Been a few days since I posted last. And because it's in Mayhem, it gets knocked to the third page.
Well, I hope that those that follow the story have bookmarked it or something like that? I worry about my readers.
Anyway, the parts are getting longer. Hopefully, that means they're getting better. Enjoy!
All legalese applies...Dan Shive is a kind a benevolent God among mortalsyadddayaada...
Grab yourself a long cool one, or a warm and toasty one, all things depending...
C&C (Comments and Criticism) always welcome...You can post it here, send me a PM, or an email...
Flames will be TG'd, shrunk and stored in a closet...
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Part 9
Justin sat at his station, his lamp rocking slowly back and forth. In the past month, they'd had to make course corrections many different times because of the preponderence of icebergs in the path. He'd thought that they might miss them, but because of getting out of England so late, the summer had come to the Arctic and had broken them free. He reached up and rubbed his eyes. The clock ticked off another hour above him. Already past one a.m. Justin looked behind him as he heard the rudder chain tick off a couples notches as the pilot made changes to avoid something. At least he hoped.
A couple of nights ago, one of the crew had fallen asleep and leaned on the wheel, throwing them into a nice, big circle for probably the better part of the night. Justin suggested they throw him overboard, but he was reassigned to the galley to help Francine. She seemed to get along with everyone, though she spoke less English than her rather taciturn brother. Justin also knew she ran a tight ship, so to speak. The night stuck in the circle had cost them a whole night's worth of travel and had ended in there now being two people awake during the night. The rudder chain ticked back a couple notches. Course correction.
Justin reached over to the sideboard and picked up a nutty bun, something that Francine had cooked up for them. Filling and slightly sweet, it had quickly become the standard snack on board. He munched on it absently as he went back to plotting the course. They'd come over from Scotland a week ago and were only a couple days north of Scandinavia. Another month and they would come to parts unknown on the map. He set the bun down and picked up his tea. He frowned. Cold. Ah well, perhaps that was the clue that he should head to-
A knock came at the door. Justin stopped and set his tea down. No one should have been up.
"Come," he said quietly.
The door opened slightly.
"May I speak with you a moment?" Nioi purred.
"Of course, Miss Nioi," Justin smirked. "What can I do for you?"
Nioi came in, her robes fluttering against the papers that stuck out on either side of the door. Justin reached over and pulled up a small stool to the nearby table as he spun around in his own chair. Nioi fidgeted in her seat and Justin felt awkward waiting.
"I'm sorry, m'lady," he said. "I would offer a cup of tea, but it's quite cold by now."
"No, Justin, that's fine," she said with a grateful breath. "I wanted to ask about Elliot. I...I seem to keep offending him and I want to know why."
"Offending?" Justin thought for a moment. "Do you keep referring to him by his title?"
"I only did that a couple times," she said. "And I did apologize for it."
Justin leaned back in his chair. He supposed that he should ask Elliot to be the one to tell his own story, but he doubted Elliot would want to, much less tell it to a complete stranger. And yet, Lady Nioi
had funded them completely and had allowed them to get underway. That didn't give her cart blanche, but perhaps she deserved an explanation. Justin rubbed his eyes again and leaned forward.
"I don't know the whole story," Justin said quietly. "But, as far as I know, Elliot's commanding officer committed piracy or treason or some other high crime and Elliot was the only man willing to stand against him. And Elliot wouldn't have made it out of the city had it not been for Tedd's father."
"Oh my!"
"Yes, and what's worse is that Elliot was branded a traitor by the military-"
"Branded?!"
"Oh, not literally," Justin smiled. "Just, um...labelled and treated as one. Not even any conviction by the military court or anything. So, his title, he feels, is something of a black mark against him."
Nioi set up a little and seemed to contemplate something.
"He and Sarah are very much in love?"
Justin grit his teeth, but tried to remain calm outwardly as he nodded. Something like a snort came from within the folds of the robe.
"What else did you do to offend him?"
"Well," Nioi hemmed. "I suggested that Sarah might not be the best person for him."
Justin blew out a breath as he slapped his forehead.
"And I'm right!" Nioi continued. "He needs someone who isn't so strong-willed! Someone who knows her place as a woman in society! The pants Sarah wears are simply scandalous!-"
Nioi stopped as Justin shook from trying to keep his laughter in check. As much as he wanted to think otherwise...he'd known Sarah too long to agree.
"Lady," Justin finally said. "That strength of will, that whatever it is, is what Elliot sought in a woman! Sarah is perfect for him because of that."
Nioi huffed, "I know it's not my place, being simply a passenger on this trip, but her...actions-"
"Lady Nioi, I would advise you to drop the subject," Justin sighed and shook his head. "Elliot's love for Sarah is without bounds and nothing you say will put doubt to that. Also, I thought you were going to stay in your quarters?"
"...I got bored."
Justin smirked and nodded. Nioi chuckled and stood.
"Thank you, Justin," she moved to the door. "But something else..."
"Yes?"
"Maybe you ought not to deny your own emotions for very long," Nioi said quietly. "I'm not saying that Elliot would be the best person for you either, but perhaps he would know best?"
"Lady?"
"Yes, Justin?"
"I have no idea what you're talking about," he deadpanned. "And I wonder if you'd ever been introduced to something called tact?"
He could sense her smirking at him from under her hood.
"Why, Justin," she chuckled. "I have no idea what you're talking about."
As the door closed after her, Justin chewed over what she'd said. He thought he'd covered himself up very well, but maybe not well enough if a stranger could see...it...he got up and tiredly stumbled to his bunk. The rudder chain clicked over two ticks.
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