This is much sooner than I usually post a chapter, but it's short and I'm motivated. Thank you to those who have just added this to their favourites and alerts, I appreciate you're reading!

The storm had hit yesterday, a violent upheaval of water and sky throw against each other repeatedly, endlessly. The island is far behind us now; no one had suggested taking shelter ashore.

I feel slightly less shaky now that we are gone from that place. The dizzying greenery still clouds my dreams, and I can still feel the weight of the reptile curled around my body, crushing me, but when I wake it is gone entirely. However my other hallucinations seem to be growing worse with my anxiety over retrieving the key and chest. Dorian has half a day on us and my pulse races to think of what would happen were he to find it first.

I don't want to believe that he directed us to that island intentionally with the purchase of diseased livestock and foul water, but the men say it must be so, else-wise his own stock would be the same. Despite their doubt, I know he wouldn't have done it. When we first set out from Singapore, Jack was on his ship, not this one. This plan wouldn't have worked to get rid of him, and I can't see why he would need to eliminate me and not Jack. I can only hope that the storm abates and allows us to reach Mervailles within the next few days, for we will not survive off of the last shares of rum and crackers for much longer.

More of the crew have fallen ill since our departure, causing dissension amongst the men. Tai Huang's death has everyone uneasy, eyeing their brothers suspiciously and with much hostility. Only I truly understand what happened, that Jack's injury was transferred to my first mate, and that he died for it. I wonder if Dorian is dead yet after having taken wounds to the head from the snake Jack shot twice. Part of me would be glad, though I see no way of remedying our situation without his aid, and despite myself, I do trust him.

I sit with my back against the window, where the lightning flashes against the waves. When the door opens, I don't get up, but beckon the stooped man closer. The ship bucks and his knees tremble, in a panic he reaches out to grab the table. I pretend not to notice, continuing to watch the waves outside. Once he's steadied himself, he walks like a drunkard to my side and kneels before me on the damp rug.

"Captain," he acknowledges.

"Doctor," I return. His left hand is wrapped in linens and exuding a foul stench, and his other hand is wrinkled and dry. I meet his milky gaze and wonder at the power of this man to heal himself, let alone anyone else.

"Are you feeling ill?"

"Yes, I have been... I suppose it's time I asked you to do something for me. Understand, doctor, that nothing leaves this room," I pause and gesture for him to sit in the chair beside me. He wheezes as he pulls himself up. "I admire your efforts with the crew through this time and it would be a pity were you to be too indisposed to continue helping them. So not a word."

"Yes, yes, of course," he stammers, folding his hands together. "Unfortunately, I do not have the proper medicines nor the experience to cure this disease, but for you I will try all I can to save you."

"I don't have the disease, doctor."

His hairless brows lift, and the wrinkles fold around his eyes in a way that says there was a time when he must have smiled much. "Oh... Oh, well. Good."

I take a deep breath and look back out the window at the storm. "It is something else." I hand him the vial I have been holding for the last half hour, with the horse head seal. "In that vial there is a drug. I want you to test its effects."

"Captain?"

"Find a man-not one of your sick, dying ones- and test the effects."

"On your own crew?" He fumbles over the words, grasping the vial loosely in his shaky hands.

"Watch, you'll drop it," I snap. He folds the glass into his clothing and brings his hands together again, picking at the edge of his bandage. "Make notes, record your observations. I want you to come see me every day, twice a day even, and tell me what's happened."

"For how long?"

"I haven't decided yet, it will depend on the first few days, I think."

"But I can't just... give this to someone, can I? Surely, no one under your command will agree to this." I can see the judgement in his eyes, and fear.

"Not my command, and no one is agreeing to anything. They shan't know what is happening. You will slip this to them in a drink perhaps, tell them they look ill and have need of your medicine. You will then be able to closely watch them as they will probably think they are suffering from the disease. Keep him close. I have already chosen my man, the perfect test subject. He's strong and healthy, young as well, but he's a bother and I cannot trust such a man. Can I trust you, Doctor?"

"Name him, Captain. I will tell no one, I swear it." His eyes are watering in this light, and I know that any threat will make him loyal to me, but that under pressure he will be equally as ready to turn against me.

I give him a reassuring smile. "Wonderful."