The rudder was a relatively easy fix for him; a length of sail had become tangled around it. It was a simple job with his boot knife to simply cut it away and climb back on board. He'd barely set foot on deck again when Jones pulled him aside and told him the captain wanted to see him in her quarters. He stood in front of her cabin now, dry other than his hair still slightly damp, and wearing his coat which he'd left open. It was far too hot for him to keep it closed but he didn't want to head into her cabin shirtless. Still he was hesitant to actually knock and enter. What is it about her that's making me so nervous? She's hardly the first intimidating woman I've come across. He was about to knock when another thought crept into his head, She's intimidating in others ways... He shook the notion and image of her little smirk out of his head and knocked on the solid door.

“Come in,” Captain Yasashi’s voice called to him. He opened the door and stepped inside closing it behind him. It took a moment for his eyes to adjust to the room after being out in the sun for so long. Eventually the room came into focus. On one side of the room was a row of bookcases lined with books and a variety of strange items, a large globe was situated between them as well. On the other side, intricate and exotic swords were hung neatly on the wall next to a door leading to what Click guessed was the captains sleeping quarters. In the center of the room was a large desk covered in maps, charts and a fair number of books opened and marked on different pages. Her knife was stabbed into the corner of the desk,he focused on the handle from where he was and was just able to make out the silver dragon inlay against the ivory handle. It was quite elegant and it made it all the more unsettling. Behind the desk, Captain Yasashi sat comfortably in a large chair. The large window at the far wall bathed her in the rays from the setting sun making her silver hair almost shine with an ethereal glow. Click swallowed hard, suddenly aware of his heart beat in his ears. He opened and closed his hands nervously a few times as his eyes finished adjusting. When they fully adapted he could see she was watching him with an amused expression. A slight flush started in his cheeks but he composed himself before it could spread. “You called for me? Captain?”

“I did,” she said. She found that she quite enjoyed seeing him nervous around her. That was something she never got to see when she was pretending to be a boy. “You did well today, I'm impressed.”

He relaxed slightly, “Thank you Captain, although removing the sail was a relatively simple task. My apologies for not pointing it out sooner.”

“It's alright.” She leisurely reached over to the knife and her fingers grazed over the handle. “While you've kept your head down since being here, it's clear that you're experienced… From what I hear, you have quite the story behind your name.”

His eyes tracked her fingers as he raised an eyebrow out of curiosity. He took a few steps closer to her, “Oh? A simple story I'm sure but may I ask what it is you've heard?”

“A simple story, yes,” she said with a faint smile. “One of a boy who drowned, but was claimed by a god of the sea to explore the world of men... It's not a tale told by my people, the tale of Aegir the Drowned.” she eyed him carefully while prying the knife up from the desk.

Once more he stepped closer till he was just on the other side of her desk. “I've heard the story, it started here in these very waters, though it is my people who tell the tale. There was a boy once, who fell beneath the waves.” His eyes wandered over the maps and charts on her desk as he spoke. “who breathed his last amidst a storm, and sank to an icy grave.” He shook his head and chuckled to himself. “They say the great giant Aegir found the boy there in the depths and raised him up once more. Claiming his soul as his own and imparting great power unto the lad to be his vessel. Till ragnarök and the Great gods rise again...If you believe such things, though he prefers to be called Aegir of the sea.” He said the last while flashing her a small smirk. “The truth is far less exciting I assure you, captain.”

“Then what is the truth?” Kaida asked quietly, her heart now racing. Underneath the fabrication that came with tall tales, Kaida knew he was telling his story; the story of his second chance. The beginning of the part of his life that she wasn’t apart of. “You were that boy,” she said with surety.

