Cal Endria's Journal: 11th November, 4169

I've done it! Oh how sweet success, and how near to disaster I came! But wait. Let me gain control of my emotions, for I can hardly contain myself. I shall start at the beginning in order to accurately chronicle the course of events.

This morning I met with Sharky. I almost made some excuse and took my leave, as he was in a foul temper. However, I reminded myself that he is always in a foul temper and that faint heart never gained anything, so I cleared my throat and put forth my proposal.

I proposed that Sharky let myself and 48 lads and our families out of our compact to set up a homestead on the land we discovered less than a week ago. In exchange for this, I told him that we would pay a tariff of half of everything produced by our settlement for the next 100 years.

I barely had time to make this proposal when Sharky rose up, trembling with rage and made as if to strike me. I thought that I had reached my end, but he regained control of himself.

I could see his mind working. Then he said, "Endria, I've no use for lily-livered cowards in me crew. I'd as soon kill the lot o' ye, but if ye can carve a civilization out o' that jungle an' provide me with the fruits of yer labor, then I thinks we has a bargain."

With that, we spat in our hands and shook on the bargain. Sharky has agreed to provide us with one of the ships in his fleet, the Rusty Scupper. She is the least seaworthy ship in the fleet and not much of a vessel, but she should get us back to the mainland. 

I immediately went to relay the happy news to my mates, who rejoiced that I had not been killed. Sharky has given us until nightfall to be gone from the fleet, so I must go and coordinate the removal of the families and their possessions to the Scupper. I shall relate our progress in my next entry.

This result has been better than I dared hope. Now we can truly look forward to the promise of a brighter future!

Cal Endria's Journal: Promised Land?

5th November, 4169

This morning we anchored in a secluded bay to take on water and forage for supplies. Every anchorage is a source of hope as our search continues for a plot of land on which to start our new settlement. I hope we find a place soon, for the Captain's behavior is becoming increasingly cruel and barbaric.

Just this morning Thompkinson was caught pouring an extra measure of rum. It was his bad fortune to be caught by Sharky. He doled out punishment immediately by stringing him up on a yardarm high above the deck.

It was not Thompkinson's day. The rope holding him up snapped in the gale and he was blown into the sea. Despite all my entreaties, Sharky refused to stop saying, "We're headin' inta that there harbor, he can catch up to us there."

Of course, he didn't catch up to us. So me and the lads are waiting until we find a likely spot to either jump ship or propose a deal to Sharky. I don't know how much longer we can wait. The way things are headed, it's only a matter of time until he does us all in.

Soon I must go ashore to gather water and supplies. It is my duty as first mate. I have to admit that it will be good to feel land underfoot once more. 

This bay has a pleasing look about it. The land starts out flat, then rises gradually. A large mountain range separates the bay from the rest of the mainland, and a waterfall cascades down into a river that flows into the bay.

Hold on, can it be? Why did I not see it until now? Of course, this is the very place we've been looking for! Oh merciful heavens, could our deliverance be close at hand? I must go and gather the lads. Not only will we go ashore to forage, but we will scout out the lay of the land to see if my hunch is correct! I will record our findings upon my return.

Cal Endria's Journal--Entry #1: Sowing Seeds

 Note: Today is the beginning of a new topic. When Cal Endria left on his final journey into the Iron Mountains, he brought his journal with him. When he was lost, his eyewitness account of the founding of Calendria was lost with him. With the unexpected recovery of the journal, Calendrian historians have gained a new insight into the origins of the village.

Here is the first entry in the journal. Let's travel back to the beginning.

26 October, 4169

Sketch of Cal Endria's Journal by Emily Hurst Pritchett

Another day at sea, and I am restless. I have started this journal to chronicle what I hope to be a new phase of my life, and hopefully that of my descendants.

Of late, I have grown tired of life at sea, and especially of life under Captain Burt Sharky. As first mate, I must ensure his orders are carried out. Perhaps I am becoming too soft hearted, but these days it seems that he has become exceedingly cruel and vicious.

