They were two days out from Turtle port and Tor was on the raised forecastle sparing with Erika, Ruben and a few others were watching. Tornas paused a moment when he saw the doors of the captain's quarters open to let out first Etheldred, perpetually in a bad mood, and then Petra and Seanathan. Sezjeck would be out soon. A kick to the jaw from Erika sent him spinning. He caught himself on the rails.

“Look sharp little boy” Erika teased. Tor thought that was a bit unfair. There were plenty of people younger, smaller, and less capable than him on the crew. But Erika had been sailing on the Bonnie

Bounty for more than ten years longer than him so he was not about to bite back about it, not hard anyway.

“If I'm little boy, what does that make Lark?” He asked.

Boisterous laughter broke out from the watching crew. Erika laughed as well and said with a smile “Come a little closer and ask me again little boy.”

Tornas spun his staff around him and stepped back up to engage.

“My current favorites are: Tiny Tot, Baby boy, and Kissey kins” Tor blocked her as she attacked on each proposed nick name.

“Wife, if you called that child Kissey kins I think he might faint on the spot and I would pay good money to see it.” Ruben interjected from the watching crowd. He was answered by loud laughter.

“Would he even know what to do with a woman? We've been out how long and he still has clean cheeks?” Erika asked

“Maybe he shaves” Seanathan offered, he had come over to watch.

“I seriously doubt that Kissey kins shaves.” Erika said disarming Tornas. She threw her weapons down as well and the fight continued.

“He's had at least two prostitutes.” Tor offered.

“what?” Erika asked.

“Gold haven, and Turtle Harbor.” Tornas answered.

“Well say what you will about having to pay, an education from a prostitute is one that a man can take home to be a better lover.” Ruben offered.

“Is that so husband?” Erika asked. Pulled a dagger from her calf and threw it into his arm.

“blasted fucking bitch!” Ruben yelled.

“Oh, do you kiss your wife with that mouth?” Erika chided playfully.

“I wont't!” Ruben retorted

“Oh don't be cross dear, we have a cleric now go get it closed up.” Tornas tried to get her into a hold while she was distracted but she was able to evade him.

“Little boy is trying new tricks!” she laughed. Tor blew out a breath. In terms of height and weight Erika was one of the few on the crew that he was more evenly matched with but she had years of experience on him. She had already disarmed him Tornas knew she wouldn't let him actually take her down, but maybe in a reversal he thought. He needed to distract her.

“Why weren't you at the captain's meeting Erika?” Tor asked.

“Because as much as Captain squares and acts like she would fight the quartermaster if he questions the navigation of this ship again I actually will.” Erika responded with a punch combination that Tor was able to block blow by blow.

“I don't like Etheldred either how do I get out of meetings?” Seanathan asked.

“You just need for Captain to believe you are capable of violence.” Erika responded going on the offensive again against Tor again.

“You did just throw a knife in your husband.” Tornas commented.

Erika laughed she kissed her wedding band, shining brilliant gold, flexed her hand quickly and closed it back into a fist. “ He knows I love him.” She nodded her head to give Tornas a chance to attack.

Tornas went on the offensive with his own combination of blows. Erika deflected most them but Tor connected one with her gut.

“Hells little boy! You never said we were fighting dirty.” Erika responded.

Tor smiled. He might actually have a chance. If they could get close enough to grapple then he might actually be able to take her down. He lowered his guard and let her get close enough to get an arm around him and hooked her leg and attempted to bring them both down to the deck. Erika was quicker though and used the momentum to swing on top of Tornas as they landed on the deck.

She pressed her arm into his neck “Thats why you're still little boy.” she said with a smile. Tor tapped out. Erika rose and helped him up.

“You're better recently. Whatever it is about this voyage.” she said darting her eyes over to where Petra stood pulling the knife out of Ruben on the deck “It's been good for you.” she patted him on the back.

“I suppose I should go make sure my husband has not bled out.” Erika said with an airy laugh and retrieved batons and her leapt over the railing down to the main deck.

The small crowd dispersed as Sezjeck walked up the stairs.

“You're doing well it seems.” he said to Tornas

“Thank you” Tornas said putting his shirt back on.

“How have you been recently son?” Sezjeck asked.

“Is this question leading somewhere Sezjeck?” Tornas asked.

“Well I herd you had a bit of trouble back in Turtle Harbor with an erm proselytizer.” Sezjeck answered.

“Oh that. Did Lark tell you?” Tornas asked.

“Lark?” Sezjeck did his best to cover his shock “No, only, word gets around on a ship.” He said.

“Quickly apparently.” Tornas sighed “Um no it was, it was fine, just like you said, proselytizer saw my” he gestured to his forearm “and thought he knew we were the same. But he was wrong.” Tor avoided Sezjeck's gaze.

“It's ok to be upset. You do know that don't you?” Sezjeck prompted.

“It is much easier to just not though. I put it all in a little box and I lock that box and I don't open it. The Proselytizer, he maybe thought I would open it to him but no, now he's just in it too and I'm not going to think about it. You know Petra told me to make a list of happy things to help me sleep at night. Fucking inspired. I have my list of happy things and I have my locked box of bad things. And I will read my list and never open that box.” Tor rambled avoiding the point.

“What's on your list of happy things” Sezjeck asked with a smile.

“Don't joke its actually helping.” Tor elbowed the first mate.

“Apologies. I meant no offense. If it makes you feel any better you beat everyone's over under on your sobriety.” Sezjeck offered.

“You took bets on that” Tor asked. “and i've beaten them we've barely been out a fortnight.”

“I did not initiate them, and you know I take bets on everything. Its the best way to know how the crew is feeling about any given thing.” Sezjeck said. “also Etheldred had bets in his book about it so, needs must.” Sezjeck said.

“Well despite what Ruben might think I'm pretty confident that the bet on Petra's chosen partner is closed as well. Can't believe I backed Lark as a dark horse. Kissey kins indeed.” Tor said moving the topic of conversation away from himself.

“Well he may still be a dark horse, just not one for our Petra to ride.”

“Sezjeck!” Tornas exclaimed to cover his laughter “That's bad. She is a nice girl and he is a child.”

“She's twenty-two and he's sixteen, they are both adults and larger gaps have made happy families.” Sezjeck responded.

“Twenty-two? Damn” Tornas swore.

“Only a quarter elf.” Sezjeck finished for him.

“I knew about Lark's age though” Tornas said.

“How?” Sezjeck asked.

“Back in Goldhaven, when he got up and did his whole bard calms the angry mob bit. Miranda gave him Lucille as a thanks, originally for 30 minuets but when he said he was sixteen she changed it to fifteen minuets. Honestly it was kinda funny. Do you have a bet on when he will admit he's a bard yet?” Tornas asked.

“I don't keep bets that would put people in danger in my books son. You know that.” Sezjeck said gravely. “You've been here over a year Tornas, you should know better than to accuse anyone who is not a professed wizard or cleric of magic.” Sezjeck warned.

“But Petra--” Tornas began.

“Is a cleric of the Great She Bear of the North.” Sezjeck cut him off.

“But even Jimothy--” Tor began again.

“Jimothy is an idiot. And a known superstitious bigot. No one will be lining up behind him. As you value your friend's safety you will confirm that she is a cleric. Do you understand me?” Sezjeck asked.

“Yes sir” Tornas replied. Petra had become a true friend to him, and he would do what was needed to protect her.