Ashsib and the Cat Beast

Chapter Five

After two days, the Triand Mermaid set sail without any problems. They sold product and took on supplies, unfurled the sails and left Par de Sallen. Port authority never even gave them a second look. Namere stayed below decks until the city was out of sight, just in case, but it was only precautionary.

The third day asea, conversation turned on the passenger, now that the fear of discovery was far removed by miles of ocean. It started casually, small details of preferences and the like, but Bretta grew bold.

"You've been in the P.O. for over a decade, right? Why did you run away with us?" Bretta asked the woman. She didn't fully trust Namere, she'd been vocal about that. Bretta was a meticulous person who had lists, and lists of lists, organized for every conceivable reason. Namere's tendency to act on impulse and react to things in ways merchants did not irked Bretta more and more as the voyage continued.

"I left home with one need: stop the curse of the Beast. I planned on taking the easiest route." Namere said with eyes looking at the past as she rested her chin in one palm. "At the time of my departure, it seemed most reasonable that the P.O.s, since they have posts all over the world, would be the way to find my sister in the quickest amount of time. I'm not convinced it was now, but before I knew it, sixteen years had passed in service. I never felt I was a part of the Peace Officers. I vowed when I joined that once I used the organization to find and seal the Beast, I would put Karihyou out of its misery." Her eyes slid across the table to Ashsib but he avoided her eye contact, "When that plan was changed last minute, I realized I inadvertently left myself a way to escape a P.O. inquiry. With my word alone, and a corpse that is clearly my twin, the investigation could last for months. Every blemish on my record re-examined. There's no question I would be found as the murderer, either. In a self defense killing, which I would have claimed, the P.O. still believes in punishment. Do you know the minimum sentence for that?" She put to the table.

"A year?" Bretta guessed.

"Impossible." Vel grunted, "I hear even petty theft is a two year average incarceration. Not including the time waiting on a trial."

"Ten years." Namere answered when the conversation stalled, "And as P.O.S.F. Captain such an action would reflect badly on the organization. I'd guess I'd get closer to fifteen, depending on the judge, maybe even eighteen years. Totaling over thirty years in P.O. custody." Her lip curled in a sneer, "I couldn't do it. That overbearing place, I couldn't have lived through it. So, I took advantage of your good nature."

"Well, it takes all the fun out of it when you say it so bluntly." The Captain said, "I thought we had some leverage for once."

"I wasn't aiming to get any amusement out of it." Bretta added, "Passengers usually pay for their trip, but you fixed that Smile mask, so, I guess I'll leave it at that."

Ashsib still felt like Namere was holding something back. Ever since the last island she would chat, but there was something more reserved in her attitude. She'd volunteered to be on the watch roster so what little conversation they'd had was sure to dry up completely.

The table fell into the lull of satisfaction that came after a good meal. Namere was the first one to break it, gathering her plate.

"I'll get it, Namere." Challah said as the woman helped her clear the table, "Really, don't bother."

Namere gave her a small smile and continued through the back door to the kitchen. Challah grabbed the rest of the dishes in a precarious pile and followed quickly, her domain invaded. The rest of them had learned to leave the kitchen alone.

"You don't have to help with the dishes, either." Challah was heard exclaiming, but neither woman returned.

"She's hiding something." Vel spoke.

"Who?" Elian looked as though he'd been dosing, and asked in a mumble.

"Who else? Namere vanLanterrion." Vel rolled his head like an impatient stallion, "That long explanation and she still kept half the details to herself."

"You just don't trust anyone, do you?" Calder snidely put in.

Vel glared.

"While Vel's cautious nature is something well established," Quinn diplomatically reworded, "He is right. I wonder what it is she's keeping to herself?"

"Maybe her wounds hurt." Elian shrugged, "I honestly don't know how she looks so composed with so many stitches holding her together."

"Mind over matter." Pashqua said from the doorway.

"Come for your dinner, Pashqua?" Quinn brightly asked, giving the navigator a grin.

Pashqua grunted, heading for the kitchen.

"Mind over matter has nothing to do with such injuries." Elian disagreed behind Pashqua's back.

"I don't think so." Ashsib said, "She's been raised as a warrior, she's been through war."

"None of that has anything to do with what I was saying." Vel grumbled, "Mark my words, it's something recent. Something in the last few days."

"But nothing has happened since leaving port." Bretta contradicted him.

Vel, tired of the conversation, left the table. Ashsib agreed with Vel, it couldn't be just injuries Namere was suffering. He hadn't been able to get the nerve to ask her directly. They had plenty of time now and maybe Namere would open up a little. That was one of the good and one of the bad things about being on the ocean in a wooden tub with another person, the time was as endless as the horizon.