Click smiled at her but it held no joy. “Aye, Captain Yasashi, I was that boy, and the truth?” He slid his coat from his shoulders and placed it on the back of the chair next to him. He pointed to the picture on his upper right arm, “During a storm I fell into the churning waves, I cried for help, I struggled for what felt like hours and yet the storm did not cease. Finally I could fight no longer, I breathed one last time and my lungs filled with the sea.” He sat down in the chair and pointed higher on his arm. “I remember looking up as my world darkened and lightning arced overhead. I remember… dreams and faces.. Voices calling to me. I awoke on the shore.” He pointed to his shoulder now, “A shaman on one of the islands claimed it was a God who carried me from the sea to him and breathed life into me.” He shrugged, “either way, the boy died in the storm, and the tale of Aegir of the sea was born.” He leaned back against the chair and clasped his hands on the desk. “Not quite as entertaining as a God walking amongst mortals.”

“... But no less extraordinary,” Kaida said, eyes cast down at the desk. She carefully placed the knife down on the desk before her hands could start shaking and mirrored Click by leaning back in her own chair. “Your gods must hold you in high regard for you to be alive today…” She couldn’t bring herself to look at him when she asked her next question. “What happened to you after that?”

“My gods are a peculiar sort when it comes to their regard for mortals.” Click took a moment to look at her while she was looking down at the notes on her desk. She seemed weary, or sad, she masked her emotions well enough he couldn't quite tell if it was simply from the rigors of commanding a ship or from hearing a simple sad tale. “After that I was picked up by a pirate ship, I sailed with them in these waters for almost a year. And before the storm that changed my life, I sailed on a ship with a boy called Ryo. I had no control over where I sailed with the pirates, but in every port and with every passing ship I looked for my friend. Sometimes I wonder how things might have changed if I had found him again.” Click leaned forward on the table slightly, glancing from the intricate dagger to her slender hands. “I found myself in the north soon after that, a prisoner of a Viking raiding party. Luck hasn't quite changed in the being taken prisoner aspect as you can see,” he laughed. “I proved myself to them, they gave me a home, a name, a story to tell and eventually even a ship. From prisoner to Skeppare…. You don't need to call me that by the by, you're the Captain, you shouldn't be referring to me as one.”

Kaida gave him a hint of a smile, trying to control her emotions before she spoke out. She almost regretted asking him her question in the first place. There was so much she wanted to know, so much she wanted to tell him. How would things have changed if you had found me? Would I have had the courage and told you then? She shook the thoughts aside and tried to lighten the mood. “...In my culture, names and titles hold great significance. I don’t use your title lightly,” she said. “And I don’t intend to stop now that you’ve pointed it out.”

He bowed his head, “You honor me Captain. Truly, to a Viking, our titles are what we are. Thank you.”

“... You're welcome.” Kaida Really looked at him since he had first entered her quarters. Having him sit in front of her was like seeing a ghost, or being caught in a dream, that if she reached out to him, he'd disappear again. The gods truly do have a cruel sense of humor. “I've heard interesting things about Vikings,” she said, no longer wanting to dwell on her poor thoughts. “Like many pirates, I'm sure there is more than one story to your name. Rumors and lies… and also truths. What should I know about Aegir of the sea?”

“Well, I suppose a few truths are the least I can offer. I don’t know what you’ve heard of me but I can’t freeze ships, and I’m not fifteen feet tall. Hard to believe, I know.” He smiled again and watched the corners of her mouth curl slightly. Click then pointed to his left arm where the bear was tattooed and then to his ribs on his right side where more pictures were. “You should know they call me Aegir the Bear. Many vikings hold belief that we each have a special connection with an animal spirit. It helps to guide you in your will, your spirit, and in battle.” He stood and his finger slid down his side showing more of the story. Click watched in slight amusement as her eyes followed unwavering. “In my rite of passage I was tasked to hunt and kill a mighty bear that I may imbue myself with it’s spirit and become a true Viking. Contrary to popular belief, I did not do it bare handed.” He reached into his boot and placed his own dagger on the table. Its handle was antler and carved with runic symbols while the blade angled after the hilt and continued into a wicked point. “I had a little help.”

This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

“May I?” Kaida asked, gesturing at the dagger.

