Aboard the Watch Dog
Ajayi had passed the night without much sleep, but hadn't minded the passing of it.
He'd lain down but once and remained where he was all night, having noted how the woman he barely knew paced, muttered, halted, paced and revolved again through pantomimes of action. It had been disruptive, to be sure, especially in the confined spaces of the great cabin, but had come with explanations that Brand hadn't offered.
For instance, her bruises spoke of a something beyond the passing of the Navarra, what with some of them too finger-like. Many of them were on one side, belying the use of a prominent hand. Her eyes were also too wide for shock to have lingered so long from the collision. But more than any of this, she seemed to have forgotten him entirely, and for his size, this spoke volumes.
This last thing might have bothered someone else, but Ajayi was no stranger to attacks. He'd born them with a dignity rooted to deep to be rooted out and he understood that inward, focused shout of self-voices that came after a beating. So, without any more narrative than her appearance and agitation he'd kept himself still and pretended a sleep that never fully came.
Instead, he'd thought of people, places, dates, all removed by leagues and time. He'd pondered on the ruin of a smile that would never be the same. He'd considered revenges and purpose, doubts and decision long into the night as the Steward's pacings came in waves. Three times the sea and her feet had almost lulled him to sleep, but he'd woken each time, careful to be quiet. Careful to not remind her that she'd forgotten him there. Careful for her sake, because the sake of others gave him something he hadn't owned for himself in years. Strength and purpose.
He was glad of this needful, sleepless guarding when he woke. He was glad of the gifted knife still secreted beside him. He was glad that on waking, one of his pained, broken teeth had slipped it's moorings. He spat it out quietly with relief and smiled for the sunlight and blood. Two bright reminders of life.