonder if maybe all those Geozards and Lizalfos were just dumb muscle; none of them really put up a fight. Cunimincus probably assigned all his good airmen to the islands.

—The Moon's Shadow is going to Center Island to check on the Royal Air Corps and will meet with us at Skyrider Port. Cap—Dad took the Grand Sails to Might Island to give Luke the word that the island doesn't need to prepare for attack. We're on our way to the Port, which will take us another half a day to reach thanks to the modifications we made to the Sky Line.

—I hurt all over, and I've had to have my left arm bandaged up past my elbow. I wanted to deliver the princess to Castle Island as soon as possible, but she, Leynne, and pretty much the rest of the deck crew talked me into at least stopping at the Port overnight to see a surgeon. I guess, at this point, the king and queen can tolerate one more day without their daughter.

—We made it to the Port a little later than expected. I found a full-day clinic and had my arm examined. A lot of bruising, and the surgeon said that I might have lost a lot of blood. I've lost blood before; I don't feel that bad. The surgeon tried to have me rest in the clinic for a day, but I told him that I can rest on my ship just fine. And he gave me a note for my captain to excuse me from work. I can't blame him, but I wanted to punch him in the nose.

—Day 100 (Command, Day 63)

—We departed from the Port late this morning, mostly because my crew didn't want to wake me. I'm beginning to think I should get an alarm clock.

—We have two months to return to Castle Island. I think it'll be enough time to do what I need to get done. Our first destination is Skyrider Port to see if I can get the crew paid. After that, we'll probably stay the night at Bold Island after I correct the Dawn Line.

—I just found out that someone has smuggled three of the king's scholars into the ration crates we were picking up. I'm gonna start stabbing crates with a sword if it happens again.

—Day 101 (Command, Day 64)

—The crew got backpay for two months. I guess it was something coming to every ship in the fleet; they didn't even question where my crew came from. Although I had to explain to the office lady why the ship on my employment record was different from the paperwork I submitted. I'm a little concerned that the company is providing backpay for airship crews; it's gonna mean a pretty heavy loss of whatever funds the company has at the moment. At least it all works out in some way. My crew deserves it; and I'd have given them my own pay if I had to.

—We're currently on our way back toward Forelight Island. Leynne has an idea he wants to try, but he wants to be over the ocean before he tries it.

—Cale and I have arrived in Library Town. While he and Irleen are asking around about the possibility that the Sorians came down here, I'm gonna fulfill a promise from before.

—We met Luggard in Library Town again. I think we oughta do something about Layna's habit of ambushing people; I'm beginning to worry that we might not stop her in time one of these days. Anyway, he's agreed to take us around the surface again. I told him we didn't have much to pay with, but he told us not to worry about it. Evidently, after we left the surface, he got a hefty pay raise due to the modifications Sello made to the Seventeen. He said he would fix it in the morning so that he was free to take us around, so we're staying the night at his house ag—

—Ignore this splotch; Luggard's brother did it.

—Day 102 (Command, Day 65)

—We're back in Library Town after our trip to the Snow and Fire Realms. Irleen's improvised compass showed us that the Sorians might be somewhere north of the Fire Realm. I plan on being back down in Hovela in the next couple of days so that we can take the Island Symphony in that direction. I hope the ship has enough Loft Steam to get us in that area; there are a lot of tall cliffs and mountains between here and there. Leynne probably has something figured out. He always does.

—I'm not sure what to do in the next couple of days. Cale decided that he's gonna catch a train to Hovela in the morning, and Irleen wants to go with him to make sure Leynne gets the right directions. Luggard let me stay at his family's house again, but it's probably gonna be the last time. He's returning to his regular route tomorrow, and I don't wanna impose on his mom while he isn't around. I have no idea what Valley plans to do tomorrow. Probably go back to the Library. I guess that leaves me alone. I'm not sure what to do. I suppose I could go to the Library. Or I could travel around, I guess. I've got the money.

—You know, it's occurred to me that I'm not really alone. Layna's still following me. Of all the Gelto, she's the only one who didn't go back to the Sand Realm.

—I think I feel a trip to the Gelto camp coming on.

(The following are remains of pages torn from the log book.)

—The night air in the tent was hot, hot as the dese

with our passion. It is a slo

hink that I give up this

He will not give in easily, but I

myself because I know, in the end, I

—"I cannot have you tease m

—"Don't you like th

—I can fee

(The above incomplete passages are the remains of the torn pages. The following are complete.)

—Day 103 (Command, Day 66)

—I don't know what Dholit was writing on the last page, but it's probably safer now that it's been thrown into a bonfire.

—I've decided to spend the night at the Gelto camp. Mostly because, thanks to Dholit's interference, I missed the train back to the Forest Realm. It's nice to see that my crew are enjoying themselves, but I've decided to take advantage of Layna's loyalty (I guess) and asked her to stand guard over me to keep Dholit or any other nut Gelto like her away from me while I sleep. I think I've gotten my point across, but Dubbl seemed a little confused because she had to repeat a bunch of things to Layna. I just hope she doesn't kill Dholit.

—Day 104 (Command, Day 67)

—I feel rotten. I don't know what that fruit stuff we were drinking last night was, but I've got a hell of a headache.

