26th of Flamerule, evening

 26th of Flamerule, evening

Boz and Inman

After dinner, Inman and Vas adjourn to the main deck to let the air clear below.  Inman hops up to sit on a crate lashed to the deck.  His legs dangling a few inches off the ground. He loosens the top clasp of his pressed shirt and leans back on two hands. The sun sits low across the water. Vas leans against the crate beside Inman.  "A lot to think about today, yes?"

Inman replies, "That's an understatement, friend.  This work with the artifact must be more important than we realize, to warrant raising the dead and pulling so many of the master's students together. How long have you been working with Maggie, I mean Nevil is it? He smiles, "I still can't believe she's alive.”

Boz props his elbows on the deck rail, letting the salty air whisp across his face, blowing his dark hair back. Moonlight glinted on golden earrings, and he drew in a deep breath, letting it out slowly. "Not long. We met her before leaving for Walkatheel. Ferrin, the druid, had called her here to help with the storm problem, and we were also going there, and for that same reason. Everyone here was in an uproar over the storm" 

He turned and glanced at Inman, before turning his face back to the sea. "It seems she and Atalaya have become fast friends." He nodded, smiling. "I am glad for her friendship,  and also for her sword." Rolling his back into the deck rail, he hooked his elbows over the top and leaned back, eyeing Inman shrewdly. An enigmatic almost-smile played along the curve of his lip. "I knew she was good people the moment we met her. So tell me about you and her. It must be a shock to find her alive after everything, yes? Were you..." he brings his hands to suggest together. "Kumpania? Friends? More than friends? I sense surely there will be a story."

Inman laughs, "We all thought she was dead. Though I believe now the Master and Poppy knew better. I just don't understand why.

As to what we were, we were close for a time. We lived together for a year under the guidance of the master.  It was an exciting time, growing in your own power, living in the zeal of youth.  And with increasingly difficult assignments, long hours, in tight quarters, it was inevitable that we became something more. I am sure you have known something similar when adventuring with the fairer sex. But we were called in different directions and time passed.

Inman sits up resting his elbows on his knees, still watching the water. An amused smile draws across his face, "She's got a fire that burns within her, that I've never seen before.  A force, she is fearless, quick to anger, swift to judge, and unforgiving. But her softer side is equally... Well, she cares deeply for her family and those she's close to.

I suppose a lot has changed. Did she say what she's been doing these last few years? Probably not.

Boz sighed, cocking his head to one side and chuckling softly. "Consistently doing a night watch with a woman that has awed me from the moment I set eyes on her, yes. I know something of that. A beauty I can resist, but strength and focus and intellect, I cannot. As I have said, I had stayed too long, and now I am snared. And she saw more in me than what I showed her, of me being a knave and cad doing knave and cad things."

He rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. "She did. I am unsure what I should share, it's not my story to tell. She had a family. You know that part. She hid her identity for a while, to protect those she cares about, especially after what happened in Seaton. The massacre."

Inman nods, completely understanding. Then smiling, "You are a wise man."  

Looking disturbed, “I knew her family well and we shared friends that were lost that day.  I was at Amphil a few days after to investigate what happened. It was rough.”  

“I have so many questions for her, but does she seem well? What am I walking into?”

Vas shrugs, "Atalaya would know better. They've been talking a lot and not all of it pleasant as you can imagine."  The two sit and wait for the night to settle.

Atalaya looked and listened for any signs of Vaz or Inman as she walked into the main area of the deck. Checking Cirilli’s cabin, she noted that Cirilli was not in it.  She must be above, she decided, hoping that she was not bothering the crew.  Not seeing Vaz, she made her way to the stern of the ship and into the cabin she had recently moved her belongings into.  Kneeling on her bed, she reached up and opened the porthole and fastened it into the open position.  She settled down, sitting cross legged on the bed and reviewed the conversation she had just had with Nevil. The smoke from Nevil’s ‘nightcap’ had affected her, she realized.  She was feeling calm, like the night she had meditated with Nevil.  Looking around the room she tried to decide what she wanted to do.  While the bed was welcoming, she didn’t really want to lie down.  Nor did she really feel like drawing, she realized as she gazed at the desk.  What she really wanted was Vaz’s arms around her.  Wondering where he had gotten to she stretched and unwound her legs.  Standing up and taking a moment to adjust to the movement of the ship, she left the room and made her way up the port side stairway.  

