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| '''[[Thom Kavanagh]]''' wrote letters detailing parts of his life and sent them via '''bottles''' to the sea. Between 1715 and 1722, those messages were eventually recovered by the [[Piracy|pirate]] and eventual Assassin [[Edward Kenway]]. The last of these bottles was placed over Kavanagh's grave near the Observatory after his death. | | '''Thom Kavanagh Bottles''' were bottles containing letters written by the [[Sages|Sage]] [[Thom Kavanagh]] detailing parts of his life, which were sent to sea after being penned. The letters were recovered by the [[Piracy|pirate]] [[Edward Kenway]] between 1715 and 1722, the last of which was placed at Kavanagh's grave near [[the Observatory]] after his death. |
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| ==Botles== | | ==Botles== |
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| 1='''1. ON MY NAME AND ORIGIN''' | | 1='''1. ON MY NAME AND ORIGIN''' |
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| To any and all who may reade this Missive, know First that I am Thom Kavanagh, born in 1652, formerly of Boston, now of the Worlde, living in the year 1706;– taken to Isolation long ago in the playce of my Ancestors in pursuite of Peace and Steadieness of Spirit. My storie is a singular one, though I make no Claim to Greatness or Nobility. Yet there is such an amount of Strangeness in my Blood it bears Mention, with the Wish that a better Understanding may come from my Situation;– and with the Hope that, if there be any others in the Worlde who suffer the same Perturbations of Minde as I have since Birth, they might find in me a kindred Soul;– and a friendly Voice to guide them to the calmer Shores of Sanitie.... | | To any and all who may reade this Missive, know First that I am Thom Kavanagh, born in 1652, formerly of [[Boston]], now of the Worlde, living in the year 1706;– taken to Isolation long ago in the playce of my Ancestors in pursuite of Peace and Steadieness of Spirit. My storie is a singular one, though I make no Claim to Greatness or Nobility. Yet there is such an amount of Strangeness in my Blood it bears Mention, with the Wish that a better Understanding may come from my Situation;– and with the Hope that, if there be any others in the Worlde who suffer the same Perturbations of Minde as I have since Birth, they might find in me a kindred Soul;– and a friendly Voice to guide them to the calmer Shores of Sanitie.... |
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| In plaine Words, I was borne a Creature of two Souls, one being my owne, newly Mint'd and fresh upon the World's Stage;– yet, the other being an old and wyse Thing, a Soul as old as the Universe itself may be. Two Souls, therefore, in a single Body, competing for Supremacie. | | In plaine Words, I was borne a Creature of two Souls, one being my owne, newly Mint'd and fresh upon the World's Stage;– yet, the other being an old and wyse Thing, a Soul as old as the Universe itself may be. Two Souls, therefore, in a single Body, competing for Supremacie. |
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| 6='''6. MY APPRENTYCESHIP''' | | 6='''6. MY APPRENTYCESHIP''' |
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| When I was aged fourteen Yeares, my Father, feeling I shoulde discover some better Skill or Trade sensible to my Habits of Mind, Apprentyced me to a Master Carpenter-Joiner call'd Jonathan Davenport of Boston. Master Davenport had then many Slaves and two other white Boyes in his Emploie;– one a Bricklayer by trade and the other a Carpenter, bothe not terrible Clever. But seeing in me a certain Spark of Intelligence and Wytt, Master Davenport was all too keene to place me as a Joiner;– and I was happie to oblyge, the Position earning me some 2 Pound a Year and grate Satysfaction of Spirit. | | When I was aged fourteen Yeares, my Father, feeling I shoulde discover some better Skill or Trade sensible to my Habits of Mind, Apprentyced me to a Master Carpenter-Joiner call'd [[Jonathan Davenport]] of Boston. Master Davenport had then many [[Slave]]s and two other white Boyes in his Emploie;– one a Bricklayer by trade and the other a Carpenter, bothe not terrible Clever. But seeing in me a certain Spark of Intelligence and Wytt, Master Davenport was all too keene to place me as a Joiner;– and I was happie to oblyge, the Position earning me some 2 Pound a Year and grate Satysfaction of Spirit. |