—We set off from Hovela bound for the wreckage of the Horizon's Eye in the Iyuk Mountains. Gold made arrangements with a tavern owner near Hovela's port to put up any of the engine room crew that returns looking for the ship.

—I'm hoping that we'll find some technoworks so we can try Irleen's compass again. But we may have a problem. Leynne pointed out earlier today that, since the Horizon's Eye was scuttled, there's a chance that the technoworks on the ship might not be usable. He may be right, he may not be. The technoworks might have gone into nekroses, either from one of the Sorians Cunimincus sent with his crew or they decided to just bash the technoworks to death. Then again, the Sorians might've simply made the technoworks dormant. The anticipation's made me nervous; I've been awake for a good bit of the night.

—I think Irleen might be feeling worse, though. She hasn't said a whole lot since I got back this afternoon, and she's spent the rest of the day lying in her bed. I'm not sure if I should try talking to her or not. I don't even know what to say. Maybe she'll feel better once we find the ship. Then again, maybe not. I suppose we'll find out tomorrow morning.

—Day 105 (Command, Day 68)

—Leynne won't admit it, but I think we're lost.

—I just tried to have a conversation with Irleen. I must be some kind of idiot.

—I realize now that I can't just talk to Irleen like I've been through the same thing. I haven't. It's one thing for your home to turn against you; it's different when it disappears completely. I just don't have any words for her. I

—We found the wreckage of the Horizon's Eye, but none of the technoworks survived being sunk. We just tried using a block out of the Conductor. As brilliant of an idea as it was, we've still got a problem. While the compass gave us an idea of where the Sorians might be, using the whole block as a compass got us nothing. At best, we know that it can't find any technoworks reasonably close to us. We've set course for the area north of the Fire Realm. I'm hoping that there at least was something there that we can follow.

—And, if we don't find them down here, Leynne suggested that the Sorians might actually still be in the sky somewhere. I know I saw Koroul and his crew dive off the Smiling Gunner, but who's to say that they did not have a way to get back? I know for sure that the technoworks can change where people are; it sent me to a room with no doors on Bold Island! At this point it's all about hope. Hope and luck, probably.

—Irleen's gone back to her silent depression. I'll ask the crew to keep an eye on her if she happens to leave my cabin, but I can't really see that happening anytime soon. I don't know if I've told her lately, but I wanna do everything I can to help her find the rest of the Sorians. She's spent so long away from them that she deserves to see them again. It isn't fair that she's stuck with us like this. If it takes me years to find them, then

—Day 106 (Command, Day 69)

—We're still on-route to the search area north of the Fire Realm. Things on the ship have been pretty quiet, except for maybe half the crew complaining that Flower snores.

—Irleen still isn't talking to anyone. I keep trying to say things to her, but all I get are groans, if even that. It just makes me feel like an ass. I wanna say something to cheer her up, but everything I say just makes it sound like I'm trying to make her forget about the Sorians. I'm beginning to think that I should just stop talking period.

—Day 107 (Command, Day 70)

—Leynne reckons that we've reached the search area, although he's been checking landmarks to be sure. In the meantime, the Island Symphony circled the area while most of the deck crew looked over the edge for anything that we're not sure belongs. Which could be anything. It's been a long day. I'll have the night shift quit after I'm done writing.

—I've had to shift people around thanks to us not having all of our engine room crew. Dubbl volunteered (I think; half of the explanation she gave me went a little over my head), and I've asked Flower and Line to trade positions down below every day. Leynne is gonna keep the night shift company, and Dholit is providing translations for both shifts in between naps and whatever else she does on this ship. I've also had Cale take up the night shift for now so we have another lookout.

—Day 108 (Command, Day 71)

—We're still circling the valley area Leynne indicated as part of our search area. So far, nothing.

—Dubbl punched Sello today. From what I understood, Dubbl turned her back on him, and he touched her behind, so she floored him. Sello's been out for most of the day, so I'm glad Harley and Lidago were still around to help Flower with the engine. I really don't know what to do about it. Most of the crew agrees that Dubbl was in the right to deck him; the only holdout is Dholit, who thinks she could have reacted in a "friendlier" way. Whatever that means. The problem is I'm just not sure how to discipline Sello; cutting his alcohol ration might not be the best of ideas, especially since it makes him act crazy. Dholit keeps saying that she doesn't want to be in a room with him because of his smell. I can't assign him to the home office; we're nowhere near Skyrider Port. So I've done the only thing I can really think of; I told Dubbl to break his arm the next time.

—Day 109 (Command, Day 72)

—Dubbl broke Sello's arm.

—We're still circling the valley area, although Flower and Leynne have told me that they think we should move on. I want to agree with them, but there's just that nagging feeling in the back of my mind that we might miss something if we just leave. Then again, we might miss something if we don't move from this spot. I think I'm just gonna sleep on it.

—Day 110 (Command, Day 73)

—We're moving on to the ocean area to the northeast since we can't find anything in the valley. Leynne says we have about three days' worth of fuel before we'll have to return to port; we're going to stretch it out by running on sails whenever we can. Still, we've got a bigger area to cover.

