He swung his sword from his back and made sure his shield was fastened correctly before he made his way across the deck. His soft leather boots hardly made a sound as he crossed the ship. His mind whirled as he considered what was below deck. There was another thunk of wood on wood. Perhaps a crate lid landing on the floor? He crept down the stairs; sword point only slightly up and shield high.

Some monsters had hands or hand-like-things that could take lids of crates. Maybe a Mermaniac? Maybe it was a mermaid that had got onboard? Maybe some had gotten out before… he pushed the thought away. It probably rats.

He pressed against the door to the hold with his shoulder, it held firm. Ok then. Pushing the shield up his arm slightly he used his left hand to turn the handle and gently pushed the door inwards until it was wide enough to peak through the gap. He heard a soft noise behind him. A quick glance showed Sylvando was a couple of steps behind and not looking too pleased.

"Go on darling" he muttered with a flick of his chin towards the door.

He nodded and looked again through the crack. It appeared that a human, or human-like monster, knelt on the floor. It had several open bags laying close by and three of the crates were open. From the look of it, they were alone. Although he couldn't see a large part of the room. A deep breath later the door was open, swinging on silent hinges.

The figure didn't hear them walk up behind. But those clothes looked familiar. The sounds of frantic eating. He'd heard similar sounds before in some of the poorer areas he'd been on his travels. The sounds of someone not sure where their next meal was coming from.

Stepping further into the room let Sylvando and Rab file in behind. They spread out for fighting space. Someone behind him gasped.

It couldn't be?

The figure was up in a flash; half eaten apple in one hand, dried meat in the other. A hood covered his hair, shadowing the face.

It was.

Erik, he'd come back. He felt a part of him unclenching that he didn't know was clenched. He'd been so worried.

He was apologising for taking the food. Who cared? Erik was back! The hood fell back as he bowed and straightened back up.

Now that was another shock. Erik was thin, so thin. His clothes were dirty threads, there were holes in his knees and a rip up one side. His hair, normally bright and wild was dark and flat against his head. Unwashed for days or longer. But it was him.

He wouldn't cry, he wouldn't. Erik was back. A bit dusty but defiantly it was him. It had been so long. There was a pressure behind his eyes and his throat. He couldn't talk.

Luckily, that's what Sylvando was for.

"Oh my darling, whatever happened to you? Let me get some real food ready for you and we can have a celebration that all the boys are back!"

The conversation that he'd not been listening to suddenly hit. Erik had found their ship, he hadn't eaten in three days, and instead of letting them know he was onboard he'd snuck down here first. That wasn't right. Why had he done that?

Erik was apologising and bowing as he was escorted out of the hold and towards the galley. Also, not right. Did he even recognise them? He didn't seem to know where to go. Rab gently placed a hand on his back and steered him in the right direction.

In the galley, where daylight was let in through the portholes, he could really see Erik. This new Erik was quiet and confused, he was apologetic and didn't look up. What had happened to him? He seemed small and pale. Scared. Had he always been so young?

Rab directed everyone to sit down at a small wooden table at the back. Like all the tables in the Salty Stallion, they were built into the side of the ship and had benches instead of chairs. Rab took the head of the table and directed the two young men to sit with a wave. "Now now laddie, why don't we have a wee sit down here for now and a bite ta eat."

Erik quickly sat down on the other side of Rab. Erik always sat next to him. He'd never said opposite before. Something was very wrong.

Sylvando quickly left them to go into the small kitchen at the side of the galley to prepare a simple meal for them. With promises he would "Be right back my lovelys".

"What happened, Erik?" He managed to get out when he final trusted his voice.

Erik jumped at the question and looked nervously across the table at him. Erik's eyes drifted to the sword over his shoulder, then to Rab, before falling back down.

"I'm so sorry, I was just so hungry. The doors to the cargo hold were open and no one was around. I was so hungry I couldn't help myself. I was meant to leave before you set off but…. You really don't have to do this. I'll pay you back and more. Please don't throw me overboard. I'm sorry."

They lapsed into silence. He wasn't sure how to respond to that. Rab took out a small red book from his pocket to read but his eyes didn't move even though he turned the pages. "We're just havin' a nice meal together laddie. That's all. Get some grub inta you and you'll be figh'in' fit in no time."

A thousand awkward years later Sylvando was back with a platter of meats, bread, cheese, and fruit. A kettle of tea soon followed with four tin mugs hanging from his fingers. He sat down and started pouring the tea. "Milk! Silly me, I know you like milk in your tea darling, I'll be right back." and he was gone again.

In the silence Erik didn't make a move towards any of the food, so he went first to show it was ok. Pulling a slice of bread towards himself he watched to see what Erik would do. His eyes followed the bread, but otherwise did nothing. Rab selected a bit of everything but mainly focused on the fruit; he hadn't fully recovered from almost starving to death not long ago at Angri-La and Dave fussed about him not getting enough vitamins.

Sylvando was back again. Milk and sugar in hand he placed them near Erik with a flourish and a grin. "There my lovely, eat up!"

Erik finally looked up at them and back down. "I… can't accept this… I don't have anything to pay you with. But, I can work sir, I'm a real hard worker, I know my way around boats. I can cook or clean. Fight? Please, I'm sorry… I know I shouldn't have come on board. I can work for you Captain. I'll work for food" He finally met Sylvanos eyes, "I'll do anything. Anything. Please."

"Oh honey, there are no 'sirs' or 'Captains' here. You don't pay for anything, you're one of us. Please eatup and we'll not speak again of such nasty things." He patted Erik's hand and left a hunk of cheese in it. "We've been the best of friends a long time now, and I'll not have you going hungry."

Erik looked relieved. "We have? I… I don't remember."

Had he missed something there? Some subtext? Erik seemed happier but confused. He looked over at Rab who had lifted his book to cover his face. No help there.

"Did you hit your head?" He managed to get out

"I… I don't remember."

"Maybe we should reintroduce ourselves then. We are on a grand adventure to save the world from nasty evil doers. I'm the great Sylvando," he stood with a flourish and a bow, "this fine gentleman is the mighty magician Rab, and this, this young man is the new legendary Luminary; Yggdrasill's favoured child."

He gave a small smile and a shrug. "Hi"

If anything, Erik looked paler than before.