Riddle's End and the Future

Two days have gone. During décadi, after finishing my unit update, I went to pay the Headsmasher a visit. Earlier than I wanted, but a rude and nocturnal awakening were conditions I could not ignore. Also, he had been sleeping enough already. I brought him outside onto deck. There was clear moonlight. I asked him many questions, and he was trying his best to dodge away from answering them. Or perhaps shoveling away? In any case, when I asked about him about his "ring business" that he talked about in Zarastil, he finally realised that the only way out of his very deep hole of lies is upward. And he switched voices, for he apparently sought safety in a constructed illusion of being a dim-witted buffoon. Explains his earlier refusal to understand basic haggling, critical thinking, and everything else needed to function in normal society. I think? But he explained that his friendship with prince Nakor was founded on him getting riches from the prince's "hidden treasures." So he had been with him for seven years, hoping for this to happen. He is persevering, but I have to question his sanity. Seven years of what I can only assume of little income? He could have made thousands of gold as a mercenary! When I left the Grand Company, I had around 8000 Frankonian gold ducats to my name - of course, most of it was used to buy the adamantine armour. And the rest went to necessities, gambling, and other recreational needs. By his own admission, the Headsmasher's main objective is to fund his son's education, though I suspect he wants a significant sum for himself. If he was desperate, he could have taken loans to allow his son's studies. When I later explained to him why it might be seen as suspicious to use gold minted in Kang, he became a bit flustered. It seemed that he did not know what to do, but I mentioned the plans I had made, which is also to make gold, but without relying on long and morally bankrupt schemes of deception - no, standard contracts, with paperwork as to avoid questions. For the most part, this gold should be used to update the ship's facilities and captain Dormaruk's crew's equipment, but large amounts should come his - and our - way as well. Prince Nakor later arrived, and I encouraged the Headsmasher to be honest. When he later left, I had some opportunity to learn about the prince. Conclusion: he is still supremely arrogant. He attempted to brush off all responsibility as regards the king of Aeryon's youth, which he clearly had some part when he was ambassador, as he "takes his customs with him." I have few things to say about the Kang, but they are right to be furious about his behaviour. It is clear that he was ambassador in name only, and only acted in his own interests. He says that he is no longer the same man as before. Now he only has to act like it.
 
That morning I called a meeting with the senior officers and other relevant persons on the ship. We spoke about the immediate future, and I insisted on making sure a written account of the events in Zarastil be produced for when we meet representatives from Frankonia. Prince Nakor believed that his words would be enough. That is the first strike against him acting like a reasonable man. The queen, corporal Vérany, and sergeant Günther set out to write it. As we discussed shared duties between my unit and the captain's crew, an island was sighted. Captain Dormaruk was certain that this particular island was new, which would mean that magic or something similar had been used to hide it. Against all reason, he wanted to investigate. I brought along corporal Vérany and vanguard Kythos. It was quite uneventful, except for the magically-sealed chest that we dug up. We also had to engage a tree golem in combat. Jack, one of the crew, nearly fell to its blows. The vanguards had to resort to igniting oil against it, since our halberds had no effect. Curiously, the captain's new axe did. The prince, in a quite unsubtle entrance, cast a fiery spell which left the golem a piece of charcoal. The riddle on the chest eventually led to us managing to open the chest, as well as inspiring the name for the island: Riddle's End. I will ensure that our charted map ends up in the Pathfinder Society or whoever has any claim to the island.
 
This day passed without incident. My soldiers are still getting used to ship duties, and I am overseeing the training of the crew alongside ensign Schneiderman. I have also taken to instructing the queen, who is behind the others but who is very quick to pick up new skills. We passed the Bridge of Thuul, and some scoundrel above thought it humorous to spit on the ship. There was some time to speak with the captain, and I inspected the axe, which is clearly magically enchanted. He even allowed me to borrow it from time to time, which is kind, though I intend to make that offer redundant whilst in Ponvarus. I have given corporal Lefrankois orders to prepare a formal request for an equipment overhaul in the company, to be dealt with in Ponvarus. It is imperative that we obtain enchanted weapons of adamantine. The drake and the golem are testaments against traditional weaponry for a company not enrolled on regular military contracts. At the very least, one new halberd per vanguard should suffice. And there is the matter of new recruits, which will have to come later.
 
Tomorrow Nova Aera awaits. I hope the day is short.