Swamped

It slowly comes back to you. You were headed for the crow's nest to scout for land, to help you figure out your course. When the storm hit, that wasn't really an option, so you'd planned on doing the best you could with just the charts.

And you did find some islands, didn't you? So another scouting session could be real productive. But right now, just the thought of climbing all the way up there again is making you dizzy. You're probably not going to be able to do it. Donnie's definitely not giving his approval for you to.

But there are things you just can't tell from a map, especially one that's this out of date. And it's not like you have an apprentice who you could tell what to look for. You're the only one here with any eye for sea charts, and the sailors aren't especially inclined to learn.

Bah. That's a problem to deal with once you're out of here. Maybe you'll feel better and can at least take a chance on the ladder. Right now, what matters is letting your damn head clear up. You hope none of the books Donnie's bringing are complicated.

He soon comes back with three. Not much of a choice, though. Up first is a self-help book with a cheesy name, and if that wasn't bad enough, it's written by Sonny. You remember Sonny from back home and by Vaj, he was such a phony. That's right out.

Second is a book about seasickness. Looks horrendously clinical. Frankly, you're more concerned about the words making you vomit than you are about the ship.

Mercifully, the third is at least a novel. You don't have high expectations, but you're also not looking for anything more than a way to pass the time. Even if it's trash, it's probably not boring trash.

So you take that and start poring through it. What's this book even about?