The months progressed. Li marvelled at the changes he saw when he compared Ardlac's behavior to how it had been when he had first arrived. Ardlac was a good man, and Li was thankful to now consider him a friend, much like he considered Aricka and Garstin.

The new sailors from the Berk crew, Lichon and Maren, settled in well among the crew of the Gryphon. They were intrigued by Hayel and Ardlac, but, according to Ardlac, weren't rude in their questions, which made Li believe Ardlac was far more used to experiencing rude questions from people who knew little of the Asirim. They were also already lovers and had joined the Gryphon after seeing how openly men loved each other on the privateer.

"Berk is not so accepting," Lichon explained. "Some regions are more so than others, but the one our captain was from teaches that the only reason for sex is creating children, and that men should not waste their seed in any other way."

"Perhaps that was why he was rather angry all the time," Maren added. "The pirates killed him, of course. They always kill the captain. Call it their sacrifice to Quelin. We all considered it a favor, even if they did take us prisoner after."

Li found it intrigueing that nearly every person who made a living on the sea recognized Quelin in some way, and it varied drasticaly between types of seamen. Truly, the god must appreciate the worship of everyone on the seas, regardless of why they worshipped him.

Captain Mond marked the end of Li's first year on the ship by requesting his presence in the captain's quarters.

"I apologize for not returning to Mahlon yet," he began. "I do intend to return and bring your case to the magistrates at Baylay. I will, of course, stand in support of you. I expect to return there before you have been here another year. The ships in the fleet are given crusing instructions and, though deviations are always expected, returning directly to Mahlon too soon would cause penalties that I wish to avoid. This is not what the fleet commander would consider an emergency and diverting when we are closer to the end of our route would be far more acceptable. Again, I apologize for that as I'm sure you consider it a more urgent issue than he would."

Li wasn't certain he felt that way, as he had yet to consider a life back on shore. Before he could think of any reply, Mond handed him a pouch of coins. It was heavy and rattled in Li's hand.

"I will have full payment of your due shares when all is settled with the courts. That is only a portion of what I owe you. This will allow you more freedom in port."

Li nodded. "Thank you."

"You have improved greatly in the last year," Mond added. "I may just offer you a perminent position when all is done."

"Thank you," Li repeated. Though he wasn't certain he truly wanted to remain on the Gryphon, he also wasn't certain what other options he would have. He didn't dare consider it too soon. He could be dead before they reached Mahlon's shores, after all. "I appreciate that."

"I hadn't realized it had been a year," Ardlac admitted as he watched Li lock away his money in the cabinet in their cabin. "Much has changed since then."

Li closed the cabinet and locked it. "It has," he agreed. "You've changed a great deal from when we first met, as well."

Ardlac took a deep breath and looked away. "I will always be ashamed of my behavior then. You did not deserve it, and I'm certain Seith was ashamed of me, as well."

Li sat down beside him on the bunk and slipped his arm around Ardlac's shoulders, pulling him closer. They had comforted each other many times through many difficult memories, and the gesture felt natural now. "I thought we had moved on from that."

Ardlac smiled at him. "Of course. Thank you." He rested a hand on Li's knee. After a moment he added, "If ever you wish for more again, I feel I'm prepared now for that. Though I'd still be perfectly happy if you wanted nothing more."

Li drew a deep breath, surprised but not displeased. "I feel I am, as well."

This time, they took more care to ensure each other's emotional wellbeing throughout, not simply their physical pleasure. They held each other for a long time afterward, and it did not leave Li feeling as terribly as he had before. In fact, he was content and comfortable in Ardlac's arms. Judging by Ardlac's contented sigh, he felt similarly.

Things truly had changed in only a year's time.