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| A Joiner’s work requires a nice and steadie Hande, and a grate Taste in Ornament;– both Qualties Master Davenport tolde me I hadd in large Measure. And so it was with grate Pryde that, well pryor to the customarie seven Yeares, I tooke leave of my Master after only five, and set out on my owne at nineteen Years of Age to seek my Success, now a Man and Master in my owne ryght. My Master was not sadd to see me go, but bade me goode Fortune, for he knew in his heart that I was the greatest Talent he had yet apprentyced. – “For there is something of a natural Genius in you, Ladd;– A Wisdome beyond your Yeares.” | | A Joiner’s work requires a nice and steadie Hande, and a grate Taste in Ornament;– both Qualties Master Davenport tolde me I hadd in large Measure. And so it was with grate Pryde that, well pryor to the customarie seven Yeares, I tooke leave of my Master after only five, and set out on my owne at nineteen Years of Age to seek my Success, now a Man and Master in my owne ryght. My Master was not sadd to see me go, but bade me goode Fortune, for he knew in his heart that I was the greatest Talent he had yet apprentyced. – “For there is something of a natural Genius in you, Ladd;– A Wisdome beyond your Yeares.” |
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| And so packing a Kitt of all my worldly Possessions, I bid my Mother and Father much Love and Farewell, then took Passage on a Merchant Brig bound for Jamaica in the West Indies, where need for Carpenters of Skill were grately needed... | | And so packing a Kitt of all my worldly Possessions, I bid my Mother and Father much Love and Farewell, then took Passage on a Merchant [[Brig]] bound for [[Jamaica]] in the [[West Indies]], where need for Carpenters of Skill were grately needed... |
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| 7='''7. ON LEAVING HOME''' | | 7='''7. ON LEAVING HOME''' |
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| MYSELFE, A MAN, AND TWO WOMEN;– | | MYSELFE, A MAN, AND TWO WOMEN;– |
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| A Woman;– "As biological Traites are pass'd from one Generation to another, why should we not engineer the Humans to pass learn'd Information to their offspring as well? It is well within our Scope." And here an other Woman interrupts;– "Never! Alreadie we have made them sturdy and strong! Why should we gift them with new Advantages over us? We are dyeing, the War is tilting against us;– we should discover a means to our own Salvation, not theirs!" | | [[Minerva|A Woman]];– "As biological Traites are pass'd from one Generation to another, why should we not engineer the Humans to pass learn'd Information to their offspring as well? It is well within our Scope." And here [[Juno|an other Woman]] interrupts;– "Never! Alreadie we have made them sturdy and strong! Why should we gift them with new Advantages over us? We are dyeing, the War is tilting against us;– we should discover a means to our own Salvation, not theirs!" |
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| And here the Man disagreed;– "Our time is done. The Instruments of our Will shall soon be our masters, and we shall fade away. Perhaps not in ten or twenty Yeares, but certainlie this Centurie is our last. Why not therefore gift the Humans with add'd faculties for Wisdom and Growthe. Why not let them pass on the accumulations of their Learnings, from one Generation to the Next? By ever ascending Degrees, the Humans shall be as Wyse as we are..." | | And here [[Jupiter|the Man]] disagreed;– "Our time is done. The Instruments of our Will shall soon be our masters, and we shall fade away. Perhaps not in ten or twenty Yeares, but certainlie this Centurie is our last. Why not therefore gift the Humans with add'd faculties for Wisdom and Growthe. Why not let them pass on the accumulations of their Learnings, from one Generation to the Next? By ever ascending Degrees, the Humans shall be as Wyse as we are..." |
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| And here I seem to speak;– "It can be done. By simple Manipulation of the Code within their Blood, we could improve their Lott" And here the second woman screams "Absolutelie not!";– And then the Memorie is end'd... | | And here I seem to speak;– "It can be done. By simple Manipulation of the Code within their Blood, we could improve their Lott" And here the second woman screams "Absolutelie not!";– And then the Memorie is end'd... |
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| 10='''10. FINDING STEADEY WORK''' | | 10='''10. FINDING STEADEY WORK''' |
