When the sun was high above the water Syko finally left Kay'la to rest and carried on with his duties.

First bell had passed in a flash and two long chimes caught him off guard. He scurried down to the galley for sick call. One man was waiting inside, tapping his feet impatiently. He jumped up when he saw Syko.

"Good morn' sir." He was middle aged, in stained shirt and vest with partchwork pants and new boots.

"Good morning Bruce. What can I do for you?"

"Well I uh...well it's," he paced back and forth then turned to Syko abruptly. "You can't tell the Captain." 

"What does the Captain have to do with why you're here?"

Bruce sat again, looked around then leaned forward and whispered, "Well I sort of.... snuck off the boat while we in port. I just had to see this lass but now," He looked down to his crotch, "It kinds hurts." 

It was inevitable Syko would have to look at someone's unmentionables eventually. Bruce dropped his pants and turned red as Syko examined him. 

"Well it's not good, but it's treatable." Syko concluded. He rummaged through his satchel and found a jar of mushrooms he ground with other herbs.

"Was she unfaithful? Did my lass pick this up from another man?"

"You'd have to ask her that." Syko cast a small spell and compacted the powdered herbs into a tablet. "For now take this. Come back tomorrow and I'll give you more tablets, and instructions on how to use them."

"Oh thank you." Bruce grabbed Syko's hand firmly and pulled him closer. "Please don't tell the Captain, I've had two floggings this moon already." 

He downed the pill with a swig from his canteen and hurried off, looking to see if anyone was watching him.

"That man is always sticking someth'n where it don't belong."

Syko spun around. Mr. Cotter had finished the mornings dishes and was leaning over the counter, drying his hands.

"Good morning Mr. Cotter." Syko greeted shyly.

"Morning lad," His expression wasn't as jovial as usual. "Are you going to tell the Captain what he told you?"

"I think it rude to discuss the private affairs of my patients." 

"This ain't no 'private affair'. You heard the Captain before we went to market. And you heard what he said, clear. Bruce disobeyed a direct order and it's your duty to report that."

"He's not harming anyone but himself, why does he have to be in trouble?"

"It's the principle of the matter. A ship with no order can't sail. The Captain needs to know." 

"Yes, Mr. Cotter." Syko sheepishly turned to his satchel and started packing up. 

Mr. Cotter turned to the cast iron stove and began preparing the next meal.

Syko slipped out of the galley and went to his cabin to change and freshen up, then made his way back to Kay'la's cabin. She was in bed but it was apparent she had gotten up to move around.

Kay'la had ground herself more candleweed and was puffing away. An incense on the side table was lit to try to cover the musky smell. 

Syko didn't greet her.

"Is my crew well?" Kay'la asked.

"Yes." Syko tried to act natural. "Are you well?"

"As well as can be expected." 

Syko dropped his satchel and busied himself with Bruce's remedy.

"What are you making?" Kay'la asked

"A remedy for one of the crew."

"A remedy? I thought they were all well."

"They are." Shit. "They will be once I've finished the remedy. What are you reading?" Syko turned the attention to something else.

"The same papers from before. I'd like to be as prepared as possible."

"Interesting."  He felt self conscience and brushed the front of his vest.

Kay'la turned back to her reading and Syko finished his mixtures. One by one he compressed the powder into tablets, putting them into a small vial.

"Are you giving those out today?" Kay'la's question surprised him.

"No, he'll pick them up tomorrow morning."

"What do they do."

Syko's shoulders tensed, "I don't feel comfortable discussing my patients like that."

"There's nothing you want to tell me about my crew?" She tidied the papers and laid them on the side table.

Syko's palms were sweating. "I don't think it's my place to interfere in something like this."

"Like what?"

He was digging himself a hole and couldn't put down the shovel. "Nothing." He put his head down and poured random herbs into his bowl to grind. He worked them aimlessly trying to seem too busy for conversation. His heart was pounding like a drum and his ears burned.

"I was talking with Mr. Cotter," Kay'la said.

"Oh."

"He said you seemed trouble by the crewman who came to see you this morning."

"I wasn't troubled." Syko continued grinding the herbs into a grey paste.

Kay'la put her papers to the side. "Syko, is there something you'd like to tell me?"

"I-" He stopped grinding, his hands trembling. "I don't want to get anyone in trouble. Would you promise not to punish anyone for what I tell you."

Kay'la considered it a moment, "I promise."