Stepping onto the open deck she felt the wind from the forward motion of the ship on her face.  The stars overhead shone brightly, as if they were celebrating the end of the long stormy nights.  The moon was low in the sky, but also shone brightly, its gibbous face making a pathway across the sea that looked like a trail of moondust flung from Selûne’s robes.  With a wishful sigh, she scanned the horizon, not a tree in sight.  She missed the rustling whispers of leaves carrying Mielikki’s voice through the woods.  She shook her head, they had not been at sea more than a few hours.  She could handle being on board for the time it took to find the Marshall and to recover the missing dagger.  With luck, it would not be so far offshore that she couldn’t see land once the sun was up.  Once again, she wished that she had paid more attention to Ivar’s discussions about navigation and sea charts.  The coordinates that she had given Annie meant little to her.  Annie said that they didn’t have far to go to reach the designated spot.  Atalaya hoped that was true.  

Taking a deep breath, she searched for Vaz.  Hearing his voice talking softly near some crates, she made her way towards it.  

Inman turns to Atalaya, "The night is beautiful is it not?  But deceptively still on the surface.  I would imagine the waters churn below?  Should I speak with her tonight or wait?"

"I can tell you that waiting won't make it any easier, my friend." Boz turns and says over his shoulder. "It just makes you feel terrible longer."  He does a double take and sees Atalaya. "is beautiful night up here," he says. "I am telling my friend Inman here, is best to clear the air sooner rather than later, yes? No point walking on the glass bits. There are many things I wish I had said sooner. We don't know what tomorrow brings. I could have died without her, " he reaches for Atalaya's hand and pulls her beside him. "Without 'Laya knowing she owned me.  So,"   a half smile plays about his lips. "If you have something to say, make damn sure you don't die with it unsaid."

Inman chuckles, "Believe me I know. She's already died on me once.  Things aren't that easy. We both knew what could happen when I went to serve in Riverport War Wizards and she felt called to serve in Seaton. I stayed too long and she couldn't wait. Inman jumps down from the crate, “right or wrong, we just grew apart.”  Inman looks worried and looks to Atalaya, "you've talked to her more than the rest of us, how awful is the timing?"

Atalaya, letting Vaz tug her into his side, leaned into him.  Turning her face towards Inman she smiled at him.  “Well, I’m not sure.  She did say that she thought that you would have questions for her. But, right now she is becoming one with her bed.  She did say that she should be functioning again in about an hour.  I’m not sure if she is aware of how strong she made her nightcap concoction tonight.”

Staring out at the trail of light across the water, she relaxed against Vaz as he shifted his hand to hold her around the waist and to pull her firmly against his side.  After a few moments she started talking again.  “She said that I could share what we were talking about tonight with Vaz so that she wouldn’t have to repeat it.  Then she said that you would have questions too.  So, I think that she meant for me to tell you also.”  Pausing she watched the water part as the bow plunged forward.  “I don’t think that she ever really mourned the death of her family.  It seems to me that she has pushed all the grief and anger and self incrimination and guilt deep down inside of herself.  But it can’t stay buried forever, and I think that she is beginning to experience it and hopefully to deal with it.  Which is good.  But it will not be easy.  She blames herself for her family’s death.”

She turned to look directly at Inman again.  “I think that your timing in showing up in her life again is providential.  But I do not think that means that either of you are in for an easy time.  She is hurting, please remember that when you talk with her.  And you are sure to remind her of her life before.”  

Atalaya falls silent, letting Vaz hold her as she thinks back over her recent conversations with Nevil.  Finally turning back to Inman, “I was supposed to check on her in maybe another half a candlemark.  Would you like to do that for me?”

Inman's face sinks as does his heart. "Oh, that's not what I expected to hear. It's been 3 years and she's still...  Oh, dear.  Yes, I think I will after a bit." He leans against the rail with his hands and carries his thoughts alone.

"Courage, phral," Boz says, giving Inman's shoulder a sociable squeeze.

The three stood there, each lost in their own thoughts.  The ship continued to make its way through the waves, rising and falling in a steady motion.  Atalaya shifted slightly so that she was standing in front of Vasilya, both his arms now encircling her waist.  Sighing, Atalaya said softly, “Iubit, I’m glad you stayed.  You fill my heart with joy.  I don’t know what I would do if you were taken from me.”  Then in Gurrish she added, “I love you.”

