*
Trisha had been patiently listening to the animated conversation at the table. She discovered that the woman was a delivery person for the postal, responsible for packages and boxes. The man was an engineer of some kind, highly regarded. He struck up a conversation with Symeon about some kind of a project the fellow might be interested in seeing. No one bothered to introduce the new arrivals, so the best that Trisha got from the conversation was the name ‘Chess’ for the woman – a nickname no doubt, and ‘Sweetheart’, ‘Love’, ‘Dear’, and other such terms of endearment for the man, mostly from Anna. Zadar used the name ‘Chess’, and only in passing. The woman added very little to the conversation. The man merrily returned Anna’s flirting comments with suggestive remarks, indicating the two had a long relationship.
Looking at her timepiece, Trisha decided not to wait longer for Mihai and Paul. ‘Screw her all day, if he had the chance…’ She was about to ask their leave - quite a chore considering the number crowded into a booth designed for four and she and Zadar were tucked in the far corner - when Euroaquilo suddenly burst through the door, heading directly for the kitchen.
In a moment, he returned with a bagged meal. “Hello!” He called out to the party in the booth, stopping to offer some quick salutations.
“Hey, you!” Zadar complained. “You just left here, having stuffed yourself. What ya’ doin’ with more? Afraid there won’t be anything to eat on the trip?”
Grinning, Euroaquilo ignored the comment and, staring at Trisha, warned, “I’d be careful the company I kept, my Lady. Some’d say you’re risking a sordid reputation, socializing with some certain fellows. Won’t say any names, though he’s pretty close. Hard to wash his reputation off once it gets around you’re with him.”
There were a few chuckles.
Zadar struggled to stand, spouting threats. “It’s a good thing the table’s between us or I’d give you such a thrashing as you’d not forget for a fortnight! For the sake of this lady, I must restore my honor. This means war!”
Euroaquilo stepped back, raising his hands as he quailed. “Oh, please forgive me. Oh no! Not that! Don’t hurt me! It’s the sun that’s been on me. I’ll be good! I promise!”
The following antics of the two men put everyone in stitches. A boisterous Zadar made phony attempts to escape his corner prison, swearing oaths of vengeance for such disrespect, and Euroaquilo for his show of cowardice, he crouching with his hands covering his face, crying for mercy, promising not to act so foolishly again.
When the laughter died down, Euroaquilo leaned on the table, explaining, “My little girl has been working day and night to get the Shikkeron ready for departure. She refused to join me for breakfast, saying ‘a good captain remains aboard until relieved of duty’. Bedan’s not arrived yet. I promised her some of the chef’s delights, she being fond of his cooking. Then I went off in a rush, forgetting them. Can’t face the girl’s wrath without them, so…”
He sighed. “I’ve not seen a ship’s crew work this hard in years, ‘six-to-six, spit, polish and paint. Clean the boilers, check the generators, double-check the gages, mixers, exhaust systems… and when you’re done let’s have at it again'. I tell you, the Shikkeron’s the best-prepared ship in the fleet. Mother sure picked a good one for this trip.”
Anna grinned. “It’s a good thing that Mother put Darla in charge of readying the Shikkeron for the journey, else Ardon might have seen misfortune come visiting.”
Euroaquilo leaned past Chess, addressing Anna, the humor escaping his face. “My Dear, don’t underestimate our little girl. She is far stronger than most can imagine. There’s something about her that makes me wonder… Well, anyway, I feel there are days coming when we might all wish to be made of her mettle. If Ardon comes to any misfortune, it will not be at her hand. She would choose death before hurting the least of Mother’s loyal children. She’s a real gem.”
Anna sadly agreed. “You know my love for the child. It hurts me to think what she has never experienced and the demon that resides in her. Well, a cure may soon come. We can only hope.”
Taking each other’s hand, the two became silent, sharing some private thoughts. After a few fleeting moments, Euroaquilo stood back, smiling as he looked toward the door. “I must be off. Time waits for no one.” Holding up his meal-bag, he confessed, “First I must deliver this and then there’s an entire fleet I have to check out before our departure.”
Hearing the sound of a nearing motor transport, he hurried away, shouting for the driver to wait up. “Good bye, all. See you later.” He waved before passing through the door.
Jonathan looked at Anna. “I guess I must be going, too. The hour is late, and there are still a few things need tending.”
Anna offered to leave with him, seeing they were to board the same ship.
Grunting as he stood, Jonathan asked wistfully, “I wonder what my berth is like?” Passing the woman who was now standing, he offered his pleasantries, shaking her hand. “It was a pleasure… er… Chess… to have met you. I look forward to our meeting again.”
Chess smiled. “In our world, we give a kiss goodbye.” She gave him a little peck on the cheek.
The remainder of the group followed Jonathan and Anna through the door and into the bright morning sun. Chess waved the others goodbye as she pulled away from the curb. Jonathan and Anna hurried along, hailing down a small motor-cab. The others stepped to the edge of the street to await another coach. Trisha looked down, surprised, and then smiled. Zadar and she were still holding hands.
* * *