John
"Be brave, be strong. I have faith in you." *He sat and waited, his eye on her exit. He didn't like being alone in the dark. He needed to be secure in the light... Darkness was a cage over the soul and mind. He didn't like cages - or the dark for that matter, regardless. He was loyal to her and would wait, even if he was scared inside.*

*The splashes caught him off guard. He knew from the day they've had that fish made noise. Even so, why was he surrounded by a sinking feeling? He felt outmatched in the dark, his vision already impaired. He needed to be secure in himself.*

*Where was she...? He stood up and began to pace a little. She would have been out by now... Maybe she is hiding? She would have sent Shrike... Did something happen? It was then, just as he was about to head down there, he heard the sound of scraping claws. Before he even knew it, he was surrounded by small Kobold lizards... Their small, crude daggers and sharpened fangs seemed more like needles to him, but with so many around him... It would be a hard fight. He was about to ask them to state their business and fuck off when he heard Ves.*

*He spun around, thankful to hear her when he noticed Kip. The anger began to bubble once more, like a kettle over a fire... Slowly building. Björn stared silently at Kip, his one good eye beginning to glaze over.* "Manhandle my Ves again, and you won't receive any mercy from the Gods." *He stated. There was no malice in his voice, simply a stated fact. Slowly, he could feel a rush of energy. A fight was brewing and if it was between Ves and his own life, he'd choose Ves every time.* "So, let's pretend you have the upper hand... Kip." *He spat his name.* "What now? How do you possibly plan to use your rag-tag crew to keep not only myself at bay, but Ves? Do you take her small stature for weakness? I pity you, I really do." *A smile began to creep across his face. A smile Ves nor Kip had seen before. It was a salivating grimace that spoke only one word into the heart

S of those around him: Hunger.*

*Björn looked around him, counting the amount of Kobold... The odds were even, but Kobolds had weak bones, softer scales and were cowardly.* "Please enlighten me." *He said through his wicked grin.* "What is your next move?" *Even though Björn carried no weapon, no armor, and was surrounded, something radiated danger. And the feeling only grew as Ves would notice the flame of anger in his eyes getting brighter and brighter.*

||
Christina
The Kobold formed a loose circle around Björn, grinning like Kip so often did. A few looked past the Goliath towards Ves and there was a hunger in their eyes as well. They spoke in Draconic and Ves' eyes widened in panic. Her ears folded all the way back against her skull at their words. 

"Get off me!" Ves growled as she struggled in Kip's tightening grip. She felt the blade press hard to her neck and a few droplets of blood ran down the blade. Freezing, Ves took a few deep breaths. *Be strong. Be brave.* She repeated the mantra quietly and tried to meet Björn's eye. Trying to communicate something to him with her eyes.

**"You'll just excuse yourself off my boat,"** Kip replied simply. **"Or you'll see your precious Ves die. It's really as easy as that. After all, the reward for her is offered whether alive or dead. So do me a favor and kindly jump overboard. Maybe with a little luck you'll drow—ah!"**

Kip blinked in surprise as Ves jerked suddenly, one foot stomping down as hard as she could onto his toe. Her hand flew up at the same time, touching the amulet around her neck, silently calling for Shrike. **"You bitch!"** He snarled, grabbing her by her horn and pressing the knife back to her throat. Ves couldn't help but whimper when she felt the dagger cutting through the soft scales of her neck.

||
John
*The temperament of Björn broke when he saw the hunger in their eyes towards Ves. He didn't speak their tongue, but it made Ves terrified, fearful for her life, enough to struggle. It shattered more as her blood ran down his blade. Her... Red... Blood...*

*In that moment, Björn saw a one-to-one recreation of Solaire's torture and death. How he was made to watch, shackled and beaten to the edge of consciousness. How she screamed, begged for mercy, begged for forgiveness, for death. He would not see Ves suffer as she did. He couldn't take another minute of it.*

*'Clever girl' Björn thought with a grin as she stomped on his foot, summoning Shrike. It was in this moment, Björn said one thing:* "Gajeel, guide my strikes." *He began to shake, holding his head as he was granted his strength to fight, horns growing from his head and starlight swirling around his fists like gauntlets made from stardust. Shrike already knew what to do and immediately dove for Kip's eye with all his might!*

*Björn's eye whited out as his rage came to the surface, roaring with animalistic fury. He wished for Ves' forgiveness as he felt his body and mind lose connection. Ursa grabbed the first terrified Kobold by the neck and immediately pummeled him into the hardwood deck, his skull bending around his fist. The other Kobold immediately pounced onto him with hisses and cries. Fang, claw and blade sank into him - the rush was heavenly to him. They realised their folly as he began to laugh maniacally, throwing Kobolds from his back and breaking bones. Throats were ripped out between his large, crushing teeth. His Celestial fists collided with their bodies and blades with loud blasts of sound as his own bones broke and reformed under the pressure of his rage.*

*One would take a clawed strike to his chest, drawing blood. Björn began to rip at the wound, high from the rush of pain he felt. He covered his face in his own blood and continued his assault while Shrike aimed to take the eye of the shame

Ful and dirty Kobold Kip with an ear-splitting screech.*

||
Christina
Kip yelled as the familiar swooped in his face, letting Ves' horn go to try and shoo the bird away. He swiped uselessly at the too-fast Shrike, barely managing to dodge the dangerously sharp beak. But Shrike's onslaught was a constant threat and, with a frustrated snarl, Kip threw Ves to the ground and began to swing at Shrike with his dagger. 