He nodded and watched as she carefully picked up the blade, inspecting it’s design. He patted the coat behind him, “I did however make a nice coat out of it.” When Kaida looked back up at him, Click then pulled his sash slightly lower, exposing a little more of his tattoo down to his hip. “I became Skeppare Aegir and commanded a crew of mighty warriors and my deeds after that became legend, the god who walked amongst his people. Chosen by mighty Tyr to be his champion, the one whom the sea will never hurt and cannot be drowned.” Her eyes were fixed on the images along his hips and Click found himself suddenly blushing. He cleared his throat and pulled the sash up before sitting down again.

He did it again. Kaida thought to smile at seeing him blush, but she didn't want to make him feel more uncomfortable. “You still have quite the story, Skeppare,” she said, making sure to emphasize the last word. “It sounds like I should be grateful to have you on my crew.”

“You offered me life, I will repay that debt in any way I can…” Captain Yasashi only gave him a soft smile as a response, so he continued. “You should know I can plot any course you might need. I can sail a ship better than any other, and if you put an axe in my hands there are few who could stand before me… You asked me if I had anything of value to offer to this crew. That, is what I offer, the experience of a man who has sailed many seas on many ships each more dangerous than the last.”

“You speak highly of yourself for a man who blushes so easily,” Kaida said, already regretting letting it slip from her lips, but she couldn’t help but grin at him. So much for not making him uncomfortable.

Click blushed even more and rubbed his eyes just waiting for it to pass. “I think any man would blush with your eyes inspecting them like that. Especially...inspecting so low.” He locked eyes with her but coupled with her wicked little grin it only served to make him blush even more. “...And what of the great Silver Dragon? What should I know about her? Other than her apparent interest in making the famed Skeppare Aegir blush.”

“Famed, right,” Kaida smirked, feeling better about him being able to at least tease her back, but she knew she was enjoying it too much. This isn’t fair to him. She bit the inside of her mouth nervously and straightened up in her chair. “There are a lot of things you could know about me, but if I told you, I would lose a lot of the mystery behind my name. Who am I if I’m not the ‘great’ Silver Dragon?”

Now it was Click’s turn to smirk, “That’s what I want to know... I understand wanting to keep a bit of mystery, but sometimes knowing the truth of a tale or two adds to the legend. When I stepped into your quarters I was Aegir the drowned, the boy who died and became a god. Are you disappointed with the truth, captain?”

“Certainly not.”

His smirk turned into a grin as he leaned forward on the desk again. “I do not believe I would find any truths about you disappointing either... They say you were a slave brought here from an exotic land for a wealthy merchant. They say you killed him, truth? Or tale?” He motioned with his head to her dagger. “Is that where the story of that dagger began?”

Kaida eyed him carefully, wishing she had better prepared for his questions. No one knew the whole truth about her; looking at Click now, she knew she couldn’t bring herself to tell him. I can’t… then what would you think of me? She nodded slowly, thinking over her words. “I wish that were the truth,” she laughed quietly. “But that is the story most people want to believe, so I let them.” She handed him back his dagger and put her hands behind her desk so he couldn’t see them if they started shaking. “I left Japan on my own accord, sailing east until I came here. Thankfully, my secret of being a woman was kept until about four years ago…” her eyes fell, looking at her dagger, fighting back the unfavorable memories that came with it.

“I had worked my way up to first mate before the captain found out who I was… This used to be his ship. And this used to be his dagger.” She looked back at Click, his smile was gone and he was watching her intently, listening carefully to every word. “Do you know what it’s like to hide yourself for so long, Aegir? You forget who you are after a time… and you question if you actually were anyone to begin with. Perhaps you were nothing but a ghost from the start… or a mirror of what other people expected you to be.”

Click was silent for a while, carefully considering her words and breathing out a long sigh. “To pretend to be someone you’re not for so long… I imagine that must’ve been lonely. Losing track of yourself bit by bit, never trusting anyone else to help keep you intact...I’m afraid I can’t imagine the hell that must’ve been. I have only ever been me, though my path has shaped me, I never had the burden of pretending to be something I wasn’t, of lying to myself.” What else had she gone through to shape her. What hardships would she have had to endure to get to where she was now. He could see it now that her mask had slipped, the weariness behind her piercing eyes. The look of a warrior who’s fight was fading, yet unwilling to put down their sword and give in.