His face turned to her, his eyes intent. "Let nothing go unsaid between us, either, ves'tacha. I knew I loved you from the start. My heart leapt inside me, saying, 'she's inside the house, and I am hers now. Walk faster.' " 

After some time, Inman goes below. He knocks on the cracked door. After waiting for a response, he opens the door slowly to find Nevil sitting cross-legged on her bed amist disheveled sheets.  Her prayer cloth wrapping her hands, she is focusing on the light sway of the boat and quietly finishing her affirmations,  "...compassion and understanding are the paths to peace."

He waits for her to notice his presence.  Observing her softness in the dim light, he can't help but recall his affection for Maggie and their once intimate familiarity with each other. As he waits for her to finish, he begins to note the few ways that she has changed in the several years from when they last met. Her hair has begun the dusting of an early grey, there are new lines around her eyes, she recites new prayers, and a strangely sweet tobacco smell lingers.  [Her eyes would seem dulled and her behavior still mildly affected to the observant or knowledgeable.]

Nevil opens her eyes to find Inman leaning on the door frame watching her from a safe distance. After a few moments, Inman asks, "Care for some company?"  Nevil nods. Inman enters and closes the door behind himself.

Watching him approach Nevil notes that Inmen is almost exactly as she remembers:  not at all the stereotypical fragile and bookish form of an arcane practitioner.  While his personal appearance is well kept, he is earthy and road worn.  His hands are thick from rough use, his skin darkened from exposure, his body taunt and efficient, and his clothes somewhat faded. He was clearly comfortable with himself and unconcerned with displaying his status as a War Wizard. Despite that, he carried himself with the air of a man who had mastered his craft; one in control of his domain. She wondered if he was still as rash as she remembered.

With a strained smile Nevil speaks, "It's been a while. Where do we start from here?"

Nevil had seen Inman in some situations. She'd seen him in some dire ones. And the look on his face betrayed more nervous tension than she thought she'd ever seen on him. "Maggie..." He closed the door quietly behind himself, and stood before it," unsure and awkward. "I...I don't...I mean..." He sighed, exasperated, and then tried again. "Maggie...I've thought about you pretty much constantly," he blurted. "And now, here you are. I...are we..." He thought about the wise, true words of the Gurrish scoundrel on the deck.  If you have something to say, make damn sure you don't die with it unsaid. Boz and he both lived dangerous lives. Hell, Maggie could have been dead. She was dead.  I could have been. Given the stakes here...we could all be by dawn. 

"Maggie...you've never stopped meaning something to me. And now I'm here...you're here. That's not an accident."

Nevil sighs, "No it's not by accident. Poppy brought us here and she used you as bait to pull me home." Nevil untucks her feet, throwing them over the side of the bed. "But I had decided to stay before we returned to Saltmarsh." 

"It was a good play on Poppy's part." Nevil closes her eyes, "Because, I remember how good it was; be the hero, put your mark on the world, live in your passion without cost."

Opening her eyes, Nevil rises to her feet with her body tense, "Inman you were my first love, not my only.  

 

Inman pauses, looking at her. "I know," he says quietly. "Don't you think I know that?" He shakes his head. "I wish things had been different. I wish...I wish I had. You were..." He takes a deep breath. "You were my only." He nods, his jaw set and his eyes too bright. "Parting was not a mistake for you. But it was for me." 

Nevil closes the gap to Inman. Demonstrating as much restraint as she can muster but still shouting in exasperation and pointing a finger from a clenched fist, "Eldath temper me!  You don't get to come in here disappointed about the choices you made!  Did you really think that I would wait? You were gone for years before I started my family."

Unblinking, Nevil stares Inman down in close order.  "And now you come back?! When the hard parts are done."  She pours all her displaced grief on him. Her voice breaking and eyes watering, "They paid for MY choices. I know you investigated after. So, you saw it with your own eyes. They died horribly, and for what?" Shouting, "Tell me! What good did we do in Seaton that was worth that price?"

There was silence for a moment. Both knew there was no good answer. Nevil quiets and withdraws, "It is only through the grace of the Still Mother that I can live with myself." 

"Get out." She whispers.

Inman nodded, wounded but not surprised. His eyes dropped to the floor and his jaw worked, tensing as he fought for control. When he lifted his gaze to Nevil's, his eyes were wet and spilling over. "You think I don't tell myself that every damn day, Maggie?" His voice was a horse whisper. " Every hour? I also tell myself that we made what we thought were the best choices we knew to make, given the moment. I have to tell myself that or else I'll go fucking mad."  His voice broke. "And no matter how many times I remind myself of that, my heart won't listen." He sags against the door at his back. "We can only see backward, Maggie," he whispers. "We see backwards too far and too clearly. Our vision is a cruelty."

