"How are you feeling today?" Aben asked when he noticed Ronon was awake again.
"Okay. Has she-"
"Not yet." Aben shook his head. "But her fever has broken."
"Fever?" Ronon asked, unsure if he had been told about a fever.
"It's not uncommon in those who have been stranded at sea." Aben explained. "But you are feeling stronger?"
"Yes." Ronon asked before asking the questioning that had been worrying him. "Are we prisoners?"
"Are you being treated as such?" Aben asked, his dark brown eyes twinkling in amusement.
"You took my gun and knives." Ronon pointed out.
"As captain I have responsibility to my crew. I was not sure if you posed a threat."
"And now?"
"I'm undecided." Aben confessed, rubbing his hairy chin.
"So I'm not getting my gun back?"
"No. Not yet. When we reach dry land you can have all your weapons. For now you must be content with your other belongings."
"Other belongings?" Ronon asked, causing Aben to point to a corner of the room where all the supplies Ronon had put in the inflatable sat.
"We saved all we could." Aben explained as Ronon sat up. "Your clothes are over there as well."
Nodding Ronon cautiously stood, but rather than walking to the stockpile of belongings he went to Jennifer's side. Taking one of her hands in his he noticed how cold her hand was. Using his other hand he felt her cheek, relieved that it was not as icy as her hand. Releasing her hand he made sure the blanket was securely covering her before turning back to Aben and asking.
"Where are we headed?"
"The land of Lorse."
"Lorse?" Ronon asked, not familiar with the name.
"You sound like you have never heard of it." Aben said in disbelief.
"I haven't. We're not from round here." Ronon confessed.
"Where are you from?" Aben asked, curious how anyone could have not heard of his home land.
"Another world. We came through the Ancestral gate."
"The Ancestral gate? But that is nowhere near water. How did you end up all the way out here?"
"Our ship was attacked by Wraith during the storm. Our pilot lost control and navigation, we flew blind until we crashed."
"Flew?" Aben asked eyes wide. "Your vessel was not a sea ship then?"
"No." Ronon confirmed, his lack of expansion made Aben realise he would not learn any more, causing the captain to change subject.
"If it is the Ancestral gate you wish to go to I'm afraid I have some bad news. We are headed away from it. Lorse is a long way from it."
"Will you be heading back there after Lorse?" Ronon asked.
"No. Well it is unlikely. I go where the work takes me, few people from Lorse have business with the Geneynans."
"You're at war?" Ronon guessed, although he couldn't remember the Geneynans ever mentioning they were fighting.
"No, nothing so grand." Aben replied. "Several generations ago, in a bid to flee the Wraith slaughters, my people built ships and headed out to sea hoping to find a new home away from the gate and the threat of the Wraith. The Geneynans viewed it as a move that would anger the gods and told my people they were forbidden from returning. Eventually, although they suffered many losses and hardships, my people found land and set up a new home. Since then no one has felt the need to return to Geneyna, nor have we been attacked by the Wraith. Some even started to believe that the Wraith were a myth. But do not give up hope, as with all things if the price is right some one will take you back."
"Is this a cargo vessel?" Ronon asked.
"It is, but all the merchandise is legal." Aben smiled roguishly. "Well almost all of it." The captain then turned serious and looked Ronon in the eyes. "Your rescue has caused me a couple of problems."
"Like?"
"We loaded up with enough supplies to get us back to Lorse. However, the storm and before that the lack of wind has delayed our journey so that we are running low on supplies. Your presence here is stretching our supplies even further. Relax, I am not going to throw you overboard, if I did I think there'd be a mutiny." Picking up on Ronon's confused look he explained. "Since rescuing you the winds have been more favourable and my crew is viewing your friend, I'm sorry, your wife, as a good luck charm."
"Jennifer?" Ronon asked, unable to hide his surprise.
"That surprises you?"
"Yeah, where we're from she's never been considered a source of good luck."
"Well then her presence here has changed her luck as well as ours. So I must take extra care to look after her."
"What about the supplies?" Ronon questioned.
"Currently my crew are down to half rations and having to work as hard as ever, whilst you sit in here and eat the food and drink we supply."
"You want me to help?" Ronon guessed.
"It would be useful. You know anything about sailing?"
"No."
"Not to fear, there is plenty of manual and unskilled work that needs to be done. I'll show you the ropes."
"And Jennifer?" Ronon asked.
"Is in no shape to help." Aben replied, before detecting that Ronon was asking a slightly different question. "I assure you she will be safe in here. My crew will not hurt her, but to be on the safe side I have given up my quarters to you. No one will come in here without my permission."
"These are your quarters?" Ronon asked looking round.
"They are, and the chart room and the infirmary. " He smiled before adding. "This is a small ship. Tomorrow I'll show you round, but today try and rest."
"Thanks."
"Oh and Ronon, you don't need to sleep on the table." Aben pointed out as he nodded towards where Jennifer was lying. "The bunk is just about big enough for the two of you. Besides your heat will help warm her."
A/N: Thanks for reading and reviewing. I'll try to get the next chapter up tomorrow.