Chapter 1

May 27th,1692, Sozopol.

Forgive me, for it hath been some days since I was afforded the opportunity to document my travels. So determined I was to record every detail, every sight, sound, taste, smell. So resolute I was that not one single iota of wondrous discovery would be missed. However my journey hath taken a decidedly unexpected change of direction, one for which I was certainly not prepared.

I barely know how to document the happenings of the last few days. I know not where to begin. I know not how to arrange my thoughts in some semblance of order. It is as if my rational mind hath abandoned me completely. But I will try to record something, although of what value it will be, I could not truthfully say. I hope, at least, that inscribing my thoughts to this page might enable me to make some sense of what is occurring and, in time, to find a solution to these troubles. Although I confess, the latter seems like a distinct impossibility.