The Lonely Star -- Chapter 4

[Mithadan]

Rose had been kind enough to bring Mithadan a bowl of beef stew with a chunk of freshly baked bread. He ate silently, then continued scanning the horizon for any sign of activity. The night passed peacefully and without any cause for alarm. Sometime after midnight, Veritas appeared and took over his place at the helm.

Mithadan went below decks and entered Pio's cabin quietly. As before, she was sound asleep, but she had arranged herself across the bunk so that there was no space for the Man. He smiled and gently caressed her hair, but did not wake her. Fatigue now dogged him as well and he considered leaving the cabin to sleep in his old bunk, but dismissed this thought. Instead, he sat on the chair which stood nearby and watched her breath until sleep came to him as well.