Shipwrecked - Chapter 155: Laughter Without Mirth (nosex)

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Chapter 155: Laughter Without Mirth

I slept only in short periods of restlessness and rose long before anyone else. Either Takino or Popko would have been awake on watch, but I didn't disturb them, instead slowly walking by myself to the West, lost in thought.

Hours earlier, we'd untied Dunston's body, his skin a sickening lukewarm to the touch. Tok came to help me drag the body into the dingy the man had brought to the shore. After motoring out from the beach a good distance and testing the currents, we turned East past the end of the island and then quickly dumped the corpse over the side. We said nothing. The gravity of the day was lost on neither of us. I was as numb emotionally as I'd ever been, or so it felt in those moments, at least.

As I walked West, it was obvious to me someone had killed Dunston. The way his hands and feet were tied would not have allowed him to use them to wrap the rope, and though at first it seemed he might have been able to spin into the position, I knew from looking closely just before I untied him that the twist started from the wrong side of the rope. There was no way he committed suicide.

And I didn't know what to think about that. On one hand, it freed me from having to face the responsibility of putting a bullet in the man's brain. On the other, someone had taken it upon themselves to kill the rapist. Yes, he was sentenced to die by whatever semblance of justice we'd provided, but it was mine to do. I'd made that clear to all.

Could it have been Felicity? She certainly had more than enough reasons to do so. She'd told me she at least partially envied that I'd get to kill him. There might even have been time. There weren't many around the fire at that point, and the side of the tree away from the pit was very dark. I would have thought a strangling man would make some noises audible to those nearby, but no one had mentioned anything odd.

Perhaps one of the others from Humble Beginnings had taken it upon themselves? Simple, frightened Sebastian? Tall, muscular Racine? Timid Abuella? I couldn't decide if any of them might have done the deed.

Would someone already on Phoenix do this? It couldn't have been Kate or Keekah, that was certain. And I think if Tok had done it, he'd have told me. Amy and Bailey neither were the sort. Ekoh was not strong enough.

That left Popko and Takino of those not from that boat. Those two plus Felicity were the most plausible stranglers in my mind.

I wondered if I should ask questions. To find out who did it. Should the Council deliberate on a punishment? Was it a crime to kill a man already condemned to die? I'm wasn't sure.

In my state of mind deep in the early morning, I had little energy left to contemplate further.

I stopped when I realized I'd walked all the way to where the West end of the island bent back to the North before continuing on to the West. There were stars and part of a moon overhead, leaving enough light to see by. I sank down on the sand and took a deep breath.

"What are the odds," a feminine voice called from somewhere to my right.

I jumped up and stumbled back, surprised. "Who...?"

I saw a slender form rise from the sand to the North and slowly walk my way.

It was Felicity.

"One of those nights, right?" she said evenly.

"I—I'm sorry. I didn't know anyone else was out... I'll leave you in peace."

"It's okay," she said, casting an arm towards the surf, "enjoy your spot."

I stood, frozen, uncertain what to do next.

I saw enough of her face to notice she was watching me carefully.

She finally spoke again, "Almost seems a shame you didn't get to kill him yourself. Yeah," she added, "I heard it being said in one of the other rooms. Strangled. Seems a fitting end, honestly."

I hesitated to speak, but the words came out anyway, "Was it you?"

Felicity laughed darkly. Laughter, but no mirth. "I wish. No. No, it wasn't me. I'd have pulled out his fingernails and cut off his cock first. Come on, sit with me."

I did so, but didn't know what to say. I really didn't want to make her more uncomfortable in that moment than I was sure she already was.

She said something I did not expect to hear, her voice soft and carefully crafted, "In some ways, I miss him already."

"Huh?"

She laughed again, darker than before, "I mean to say... I'd been planning to kill him every minute from the first time he raped me. Now... I don't know what to do with my mind."

"That must be awful," I said with as much compassion as possible.

"It is... it is..."

"You, uh... You are welcome to stay here. With us," I offered. "If you choose. If you'd rather take that boat and leave... I think that we could help you on your way."

"That boat... No. I don't want anything to do with that boat."

I nodded but didn't reply.

