Kelton remembered climbing trees when he was younger. There were many memories of Gossamer yelling that he had gone to high. It was his first taste of independence. There was no way Gossamer could climb the thin branches that barely held a boy's weight. Although he knew he would get an ear full when he finally descended, Kelton relished the bit of freedom height brought. If he chose the right tree, one older and taller than the surrounding forest, his head could rise above the canopy, and he would feel a sense of power and tranquillity. A Goddess-like vision of the world, similar to how he felt now.

The sea was calm, yet the mast had a gentle sway that magnified the movement of the ship. Kelton's was standing on the crossbeam that supported the sail. His body secured by a rope and looped around the mast. When he looked around, the ship would disappear below his vision giving him the impression he was floating atop the world. It was no different than climbing a tree. The world was perfect when men and their constructions were no longer visible.

Kelton was surprised that no land was in sight. The sea was more extensive than expected. No beginning or end visible, even from the top of the mast. He was beginning to get a feel for the distances depicted on Sebastian's maps. At first, he didn't trust their accuracy. Aragonia was drawn as such a small landmass compared to the others. And each land was dwarfed by the sea itself, floating like lilies on a large lake. From his current vantage point, the size of it all made more sense. Nothing but water in every direction.

The crew looked small from atop the mast. They scurried about their duties, adjusting ropes to maximize the capture of the wind and cleaning. Scrubbing the ship was essential to the Captain. He explained to Kelton that if the deck was left on its own, mold would grow and create a slippery surface. The growth would also eat at the wood causing additional repair expenses. There was skill in caring for a ship that only experience could teach. Sebastian said it takes a lifetime to learn it all. Claimed he'd be an expert given another fifty winters.

Kelton watched Yanda walk to the bow. They had spent the last few days avoiding one another. A difficult task in tight quarters. He noticed she stopped more than an arm's length before the railing. A prudent measure for someone not wishing to go over the edge again. Risk or not, the bow provided the second best entertainment onboard. Kelton smiled. The top of the mast was far superior. Even the waves were dwarfed by the height.

A spot appeared on the horizon. At first, Kelton thought it was land. It was off the windward side of the ship, which didn't make sense since they shouldn't be nearing anything in that direction. It was when the spot shrank when it fell below a wave, then grew when it rose again that he realized it was another ship.

"Theazeram," Kelton yelled down to one of the crew. He repeated the word when one of them looked up, sure that he fumbled the pronunciation. Simbawla had taught him the word for 'ship' the day before. 'Am' meant wood as far as Kelton could tell. 'Theazer' seemed to mean floating, or constructed to float. He had heard parts of the word used in reference to debris on the water, so his confidence wasn't high on the exact meaning. He pointed toward the speck on the horizon, and the crew member got the idea and sang out a better pronunciation. Simbawla signaled for Kelton to come down. Simbawla climbed with acuity as soon as Kelton's feet touched the deck.

"How many masts?" Captain Sebastian asked Kelton.

"It was too far away."

"You know it's heading?"

"Nay. I barely figured out it was a ship," Kelton replied.

"Simbawla's eyes are sharp," Sebastian said, pointing up the mast. "That, and he knows what to look for." Kelton noticed that the demands of being lashed to mast didn't extend to Simbawla. Safety was for the passengers. Kelton shielded his eyes from the son and watched Simbawla eyeing the ship. Yanda moved uncharacteristically close, on the other side of Sebastian. The Captain and her traded some words, then she too looked up and waited for Simbawla's analysis.

Kelton had to switch the hand over his eyes when the first arm tired. A moment later, Simbawla yelled down. The Captain shouted back, and Simbawla acknowledged. Orders were barked out, and the crew scurried to carry out the demands.

"What's happening?" Kelton asked.

"They are on a heading that will collide with ours. Simbawla isn't able to make out the ship yet," Sebastian replied, then relayed what Kelton believed was the same information to Yanda.

"We are turning?" Kelton asked though it was becoming evident as the sun raced past the mast.

"Aye," Sebastian replied. "It's best to know if their course is set to a port, or tied to ours." Simbawla deftly road the sail's crossbeam as it shifted around the mast. The ship jostled as it slowed, catching a few waves in the side. It wasn't long before it smoothed out and heading back in the direction it had come. Once again, everyone stopped and shielded their eyes, standing by for the next report.

It was an agonizing wait. Kelton was concerned, but he knew not why. It had to do with the crew and the way they acted as if the next moments were critical. Everyone had stilled, frozen in anticipation of something. An eerie feeling was working its way through Kelton, tensing his shoulders and stiffening his neck. He was about to query the Captain when Simbawla yelled out a string of words and started down the mast with a quickness that surprised Kelton.

The Captain and Simbawla had a rapid exchange, some of which were the new colorful expletives that Kelton had picked up from the crew. These were spate out as if the two were disgusted with the turn of events. Sebastian yelled out more orders, and sailors moved about in haste.

"What's happening?" Kelton asked for the second time. He hated not understanding the tension that was building. Yanda looked as desperate.

"They turned," the Captain said, pointing out toward the ship. More orders were yelled, and the responding acknowledgments were received immediately. Everyone was moving, the crew's regular lethargic steps were replaced with a quickness. The ship turned slightly, its backside fully windward.