Kip didn't see what was happening, but Ves did. Her wide eyes watched as Björn transformed, horns sprouting from his head and the stars collecting around his fists. Before she could fully process what was happening, blood from a nearby Kobold splashed across her face. He was being ripped apart, shredded like meat, and fell to the ground before her. She saw the light leave his eyes as he gurgled for air.

They were all dying. Björn was tearing through them all, fueled by rage and hatred and Ves didn't know what else. She tried to scramble to her feet, but the deck was slick with blood and she couldn't get any traction. She scooted backwards, towards the side of the ship and away from Kip. 

Another Kobold spotted her and broke away from the pack attacking Björn. He ran at her, grabbing her by her shirt and lifting her into the air. Startled, Ves immediately began to kick and struggle, aiming a few good kicks at the Kobold's gut. He grunted in pain and Ves felt him drop her - right off the side of the ship! She hit the icy water with a gasp and went under.

Those Kobold remaining made a break for it. They launched themselves off Kip's boat and onto their own small rowboats. 

||
John
*Björn chased them off the sides of the boat, ripping flesh and muscle as he did so. One Kobold was scrambling away as Björn grabbed his leg and bit down hard... Severing flesh and scale. It was in this state that he saw one familiar grey Kobold in the water. It was Ves!*

*Björn didn't have time for his rage to end. He didn't even have a second to breathe. He gave a loud grunt to Shrike who responded with a shrill shriek; they both understood the task at hand. As Shrike began to speed up, getting more and more aggressive with wing flap, pecks and talon scrapes, Björn dove into the water after her.*

*The water was dark... Too dark. Even an enraged Björn was capable of fear. The darkness surrounded him - practically engulfed him - save for the light from his Celestial gauntlets. That's how he saw her. Scrambling against cold shock and the rage's demand for oxygen, Björn acted fast and used all his strength to propel himself through the water. He reached out a large, gauntleted hand and grasped her shirt, pulling her up behind him. He prayed she was alive. He would not cope if she wasn't. He would snap forever.*

*As the boats fled, Björn scaled the ship as best he coukd with her body in his arms. He threw her over the top before he made it up himself. If Shrike was still living at this point, Kip would be distracted and ready for all the rage the Goliath had to spare. He was wild eyed and animalistic, snarling on all fours like a caged beast - like a pit dog.*

||
Christina
Ves kicked desperately under the water. Kobold weren't really made for swimming. Her wet clothing immediately threatened to drag her under as she struggled. It was hard to know which way was up. *Be brave. Be strong.* She resisted the panic that rose to overwhelm her and tried not to inhale water. 

She felt something grab her and for a moment feared for the worst. She felt herself pulled through the water and gasped as she broke the surface. Coughing, she realized she was being carried by Björn, who threw her back aboard Kip's ship. She coughed up some seawater as she rolled onto her side.

Kip had seen his fellows disengage and knew he was in trouble. Batting Shrike aside at last with a cruel blow, he cursed and made a snap decision. Choosing to abandon his boat rather than his life, he ran to the railing and leaped off onto one of the fleeing rowboats. **"Row you fools!"** He snapped at the three other Kobold in the boat with him. They began to row for their lives, but panic made them slow.

||
John
*Björn's head immediately snapped in the direction of the* **COWARDS** *And immediately leap off the boat once more, into the freezing embrace of pain. He relished it, he loved it, he* **NEEDED** *It! His body craved the feeling of pain. He lived and would die by it! But not before making them p-* **BLEED** *Ay.*

*Swimming with the skill of a child but the strength of a mountain, Björn began to make his approach. With destroyed vocal chords, he screamed as he did so, screeching:* "COME BACK YOU COWARDS! I'VE ONLY JUST BEGUN! YOUR SCREAMS WILL BE MY PLEASURE!" *He grabbed the side of the rowboat and began to drag himself onto it, threatening to capsize the vessel... Which it did.*

*In the cold embrace of the water, Björn began to hunt. His horned, bloody, twisted face scanned the murky waves for Kip. He wanted* **THAT FREAK** *Screaming. He wanted him dead. He wanted him so* **FUCKING** *Dead.*

*Spotting him, all troubles and physical limitations went away. He began to scramble through the water with malicious intent, his hands scraping and clawing at the water as if he could already grab him. He needed to get him, he needed to kill him in that instant moment or else nothing mattered.*

||
Christina
Ves heard Björn's screams of rage and struggled to climb to her feet. Blood and seawater mixed on the deck of the ship and she stared at the dead bodies surrounding her. She had seen plenty of death before, but nothing quite like this. It turned her stomach and threatened to make her sick. She somehow managed not to vomit as she stumbled to the side of the ship.

Holding herself up by the railing, Ves struggled to see what was happening. It was dark, but she could make out Björn's pale form swimming towards the retreating rowboat. He flipped the entire boat over and Ves lost them in the chaos of splashing and shadows. "Björn!" She shouted, her hands gripping the railing tightly. Where was he?! 

