There are many loose pages that are either barely attached or not at all. The front contains Thomas' initials (TJK) embossed one inch tall each and two words, written in ink in his own hand “The Island”. This book arrived at your door wrapped in a simple piece of cloth protected with the family wax seal, in blue, which is still intact. Along with the journal is a hand-written note. You'd know that writing anywhere.
The letter is dated two hundred and forty days ago.
“Dearest Sister,
If you are reading this note, something has gone very wrong with my latest enterprise. I know you have always been so giving whenever I have asked anything from you, and I've most often been the recipient of grace rather than the giver, but I have only one more thing to ask of you: Please take father's journal, enclosed, to the Hall of Magic and Science in Casaran. It is all of his research on Vuronu - they will know what to do with it.
I fear this will be the last favor I ask of you and I will never be able to set the balance equal. Sis, I know if I told you of my attempt to visit the island mentioned in dad's studies to conclude my research, you would have talked me out of the journey - told me it was too dangerous and how you couldn't risk losing us both. That is why I arranged to have this package delivered to you after so long. Honestly, I expected to return by now. When you get this, I should have been home almost two months - plenty of time to recover this and take you to dinner to regale you with tales of my adventure.
Yes. You would talk me out of it. But, the reward seems so great that I did not chance telling you. I am so sorry.
So - I will tell you what I wanted to say - the cuttings that are said to be from Vuronu indicate a soil so rich that flora grow to gigantic proportions. This has created such wonders of plants and insects and animals as have never seen by human eyes. Our understanding of nature must advance!
I simply must go.
Just glance through the pages of this journal, and I know you will understand why…
A Brother's Love Forever,
James”