The night was clear, and the stars sparkled gaily in the sky. Pieter's contentment was like a solider's. He knew full well the danger he was walking into. Dragon or not, an eight to one fight would be ugly. He didn't assume he would get to spend his time at the rail with Berlin, or anyone, after the battle. So, he thought, as he tipped back the bottle, he would appreciate the moment. They were all starting to think about what was coming. The sea was happy, and Pieter was fatalistically at peace.  

---

Hana flinched. The boy's angry voice cut through the tired fog around her. The suddenness of his snarl, the anger that exploded in the quiet space. It carried the threat of a shapeshifter. Then Uban had intervened, a sailor throwing sand over a sudden fire. Seven virtues, what was going on? She was going to fight slavers on a pirate ship. She was teaching a boy who could turn into a dragon how to read. And now she'd angered him. Cascading waves of emotion rolled over Hana, numbing her. She watched through half lidded eyes as Uban coaxed Rio to explain. Hana sat silently as Rio spoke, her legs crossed, palms resting on her knees. She didn't trust herself to speak. Finally, after Uban finished giving his fragmented explanation of the days events, she rose. "I apologize for my crassness. It was a slip of the tongue." She gave a habitual half-bow as farewell, "If you'll excuse me, it is late, and I should like to retire." She slipped behind her cabin door before either could speak.