How did I end up here? 1

Journal of Chess

Volume 1

Week 1: I know my story sounds crazy, but trust me, what I'm telling you is completely true. Let me start from the beginning, though. My name is Chess. I am from a realm called Wonderland and work for an agency much like the American CIA, called CARDS. Somehow, I wound up traveling back in time and to your realm, Earth. I don't know how this happened, but I'll record my experiences in this journal all the same. (God, I sound like Devlin…)

When I time-traveled, I landed aboard the explorer Ferdinand Magellan's ship. The year is apparently 1519. We have already set sail from Spain. The purpose of our voyage is to find a quicker trade route to Asia. From my schooling back in Wonderland, I know that this is simply idiotic, but whatever. I'll just go along for the ride. I mean, I'm here already, right?

Week 2: I have gotten used to life at sea. What surprises me is that there are a few familiar faces aboard this ship. I think Peter somehow managed to get the job of cook… Maybe I should be cautious around the kitchen. That rabbit is a little loco.

Week 4: I have made a few friends in the crew. I hope they are the ones that will survive at the end of this whole thing. Miguel, a deckhand I have befriended, has been a big help for me as far as learning the terminology for the sixteenth century sailor. He has a beautiful wife and a baby girl waiting for him back at home. He prays for their safety every night.

Week 7: People are starting to get cranky. Go figure. We are running low on edible food. On the bright side, nobody's been thrown overboard yet.

Week 8: We have stopped for supplies.

Week 9: Well, that was interesting to say the least. Half the crew got drunk last night, including Peter. I think it may be safest to say that what happens in the dining hall stays in the dining hall. Okay, I don't know why it's called a dining hall… It's more like a makeshift dining room setup.

Week 20: I just felt the need to say that nothing worth writing about has been happening. Nothing….

Week 25: I finally decided to ask Peter how the heck we ended up aboard Magellan's ship. He basically spouted a bunch of scientific-sounding nonsense.

"So… you really don't have a clue, do you?" I asked him skeptically. He seemed to think about it for a second.

"Nope. Not a clue!"

…Facepalm… I know that's not a common term or action in this time, but just… wow.

Week I-Have-No-Idea-Anymore: We have reached an island and the people are treating us well. My gut tells me this is the Philippines. Did I ever mention that I got high marks in Earth History? Well, I did. It was so much more interesting than the history of Wonderland. Watch out, Magellan. I can't warn you because of the whole Butterfly Effect thing, so I'll write it in my journal instead.

…Another Week…: I think I spotted Devlin in the village. Weird.

Yet Another Week: I escaped along with eighteen other crew members. Magellan didn't make it. Here's what happened:

We heard a bell toll. A native told me that that meant someone was going to be executed.

We got wind that it was Magellan who was being executed. He had been caught with his pants down, so to speak, with the chief's daughter. Bad move, Magellan, bad move…

The rest of the voyage: With the crew cut down to only eighteen (plus me and Peter), there were less needs to be met, which was better. Of course, that also leaves us a little short on crew. After the events in the Philippines, everyone has gotten more cautious. If we have to stop for supplies, you can be sure that we won't overstay our welcome.

End: The crew made it back, safe and sound, to Spain in 1522. I didn't get to see that, though.

Oh, if you were wondering what happened to Miguel, he captained the ship after Magellan died. I'm sure his family was glad to have him back.

--Chess