Kate was dwarfed by the young man. She lead him out with little assistance. What race the man was, she had no clue. It would not surprise her if he was a creature created by years of breading or experimentation. He was her gift and he was broken, sick, starved and who knew what other damage befell him. She would take care of her gift and he would be her companion for the journey home.<br/><br/>Once outside her father's ship was docked just a few meters to the right. She saw the expressions of gaps, questions in whispers and pointed fingers. Kate held her gift to her and once at the gangplank she hailed the captain she had known all her life, "Captain Stanvish. Permission to come aboard Please?"<br/><br/>The  captain was busy check a bill of lading and did see who was with Kate. He waved her on, "You may M' Lady. Your trunks have been taken to your cabin. My cabin boy Arron is at your beck n call." Kate walks slowly with her gift. She raised her hood from her cloak and placed it over her gift's head. The man held his head down pained with every step. Kate held his waist and lead him to her cabin in the aft part of the ship. "This part of the ship does not pitich and sway as bad as the front."<br/><br/>The cabin boy of 12 was at her door and opened it for her. Kate looks at him. He was a scawney boy, small and skinny his skin tanned and he was dressed in over sized shirt and pant that were up to his ankles. "Arron, bring us tea, a hot meal of chicken, soup and fresh break. I need a basin, fresh water and the softest cloth and sponges you can find. Thank you."<br/><br/>The boy bows and rushed from her. Kate eased her gift to her bed. She closed the curtains to dim the light. She rolls up her sleeves and drops her satchel in a chair that she pulls up by the bed. "You may lie down and rest. I know you hurt and are starving."<br/><br/>Once the boy brings in the pitcher and basin. Kate starts to clean her gift's face. She sees his is wearing a heavy thick collar with spikes and can feel there is energy from it. "I will remove you collar once we are among practitioners of the dark arts. I don't want to damage you more than you are."