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| Reaching Jamaica I push'd all idle Thoughts and Fantasies from my Minde and set about finding myself Employment. A Letter of Endorsement from my Mentor, Mister Davenport, hasten'd my Success and within a Fortnight I was abel to secure an Interview with an Agent working for the esteemable Mister Peter Beckford, a Man knowne wyde acrosse the West Indies as a One of Honour and good Intelligence;-- as, I must say, was his Agent, for the Man hyred me on the Spot, and within a two Days’ time was I set to work upon the Slaves Quarters;-- fitting them with sturdier Doors and tighter Rooves. | | Reaching Jamaica I push'd all idle Thoughts and Fantasies from my Minde and set about finding myself Employment. A Letter of Endorsement from my Mentor, Mister Davenport, hasten'd my Success and within a Fortnight I was abel to secure an Interview with an Agent working for the esteemable Mister [[Peter Beckford]], a Man knowne wyde acrosse the West Indies as a One of Honour and good Intelligence;-- as, I must say, was his Agent, for the Man hyred me on the Spot, and within a two Days’ time was I set to work upon the Slaves Quarters;-- fitting them with sturdier Doors and tighter Rooves. |
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| For my owne accommodations, I am well pleased to tell they were fine. Three windows had I, two of which look'd upon the Cane Fields. When open'd, a light Breeze fill'd my Room, one scent'd with the raw Perfume of the nearby Sea, and the distant Sound of a hushing Ocean Surf. Often too the spiritual Songes of the Negros hard at worke enter'd, and gave me a deepe calm. It was pleasant there, only this Comfort could not mask the Dread I felt at the Thought of catching the Yellow Fever, or another of the innumerable Ailments that often struck those newly arrived to these Parts. For my Parte I saw well over seventeen Men and Women perish from the Disease within six Months of my Arrival. | | For my owne accommodations, I am well pleased to tell they were fine. Three windows had I, two of which look'd upon the Cane Fields. When open'd, a light Breeze fill'd my Room, one scent'd with the raw Perfume of the nearby Sea, and the distant Sound of a hushing Ocean Surf. Often too the spiritual Songes of the Negros hard at worke enter'd, and gave me a deepe calm. It was pleasant there, only this Comfort could not mask the Dread I felt at the Thought of catching the Yellow Fever, or another of the innumerable Ailments that often struck those newly arrived to these Parts. For my Parte I saw well over seventeen Men and Women perish from the Disease within six Months of my Arrival. |
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| A shrewde and relentless man of Business, Mister Beckford was known also be subservient to a Temper of cyclonic Power;– Wrath and Fury and Enmity were his primary means of settling Arguments that could nott be concluded in Mister Beckford’s immediate favor. He was however always kinde to me and as gracious a Man as one could hope an Employer to be. But this I put down to my Status in his eyes;– he was a traditionall Man with a Respect for Rank and Breeding. | | A shrewde and relentless man of Business, Mister Beckford was known also be subservient to a Temper of cyclonic Power;– Wrath and Fury and Enmity were his primary means of settling Arguments that could nott be concluded in Mister Beckford’s immediate favor. He was however always kinde to me and as gracious a Man as one could hope an Employer to be. But this I put down to my Status in his eyes;– he was a traditionall Man with a Respect for Rank and Breeding. |
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| In earlier Tymes he hadd been the Governor de facto of the Island, and though a Statesman no longer upon my Arrivall he still bore all the Sines of a man who felt it his natural Dutie to lead. Further, his political Connexions he valued as deeply as his Sugar and the Money it brought him;– and it was in this Capacity, following the arrival of a Spanish soldier, that I met the man who would change my Lyfe for the worse, forever;– a young man named Laureano Torres. | | In earlier Tymes he hadd been the Governor de facto of the Island, and though a Statesman no longer upon my Arrivall he still bore all the Sines of a man who felt it his natural Dutie to lead. Further, his political Connexions he valued as deeply as his Sugar and the Money it brought him;– and it was in this Capacity, following the arrival of a Spanish soldier, that I met the man who would change my Lyfe for the worse, forever;– a young man named [[Laureano de Torres y Ayala|Laureano Torres]]. |
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| 12='''12. THE TEMPLAR ARRIVES''' | | 12='''12. THE TEMPLAR ARRIVES''' |
