In the year 1031 AD, Zahn, an adventurous Song Chinese trader, keeps going north after trading with Japan and Korea, following the currents North and West into new lands. There he finds new civilizations, with valuable trade goods. He builds relationships with the native peoples as he travels down the West coast of what is now North America. Those bonds are cemented when he accidentally introduces smallpox in bolts of Japanese silk, and a village is effectively wiped out.

            Zahn has found a better world than the one he came from. He desperately wants to protect it from the greedy and brutal worlds across the waters, where life has no value, and death is a currency. If he cannot equip his new people to stand against the old worlds, their lands will be devoured, and their people enslaved, for that is the way the old civilizations stay alive and the powerful thrive.

Zahn, speaking to his children:

            "When I was young, I worked with my body. I grew strong and healthy. I also fed my mind: I read everything I could get my hands on. Orders, reciepts, signs for stores, and eventually books I devoured with my eyes and my spirit. I discovered science, art, philosophy, religion, and the power of imagination. At that time, I found little use for my knowledge, as there were always those who knew more, had experienced more.

            In my middle years, I achieved responsibilities. I had earned enough for my own ship, and was experienced in the ways of trade. My mind was ascendant, but my body remained strong.

            This, I realized, was my time of opportunity. I determined to seek the unknown, not just following the well worn paths that others walked. There are very many of those people. I think they find comfort in the well worn paths.

            That is why I followed the known currents past the boundaries others set for themselves. I had not conciously planned it, that voyage. I traded north, as I often had, but then I thought about the currents that continued north, past that place. I had a good ship, provisions and cargo. My crew was one of the best.

            I called them together, and told them of my plan. A few looked concerned, but they trusted me and the ship. I let them talk among themselves. I have seen crews become terrified when they don't understand what is happening, and ignorance is feritle ground for fear.

            They finally stood together, and agreed to seek the unknown. That decision is why we are here, and why the Alliance came to be."

Why I write what I do:

This is why I wrote Whispers:

https://www.facebook.com/92ndstreetY/videos/10154402971973884/