—The crew's getting a little tense, but at least it's nothing like the weeks we spent in between islands. Still, if I have to hear Line gripe about working in the engine room one more time, even I might decide to bop him on the nose. Dubbl's already knocked him on his ass twice (part of the reason he was complaining). I also just heard that Twali and Lwamm got into an argument. No one really knows why since Dholit decided to spend those ten minutes breathing heavily into my ear. Dholit has orders to deliver punishment to them the moment Layna and Biluf are off duty the next morning. I think Sello learned his lesson; Dubbl only gave him a black eye today.

—Irleen still hasn't left her bed or talked to anyone. I guess not having to eat or use the head makes it easy to stay in one place for days. Still, it's making me worry, I mean even more than usual. I wish I had a way to get her to talk.

—Day 111 (Command, Day 74)

—I reeeeeeeally need to be careful when I'm talking to Zelda. I forgot that the Gelto still don't know that we do that. Well, I guess they do now since I had Dholit explain it to Lwamm, and she's probably going to tell the rest of the Gelto. It'll help. I'd rather not have them running away from me every time Zelda decides to pay a visit.

—She told me that she'll be sending out servants to travel with Skyrider vessels so that they can find out if the Sorians are still in the sky. It's a relief, especially since I realized that our search down here can't go on much longer. I promised the crew some shore leave, and I still have most of my crew here with me. So we're gonna turn back tomorrow and settle back in Hovela. I don't like to believe it, but I think the search down here is just about over. I haven't said anything to Irleen about this, and I'm not sure I should just yet. I guess we'll see what's going on tomorrow.

—Day 112 (Command, Day 75)

—We set back this afternoon. Leynne says we'll be back to Hovela by midday the day after next.

—Day 113 (Command, Day 76)

—We're still on our way back to Hovela. Leynne now says we'll probably be pulling in late in the evening. Line and Flower are still switching out duty below, but everyone else is back to their usual thing. Somehow it all feels kinda empty.

—The mood's dropped around here, too. The Gelto on-deck used to stand together and talk. Now they all seem to be avoiding each other. Dholit has even been just standing around not even bothering me. It's not just them; even the guys on-deck seem to just be quiet. Line hasn't said much to me, and Leynne seemed to be busy reading something whenever he came up to watch the night shift earlier.

—I think the problem might be me. We set out to find the Sorians, and it just didn't work out. Not only did I take away their shore leave to go chasing after something that doesn't seem to exist, I've probably burned them out in the process. I guess I should expect a few of them to leave soon.

—Day 114 (Command, Day 77)

—We made Hovela early this evening. And I felt I owed it to my crew to treat them to some sort of relaxation. So I arranged for them to stay the evening in the Hovela Station's hotel. The only ones who aren't in the hotel this evening are me, Irleen (who still isn't talking to anyone), and Sello.

—I've never realized how empty the Island Symphony could feel without a crew. It's weird to have the only sounds to be the water outside. I walked the ship twice. I even went through the berth deck to see if I could guess which berths belong to which of my crew. Line's wasn't too hard to figure out. But I couldn't tell the Gelto's berths apart; they didn't leave anything out. Probably for the better. I thought I saw Sello sneaking around the deck.

—Day 115 (Command, Day 78)

—Line and Flower came back this morning and just went back to their duties as usual. Harley and Lidago returned this afternoon. Harley told me that he decided that he wanted to send a letter to his former fiancée. From what few details he gave me, it wasn't meant to be a nice letter. He also said Lidago was wandering the streets and just followed him back to the ship. I asked Lidago if he was okay. Somehow, I don't think my Goron is all that good, but how do you mess up a language that only uses one word? I wasn't very successful in Hylian, either, but I guess he's doing all right.

—Day 116 (Command, Day 79)

—Rosaline and Linebeck visited us! And they're married! They told me that it happened about a month after we left the surface. They live on Kakucha Island now, and they're planning to make Rosaline's island into a shipyard where she intends to start building airships. Apparently, she has a "five-year plan" in which she wants to start putting ships together that are meant to ferry people and things between the surface and the sky kingdom. I told her that the idea sounds nice, but I explained that there are a couple problems with navigating between the two. I showed them a map of the sky kingdom compared to the surface. Since Leynne had a spare copy stowed away, I gave them that in case it might help them.

—This evening, Cale, Lilly, and Leynne returned. Leynne said that he was checking in on some of his patents and made orders of fuel and other supplies for us since the ship still doesn't have a very big bank. I suppose Cale was visiting his family, and since Lilly isn't from here, she probably went with him. I didn't get a chance to talk to them because they disappeared after they went below.

—Day 117 (Command, Day 80)

—Saying that my ship is well-protected by its crew is like saying that having the entirety of the outer wall of Hyrule Castle fall on you would hurt. Even though Flower had been on watch, we had about five or six guys sneak on board very early this morning and try to take some of our supplies. I guess they woke up Sello trying to take some of his alcohol with them, and Sello and Layna both beat the hell outta them. As far as I know, no one died. I'm not gonna hold Flower responsible for this because I know that standing watch late at night from the poop deck still makes it hard to watch over the whole ship. Although, I have to admit that I'm surprised they got past Layna, too.

