It was with a groan that Ruby awoke, a dull pain in her shoulder and a weight on her arm. She opened her eyes, blinking rapidly as the light assaulted them, and saw a mop of long, snow-white hair resting at her side, along with a peaceful, sleeping face. "Weiss?"

The first-mate immediately awoke, her eyes snapping open so fast the captain wondered if her eyelids had been bruised. "Ruby!" she cried, lunging forward and pulling her into an embrace.

Ruby groaned in pain as the aristocrat squeezed against her wounded shoulder, intensifying the pain. "Sorry!" Weiss pulled away, leaving the captain to rub her now stinging shoulder. She recomposed herself, "Sorry. I was just… so relieved to see you awake."

Ruby chuckled through her pain, "Come on, Weiss, it was nothing."

"Nothing?"

"Just a flesh wound!"

Weiss sighed exasperatedly, "You were losing blood fast, so much so you would have died before we got back to Weller Key if Ren did not know how to bandage a wound like that."

"..."

"..."

"...As I said, a flesh wound."

The snow-haired woman shook her head, "Honestly, it's a wonder you're still alive."

Ruby laughed. "So, where's everyone else?"

"These last few days, Ren's been fussing over Nora, who are both very thankful for your sacrifice for her, and Jaune's been taking care of that huntress, Pyrrha."

"He's taking care of her, is he?"

Weiss scoffed, "Not in the way you're imagining, you fool. Unsurprisingly, Raven and her crew did not feed them properly and so Jaune has been helping her get her health back in order."

"How are the prisoners, by the way?"

"Alive and well, thanks to you. Most have already made for Nánfāng, but a few wanted to stay and speak with you personally. Among them is Pyrrha, and I don't suspect it will be all pleasant."

"Right, she's a huntress…" Ruby drawled, already imagining some of the things the guardian of humanity might say to her. "Anyway, what about you? Are you doing well?"

"I am, thank you. I've been checking on you daily, changing your bandages and getting food into you."

Ruby cooed, "I've got my own princess looking after me."

"Shut up, you!"

"Maybe I should go and slay a dragon. Your noble knight in shining armour will conquer for you, my lady!"

"Perhaps I should just leave the crew."

Ruby's teasing tone immediately shifted to one of apprehension, "H-Hold on, that's a bit drastic, don't you think?"

Weiss laughed amiably, "Don't worry, I have no intention of leaving. I'm happier here with you than I ever have been before."

Ruby sighed in relief, "Thank god… I don't know what I'd do without my first-mate and quartermaster!"

"Probably lose all your money and then sink yourself."

"Probably indeed!" The two laughed heartily together.

With some help from Weiss, Ruby shakily stood from the bed. With Weiss keeping her balance, the captain walked out of the makeshift hospital, into the blistering sunlight of the south seas.

Sitting at a nearby table was the rest of the crew and Pyrrha. The moment they spotted their captain up and well their faces broke into smiles.

Nora immediately shot from her seat and embraced the silver-eyed pirate. "Cap'n!" she cried, a hint of desperation and relief in her voice, Ruby noted.

"Hey, Nora," she replied, clenching her teeth through the backbreaking strength of her crewmate. "Not causing Ren too much grief, are you?"

"Not nearly as much as you," the cook stated calmly, though a small light in his eyes betrayed his relief. He then brought his hands together in front of him and bowed, "Eternal thanks for keeping Nora safe."

"Don't mention it. You're part of my crew, and I don't let my crew die."

Ren smiled happily. "How are you feeling?"

Ruby smiled brightly, "Just a little stinging. Nothing I can't handle."

"That is good to hear," Pyrrha piped up, gazing at Ruby with a friendly yet cautiously curious look. "I was beginning to worry that my saviour was not going to wake again."

"It takes more than that to make a ghost of me, I assure you." It was clear to Ruby that, despite her gratitude for being saved, the huntress was still on edge around them, her muscles tense like a lioness ready to either fight or flee when danger appears.

The skipper turned to her first-mate, "Weiss, take the crew and prepare for cast off. We're behind on time, so we need to get to Kuo Kuana as quickly as possible."

"Aye, captain."

"Umm," Jaune began, "What about me?"

Ruby hummed, "Well, you have two options; stay here and take the next ship to Nánfāng. Or you could become my new helmsman."

