Just Another Day

Shanku had found her place on the ship. While all missed Dawson, each had come to accept Shanku in his own way. She struggled hard to do as well a job as she had seen Dawson do in his duties. During the day, she would watch the horizon for ships, obstacles, and distant land masses as he had taught her to do. In the mornings after a quick survey, she would stay on deck and help Templeton prepare some of the meals. Some afternoons, she would take her spear and fly out over the ocean to obtain a few fresh fish for their suppers. In the evenings, Shanku would study and debate with Doctor Newbury.

Doctor Newbury had come to mean the most to Shanku. He felt like a grandfather to her and she thrived on making him proud of her. His lessons were difficult, and she still had trouble grasping much of the material, but he never seemed disappointed with her and she tried all the harder to learn the fascinating things he had to offer.

Their trips to Mruha continued as usual and they often stopped in Ila-tyaq where Dawson now lived with Scarlet and their son Rangi. When she had the spare time, she would seek out Tasura for a tour of the cave with the glowing moths and fungi. They would sit in a shallow boat as he guided them through the water with a long stick. Some nights they were fortunate enough to see the white sea dragon that lived in the back of the cave. They kept a respectful distance and often offered him fish to be granted safe passage back out of the cave.