—Incidentally, it looks like Layna's back. Of course, her being her, she might've been here the whole time. Helo checked in this afternoon, and then Lawrence and Gold showed up this evening.

—With Lilly back and cooking again, I've unfortunately had to give another job to the crew: cleaning the heads. Needless to say, no one really liked this, but since we're not using rations anymore—yeah. It's gotta be done.

—Day 118 (Command, Day 81)

—It's been a while since I experienced rain. We had a light shower earlier this evening, and Line flipped out and tried to build hatches over the stairs so we wouldn't sink. I think Layna knocked him out with those poison needles, so he'll probably be awake sometime next month. I wish, anyway. There's been no sign or message from the rest of the Gelto crew, but I'm not worried. I've got a feeling that Dholit will sneak on board whenever she feels like it.

—I still don't know what to do about Irleen. I decided to try giving her reports on the day's activities to let her know what's going on, but after today, I think I'll just drop it. Is there anything I can do that doesn't sound like I'm trying to get her to forget about the Sorians?

—Day 119 (Command, Day 82)

—One of the scholars the king sent with us came back. I'd completely forgotten about them, so I was a little surprised. He asked to interview me for a bit, and I ran out of excuses to avoid it. Fortunately, this one (I think his name was Kingsley) actually asked me some good questions. How much of the surface had I seen, what would be the best places to go for various needs, had I run into any trouble along the way. I started laughing at that last question. I couldn't help it; I had nothing but trouble the first time I was down here.

—I tried to get Irleen motivated today. She still hasn't said anything, but she agreed to at least get out of my cabin for some fresh air. Whatever that does for a fairy. I'm hopeful that she'll be back to herself soon. I keep trying to tell her that I haven't given up on looking for the Sorians, that Zelda sent out people looking around in case they showed up on another island in the sky. I haven't heard anything back yet; it's been over a week, and I know it takes less than that to travel from one end of the sky kingdom to the other. Of course, I haven't told Irleen that last bit. She just got to flying around again, and I don't want her to go into another slump because there's no word.

—Day 120 (Command, Day 83)

—Biluf and Dubbl came back this afternoon. I guess Biluf was getting worried that Layna wasn't back at the camp like the rest of the Gelto crew. I think that's how Dubbl explained it to me, anyway. She's got some of the weirdest gaps in her language. It doesn't help that she gets frustrated so easily.

—Most everyone that's back has nearly run out of money. Leynne volunteered to give people an allowance since he still has plenty left over from whatever returns he got on the inventions he left behind. I can only imagine what might be waiting for him once we're back in the sky.

—Irleen stayed in today. I think I need a girl expert; I'm out of ideas.

—Day 121 (Command, Day 84)

—It rained. That was about all that happened. Leynne improvised some covers for the stairs, but I guess the orlop still had a layer of water on the deck. Nothing a mop couldn't fix.

—Day 122 (Command, Day 85)

—More rain, and most of the crew stayed below. Leynne and Gold were the only ones smart enough to go get some rain gear. But then, there's no sign of Layna.

—Day 123 (Command, Day 86)

—Layna's sick. I guess we found out where she was for the past couple of days. Leynne brought a doctor aboard, and he explained that Layna has a "cold". Cough, runny nose, sore throat… Granted, she's looked worse, but I've never seen someone with such a nasty disease. The doctor said she needs to be kept off-duty for two weeks, get plenty of water (he used the term "fluids", which I thought sounded kinda stupid), and cover her coughing and sneezing so she doesn't spread it. Biluf volunteered to look after her. I feel kinda sorry for Layna. I've seen people with illness before, but she just looks so damn miserable.

—Day 124 (Command, Day 87)

—The weather's gotten better, but there's still a bunch of overcast.

—I guess the weather brought those scholars out of the woodwork. They showed up early this evening complaining about having to spend the past two days stuck in their tavern rooms in Library Town.

—So I introduced them to Layna.

—Day 125 (Command, Day 88)

—For the record, even these bonehead scholars should know better than to handle things that a sick person has been touching. Now all three of them have a cold. With Layna occupying one room, we had to cram two of them into a single room while the third got a private room to himself. Lilly agreed to take care of them since she spends most of her time in the galley. Leynne had a doctor confirm it was the cold this afternoon, and the doctor gave Lilly a set of instructions on how to care for them. The way it's looking, we might be taking off next week with all four of them sick.

—Day 126 (Command, Day 89)

—Lwamm and Twali arrived this morning. I guess Biluf and Dubbl filled them in on what's been going on, and they decided that they should kill the scholars. As much of a pain those three have been, I couldn't really condone killing them. Other than the obvious strike against morality, I'd have a hell of a time explaining it to Zelda.

—Irleen ventured out onto the deck again and got in some time flying around. She still isn't talking to anyone; I've double-checked twice that I've been carrying her translating gem.

—Day 127 (Command, Day 90)

—Dholit's back. We gave her a rundown of what's been happening, and she actually sounded concerned for Irleen. I've asked her to talk to Irleen, but she says she doesn't think it's appropriate. She thinks that I would do better, but I still don't know what to tell her. She suggested that, in order to talk to one girl, I should talk with another of the same age.