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| It was in April of 1673 when I espy'd the Galleon in Kingston’s Harbour, flying the Colours of the Men of Holland, which I thought queer but not unlikely. This was a Ruse, however, for the Ship’s Cargo was most assuredly Spanish;– a Gentleman call'd Torres, once a soldier in the Spanish army, now an Emissary on behalf of his King. Or so said he to Peter Beckford. I learn'd later that he call'd himself a Templar, and had made his Visit to Beckford’s Plantation to look upon Master Becford's straynge collection of collect'd Manuscripts. | | It was in April of 1673 when I espy'd the [[Galleon]] in [[Kingston]]’s Harbour, flying the Colours of the Men of Holland, which I thought queer but not unlikely. This was a Ruse, however, for the Ship’s Cargo was most assuredly [[Spain|Spanish]];– a Gentleman call'd Torres, once a soldier in the Spanish army, now an Emissary on behalf of his King. Or so said he to Peter Beckford. I learn'd later that he call'd himself a [[Templars|Templar]], and had made his Visit to Beckford’s Plantation to look upon Master Beckford's straynge collection of collect'd Manuscripts. |
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| Torres was two Days with Mister Beckford when another Object took his full Attention;– namely, me. The Syght of my Face stirr'd in him a strange sort of Excitement, which I found altogether untoward at first, until he ply'd me with Questions that shock'd me to the Core of my Being. Said he to me, one evening after Supper– “Hear you voices, Mister Kavanagh?” – “How is that?” I answer'd, feigning Ignorance, though shaken in Truth. “Voices. From the dark of your Minde. Or Memories, to be clearer, as if from another Lyfe entire.” And here I was terrified;– how was it that this man knew the odd Riddle of my Lyfe as if it were a banal Fact of History? | | Torres was two Days with Mister Beckford when another Object took his full Attention;– namely, me. The Syght of my Face stirr'd in him a strange sort of Excitement, which I found altogether untoward at first, until he ply'd me with Questions that shock'd me to the Core of my Being. Said he to me, one evening after Supper– “Hear you voices, Mister Kavanagh?” – “How is that?” I answer'd, feigning Ignorance, though shaken in Truth. “Voices. From the dark of your Minde. Or Memories, to be clearer, as if from another Lyfe entire.” And here I was terrified;– how was it that this man knew the odd Riddle of my Lyfe as if it were a banal Fact of History? |
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| “Tranferance,” I said aloud. “Our minds into alternate Vessels? A dangerous Prospeckt, but reasonable.” | | “Tranferance,” I said aloud. “Our minds into alternate Vessels? A dangerous Prospeckt, but reasonable.” |
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| “Yes!” said she, “And who better to make this Leap than you my beloved Husband. With a Minde unparallel'd. A Constitution unrivall'd. Arckitect of the Observatorie, Overseer of Eden’s tools, the brightest light in our Civilization. If you are not capable of making this leap, perhaps no one is...” | | “Yes!” said she, “And who better to make this Leap than you [[Aita|my beloved Husband]]. With a Minde unparallel'd. A Constitution unrivall'd. Arckitect of the Observatorie, Overseer of Eden’s tools, the brightest light in our [[First Civilization|Civilization]]. If you are not capable of making this leap, perhaps no one is...” |
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| And here replied I;--“I will do this for you, Beloved. For us and our people...” | | And here replied I;--“I will do this for you, Beloved. For us and our people...” |
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| I ponder’d this Letter for some time that Evening, wondering what it could mean that I had the “exact Likeness” of a Man he knew, and why it should raise so much Intrigue. I wonder'd at this for hours, Pacing about the Room with a Minde to slip from my Chamber, when of a sudden I hearde a rapide Succession of Reports from Pistols and Rifles, outside in the Garden. To my Eare it sound'd as if a Warr had begun, with me a Bystander at its Center... | | I ponder’d this Letter for some time that Evening, wondering what it could mean that I had the “exact Likeness” of a Man he knew, and why it should raise so much Intrigue. I wonder'd at this for hours, Pacing about the Room with a Minde to slip from my Chamber, when of a sudden I hearde a rapide Succession of Reports from Pistols and Rifles, outside in the Garden. To my Eare it sound'd as if a Warr had begun, with me a Bystander at its Center... |