"What's your game, Kal? This place... You all run around, cocks and tits a'flying. Are you just another sick fuck who's looking to fuck up my life?"

"N-no... no... God, no. Just the opposite, I hope. For you and for everyone. The nudity... it's a long story."

"I've got nowhere to be..."

- - -

I opened up to Felicity with the story of the island. Not every detail, of course, but how each of us came to live on Phoenix, how I fell in love with my wives, how others joined us as refugees and survivors. How I found being a father a difficult but wonderful part of my life. I grew quiet at one point, and Felicity poked my arm.

"Sorry," I said, "just a memory I'd forgotten a while. Not a happy one."

"Tell me," she prodded softly. "You already know about my unhappy memories..."

More emotionally than I expected, I told Felicity about my time spent away from Phoenix, the months away from Bailey and my newborn child, wondering if I'd ever see them again.

"And it wasn't just the separation... I spent weeks alone. In a tiny room. Isolated. I think I went insane a while. I think I lost it there."

Her voice was trembling when she said, "I know what that feels like..."

I added, "There are moments... like just a bit ago... when that sensation comes back... that loneliness that soaks through me... the claustrophobia. I feel like I want to claw my way out. There were moments I tried, Felicity... I went a little insane. I think I had to do it to survive. Every day, the same four tight walls, the same nothing to do, no one to talk to. Just me and my brain."

She nodded, then asked quietly, "How did you get better?"

I thought a moment before responding. "It took time... But... It started with friendships. My first wife and our lover, they were in Papeete. They helped me plan an escape. It gave me purpose again. I found I could think straighter. I had hope. Even though I still wondered what had happened to those on Phoenix and wondered if they had been killed the night I was taken... I held some hope of seeing them again. One step at a time, the escape happened and I had purpose. And then I came back and they were okay. That was the biggest difference. Being back here. Home..."

"Home..." Felicity said plaintively. "Wish I knew where that was..."

"Where are you from?"

"Jersey girl, but I lived in Aukland most of my adult life. My parent are missionaries, and I sometimes came to stay with them when not working. I'm a schoolteacher. Middle grades. But mom got sick a few years ago and I decided to stay with them and keep them safe. I'm not sure it was the right decision..." Felicity laughed, but it had the same darkness as her other laughs, and I knew it was not a happy expression. "Five years, I stayed with them. The War started, and then we got stranded on Manogha Island. Things were all right, really, when I kept to myself, but those people were sketchy as fuck. I taught their children but they never treated me very well. The men leered and catcalled me. They never tried anything... physical, but that abuse added up... I did start to hate it there."

"Why did you stay?"

She shrugged, "Oh, you know. The War's on. We seemed pretty safe there. Enough food. Water. Electricity. Plus Mom and Dad were there. Getting out never really seemed like an option. And then it was forced on me..."

"Do you wish to go home? If you do... I can try to make that happen..."

Felicity looked at me evenly. "Is this your game, Kal? You tell women what you think they want to hear? Prey on them? Seduce them through illusions? Get their panties off before you have to deliver on your promises and then they're stuck with you?"

I knew enough to know these were not idle questions. I tried to respond seriously. "No... No, I'm sincere. I mean no offense and I'm not seeking anything, Felicity. If you wish to go home, I'll do what I can to make it happen. I can't promise we can do so, we're a little overwhelmed here ourselves, but if you want to go, I only want to help..."

"The rescuer," she said, moving her hand while pointing at me, "that's your game. You pick up the fallen and broken little girls so that you can woo them."

"I suppose that I do feel myself a bit of a rescuer... The best feeling in the world to me is to be able to help someone go from the lowest moments to the highest, followed closely by seeing them stay on the high ground as many days as possible. Yes... I'm a rescuer, but that's no game. That... that's just who I am. It isn't all there is to me... but it is a part of me, for sure."

"Well, Kal," Felicity said quickly, "I don't need rescuing. Not by you or by anyone. I'd have killed that son-of-a-bitch myself before long. Then you lot went and took that away from me. Don't need you fucking up anything else."

Again, I knew enough to realize what was going on, and so, I said nothing as she stood, turned, and walked back towards camp. I watched her go briefly, then turned back towards the surf.