He draws a shuddering breath. "I'm going to tell you I'm sorry. You don't have to forgive me. I certainly haven't forgiven myself. But I am sorry." Nodding, he says, "I'm going to help you three see this through. You know I have to. After that," he shrugs. "I'll be far more careful of where Poppy sends me."

He turns and reaches for the door latch. 

Inman's words cut deep into Nevil.  She immediately knew she was wrong and none of what happened was his fault.  Every bit of what he spoke was the truth. By only looking through the lens of regret, she failed to live in the present.  Every part of her wanted to stop him at the door and beg his forgiveness but she was paralyzed with emotions. As he left, he didn't hear the words she whispered, "I forgive you."  Crushed, Nevil sat on her bed, and began to process what had happened.

Atalaya and Vaz had stayed on deck briefly after Inman left to find Nevil.  Atalaya searched for Cirilli.  Finding her with Annie and Lonnie deep in discussions about navigation and ships in general, she gave her a good night hug and headed down to her cabin with Vaz.  Angry voices were heard coming from the bow cabin and then the sounds of boots making their way from the altercation.  Atalaya looked at Vaz, gave him a long suffering look and then said, “I’ll just be a minute or two.  I want to check on Nevil.” 

Leaving Vaz standing in the middle of the cabin she headed through the center portion of the ship.  Inman was sitting dejectedly at the table.  Seeing him, Atalaya took a deep breath and then sat facing him.  “Inman, you know that she is not herself right now, don’t you?  We couldn’t hear what was being said, but the pain… that I heard.  She’s feeling a lot of her feelings for the first time I think.”  Looking everywhere but at Inman she added, “We were confined in a small space for days getting to and from Warthalkeel and did a lot of talking.  I could see that she was fighting battles within herself and we talked about that, probably more than she was comfortable with.  I think that anybody from her past that showed up right now can only be another trigger for her.”  Then, looking straight at Inman, “And I think she needs these feelings brought up.  She is not at peace with herself yet.  What happened was awful.  But pushing it down will not heal her.  Please be patient with her.”  Quirking an eyebrow at him, “Maybe let her initiate the next trip down memory lane, okay?”

He sighs. "I am cursed with bad timing, it seems," he mutters. "

Atalaya pats Inman’s hand and then gets up and makes her way to Nevil’s room.  She paused, hand raised to knock, but then lowering it to the doorknob, she just pushed the door open.  Seeing Nevil sitting on her bed she pulled up a chair and sat down next to her.  Looking Nevil in the eye, she leaned forward, and saying nothing, pulled her into a hug.  

Nevil could not have been more thankful for Atalaya.  It had been a tough few days full of personal revelations and she just seemed to understand in ways beyond her years.  After a few minutes to collect herself,  Nevil shakes her head embarrassed that her worst side may have been loud enough for the ship to hear and worse she hurt someone she cared for. She speaks between sniffles and eye wipes, "It just came out all at once.  And not in a kind way."  Nevil takes a deep breath. "He is a good man. He just has terrible timing. He always has."

Almost numb from emotional overload, Nevil laughs to herself half smiling, "I remember a time back in 79'. We were riding escort for refugees through the Delimbiyr valley. It was then, as we were defending against raiders, stopped in the middle battle, that he first told me he wanted me for his own. I was so shocked that I didn't see the last raider. Nevil holds up her hands, "And I didn't have the gift of healing then to prevent this." Nevil throws her head to the side, lifting her hair to show a hidden scar. It was several weeks before I let him forget."  

Atalaya traced the scar with a firm but gentle touch.  Then she checked it for adhesions.  “Well you do have your goddess’ favor, don’t you.  You are lucky to be alive.  This healed well at least.”  She gently pulled Nevil’s hair back over the scar. 

Nevil sits up, collecting herself more and more, "First loves, for better or worse they never leave you. I would be lying if I said I didn't occasionally think about him even when I was married.  But, it's been almost a decade. I had a family. I took vows. I am a different person than he remembers. 

Hoping that Atalaya would understand, Nevil asks, "Atalaya, is Vas your first love?"

Atalaya allows Nevil to pull away enough to sit up.  But, she maintains a physical connection, resting her hand on Nevil’s forearm.  Then realizing that there isn’t nearly enough light in the room to push away the shadows of the past, she pulls a matchbox from her pouch and relights the lanterns in the room.  As she does, she makes sure that door is securely closed.  Returning to Nevil, she grasps her hands trying to will her concern and acceptance into Nevil’s awareness.  

