'We don't see things as they are, we see them as we are.'

  -Anais Nin

  The winds howled and wailed on our first night anchored near the island of Zubu. Miguel and the others were still below deck, fixing the gaping whole left by the coral reef when night came. I tried to help them with the repair but a coughing fit came upon me. So, instead I decided to prepare for our visitor. Somehow, it felt ominous and made things a bit grim and dreadful inside the ship but the men were still positively jolly. Who wouldn't? The prospect of getting fresh water and food was definitely on our horizon now as the Captain General's men relayed to us the good news from the shore. But there were also set backs.

  Among other things, our supplies were still meager. Even the others could not hide their hunger with mere pride anymore. We are tethering on a frayed line. We have to have food not just for the journey ahead but for the crews' morale. But going off to the island wasn't an option I would choose. Not yet.

  When the men joined me for supper, they reported sightings of narrow boats near the closest island the Captain General explored. They said they were fast and had no fixed sails and all had multiple mast.

  A handful of men rowed its long oars with ease too. Perhaps, the natives of the nearby island. Or maybe they were just passing fishermen. But I am merely guessing with all their descriptions. One eager sailor also said some of their rowers were armed with unusual looking blades and that most had spears and pikes. Again, he was not sure of it. They were probably sea gypsies or maybe something else. Or perhaps, pirates. Maybe, we will know in time.

  Regarding on the ship's current state, I asked Miguel what it would take to repair the damage on the flank and he jokingly remarked that the giant would've helped a lot. Somehow I agree with his reasoning. Siagu could've help them haul the heavy planks needed to repair the side of the ship. I bet he'd do it quite easily. I guess we should've let him stay for a little longer.

  I've also talked to Master Sebastian Delcano, our visitor from the ship Victoria. At first, I was hesitant to start a conversation with the man. But the crew who used to work under him assured me that he is a competent pilot and basing on our rare interactions, he is also one of the few humble and intelligible men on our fleet. We talked about the island and the archipelago and quickly built rapport. The place itself seemed like an untouched paradise. An Eden in the midst of the Pacific ocean. And obviously abundant with resources too. All manner of tropical plants (those I could see and identify from our ship, grew on it). What was more remarkable was that it was free for the taking. If fortune sides on us, Sebastian said, that he plans on returning to this archipelago. He talked about placing a colony here. Perhaps, a stronghold would help us in the long run. A fine proposition, if I may say.

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  We could stay here and be the one to man it– far from the politics of the mother land. We also talked about our hometowns and we both agree that after months and months at sea we missed them. And of course, the love ones we left behind. He talked about his family with gusto too. He talked about her lovely wife and his sons, all growing up to be like him. It made me smile to see a man like Sebastian here with me. He talked about his family as though he never left them behind. He was surely not like the common boorish crewman. He had no facade to maintain.

  His stories about his children and wife made me think of my family. I surely missed father and mother too. In truth, there are times I question myself. Why travel with this crew? Why journey through the unknown? But the answer is always in front of me. We owed our loyalty to our Captain General. And I know all of this well be worth it in the times to come. This was Captain Magalhaes' simple sacrifice for Spain, for his adopted motherland. And all of us will aid him no matter what.

  I talked about the first time I met Captain General Magalhaes in the Amazon. And was glad that Master Sebastian was enthused with all the tales of the travels we made around the world after that. He talked about the time he spent under Magalhaes command too. They were extraordinary stories of adventure and bravery. All worthy of being written into ballads. And I wasn't even surprised.

  After a few rounds of wine and some rum I ventured on and asked him how it was being Captain Duarte's second in command. Surprisingly, the man was a good captain. Competent in all manners concerning maritime. Not the vile murderous man who killed his way to where he is now as the rumors and gossips suggested.

  When supper ended, my new-found friend, Sebastian, went his way and I retired to one of the officers quarters.

  I tried to sleep but sleep did not come. So, I wrote and I wrote till my eyes grew weary. And when slumber did come... I dreamed about all of it again. I don't know what's happening to me. My dreams...my premonitions are still as vile as they come. I don't know how to cope with it.

  May the Virgin guide our weary souls.

  ---from Antonio Pigafetta's Personal Journal