“... There was someone else once,” Kaida said hesitantly. “Truthfully I think he may have made me even more fearful to divulge the truth… But I regret not trusting more people.” Maybe it would have changed things. Maybe I wouldn’t be sitting here now, deceiving you again.

“It made you strong, but hardened you against trusting others...I wonder where you’d be if you had trusted more people with your secret. Some may have ended up under your knife, but I like to think some would’ve helped. I mean, you’d still have been you under the mask... but I was right though…” She looked up at him, her brow furrowed, questioning his words as his grin returned. “I find you even more interesting now.”

“Sometimes the truth is more interesting than fiction.” Kaida gave him a sad smile. “And perhaps you are right… Perhaps others would have been worth trusting-” She gave a small sigh, already feeling herself shut him out again. At this point it was too easy for her harden herself from others; it almost pained her to tell Click that much, despite wanting to tell him everything. He deserved so much and yet she punished him to maintain the mask she currently wore. “-but I didn’t call you in here to swap sad stories.”

“And here I was just starting to get comfortable,” he chuckled.

“Don’t get too comfortable,” Kaida smirked.

Click smiled, “Why did you call me into your quarters, Captain?”

“... I wanted to commend you on what you did today, and now that I have your respect and know a bit more about the man behind the myths, I want you to take the wheel.”

Click stood and bowed to her. “You honor me yet again, thank you, Captain.”

Kaida stood and turned to pull her coat off of her chair. “I’d like to think I’m good at reading people, Aegir. Now is your chance to prove me right.”

As she turned, Click caught a glimpse of ink peeking out from underneath the collar of her shirt. What it was, he couldn’t tell but it made him curious, he made a mental note to ask Conall about it later as he put on his own coat and followed her from the cabin. He doubted very much he’d get to see what it was but he was still curious what it could be. “If I may ask Captain, when shall I take the wheel?”

“I already had Jones speak to the crew,” Kaida said, leading him out onto the deck. “They’re waiting for you.”

Click climbed the steps and made his way to the wheel, trying to hide the genuine smile growing on his face. His hands gripped the wheel, testing the feel of the wood and weight of the ship it was connected to. He looked back to the crew watching him expectantly and raised an eyebrow, “What’re ye waiting on me for lads? Hoist anchor, unfurl the sails! Captain’s got places to be.” He turned to her as he began rolling up his coat sleeves and the crew eagerly began executing their tasks. “Do you have a heading for me, Captain?”

“Continue the course for Nassau,” Kaida said, placing her hands behind her back. “I have some unfinished business there.”

“Aye Captain, Nassau it is.” Click carefully undid the leather bracers on his forearms and hooked them onto loops at the waist of his coat. He cast a glance to the setting sun, then to the tattoos now exposed on his forearms and gripped the wheel, turning starboard to put the sun at his back. Trim sails lads, we make for Nassau.”

Kaida eyed the tattoos on his forearms and she turned her head to hide a grin that so desperately wanted to make itself shown. She caught Jones making her way towards her and her smile quickly fell and she cleared her throat. “Practical tattoo choice,” Kaida noted, nodding at Click’s arms.

Click smiled without looking down, his eyes still fixed on the horizon. “So I never get lost, Aegir star keeper some call me. If you believe such things, the gods whisper in my ears from the heavens, guiding me to distant shores.” the sun was finally low enough on the horizon that the brightest stars could be seen. He looked up at them memorizing their position then glanced to the constellations on the inside of his forearms. “If the legends about me are true, and the currents and winds are mine to command, I’ll put us in Nassau within the week.”

“Well, Aegir Star Keeper. Don’t disappoint me.”

He looked at her from the corner of his eye and caught that same little smile playing at the corners of her lips. He adjusted his grip on the wheel as his heart began to quicken its pace. “Wouldn’t dream of it, Captain Yasashi.”