Yanda spoke at the Captain, her tone as confused as Kelton felt. The Captain responded, and Yanda's lips tightened. She stared for a moment, then nodded her head and turned toward the door to the berths. Sebastian followed with Simbawla in tow. Kelton trailed behind with a pile of questions on his lips that were trying to find a moment to be voiced.

Kelton followed the Captain to his quarters, the only entirely walled chamber in the ship. The room was small, most of it taken up by three large wooden chests. Sebastian opened one and retrieved a map, the one that Kelton recognized as being of the sea they were currently in. Sebastian and Simbawla seemed to argue as they each pointed out land features. The Captain ended the argument by slamming his finger on a small one, the closest from where they were, or where they were the last time the Captain had shown Kelton the map. Simbawla nodded his head and headed back on deck.

"What's happening?" Kelton asked for the third time.

"We stand a better chance near land," Sebastian replied. "Simbawla thinks we should try for a larger island, but I don't think we'll make it." He seemed to be reconsidering his decision as he turned the map about. "I fear your choice of an unflagged vessel may have been a bad one. I am sorry my boy."

"You think they are after us?"

"They turned when we did. There is no other reason for it."

"Can't we outrun them?"

Sebastian shook his head. "Simbawla saw three sails raised. Mayhap, we can outmaneuver for a time, but outrunning is not possible. I am hoping the shallows will be our friend. And if not, we are better off on dry land."

"How do they know we are unflagged? I couldn't see sails, much less the cloth symbols you described."

"They don't yet," the Captain said. "They are coming to see, and our turning away has made it all the more likely in their minds." He snickered. "And on the eve of my flag. I thought you my blessing, and now I have become your curse."

"You think they mean to kill us?"

"This ship is all I have." Sebastian opened another of the chests. On top of clothes was the box that contained the payment for Kelton's passage. "And that is the future for me and my men. So yes, they mean to kill me for I won't allow them to take either." He put his hands on his hips. "You and the others, well, that is for each to decide."

Kelton hadn't realized Yanda hadn't been present until she entered the room. Her cloak was pulled behind her, exposing a sword sheathed at her belt. In her hands was a bow, the second Kelton had ever seen. It looked far superior to Rolic's. Black as night, it was gracefully curved and flared where the bowstring met the wood. The center grip was well formed and left little doubt as to where to place one's hand. The bow was almost as long as Yanda was tall. If objects could have emotions, Kelton would have declared it angry.

"She has made her decision," Sebastian said. Yanda looked a Kelton and began speaking. The Captain traded some words with her then turned to Kelton. "Yanda wishes you to stay near her when the time comes. She desires that her debt be paid before she meets her maker."

"What does that mean?" Kelton asked.

"I think she means to save you at least once before she is overrun. Slavery is not in her nature."

"Slavery?"

"I did say I was your curse," Sebastian replied. "It is the nature of things on the sea. I took a great risk sailing so far from home without a flag." He reached down and tapped the box of coins. "Greed is a powerful draw, and I suspect you had your reasons to sneak away. Now, we all pay for our choices."

"No, what is this slavery?" Kelton asked again.

"It is when you become property. Do you not know the concept?" Sebastian asked. Kelton shook his head. "They will sell you, and your owner will profit from your labor." Sebastian indicated Yanda. "For her, it most likely means a brothel. Not something she will stand for."

"Cursed," Kelton said as he looked at Yanda. "Is the whole world not right in the head?"

"There are good parts and bad parts. Unfortunately, we have fallen afoul of some of the worst of it."

"And you think this ship means to own us?"

"If they are who I think they are, then aye. They will not waste profit. Your choice is to fight or become cargo. Unless your mysterious benefactor can pay a ransom worthy of their troubles. Nobility usually goes that route, though they rarely find themselves on unflagged vessels."

"I am not noble, nor do I know who paid my fee," Kelton said. He shook his head and grumbled. "It is as if I stepped out of one fire and into a larger one. The whole world is broken. At least I knew where I stood before." Yanda spoke again.

"She is worried you will not be at her side when she falls," the captain interpreted. Kelton lifted the veil on his sense. It was harder than before, misty weak yet still present. His brewing anger seemed to help it along.

"Tell her I will be there. Tell her we will trade the debt back and forth, and if her God wishes my word on the subject, I will tell him she has paid it back in full."

"You will tell her," Sebastian said with a grin.

"Huh?"

"Her God is female."

"Tell her then," Kelton said exasperated, signaling with his hand that the Captain should translate. Sebastian suppressed his smile and conveyed Kelton's words. Yanda's eyes softened when the Captain had finished. She examined Kelton as if it were the first time she saw him. Then, she nodded to him and left the room.

"It seems she has accepted," Sebastian said.

"I'll need a sword," Kelton said, thinking the feel of the metal would keep his anger flowing.

"So, you aim to fight."

"If you are right about this ship, then I intend to kill." Kelton felt shame rise above his fury. His sense, his curse, would make it easy. "Sadly, it is something I am really good at it." Sebastian's eyes widened.