Only yesterday, we sighted a merchant ship on the horizon. The two masted vessel was under full sail, running ahead of us at a quick pace, The lookout on Deathwind soon sighted her and the pursuit was on. The captain of our prey was a skilled sailor, if his maneuvers were any indication. However, in spite of the merchant's skill, the fleet steadily gained.

It was not long before they were within range of our cannon. I gave the order to fire. Our lads are chillingly good in a fight, and this one was no contest. Our first volley raked their deck and cut through both masts. Once they came crashing down the ship was virtually immobile.

Deathwind and Carrion came up on either side of the disabled ship. The merchant crew tried to put up a fight, but we are battle hardened and merciless. It was not long before what was left of the crew capitulated.

Usually, we would plunder and scuttle the captured ship and maroon the crew on a small sandbar or island. This tactic did not offer much hope of survival, but it gave some. However, this time Sharky had something different in mind.

"Kill them," he hissed. "Kill them all."

"But there are women and children aboard," I said. "Surely they can be spared."

"Do as I tell ye or I'll disembowel all ye lubbers!" Sharky barked. "From this day forth, we shall leave no one alive!"

And so, there was no choice but to carry out the Captain's orders.

If I could pinpoint one moment in time when I noticed a change in the Captain's mood, it seemed to be when he "acquired" a ring with a blood red stone. The ring is not natural. I do not know how to explain it, but it feels evil.

I have spoken to some other members of the Pirate Nation who I believe to be of a similar mind. One of these, Barko Weatherbee, has taken it upon himself to search out a habitable area for settlement.
Our plan is to find a suitable bit of land, take our families, and leave the Nation to form our own farming and fishing community. There are some among us who are optimistically looking forward to our new life. I, on the other hand, am concerned about Sharky. He will never let us go off on our own, at least not without a price in return.

That is my burden. I must develop a plan, and engineer some sort of deal, that will entice Sharky. It must appeal enough to his black and greedy heart to convince him to let us go, rather than kill us all. 
If I can accomplish that, and if Weatherbee can find a suitable patch of ground, then we may well and truly have a chance to live out our lives as free and honest men, although I fear we shall never fully escape Sharky's evil shadow.

My watch is ending, so I shall end here. Perhaps in the morning, after a few hours' rest, a solution to our dilemma will come to me. I pray that it does.

Cal Endria's Journal: 1st January, 1 AF

What ho! Jubilation is in the air! Our village is rising up from the jungle floor and a new year is dawning! As we begin our first year in the new land of possibilities, it is only fitting that we should mark our time from this point forward.

With that in mind, this new year of bright beginnings shall be year one in our new calendar. Henceforth we shall mark our years with the designation A.F., or After Founding.

As I said, this night has seen a glorious celebration. Not only is our future bright, but we have managed to forge a home in this wilderness. In a mere month and a half we have erected a dozen homes, have begun work on our business district and are tilling fields to begin growing crops.

Meanwhile, the land has been more than generous, providing abundant fruit and wild goats. We have managed to catch a number of the latter and they are a welcome addition to the livestock we already possess. I do not think we need fear succumbing to hunger in this land. We have chosen wisely.

Still already we are planning for Sharky's coming in mid-spring. We are storing half of all we collect and produce. When Sharky arrives on our first Tariff Day, I mean for him to be pleased with our offering so that he will leave us in peace for another six months. That is the state of our existence right now, a sobering thought for the end of a triumphant day. 

Cal Endria's Journal: 1st December, 4169

This is the first opportunity I have had to record my thoughts this week. We have been extremely busy, but have spent our time most profitably, to my mind. Everyone has pitched in and our little settlement is beginning to take shape.

Our first step was to erect some modest shelters out of poles and sailcloth. Pens for the livestock were also constructed. These took but two days to complete, such was the enthusiasm and the vigor with which we all worked. It was marvelous to be working for ourselves and the good of a community rather than Sharky's ungodly ends.

As a result, all worked with a will unheard of in our pirate days. The livestock were transferred from the ship to the newly constructed pens, and I believe they were just as happy as we with the change in their fortunes.

Next, we began felling trees for use in the building of permanent structures. This also serves the dual purpose of clearing land. We have mapped out a plan for the village, which we shall call Newburgh. It will consist of a village square up on the hill overlooking the harbor. In time, we shall construct a pier and a proper port. What grand plans we have!