Kip shouted in alarm as Björn started crawling onto the boat, successfully capsizing them. The male Kobold hit the water and went under. Unlike Ves, Kip knew how to swim and immediately got his bearings. He swam towards the surface... But wasn't fast enough. He felt Björn's hands wrap around his leg and pull him back down. Grimacing, Kip attempted to claw at Björn's face, aiming for his good eye. But his movements were slowed by the water. 

||
John
*Kip's attack on Björn wouldn't have been wise. He grasped his wrist and with a squeeze and a bend and snapped it with zero effort. His face was a sickening image, taking immense pleasure in his work. He lived for* **THE THRILL** *Of the hunt.*

*Björn then began to try and beat him in the water, his arms moving towards him even if slightly slowed by the water. He roared in his face, dangerously lowering his remaining air. He didn't give a* **SHIT** *Because all that mattered in his life was* **GLORY AND BLOOD** *. He would slowly move his hands to Kip's neck, attempting to strangle him.*

*Shrike was badly hurt from the attack from Kip, but he heard his Owner's call for Björn and knew what to do to help. He slowly flitted up and began to fly in bursts towards the capsized boat. He then made a caw and dove into the water, emitting a final glowing red light as he gave himself to get Björn's attention. Making him stop and look towards Ves.*

||
Christina
Kip was easily overpowered by the Goliath. Björn's hands wrapped around his neck and bubbles escaped from his nose. He began to struggle, kicking and clawing violently at Björn, trying to break free. There was true panic in his eyes as he knew he was about to die. He opened his mouth to scream soundlessly.

Ves watched as Shrike flew out across the water. Glowing red, the bird folded his wings and dove into the sea. As he did so, Ves spotted Björn with Kip in his grasp. "Björn!" She shouted again and reached out for him as though they could touch. "Come back to me... Please!" She begged, "Come back."

She didn't care about the traitorous Kip. Let the bastard drown. But Björn... He was hurt and bleeding and had been under the water's surface for too long. If he didn't emerge and breathe air soon, he'd be lost to her. She didn't have the physical capability to pull him out from a watery grave. 

Kip had stopped struggling. His lifeless body twitched in Björn's hands. His eyes were dull and stared blankly ahead at nothing. There was no sign of the other Kobold who went down with the capsized rowboat. The water was still.

||
John
*Björn hesitated, he wanted to find them all and* **RIP THEM TO SHREDS!** *But he felt a call to Ves. He couldn't explain it. He knew that Shrike had given himself in a last ditch attempt. Why couldn't he* **JUST KILLED EVERYONE** *? He simply wanted to* **END EVERYONE'S LIFE** *And wasn't able to... Still gripping Kip by the shoulder, Björn began to swim back to the boat*

*He couldn't explain it, but the way she reached out her hand, he felt something touch his soul. Past the rage, past the hatred and past the magic... Something touched deep inside him. He needed to fulfill his oath to Ves. He swore it then and deep in his enraged mind, he swore it now.*

*Climbing up the ship, he threw the unconscious Kip onto the boat's deck before pulling himself up. His gauntlets were flickering and his horns were cracked like broken stone. Björn was truly getting exhausted. He stared at Ves with an unknown savagery, growling like he once did to her when she first approached his cell. His teeth were covered in flesh and blood and scales of varying hues. He bore them at her with intent as he seemed to not even recognise her. He didn't, who was* **THIS BITCH** *And why was she* **IN MY WAY** *? He watched her, waiting for her move.*

||
Christina
Ves exhaled as Björn surfaced and began to swim back to the boat, dragging Kip along. She took a few shaky steps back to give him the space to climb back on board. Kip's limp body landed near her and Ves looked at it with her own flash of rage. She clenched a tiny fist and bit down on the inside of her cheek.

A snarl brought her focus back to Björn. He stood towering over her, his teeth bared and bloody. He looked monstrous, covered in various wounds that were bleeding freely. Her ears flicked backwards as she took a step forward, then paused. Instinct was telling her to run. Her heart was telling her to approach, to *Trust* In Björn. He wouldn't hurt her. 

Swallowing her fear, Ves took another step forward. She held out her hands like she had when they first met, signaling that she meant no harm. "Easy... Easy, Björn, it's me... It's your Ves," She said soothingly. It was like approaching a wild rabid animal. She knew she had to be careful.

"You know me. Remember? We escaped the pits together. We ran from the Orcs and crossed the border together. We bathed together. We... We made love. You know me. I'm your Ves. Just take a deep breath. Be brave. Be strong. Please... I can't lose you. I... I love you..." Her voice cracked and tears appeared in her eyes as she gazed at him desperately. 

||
John
*Björn looked down at her with unbridled rage. This insignificant* **LIZARD** *Was in his way and he needed to remove her* **LIMBS** *From the ship. Instead of being a coward like the rest of* **HER KIND** *, she approached him.*

*She spoke, in that soothing, shaky,* **WEAK** *Voice she spoke. His audio was muffled as if is, but he could make out some of it. She slowly got closer... Why did she persist?* **DID SHE WANT TO DIE** *? No, this wasn't a Kobold. This was...* "Ves..." *He said, in the rage still, but beginning to hesitate. His memory began to reboot as he remembered all they had shared and been through.*

*How they escaped, travelled, slept together and been lovers. He knew her. She was Ves. She was his lover. She was... Crying? Her scales felt warm on his frozen body, it was soothing. He heard her clearly say her last sentence as his eye began to return to normal, the horns crumbled into stone from his head and the gauntlets began to flicker and dissipate. Slowly, the anger faded back into his mind as he looked at her, recognising her truly.* "Ves..."

||
Christina
Was she getting through to him? He wasn't launching into an attack and so she continued moving forward. Slowly she reached out to him, to take his hand in hers. She intertwined their fingers like she loved to do. Slowly the rage faded from his eyes and recognition took its place. Ves breathed a sigh of relief when he spoke her name.