Taking a deep breath, she released Nevil’s hands and looked away as she said, “Vaz has been my only love.  Growing up as a ‘half elf’ wasn’t always easy.  As a teen I was living mostly in Otterwell.  The boys let it be known that I was not welcomed there.  Looking back, I think I probably intimidated them.  I was most certainly much much better with my hunting and wood skills than any of them.  On top of that I was learned, beyond the most simple of reading skills that they knew.  If they read at all.  And I frequently helped my mother with her healing and midwifery.  On top of that I was learning to make my own bows and arrows.  I still had a good bit to learn in that area, but…”   

She paused looking sad, but then resumed her tale.  “Boys can be cruel.  ‘Freak’ and ‘Long Ears’ were probably the nicest of the names they called me.  I quickly learned to avoid them.  As I grew into my teenage years, what girlfriends I had when younger also started distancing themselves from me.  They were definitely jealous of my healing skills and couldn’t understand my love for the forest and being outdoors.  And for some reason they thought that I would want the boys of the town, keeping them all enthralled and leaving not a single one of the boys available to them.”

“As I became more isolated at Otterwell, I spent more and more time at my father’s village of Olaescoa.  There was still prejudice there, but it wasn’t because of my skills or my push to always improve them.  It had more to do with the fact that my aging runs on a different clock than theirs.  It was okay for me to be friends with them, but no one would ever consider actually linking their life to mine.  I’m going to die much too soon for them to consider as their mate.  Few of them actually understood why my father would marry a human woman.  Sleep with her, yes.  Get her with child… well that does happen at times… but to marry her?  No, that was beyond them, especially those that could be considered around my own age”

“So while I did experiment with the more physical side of growing up, I didn’t have ‘a love’.  Vasilya is the only man who just sees me.  My skills don’t put him off.  He doesn’t ask me to give up my life as a Ranger and in fact is actively helping me do what needs to be done.  And he looks at me the way my mother looks at my father.  He doesn’t seem to dwell upon the fact that I may outlive him.  That is, if this life path we are currently on doesn’t kill one or the other of us before our time.”  Atalaya quickly makes Mielikki’s holy sign.  “Not that anything is going to happen to us.  One can’t think like that.  That type of thinking just makes you sloppy with your skills when it counts the most.”  She smiles, “We are all going to live forever, right?”  Her face clouds over and she gasps, “I didn’t mean that.  I’m so sorry.  Shit.”  She takes an audible breather and tries again,   “Death happens.  I only meant that we need to live our lives as if we are going to live forever.  Not dwell on all the ways we can d…”  “Damn.  I’m going to stop trying to talk now.”   Atalaya’s face has turned very red and she can’t meet Nevil’s eyes.  

Nevil listens intently, calming as she listens to Atalaya's story. Then as Atalaya starts to flail with her stumble of words, Nevil laughs quietly; careful not to be heard from outside the room.  Nevil reaches for Atalaya's hand, looking at her with an exhausted amusement, "Friend we are well past the point of having to tiptoe around each other. Even though your words this week have hit me like a maul at times, they have been exactly what I have needed to hear."

"Now hear me until you feel this deep within yourself.  Anyone who makes you feel less than the beautiful and capable protector that you are, is not worthy of your life's passion.  I am happy you have found Vas.  A first love, or only love, either way it is something very special."

Nevil sighs, "As for Inman... I don't know if we might be again, but I do know what it cannot be for now. It's too much at once.  And tomorrow I have to apologize. We are going to need him with what is ahead and I can't have those be our last words."

“Can you sleep now?” Atalaya asks Nevil.  “Or do you need me to get you something to help you relax and fall asleep?  Some wine perhaps?  Or maybe a nice sleep inducing tea with some chamomile and whatever else I can find.  Both Seraphina and Mac have stocked the pantry, there should be some appropriate herbs in there if you prefer that to wine.”

Nevil smiles, “I am exhausted and still feeling the nightcap.  I will be fine.  Go to Vas or Inman if he is not isolating. Thank you.”

Then sleep well my friend.  Tomorrow should be what my Master used to call an “interesting” day.  As if helping a small child, she eases Nevil back down on her bed and spread the blankets over her.  “I’m not going to close the portholes all the way.  I can still smell your nightcap herbs in the room.  But if you start hearing rain, I hope you get up and close them yourself.  It didn’t look like we would be getting any rain tonight.”

