“That wasn't fair Petsha” Dimitri said gently in Northern as he stepped towards her from the stairs.

She stopped and looked up at him with her eyes full of tears “What?”

“It wasn't fair” he said again. He strode towards her and sat down directly beside her. “Jimothy started the fight your punishment should not have been the same as his.” Dimitri put his hand on Petrianna's knee.

“Well technically it was not.” Petrianna said wrapping her arms more tightly around herself.

“His was only more because he shot his mouth off at Esmerelda and she was too full of pride to let it go.” Dimitri said.

“But I started the fight, I shot him first down here and then when he called me a...well I was just so mad I went after him.”

“You shot him?” he asked his voice betraying humor before he recovered himself and cleared his throat. “That shouldn't matter, he is the one who really started it he goaded you on. Esmerelda should have recognized that. You said it yourself we are all only here on account of you. And she has you flogged in front of the whole crew for a fight that you were goaded into.” Petra winced as she readjusted herself to face him and open the space.

“But people have always will always goad me I know better. I always have to be better. People will always be awful but I can be good. I can help people. I just have to help the people and then they will not be so awful to me.” she said looking down into her knees.

“Petsha,” Dimitri said stroking the side of her face with a finger and turning her to him, “you don't have to pay upfront for people to be decent to you.”

“But that's just the way my life is. Sooner or later I always say or do or just am something that everyone hates so I have to be good, I have to be good before they figure out what it is about me that is awful.” She curled herself into a tight ball and fought back her tears.

Dimitri paused a moment then took her face in one hand and turned her towards him. He looked in her eyes and said “There is nothing about you that is awful Petrianna Yekaterina Alexandra Androvna.”

“but I” Petrianna stammered.

“There is nothing about you that is awful.” he repeated earnestly. “And I would ask you not to speak that way about the girl I like.” he added playfully with a smile.

Petra blushed and could not hold eye contact. “You like me? But we only properly met this morning.” she said.

“There is much about you to like Petsha” Dimitri said. Petra's blush and smile continued. “You are smart, you are kind, you are eminently powerful, even if you lie.”

“What do you mean by that?” Petra asked quickly.

“Well you know how to heal any ailment, you give of yourself so easily even to people that do not deserve it or thank you, you have the power to quell a raging fire, and the She Bear does not grant you those powers.” Dimitri answered keeping his smile and his gaze on Petrianna.

Petra was paralyzed for a moment. She did not know if she should go further into the lie or to back out of it.

“It is ok Petra, any secret you could have will be safe with me I promise. How did one so sweet and kind come to have the power to burn armies?”

Petra took in a deep breath, there could be no hiding it and she was a terrible liar anyway.

“I was born with my powers. A lineage in my mother's side not seen in several generations. I am a sorceress.” She answered keeping her voice low.

Dimitri regarded her gently. “I understand why you would keep your secret from the rest. But I want you to know, and I will do my all to show you, that you do not need to keep secrets from me.”

Petra could only blink at him. Unsure why he was giving all this attention and declarations of loyalty when they had only truly know each other less than a day. They had been on the same boat for a week certainly but the first time they had spoken had been earlier today before the battle. She could not help but wonder why he would take such an interest in her.

“But why?” she managed to say. “Why me, why are you so interested in me, so kind, why do you want to know me.” She asked.

“Because Petrianna, I see you for the marvel that you are. And I want very much to know you better, and to perhaps have you take the same interest in me.” Dimitri answered her.

“I think we will have a lot of time to get to know each other.” Petra smiled utterly unaccustomed to the attention she was receiving.

“Yes indeed.” Dimitri said and reached out a hand to her shoulder.

Petra gave a tiny yelp of pain and pulled herself away form him.

“Oh gods, Petrianna I'm so sorry. Are you alright.” Dimitri said.

“Yes fine, sorry.” Petra said composing herself. She stood up and began to fold up her heavy blanket. And dropped it back on the floor next to her bag.

“Petra, why don't you just heal it.” Dimitri asked.

“I could do it now but it's not always that simple Dima.” Petra replied. “if I use too much all at once, like up there, it can take me a moment to recover and be able to use it again. And when I'm upset it also tends to be all or nothing. Or first all and then nothing.” she laughed awkwardly at the last.

Dimitri matched her smile. “Yes, understandable. I imagine you would like a moment of privacy then.” he asked.

“Yes please, if you do not mind.” Petra answered.

“Of course.” Dimitri bowed, took her hand, and lightly kissed it. “I look forward to knowing you better dear Petra.”

“likewise Dima,” Petrianna said and dipped into a curtsey.

Petrianna watched as the only other Northerner on the ship walked away. Her cheeks prickled with a kind of happy embarrassment she had not known before. This man liked her. He found her amazing rather than strange. Although she did not want to speak to him anymore right now she wanted to be able to talk with him again in the future. She started thinking of what they might talk about, imagining the things she could say to him.

"Petra?" The monk's voice interrupted her reverie. She startled and winced. She reflexively tried to make a fireball in her hand but the small flame soon dissipated. She needed to rest.