Tornas paced in the hold below deck. He checked the harpoons for the balistas, the folded nets, the sinkers, the flags. He went through lines of inventory in his head. The space below seemed bigger now that it had been all but emptied out. Their spoils had all be hauled on land and an equal portion was stored in his name with a reputable bank merchant in the town. Tonight he would join the crew for another journey.

Nothing in his life actually felt right anymore but being onboard felt less wrong than other things. It had been easy for him to adjust to life on a ship. He had always been good at a regimented rule of life. It was necessary for his early life. He had run from it for years but here on the ship he had slipped easily back into a system of rules and regulations like a well broken boot. At least onboard there was still some freedom, some ability to cut loose even if it did end with waking up in the long boat with a heavy glass flu. Living without her though, even after more than a year that was proving hard to adjust to.

"Sailor" the voice startled him, he turned with practiced agility, spun his staff around him and snapped into a fighting stance. He relaxed when he saw the voice was Sezjeck the first mate.

"Once again son, you've got to stop doing this" he responded unfazed.

"Sorry sir, you startled me" Tor said as he relaxed and stood up at ease.

"Tornas, you've been making a habit of this, not to mention where you were this morning, and, well it has not escaped the captain's or quarter master's notice." Sezjeck paused here. He was fond of Tornas and that made this difficult. "We're back in port. The spoils are divided , and we'll be recruiting, enlisting, and voting tonight. I think you need to ask yourself son, if you really want to enlist with us again." he concluded.

Tornas' heart sank in his chest, he had been worried about this.

"I've got no where to go Sezj. I don't know how I'd leave this port except on this ship."

"What about your girl? You've been to sea over a year surely whatever spat the two of you were in will have blown over." Sezjeck offered.

"She asked me to go so I went. She just had to finish something. She'll call me back, she's done it before. So I can't go back, not yet. I have her song and that will have to be enough until we are ready for each other again. Even if it takes another year.” Tornas answered.

"Farther back then. To do with whatever that stone is you keep in your pocket." Sezjeck said.

"I don't know if I'm ready for that." Tor answered. As he impulsively felt in his pocket for the stone.

"The only way to know is to go" Sezjeck said with a smile.

"Where are we headed next, Further down?" Tor asked.

"You know that will be decided tonight when a captain is elected" Sezjeck responded.

"Re elected" Tornas laughed.

"Luck is a real thing on the seas son, so don't you be messing with hers like that." Sezjeck returned. Then continued "Now come on there's still cargo left to unload. Esmerelda is expecting her over-lander and his cargo requires a bit more care."