Hara'jaal is a boat ride away, and we find ourselves here upon the island of M'riss. I am beginning to suspect that travel does not agree with me, as I have been fighting the same fever that struck when I arrived at the Enclave. More likely, it is from the many mosquitoes, fleas, and other vermin to which I have been subjected. Upon reaching the city of Mer'Kresh, my first thoughts were of bath and slumber. The former is behind me and the later ahead, so you must pardon me for but a brief entry.

The day started bright and beautiful, and filled with the noisome retching of my common room neighbor. Now I know the source of such lasting mud within the pit of the Anli Delban Reste. I decided to pass on the copper-a-bowl fishhead stew breakfast as my stomach had ceased rumbling with all the resignation of a condemned man. Perhaps Damaria had had better luck garnishing breakfast, and I set out to see what I could acquire.

Near to Lilidona's house, I ran into Quassia who informed me that Damaria was still fast asleep. Both she and Quassia had kept vigil over the Black Knight while he recouped from the effects of so long a stint as a corpse. We fell to talking, and eventually I took to picking fights with the troublesome Corsairs. I blame the atmosphere of the town. Such close and dirty quarters brings out the worst in everybody.

Quassia was made of sterner stuff, and she kept me whole while roughhousing in the streets. Glimmerglass and Stormhand discovered us there, with Stormhand soon afterward joining into the fight. Mayhap it is a male thing? Both of us were willing to risk the whipping post for the sake of a little adventure.

Hara'jaal was completed, and I mentioned that I would be seeking travel to M'riss when Damaria awoke. A trip to check the schedule on the Sumilo dock found The Jolas already at the pier. The mage and seer decided to journey ahead of us and promised to be there when next I faced a critter. The Jolas pulled out shortly after they boarded, and Quassia and I traveled back to the Empath's cottage.

Damaria was found to be awake, and I let her know today we would be leaving the island. She was as upset with this as I was (which is to say, not at all) but we did hit the shops for necessary supplies and a few luxuries. We would have to return via the Enclave, but I agreed with her that it would be only to pass through. By the time we got done debating whether to or not to tattoo, the Jolas had already returned. (By the way, we did not.) We bid farewell to Quassia, who had decided to wait and make the trip with the still slumbering Black Knight.

The Jolas is a fast ship, though it leaves something to be desired for cleanliness. I think a ship begins to take on the nature of its owner, for Captain Tevel appeared to be a cheerful man, albeit a bit worse for the wear. He has somehow managed to chain and tame an ancient celpeze, and he uses this pet to prevent passage to his personal quarters. The efficiency of the crew and captain soon saw us to Mer'kresh in about as much time as it takes to go from Riverhaven to Therenborough.

The short trip seemed inordinately wearisome, however, as the first chills of the fever touched my brow. I do not recall much of my first impression of Mer'kresh other than a vague image of pelicans. We picked the first inn we found, Saja's Boarding House, and settled for the night. Despite the noise of all the students, I feel as if I could s...

>Ed. Note: From where the above line trails off, the rest of the entry has been penned in a different hand<

Forgive him, good reader, but weariness, clean sheets, and the fever have finally brought him to sleep. I will bid you adieu for ma Coleur and finish this entry for now. -DK-