Chapter Twenty-One

To Captain Battista of the good ship Nightwind,

I hope this letter finds you well, or finds you at all. An albatross is a new delivery system for me, but the Vampyre I have corresponded with assures me it will find its way to you in a timely manner.

I will be in the village of Valparaiso this coming March with a dear friend of mine, Aragon, who is also part of your Brethren. We have heard you will be sailing through on your way to the southern seas and would like to join your crew. We both have experience fighting, and while our morals might drive a human to church, we are both of sound mind and constitution. I have heard that you are heading to a Syren colony off Roche Island, and Aragon has a bit of experience with Syrens himself. Perhaps he can be of some assistance on the journey.

Either way, we will be waiting for you. If you pass through, ask for Doctor Van Helsing, and they will fetch me.

Doctor Abraham Van Helsing

P.S. If you don't wish to have the Spanish attack you, do not fly the Jolly Roger. They are a prickly bunch.