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| I dropp’d to my Knees and hid on the far side of my Bed, away from the Window, and shutt my eyes. But as I did this, a voice call'd out to me from my Chamber door. “Mister Kavanaugh!” it said. I raysed my head and open'd my eyes and there saw a Figure cutting a terrible Outline;– hood'd and robed in dusky Sienna, the Man lift'd a small Pipe to his Lipps and blew. I felt a Sting upon my Neck, as if from a Mosquito. I open'd my Mouth to Protest, but thereupon a Wave of Fatigue took me and I fell fast asleep... | | I dropp’d to my Knees and hid on the far side of my Bed, away from the Window, and shutt my eyes. But as I did this, a voice call'd out to me from my Chamber door. “Mister Kavanagh!” it said. I raysed my head and open'd my eyes and there saw a Figure cutting a terrible Outline;– hood'd and robed in dusky Sienna, the Man lift'd a [[Blowpipe|small Pipe]] to his Lipps and blew. I felt a Sting upon my Neck, as if from a Mosquito. I open'd my Mouth to Protest, but thereupon a Wave of Fatigue took me and I fell fast asleep... |
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| 15='''15. RESTE AND REPASTE''' | | 15='''15. RESTE AND REPASTE''' |
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| I awoke some Days hence in a bustling Native village in the Presence of that same man, many Leagues from where I had call'd my Home. A Native himself, with a strong and serious but gentle Face, he named himself Bahlam, and bade me nott be fryghten’d. | | I awoke some Days hence in a bustling [[Tulum|Native village]] in the Presence of that same man, many Leagues from where I had call'd my Home. A Native himself, with a strong and serious but gentle Face, he named himself [[Bahlam]], and bade me nott be fryghten’d. |
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| Strangely, I was not;– for his demeanor was calm and his words were kind. I ask'd him why he had brought me to this Place. His Surprise seem'd genuine, and he told me, “You are a Sage. Your face tells it plain;– your Eyes most of all.” I did not know what to make of this Suggestion. He went on;– “You are but one of a long Lineage of identical Men;– men born outside their original Tyme. Your Likeness and your Soul are a Pattern, repeat'd through the Ages. Oftentimes a century or more passes without the appearance of a Sage; other times, Two are born in the same Decade. We know not why.” | | Strangely, I was not;– for his demeanor was calm and his words were kind. I ask'd him why he had brought me to this Place. His Surprise seem'd genuine, and he told me, “You are a Sage. Your face tells it plain;– your Eyes most of all.” I did not know what to make of this Suggestion. He went on;– “You are but one of a long Lineage of identical Men;– men born outside their original Tyme. Your Likeness and your Soul are a Pattern, repeat'd through the Ages. Oftentimes a century or more passes without the appearance of a Sage; other times, Two are born in the same Decade. We know not why.” |
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| Bahlam smiled and said;– “I understand well, and I believe in your Cause. To find the source of your Reveries will do you a great Good. Go, therefore, and answer these Riddles. We will provide you with supplies to see you safely embark'd.” To which I replied; “Thank you, Sir. And if what I finde satisfies me, I will return hither and provide you with answers that may satisfie you as well.” | | Bahlam smiled and said;– “I understand well, and I believe in your Cause. To find the source of your Reveries will do you a great Good. Go, therefore, and answer these Riddles. We will provide you with supplies to see you safely embark'd.” To which I replied; “Thank you, Sir. And if what I finde satisfies me, I will return hither and provide you with answers that may satisfie you as well.” |
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| In the days following, Bahlam was true to his Word. With his young son, Ah Tabai, in tow, he transport'd me first unto a fishing Village near his own Compound, and supplied me with Maps and Coin before issuing a Warning. “The Templars are lately come to the West Indies, and this Torres is their Grandmaster;– and though few now in Number, there must soon be Others. Take heed of them, and trust not their Entreaties. For what they cannot earn by Conversation, they will take by Force.” | | In the days following, Bahlam was true to his Word. With his young son, [[Ah Tabai]], in tow, he transport'd me first unto a fishing Village near his own Compound, and supplied me with Maps and Coin before issuing a Warning. “The Templars are lately come to the West Indies, and this Torres is their [[Grand Master|Grandmaster]];– and though few now in Number, there must soon be Others. Take heed of them, and trust not their Entreaties. For what they cannot earn by Conversation, they will take by Force.” |