I really needed sleep, but there was nothing for it in that night.

- - -

My eyes cracked open, the world still mostly in darkness. I guess my weariness had forced me to slumber on the sand. I felt itchy and cool, shivering lightly. I'd not brought a towel and felt the humid air heavily on my skin. I sat upright, staring off into the dark seas where the hints of whitecaps could be seen out to the horizon. Just as I began to rise, a magnificent shooting star streaked red and orange across the sky from West to East, briefly leaving a smoky trail behind after the brilliant light diminished and faded away. I looked on until I could no longer see the ashy tail and made my way slowly back towards camp.

I don't believe in signs. Metaphysical manifestations which signal the coming of good fortune or ill. People like to look for such things, like to retroactively look back and say, 'I knew it would happen because...' That's post-hoc rationalization. It's correlation. One must prove causation to show that one event led to another, that a sign was a direct message about things which would come to pass. I don't believe in such nonsense.

But I certainly can understand why those signs could feel so meaningful. There was something comforting about that meteor burning up over my head. Something I couldn't identify. I was in a bad place for numerous reasons. Exhausted. Depressed. Guilty and worried and probably, if I were being honest in those moments, on the verge of a break down. My family, my friends, they needed me to be strong, and I was finding it very hard to be so after the whirlwind of days in the recent past. For whatever reason, the shooting star lit a spark of hope, a sliver of possibilities that were hard for me to see at that time. Whatever had predisposed me to be skeptical of such portents, they didn't fully inoculate me from taking heart in the sizzling red streak of hot rock which flashed by me at incredible speed.

The camp was already abuzz with early risers. Bailey was making coffee and breakfast, and Amy, Keekah, Kate, Tok, and Ekoh were nearby getting set to start the day. I didn't see Felicity or the others from Humble Beginnings, but I really didn't want to think too hard on that before I had time to fully awaken.

I kissed my wives and each expressed concern for my wellbeing. I assured them I was fine as I picked up Katie and spun her around. There was delight in her sleepy eyes, and she said, “Daa” and “woo” a few times, lightening my heart with each drawn out syllable. I took my daughter over to where Keekah had penned Harry and Hermione together with Azure, the trio shuffling around a bit but making little noise. I watched as Katie reached for them and I placed her inside the pen. My eldest daughter was cautious but not afraid. She touched one and then another lightly, laughing a bit, then hugged Hermione gently before stroking Azure's hair and voicing a few disconnected words like 'Hemmy' and 'aww' and 'shingra' (whatever that meant.)

I caught Amy watching me with a smile on her face. I sat down next to the pen and just watched. I knew there were things to do, tasks to get done, but for a moment, a simple, wonderful moment, I just needed to be reminded about why it was all worth it. Watching those children play and move and mumble brought me back, somewhat. It grounded me again. Even as someone offered me a cup of steaming coffee, I couldn't look away. I knew my grin was large and sincere as I laughed at the silliness.

I noticed eventually that everyone else in the South had risen, most eating porridge near the fire, others bathing in the surf or down to the East to empty bladders. Felicity was seated by herself, slowly eating from her bowl. I tried not to return to that problem too quickly. Her life was more complicated than I could comprehend. The pain, the horrors, too recent. I had no experience in helping someone through such devastating events. I wished someone on the island knew what to do to help her.

I realized that the little cat, Sanity, was circling around Felicity's chair. She looked so little, her white fur much cleaner than I'd last seen it. Someone, likely Felicity, had taken the time to brush away the matted, soiled hairs. Of course, the kitten was soon rolling around in the sand playing with a small twig, so the cleanliness was, as it always is, temporary. I saw the woman smile when she noticed.

Little things, I reminded myself. Little things can be so damned important when the big things are going wrong. When there is no other hope, no help, no optimism that big things might get better. That tiny cat was the one thing Felicity had clung to, the one piece of hope she'd had when things were darkest. I suspected, despite no longer being held captive on that boat, she was still clinging to that little bit of hope. The big things were still going wrong for her even as the context had changed. I ached for her, all-to-aware that the big things weren't going to right themselves and certainly not quickly. I just didn't know how to help.

