Third Moon of the Journey

  The water of the great Jade Sea have proven far more treacherous than expected, certainly more than the captain expected nor is used to. We've lost around three crewmen not to pirates, disease or storms but instead to their hearts and minds. I saw their betrayal long before they attempted it, my fires showed me as much before I stepped foot on this vessel. They wished to steal the precious metals I have in cargo as a gift to my future student, a sort of way so I can approach him in a more official manner. Their plan was to pilfer the amethyst and other such items and sell it for profit when we reach Qarth. They were fools and payed the price of fools, they now rot in the dark deep of the seas, away from the lord's light where they belong. I would of had them burned but sadly that wasn't possible. The rest of the men have grown more devout in their prayers since that sordid affair.

  Many nights ago, we passed the ruins of a strange city that appeared on no maps we have on board this vessel. It's black spires of twisted... and burnt stone jutted out from beneath the waves like a grasping set of fingers. Zhou wished to give the ruins a wide birth, but with some light encouragement from myself and the new converts onboard we sailed closer. In the waters depths I saw lights moving in the murk, not the glow of some sea creature that live in the Ash. No that was the purple glimmer of an old magic... the ruins are a remnant of the Dawn's reach from millennia ago. I interpreted it as a good omen, to increase morale if anything else.

  My youngest acolyte... Kiren I believe her name was has been claimed by the dreadful touch of fever. She succumbed unexpectedly quickly, it seems her survival was not a part of his holy plan. The less devout of the crew wished to give her to the sea, a sailors death or some other such nonsense. No I had her remains pushed out to sea and lit ablaze with an arrow coated in some liquid... I don't know the specifics and I'm not inclined to care. The raft was burnt all the same. The winds that had abandoned us slowly drifting suddenly picked up with a sudden fury, a blessing for our sacrifice no doubt. R'hllor rewards our sacrifices as he always has and always will.

  Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  The Red Star now dominates the night sky, it's tail has grown so large it practically stretches from horizon to horizon. It's light turns the glistening jade waters blood red... like that of the Bleeding Sea, this only occurs during the twilight hours. When we briefly stopped in the ports of Jinqi, a moon or so ago, the locals have taken to calling it "The Red Wanderer". I however call it by it's true name the Lord's Coming, for it foretells the time when his champion shall soon rise. In it's light magic grows stronger, now ebbing and waxing throughout the times of day. Either way my glamour requires less effort and concentration than before, my visions are as such more potent.

  Soon we shall stop in one of the great ports of Yi Ti, specifically Yin... for provisions and light repairs, it shan't be more than a few days stop. Nethertheless I find myself growing impatient, despite the centuries I have lived... time has taught me patience yes but now I have such a clear vision. A clear goal, to not be there in the west actively fulfilling my purpose. It grates on my soul.

  I see a crown of swords, wreathed in a veil of steam. Sometimes I see dragons, yet they don't cast shadow instead they glow a blinding light. And always... always I see the fortress by the sea waiting as a sentinel for lands truly unknown to me.

  One of the crew, an odd man from the Summer Isles because he does not speak yet he is not a mute. He has shown promise in reading the flames. I expect he won't survive what is to come so I shan't invest much in him but still. It may prove somewhat useful for the scorched lands.

  ~ Melisandre, humble Servant of R'hllor