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| And with this, and a hearty goodbye, I took my Leave of this "Asssassyn" and set out for parts unknown, a vague sense of purpose pulling me forward... | | And with this, and a hearty goodbye, I took my Leave of this "[[Assassin|Asssassyn]]" and set out for parts unknown, a vague sense of purpose pulling me forward... |
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| 18='''18. MY SEARCHE''' | | 18='''18. MY SEARCHE''' |
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| I remain'd alone at the Observatories Location, plumbing its Secrets, all the while besieged by such an influx of Reveries it would require a Tome twice the size of a Bible to relate them all. Let it suffice to say, that I came to understand the Nature of the two Souls within me, and I am now content. | | I remain'd alone at the Observatories Location, plumbing its Secrets, all the while besieged by such an influx of Reveries it would require a Tome twice the size of a Bible to relate them all. Let it suffice to say, that I came to understand the Nature of the two Souls within me, and I am now content. |
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| After near on a Week there, I was visit'd by a Group of Natives from the Island, people of the Tiano tribe, I believe. They spott'd me first, and might have kill'd me straight away, had my utter surprise not widen'd my Eyes to such a Degree that their unusual qualities were seen by all. At seeing me thus, the Natives stopp'd and and dropp’d to their knees with slow Gesticulations. I understood at once that these men were sworn to protect this place, and in my further Conversations with them since, I have made out that it was a PREVIOUS Sage who had employ'd them so;– or more precisely, I should say employed their Ancestors thus, for nearly 150 years had pass'd since the last “Sage” had come this way. I am told his Grave lies nearby, but is unmark'd and inaccessible. | | After near on a Week there, I was visit'd by a [[Guardian|Group of Natives]] from the Island, people of the [[Taino|Tiano]] tribe, I believe. They spott'd me first, and might have kill'd me straight away, had my utter surprise not widen'd my Eyes to such a Degree that their unusual qualities were seen by all. At seeing me thus, the Natives stopp'd and and dropp’d to their knees with slow Gesticulations. I understood at once that these men were sworn to protect this place, and in my further Conversations with them since, I have made out that it was a PREVIOUS Sage who had employ'd them so;– or more precisely, I should say employed their Ancestors thus, for nearly 150 years had pass'd since the last “Sage” had come this way. I am told his Grave lies nearby, but is unmark'd and inaccessible. |
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| It has now been over four Decades since my Arrival at this sacred Place, and onlie one Question yett lingers in my Minde;– how many more of my Sort have been here in Total? near eighty Millennia have pass'd since our Inception, and I am apt to believe the Number quite high. But I cannot knowe for certain. | | It has now been over four Decades since my Arrival at this sacred Place, and onlie one Question yett lingers in my Minde;– how many more of my Sort have been here in Total? Near eighty Millennia have pass'd since our Inception, and I am apt to believe the Number quite high. But I cannot knowe for certain. |
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| But let that not trouble you, Reader;– for if you have followed my Storie entire, look you for my final Missive in the Playce where I will soon surely lay. Hidden near the Observatorie, where I have instructed the Guardians of this place to burie me when my Passage across this mortal Coil is at it's End. Therefore, fare thee well, until then. | | But let that not trouble you, Reader;– for if you have followed my Storie entire, look you for my final Missive in the Playce where I will soon surely lay. Hidden near the Observatorie, where I have instructed the Guardians of this place to burie me when my Passage across this mortal Coil is at it's End. Therefore, fare thee well, until then. |