Night fell like a curtain across the Dawn Sea, bringing with it a sky full of brilliant, cold stars. Pierre had managed to stay upright through most of the afternoon, but as darkness settled over the Crimson Sparrow, his body finally began to rebel against the punishment he'd put it through.
He was sitting on a coil of rope near the mainmast, ostensibly keeping watch while Raven adjusted their heading for the night. In reality, he was fighting to stay conscious as waves of heat and cold rolled through him in nauseating cycles.
"You look terrible."
Pierre opened eyes he didn't remember closing. Alyssa stood in front of him, arms crossed, her pale green eyes dark with concern. Her platinum blonde hair caught the starlight, making her look ethereal and worried in equal measure.
"Thanks. Always nice to hear."
"I'm serious, Pierre." She crouched down in front of him, bringing her face level with his. "You're burning up. When's the last time you actually looked at those wounds?"