Always, though, my thoughts stray to what we left behind. The bargain we made with Sharky weighs heavily upon my mind. It is too easy to give ourselves up to our newfound freedom. In reality it is but a mirage, for we all know that in one year's time Sharky shall come to collect his Tariff, and he shall return twice a year thereafter for 100 years.

Ah well, that is all in the future at this point. It will not be to anyone's benefit to dwell upon it now. We must work to build our village and make it a pleasant home. If we have not produced anything by the time he returns, then Sharky shall surely level the place and sell us all for slaves--or worse.

Cal Endria's Journal: 25th November, 4169

Our first day in our new home was a productive one. We spent our last night aboard The Rusty Scupper in relative comfort, although I daresay the prospect of spending the following night and every night thereafter on the shores of our new homeland may have softened our perceptions somewhat.

With the coming of the dawn we commenced with unloading the Scupper, and transporting our goods to shore. This has proved to be a most onerous task, as Sharky gave us very few longboats and we had to make many trips between ship and shore.

While the men were unloading, the women and children went about the work of setting up camp on the beach. Fires were lit and tents fashioned out of oilcloth, branches and palm leaves. They did a fine job, and the camp will be most acceptable until more permanent shelters can be built. 

We were able to bring a few head of cattle away with us,  as well as a couple of oxen and other sundry livestock, including some chickens. On our previous visit, I had noted the herds of goats that grazed in the mountains, so we should be reasonably well fixed for livestock. Weatherbee took a few lads and built some temporary pens in which to keep our beasts and fowl. 

We were all exhausted by the end of the day, but well satisfied. It felt good to be engaged in hard work with an honest purpose. To be free of Sharky's devilish designs at long last was balm for the soul, and I rejoiced in the happiness of my friends and comrades in this grand adventure. However, for me these feelings were tempered by the stark reality that we are not yet truly free from Sharky and that his will still holds sway even now. 

There is still the matter of the Tariff. In just a year's time, Sharky will return to take half of whatever we have produced. After that, he will return every six months for more. As I write this, I am looking past our campfire toward the mountains beyond. They seem impenetrable, but if we could find some hidden way over them we might one day be truly free of Sharky and the pirate nation.

Cal Endria's Journal: 24th November, 4169

This has been my first opportunity to record my observations since my mates and I took our leave of Sharky's crew. A journey that should have taken only a few days has instead taken almost a fortnight. But in the end we were able to make landfall this afternoon, thanks be to God and the Rusty Scupper.

Aye, that half-rotted, moribund vessel has been to hell and back. I never thought she'd hold up under such a trial, but she fooled us all and made it through--barely. But I fear that in my weariness I am getting ahead of myself. Let me go back to the morning of our departure.

 Sharky had given his permission for myself and about 40 of his band and their families to take leave of his pirate nation in order to set out to settle in an area that we had deemed suitable. The very next morning, nigh on 100 souls loaded their belongings and some provisions aboard the Rusty Scupper, the leakiest tub in Sharky's fleet, and set sail.

That very evening a storm blew up from nowhere as if by magic. This was no ordinary storm, mind, but just about the worst gale I'd ever encountered. It tossed us around like a cork, testing the limits of our vessel. Our main mast was toppled, and our compass washed overboard. We were tossed upon the waves while rain lashed us for an entire week.

Finally, the storm abated, and we were left to count our blessings. It took almost another week for us to find our way to our destination. But find it we did. 

We are now in the process of unloading. Tonight, we shall spend one more night aboard the Scupper, that is if she stays afloat. Tomorrow we shall set about setting up a rudimentary camp, then will begin the task of laying out and building our village. I shall close now as weariness is creeping up to claim me.

Cal Endria's Journal: 10th November, 4169

There is much excitement on board ship these past few days. So much so that not even Sharky's tyrannical behavior can dampen it. After our recent trip ashore, those among the crew who are looking to retire from the pirating life were heartened to find such a likely place to start a settlement.

They have been brimming with excitement, and some are already planning the layout of the settlement as if we had secured our release from the crew. They are forgetting one small item, and that is of course Sharky himself.

