Kogu 37, SP~4,909

Rhonda Floam

Finally, we’re here!

We arrived at Shawmancer Island this morning. I was so happy to walk off that ship, and I think Captain Fweyling was just as happy to be rid of me (for now).

Here’s the strange thing, though. I was one of the first to disembark. Chawmer greeted me, and that was fine. He seems competent. More on that later.

Being the first off I saw every person leave the ship, and Donnessling and his nossring companions never left. I even waited around and hid in the piles of unloaded cargo to watch. I watched until the entire crew had all walked off, and even waited a bit after that.

I was just about to leave when Captain Fweyling came down the plank. I moved out from where I was hiding to stand right in his way. He wasn’t going to get by me so easily this time.

Before he could say a word, I threw my question out there; “Where’s Donnessling?” I practically shouted it. I shouldn’t have lost control, but it was just a momentary thing. Won’t happen again.

He looked around. He wasn’t expecting this … good! And, he didn’t know what to say. After a few seconds he told me that Donnessling and his folk had already gotten off the ship and I must have missed them. All I had to do was look him in the eyes, and he started stammering again. I had him confused and all tangled up in trying to find a credible lie — that’s what makes me a good reporter.

Next thing he started making excuses, like he doesn’t keep track of the comings and goings of each folk on his ship. Just when I was going to call him out, a few other zweyjen interrupted. They’d come up from behind me. I didn’t notice. They said they were from the “front office”, if there is such a thing, and said something about the ship inspection. That was Fweyling’s cue to make his escape. As they dragged him off, I made it clear that he hadn’t seen the last of me.

I was still steaming when Chawmer insisted we get going. It was getting late and we had a ways to go. Apparently there really were some ice flows that set us off course. We were supposed to sail to the docks at the city of Partameer, but instead we’re here in Shannam City a hundred miles west of where we were supposed to be.

Chawmer had a couple of horses ready, and he could see I was not happy. I’d been looking forward to a soft bed and a floor under my feet that didn’t list from side to side. A horse ride was not what I had in mind.