Chapter 63: Do you need help?

Irin felt bad for Koth. Despite her best efforts at healing him and making sure he got what he needed, he still felt nauseous most of the time, which made him grumpier than usual. It didn't help that the captain kept close to them when they were outside their cabin. She had no idea why; she didn't get the feeling he was interested in her, but of course that was how Koth interpreted it. Koth's mood wasn't improved by the fact that the thin walls, his sickness, and the inherent danger of trying to keep steady on the rolling ship meant they had stopped having sex. The first night, he had tried to convince her they should sleep in the bed so they could at least snuggle. That had stopped the moment the ship had hit a particularly big wave, and they would have been thrown out of bed if Koth hadn't quickly steadied them by flinging out his arm and finding the opposite wall of the cabin. After that, Irin had voted to use the hammocks. She found it a little unnerving to sleep in a piece of cloth swinging all over the place, but at least she didn't fall out, and it seemed to work for Koth as well. Irin and Koth stood out on the deck. They had survived their second day on the ship; only one left, and then the day after they would be arriving at the capital. It was dark, and the stars were out. They had come up on deck to let Koth get some fresh air before going to bed.

"I think I'm ready to head back down," he told her. She nodded and turned away from the sea.

"May I have a word with you, Irin?" She turned around and saw the captain walking towards them.

"Yes?" she asked.

"Alone," he said, glancing at Koth. Irin felt Koth tense up, and she was afraid he would send the captain into the ocean.

"It will be okay; go inside, and I will be right there," she told him, giving him a kiss on the cheek. Koth grunted, stared at the captain, but did as she asked.

"Now what is this about?" Irin asked in a more aggressive tone when she was sure Koth wasn't around.

"Maybe I just wanted to flirt with you?" Captain Hanook said with a smile. Irin huffed.

"I don't think so. You don't have the look."

"The look?"

"When a man finds a woman attractive, there is this look in his eyes. You don't have it. If you were crazy enough to risk flirting with me while my husband is on the same boat as you, then you would have really, really liked me," she explained.

"Ship," he said.

"Right, sorry. It's a very nice ship. So, what did you want to talk to me about?" The captain looked at her. Irin almost thought he looked worried.

"I like you, Irin; you have fire, which is always nice to see. I wanted to ask you if you are okay. If you're not, we will help you," he said.

"Help me?" She was very confused by his question.

"With your husband. Is he keeping you against your will? We can make sure you get away from him," he assured her.

"From Koth? Have you hit your head?" she asked.

"We have all seen how he behaves; he has a foul mood, he refuses to let you walk around on your own, he insists you are where he is all the time," he listed. Irin had to laugh.

"Yeah, that sounds like him," she agreed.

"His kind is known for taking women." That was the second it stopped being funny to Irin, and she took a step closer to the captain.

"You are going too far. If I hear you speak about my husband like that ever again, we will see if dragonborn really like fire. That man has never done anything that would harm me. He would rather harm himself than force me to do something against my will. You should have seen what it took for me to persuade him to... Well, never mind that. Koth is not what you think he is, and as a dragonborn, I would think you should know what it's like to have people judging you for what you are instead of who," she told him and felt the need to draw her sword. She refrained from doing so, but she did poke him in the chest a couple of times for good measure. The captain looked a little taken aback, then he recovered and smiled.

"I see. My bad then," he said. Irin huffed.

"I appreciate your offer; if I was in a situation like you described, it would have been much needed. Koth is in a bad mood because he is seasick, and he is protective of me because everyone, including you, has told him that if he wasn't, your crew would have their way with me," she explained.

"You are right; I didn't take my warnings into consideration. I'm sorry he isn't feeling well. Is there something we can do for him?"

"Stop the waves?" Irin asked. The captain laughed.

"Sorry, I don't have such powers. Maybe you should pray to your goddess?" he suggested. Irin made a face.

"She and Neprim aren't on good speaking terms. I don't think my prayers will affect the sea," she confessed. "I'm not as bad as Koth, but I do find it unnerving that the world never stops moving. I don't understand how you live your life like this."

"It's something you get used to. All of us have a reason for being on the sea. Some seek money, others fame, or... something else," he said.

"And what is it you are seeking?" Irin asked him. He gave her a sad smile.

"I think it's time you go find your husband, Irin, or he will come and throw me overboard." She nodded. It had been a very personal question; she didn't take offence that he didn't answer. She headed for their cabin and found Koth pacing on the small strip of floor between the bed and the wall.

"Did he try to do something to you?" he asked as soon as she opened the door. He was letting his eyes travel over her, trying to find an injury.

"No, no. He was really nice. We had a little talk, and he told me to get back to you," she told him, giving him a hug.

"He didn't try and get you into his bed?" Koth asked. Irin giggled.

"No." She didn't know if she should tell Koth exactly what they had talked about. She knew he would be upset if he thought others believed he would hurt her.

"So what did he want?" Koth asked. Irin sighed. She wouldn't lie to him; as he had asked, she would tell him. Koth got a look of anger in his eyes as she did.

"I think I need to talk to him," he told her.

"No, you don't. I have already made sure he knows that he made a terrible mistake and that I never want to hear such accusations ever again. On the other hand, it was nice of him to offer his protection."

"Nice?" Koth asked. It was clear he didn't agree.

"It was. If I was a woman who was forced to go with you, it would have been nice of him to make sure I was safe. Now it wasn't needed, but it was still nice," she insisted.

"And you made it clear you didn't need his help?" he asked.

"Oh, I was very clear on that point," she assured him. He smiled.

"I'm sorry I missed that; I think I would have enjoyed it."

"I'm sure you would have," she agreed and kissed him.

A couple of hours later, Irin woke up as Koth was getting out of his hammock and heading for the door.

"Koth?" she asked.

"Not now," he answered as he hurried out of the cabin. Irin understood and followed him. He had made his way to the railing and was leaning over it. She rubbed his back.

"I'll get you some water," she told him after letting some healing magic flow into him. He just nodded. She walked toward the barrel where they had the water and looked up towards the bow of the ship. She saw the captain stand there, his arms resting against the railing. Was he talking to someone?