Of course it falls upon me as first mate to approach Sharky with  our appeal. He is not likely to take kindly to it. I shall be lucky if he does not kill me on the spot. However, it is worth the risk if by some small chance it will lead to our release from the crew.

I have thought much upon the matter of late, and believe I have devised a bargain that will appeal to the greed that thrives in his evil heart. I pray that he agrees.

I have determined to put our bargain to him in the morning in the hope that he will be of a more agreeable disposition at that hour. Well, I shall find out. If not, this shall be my final entry.

Cal Endria's Journal: 6th November, 4169

Went ashore this morning with some of the lads to procure provisions. As we rode ashore in the longboat, I surveyed the approaching beach. It seems a fine place to build a wharf.

Beyond the beach, the jungle rose up, and a range of mountains towered over us, looming ever larger as we made our approach. The closer we came to this paradise, the more excited we became.

I had made sure that the landing party was made up entirely of those sympathetic to our cause. We were anxious for the chance to explore this new land. Sharky nearly ruined our plans by making rumblings that perhaps he should come along and stretch his legs.

I was able to put him off by pointing out that it was best we go ahead to scout things out first before risking the our leader's safety. He saw the reason in this and decided to wait until after our stores had been replenished to go explore.

When the longboats touched sand, we splashed ashore and went in search of provisions. We made our way through the jungle, the land sloping gently upwards as we went. 

When we crested the ridge, an open plateau stretched out before us. The lads were very excited by this feature of the landscape, for it seemed to be the perfect place for a fair sized village. It seemed the hand of providence was at work, for little work would be needed to prepare the spot for the building of houses, farms and businesses.

Beyond the plateau, the forest resumed, rising up to meet the mountains. A gigantic waterfall descended from the mountains, into a river that flowed down to the harbor.

Not wanting to take much more time, for fear that Sharky would become restless waiting for us, we concluded our exploration and went about the task of gathering supplies. This was not difficult as both fresh water and game were plentiful. The land yielded abundant fruit as well. Odds fish, if this is not a paradise, then I truly do not know what is!

Once we had filled our water casks and loaded the longboats, we returned to the Deathwind and Sharky. This I was loath to do, so in love with this bit of ground have I become.

We are all in agreement. We have found the site for our new village, and our new hope. Now, it falls on me to approach Sharky and bargain for our release from his crew. I shall have to bargain well and shrewdly for Sharky to let us live, much less agree, but I think I know just what will appeal to his black heart.

I must end here as Sharky has just returned from his explorations. I fervently hope my next entry is a happy one.

A Writer's Week #25: Little Bit of This, Little Bit of That

Well, nothing earth shattering to report on the writing front this week, I'm afraid. Unlike last week, where I did a lot of work on the blog, I didn't do a whole lot other than write.

I did manage to introduce a new series of posts, though. Cal Endria's Journal should be pretty interesting. Each week I'll be featuring an entry in the journal, which was written by Calvin Endria, Kate's great-great-great-etc. grandfather and founder of Calendria. It should be fun to see things from old Cal's perspective, and maybe clear up some things that were not explained in The Deliverers: Sharky and the Jewel.

Yesterday, I leaked out a little snippet of The Deliverers 2, just because I thought folks would enjoy it. Please take a look and let me know what you think. 

Writing is a solitary type of activity. I've been working on the sequel since December, and--aside from my wife--haven't shared anything with anyone. So, I'm just guessing that I'm on the right track. I'm pretty sure I am, since I've rewritten a few spots. Please check out the preview and let me know if I am or not.

This week, I was able to write about 1,000 words, but the going is slow. Summer's here and there's less time to write. The lawn needs to be mowed, the kids are staying up later. It's tough. However, the book is now about 28,500 words and the story is moving along.

There are still one or two plot points that will have me scratching my head when I get to them. I am trying to anticipate that and ideas are simmering in the back of my brain, but I still think I'll hit a roadblock or two before all is said and done. 

My completion goal has changed to Labor Day, with rewrites to follow that. I think it's aggressive, but we'll see. If I can up my weekly total to 2,000 words, then I've got a shot. I'll let you know how I'm doing again next week.