"I have no idea," the knight replied. "She had passed out by the time you returned in the skiff, but her clothes would appear to indicate someone of means. It seems this voyage has just become even more interesting."

"You're enjoying this far too much," observed Athgar.

"Perhaps I am," the brother confessed, "but life in the order can often become dull and repetitive."

"Is that why you like to investigate things?" asked the Therengian.

Cyric grinned. "I go where I'm needed," he said, "and if that happens to allow me to learn new things, so much the better. Now, I'd best be off and allow you two to rest."

He made his way to the ladder, climbing up to the deck above.

Natalia was determined to get some fresh air. She opened the hatch to see a clear sky above, the distant sound of birds coming to her ears. Climbing up, she felt the warm planks on her bare feet, a sure sign that the sun had been out for some time.

Athgar was on the starboard side, looking out across the water, standing beside the woman he had plucked from the sea.

Natalia made her way over to them, walking slowly to avoid any sudden movements for the sake of her head.

At the sound of her footfalls, Athgar turned, a smile coming to his lips. "Good to see you up and around," he said. "How's the head?"

"Still a little sore," she confessed, "though much better than yesterday."

"Good morning," the woman said, "I don't think we've been introduced, my name is Arabel Calderra."

"Pleased to meet you. My name's Natalia, and I assume you've met Athgar?"

"I have," the woman confessed. "If it hadn't been for him, I'd have drowned."

"It was Natalia that allowed me to help," admitted the Therengian. "If it hadn't been for her magic, I'd have drowned alongside you."

"You're a mage?" asked Arabel.

"I am," Natalia replied. "You're lucky we were passing by."

"You must let me thank you," said the woman. "I'm told you're travelling to Corassus, you must allow me to host you. I've an estate that I think you'd enjoy."

"That's most gracious of you," said Natalia, then cast her eyes to Athgar, who merely nodded slightly, "we'd be delighted. How did you come to be on the Teeth?"

"We were on our way back to Corassus," the woman replied, "when the wind shifted rather unexpectedly, pushing us near to the Teeth. I'm afraid our captain wasn't the most competent of sailors, and once we were close, the current took us, pulling us into the rocks."

"Unfortunate," said Natalia. "Was the captain among the survivors?"

"I'm afraid not," Arabel responded. "He was washed overboard, much like me." She swept her gaze over the side of the ship to watch the surface of the water as they sailed past, lapsing into silence.

"You mentioned an estate," remarked Natalia. "I take it your family is influential?"