Syko stepped out from behind the workbench and stood neatly with his hands behind his back. "This morning at sick call, a crewman admitted to me that he had...disobeyed your orders. He snuck off ship to see a girl."

"Thank you for telling me Syko, I will deal with him accordingly."

"You said he wouldn't be punished." Syko dropped his fists to his side.

"I said he wouldn't be punished for what you told me. I already knew he disobeyed."

"Then why ask me?"

"Because what you and Mr. Cotter discussed is true. It's the principle of the matter."

"How did you know?" 

"I'm the Captain, I know most everything that happens on this ship."

Kay'la stood and opened a cabinet beside the doors. It contained prison equipment, including shackles and a flogger.

"You should be resting." Syko mumbled.

"Sedrick is gathering the men now, I'll rest after." She took down a hunk of wrapped leather.

"You're really going to flog him?"

"Discipline is the Captain's responsibility."

Syko followed on her heels to the deck. His hands were still trembling and his face was hot.

On the deck Sedrick and another large crewman held Bruce by the arms. The rest of the crew had gathered in a circle like a mob.

"Gentlemen," Kay'la hushed the crew. "We have disobedience aboard." 

The crew whooped and hollered as Bruce was brought forward.

Kay'la flourished the flogger, a long flat strip of leather, worn and well used. Syko shivered as she snapped it against the deck.

"Tell us why you're here Bruce." Her voice was melodic, like she was performing.

"I snuck off the ship while we were in port." Bruce hung his head and sniveled.

"And what did you get for your troubles?" 

The crew erupted, in jeers and laughter. It was an open secret that he'd come to see Syko, and everyone knew why.

"Always thinking with the wrong head." Kay'la teased. "Maybe I should rid you of such troublesome equipment."

The crew laughed taunted while Bruce squirmed. Kay'la silenced them with another crack of the flogger.

"What do we think men? Five to the back or one to the front?"

Bruce cringed, squeezing his knees together. The crew mocked and pointed, this was a spectacle to them.

"I'll take it, I'll take the five." Bruce cringed.

"You're a brave man, sailor. Tie him to the mast!"

The crew erupted again as Sedrick bound Bruce's hand around the mast and exposed his back. It was still red from his last flogging.

Syko stepped close to Kay'la, "You can't really be doing this."

"Stand aside." She flexed her wrist.

Sedrick came to stand behind Kay'la and Syko withdrew.

Kay'la snapped the flogger against the deck again. Bruce tensed as Kay'la raised her arm. Syko flinched as the sound of leather on skin echoed across the deck.

"ONE!" The crew chanted.

Kay'la raised her arm again. "TWO!"

"THREE!" Bruce's knees buckled.

Syko's heart pounded, he couldn't tolerate it any longer. He rushed forward, feeling the wind of Sedrick's palm as he reached for him.

"Stop."

Syko flung himself between Bruce and Kay'la just as she raised her arm for another strike. The crew fell silent.

Kay'la dropped the flogger and seized Syko by the collar of his shirt. She swept his legs out from under him and let go, dropping him to the deck with a thump. She barked orders to the crew without looking away from him.

"Cut him down," She pointed to Bruce. "The apothecary will take his place until seventh bell."

Kay'la put her boot on his chest squeezing the air out of him.

She looked at him for what felt like eternity. "You're going to imagine all the horrible things I could be putting you through, and when you're done you'll apologize for your insubordination. Don't forget your place her, Apothecary"

The sun behind her made her radiate. Syko could hardly see her features, but he thought she was almost smiling. 

Sedrick hauled him to his feet and shackled his wrists. He wasn't tied around the mast like Bruce, instead he was tethered to the mast with about two feet of rope. Enough to move around but not enough to go anywhere.

The crew were pointing and muttering. Syko paced around the mast testing his limits like an animal pacing it's cage. Kay'la took the helm and eventually the crew moved on. 

Syko slumped in the shade of the mast but the main rope wouldn't fall to the deck, and his shackles were too short, so he had to hold his arms above his head.

When midday hung overhead the slim strip of shade disappeared completely. Crewman came by and offered him water but after a few sips he refused, having nowhere to go should he need to relieve himself.

The heat beat against the deck and Syko felt his lips cracking beneath the scorching sun. His pants and long sleeves covered most of his body but with no hat, his curls did little to shelter his ears or face. 

Someone approached Kay'la, carrying a hat but she looked to Syko and shook her head. She had warned him about being in the sun. Maybe they were both stubborn. 

