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<span class="mu-i">“What are you doing?”</span>
“Proving my worth,” you tell Vaaro in response. He only stares down at you. You are keenly aware of heads turning in your direction. For a moment, you only hear the sound of the sea and the distant call of birds. Then a bell rings and the ship’s men go about their duties with renewed vigor. A port has been sighted. Vaaro still has not moved. Your breeding has taught you better than to pick at man’s pride in front of others, and you aware you are coming dangerously close to doing so. Instead, you make to join him and settle matters more discretely.
On your way up, you see Alesander huddled up by the stairs and take a slight detour just to offer him a word of encouragement and warning. “I need you to stay safe. Please make no move without my asking,” you whisper. The boy looks surprised by your words but nods his agreement.
Vaaro meets you atop the stairs. But for a sword on his belt where there was none before, his demeanor gives no sign that he spent the night killing his own men. He waits for you to speak.
“You told me to prove my worth,” you continue. “Would you have me do so from a cabin?”
“In a cabin you cause me no troubles,” he says. “Now, you are starting to get in my way.”
“I have no—”
“What did you say to that boy?” he interrupts, wrongfooting you.
“I… words of encouragement,” you answer.
“Encouragement,” he repeats. “Slaves do not need encouragement. Slaves need to be obedient. Your encouragement might get them killed. Do you understand?”
“Encouragement can be the same as obedience. The boy is young and rash. He needs a lady’s guiding hand. Lady Jeyne looks ready to jump into the sea. She needs comfort. Do you not see this?” you ask him. His silence is all you need. “I can calm them. You cannot. This is what you need of me.”
