After all, the men who spend years at sea naturally treat their ships like daughters, always calling them 'girls.' When this one gained sentience and wisdom, it naturally became a 'she' as well.
"She is willing to follow me now, but once we're out of here, we need to repair her properly. We can't leave her this tattered."
"But we are heading to..." Chadite reminded from the side.
"Oh, right." Alka was so delighted that he forgot this detail and patted his forehead.
He spoke to the air on the ship.
"We are about to do something very dangerous. Find a place to hide for half a month, and then we will call you again. How about you come find us then?"
A captivating tune drifted from the ship, but a note of displeasure could be heard in its melody.
She seemed reluctant.
"Don't worry, just half a month is all it takes," he said, then added with emphasis, "I promise."
The melody dipped for a moment but then swelled again.
"It's settled then."