"Björn..." She smiled. She closed the distance between them, throwing her arms around him in a tight embrace. "Thank the gods... I was so worried..." She murmured into him. Then she withdrew, gazing up at him, still retaining physical contact. She felt that if she let go, he might be lost to her again. "You're hurt. And you're freezing. We need to get you warmed up." She didn't even notice that her own teeth were chattering.

She tried not to look around at all the bodies. Bodies they would have to take care of eventually. As for Kip... He coughed suddenly and choked as water came up from his lungs. He inhaled sharply and opened his eyes, sitting up slowly. Spotting the Goliath only feet away, he began to retreat again, looking like he was ready to jump back in the water and make a swim for shore. **"Let's..."** He coughed. **"Let's just discuss this like rational folk. No harm done, right?"**

Ves' eyes flashed in anger and she scowled fiercely at the other Kobold. "No *Harm done?!* Björn is hurt! Shrike is... Gods... Shrike..." Another tear rolled down her cheek. "Plenty of harm has been done!" She still gripped Björn's hand, squeezing it tightly. Nevermind that her neck was sliced deeply or that she was near-freezing herself after being in the water. The only one who mattered was Björn.

**"Yes, and most of my crew is dead! Let's just... Call it even, shall we? I'll take you back to shore and we'll never see each other ever again."**

||
John
*Björn was... Exhausted. He had made mincemeat of his paltry crew. He was absolutely drained as the last of his horns crumbled to the floor in chunks of a rocky chalk. He could hardly stand as he held her hand and felt her arms around him... Did she say she loved him?! Was he hallucinating? He didn't know, all he knew was the pain he was in was so so so needed.*

*His voice was hoarse, broken like when they first met - providing some much needed context to his condition.* "Don't... Look at the corpses... I fix." *He said with the most drowsy tone. He was concerned with Ves and reached to the floor where in the struggle, his furs fell from him. He placed them around her and began to pat her dry.* "I... Got you."

*Seeing Kip come back to consciousness made the anger flash back. He was tired but he wasn't done. He snarled, baring teeth with bits of his crews flesh stuck to them. His beard was a coppery colour with blood.* "You... You hurt Ves and think you get away?" *He laughed, spitting some blood out. He moved past Ves and grabbed him by the neck, not strangling but enough to keep him from escaping. He held him up effortlessly as a sickening grin covered his face.*

*He heard the stands, chanting his name over and over: Ursa! Ursa! Ursa! He heard the drums, he knew it was time to execute his foe in glory for his Masters... But then he wasn't there anymore. He was Björn, not Ursa. Ursa died in that body pit. He looked to Ves with an expression struggling to remain calm.* "He hurt you. You choose." *He said this because if it was up to him, he wouldn't grant mercy. He needed her rational mind... Well more so than his own.*

||
Christina
Ves stood shivering as Björn grabbed Kip, lifting him off the ground. The other Kobold kicked and struggled, raking his claws down Björn's arms. Ves began to turn away, not wanting to see the killing blow, when Björn turned to her. *You choose,* He said and Ves blinked in surprise.

She had never been in charge of a man's fate before. What should she do? Let Björn kill him? He certainly deserved it. Ves remembered what his crew had said and the hunger in their eyes. They had been prepared to do the worst to her. They were going to turn her in and she would have surely been killed... Or enslaved. The thought made a shiver of terror run up her spine. Kip should die. Let him pay for his crimes.

But no. Ves was no killer. Her mind whirled. She didn't want Kip to get off without punishment. So how? Then it occurred to her and a devious smile spread across her face. "Toss him overboard," She said with determination in her voice. "We're taking his boat and everything on it."

Kip's eyes widened at the verdict and he shouted **"You can't!"** But Ves only smiled. She gave a nod to Björn. "If he tries to climb back on board, kill him." Kip would have no choice but to swim for his very life. If he was lucky, he'd make it to shore. If not... Well, a watery grave was what he deserved. And she and Björn? They had a boat, a place to stay and a way to travel... So long as they could figure out how to sail. But that would come later. 

||
John
"Then it's settled." *Björn took aim at the water before but before he could, he decided to leave him with a parting gift he grabbed one of Kip's clawed fingers and with some resistance, forced it into his own eye! He wasn't sure if he would be blinded but it would hurt. He pulled him close, intimately close and stated to him in a calm manner.* "If I ever see you again, and I hope I don't... I will render you limb from limb and leave you taped to a tree covered in honey. Am I clear?!" *He then grabbed him, punched his head one last time and threw him overboard.*