Eventually the shade returned and a cool breeze blew from the west, but the damage was done. Syko could feel the heat on his face and neck. The wind burned against his cheeks as it kicked salt against him. Syko marked the time, only fourth bell.

Kay'la had resigned herself to her cabin. She picked through the herbs and salves at the workbench but apart from basic herbs and spices she had no idea what any of these did. She didn't know what she was looking for but picked up the jar of candleweed. Beside it on the shelf was a small tin with a brand stamped on the top, the same brand on the cork of the jar. 

She put the jar back and opened the tin. It contained a salve with a dark green hue and similar smell to the buds. She rubbed it around her stitches and across her back, finally settling into bed to pour over her work.

She needed to stay busy if she was going to avoid watching Syko all day. He fascinated her. She wanted to know everything about him, but she couldn't let her fondness turn to favoritism. She went over her instruction manual again, taking fresh notes and deciphering scribbles from the cartographers journal.

She poured herself a strong drink and tried to pull fact from fiction in the notes. It began at the Furthest reach and devolved as the journey continued.

We have arrived at the Furthest Reach, it's imposing face rising like a wave of stone. The Captain has anchored us for the night far from the danger of the rocks. In the distance I hear them. Whether it's the cries of the dammed or the call of sea birds, the noise is constant. The men are hesitant to go any further and a thick fog has made it difficult to navigate but we will press on in the morning. 

Kay'la made note again of the fog.

We've passed beyond the stones. Early this morning the fog cleared and I had the captain take us through. There is nothing around but the stones behind us and an abundance of sea birds are circling the deck. The men are annoyed at the mess they make but I'm far more concerned they are an omen of death. The captain agrees but refuses to chase them away (he thinks it will bring worse luck). There is much sea life around us. The men catch plenty of fish to keep us fed, and I see porpoise bounding through the waves, yet I can't help the uncanny feeling that I am being watched. 

Kay'la took a swig of her drink, bracing herself for the strange, incoherent writing to follow.

It has been eight days since we passed through the stones. Two men are still missing, presumed to have fallen overboard, though both are  were good swimmers. Again I have this feeling of being watched and I find myself drawn to the deck. There is singing, I know it. I hear it! It rings in my head like a memory and I must hear more but there's no real sound. The ship is quiet, the men are sullen. When the waves crash against the boat I hear their voices singing to me. I must find them.

We have been sailing twelve days with no sight of land. Another crewman is missing. It's the song, DON'T LISTEN. I saw them take him. He was on deck and then he was gone. I know it was them, like moonlight under the water. It was NOT just a reflection. The porpoise had a face and hands. The thinks I'm crazy but I know what I saw. The captain threatens to lock me in my cabin if I agitate the men but I must document what I saw. I've been trying to draw it but in such dark waters I am at a loss and my mind is too imaginative to form anything truthful.

Kay'la finished off her drink and poured another.

An island has appeared. almost as if from thin air. The captain says the sea can play tricks, make things appear that aren't there, or keep things hidden in the distance. I know this island wasn't there before and I saw the porpoise again, clearly this time. It was off the port side the night before last. A massive creature, with a tall black fin and white streaks along it's side. It lurks at the surface watching us. It has human eyes, I see them in the distance. The captain spits tales of a mermaid and laughs at me, but I know it's what took the men and I know it's waiting for it's next opportunity.

The next few pages of the journal were incomprehensible. Someone had spilled something and the ink had bled into an unreadable mess. The next legible page was full of insane ramblings. Kay'la finished the rest of her drink and flipped through the illustrations. One was of an island, shaded to represent a long beach, thick forests and a waterway that led inland.

The other illustration was a series of misshapen porpoise figures, each with varying human features. Some portrayed a human head on a porpoise body, one gave the creature arms, a third, most unsettling, had the torso of a woman and the tail of a porpoise. 

Kay'la took her glass and stood at the door of her cabin, looking out through the stained glass a Syko. He trudged around the mast, tried to sit, couldn't, paced again.  He was skittish as then men worked around him, moving to whichever area had the least people.

Kay'la sighed and turned away. Her heart felt for him but her mind knew she couldn't give in. The moment she showed affection, showed weakness, the men would see it. 

As the sun sank below the horizon Syko had all but accepted his fate. His whole body ached from being tied up all day. He picked at a carving in the wood and watched as the crewmen descended below deck for supper.

As seventh bell rang out Kay'la came out to the deck and stood to watch him.

