Cid spotted Benkin as he came back visiting Leonidas’s room on the other end of the ship with the rest of The Wolves. “How’s the doctor doing?” Cid asked.
“Doc seems to be looking a lot better,” said Benkin as he sat on a crate and took a flagon of mead Silvius handed him.
“That’s good,” said Hypatia, “poor Jeanne looked like she was about to fall apart.”
“I wouldn’t blame her,” said Silvius, “the two are nearly inseparable now.”
“Maybe that’s not exactly a good thing,” said Maeryn.
“What do you mean?” Silvius asked.
“If something happens to one of them, there’s no telling what the other will do. And they’re both our mages in this group. If they can’t keep a grip on their magical usage, it could turn bad fast.”
“What are you suggesting we do?” Hypatia asked Maeryn.
Maeryn shrugged. “I don’t know. But this has me more than a little concerned.”
Silvius turned to Kveldulf and Cid, both listening to the conversation in silence. “Kel, Cid, you both have know Jeanne longer than anyone, what are your thoughts on the matter?”
Kveldulf shook his head while shrugging. “What Jeanne does in her social life is her own business, as far as I’m concerned.”
“And if something had happened to Doc?” Maeryn followed.
“I think it’s less of their relationship than her time with these Kolvilles,” Cid replied. “I’ve seen her in the midst of battle without so much as a moment to reconsider her decisions.”
“You think she could handle if Doc … you know?” Silvius inquired.
“If he died?” said Cid. “I can’t say I know how someone will act in a situation until the situation itself arrives. None of us are clairvoyants, and I’d rather abstain from assuming if it can be avoided. What’s more, this might help encourage Jeanne to try and reign in her fire towards the Kolvilles, who knows? But in terms of her relationship with the doctor, I don’t see a need to say something, not for this moment, at least.”
Maeryn chagrined as she looked off into the distance.
Cid noted her reaction. He knew there was truth in her concern, he had been thinking of it much before they began their journey on The Bellamy. More so after what happened to the doctor. Ever since the first time he had shown Jeanne the bounty of one of the Kolvilles she had been more reliant to her blind rage than before. Normally this would be a mere annoyance on her part, but now Cid was becoming concerned. He felt his grip tighten at the thought.
“But that doesn’t mean it’s not something to be mindful of the situation. We need to make sure everyone is going into this with a clear head. Last thing we need is for us to rush into a bad situation before we get a full lay of the land. Though I think I need to stretch my legs, if you don’t mind.”
“I’ll come with, I could use the air,” said Kveldulf, both men rising from their seats.
Both men made their way out of the interior of the ship, taking a breath of the zephyr air surrounding them. Reaching the starboard side of the vessel, Cid looked out over the vast ocean as Kveldulf crossed his arms and looked down to the wooden boards under his feet. “So,” Kveldulf said, breaking the silence. “What do you really think about the situation?”
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“I’ll be honest, Kel. I don’t know. It isn’t unheard of for members of the same company to find intimacy with each other. But I wasn’t expecting Jeanne and Doc creating this amount of concern.”
“No,” Kveldulf replied. “Do you think this is something we need to handle?”
“You mean keep them apart?”
“Potentially.”
“You really think that’s needed. More importantly, do you think it’ll be of any use?”
“Right now, one of tougher fighters almost put our only medical personnel down permanently.”
“Because of she was pummeling one of the brothers who killed her sister, and the doctor tried pulling her off of the man. Their relationship outside of our profession had nothing to do with it. Hell, Kel, it might’ve been what saved the boy’s life.”
Kveldulf put his hand on his chin. “I’m worried about Jeanne.”
“I am too.”
“You think this was a bad idea going on this expedition?”
“Every expedition has its share of hiccups. Just because we had one doesn’t mean it’ll be a full catastrophe.”
“No, but it’s still not a great sign, Cid.”
“Neither was it when we were risking our lives to restore an ancient house, but we did it because a friend needed help. And Jeanne was the first one to throw herself into the fray on that person’s behalf.”
Kveldulf growled. “All right you made your point.”
“Besides, I’m hoping this might temper Jeanne’s fire. Not how I’d like to have it happen, but I’ll take what I can get.”
“I think Doc would’ve preferred it be different.”
“No kidding,” Cid replied. “Most people would prefer not have their partner attempt caving their head in.”
“You all right, Cid? You don’t seem yourself.”
Cid rubbed his forehead. “I’ve had lot on my mind. Between not knowing how we’re to find this artifact for a group of vampires and this whole situation with Jeanne, I’m not feeling my chipper self.”
“Well, hopefully when we get there we’ll find some answers to what the hell is going on over there.”
“Gods I hope so,” Cid replied. “At we’ll have something of a plan to help us get through this damned farce.”
“You mean the two contenders for the throne?”
Cid nodded. “If we’re lucky, they’ll be enough chaos for us to sneak in, grab this coffin, and get out before anyone is wiser.”
“If the gods are busy and have no reason to torture us, we may be so lucky.”
“If only,” Cid said, stretching his neck out and letting out a high sigh.
“You think this thing will be hard to get?”
“Without a doubt. A lord will put all their guards to keep such a thing in their possession. Even if it put them
“I think I’m going to get something to eat.”
“Enjoy the fine cuisine,” Cid jest.
Kveldulf turned to Cid, giving him a smile. “You would say that.”
“And you find this food appealing?”
Kveldulf bobbed his head from side to side. “That’s fair. But it’s better than starving.”
“I think I could stand to lose a pound or two before we reach port.”
“More food for me than,” Kveldulf replied, laughing as he made his way back down into the ship.
Cid took a deep breath, leaning against the rail and feeling the ship rise and fall with the waves. The soft murmurs inside the ship was enough to break the silence but not to the point of arresting Cid’s concentration. He pondered the events over the last few days. His mind racing, trying to see how what were his options for the tasks at hand. So many variables, so many situations that could go wrong and change without a single warning.
This was part of a mercenary’s life, but it didn’t mean Cid had to like it by any measure. And with Jeanne’s recent examples of her rage, that gave Cid pause. Point her in front of the enemy and let her do what she did best, that was never an issue. But there was control, direction, a purpose. Now it seemed the anger would come out and something or someone was bound to get hurt.
As much as Cid hate to admit it, he was almost glad what happened earlier occurred. Maybe this would snap Jeanne back to herself again, keep her from letting her hatred blind her to the world and focus solely on revenge. Maybe this would help in keeping a low profile before they can sail back to Koulberg and to sanctuary. Maybe.
There was nothing that could be done until the arrive to their destination and start seeing the full scope of what was before them. And worrying about it would accomplish nothing and put a few more grey hairs on his head.
Cid watched Jeanne pull Leonidas from the quarterdeck of the ship towards the bow of the vessel while cleaning his pipe with an extended claw. He took out a match, striking the tip on the bottom of his boot and inhaling slowly as the flame touched the leaves of weed tapped inside. Exhaling he caught a faint scent of iron and frost.
“I’m starting to get used to your scent,” he said looking to a figure cloaked in shadow.