Dimming the wick on the lantern, but not putting it fully out, she looked around the room, nodded to herself and left, closing the door quietly.

Finding Inman still sitting at the table, she nudged his shoulder to get his attention.   “Go to bed Inman.  Things will look better in the sunlight.  And give her grace.  She needs it.  She is dealing with things now, but she is raw inside.  Go on, tomorrow should be ‘interesting’ in all the connotations that word has.”

Atalaya made her way into her cabin, finding Vaz sitting at the desk, flipping through his deck of cards.  Coming up behind him, but being careful to make some noise so that he would know that she was there.  Leaning down to give him a hug she asked, “What are you up to?”

He turns his head so that he can half-look over his shoulder and shrugs. "Nothing much. Being glad I'm not Inman right now, mostly."  He flips a card over and studies it. "Strength. Will and conviction over base desires and impulse. The Hanged Man. Reflection, pause. Waiting. Death. Change and the burning away of the old life. New roads." He nods. "I'm not surprised to see these symbols tonight."

He turned to face her. "Sorrow came by here sniffing the air and asking me where the party was." A wry look crossed his face. Then he heard the yelling and asked if Joan was somehow on board. I told him to go back to bed." 

“I heard some softly played music coming from the room he has claimed.  I hope that he hasn’t felt ignored tonight.”  Moving to the side so that she could more easily see the cards that Vaz had laid out, she lightly traced the rope on the card of the Hanged Man.  “Not a comfortable looking position to be in.”  Looking at the other cards, “No, not a comfortable reading at all.”  Leaning into Vaz she added, “I really like Nevil.  I hope that they can resolve their concerns.”  

Reaching down, she removed the card deck from his hand.  Then she grasped his hand and tugged upward gently.  “It’s time for us to get to bed too.  Tomorrow is going to be an interesting day.” 

27th of Flamerule, 1491

The next morning, Nevil wakes before dawn. She quietly works her way to the main deck trying not to awaken anyone.  She sets her prayer mat on the deck facing the East. She sits crossed legged in meditation determined to meet the dawn of a new day.

Atalaya was sitting quietly in the chair at the desk in her cabin petting the tri-colored cat that was purring in her lap as the daylight finally began filtering in through the porthole and rested on Vasilya’s face.  He continued to breathe softly and rhythmically but some slight change in it alerted Atalaya that he was awake.  Smiling at him she greeted him.  “Ready to start the day?” she queried.  

Vaz frowned.  “What are you doing all the way over there?”  

“Waiting for you to get up, of course,” she responded, barely containing her laughter.  “Come on.  The sun’s up and we are where we are supposed to be.  You can even see the Marshall from the deck.  It isn’t even very deep where it settled.  It should be easy enough to find what we are looking for.”  Carefully placing Llywillan on the desk she stood up, grabbed his pack, and tossed it to him.  “Time to dress.  I’m going to get breakfast started.  See you in a bit.”

Atalaya leaned over and tousled his hair and then quickly evaded the arms that reached up to pull her down to the bed.  Closing the door as she exited the room, she looked up to see if anyone else was around.  The common space was empty, but she was certain that the smell of breakfast cooking and coffee brewing would soon bring others to the table.  Singing softly under her breath as she worked, Atalaya began to prepare breakfast for her friends and the crew.  

Nevil coming from the main deck and not from her room, is late to breakfast. "Sorry, my morning prayers ran long. Passing by Atalaya on her way to the coffee pot, she lays a hand on her shoulder in thanks.  She pours a cup, refills anyone else's cup, and takes any open seat.  [Inman has never known Nevil pray, she was spiritual and non-specific before.]

Atalaya smiled as Nevil filled her coffee mug.  Thinking to herself that Nevil already knew her preference for several mugs of the stuff before she started the day.  Adding some cream to the mug, she looked around the table.  Looking at Sorrow, she said, “I heard you playing something really pretty last night, but I didn’t recognize it.  Did you write something new?  Will we get to hear it tonight after we find the dagger we are out here looking for?”

Sorrow smiled and he cocked his head. "Thank you," he drawled in his honeyed, Baldur's Gate 'old money' accent. "I was just noodling around a bit. I'll be happy to play for you tonight. I could use the practice." 

“Good, I always enjoy hearing you play and sing.”