Jaune gaped like a fish, "Are you serious?"

Ruby nodded, "You handled my girl well, and you certainly aren't some craven coward who shies away from danger. The pay is just above standard for a naval helmsman."

Jaune stood still, speechless. "I… I'll need to speak with my family first."

"Of course," Ruby said. "You have until cast off to decide." With that, he ran like the wind whilst Weiss led Ren and Nora away.

That left Ruby with the huntress. Now that they were alone, Pyrrha's friendly smile was gone, replaced with an inscrutable expression of curiosity. "So," she began, "you're a pirate?"

"I won't deny it."

"Yet you risked your life for not just this town, but for the prisoners as well."

"I did. Just because I'm a pirate doesn't mean I don't have a code. It just so happens that my code doesn't align with the law."

A hard glint appeared in Pyrrha's eyes, "Some might say that's a dangerous thing, that your code is unpredictable."

Ruby crossed her arms, "Why do I need the law to tell me how to be good?" she asked, "I'm not a fool who doesn't know right from wrong, and I'm not some heartless villain like Raven. All I want is to live a free life, to choose where I go, what I say. To choose to do good instead of bowing before the kings' men and doing what they say is good. The fact that a huntress, a monster slayer, was fighting pirates tells me you aren't happy with leaving these matters to the navy, right?"

Pyrrha hummed, "Just because Raven isn't a Grimm doesn't necessarily mean she isn't a monster."

"Regardless of what she is, the navy considers this their business and not yours. So, why get involved?"

The huntress sighed in defeat, "Simply put, the navy's incompetent. Raven's been preying on merchants and cruise ships around these waters for a good few months now, yet nothing was done. In a perfect world, I wouldn't need to get involved in these matters. But we don't live in a perfect world.

"What about you, why did you get involved? Hoping for a generous reward?"

"I got involved because I could do something. The reward is tertiary, what mattered to me was that Raven be stopped and those people saved."

"Then why become a pirate?" Pyrrha pressed, "Weiss told me your family is filled with huntsmen, and your attitude implies that of a huntress. So, why not become one?"

"Freedom," the captain replied without missing a beat, "The freedom to do what I want. Even as a huntress, there are certain things that restrict you, people who have more power than you and will use it for selfish ends."

Ruby turned to the sea. "A young girl is stopped from doing what makes her happy because her noble father would rather make her do what he wants, what he desires, with no account for his daughter's wellbeing and happiness. The sea provides that, an unending horizon that only accepts those willing to work for their dreams. If you put in that work, the water will carry to the ends of the world and beyond."

A light breeze blew past them, ruffling Ruby's hair, as the sunlight shone down on her, reflecting dazzlingly in her silver eyes. It all blended together to create a picturesque image that, combined with her words, left Pyrrha stunned.

Ruby turned those silver eyes at Pyrrha, staring at her with a gaze so confident, so full of resolve, that Pyrrha shuddered. "So, huntress, what is your answer?"

The olive-eyed woman acquiesced, "You aren't a typical pirate," she laughed. "What if the universe does not agree with you or your beliefs?"

"Then I shall die. If there truly is no freedom in this world, then the universe must first drag me to the inky abyss beneath the foam, never to return."

Pyrrha smiled, "That so? And what if a huntress were to stand by your beliefs?"

Ruby was now the one stunned into silence, only managing a quiet, "Wha…?"

Pyrrha smirked, amused, and drew her spear. The huntress dropped to a knee and presented her spear. The shaft was wrought of birch, whilst the head was steel with an engraving of an eagle on it. Below it was a neck of bronze and a red silk scarf fluttering in the wind.

"Ruby Rose," the huntress began, "Thou hast proved thyself of exemplary virtue and ability. Thou art worthy of my service: my spear is thine, thine enemies art mine. For as long as the fires of strife blaze against thee, I shalt stand before them. And if I shalt fail in fulfilling this oath, the sky forgive me and the sea take me."

Ruby was unsure of how to respond, and so decided to simply grasp the spear, "Uh, thank you, Pyrrha. Rise…"

The huntress-turned-pirate did so, still smirking at the shorter woman's confusion, "I have now bound myself to you. Whatever you command, I shall obey."

Ruby was quite disturbed by that, "So, you made yourself a slave?"

"No. The Oath of Bronze and Silk is what the warriors of old swore when they met a master of worthy character and ability. It is a knightly vow of service.

