Tzirret was tempted to say that Qa'habi's words had genuinely piqued his interest in bows, but he didn't see it as appropriate. Perhaps they could resume their conversation later, without hidden motives.

"This one will not speak of it again," Tzirret said guiltily. He turned to leave with a sullen posture and tension remained for the entire day.

Even with relative success in eventually convincing Gallus and Meesei to take Ma'tanza to the temple tomorrow, Tzirret chided himself for pursuing such a bad idea right up until he fell asleep that night.

[hr]
The next day brought the ships to the forested and muddy shores near Leyawiin. This in turn brought a number of figures up onto the top deck. Under guard was the family of rescued slaves from the day that the ships were taken over. All four were slightly nervous, but smiling to see the light of day so clearly again. F'sresa, the sick daughter, was still weak and slow. Her skin was still pale if anyone looked closely enough to see under her fur. She walked hand in hand with her mother, but no doubt someone would have to carry her to Leyawiin.

Accompanying the family was Uthri, Tzirret, and Ma'tanza. Uthri and Tzirret were technically there as guards, with Ma'tanza tagging along after long and drawn out excuses by Tzirret via Gallus. Uthri and Tzirret wore leather armour and made themselves out to look like mercenaries, while Ma'tanza was sourced a simple brown robe. The weather was not as chokingly humid as the Tenmar forest, but it was still swampy and warm. The coastal wind at least gave some cool relief to their clothed bodies.

"Hmm. Perhaps we have a crowd after all," Gallus remarked with a frown. He took another look at the boat they were to use to travel to shore. "Lucky this boat is long enough for all nine of us."

It took another minute for the boat to be winched into the water, at which point Gallus looked over the edge. He turned around again with a smile, gesturing to the rope ladder leading to the water. "After you, champion," he said with a joking inflection.

Tzirret had since calmed down about his faux pas with Qa'habi and no one else seemed to find out. As a result, he was in a better mood that day. "Tzirret told you it would be fine," Tzirret said to Ma'tanza as they strode behind the family, "See? Meesei is not so bad."