“Hunkapa go fish too?”
“Not this time, my friend.” Ehomba smiled sympathetically. “A little enthusiasm on your part goes a long way. I can see you catching a fish and in the excitement of the moment, drenching Simna and Ahlitah all over again.” He indicated the bustle of fresh activity that filled the main deck. “Why not see if you can help the crew with their work? I am sure they could use an extra pair of strong hands.”
More than human teeth flashed amidst the gray hair. “Good idea, friend Etjole. Hunkapa strong! Hunkapa go and help.”
Stanager watched him descend to the main deck in a single, booming hop that disdained use of the stairs. “Sometime you must tell me how you came to gain the allegiance of two such remarkable creatures.”
Ehomba grinned. “Simna would be upset that you left him out.”
She snorted derisively. “In my time I’ve had to deal with all too many puffed-up, self-important vagabonds and mercenaries like him. He aspires to far more than he can ever hope to attain.”
“Do not underestimate him. He swaggers like a farmyard cock, but he is brave, courageous, and, to a certain degree I have yet to measure accurately, true.”
“I know what he is,” she retorted sharply. “The question is, what are you, Etjole Ehomba?” One toughened yet surprisingly soft shoulder pushed, perhaps accidentally, perhaps not, against his side.
“What I am, Captain, is a humble herder of cattle and sheep. One with a loving wife and two fine children, whom I do not fail to miss every day of this seemingly eternal journey.”