7

An Honor Like No Other

"You may call me Vastin," the dark elf said to Captain Vagano. The Captain nodded. "Very well, Vastin. I've spoken with the Master-at-Arms and we've agreed not to punish you for the murder of the ship's cook."

The dark elf raised an eyebrow but stood still otherwise, hands hanging loose at his sides. His clothes had mostly dried and his cloak was returned to him. "Truly? Considering the ogre was tossing other crewmen overboard and calling for mutiny that is a most gracious decision, Captain." The sarcasm was not lost on the Captain.

"Be that as it may," he replied with a bit more force, "it was not your place to play judge, jury and executioner. You should know that we will not accept any more such actions from you." Vagano looked at the dark elf sternly. "However, as you were acting on behalf of the ship and proceeded to risk your own life to save that of the fisherman, you are free to continue about the ship as you were."

"I acted on behalf of myself, Captain." The dark elf, Vastin, continued, "I wish to get to Antonica alive and the fisherman has proven to be of vital importance in our voyage succeeding."

"I'm indebted to you just the same, Vastin" said Winsul with some effort. His jaw and face were bruised and swollen from the beating he'd received by the ogre.

The dark elf studied Winsul for a moment. "Indebted. Yes, you are."

"You are dismissed, Vastin." The Captain turned back to the wheel and ordered sails to be set. The dark elf nodded to both, pulled the hood of his cloak over his head, turned and moved toward the steps to the main deck.

Durgin stood with his arms folded a few steps away. "Cheery fellow, that one."

Vagano turned to the Master-at-Arms. "Vargas? How is the situation below?"

The Master-at-Arms stepped closer with hands behind his back. "Iksar are locked away and under guard, as ordered. They claim they had no idea what the ogre was planning. Having made it through the storm, and having passed word that the ogre was killed trying to start a mutiny, people seem to have calmed. Seems the ogre was a big part of our morale problem. "

"No surprise there," the Captain replied before turning to the dwarf. "Master Stouthammer, how is the ship?"

"Water level's down, Captain…"

Tomon left the discussion and returned to the fishing lines with the fisherman. "How are you?" It seemed awkward to ask after what he'd been through, but he couldn't think of anything else to say. The fisherman's face looked painful. He managed a smile in spite of the injuries.

"Bit of a long day, if I'm to be honest," he said. Sitting heavily on a barrel and taking a deep breath, he grabbed a line and began baiting the first hook. "Grab a line, my boy. Time to earn our keep."

Tomon sat down and started baiting another line. "I think you've earned your keep a hundred times over."

The fisherman smiled at Tomon. "Won't much matter if we run out of food now, will it?"

Tomon looked at the fisherman for a long moment. "I'm sorry you got hurt," he said. "You helped save us all. It doesn't seem fair the ogre hurt you because of it."

The fisherman smiled. "Thank you for saying so, boy. Your father raised you well, I can tell. You've a good heart and a sense of fairness about you. You'll need to harden yourself though. There's a lot in life that isn't fair. Lots of folks who want to hurt others. Your father isn't likely to be around to teach you that."

"Maybe someday," Tomon said weakly, unable yet to give up hope of seeing his father again.

"Aye, maybe someday," Winsul replied. "But you can't wait for him to return to learn your lessons. Life won't wait for you to be ready. Life goes on, and so must you."

Tomon baited another hook, trying to make the blurry vision of his tearful eyes go away. He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "Maybe you can teach me."

The fisherman raised an eyebrow, looking searchingly at Tomon. He didn't move for a long time.

Tomon wasn't sure what to think. He felt uncomfortable. He pushed a baitfish onto a hook and inhaled. "I mean, if you want to."

The fisherman leaned forward and put a hand on Tomon's shoulder. "You honor me like no other, boy." He gave Tomon's shoulder a gentle squeeze and returned to his work.

They worked in thoughtful silence for a long time.