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The constricting buildings gave way to shorter hovels and piles of crates. In the distance, Norton could see a sizable docks and massive ships balancing on the water. The smell of the sea lingered in the air, leaving a salty taste in his mouth. The ocean peeked through the dozens of ships, almost as if being smothered. Gruff workers dotted the landscape, going to and fro from boat, to crate, back to boat, and even into the water.

“Where do we start?" Ava asked.

“One of the workers must know a captain," Lydia replied.

“Then I'll find one," Ava said before marching off.

“Nothing seems to tie her down."

“You think she's going to be alright?" Norton asked.

“You should know that the best, should you not?"

“I don't know if she's used to those kinds of wounds." Norton could see Ava stop one of the workers and begin to speak with him.

“She's more than alright. Relax."

“Well, OK. Then can I ask if you're alright?" Off in the distance, Ava pointed out the pair to the sailor.

“Why would you ask that?"

“We are going on a boat after all. Hopefully." He looked behind at the road they trekked. No burly fish creatures or angry guards trailed after them. “You don't seem too enthused."

Lydia turned away a little. “I am not afraid of water, but seasickness does plague me." She showed a hint of a frown. Norton figured she was either embarrassed at the thought, or didn't want to acknowledge a weakness. He wasn't going to ask directly either way.

“I do have a herb for nausea, but I'm not too sure if it'll work on you." He began to rummage about in his pockets. Lydia held up a hand, bringing him to a stop.

“It is something I will conquer myself."

“I see. Do let me know if you change your mind." He went right back to staring at Ava. The uneasy emotions of what transpired prodded at his mind every so often. It always went back to the question of 'Why?' and he still didn't have an answer.

“Recall my comment about your eyes falling out?" Norton immediately shifted his eyes to the floor and gave a small nod. “Pray that she makes the right choice." Ava nodded and gesticulated a bit. Knowing her she could have been saying any number of ridiculous things, but from her reactions it seemed everything turned out alright. She turned around and walked back to the two.

“Hurry up. Our boat leaves in ten minutes," Ava said.

“That was fast," Lydia replied with an air of relief.

“Apparently paid stowaways are standard around here. Real cheap. Thirty coins for the lot of us."

This would mark the first time Norton had ever been on a boat or anywhere near the ocean. He wished it could have been under different circumstances, but hoped it would be a pleasing experience all the same. He followed after Ava and Lydia onto the docks. The gentle lapping of the waves could be heard swishing about underneath their feet, which was surprisingly soothing. Maybe being a sailor wasn't so bad.

The group stepped onto a medium sized cargo ship. On his first step, Norton could immediately feel the effects of the water on the boat as it rocked back and forth. An uneasy lurch pushed his stomach around. At this rate he might have to join Lydia in the seasick crew. As soon as they were onboard, they were quickly shuffled into the dark deck below by another one of the many sailors that worked on the ship. It wasn't long until the sailors let out a series of yells, signifying the start of the voyage.

“Everyone alright?" Ava asked.

“Yes," Norton and Lydia said in unison. The human was essentially blind. He could only imagine that the light was only a minor inconvenience to his partners.

“Take a seat," Ava said from somewhere in the black void.

“Give me a moment," Norton replied. Eventually his eyes adjusted to the darkness somewhat and found the beast-women sitting down on some wooden crates nearby. More accurately he saw movement near some crates, which he hoped were them. He shakily walked over to the pair and tried his best to not stumble with the rock of the boat. Norton practically fell onto his seat and awkwardly sat upright. Lydia and Ava were more like vague figures in the darkness, and he tried his best to visualize them.

Lydia appeared to be staring at the ground quite furiously. No doubt staving off the effects of the seasickness. Ava, on the other hand, looked directly at Norton. The glint of her eyes was wild, much like a feral wolf hunting its prey in the dark of night. Yet, from what he could make out from her expressions, she looked quite somber. Even if he could barely see her, he knew she could see him well enough. Norton cautiously looked away in uncertainty. More doubts began to plague his mind. It was a wonder he hadn't been cast out by Ava already.

Ava let out a long humming sigh. “I think I'll have a walk abouts," she said. Lydia gave an acknowledging grunt. Norton couldn't respond before the wolfess disappeared into the darkness, leaving her uneasy partners behind.

“Are you sure you're alright?" Norton asked.

“Yes. Quiet." She paused. “Actually, it would be best if I tried to keep my mind occupied."

“Then you don't mind me asking about the lamprey, do you?" Norton also needed to occupy his thoughts.

“I do not mind if you do not mind. I won't have to carry your limp body again, will I?"

“I think I'm past the shock." He nodded reassuringly to himself. His stomach stirred. “Probably."