*As he heard the splash of Kip hitting the water below, Björn dropped to one of his knees as his rage left him. He wheezed and looked at his hands... They were covered in blood. His face was covered too, his teeth, his skin... He was exhausted beyond belief.* "Ves... Water. Please." *It was the first time he ever said please to her. Even as he was coming out of a blind rage, he was learning.*

*Björn pressed himself against one of the sides of the ship and looked at his wounds. Most would heal with time, he had worse in the Pits... He looked at Ves with worry in his eye, he didn't know if she was scared of him or not.*

||
Christina
Ves nodded her head. It seemed like a fitting end for Kip. When Björn dropped to his knee, Ves leaped into action. She grabbed the furs he was using as towels and went quickly to his side. She offered him her trusty waterskin as she began to tug his wet clothes off of him, her movements gentle despite the urgency. "We've got to get you warm," She murmured. Her own soaked clothing could wait. Björn was in desperate need.

"Finish undressing and get under those furs. I saw some blankets below deck. I'll go get them." And she was off, darting as quickly as her little bruised and bloody body would let her. She disappeared from sight but this time it didn't take her long at all to return. She carried a few thick blankets in her arms and began covering Björn in them.

"We've got to care for your wounds... You're hurt," She stated the obvious. "I'm so sorry, Björn. This is all my fault. I'm the one they were after and you got hurt because of me..." Tears filled her eyes again, but she didn't let them spill. She had to take care of Björn before anything else. He needed her.

Moving to her satchel, she pulled out a few rolls of bandages. There weren't nearly enough for all his injuries. She would have to shred a blanket, unless Kip had more medical supplies somewhere on board. Well, at least the seawater had washed Björn's wounds for her. She got to work wrapping the more severe injuries first, all the way mentally berating herself for what had happened. 

||
John
"Ves... Don't blame yourself." *He said as she prepared her medical supplies. The blankets were good, needed and cosy. He tried to reach out to her but his arms were heavy, damaged muscle cramped him, forcing him to stay down.*

"They tried to hurt you, I would gladly do what I did and what I felt again to keep you safe." *He gave a weak smile to her.* "You were so brave... Good Ves." *He closed his eyes as he took a pained inhale. Feeling his ribs he could tell that he had broken at least one.*

*It was remarkable, the abilities of a Barbarian or Bezerker... Their tolerance and gluttony for pain, savage natures and their ability to keep going, pushing their bodies past the limit of normal men. Each bout of rage could force their heart to give out, a bone could pierce a vital organ, they could choke on their own blood and adrenaline. Some say their powers as a boon... It was Infact a curse. Björn felt that he wasn't an angry child... Just wanted a home.*

||
Christina
She barked a bitter little laugh as she worked on tending to his wounds. The tears began to fall in earnest then, making the work more difficult. She wiped at her eyes, angry at herself for crying. "I was so scared..." She whispered as she secured a bandage and moved on to the next wound. She didn't specify *What* Exactly had scared her. 

She was shivering violently by then and had to pause. Her fingers were so frozen that she couldn't really move them. She blew on her hands to warm them, then began to get undressed as well. Blood trickled down her neck and she could feel her own bruises forming. Still, it was nothing when compared to her lover. Her heart ached to see him in such a state.

Finding a blanket for herself, she wrapped it around her shoulders and continued trying to warm her hands. She needed to get back to work. "You were so brave, Björn," She said as she lifted her eyes to meet his gaze. "Thank you for saving me. Without you I would have been lost."

||
John
*Björn paused and looked at her with a silent concern. He forced himself to sit up and look at her properly.* "You are the bravest girl I know... Even if you're the only girl I know. You did amazing... I have to ask though Ves, what did they do to you? What did they say to scare you?" *He reached out, rubbing her hand with his own heavily bruised one.*

*He used the momentum to pull her towards him, sharing his body warmth with her - regardless of how little there was. A memory stirred of a man telling him to stay close in a burst of white small dots... It confused him, he had never seen the white flurry before.* "Come. Stay warm. I would do all I did tonight and more if it meant you'd be safe. And now... We have a boat. How nice is that?" *He gave a small, hoarse laugh to try and cheer her up.*

"You should thank Shrike. He was the one to show me you were in danger. He pulled me back... I should explain to you what that was. I have a connection with the stars, the constellations that form in the sky. Sure I can use my anger to push my body like I did then but that magic around my hands, the horns... That's my connection to the stars. To the Constellation of the Minotaur. I heard they are mighty horned beasts who roam in tunnels and ruins. Beasts of legend... Beasts who live surrounded by stone."

*He paused to shiver and clear his throat.*" It pushes my body just like my rage does... But it has drawbacks." *He looked up at the sky towards the horned visage of the Minotaur, shining brighter than usual.*

||
Christina
Ves cuddled closer to Björn, glad for the extra warmth. It was a good idea. They could share body heat and hopefully defeat the chill together. Her tail curled around her ankle. "They threatened to..." She began, her ears folding backwards against her skull. "They said they would have some *Fun* With me before turning me over to the Orcs. They said I would be beaten and enslaved and..." 

Ves shook her head, trembling slightly and not just from the cold. "We do. We have a boat and we can use it to explore further. It'll be safer too. No one will think to look out to sea." Assuming they could figure out how to sail. Surely it wasn't that difficult. If Kip could do it, she could too. It was just a matter of learning how. Ves clenched her jaw in determination.

