I only feel - Farewell! - Farewell!

side, and poured the hot soup. After weve sailed the Pearl to the Back, Lars said, easily but Killashandra thought his expression a trifle smug, as if he liked surprising Keralaw. He blew on his soup, taking a cautious sip. As good as ever, Keralaw. One day you must pass on your secret recipe. Whatll Angel do in a crisis without you around to sustain us! Keralaw made a pleased noise, giving him a dig in the ribs before she sidled up to Killashandra. You did better on the shore than I did from the ship! she murmured, winking and giving Killashandra an approving dig in the ribs. And, she added, her expression altering from bawdy to solemn, youre what he needs right now. Before Killashandra could respond to that cryptic comment, Keralaw had moved off to the next group. With Keralaw in the know, Lars said between sips, storm or not, the rest of the island will be informed. That you and I have paired off? Killashandra gave him a long stare, having now decided what the special blue garlands must signify in island custom. It was presumptuous of him, but then, he was also presuming her acquaintance with island ways. The account, when rendered from her side, was going to be heavy. Youre remarkably well organized here She let her sentence dangle, implying that shed been elsewhere to her sorrow. Angels not often in the direct path, and the storm may veer off before it hits, but one doesnt wait until the last moment, not on Angel. Father doesnt permit inefficiencies. They lose lives and cost credit. Ah, Jorells back. Hang on to your cup. Well need them later. The harbor skip waited for them and its other passengers in the choppy waters. Lars bent to rinse out his cup and Killashandra followed suit, before swinging over the gunwales of the water taxi. Willing hands pulled them aboard. There was a lot of activity on those ships still left in the harbor, but many had already started for the safety of the protected bay. Lars chatted amiably with the other passengers, naming Killashandra once to everyone. The approaching storm worried them all, despite the well-drilled exodus. It was considered early in the season for such a big blow: odds were being given that it would veer west as so many early storms tended to do: relief was felt that neither of the nearer two moons was at the full, thus affecting the height of the tides. The pessimist on board was sure this was the beginning of a very stormy winter, a comment which caught Killashandras interest. Winter? As far as she knew, shed arrived in Optheria in early spring. Had independent digital camera ratings she missed half a year somehow? Then the taxi pulled alongside a sleek-lined fifteen meter sloop-rigged ship, and Lars was telling her to grab the rope ladder that flopped against its side. She scrambled up, almost falling over the life-railing, which she hadnt expected. Then Lars was beside her, cheerfully shouting their thanks to Jorell as he deftly hauled the ladder inboard and began to stow it away. Well rig the cabin before we sail, Lars said, nodding astern toward the hatch. Killashandra didnt know much about ships of this class but the cabin looked very orderly to her, arranged as it was for daytime use. She went to the forward cabin, and decided that she had been in the top right-hand bunk. She turned back, to approximate the view she would have had, and decided that the Pearl Fisher had conveyed her to that wretched little island. Update! Lars said as he came down the companionway, talking to the handset. He listened as he did a cursory inspection of the nearest cupboards, smiling as he turned toward her. Alert me to any changes. Over. He put the handset down and, in one unexpected sweep, hauled her tightly into his arms. His very blue eyes gleamed inches above her face. His face assumed the expression of a sex-mad fiend, his eyes wide in exaggerated ferocity, as he bent her backward in one arm his other hand stroking her body urgently. Alone, at last, mgirl, and who knows when next we have the privacy I need to enjoy you to good advantage. Oh, sir, unhand me! Killashandra fluttered her eye lashes, panting in mock terror. How can you ravish an innocent maid in this hour of our peril? It seems the right thing to do, somehow, Lars said in a totally different tone, releasing her so abruptly she had to catch herself on the table. Curb your libido long enough for me to make the bed youre about to be laid in. He flipped the table onto its edge, gestured for her to take the other side of the seat unit which pulled out across the deck. Simultaneously they fell onto the bed, and Lars began his assault on her willing person. The summons of the handset brought them back to reality that had only peripherally impinged on their activities. Lars had to steady himself in the lurching ship to reach the handset. He frowned as he heard the update. Well, beloved, I hope youre a good sailor, for its going to be a rough passage around the wing. That storm is hurrying to meet us. Neither a