Ocean water sprayed up onto the ship as it rocked in the rough conditions of the sea. Waves crashed against its sides, as tilting it as if to give a playful threat that it could completely tip them anytime it wanted.

Eilownia leaned over the side of the boat, hurling into the sea with Marix holding her tight to keep her from being thrown overboard.

"Dr. Lein! Someone call Dr. Lein!" He shouted as he kept his focus on Eilownia.

Two minutes later, Dr. Lein carefully approached, his arms out as he tried to balance against the uneven gravity of the ship.

He grabbed onto the side as he made it to Marix and Eilownia.

"What is it? What’s wrong?"

"She’s been throwing up like this for minutes straight. She can’t calm down!" Marix didn’t take his eyes off of her, petting her head with his free hand as he continued to hold her with his other.

"Eilownia, what all are you feeling?"

Her knuckles were white as she clutched the side of the boat, her eyes shut tight as she continued to vomit over the side.

Recognizing she was unable to answer, Dr. Lein approached with simple yes or no answers.

"Are you in any pain?"

She nodded.

"Where? Here?" He touched her stomach and she shook her head.

"Here?" He touched her lower abdomen and she shook her head.

"What about here?" He touched her ribcage and diaphragm to which she nodded.

"Okay, good."

Dr. Lein gently pried her hand from the side of the boat and began to apply pressure to her wrist as he massaged it.

"It’s just normal sea sickness, probably amplified by her morning sickness. The pain she’s in is most likely cramping from throwing up. Eilownia does it feel like cramping?"

She nodded her head.

"Yes. Her muscles are just being overworked."

"What are you doing?" Marix asked as Dr. Lein took her other wrist and applied the same technique.

"I’m massaging her pressure points here to activate them and relieve her sea sickness. It’s best to do it on both sides for maximum effect."

After a few moments, she took a deep breath and collapsed into Marix’s chest.

"How are you feeling?" He asked, catching her.

"Exhausted....." Her voice was hoarse as she whispered to him.

"Good, good. Take her to get some rest. Make sure she has water so she doesn’t get dehydrated. Give it to her in small sips. If she gets sick like that again, apply what I taught you about her pressure points."

Marix nodded and lifted her up into his arms. Her head slumped against his shoulder as her eyebrows furrowed and she groaned.

"Still nauseous?"

She shook her head, "Cramping...."

"Alright. I’ll make you better soon," Marix then turned his attention to Dr. Lein, "Thank you Doctor."

Dr. Lein nodded, "I’m just doing my job," before he went back to doing his rounds and checking on the other soldiers.

Marix carried Eilownia into the lower deck and set her down on the mattress in the cart. He poured some water from his flask onto a cloth and began to dab the sweat off of her face.

Aleiza was also there, tending to Tryde, dabbing sweat off of his face as well.

Eilownia took a sip of water as Marix began to gently massage her rib cage.

Marix glanced over to check on Tryde’s condition.

Even in the dim light, he could see that his face was red with fever.

His eyes were closed and his lips parted as he panted, his breathing labored. The bandages wrapped around him seemed to be fresh. Dr. Lein must’ve just checked on him.

"How is his condition?" Marix asked, not stopping his massage on Eilownia who was now laying down and closing her eyes.

Aleiza jumped at the sudden sound of Marix’s voice, not expecting to be addressed. She’d been so focused on Tryde, she hadn’t even heard them enter.

"Dr. Lein said that he shows signs of infection. He had to clean out his wound and apply some herbal medicines to it, and gave him some oral medicine as well to take. Right now I’m just trying to keep him comfortable."

Her voice was melancholic as her gaze remained locked on Tryde.

"Don’t lose hope. Dr. Lein is the best at what he does. Under his care, Tryde has good chances. It’ll clear up."

"Mmm." She nodded.

"I hope you understand, he was only following orders to get Eilownia and my child back."

Aleiza glanced over to see Marix continuing to massage Eilownia’s ribcage, who had already fallen asleep. There was the smallest bump visible now that her clothes were laying flat against her body.

