Ayla realized that her questions may have been leading the captain to think her thoughts were on finding loopholes as opposed to being purely confused by the entire situation. She blanched momentarily and rapidly interjected her concerns.

“No, no, I did not mean that. I am just confused by the process as a whole. I do not understand these types of magics and I did not wish to impose further difficulties on you due to my name having been … newly donned.” 

The elf sat rigid and cold as the ferry ascended the final edge of the ship and she felt the threat of the captain’s cold tone wash over her in shards of ice. She steeled herself and accepted the hand proffered to help her aboard as she found her neutral expression, though the corners of her eyes threatened to overflow with warm, wet despair.

“Thank you, sir,” she replied formally and alighted the small ferry with her bundles. She clutched the items in her arms and began a quick step towards the lower deck.

“I presume we shall return the materials to your storage space and then I shall hinder your labors no further today.”

To the average passerby, Ayla spoke with deference to a man of rank upon his territory. To the captain, who had been in conversation with her all this morning, she was rushed to find solitude to manage her own shame. Her feet scurried rapidly down the steps and to the door of his cabin where she awaited his unlocking the apartment. She would return the books and boxes and then she would seek a dark corner to meditate and try to gather her composure again.