"In some regards, you should be honoured, my line is a prestigious one of mighty heroes, considered among the strongest of my home. Not since Pyrrha I, whom I was named in honour of, has one of my house sworn the Oath, and that was over a millennium ago."

"Right. So, even if I order you to do something terrible, you have to do it?

Pyrrha nodded gravely, "Which should show you just how significant this oath is."

Ruby whistled, "That's… daunting, and a little terrifying."

"An encouraging response," the huntress remarked, "It is one thing to acknowledge the power one has. It is another to understand the responsibility that comes with it. It further convinces me it was not a mistake to bind myself to you."

Pyrrha bowed politely, "If you will excuse me, I must make sure I have all of my personal effects." With that, she left.

Weiss revealed herself and approached Ruby, "I've never seen a huntress swear an oath like that."

The skipper nodded, "I never thought someone would swear an oath of any kind to me.

"Anyway, how's everything going? Can we weigh anchor by this eve?"

"Indeed," Weiss said, "The constable was quite thankful and was more than happy to provide us with enough provisions to get us to Menagerie."

"Excellent," Ruby stated cheerily, "Let's get back on the water within the next few hours."

The crew spent the rest of the morning loading supplies onto the Crescent Rose, long after the sun had reached its zenith and began to fall in the sky.

The thumping of feet on cobbled stone filled their ears, drawing their attention to a disorganised blond running towards them, a knapsack in his hand.

Jaune breathed deeply, "Captain Rose, may I come aboard?"

Ruby smirked playfully, "You may. A second later, and we would have to leave without a proper helmsman!" She glanced away with a strained smile, "We still need a navigator, though…"

"What was that?"

"Nothing! Nothing at all. Or, at least, nothing I can't handle." The captain coughed awkwardly, "Anyway, to your posts, we make for Kuo Kuana!"

The Crescent Rose became filled with activity as each crewmate threw him or herself at their duties; Ren and Nora set the sails, Pyrrha sat in the crow's nest keeping a lookout, Jaune took his position at the wheel, whilst Ruby and Weiss were at the map charting their course. They estimated they'd reach port within a few days, should the winds be good.

Sadly, it was not to be. A day after they left Weller Key, a storm suddenly came in, so fast that none of them had an opportunity to reef the sails before it hit. Thunder raced across the sky, BOOM, the sea roared with primordial rage, CRASH, and the rain pelted down as if the sky itself was weeping.

"Get those sails up!" Ruby ordered, but it was difficult to even control the sails in the strong winds, let alone furl them. It took the combined might of Weiss, Ren, Nora and Pyrrha to do so.

Meanwhile, Ruby and Jaune were fighting the sea at the wheel. The constant movement of the waves meant the rudder was being thrown back and forth, making it near impossible to keep the Crescent Rose steady.

At that moment, a bolt of lightning was hurled to Remnant by some irate force, striking Nora and setting the ship on fire. Weiss and Pyrrha cried out in worry, but Ruby quickly barked out an order, "She's fine! Just put out that fire!" The two glanced at her unsurely before disappearing below deck to fetch some water.

"Nora!" the captain continued, "Get up here and hold this wheel in place!"

"A-Aye!" Nora jittered, still reeling from the lightning. Nevertheless, she made her way to the helm and grabbed the wheel. Her semblance was working overtime to convert the electricity coursing through her body into physical strength, making it possible to keep control of the wheel.

"Jaune, guide her!" Ruby shouted as she vaulted over the railing and onto the deck, moving to help Ren fight the wind. Weiss and Pyrrha returned with buckets of water and tossed the liquid at the fire, extinguishing it. A large wave crashed into the ship, rocking her but not capsizing. A large spray of water landed atop them, enough that it would have extinguished the fire on its own. Weiss and Pyrrha did not look impressed.

Fortunately, the storm let up and the winds died down. Ruby groaned tiredly as she surveyed her surroundings. "Jaune," she called, "Moor us off that island there and we'll see what's been damaged."

"Are you sure we should drop anchor next to that fort?" Weiss asked, drawing attention to the large stone fort perched atop the island's tallest hill.

"It's abandoned," Ren added, "That fort was used by Mistral to control these waters. After the king got Menagerie, Port Royale and Dolphin Lookout became the foremost points of defence for the region. It became too expensive to maintain that fort, and so it was abandoned."

