(For those of you who are wondering, the title means Look to the West, for there lies Paradise.)
The diary of Ganix Luken Aznar(1)
90th Day of Our Journey
The Year of Our Lord 1070
Inigo is dead.
Last night, I watched over him as he lay tied and thirst-mad to his cot below deck. Though it was sure he would die--the bare water rations not enough for the giant (though now skeletal like a tall and weak willow)--I found myself afraid to give him his Penance, something deep in my soul telling me that the Lord, cruel master that he is, would steal the boy's soul away the moment I did. Inigo's eyes fluttered suddenly as I sat there, lost in my heretical thoughts, and he whispered something in a voice that cracked like parchment. I leaned closer and heard, and what I did hear chilled me to the bone. "Stop...stop...down our path sits only death..." Then the poor child sighed, a deep and windy noise as though the tragedy of ages blew through his bones, and then he died. I sat there in the night as the ship creaked about me, praying more fervently than I have in years.
This morning, the boy Endika, who was sitting in the crow's nest, suddenly yelled down to me, "Priest! Captain! I can see land!" I looked as well, to the west where he pointed, squinting in the morning sun; there, in front of us, lay a beautiful green island, hanging low over the sea. The crew below us cheered as Endika joyfully proclaimed, "We are saved! The Lord has saved us!" Captain Eizaguerre yelled, "Plot a course for the coast!" I only stood, watching our death come closer on the rolling waves.
We should arrive tomorrow.
91st Day of Our Journey
The Year of Our Lord 1070
We dropped anchor today, off of a glittering beach, with sand so white it looked like bone. There was a stream just within the jungle, and we drank deeply and ate the strange, colorful fish that swam just off the beach, in the deep blue lagoon. But all is not well here in paradise. The ship struck a rock as we laid anchor; praise the Lord, it has not sunk, but it will take many months to repair. We are lucky, perhaps, to have done such a thing in such a plentiful land. But there are darker tidings as well. When we landed, we saw a line of footprints leading off into the jungle. Though Endika, the boy, wanted to investigate, both the captain and I (agreeing for perhaps the first time on this cursed whaler's folly) counseled against it. We shall instead spend the night here, on this beautiful beach, with the shining stars above us and fresh water--I have not seen the like for months!--on our tongues.
The feeling of doom is less in this place. But still it waits with me, in the dark places of my heart.
93rd Day of Our Journey
Year of Our Lord 1070
This island, I think, is not an island, or perhaps it is a very large one, I am not certain. We have penetrated deep into the strange trees beyond the beach, and have found only more trees. Something curious has come over me. Though I was afraid to pass further into the trees at first, the way the strange thick leaves waved softly in the breeze, the way the sand and short grass caressed my feet, and the delightful warm smells of the land intoxicated me the moment I stepped into the forest. It was entrancing, and beautiful, all warmed by the gentle sun seeping through the trees. To you, dear diary, I will say honestly what I have thought from the moment we walked into that forest; I believe we have found Eden. I would not write so, but something has happened to convince me of this truth.
Today we met the people of this land.
Endika and I were alone, he roasting a fish for noon-day meal. The men had gone off to gather wood for primitive shelters. As I stoked the fire, there was rustling in the jungle. The boy pulled a flaming stick from the fire and, shaking, stood as ready as he could to face whatever beast was to come. I, meanwhile, had only my crucifix to protect me. But lo, it was no animal. Two short, brown-skinned men stepped out of the jungle. They each wore nothing except for a few shell necklaces and a triangular, woven bunch of leaves over their groin. One of them also held a sharpened wooden stick, burned at one end, primitive spears, surely for hunting. One also held a large, folded leaf in his hand.
They did not seem surprised to see us, and approached the campfire slowly. I stood up and held out my crucifix, holding it forward to fight away whatever evil these two had in their hearts. The boy only shrank away, dropping his torch, and hid behind my robe. One of the men seized his spear with both hands and seemed to prepare himself for attack, when the other stayed his hand with a pat. This one walked slowly towards us, and held out the leaf, unrolling it as he did. A middling-sized fish lay in the leaf, along with several dark berries, the names of which I do not know. He smiled and gestured at the fish. Hesitantly, I let my crucifix fall to my chest and reached forward, taking a berry. He gestured towards his mouth. I put it in my own mouth and chewed. It was delicious.
