“We have to figure this out before the rain season starts. Most deaths had happened then. We have to understand the cause and stop it,” Hurmaz continues. He unties his keychain from his purple turban, takes out a key and gives it to Tirad.

“This is the key to the forbidden books library! I suggest you look at the books in there and see if you find anything…remember to give me the key back,” he says. Tirad takes the key.

“One more thing! Solving the mystery of pregnant women deaths takes time. Get back here with Mart after Oxan and if you need to go to the ships for further investigations, do so after your return,” he continues. Tirad accepts and knows it’s time for him to leave. He gets up from his chair. Lealy enters to take the food plates out. She avoids looking at Tirad, cleans the table and goes straight to the door. Hurmaz calls her and stops her in the doorway.

“The day after tomorrow, a group is leaving for Oxan. You need to go with them; apparently sickness and wounded are plenty among the refugees. Oxan is worried of any epidemic disasters and has requested us to send them our best healers and you are the best!” Lealy murmurs thanks. Hurmaz tells her to hand him a list of all things she might need. And if they are not found on Saviour Island, she can buy them in Oxan. Lealy thanks him again and leaves. Tirad gathers the report papers and his blank ones. He waits a little longer, making sure he wouldn’t need to face Lealy in the corridor. Hurmaz has noticed Tirad’s hesitation but doesn’t react to it. He pretends to be busy reading a letter. Finally, Tirad walks towards the door.

“Don’t mention your mission to anyone unless you have to!” Hurmaz says to Tirad, as he approaches the door.

Chapter 6

Tirad’s cabin is located on the highest level of the stranded ship, overlooking the ship deck. When he became a third-tier disciple, he was finally given permission to leave his shared cabin with three other peers and have his own room. The only available cabin at the time was the one in the fourth floor. He complained at first for he had to climb four stories from the outdoor staircase to get to his cabin but as time passed, he got used to it. As far as none of the third and second tier disciples lived in this floor, he feels comfortable. His cabin was also furthest away from the teaching cabins and the students’ resident rooms. The students wouldn’t trespass in his cabin. He had moved his small desk to be away from the cabin window, to avoid being distracted by the deck noises. But he didn’t want to light candles, not until it was completely dark; therefore, he had moved the desk back beneath the window to use the outside light. The windows overlooking the deck are not small and round like the windows of lower stories. They are larger, rectangular windows with round corners that let in enough daylight until sunset.