Nevil notes that Sorrow does not share the more common look of most tieflings she'd seen in her life. Instead of the horns jutting from the brow, he had thick, jet black ram's horns curling from his hairline and sweeping over his head before curling back over his ears. Silver wire wraps and charms gleamed from them and his pointed ears, contrasting sharply with the almost lightless fall of his long black hair. He was an ethereally beautiful young man, but his eyes, gleaming silver in the duskiness of his face, seemed blind and pupiless. One could not tell where he was looking, and the overall effect was a bit unsettling. 

He reached for his coffee and took a sip. Gouts of steam roiled out of the cup, cascading like incense over his brown fingers. 

His attention fell on Nevil as she approached. "Good morning, Miss," he said softly, sincere care on his face. "I hope you're well this morning."

Nevil, mid sip of her coffee, looks a bit sheepish as she responds to Sorrow but she glances at Inman throughout, "yes, I believe I will be.  Sunrise meditations have a way of bringing focus to areas of your life needing new beginnings or a renewal. Perhaps for some, even forgiveness.  If anyone would like to explore this with me after breakfast, I will be on the foredeck.  Nevil then looks to Sorrow, "if you take requests for music, I have not heard a good lively sea shanty in several years.  I'm feeling a bit nostalgic."  

Atalaya grabbed the bowl with the scrambled eggs and dished out another serving on her plate and then snagged a couple pieces of bacon to go with it.  Pulling out a biscuit from under the towel being used to keep them warm, Atalaya spread it with butter and some blueberry jelly she had found tucked back into a corner in the pantry.  She was just getting ready to eat when Cirilli finally made an appearance in the common room.  

“Is that breakfast I’m smelling?” she asked as she approached the table.  Looking around she asked, “Where is Boz?” As she walked around the table to an empty seat, she gave Sorrow a big hug.  “I loved your music last night.  It was so nice to fall asleep listening to you.”  Cirilli sat down next to him and started piling her plate with food.  

Nevil sits in the moment, taking in the company around her.  This motley group was indeed a family. The circumstances no doubt played a role, even so there was something more, something pure.  Forgiven or not, Nevil sits content with what may come.

Sorrow smiles, putting down his coffee cup and giving Cirilli a heartfelt hug in return. "Thanks," he said. "Glad I didn't keep you up. He put his napkin on the table and got up. "Hang on, " he mumbled at Nevil. "I have a boat song for you that I think you'll like today, and anyway, I always like a little 'jam' with breakfast." He padded on bare feet over to his berth and returned with a fiddle and bow, hastily plucking and adjusting the strings. He lifted the instrument to his shoulder, quickly bounced the bow a little to test the notes. "It's not a shanty, but it's a ship song, so..." 

He played a sweet intro then started to sing. His voice was silky and resonant, a perfect accompaniment to his instrument.

"She went down last Marpenoth in a pouring driving rain.
The skipper, he’d been drinking and the mate, he felt no pain.
At the rocks down in Pelagia she was dealt her mortal blow,
And the Lady of Lathander settled low.

"There were just us five aboard her when she finally was awash.
We’d worked like hell to save her, all heedless of the cost.
And the groan she gave as she went down, it caused us to proclaim
That the Lady of Lathander would rise again.

"Well, the owners wrote her off; not a copper would they spend.
“She gave twenty years of service, boys, then met her sorry end.
But the Crown has paid the loss to us, so let her rest below.”
Then they laughed at us and said we had to go.

"But we talked of her all winter, some days around the clock,
She’s worth a minor fortune, afloat and at the dock.
And with every jar that hit the bar, we swore we would remain
And make the Lady of Lathander rise again.

"Rise again, rise again, that her name not be lost
To the knowledge of men.
Those who loved her best and were with her till the end
Will make the Lady of Lathander rise again.

"All Greengrass, we’ve been with her on a barge lent by a friend.
Three dives a day in a hard hat suit, and twice I’ve had the bends.
Thank Procan it’s just sixty feet and the currents here are slow
Or I’d never have the strength to go below.

"But we’ve patched her rents, stopped her vents, dogged hatch and porthole down.
Put cables to her, ‘fore and aft and girded her around.
Tomorrow, noon, we hit the air and then take up the strain.
And make the Lady of Lathander Rise Again.

"For we couldn’t leave her there, you see, to crumble into scale.
She’d saved our lives so many times, living through the gale
And the laughing, drunken rats who left her to a sorry grave
They won’t be laughing in another day.

"And you, to whom adversity has dealt the final blow
With smiling bastards lying to you everywhere you go
Turn to, and put out all your strength of arm and heart and brain
And like the Lady of Lathander, rise again.

