[FweepFwopFwoop]

"It's rough, yeah. 'Specially when they call me..." Arnwen looked down sadly. "They call me 'knife-ear'. But I git along." Arnwen looked concernedly at Valen. "You okay? Since... ya know, yer ship... you can talk ta me anytime, yeah?"

[Eskal]

"It was just a ship," Valen stated. "A new one could be built. As for my troop...I'm sure they're resting in peace or found a way back home."

[FweepFwopFwoop]

"You were the cap'n then? Tha's brave. Ah know if ah was in yer shoes..." Arnwen smiled. "Yer tough."

[Eskal]

"I wasn't captain. I was seen as the leader of this group of young recruits. It was their first time on one of our big ships so I just took them under my wing."

[FweepFwopFwoop]

"M'kay then. 'Ey, follow me!" Arnwen said, and he took Valen up to the crow's nest. Hidden in a false panel was a bottle of very expensive looking rum. "Le's toast. To you not dyin'! And to new friends! Ah mean..."

[Eskal]

"Are you sure? I don't want you getting in trouble or anything," Valen said.

[FweepFwopFwoop]

Arnwen looked out at the ocean solemnly. "Cap'n don't like me. 'E takes any excuse ta hurt me. It don't mattuh, 'm in trouble felt one reas' n er anotha."

[Eskal]

"Why does he keep you here then? Why not just let you go?"

[FweepFwopFwoop]

"Ah been on this ship since 'fore the cap'n had it. I know it bettuh than 'e does. Can't just throw that away. 'Sides, 'm also a way to take out 'is anger."

[Eskal]

"That's unfortunate."

[FweepFwopFwoop]

"Yeah, well, ah don't complain. Could be worse, yeah? 'N ah he ta go places, 'n meet people. 'N sometimes, ah get to make friends." Arnwen smiled.

[Eskal]

"The navy does the same."

[FweepFwopFwoop]

"I ain't smart 'nuff fer th' navy." Arnwen took a swig from the rum bottle and passed it to Valen. "Good stuff. Have some."

[Eskal]

Valen took a swig. "Woah. That's strong stuff."

[FweepFwopFwoop]

Arnwen nodded and took another swig. "'S good. Spiced rum is muh fav'rit."

[Eskal]

Valen nodded and looked out over the ocean and took in a deep breath of the salty air.

[FweepFwopFwoop]

The two men sat in the crow's nest until the sun fell behind the horizon and the stars dotted the sky. The bottle of rum now empty, the two sat talking. Arnwen was a giggling, laughing mess as he was reciting a story. "So ah says to 'im, 'if ya wanted fresh, yer pants ain't the first place ah'd look!"

[Eskal]

Valen laughed wholeheartedly.

[FweepFwopFwoop]

Arnwen gradually calmed down. "Gits me ev'ry time, that does. Wish we 'ad more rum." He looked up at the sky. "Crescent moon, stars shinin'... ain't it beaut'ful?"

[Eskal]

Valen nodded. "Sure is."