Shadow Slave

Sunny knew how to write, of course. That said, he certainly did not have a lot of experience writing by hand, let alone had a signature — simply because people at large, and especially those in the outskirts, almost never used paper and pens to relay information. Why would they, if everything was usually stored digitally?

However, he was in a better position than most. Out there in the Dream Realm, many long-abandoned traditions had found a new life, so Sunny managed to scribble down his name on the piece of synthetic paper with at least some semblance of finesse.

Handing it back to Master Naeve of Night, he smiled awkwardly.

"Here. I… hope your daughter likes it."

The scion of the great clan received the piece of paper with gratitude and hid it in the pocket of his coat.

"Thank you very much. I am away a lot, so this will go a long way. Next time I see her, she will probably already be six… and terribly peeved that I've been gone for so long. Coming back with a present is bound to help!"

He looked at Sunny with genuine mirth. Then, a knowing spark gleamed in his strange indigo eyes.

Naeve gestured at the ocean and asked:

"You are not too comfortable on water, are you?"

Sunny lingered for a moment, then scoffed.

"You must have seen the movie yourself. Is it really a surprise that I have a complicated relationship with the sea?"

The handsome Master smiled.

"Oh, yes. I haven't thought about that, sorry. Still… at least you are familiar with it. Most people just don't understand."

have to say what exactly it was that people failed to understand. For a moment, the two men shared a strange feeling

the massive silhouettes of the iron ships for a

what are our chances of making

Naeve laughed.

Sure, anything can happen. But this convoy is as safe as

especially fearsome dreadnought

Saint of the House of Night aboard the flagship. There are several Nightwalkers such as I spread around the other ships. There are also at least one cohort of experienced Awakened warriors of my clan on each vessel. We know what we are doing, so… very few things

of the great clan lingered for a moment,

Each of the four fleets was made to be nearly indestructible. Still… that doesn't mean that our passengers can relax. Keep your wits about you, Master Sunless, and do

at the handsome

have already memorized the whole thing, more or less. I may

Naeve smiled.

trait to have. I wish more people were

***

chatted with the Nightwalker for a few more minutes before taking his leave. Master Naeve had turned out to be unexpectedly friendly and pleasant to be around. He was not at all like the arrogant

talk, Sunny felt a lot better about his current circumstances.

Nightwalkers did not enjoy the patronage of a Sovereign, but wielded an

was that advantage,

to what he had experienced twice before — one time in the shrine at the fourth level of the Ebony Tower, the other time in the

of depths, oceans, darkness, stars, travel, guidance, and disaster. The aspects of the Goddess of the Black Skies were

great clan, an enigmatic Awakened of the First Generation known as Nightwalker, had inherited

then… all six divine lineages are accounted

Night had inherited

the