She listened intently as he explained his abilities, at a loss for words. She barely even understood what he was talking about. Magic was fascinating... And scary. Her ears lowered at the mention of Shrike. He had given his life to help them. Her crying began again. "I'm so sorry, Björn. Shrike... He... He's gone..." There was such sorrow in her voice. She barely knew the familiar, but his loss affected her deeply.

||
John
*Björn listened silently to her... He was angry at those freakish things for even entertaining the idea. He put his arms around her - loose enough that if she wanted to, she could easily move away if she felt the need to.* "Ves, I promise you." *He took her hand in his and pressed it to his chest.* "As long as that still beats, I will never let that happen to you. Not to someone as clever and kind as you." *He let her hand go.*

*Björn gave her a reassuring smile.* "Yeah, the boat could be a good idea... Maybe that shitstain left a handbook or log downstairs. We could use that to our advantage if so. I can read common so as long as it is in that, I can direct us."

*He hugged her as she began to cry.* "I know, I know... But what is gone doesn't stay that way for long..." *He reached out to her neck rubbed the amulet in between his fingers. A soft thrum was felt as the amulet had a faint red shimmer within it.* "Shrike will be back... It just will take some time. I can see you care for him. I have no issue with you being his handler." *He wiped her tears away.*

||
Christina
Ves moved closer to Björn, seeking the comfort of his embrace. She nestled her head against his shoulder. When he touched the amulet, Ves was surprised to feel the thrum of life. Her eyes widened at Björn's words, her ears perking up. "Truly?" She asked with wonder in her voice. "Is that something that familiars do?" She really had no idea.

She touched the amulet and closed her eyes for a moment. "Thank you, Shrike. We couldn't have done this without you." If the bird hadn't grabbed Björn's attention, would he have drowned? Ves didn't want to think about such a possibility. It pained her to imagine a life without the Goliath. Would she even survive? How could she continue on?

Ves shook the thought aside. That was not her reality. Her reality was one where Björn had survived and now held her close. With her hands warmed back up, she began to tend to his wounds again. Running out of bandages, she tore a blanket into long strips and began to use those instead. He had so many injuries! How was he still conscious? If she had been hurt that badly, she would have been dead. 

"Are you sure? About me being Shrike's handler? It's your amulet. I don't want to take it from you."
John
*Björn gave a small, weak laugh.* *Truly, and yes... I do not mind at all. Besides, Shrike belongs to me somehow. Remember at the tavern, when I called him to me? He listens to me and if I need him, he is there. Letting you be his handler won't change that." *He smiled once more, he liked being able to explain things. It made him feel like he wasn't a numbskull.*

*He winced as she wrapped some of the deeper wounds, before biting the inside of his lip slightly.* "Careful, some of them sting a little. I didn't know the sea was salty." *He watched her quietly tending to his wounds. He knew fully that he would recover in a matter of days, but how would Ves fair? In her mind she was nearly assaulted, enslaved, lost Shrike and could have lost himself.*

"Ves, I need you to know that I am here for you. Whatever they said was them talking big words, nothing else. If someone wanted to do something, they'd do it. That's how cruel the world is. But with you in it... My world is a little less cruel."

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Christina
"Well, so long as I don't take him from you, then I'll be Shrike's handler. Though what does that even mean? What will I need to do?" Ves tilted her head at Björn in curiosity. Was there something special she needed to know? She was eager to learn whatever it might be. 

"Sorry!" She apologized as she pulled one bandage a bit too tight. She wanted the edges of the wounds to be as close as possible so they could heal well. Still, she knew it was painful. "I wish we could find a healer somewhere," She said wistfully. 

When he spoke, she lifted her eyes to study him. She reached for his hand and intertwined their fingers. "I know. I know how cruel the world can be. I've seen it. I just..." She shuddered involuntarily. "I'm so glad to have met you, Björn. I'm so lucky to have you in my life. With you, I feel safe." Ves lifted his hand to her lips and gently kissed his bloody and bruised knuckles. 

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John
"Nothing really, just spend time with him. Bond with him. He likes looking at seeds if that helps." *He laughed, holding his side as he did so. He wished that they never met Kip or took him up on his offer. Especially after how he acted...*

"It's okay! Don't worry. You're trying your best and doing great." *He gave some encouragement as best he could. Already he could feel his body tending to itself, his muscles twitched reflexively as they worked on healing naturally.* "I'm glad to have met you too Ves. You probably would have left me behind if I didn't try to show my want to be saved... You freed me. I am forever grateful till the day I die for that. No matter what happens along the way."

*He let her kiss his knuckles... They were very damaged but already seemed to be starting it's recovery process. The area around where his horns were and around his eyes was cracked like someone took a pickaxe to a stone - creating jagged and imperfectly unique cuts into his skin. They would heal over time, he needed to focus on recovery.* "In honesty, I was worried you would fear me for what I did. I mean... I have eaten chunks of flesh and done so much more. I feel I have grown weaker since leaving the Pits however..."

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Christina
As he reminded her of what he had done, Ves glanced away. Her eyes traveled across the deck of the boat, at the shredded remains of the Kobold crew. The blood was everywhere and likely to stain the wooden deck red. There were entrails strewn about and some of them even twitched. She could smell the coppery scent in the air. Ves felt sick and so she turned back to Björn.