So I talked to Kate for a long while that morning as we worked together on the water system upgrade. It felt strange to go back to such work. So much had changed since we'd last been there. And yet, nothing much had changed. We still faced the same challenges, the same opportunities within reach. We pushed on because we had to.

I'd asked Manu to take charge in caring for and directing the new folks. We'd yet to fully discuss with them the options available, but I knew Manu would be perfect for talking to each and seeing what else we could learn about them, what they wanted now, and how we might be able to help them. That included talking to Felicity. I hadn't seen where the woman had gone, but I trusted Manu to help as she could. I suspected she'd put Felicity to work immediately, if only to give her a direction, a goal, something positive to accomplish. It's amazing how much that can do to help you move from one day to the next despite the crushing horrors you are attempting to escape.

Kate listened as I told her about the conversation I'd had with Felicity in the night. She replied after I'd finished, "Poor woman."

"She doesn't want pity, Kate. Anything but that."

"I know... But it's hard not to feel sorry for her. I cannot imagine..."

"Nor can I, but we have to find a way to help. I think... I think I cannot do so. And I don't mean how I represented that asshole at the trial. I'm... a man. Right now, that matters a lot. I think she'll be much more open to talking and accepting help from someone not a man. You seemed to draw out her story more easily than I would have expected."

Kate nodded. "She did seem to want to tell someone. I just happened to be the one who first gave her that opportunity."

"That's important, though. Like her kitten. It wasn't necessarily important what caused her to cling to it in the beginning, but once it was there, that kitten was important. And I think that's true for you. She might have opened up to Manu or Bailey or someone else, but it was you who came to her side and talked to her. I think it has to be you to lead the way now. She doesn't want to be rescued, she said, but the defensiveness, the raw anger, Kate... I think she wants help. I know she does. But this isn't going to be a quick fix. The mental devastation... I can only imagine. We have to be careful not to make things worse. I think you can do this for her."

Kate watched me a moment, then nodded again. "I'll do what I can, Kal. I promise. I'm no therapist. I don't know the right words."

"Be a good listener. Try to see through mere words. Felicity is not going to tell you what she needs. She doesn't know. She's still a very wounded animal, cornered. It doesn't matter that she's safer now, that those around her are only trying to bind her wounds and help her recover. It's all still too close to her. She's still going to lash out, and with claws. You have to know that and not react. Sorry," I added, "I'm not meaning to cast doubt on you, Kate. You know that, I think. I just... after last night, it was obvious that words and laughter don't always mean the most obvious interpretation. Felicity is a cypher, of sorts, one we must be careful not to crack too quickly."

"I understand. In fact, if you don't mind, maybe I should go check in with her again."

"Do that. And I love you, Kate."

"Love you too."

- - -

Tok came back over carrying more supplies for the water system after Kate left. He was going to stay South for a few days at minimum. We'd had a quick call with the North early that morning and gave them the story of what happened the day before. Amy had dealt with that for me, which I appreciated. I didn't really want to try to digest everything and deliver a summary to those who weren't there in a few brief sentences. Tok would stay South, Hakee agreed, and Mie and Poln would stay North. Amy didn't ask her about personal situations with Nina and Kinnon, and it rightly did not need to be discussed over the radio. I worried, of course, but I admit that after the events of yesterday, the love triangle was not highly important to me that morning.

I wouldn't have Takino and Popko for another few hours, the two men sleeping off their overnight shifts, so it was just Tok and I for a while. Kate didn't return immediately and I wondered what sorts of difficulties she might be facing with Felicity.

Sebastian wandered up slowly and stopped behind Tok, silent. "Hey, Sebastian," I called.

Tok turned and Sebastian said, "Hello. I can help."

Tok asked him, "Sure you're up for it today? You are more than welcome to relax and take time and recover."

Sebastian shook his head steadily. "No. I like to help."

Tok glanced at me and shrugged, then replied, "Give me a hand putting this in place then."

