Captain's log, [500th Year, Day 360]

Arrived at the rendez-vous point, where Mr Hendriks spotted one of the Black Ships. The Black Ship vanished from sight as She approached. We took on board a party consisting, oddly, of kindred and kine. I am including, for the record, the names of the passengers. Of the kindred, the Dame Ysabeau of the Clan Tremere (rumours of her passage into final death seem to have been exaggerated, unless some impostor is at work), Royston Chandler of Clan Ventrue, of the City of Angels of Earth; Yune of clan Brujah, in thrall to the Ventrue; Pyotr Khakovsky of Clan Gangrel, Poco Loco of Clan Malkavian; and one ghoul of Dame Ysabeau's, Tabitha Locke (I fail to understand the desire to hold other creatures in thrall, even though they be only kine). Of the kine, Justine Pierce, their self-affirmed leader (I sense in him a barely suppressed rage and a relentless drive; he might make a fine Brujah, or a sorry corpse), Tommy Frost, Bradley Wilmot (a warrior, I can sense it, and although less enraged than the Pierce, I sense turmoil within him), Jefferson Bradley, and one female, Cecile Deveraux. The female seems to confound me - there is something out of place about her.

I note, for the record, the terms of the pact - all treasure to be attributed to myself, for distribution among the crew, both kindred and kine; the kine are not to be harmed, nor fed upon. I was ensured that my cooperation in this affair would put the Princes of the New World in my debt. A retainer was paid, consisting of thirty rubies sanguine, which I have locked in the secure chest.

I have given Mr. Blair and Mr. Hendriks instructions to keep an eye on the Malkavian.

Our destination is Dylath-Leen, where, I am told, Ysabeau intends to consult the kindred coven. I have asked Her to set course for the Maëlstrom that will bring us to the Upper Seas.

Captain's Log [Day 362]

We are still being trailed by the black sail, which Mr. Hendriks has been spotting for the last day. I summoned Ysabeau, the Pierce, and the Ventrue to my cabin, extracting their pledges to fight under my command and defend Her if She should come under attack.

Captain's Log [Day 363]

On our approach to the Maelstrom, Mr. Hendriks has spotted a storm front of unusual nature. On examination, the storm front is not of water, but seems to be of a sanguine hue. I have ordered all passengers to their cabins, and have instructed the crew to storm stations. I intend to steer Her through the storm, relying on Her might to carry us through, and in the process lose the black sail that is still trailing us, at a distance.

Captain's Log [Day 363]

She had passed through the Storm, but it took my strength, as well as Mr. Loco's (whom I ordered, like the rest of the passengers, to remain below deck, but his initiative cannot be faulted, and without him, She might not have gotten us through - I sensed what I have never sensed before - She was frightened). In the scarlet storm, we were attacked by a beast resembling a cloud beast in all aspects, save that it was a creature of the same bitter blood as the storm. She severely wounded Mr. Blair, who was thrown overboard, and whom I had to revive by my own blood. Four crew members have vanished, and are presumed dead: John, Mark, Lucas, and Matthew. They were dreamers, and I do not expect to see them again. We are now sailing eastward on the southern seas, towards Dylath-Leen. I must commend Mr. Loco, not only for his assistance in steering Her through, but his panache during combat.

Captain's Log [501st Year, Day 1]

Following an incident during which Mr. Hendriks administered a severe beating to Mr. Loco, I was forced to offer amends to the Ventrue. Mr. Loco, in one of the bouts of lunacy that the Malkavians are so prone to, was caught in the deeper holds. He had no business there, and Mr. Hendriks was right in calling him out on it. The beating was too severe, unfortunately, and I chafed at having to offer apologies to the Ventrue. I have no choice than to penalise Mr. Hendriks for this. It is not the first time that She has taken sustenance. He has been useful to Her before, and I suspect it will not be the last time. As things are, after the scarlet storm, She is entitled to some nourishment.

Captain's Log [Day 4]

Mr. Blair seems to have recovered from the injuries inflicted by the sanguine cloud beast, but he seems to be under a cloud of doom ever since the encounter. He withdraws within himself.

Furthermore, Mr. Dribble has hinted that the crew is restless, and is muttering that the ship is cursed. If only they knew... There is no risk of mutiny as yet (not that it would stand any chance of succeeding) but I cannot afford to sail on this mission, which I now believe to be of importance to the Dreamlands Above and Below, with a shaky crew. I will allow them to muster out on full combat pay so as to encourage them to silence, and take on board a fresh crew in Dylath-Leen.

Captain's Log [Day 9]

By my latest readings, we should make Dylath-Leen tomorrow. I have tasked Mr. Blair and Mr. Dribble to recruit a fresh crew. To Mr. Dribble, I gave additional order to discretely gather some of the human flotsam of Dylath-Leen for the hidden holds. I foresee a need for me to sustain Her, and I will need to replenish myself quickly.

Captain's Log [Day 10]

We have docked safely in Dylath-Leen. We were met by Mr. Crenshaw, as always, and paid the fee, as always. I accepted an invitation to dine with the harbour masters a night hence. The slaves of the Covenants have disembarked, and are headed for the Covenant House of Dylath-Leen, with the exception of Mr. Loco, who hung around, invisible to all (but not to Her, and therefore not to Me), and followed the kine as they disembarked in turn. Mr. Crenshaw had delivered a letter addressed to the Wilmot. He seemed surprised, and he should be. As was I. It is odd for an obvious novice in the Dreamlands to have letters waiting for him at Dylath-Leen. The kine will require keeping an eye on, but for the time being Mr. Loco (in whatever guise he currently may be in) will do fine.