"You *Were* Scary," She admitted quietly. "But... You are Björn. I knew you were killing, but I also knew you weren't going to kill me. Maybe that's just foolish of me, but I wasn't truly afraid. Not of you." She gently pressed her hand to his heart and smiled up at him. She placed her opposite hand against his cheek. 

The night was beginning to fade as dusk fell upon them. Ves was grateful for the light. She felt safer during the day and she knew that Björn would feel better as well. It also meant the start of work and Ves appreciated keeping busy. It kept her mind occupied.

It was beginning to occur to her what words she had spoken in her attempt to coax Björn back to her. *I love you.* That's what she had said. Had Björn heard her? Surely he had. So was he just avoiding bringing it up? Did he want to avoid the subject? Why? So many intrusive thoughts clawed at Ves' mind and she chewed anxiously on the inside of her cheek.

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John
*Björn tool a deep inhale. It was hard to deny that he was addicted to the smell of blood in the air. It's all he ever knew. In the Pits, it would give him a rush of high.* "I will handle the bodies. Kip said fish are attracted to 'chum'. That's how I will dispose of them. Maybe bring more fish in while you figure out how to sail?" *It was a clever idea; using the body disposal to turn a profit.*

*He felt a bit disheartened as she spoke. He knew she was meaning well but...* "I could've hurt you. Seriously hurt you. What if one day you get hurt by me in the crossfire? What if I mistake you for prey? What if I..." *He shuddered. If he ever killed her...* "No. I can't think like that. We will figure it out, together right?" *He held her hand on his cheek and closed his eyes. The bags under his eyes was evident... It was then it dawned on him (as the sun began to) that he hadn't slept a wink.*

*Björn had heard her words. He just didn't know what they meant. So he avoided bringing it up. He didn't want to be seen as dumb to someone as clever as her. He would instead learn what it meant first... So he could better understand the Kobold he felt so strongly for.* "Ves, words don't manage to show just what you mean to me."

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Christina
It *Was* A clever idea, but Ves' stomach churned at the thought. She didn't want to think about how to dispose of bodies. She noticed his fretting and nodded her agreement. "We will figure it out together. I will run and hide if I need to, Björn. But I think I can trust my instincts." *Think?* She didn't sound terribly confident. 

Her smile warmed at his words and her scales flashed a light shade of red. She ducked her head shyly, tail curling around her feet. Still the doubt nagged at her. It had felt good to say it. It had felt right. But now... What if he didn't feel the same way? He had said it once already, but it was mumbled drunkenly. Had he meant it? Or was he talking to shadows again?
 
The sunrise turned the sky red and violet and Ves breathed a sigh of relief. A new day was beginning. And as the light fell across Björn's face, she noted the exhaustion behind his eye. *First things first.* "You need rest before anything else. Are you warm enough? Stay beneath the blankets. Lay down and take a nap. I can keep watch." 

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John
"...*Think*?" *He questioned.* *Forgive me, I just don't want you getting hurt. Ever." *He paused and smiled at her.* "Something is on your mind Ves. Talk to me, please?" *He asked so softly, wanting her to feel safe and secure.*

*The sun warmed his face which felt like heaven.* "Finally, no more darkness..." *He shook his head as Ves spoke.* "No, no. I can't rest. I have to get rid of the bodies." *...But his body had other plans. He needed rest whether he liked it or not. His eyes began to droop as he yawned.*

"Okay... Maybe just... One nap? Five minutes." *He looked to Ves.* "Five minutes only, okay?" *He reached forward and pulled her into a warm embrace.* "I... Care about you. A lot, okay?" *He blushed as the said those words, that's all he could muster. His hold on her relaxed as he slowly closed his eyes and dropped from her arms to lay down flat on the floor. The pain in his face slowly melting away.*

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Christina
"Five minutes," She agreed, gently stroking his hair as they embraced. She held him close, smiling as she felt him slowly relax. Yes. It was right. It was good. She loved this Goliath. As unusual as it may be, she did. She loved Björn. 

Maybe one day she'd gather the courage to say it out loud again. 

Ves stood as soon as she was certain he was asleep. Her eyes scanned the horizon, keeping her gaze from focusing in on the bodies surrounding her. The waves lapped peacefully against the ship - *Their* Ship - and seabirds cawed in the distance. There was the shore to Broughton behind them. Everything was normal now. Nevermind the blood in the surrounding waters. 

Eventually, however, her eyes were drawn to the carnage and she lost herself in her thoughts. Not necessarily memories, but of Kobold kind in general. They were cowardly and traitorous people, everyone knew that. Dirty. Diseased. No wonder people didn't like them. Her ears lowered at the thought. And then another occurred to her: *Why am I different?*

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John
*Björn slept silently. He didn't snore, didn't dream, didn't move. One would think he was a corpse if not for the occasional rise and fall of his chest. This was the slumber of recovery, one he needed to survive.*

*The seabirds cried over the distant horizon as the waves did their fair share of lapping. It was serene, save for the Kobold corpses. Deep down, Björn wondered if Kip made it to shore. He doubted it in his mind.*

*Five minutes passed... And then some more. He remained asleep and motionless, his body working overtime to recover properly. He would definitely need a large meal after this. The first time Björn raged out, his trainer - an old, battered Orc that they kept in the cells - told him to sleep and remain still. Then immediately after, try to consume protein. His body needed the extra fuel to repair the muscles and the recovery sleep would help reduce the fatigue of fights. Even as a free man, he followed his teachings to the letter; letting himself sleep as long as he needed.*

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Christina
Time passed. Ves eventually found herself wandering the decks, nimbly avoiding stepping on any bodies. She counted the steps from one end to the other. She paced back and forth, deep in thought, though she kept her eyes on the water. She didn't want anyone sneaking up on them. 