—So, spontaneously, I'm going to visit Meilont tomorrow.

—Day 128 (Command, Day 91)

—I spent most of the day in Whittleton, and I got the chance to talk to Meilont. She told me that Irleen's worried about finding the Sorians and needs to be reminded that we're still looking. That I'm still looking. Somehow, it seems like she placed emphasis more on what I was doing rather than my crew. I suppose it makes sense; I've known her the longest. And now that I think about it, it may well be my fault she's like this. But whatever the reason, Irleen needs to know that we haven't given up.

—Leynne is leaving tomorrow with Lidago and Helo to bring us some Loft Steam so that we can return to the sky here in a few days. I just hope they won't be going ahead of us because of some freak accident like the last time we tried to get some Loft Steam. No, Leynne's a lot smarter than that. And now that he knows how it behaves, I think the only question will be if he can do it in a day.

—Day 129 (Command, Day 92)

—I've come to expect certain behavior from my crew, but I think Dholit's trying to push me to murder. She bought a statue of me! She got rid of it, though. I just hope I never see another statue of myself ever again. I don't know what got into her, but it feels like she's been acting a lot crazier these days. Maybe it's being down here again.

—Leynne left for Alfred's workshop with Lidago, Helo, and Flower to retrieve some Loft Steam for the ship. In the meantime, we've gotten our supplies for the trip skyward. Leynne mentioned that some of them were goods that he and some of the other crew found around the surface realm. According to Dholit, the intention is to sell them in the sky kingdom to help pick up interest in the surface. I don't really understand what for, but I guess it's harmless enough. I guess.

—Day 130 (Command, Day 93)

—As of this afternoon, the crew has completely returned. We've even got the scholars back. And, I have to say, they don't seem like the three young men I sent away when we first got here. Which is good, because they annoyed me. They don't even have their own clothes anymore! But then, I don't think I had my own clothes, either, before I left.

—Wow. I wonder if this was what Dad was like once Line and I were gone.

—Leynne has our Loft Steam standing by. At dawn, we'll be on our way home.

—Day 131 (Command, Day 94)

—Dholit has smuggled fourteen Gelto onboard. Our supplies are gonna take a pounding until we reach Autumn Island tomorrow. I just hope that our branch office out there is open again. Earlier tonight, Leynne and Dubbl came up with a solution: in exchange for not being thrown off the ship, they will become airmen and work for the company so they have food, shelter, and the means to travel to wherever they like. It isn't perfect, but I like it a lot more than making them wander the streets of Autumn Island. Besides, for all I know, a few of them may be assassins like Layna, and I wouldn't want to put them out without worrying that I might wake up dead next week.

—We didn't make it to a Sky Line due to how much distance we gained since we rose up. We'll be in the Sky Line early tomorrow morning and on our way to Autumn Island.

—Day 132 (Command, Day 95)

—We made it to Autumn Island late this evening. Fortunately, our branch office was open again, so we got the supplies we needed to take care of fourteen extra mouths.

—No, to be fair, the additional Gelto are doing quite well. Dholit and Dubbl have been leading Lwamm, Twali, Layna, and Biluf in showing the new girls some of the basic functions on an airship. It probably isn't much since they haven't had the training Line and I grew up with, but it should be just enough for them to get assigned to some of the company ships. Or they may even try being hired on as office workers. It wouldn't be too hard, I know for sure that at least two of them speak Hylian.

—I decided to wait until morning to get to the Port. I don't want to arrive too early to find the office closed by the time we get there. That would leave me with fourteen Gelto wandering around Skyrider Port.

—Day 133 (Command, Day 96)

—We've been "invited" to Castle Island to get training for the upcoming ceremony. Which also doubled as a threat, pretty much how I'd expect anything Dad gets involved in. My guess is that it's gonna be simple parade training like they teach us any time we're on shore duty, although I don't really see why we have to go to Castle Island for it. Or why it would take one month.

—We have the Gelto stowa—recruits set up to receive training once classes are organized. Probably one of the major issues is teaching them Hylian. I hope they do all right; they have to at least do better than Dholit. I've been assured by Dubbl that she is the only one that behaves like her.

—Have I mentioned that I have a cute butt? I love my butt. I love many butts. I love Dholit's butt! Someone give me Dholit's butt!

—"Oh, yes, My Captain! Command my butt!"

—Day 134 (Command, Day 97)

—So training the crew for a "royal" parade has started. Kinda. Sir Gilliam was in the middle of meeting the crew when he triggered Layna's assassin instincts. We're hoping he'll be awake in the morning. Sir Hartman took over and ended the introductions by having the crew go onto the shore and run back and forth between two bollards (away from the edge, of course) until most of them fell over exhausted. We all had to eat rations because Lilly was the last to fall; Twali and Line were the only ones left standing. After that, everyone went to bed early. Night watch was very lonely.

—Day 135 (Command, Day 98)

—Gil woke everyone this morning. We're now waiting to see how long it takes for him to wake up this time.