"I understand. I forgave him already." She said quietly, returning her focus back to Tryde.

That night, many of the soldiers fell ill with seasickness. The ocean had gotten rougher as rain poured down.

Jinya, Aleiza and a few well soldiers made their rounds with Dr. Lein, applying his pressure point method.

Marix massaged Eilownia’s wrists as she panted hard, her hair and clothes soaked by the rain.

"How much...longer until we- HRRRP!!! .....arrive?"

Marix rubbed her back with his free hand and continued to massage with his other.

"A few more days. This storm and the speed of our ship has definitely set us back in time."

Eilownia burst into tears and started to wail, causing Marix to gasp.

She wasn’t one to cry, and the sight formed a large, sharp, pit in his stomach.

"DR. LEIN!" He screamed over the sound of the rain, waves and other soldiers hurling.

Lein carefully headed over, making sure he didn’t slip on the rain slicked deck.

"What is it?"

"She’s crying! Something is wrong! She doesn’t cry!"

Dr. Lein examined her and asked her a few questions.

"I want! To go! Home!" She cried loudly.

"Don’t worry. Her pregnancy hormones will make her much more sensitive, plus she doesn’t feel well and she’s frustrated. It’s completely normal."

Their ship approached the Vasis docks just a little before sundown. The sky was painted with beautiful red and purple hues and the sound of the waves crashing against the shore created a picturesque atmosphere.

Unlike the docks at Azuka, Vasis was much calmer. There were few large ships, mostly fishing boats docked, and the merchants at the markets were busy heading to the fishing boats to help unload and take a look at the stock.

Voices meshed together in a low rumble as they spoke about the day’s catch and how harsh the sea conditions had been earlier that week.

Marix’s ship crew shouted orders as they docked the boat, making sure everything was anchored and ready for the troop’s descent into Vasis.

"Sir, the ship is ready for your departure. How long will we be docked?" The captain of the crew asked. His skin was leathery and his hair black hair seemed to have red highlights, lightened by all of his time in the sun. He gave Marix a smile, his golden tooth shined brightly against some of the blackened ones.

Marix was busy rubbing Eilownia’s arms as she hung over the side of the boat completely exhausted, sweat covering her face.

"Not too long. You may leave and get some good food. We’ll leave before the night is over."

Marix carried Eilownia into Vasis. She was exhausted and rested her head against his shoulder.

"Yay~ Land~" She said weakly with a smile on her face.

"Yes, land." He repeated with a chuckle.

The men who had been seasick got priority to leave the ship for a break, while the rest were instructed to hide out in the lower decks and cabins.

"LAND! LAAANDDD! Thank goodness for land!" Prav screamed as he scrambled to the cobblestone paths and began to kiss it.

A few fishermen that were coming off their boats caught sight of him and burst out laughing.

He didn’t care, nor did he pay them any mind, he was busy kissing the stones.

"Prav," Marix said, nudging him with his shoe, "Don’t draw attention to yourself."

Prav jumped up and nodded, "Sorry. I let the seasickness get to my head."

Marix sighed and shook his head, "Alright. Everyone, let’s have a proper meal and then we’ll rest a moment before heading off to gather more supplies."

The men cheered as they headed towards a nearby restaurant. Marix set Eilownia down on the seat and she leaned against him. 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

Eilownia ordered a boiled chicken soup while the men ordered small meals within the budget.

"You should eat something more substantial than this, shouldn’t you?" Marix asked, staring at the soup as it arrived.

"There’s meat in here," Eilownia said as she held up a drumstick, "I will eat it, don’t worry. I’m scared to get sick on the boat, and my appetite isn’t quite back yet. I want to eat something light."

Marix kissed the top of her head, "Alright. Just as long as you’re eating enough to keep up your strength. You need to be extra careful because of our baby."

She nodded and gently spooned the soup into her mouth, meanwhile the other soldiers were busy gobbling down their own meals.