"Moor us off the coast and we'll see what we can scavenge, then."

They slowly crept up to the island and dropped anchor. Ren and Nora conducted a damage report. "Nothing too bad, but there are a few leaks that, if left unchecked, will become problematic in the future," Ren said.

Ruby nodded, "Right, Jaune, Ren, we'll get those leaks patched up. Weiss, Nora, Pyrrha, you three search that fort for anything useful," she ordered, "Things like wood and cannonballs would be useful."

The three women detached the rowboat and rowed towards the island and its imposing fort. It was strange, Weiss thought, she swore she could see movement in this supposedly abandoned fort and, not only that, the structure was seemingly emitting a faint, sickly green glow that became brighter as they approached. A bad feeling grew in the pit of her stomach along with an awful taste in her mouth, and a foul smell was on the wind.

Still, they rowed on, eventually landing on the beach. It didn't take long to find a way in, as the portcullis had been left open since it was abandoned. And so, they entered.

"Nora," Weiss called, "You search for anything in the cellar. Pyrrha, check the battlements." As the two other women left to follow their orders, Weiss searched around for the captain's office. Something had been nagging at her core since she laid eyes on this fort. The feeling that had been growing inside her now felt as if it had been unleashed and was hanging over her, stalking and skulking in the many shadows that surrounded the first mate.

Weiss hoped to find a journal or log that could perhaps shed some light as to the history of the fort, maybe then her heart and mind could be at ease. It took some time, but she managed to find an office filled with dust and rotting furniture, whilst the red, tattered drapes were hanging loosely from a decayed curtain rod. The light that streamed through the broken window seemed to be lost in the oppressive darkness of the fort.

Sitting on the desk was a cracked, leather bound book. Perhaps that was the log Weiss was looking for, and, when she opened it, it was.

However, before she could begin reading, a scream rang through the dilapidated hallways. Weiss recognised it as Nora and immediately became worried. From the short time they had known each other, Weiss had realised Nora was not the type to be scared easily, and so the first mate rushed towards where the scream had come from.

As she was about to descend the stairs leading to the cellar, Nora came up and crashed into her, knocking both of them to the floor and sending them tumbling down the stairs. Weiss picked herself up, rubbing her sore spots and newly acquired bruises, and glared at Nora, "What in the name of God were you screaming about?!"

"There's a ghost!" Nora immediately cried in fear, "I was walking around, and then this green, glowy thing appeared, and I tried squashing it with my hammer, but it didn't get squashed!"

"...I'm sorry?"

"It didn't get squashed!"

Weiss rubbed her temples, "A ghost? You're saying you were spooked by a shadow?"

"It wasn't a shadow!" Nora cried, indignantly this time, "I told you it was green and glowy!"

"Right…" the first mate sighed. "Did you find any wood we can use?"

"Well, I did see a pile of planks that weren't rotten."

"Good. Then let's get Pyrrha and haul them back to the ship."

"No need," Pyrrha's voice sounded from the top of the stairs, the huntress descending towards them, "I came as soon as I heard Nora."

"Right, then let's get that wood and leave. I'll agree with Nora that this place is rather unnerving to be in."

The three women made their way to the wood and, whilst Nora and Pyrrha began to stack the planks so they could be carried, Weiss flipped through the log she had found.

14th October, 1723

Word has reached me from Mistral that the war has ended. His Divine Majesty, Emperor Shī-Mâ, has gained hegemony over the eastern hemisphere from Vale, though not without trading concessions to the king of Atlas.

Still, our orders remain unchanged. We are to guard the Strait of Menagerie from any enemies who would subvert the law of His Divine Majesty.

17th May, 1724

Supplies from Nánfāng have been becoming lighter and lighter. Word from passing merchants is that the economy has been damaged from the war, and the concessions given to Atlas practically means all the wealth from Menagerie goes to Atlesian trading companies.

I fear that without proper supplies, our ability to combat pirates will dwindle. Then again, perhaps an increase in local piracy might convince the governor to invest more into this fort. The last thing I need is a mutiny from hungry soldiers.

2nd June, 1724

As I feared, pirates have become more brazen, yet the governor does nothing. The garrison's getting antsy and disobedient, even the threat of floggings barely calms them.