—The Royal Knights of Hyrule have a different system of training compared to the Skyriders. Hauling coils of rope across the deck makes sense, but I can't think of many reasons for "jumping jacks". Neither did Dholit, so she decided to flirt her way out of it with Sir Hartman. If I knew making Dholit run up and down the stairs to the quarterdeck would shut her up, I would've done it months ago. After that was about two hours of listening to Hartman scream at them about their inability to march. I'm hoping they'll eventually move the work to the shore; I always understood that the captain is the one who's suppose to wear a trench in the deck. If this keeps up, we might have to put in for repairs at the end of the month!

—Day 136 (Command, Day 99)

—Gil brought in a couple more knights for further training. They spent the day napping in the berth deck after they decided to scream at Layna for dropping the rope she was exercising with four times. I've had Dholit talk to her about not attacking the knights. But I expect it to go as well as talking Dubbl out of punching Sello.

—Speaking of Sello, Gil caught him drinking in between exercises. They got into a fight over the bottle, and now Sello's confined to his bed. Which I would have pointed out to be either his couch or his crates in the engine room. It doesn't matter, though; Sello's satisfied and not ranting and raving and trying to fix something that isn't broken.

—Day 137 (Command, Day 100)

—I woke up this morning to something slamming on the deckhead. It turned out to be Lawrence, Harley, and Lwamm running back and forth on the quarterdeck. Hartman explained that Lawrence and Harley were sleeping with pieces of cotton in their ears and claimed that they couldn't hear the knights hollering at them. As for Lwamm, well, now I know how far a misunderstanding between people speaking two different languages can go. Sir Joseph left to go see a dentist so he could get three of his teeth put back in. I'm beginning to realize that I've been crewing a ship full of very violent individuals for the past three months! The only thing missing is a posse to grab me and stuff me into a cannon!

—Other than that, it seems that things went better today. Granted, most of the crew are exhausted beyond belief at the end of the day and are beginning to hate the knights.

—Day 138 (Command, Day 101)

—I found the dartboard. I don't know where they got the darts, but Line, Flower, Gold, Lawrence, and Harley might be thinking about murdering me in my sleep.

—Today seemed cheerful, despite what I found. The knights took it easy on the crew, and none of the crew tried to kill them. Even Sello didn't cause any problems, but that was because he fell and skinned part of his face on the ground. Sir Joseph took him to get cleaned up. And drunk. The second part wasn't Joseph's idea.

—Day 139 (Command, Day 102)

—So we had a change in routine today. After morning exercises, the whole crew was taken to an outfitter. When they came back, Line explained that the knights had been given funds so that the crew could get some regular uniforms as well as special uniforms for the ceremony. I'd gotten so used to them wearing their own clothes, I'd forgotten what it's like to be surrounded by airmen wearing uniforms.

—Day 140 (Command, Day 103)

—Zelda visited today. Well, she appeared in my head again. She told me that her messengers didn't find any sign of the Sorians living on any of the islands up here. I shared this news with Leynne, and Leynne said that, although we still haven't found them, there are still places we haven't looked. He proposed that we forget about the search area that the compass provided us, especially since it was unreliable to begin with. Instead, we should maybe look at some of the islands outside of the kingdom. Since we now know they exist thanks to our use of the technoworks to change the Sky Lines, it would be easy to maybe pick out a few to try going to. And, considering that we can control the Sky Lines, we might be able to shorten travel time between the kingdom and the outlying islands. Leynne and I agreed that we probably shouldn't tell Irleen about all this. If she knew we're now looking somewhere else, it might worsen her depression again. She just got to the point where we actually say more to each other than "hey".

—Zelda also told me that the king wants to make me a knight. I have to admit that maybe becoming a knight would be fun. I've sure gotten in some fighting experience ever since this whole thing started. It'd be a shame to let that experience go to waste as an airship captain. But then, I don't know that I want to leave my crew. I can't decide. But I've still got twenty-one days to think about it. Maybe something will come up that'll help me decide.

—But then, I probably have the same odds of that happening as I have of being shot down and surviving again.

—Day 141 (Command, Day 104)

—Gil approached me about joining the crew in their exercises, and I agreed that I probably should. I think I did all right; I managed to outlast Line in terms of lying on the deck trying to catch my breath. They took us out on a jogging march across part of the port. I think the last time I felt this sore, I had just finished that fight with the creature in the Ocean Realm. I don't even wanna continue writing in this journal; I'm getting sweat over everything.

—Day 142 (Command, Day 105)

—Too tired to write. Can't even think.

—Day 143 (Comma

—Day 144 (Command, Day 107)

—I think I fell asleep last night before I could make a journal entry.

—The crew seems a lot less hostile toward me now that the knights are bossing me around, too. Not that their attitudes toward the knights have improved much. Lawrence got into an argument with Gil. And Layna knocked out Sir Joseph again, but I found out that Dholit had prompted her to do it in revenge for something that happened yesterday. So I assigned Dholit to clean the heads for the next two days. Which now seems stupid since we're all back to eating rations again, but Dholit seemed to hate it enough.

—Then again, you can never really tell with Dholit. She's gotta turn this around somehow.

