The Desire made port in the early evening. The sun pushed its last tendrils of light over the horizon in a final effort to grasp the day. After thanking Louis for his offering of dead rat, Keelan helped Marcel clean up and stow away the galley staples before she went topside.
DesireLandon had given the crew a short shore leave, but warned them the Desire could depart as early as noon the next day. They were instructed to keep watch for the blue Peter signal flag which alerted the docks that the ship was preparing to leave. Landon gathered several sealed missives and left. Keelan was no longer privy to his schedule. It was hard to ignore the sinking empty sensation that burrowed into her heart at that last thought.
DesireDaniel had been instructed to give the horses some exercise and boar
