Hans kept to himself most of the trip. He'd measured the distances twice. A smart captain had to factor in roundabout routes so as not to seem too suspicious. His men were glad to have some time off, but not thrilled to be working so quickly. Their leader opted not to tell them who they were working for.

Hans finished his calculations and headed below decks. He kept the two crates in a private cargo room. Unfortunately, when he opened the door, he found Anna and Sophia both stuffing their faces with dinner.

His dinner.

They both looked up at him, saliva drooling out, mouths stuffed painfully full.

"Whuuu...?"

Hans stifled his sigh this time.

"Good evening," He said evenly.

"Rugh-ruh ruh!" Anna swallowed her (or his, really) food and spoke again, "Good evening."

"You two aren't in your crates."

"Nope!" Intoned Sophia cheerfully. She smiled brightly at him. Hans, nervous she would spill his secret, picked her up and placed her back inside.

Behind his back, Anna grabbed a table knife, ready to put her life on the line for her child. And Sophia was her child, in a way. Though the two had not known each other terribly long, the strong pull of motherhood had already wrapped its way around Anna's heart.

Thankfully, Sophia went away without an incident. Hans sat himself, still covered in Blacksail's hood, and started eating. Anna decided this was a good time to start asking questions.

Many unanswered questions rose to her mind. Namely; who was he? Captain Black was supposed to be Sophia's step-father, but this was not the beast she had long imagined him to be. Gruff? Yes. But there was a kindness to his actions. And he was smart. Elsa had mentioned that nervously.

And how did this man find Sarah? From what she could glean from Sophia, after some criminal captain had dropped Sarah off in Meridian, Captain Black had stumbled upon her and married her. So where did they meet?

Also; what did Hans have to do with all of this?! That was the big question. He had smuggled mother and child out of the country, but had died before finding either of them.

"You want to ask me something?"

Anna jerked back to reality, "...not... no... not really. I mean, yeah, but no, I'm okay."

He sighed, "The only thing you need to know is that, while she is on my ship, Sophia shall remain unharmed."

"...are you a Westerguard?" Anna asked without thinking. Her strange dinner companion simply finished his food and left.

Anna swallowed nervously. From his build she had noticed a resemblance to Hans. Was she entrusting her life and Sophia's to Hans' cousin?

Or brother?

Hans himself was dead, so no one was coming after her, right?

...right?