Shan Zuk shivered, the cold winter air mixed with the moist spray of the restless sea permeated more than the tengu’s ruffled oily black feathers, going straight for skin and bones. His being avian is perhaps one reason but the tengu has weathered worse than this when he started working for Arano’s shipping business, plying with ships in all sorts weather conditions.  Personally he still wished this trip would have gone through calmer and warmer clime.<br/><br/>He exchanged a few chats with the<em>Savanna Grace’s</em>helmsman beside him, diverting his attention from the biting cold and dampness, at the same time taking pointers to enhance further his extensive know-hows on piloting ships.  For he will soon be the permanent helmsman of the airship, the<em>Yuuki</em>, Arano’s keepsake to him and four other chosen recipients in his last will and testament.  He tried spying on his future crewmates from his vantage point.  Although he scarcely knows of them when they boarded the<em>Savanna Grace</em>, he will have to make it a point to know each and every one of them, just enough at first, so that they would work cohesively once they are onboard the Yuuki.<br/><br/>Even though left with one eye, Shan Zuk spotted the sailor rushing towards him from the main deck, and already discerns his purpose.<strong>“Shan Zuk!?”</strong>he said, wanting to be heard from the din of the wind and waves around.<strong>“I am he,” </strong>the tengu simply replied.<strong>“Captain Sarafina requests you, and the other four guests’ presence at the bow, by the ballista! She waits there as we speak!”</strong>Shan Zuk looked thoughtful for a moment.<strong>“Very well, I shall go!”</strong>He proceeded on without delay.<br/><br/>The tengu finally joined with the others by the ship’s bow, where its exotic captain stood , waiting for all to be gather before addressing them.  She briefly presented two items of note, which she retrieved from a specially warded chest which lay by her feet.   One is a fancy-looking compass that is said to aid them in getting to their destination, which is handed to a Halfling woman present, and designated as the<em>Yuuki’s</em>navigator, Bonnie Lass.  Finally, the vessel containing Arano Yuuki’s ashes is entrusted to the one who will become captain.  Shan Zuk bows to Aaron Windwhiper in recognition.<strong>“Congratulations, captain.”</strong>To the rest he bows again.<strong> “I am Shan Zuk.  I’ll be your trustworthy helmsman from now on.”</strong><br/>