“Her name is Miriam." The explanation had begun and already he was blindsided by the revelation that it was female. “She brought forward the deal first."

“It couldn't have been good coming from her." Norton settled back on the crate he sat on.

“We were desperate. We wanted out. She told us she had contacted royal officials to trade a dismissal of crimes for the head of our employer."

“Oh."

“By the time we had"—she let out a low growl—“finished the deed. She had already alerted the rest of his group and claimed her spot as their new leader." Norton could barely see her cross her arms. “Now we are being hunted for sport. The final loose thread."

“And that includes me now." Norton shivered.

“Unfortunately. Had we known the kobold were tied to the port town, we would not have gone. Her sibling helped us preserve the head. Despite all of this, I doubt Ava is too troubled about Miriam's appearance."

“What? Why?"

“Your sudden mouth to mouth. Of course," she said. A twinge of smugness was present in her voice.

Norton cleared his throat. “You saw that, then?" He scooted farther back on the crate.

“I am not blind nor am I deaf." The man realized he might have been more rigorous than he thought.

“I don't know what came over me."

“You mean, what came over the both of you. She was just as much a participant as you were." The ship lurched again, causing Lydia to stabilize herself. Norton ignored the sickening shift and stared at Lydia, somewhat hopeful he didn't ruin the odd relationship he had with Ava. “I suppose obliviousness extends to all males, regardless of species."

“I guess so." He rubbed at his neck.

“Do you think she makes her romantic jokes simply to get at me? That's not her standard banter."

“Then she's not angry?" He leaned forward.

Lydia gave an annoyed sigh. “More than likely confused. Given her profession and... appearance. I will tell you now that you are the only other soul we have traveled with in several seasons."

“That's a relief."

“You should speak to her yourself. I suggest you be polite, but I'm certain you will with your excellent manners."

“What should I say?"

“Must I do everything?"

“Sorry."

“What did I say about that?"

_

The salty air consumed all of Norton's senses. The roar, the smell, the feel of it billowing past. He wasn't sure if he liked it yet. His gaze was cast out onto the sea, which was a bluish grey. It was hard to imagine anything living in the depths below. The storm still loomed over everything above and threatened to drop another torrent of rain. Despite being a depressing grey, the experience was an interesting one, though Norton had hoped the stereotypical bright blue of the sea would shine sooner rather than later.

Staring at the sea, however, wasn't a productive way to spend his time. Norton was ignoring the inevitable awkward talk with Ava. There wasn't much else to think about. Either he could contemplate how the force of an unknown amount of murderers were raring to kill him, or he could think about the strange kiss with a beast-woman a mere hour ago. While the former was obviously more dangerous than the latter, he couldn't decide between the two.

Lydia sat near the aft of the boat. She focused on the waves below with a grim expression on her face. Were Norton not aware of her motion sickness, he would have been severely afraid of approaching her. Ava, on the other hand, stood near the fore of the boat, near its bow. She gently rubbed at her wrappings while blankly staring into the sea foam that crashed into the side of the ship. The human stood near the middle, finding a comforting balance between Lydia and Ava. He would have ambled about the boat, but didn't want to bump into any of the gruff sailors that moved about the deck. They wholly ignored the trio, which was probably for the best.

Just as Norton considered creeping to Ava's side, the sound of footsteps came from his right. “Hey there, healer boy," Ava said softly. He gave a nod but remained focused on the horizon. “I suppose this means you aren't interested in Lydia, huh?"

“I honestly don't know what I'm interested in anymore." He folded his hands together. “I hope I didn't... I don't know, scare you or anger you, I suppose."

“It certainly made me jump. I can't complain about the quality, though." Her jokes lacked the usual pep in her voice. “I'm not angry, if that's what worried you."

“It's not only that. I've never really done something like that. Feels like exploitation."

“I'm a grown woman, dear." She chuckled. “If it was exploitation I would have broken your arm." Norton relaxed a little. “I probably gave the wrong idea when we were at the inn," she said in a near whisper. “I don't think I'm really cut out for this life anymore."

“What?" He turned to look at Ava.

“You go out on the road long enough and the shell begins to crack. The other adventurers don't care for what you've been through. It's all work."

“Lydia certainly cares."

“She does, but she's only one woman. Emphasis on woman. I can't turn to her for everything."

“Well"—he looked back to the ocean—“I care too." It was awkward, but comforting to say that.

“Such a way with words," she said jokingly. Ava sidled closer to Norton. “Do you... Do you mind if I ask why you did that?"

“I'm not too sure myself." Norton shrugged. “I just felt like I needed to prove you were worth something." That's so stupid. “And some other things." He had already cemented himself as an idiot, so he figured he might as well get it all out.