We need to show the governor we're worth investing in, and, fortunately, there's a band of buccaneers raiding coastal plantations east of Kuo Kuana. Next week, we sail for Paw Rock.

14th June, 1724

We have achieved victory over the pirates, and it seems they were doing more than raiding plantations. When we reached their storehold, we were met with a sight of glimmering gold and dazzling jewels. Yet the greatest treasure of all was a ring I plucked from their captain's finger.

"Damnable dog," he said as his life essence left him, "Listen to my words and tremble; I lay a curse upon that ring you now claim as your own. For whoever lays eyes upon that ring shall lose themselves to their greed and destroy themselves."

Destruction? Hardly. Whenever my eyes gaze upon my ring, a soothing warmth envelops my bosom. My ring clearly brings me fortune, as the treasure we confiscated is enough to fill our bellies and soothe our fears.

17th

My lieutenant asked about my ring today. He wants it. I can feel it. I feel his eyes darting to my ring. And it's not just him. They all want it. They all want MY ring. They won't have it. Not even the emperor will get it. The ring is mine and mine alone.

They won't have it. Mine. They won't have it. Mine. They won't have it. Mine. They won't have it. Mine. They won't have it. Mine. They won't have it. Mine. They won't have it. Mine. They won't have it. Mine. They won't have it. Mine. They won't have it. Mine. They won't have it. Mine. They won't have it. Mine. They won't have it. Mine. They won't have it. Mine. They won't have it. Mine. They won't have it. Mine. They won't have it. Mine. They won't have it. Mine.

Weiss was becoming ever more uncomfortable as she read through the log, especially as the writing became more untidy, mimicking the scrawling of some deranged lunatic rather than a high ranking officer.

"Weiss…?" Nora hesitantly called. The first mate glanced up and looked at where Nora was pointing. Behind where the planks of wood were was a bleached skull and bones. Unconsciously, she took a step back, and felt her foot kick something. Glancing behind her, she saw a skeleton, and what she had kicked was its femur.

How had they not noticed this before, she wondered, what had hid these from them? Something was deeply wrong, and so she ordered, "Grab what you can and let's leave this place."

As they gathered all that they could, a rumble shook the fort, causing bits of dust and dirt to fall from the ceiling. They rushed back to the entrance, only to find the gate had been dropped. It seemed to be held in place by some otherworldly force, as neither Nora nor Pyrrha could muster the strength to pull the lever that raised the gate.

Then, a horrifying cackle sounded behind them. Looking back, they saw a group of ghosts, some dressed in the uniform of Mistral, others as merchants, and yet others looked more like rogues. They were cackling and jeering and brandishing their swords menacingly.

One moved to attack Nora. The ginger girl raised the wood to defend herself, but the spectral blade passed effortlessly through and then into Nora, leaving nary of a scratch on either. Yet, it clearly had some effect, as Nora immediately spasmed and fell to the floor in a fit, a look of pure terror carved onto her face.

Before the phantom could attack again, Weiss amplified her semblance with some wind dust and pushed it back with a gale. It seemed to Weiss that whilst the physical world did not affect the spirits, aura did. She then amplified her glyphs with some fire dust and spewed a stream of flame. Sure enough, whilst the ghost didn't catch fire, he began to run around in a panic as if he was.

She glanced back towards her crewmates, "Pyrrha, force that gate open with your semblance!" The auburn-haired huntress quickly followed her command, turning her attention onto the iron gate and focusing, a black glow surrounding her and the rusted metal.

Weiss turned her attention back to the ghosts and readied her glyphs, firing bolts of aura at them. When they charged at her, the first-mate dashed away along her glyphs with incredible speed.

However, there is strength in numbers, and she suffered various cuts and nicks from her phantasmal foes even as she moved. The confined space made it difficult to manoeuvre properly. Additionally, relying solely on her aura was risky, as she could already feel the fatigue build up in her limbs.

She noticed one ghost moving towards Pyrrha, his sword arm upraised and ready to strike the oblivious woman. With a little bit of water dust, she fired a spike of ice at the ghost, sending it back to whatever ethereal world it came from.

Distracted, Weiss failed to notice another ghost striking her with a dagger. She gasped in shock, visions of death and misfortune filled her mind whilst malice and dread gripped her soul. Yet, she mustered her willpower and stumbled away, gasping and reeling.