She wouldn't wake Björn. He needed his rest. She had no one to teach her, but she knew sleep helped heal wounds. She had learned as much with her own recent leg injury. 

Ves heard her stomach rumble and sighed, moving back to her satchel. She dug through it, pulling out the dried traveling ration. It wasn't satisfying but it would do. Leaning against the railing she ate her fill, taking a deep breath. It smelled like seawater and fish and blood. Well. She had smelled worse.
John
*After some time, Björn shot up, eyes wide open. He looked around in shock before settling back into his usual demeanor. He stood up and walked over to the barrel of fish he caught the other day and grabbed one from the icy cold container and began to eat it raw. He knew how he must have looked to Ves, nibbling on her rations... But he needed this badly.*

*He threw the bones into an empty barrel as he sucked the juice from his fingers and looked at Ves.* "Good morning." *He smiled. Björn walked over to the side and grabbed a broom. Holding it firm in his grasp, he began to sweep the deck, pushing all the guts, bones and corpses towards one section of the deck near an empty barrel.* "I'm going to be doing what I need to over here. If you want something to do - argh -...Maybe loot through the lower deck? It'll smell nicer down there I'm sure. Maybe you can find a manual to sail this thing. I have faith in you, beautiful."

*His face went deep purple. WHYYYY DID HE SAYYYY THATTTT?! It just slipped out! Shit, he was more embarrassed than anything and simply decided the best way to avoid the situation he threw himself into was to throw himself headfirst into a barrel.* "Dropped something!" *Echoed from the barrel.* "Oh! Also! Try the amulet! I have a good feeling you'll cheer up!" *Came the Scottish voice from within the large barrel*

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Christina
Ves jumped a little when Björn suddenly jerked awake, blinking as she watched him stand and walk over to the barrel of fish. Oh. *Oh.* It seemed he was hungry. Well, eating raw fish wasn't *Too* Unusual. She had seen some Kobold do the same thing back home. Still, it grossed her out a little so she glanced away.

"That's a good idea. I'll head below deck," She replied quickly as though she had not heard the word at all. In actuality *Beautiful* Was ringing in her ears. She hurried along, barely catching the last words he spoke. Amulet? Could he possibly mean...?

Setting foot below deck, Ves waited for her eyes to adjust to the dim lighting. While she hesitated, she considered what Björn had said. Beautiful. He had called her beautiful. It had slipped off his tongue so casually, like it was an obvious thing everyone knew. Why? Her scales reddened. 

The heat in her cheeks made her remember what else Björn had said. Curious, she pressed her fingers against the amulet around her neck.

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John
*The sound of chopping and the wet slaps of meat were muffled from the relative safety of the lower deck. Beneath that noise, an even more muffled Björn was berating himself:* "Ursa you idiot! Why did you hide?! She probably thinks you're an idiot, damn it!" *He took his embarrassed anger out on the flesh before him, chopping it crudely and scooping it into buckets to prepare to fish. If Kip was good for one thing, it was teaching Björn how to fish.*

*As Ves pressed the amulet, the sound of an ethereal and famillair screech could be heard as the translucent glowing Corvid flew from the amulet with a puff of energy and flew around the room a few times, landing on a barrel at Ves' height.*

*Shrike tilted his head and hopped from side to side. She looked different somehow. Her red scales were throwing him off, that was obvious from how he began to look at his own red markings. He made a cawing sound as he got used to being alive again.*

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Christina
"Shrike!" She exclaimed gleefully, clapping her hands together in delight. She would have hugged him if she could. Instead she reached up to scratch the familiar's neck, petting the bird affectionately. It occurred to her a moment later that Shrike might not *Want* To be petted, so she pulled away.

"I'm sorry! I didn't mean to... I mean, can I...? Do you mind? Pet you?" She took a deep breath, her tail twitching in frustration at her rambling. "I'm just really glad to see you!"

She was confused. She had confessed her love for him and he gave no indication. And then a few hours later called her beautiful? It didn't make sense. Maybe he hadn't even heard her. Should she repeat herself? But if he *Had* Heard her then she'd look like a complete idiot. 

Anxiously tugging on an ear, Ves turned to begin to search the lower deck. It seemed to consist of one large room with two doors at one end. There were crates and barrels full of supplies and hammocks hanging from the large hooks. It would take some time to go through everything.

Walking to the end of the large room, she opened the door on the right. Peeking inside she recognized a bedroom of some sort - probably Kip's personal quarters. She'd have to raid that later. A Kobold as greedy as Kip would surely have some good treasure. It wasn't what she was looking for however. She then opened the door on the left which appeared to be an office. "Ah! Perfect. Maybe there will be something to help us sail away from here."

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