—Day 145 (Command, Day 108)

—Dholit turned it around. She convinced Flower, Line, and Lwamm to lock me in the berth deck's head for the entire morning. Apparently, they thought it was a joke. I came out smelling like someone had been using me to clean the head out. Not that that's new; sometimes that was the only way to clean out certain heads on the Grand Sails. But I digress. It still sucked.

—So I had the knights lock her in a room with Sello. Though, last I heard, Sello was the one screaming.

—Day 146 (Command, Day 109)

—The crew seems to be settling down again. Nothing bad happened, no one got locked in anything, and the knights didn't have to shout at anyone. In fact, the knights made arrangements for us to get showers at a bath house and have our clothes laundered nearby. Naturally, this just fired up Dholit, so there was plenty of embarrassment on either side. The rest of us agreed that the girls and the guys need to shower at different times in the future. And that Dholit should be tied to something when the guys are gone.

—Day 147 (Command, Day 110)

—We had an emergency today. Something in the engine room blew, and the replacement crew ran for it. But my engine crew ran to the engine room. I ordered everyone else off the ship and joined them. Somehow, the engine's boiler sprang a couple leaks. I found out later that the ship fell low enough that the mooring lines nearly snapped. Lidago improvised patches using his crack pipe and some kind of clay that he chewed and spat through the pipe to fill the leaks. Then they improvised a forge using the coal containers and melted some of the iron reinforcing band from some of our empty water barrels. I can't even describe how they poured and cooled the iron over the patches, but they saved the ship from going down. Afterwards, Harley explained that the replacement crew hadn't been replacing the water in the boiler or feeding coal to the engine correctly.

—The replacement crew criticized us for having a finicky engine. Sello accused them of wearing trousers and chewing their food with only five teeth. Not that it helped anything. Harley and Lawrence called them out on not knowing how to run the engine. There was a shouting match, then one of the replacements shoved Lawrence. Lidago shoved back. The airman he shoved had to be picked up because he was out-cold. That was about when the replacement crew decided that they didn't wanna try starting a fight with either Goron. The whole affair messed with training, and the engine crew had to go back on duty since we don't have the replacement crew anymore. Gil said he's gonna find some more replacements, probably from the Grand Sails or the Moon's Shadow. Now that I think about it, he didn't really tell us where he found that first crew.

—Day 148 (Command, Day 111)

—We have a new replacement crew, but the engine crew went down below after lunch and dinner just to make sure the engine was doing all right. I can't really blame them for being concerned; I went with them both times.

—The knights didn't do many of our usual exercises today. Instead, it was mostly organization and marching drills. And etiquette. They spent more time trying to teach the Gelto how to greet and say thank you to the royal family. And Sello. For some reason, he wants to use the words "snow" and "belly button" in place of "majesty". And then he just randomly says "bacon" whenever he's repeating the knights. I think they're gonna go crazy before they can get him to say anything with any clarity.

—Day 149 (Command, Day 112)

—So the knights had a genius idea to try two-person exercises with the crew. One was standing back to back and passing coils of rope to each other. And they decided to pair up Leynne and Dubbl. Leynne accidentally hit Dubbl in the face with the rope, so she dropped it, spun, and smacked his face. So Leynne smacked her back. And so she punched Leynne in the jaw. And so they both spent the rest of the day running with two of the knights screaming at them at the top of their lungs. I thought they were getting along better than that, but it seems like they hate each other even more than usual.

—At least Layna didn't put anyone to sleep.

—Day 151 (Command, Day 114)

—Okay, so, Layna drugged everyone's drinks last night and put the whole crew to sleep. I woke up with a piece of jerky sticking out of my mouth this morning. Dholit had arranged it but she claims that she only wanted to knock the knights out so that we had a free day to ourselves. Layna explained that she had spiked the knights' cups of grog, but two of them dumped their cups into the barrel after claiming that it tasted strange. Unfortunately, they went into the water barrel that the rest of us were drinking out of, so we all got a dose. We spent the afternoon recovering since no one was able to fully awaken.

—Day 152 (Command, Day 115)

—The knights decided that, since some of the crew was still drowsy from Dholit's attempt to ditch work, it was a good day to have us get checked out at a clinic. I remember now that the king wanted everyone on all four ships to be healthy and fit. I'm glad to say that the one injury we had, Sello's broken arm, is healed enough that he doesn't need a sling, although I think Sello got rid of his sling a while back. The doctors cautioned that he needed to be careful because the bones were still in the healing phase, but all visible signs of the break were minimal. I took the opportunity to ask about black eyes, and the doctor said that as long as the eye isn't bothered any more afterwards, a black eye will lose most of its visibility after a week. I must have triggered some kind of jinx because just seconds after I asked, Dubbl punched another doctor in the eye for touching her with a cold instrument. I just hope that my crew can avoid punching each other or any of the knights for just a few more days. I'd hate to offend the King of Hyrule by presenting him with an airman sporting a fresh shiner.

—Day 153 (Command, Day 116)

—Well, we're back into our parade training. This time, the knights were trying to teach the crew to march around a corner. It was about as disastrous as could be expected, especially when people have to pivot with Lidago or Helo at the corner; their size makes it hard to tell where the corner is.

