After days of rough seas that left Brielle and Jocelyn seasick, Odessa succumbed to curiosity and tried on the Turan clothes Zavier had sent: caramel leather pants, scaled black boots, and a colorful, loose tunic. She liked the freedom of movement despite Brielle’s reservations and led Brielle up to the deck to get fresh air under a clear sky after the storm.

On deck, the crew stared at Odessa’s unfamiliar attire until the Guardian confronted her, mocking her “dutiful wife” stance and making clear contempt for her marriage. Before Odessa could retreat, the ship jolted as a marroweel struck. The Guardian roared commands, ordering the crew to the harpoons and telling Odessa and Brielle to stay out of the way. Jocelyn arrived from below as armed night-crewmen poured onto deck and ringed the rails with barbed spears and a harpoon.

The marroweel surged up the starboard side, shrieking and battering the Cutter. The violent roll sent Odessa sliding across the soaked deck; she barely stopped herself at the rail. As the eel dove and struck again, the ship heaved and Odessa was thrown overboard into the cold ocean.

In the water, Odessa struggled to swim as the Cutter slowed and began to turn. The Guardian fixed on her, shouting for her to swim, then coordinated a rescue: a harpoon with a rope splashed near her, and she grabbed the line. As the crew hauled her in, the marroweel closed from behind, its approach churning the water.

At the Guardian’s “Now,” the crew yanked Odessa clear of the surface as the marroweel breached with jaws open. Odessa slammed onto the deck, and the Guardian’s harpoon skewered the eel’s head. The crew hauled the monster’s body aboard as Brielle and Jocelyn rushed to Odessa, who was shaken but alive.

Zavier arrived alongside on the Cleaver, leaped aboard, and surveyed the dead eel and a wounded crewman. He and the Guardian exchanged a nod of acknowledgment. The Guardian then dragged Odessa to her feet and, eyes gone silver, demanded she obey his orders without question in future crises.

Odessa refused. She told the Guardian she would heed safety commands but would not submit to humiliation or absolute control, asserting she was neither his warrior nor his wife to command. She broke off the confrontation and headed below, pausing only to thank him for saving her life.