And so, for the next hour, the three of us worked in concert on the complex water system. Sebastian didn't instinctively know what to do at any point, but if given a clear direction, he performed it perfectly and was a great help. I couldn't help noticing again the circular scars from the cigar burns. I felt better about Dunston being dead, even if someone other than me had carried it out.

As we worked, I asked Sebastian questions. "Do you know what you would like to do? You may stay and live with us here, but if there is something you'd rather do, we could try to help."

The young man stared hard at the ground a moment, then answered carefully, "I do not know."

"That's okay," I assured him. "You don't need to make any decisions right now. You're safe here."

"Thanks," he said simply.

Later, I asked him what he had done before the Humble Beginnings. He shrugged, then said, "What he told me to do."

"He?" I responded.

Sebastian nodded. "The Master before Master Dunston."

"Great Gods of mine," Tok muttered, "you were a slave even then?"

Sebastian nodded. "Since I was a boy. I do not know anything else."

Tok caught my eye and I saw the rage there. I knew my own showed the same. Sebastian's mental wounds might not be so blatantly obvious as those we knew about with Felicity, but they were present and deep and might take a lifetime of support to overcome.

Before Tok or I replied, Sebastian continued. "I can ask something?"

"Anytime," I said.

"When will the new Master take me with him?"

"There is no new Master, son," Tok said gently, "you are a free man here."

"Free man." Sebastian's tone and expression made it clear the phrase held no meaning to him yet. "But how will I know what to do? I do not wish to receive punishment."

"Well," Tok tried to explain things, "on this island, we are called Phoenicians. The island is Phoenix. Each person is free. There is no master, and no punishment unless you do bad things like Dunston. We work together. We plan projects, like the one you are helping with now, and we all join our efforts to get them done. And when we have time, we relax and enjoy our friendships and sometimes we even celebrate with rum and smoke and games."

"But who will tell me what to do? I do not wish to receive punishment," the young man repeated, clearly confused.

"We'll work on that, Sebastian," I said, trying to cut off the confusion before it grew worse. It would take time for the young man to understand he was no longer required to follow a Master. "Right now, you're doing exactly the right thing, helping us here. Tell you what, I'm getting hungry and I bet you are too. How about we head over to the fire and see if lunch is ready."

Sebastian nodded but showed no enthusiasm, mechanically following me as I walked away, Tok not far behind. The young man knew nothing but slavery. I wondered what we could do to help him. As with Felicity, I was at a loss to give any answer other than 'have patience.'

- - -

Delegation was a hard skill to learn. I took everything personally on Phoenix. Every detail, I felt, needed my attention. Sure, some things had been delegated, in a sense. Resource management and planning, those were in Gale's basket. Education, where Bailey and Amy took charge. But those were aspects of our society which were, in some ways, grandfathered in. Gale was already handling resources. Amy and Bailey already held classes and planned education. We just formalized it. Even the security details were somewhat out of my hands before I needed to pass them on.

But newcomers, and how we integrated them into the island culture, that was something I found hard to not lead directly. And the newest newcomers were even more complicated. I felt personally the need to help each one, and individually, it was a lot to try to manage. I didn't know how to even start, really.

Thankfully, the Council was exceptionally good at recognizing when I needed a hand. That after noon, Manu came to me and asked to have a meeting with me and the full Council. Tok and I stopped our work on the water system and left Sebastian some instructions to continue making progress, then we followed Manu into the common room where Kate was already waiting.

We sat together on the floor, sipping coffee. Manu explained, "We need to discuss things now that the... events... of yesterday are behind us."

I nodded but didn't reply.

"It is clear," she said, "that we have some new challenges we did not expect, but they are not challenges we must fear. Kal, you have, I believe correctly, offered the four survivors from Humble Beginnings the opportunity to stay on Phoenix, and I believe we all agree this is the only humane thing we can do."

Kate and Tok both agreed.

Manu continued, "As such, we should formally extend this offer and discuss with each of them the terms. My assumption is that they will accept, for now at least, though we should discuss the options should anyone not do so."

"I think," I replied, "there is a possibility that Felicity may not wish to remain." I described, briefly, what I'd learned in the night. "She may wish to return to her parents. I cannot blame her."

"The boat they arrived on could be used," Tok said. "She could take it and leave as she will."