"Rise again, rise again

Though your heart it be broken and life about to end

No matter what you've lost, be it a home, a love, a friend

Like the Lady of Lathander, rise again."

Nevil immediately knew the tune from her youth in Seaton.  She was caught up with memories of her childhood and quietly sang along not wanting to distract from Sorrow's kind gesture. Her voice started well. It was clear she could hold a tune. But as the song progressed, she was reminded of the lyrics and how well they fit her circumstances.  Her voice trails off into just a smile.  She is uncertain if the bard's gift at reading people was exceptional or if her disturbance the night before was more disruptive to the rest of the ship than she would have hoped. At the conclusion of the song and with a half-smile, "thank you friend, that is exactly what I remember.”  Where is Vas? He is missing this.

"Glad you liked it," he smiled, setting his fiddle against the bulkhead and resuming his breakfast. "As for Boz, he's used to me. He's probably wandering around on the deck. He likes the air and the wind."

Nevil smiles, “Speaking of which, I believe I will excuse myself.” Nevil rinses her cup and departs to the top deck.

Atalaya chats with Cirilli as they eat their breakfast.  Cirilli is excited about all the things she had been learning from Annie the night before and attempts to explain navigation on the high seas to everyone still present at the table.  Sorrow smiled indulgently while Atalaya nodded and attempted to ask semi intelligent questions.  When Vasilya didn’t make an appearance at the breakfast table, she sliced a biscuit, added some bacon and eggs to it and went over to the stove to get another cup of coffee.  

Peeking into the cabin and not seeing Vaz she continued up the stairs and into the sunshine.   Atalaya looked up and saw Kyle in the crow’s nest.  Going to the side of the boat, Atalaya searched the water to try to determine what Kyle was looking at.  After a moment she realized that she could see a sunken ship not far below the water’s surface.  Her eyes widened as she realized what this must be.  

Looking around the deck areas, she found Vaz near the ship’s wheel talking to Loonie.  Atalaya made her way to him and handing him the food and drink she said, “You need to eat something.  If I’m seeing what I think I am, we will be headed back under the water soon. 

Nevil stands on the bow of the ship. She appears to be examining the wreck below, but her mind races. She was surprised by how nervous she felt. It was too early in the day for a nightcap and it would certainly not be appropriate with the threat of battle soon below.  She was going to have to do this sober. It couldn't wait until later.  In fact, wondering if Inman would come to accept her apology was agony. He was one of the last people in the world who truly knew her.  Losing his friendship, on top of everything else, would be unbearable.  Surely, he would at least come.  But what if he didn't? 

Distracted in her thoughts, Nevil turns to look for Inman, to find him standing before her.  

Nevil had been fairly composed all morning, but in that moment, facing Inman with her apology, her eyes welled with tears, "Inman, I'm sorry about last night. I said things that were hurtful and unfair.  You're right.  It's nothing we did wrong, it's just that the timing wasn't right.  And what happened to Nathan and the girls... They were my responsibility."  Looking down in shame, "I am a mess...  But I'm trying... and I am glad you're here." She looks back to his face, and for the first time since seeing her again, Inman finds the warmth in her eyes that he remembers. Then she asks, "Can you forgive me?”

Inman's face crumbled and he exhales sharply. "Maggie..." he meets her eyes. "There is nothing to forgive. Why should I expect you to feel any different than you do?" he shakes his head. "I am just sorry to cause more pain for you. Of course I'm not angry with you. I...of course...there is nothing to forgive. I want you to forgive yourself. Because what happened wasn't your fault."

Nevil looks relieved beyond words but still concerned.  With a half smile, "I'm working on that part.  I... we need you here."  Nevil looks worried she might hurt him again, "but if you stay I can't promise you anything more than friendship. I need time to find myself again.  I may not be the person you remember.

A sheepish half-smile forms on his lips. "That you don't hate me is enough, Maggie," he says quietly. "I'm not...I'm not the same man, either."

Nevil stands near him in silence, then nods. Contented with where things settled. She puts her hand on his chest, without thought and from a remembered familiarity, “We can learn together then.  I… should get ready for the day.” She turns to depart below.

He looks like he's going to say something, but then doesn't. He just nods. "Yeah. Uh...yes. Me too." 

As they head below together to prepare for the day, Nevil adds, “If you'd like after we find this dagger, we can find some time to chat. I'd like to know how you've been and I know you have questions too. We are going to have to work to make things less awkward. If that sounds alright with you?

"Yes," he blurts clumsily. "Gods, yes." He nods, looking relieved.