They stayed at the camp until the crew returned, the food-bearer and I striking up a rudimentary conversation. He gestured to his companion and himself, and said the word, "Taino." I take this to mean that his people are known as the Taino. I gestured to myself and the nearby ship and said, "Euskaldunak." He seemed confused by my gesture towards the ship, but nodded towards it as though it was a living being. I do not think they understand what our ship is. When the rest of the crew arrived, I told them what had happened, while the Tainos looked on passively. These men, I believe, are Edenites, the uncorrupted ones who, perhaps, God created again to improve upon the follies of exiled Adam, or perhaps returned to Eden after the great flood. This second provides a handy explanation for why the great ocean still remains...
(Several paragraphs of theological musings here)
...Endika began to try and communicate using the sign-language methods I had used. The rest of the crew began constructing shelters, though they were all still surprised at the Tainos' arrival. We slept afterwards, the Taino leaving to presumably their own encampment in the forest, with genial goodbyes. The captain, Eizaguerre, watched them with suspicious eyes.
6th Day of Life in Eden
The Year of Our Lord 1070
I spoke of my thoughts today to the crew, after the Taino had left from their third visit. Their kindness had impressed upon many of the sailors, who had made fast friends with the now-eight Taino who visited us daily. Many of the men were skeptical, surely, but others, including the boy Endika, seemed to agree, nodding silently as I spoke. Immediately afterwards Eizaguerre (the captain) took me aside. "Father...tell me. What think you of these men who visited us yesterday?" I shrugged and said, "The taller one seems a goodly man. But the other one, he tried to attack me when they first arrived. I believe they are uncorrupted, however; look at their near nudity and generosity!" Eizaguerre frowned and did not speak for a few moments. "I am not sure of their intentions as of yet. But listen to me; do not speak of this Eden folly any more." Surprised, I merely stared. The captain snorted and continued. "You are but sowing mutiny among the sailors! Next you will convince them to stay in this foreign country!" Eizaguerre shook his head. "It is foolish to say such things. We have families!" Then he walked away, leaving me to ruminate on what he had told me. It was a bad night.
(Several pages follow, detailing daily life in "Eden", and the first visit to the Taino village. We pick up as a disease begins to affect the Edenites.)
108th Day of Life in Eden
The Year of Our Lord 1071(?)
Tahak (the food-bringer) brought me back to the village of the Tainos today. As always, several men joined our group when Endika and I entered the village, presumably to observe us either with curiosity or suspicion. I cannot yet tell. As a sidenote, Endika is becoming extremely helpful. I have taught the boy how to write some, though he could not read, for instance, this diary yet. I have already taken to hiding it, though, for I fear the captain's gaze--he is the only other literate aboard our ship.
As we entered the village, I could already tell something was wrong. Many of the usuals that I had come to know by sight over my months here were gone, and there was a distinct low groan coming from the largest hut, made as all the others were of beautiful palm leaves. We stepped into the hut through the lines of beads that functioned as a door, and I gasped in horror as I stepped with in. Most of the villagers I had not seen were lying there, in various stages of--my Lord!--the pox(2). In an instant, I realized what I had done. I had the pox as a child; perhaps its lamida(3) followed me all the way to Eden. It was that moment that I decided that I would stay here, to help these people. I cared for the group as best I could, with Tahak watching over me like a worried mother. It was strange that he was not affected, but I will put it down to the Lord's Grace rather than strange sorcery as the Captain now fears. I could provide nothing but calming salves and some good-luck charms from my small supply of silver thistle to ease the itch of the bumps. They will mostly die. I know it. But there are some in the village who remain unaffected, and others who will survive, and perhaps I can help them move on.
The ship left later that day, after I returned to our encampment. I had beseeched the men to stay the day before; a good half, thirty-five men of good Euskaldunak stock and strength will stay with us here. Many have indeed already found wives among the Taino. Those who are unaffected with disease, anyway. The captain left with a promise to return, but not for me. Only for his dear crew. I understand, I do. But he is misguided. I will preach here, and help the poor, and perhaps guide this small community of Edenites to true enlightenment in the Lord. Tahak tells me there are more Taino in this land; I am afraid to find them. God has made me a plague-bearer, and I must attempt to rectify this great sin I have committed.
I must try.
Notes
(1) Yes, that is an actual Basque name. The last, Aznar, is an old surname once common throughout Christian Iberia, meaning "Little Raven" in Basque.
(2) Smallpox. While it wasn't yet common in Europe, there were many who had it and lived, like our dear friend here.
(3) A demon from Basque folklore, bringing disease and bad luck. Traditionally, silver thistles were thought to ward them off.
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Yay, reboots! This is one of my favorite TL ideas of all time, so I couldn't wait to try it again. What do you guys think so far?