A trading ship was visiting Italy on business when a member of her crew died due to injuries sustained on the rough seas. Looking to replace him with a sturdy young lad from Italy, they encountered a shipwright who told them of a gent who spoke English and was looking for a career on the high seas. They were introduced to Nicholas of Losthaven, a Scotland native who landed in Italy after his last sailing expedition. When asked where Losthaven was he replied "If I knew where it was it wouldn't be lost". (Such logic could hardly be overlooked in a sailor). But, it did confirm that young Nick did, in fact, speak English, so all was not lost. He was offered a job onboard The Maw, the largest sailing vessel in a fleet owned by a wealthy shipping heiress. The only position suitable for young Nicholas of Losthaven was that of the Cabin Boy.

On their return to England, Nicholas proved himself to be a spot on smith as well. He could create wondrous works from iron. Unfortunately for Nick he was not overly cautious and spent as much time in the shop creating things for the Golden Oak Inn as he did in the Apothecaries shop getting ointments for his burns. And so Nick stayed as the cabin boy on The Maw, which sailed rarely due to its size, and hung out at the Inn during his off time. This worked out well, as Nick was often called upon to escort some of the less desirable Inn visitors out the door after a little too much mead!

A Norseman that stopped at the Golden Oak Inn on his travels took a liking to young Nicholas. In his broken English he continually referred to Nicholas as "Cabana Boy" rather than Cabin Boy. The nickname stuck!