September 13, 1777 - Departure from Marseille

Location: 43.2965° N, 5.3698° E

Weather: The dawn broke with a clarity reserved for new beginnings, the northwest wind heralding our departure with a brisk embrace.

Today, as the Heureux slipped its moorings and set sail from Marseille, the air was thick with anticipation, a palpable energy that resonated with the creak of timber and the snap of sails. This vessel, our home for the months to come, is a microcosm of the world — a world on the brink of monumental change. As I stood on deck, watching the shoreline recede into a distant blur, I was struck by the immensity of our undertaking. Our voyage is not merely a crossing of waters but a journey into the heart of revolution, a quest to aid a fledgling nation in its fight for freedom.

The early hours on board were consumed with the bustle of departure, the crew moving with a practiced efficiency that belies the complexity of their tasks. Amidst the flurry of activity, I sought a moment of solitude at the bow, the vast expanse of the Mediterranean stretching before me, endless and unfathomable. In these moments of quiet, I am reminded of my dual nature — a guardian of storms and a silent observer of human endeavor. The sea, with its capricious moods and boundless mysteries, is a reflection of my own essence, a realm where power and tranquility coexist in a delicate balance.

Our coordinates, meticulously logged in this journal, mark the starting point of our odyssey, a line drawn in the vastness of history. As we navigate the unpredictable waters of the Atlantic, I am acutely aware of the weight of responsibility that rests upon us. The fate of nations may well hinge on the success of our mission, a burden that demands both vigilance and wisdom.
As night falls and the Heureux presses onward, the stars above are a testament to the ageless beauty of the universe, a beauty that transcends the turmoil of earthly affairs. Tonight, I retire to my quarters, the gentle rocking of the ship a reminder of the journey ahead. The path we have chosen is fraught with peril, but it is a path paved with hope and the unyielding desire for liberty. In the silence of the night, my thoughts turn to the challenges that await, to the friendships that will be forged, and to the trials that will test our mettle. Onward we sail, into the embrace of destiny, our hearts buoyed by the promise of adventure and the pursuit of a cause greater than ourselves.