—This evening turned into a pleasant experience with everyone enjoying themselves in the galley for once. Even Irleen, after being so anti-social for so long, joined in on the chatter. But, for future reference, Cale and Lilly making out requires them to take it somewhere else. Dholit wouldn't stop prodding me about "following their example".

—Day 154 (Command, Day 117)

—We did a practice march out to the public square where the whole ceremony is supposed to be taking place. North and his men were out there, too, and the knights instructed us on our position once we reached the square. North "complimented" me on finally having my crew dressed in blue tunics. At least his men aren't sporting anymore broken bones. Come to think of it, that might be why he sounded mad when he made the comment.

—After that, the knights gave them some liberty, so the crew decided to wander around. I think. I went right back to the ship after I ordered the engine crew to keep an eye on Sello. Being there in that square reminded me of what Zelda told me about the king wanting to knight me. I still haven't decided, and I don't know why. Well, I guess I know why, but it's so hard to put it into words.

—The rest of the crew returned late this evening, just trickling in two by two. I almost thought we were missing Layna until I remembered to try calling her. She followed me back to the ship. I really don't think she understands the concept of "liberty".

—Day 155 (Command, Day 118)

—Gold approached me about a rumor he heard last night. Somehow, it got out that the "youthful commander of an airship" was going to be knighted at the ceremony in six days. I tried to point out to him that it could have been any airship captain, but I might as well have outright said that it was supposed to be me. I'm hoping that he'll just let the rumor die.

—Today, the knights went over commands with me and Leynne. Tomorrow, they're going to outline a course for us around the port so we can get in practice at using these marching commands. I had to write most of them down so I don't forget them. It feels like a lot of trouble just to impress the King of Hyrule, but I'd rather not offend him since he probably still doesn't like me taking Zelda into the fight with Cunimincus. Even though I couldn't help it.

—Day 156 (Command, Day 119)

—So, during our drill, part of the crew got lost due to not hearing Leynne clear enough. I guess it's a good thing I march beside the formation, but I still don't understand why everyone behind the chiefs didn't just keep following them. Then I found out that Dholit was subverting Leynne's commands by translating the opposite for the Gelto, and the people behind them didn't know any better. The knights had us repeat the drill, which took the rest of the afternoon.

—I think Irleen might've gone back to brooding over her people again. I tried to reassure her, like I've been doing the past month, but she just isn't as responsive to it as before. I'm hoping it's just a small phase, and then she'll be back to herself in a couple days. Though it kinda makes me wish Meilont was here; I could use a few more pointers.

—Day 157 (Command, Day 120)

—We did another practice march this morning, and, this time, Dholit didn't mess with it by hollering in Geltoan. Lately, it's been some pretty light exercises, nothing like the intense stuff Gil had us doing when we first started. Either that, or we've just gotten so used to the exercise that we forgot it was supposed to be hard.

—The knights ended our usual sessions early so that they could go over procedure with all of us. The Island Symphony is set to be the last vessel to have its crew called forward; according to Gil, this is because the crew will be receiving higher honors than the Summer Breeze, the Grand Sails, or the Moon's Shadow. After that is dismissal, which the king will deliver once he's done with us. Before they left, I took Gil aside and asked what I was supposed to do if I decided to go through with being knighted. He was surprised that I found out, but he explained that I would still report back to the Island Symphony since I wouldn't be taking the position until I put in my resignation to the company. And, if I accepted, the King and Zelda would prompt me when necessary. He said it wouldn't be anything too elaborate. I would kneel, the King would draw his sword (the idea of which makes me cringe), tap my shoulders, and I would be knighted. He said I should be proud; most of the other knights only ever get knighted in the throne room where the public couldn't see them.

—Day 158 (Command, Day 121)

—The knights brought me a new uniform to wear to the ceremony. I don't normally critique fashion, but this whole outfit is ridiculous. No one would believe that I'd wear something like this to command an airship. I told them I'd rather just wear my usual tunic. The answer was varying expressions of "don't be an idiot". I think I might have seriously angered one of the Goddesses for this to happen.

—But the ceremony is just in three more days. After that, if I assume I heard my crew whispering correctly, there will be a bonfire on shore which distasteful uniforms might accidentally find their way in. How sad would it be if my new uniform also wound up in that bonfire?

—Today was more drilling with commands. Then, late this afternoon, we had a mock ceremony using the quarterdeck as a stage that is supposed to be in the square once the ceremony is ready to begin. It seems simple enough, but it'll look less stupid once we're receiving actual awards and not just draping the same bottle-on-a-rope around each others' necks.

—Day 159 (Command, Day 122)

—Two more days. Everyone on the ship is getting nervous. We went through drills and exercise and marching practice so fast that the knights weren't sure what to do with us this afternoon. So we practiced for the ceremony again. It went better than yesterday, though I hope Sello won't belch in King Lauris's face and pass out. I don't know how we're gonna keep him sober enough for this.

—Before they left, the knights were sure to get information from us. It was really just names and where we were from, and they explained that this was how the king's staff would be calling us up.

—Day 160 (Command, Day 123)

—

~~—

…

Tale #23 of the Island Symphony – END

NOTICE: This is already canon. But, let's be real; if anyone read this, they'd only know about half the trouble Link got into.