The sound of groaning metal filled her ears, dust and dirt falling from the ceiling as the gate finally submitted before Pyrrha. Her task done, the huntress hoisted Nora onto her shoulders and cried, "Let's begone!"

Weiss needed no further encouragement, quickly grabbing as much wood her tired arms could carry and bolted out of the fort alongside Pyrrha. The mad dash was excruciatingly exhausting, her legs burning with pain and screaming for relief. However, the fear that settled in her heart was greater, and she urged legs even faster as they made for the Crescent Rose.

When they were back on board, they collapsed into a heap, panting, shaking. Ruby, Ren and Jaune swiftly appeared, concerned looks on their faces. "What happened?" the captain asked.

"We… We were ambushed…" Weiss breathed.

"By who?"

"Ghosts!" Nora shouted, clinging to Ren, "That fort is haunted! There were ghosts everywhere, and they wouldn't be squashed!"

Ren was exasperated, "That's what freaked you out?"

Jaune offered a look of scepticism, "You actually think they encountered ghosts?"

"It's the truth!" Weiss shouted.

"Then let's leave this place," Ruby decided.

Ren was just as sceptical, "I find it hard to believe the undead are haunting that place."

"My first-mate believes it's dangerous, and I trust her judgement, ghosts or not. Set the sails and let's carry on. Nora, Ren, you two work on getting the water out from below deck."

Everyone hopped to their orders, all in some ways eager to move on. As she was doing her work, however, Weiss felt something in her pocket. Fishing it out, she spied a smooth band of gold in her hand. How she obtained it escaped her, but it filled her with warmth and security.

That night, as everyone else rested peacefully, Weiss stood at the bowsprit, fidgeting with the ring. It felt so right in her hands, from the weight, to the smoothness of the craftsmanship, to the way the pale moonlight reflected off it. Her ring assured her and eased her soul.

"Feeling better?"

Weiss jumped at the voice, turning to find Ruby approaching. "What do you mean?" she said defensively.

"You looked quite shaken after today," Ruby replied, "Now, I'm not convinced you saw ghosts or something, but it was clear that whatever you saw terrified you. So, are you feeling better?"

Weiss turned her attention back to the ring, fiddling with it again, "Yes, I am."

Ruby noticed her divided attention, "That's a nice ring you have there."

Weiss glared at her captain, "Why? What is it to you?"

"'Tis merely a ring. A band of gold. No more and no less. Or, at least, most rings are." Ruby offered a hard, resolute look, "That one's special, isn't it?"

Weiss backed up, clasping the ring tightly in her hands, "What do you mean?"

The captain lifted up a book, "I took the liberty of reading the journal you brought back."

"Journal?"

Ruby's look turned sad, "You really don't remember what happened, do you?

"Never mind. I don't take too kindly to cursed items on my ship."

Weiss scoffed, "You're a superstitious one; first the mermaids, now curses."

"And ghosts?"

Weiss faltered, "Well…"

Ruby gently placed her hand on Weiss'. The first mate turned to face her captain, and her icy-blue eyes met with silver. At that moment, as Weiss peered into those shimmering pools, it was as if a spell had been lifted. Her anxiety melted, and her hands, tense and tightly clasping the ring, relaxed.

Ruby motioned with her head towards the sky, and Weiss gazed up. Stars. Like thousands of pearls shimmering down on them from a sea of blackness. And the largest among them, the fragmented moon, dazzled her with its light, and, like those fragments that were breaking away from the whole, her own desire and greed broke away from her soul.

"A ring is but a ring," Ruby began, "A piece of metal. There are many things in this world more beautiful than a simple ring, and plenty more valuable than gold." Ruby removed her hand from Weiss' and stared at her meaningfully.

Though no words were exchanged, Weiss understood. Raising her arm, and with some trepidation, cast the ring into the sea, never to be seen again. The first mate was left fatigued, a surprising amount of energy needed to abandon the ring.

Ruby caught her, holding the snow-haired woman close. The warmth of her captain proved more than enough to fill the feeling of emptiness left behind in Weiss' heart. "Let's get you to bed," Ruby said.

"Could we stay here?" Weiss replied, "Just for a few minutes."

Ruby smiled happily. "Of course."


I'm not dead, but I'm getting there. Sorry for the long wait, I was suffering a dreadful bout of lack of motivation to keep writing. But, I'm ready to start again.