"I'm sorry," Syko said hoarsely. "Sorry you tricked me into telling you the truth. Sorry you'll have an ugly scar because you don't listen." He paced behind the mast at the end of his rope.

He was right, Kay'la could feel she'd pulled something loose again but she couldn't admit that to him. She'd have to fix it herself later. 

She moved in front of Skyo who kept trying to move away.

"Where is the key to your cabin?"

Syko's heart stopped, "No, please don't-"

Kay'la held up a hand. "Answer the question." she said calmly.

"I keep it under my mattress."

"So you don't lock the door while you're out."

He shook his head.

"Bruce didn't sneak ashore just to wet his willy. He's been stealing items from the crew and pawning them at port." She waved a sparkling cloth in front of him, it was the rune cloth from Syko's satchel. "It was a Thorrin who saw him sneaking away and told me when I returned to the ship."

Syko didn't say anything. 

Kay'la rattled her set of keys and undid Syko's shackles.

He rubbed his wrists and tried to walk away.

Kay'la grabbed his arm.

"Don't touch me." he hissed

"I haven't dismissed you."

"Just leave me alone." He brushed her arm off him but didn't leave.

The two stood silently. 

Syko was holding his tongue. He didn't want to apologize for anything. He despised corporal punishment and wanted Kay'la to see his disapproval clearly.

Kay'la wasn't thinking about an apology. She was thinking of how frightened he looked, when he'd been shackled to the mast, when she asked about his key. It was a desperate fear and knowing she caused it was like a dagger in her heart.

"I won't apologize." Syko's voice was calm but stern. "I find corporal punishment to be barbaric."

"What other punishments do you find barbaric?" Kay'la prodded.

"Waiting on you hand and foot would be torturous." He  was lying. He liked her company.

Kay'la flinched, "Don't let me keep you then." 

Neither of them moved.

"Goodnight Apothecary." Kay'la turned and made for her cabin. Her fears had been quashed. Syko couldn't be seen as her favorite if he hated her.

Syko watched, fixed in place. He could tell she was in pain by the way she loped across the deck.  He watched as she entered her dimly lit cabin and closed the door behind her.

Syko slumped against the mast and let his feet finally rest. The sound of the dulcimer drifted up from the galley along with a chorus of voices. He wanted to hear Kay'la sing again.

Kay'la closed her cabin door behind her flopped heavily onto the bed.

A burning sensation radiated along her back and she could feel her stitches weeping. She staggered to the workbench and picked through the vials of liquids in the dim light. She found one the same shade as the one she drank for the surgery. She downed it, expecting the bitter grit from before. It was only slightly more appealing. She washed it down with a glass of spirits.

She slipped into bed but the potion didn't have same same effect as before. Her skin was still on fire and her mind was racing.

She hauled herself back to the workbench and searched for more candleweed but couldn't find the jar, and she'd applied the last of the salve earlier in the day. She rummaged around for anything similar. Another dark liquid smelling of earth, and a mouthful of bitter herbs she knew was for pain relief. She washed it all down with a sweet liquor.

Finally the pain subsided. She crawled under her sheets and drifted into a soft dream of floating on the waves. She was a girl again, before any trouble had found her, swimming in the summer morning.

The sun shone above her as she waded into the cool water. She swam out and let the salt keep her afloat. In the distance birds were diving around fishing boats. She spotted a shimmering shell beneath her. Diving down she reached out but it was further than she though. She surfaced, letting the warmth of the sun dry her face. 

She had drifted from shore but the shell was the most beautiful thing she'd seen. She dove again, down through the clear blue water, feeling the pressure push against her ears. The shell was massive, an iridescent swirl embeded in the sand. Above the water someone called her name.

She thought of Syko. Surely he would want to see something like this.

 "Kay'la," She could her his voice through the water. She didn't stop. She reached out but the further she swam the further the shell seemed. She was running out of breath.

The pressure around her intensified. It no longer felt like diving, she felt still like someone was holding her. She swam harder but her limbs felt tired, like a weight was pulling her down. She let out small bubbles but they fell instead of floated. 

She looked down but the shell was gone. The sand had sloped away and she'd swam into deep open water. She let out more bubbles but they didn't rise or fall. They hovered around her, then slowly rose. No. She was being pulled down. She tried to kick and thrash but she was being pulled deeper and deeper. The pressure on her head increased and her ears rang at a deafening pitch. 

Like a bell Syko's voice cut through the darkness.

"Kay'la!"