in the art of sailing, ancient mariners navigated the vast seas using the stars as their guide. they knew that to slip by unseen through treacherous waters, a deep understanding of the pre-indicative signs of the sea was essential. their procedures for setting sail were meticulous, ensuring that when they chose to re-embark, they were prepared for the journey ahead. however, hidden within these procedures was a secret language, designed to deceive the untrained eye, revealing information masked by those who wished to manipulate the currents to their advantage.