Page 168 of Salt Between the Wolves

"A dangerous misconception."

For the first time since entering, Eira genuinely struggled not to smile. Unfortunately, Leander noticed.

"You're all very brave."

"No," the younger woman replied as she reached for her wine. "We simply know where you keep the important documents."

The sailor lifted his cup.

"And we know who signs them when you're away."

The room erupted into laughter, while Leander pinched the bridge of his nose.

Eira stared in surprise. No one appeared remotely concerned about provoking him, and no one seemed afraid of him. The realization felt increasingly familiar, reminding her of the housekeeper, the merchants, the fisherman, and now these people as well.

It wasn't that they lacked respect for him; rather, they simply weren't frightened of him, and that distinction seemed to grow larger every time she encountered it.

As dinner was served, the conversation shifted naturally between ships arriving from southern ports, delayed cargo, winter storms, and a variety of matters that Eira only partially understood.

Throughout it all, however, she noticed something else.

People interrupted Leander, corrected him, and disagreed with him frequently, and he not only tolerated it but seemed to expect it.

At one point, the younger woman openly informed him that his proposed shipping schedule was unrealistic, and the sailor immediately agreed with her.

Leander argued his case, lost the debate, and accepted the outcome without any visible injury to his pride.

The entire exchange felt surreal.

Eventually the discussion turned toward a trade route somewhere beyond the western sea, and Eira listened quietly as the conversation unfolded. For several minutes she simply followed along, hearing about different ports, different nations, and entirely different worlds—places whose names she had never heard before.

The map of her life had always been small, consisting of Frostvein, Ironfang, the surrounding valleys, and perhaps a few neighboring territories. Listening to them now felt like discovering an entirely new continent hidden beyond the edge of an old one.

The younger woman noticed her expression.

"You've never seen the navigation room, have you?"

Eira shook her head.

The woman immediately turned to Leander.

"Oh, you haven't shown her."

"I've been home six hours."

"Excuses."

"Reasonable excuses."

The sailor laughed.

"They never work on her."

"I've noticed."

The woman pointed a fork at him.

"You'll show her tomorrow."