“I don't know where that leaves us." She ran a finger across her stained bandages. “I don't want to dissuade you, but I wouldn't be the best wife." She shook her head. “Sorry. Forget it. It was just a kiss. I don't know what I'm thinking." She let out an awkward laugh. Her mouth then crooked into a frown.

“It's not as though it was just that. I mean— It wasn't so simple." He rubbed his eyes. “I guess I'm saying there was something there. Maybe not a big one." He grumbled. “Never mind. I don't know what I'm saying."

“I think I get it." Ava shuffled closer to gently graze Norton's side. “Thank you," she mumbled. Norton could only manage a nod. He was happy to get it over with, but disappointed for being a bumbling mess.

“So what now?"

“Hush." Ava nuzzled her head against his shoulder. Norton glanced over to Lydia. She stared back at Norton and gave him a small wave. He returned the greeting and looked back to the murky depths below.

_

The satisfying crunch of fruit was a godsend. Norton's stomach was finally put to rest as he tore into a fresh apple. The lingering chill of magic still kept it in pristine condition, much to his delight. He sat next to Lydia near the aft the boat, atop some discarded crates. Ava was directly opposite to him, eating away at a chunk of meat. Lydia feebly nibbled at a fish, letting its scales scatter to the floor. “I still have that medicine," Norton said between bites. The cat woman shook her head.

“So then," Norton began, trying to break the silence, “about the lamprey."

“I'm sick of her," Ava said. She stuck out her tongue. “Talk about something else."

“Right." He took another bite out of his apple as his eyes wandered. Norton stopped on one of Ava's many knives. “How'd you get into this business?"

“I was good at it," Ava said with a shrug. She looked down at her meal. “You figure out at a young age if you're good with a blade." She glanced back up at Norton. “At least where I'm from." Ava perked up. “Lydia, on the other hand, has proud warrior blood running through her. Isn't that right, my dear?"

“Proud warrior blood tends to thin out after the sixth child," Lydia replied with a frown.

“You have five other siblings?" Norton asked, barely masking his surprise.

“Seven. If they are still alive." She spat out a bone overboard. “Perhaps more."

“Is... that normal?"

“No, but mating laws are less restrictive if you serve in the military."

“Do you have litters?" Norton paused for a moment and realized how poorly he worded that. Ava stifled a laugh while Lydia gave her regular stare. “I mean, as a species."

“Generally." Lydia nodded. “It depends on the female, however." He considered asking the same of Ava, but with their current dilemma that would be strange no matter how he worded it.

“Do you ever speak to your family?" Norton asked.

“No, and I doubt they care to." Lydia finished her fish and threw the rest of it off the ship.

“Oh. Sorry to hear that."

“No need to feel sorry. It's probably for the best."

“So you actually are a warrior then? That's very impressive." Norton nodded and took another chunk of apple.

“Not exactly and certainly not by choice." She shook her head. “Felids are put into a training school at a young age. I never officially passed, therefore I am not officially a warrior."

“Surely you've earned that title by now, right?"

“Perhaps I have."

“You certainly have," Ava chimed in. “I've met actual warriors with less abilities than you, Lydia, dear."

“I think that's more telling about the people you associate with more than my skill," Lydia replied.

“I associate with you the most, Lydia."

“Fair rebuttal."

Following in Lydia's example, Norton finished off his apple and tossed the core right off the ship. Quickly he moved to retrieve another from his pack. “Don't want to eat everything we've got," Ava joked. “I remember what that little lizard said." Norton rolled his eyes and pulled a juicy fruit loose.

“I doubt I could eat everything before we got to Hull." He tore into the apple.

“I don't know about that. We've got to walk there after we hit the next port."

“Figures." It dawned on him that there would probably have to be another night spent at an inn, or a camp. “And how many days from the port?"

“Just one, don't fret."

“I kind of have to considering our situation," Norton replied, somewhat annoyed.

“I doubt Miriam knows our location. Even if she did. There would be far too many boats to search," Lydia calmly said.

“Wait. Isn't she a fish?"

“Some kind of strange fish," Ava said with a shrug.

“Couldn't she..." he trailed off and motioned toward the side of the boat. “Follow us?"

Lydia tilted her head. “I doubt she thawed before we left. But logically, yes."

“Don't worry, precious. If that Kunka is anywhere near as good as her sister, Miriam will be stuck for a good while." Norton wished Ava didn't say that. An image of a bloodied head stuck encased in a chunk of ice flashed through his mind. He lowered his apple.

“Right. Hopefully dead, either way," Norton replied. “What about the others? Her new clan?"

“Not worth mentioning." Lydia shrugged. “There's a reason the group enlisted our outside help."

“That's a relief. For the most part."

“You shouldn't have anything to fear with us around in the first place," Ava said, beaming.

“If you say so."