I shook my head. "No, she'll not go on board that boat again. Not after what happened to her there."

"So what should we offer, then?" Kate asked, "We do not have a robust supply of fuel, nor would I be comfortable simply giving her one of the other boats to go out on her own, and sending one of us to captain and return the boat is too risky to consider, I believe."

"I agree," Manu said, "and so I do not think that option is on the table."

"So her options," I stated, "really, the options for all of them... would be to stay and integrate here, or to take Humble Beginnings and go their own way, alone or collectively depending on who wished to leave."

"We cannot give the other boats to them," Tok replied. "No, that is not an option. I would be comfortable parting with the new boat since the four of them did not arrive here voluntarily and the least they deserve is to own, in some fashion, that valuable asset to use as they wish."

"Well," I said, "we certainly will not hold anyone on Phoenix who does not wish to be here, but clearly, the opportunities to leave are limited and we simply cannot risk going out far at this time to return them to their choice destination."

Kate spoke up, "What about Ekoh? We've talked about him going on trade missions on behalf of Phoenix. We've generally agreed we would risk that if the bartering was worthwhile. Perhaps when we approve a trip for him we could then offer the chance to leave, so long as the destinations the newcomers seek are not far from where he would be going anyway."

Tok nodded, "Yes, I can see that as an option. Perhaps this can be included. Stay here for the time being. Wait until we believe it is worth the risk to send Ekoh out to trade, then they can make their decisions."

"Agreed," Manu added, "but be clear that we don't know when that might happen. I, for one, am too concerned with the risks to be ready to approve such a thing any time soon. Though, I admit, this is a decision only our Chief may make. He is the executive for our diplomacy and our trade missions."

"I won't send Ekoh out any time soon, that's for sure," I said. "For one thing, I want him to finish his probationary period on Phoenix. We still barely know him, and we need time to come to trust him, but also to ensure he has acclimated to us. He can't do that going to sea for weeks over that time. And second," I added, "we're doing okay right now on all fronts. Sure, we would love to have some things, like a generator or additional fuel, but overall, we're well stocked, even with the new mouths to feed. It isn't worth the risk right now for marginal returns. Our gold isn't going anywhere, and we are not desperate."

"Then that is settled," Manu proclaimed, nodding, "I suggest each Council member take one of the newest newcomers and discuss the situation, with Amy's help for the legal aspects. Kate, you and Felicity have formed a small bond, would you discuss with her?"

Kate affirmed, "I will."

"And Tok, I saw you and Sebastian working together earlier, can you explain things to him?"

"Yes. He is, unfortunately, not advanced in his thinking and likely not able to make the decision for himself. I do not mean that as a judgement, but that is the reality. He has been a slave since boyhood, and he has not developed beyond a boy's mentality. I will talk with him, of course, but I do not expect to put the weight of this decision fully in his hands at this time."

"Understood," Manu said, "and I will take Abuella and Ranice. I feel they are eager to learn about their fate here."

"What can I do?" I asked.

"Nothing on this, Kal. We can handle it."

I shrugged and, for just a second, felt like I should have more to contribute.

"Let's discuss the more difficult issues," Kate said. "We have people amongst us now who have known very specific traumas. Not just the horrors of the War and all that comes with it. We are not really capable of offering Felicity, specifically, the specialized help needed."

No one spoke. None of us knew how to offer something to help.

"I'll take on that role, then. Not therapist, not really, but... I'll take responsibility for her wellbeing, with the help of Manu and Kinnon for medical advice, of course. I... I can't put myself fully in her shoes, but I think I might be able to offer her some help along the way. She's still hurting... strongly so..."

"Her wounds are very raw and fresh," Tok commented.

"I know," Kate said quietly, "but she needs help. She may say she doesn't want it, and she may even close down honest gestures of such, but we must all of us, me especially, be very patient and kind to her. It will take a lot of time and work to start to undo some of those justifiable reactions. I'll do what I can to see she gets whatever we can provide to help."

"And I think I can work with Sebastian," Tok said. "The young man is slow, yes, but I see a strength in him, as well. He still thinks like a slave. That, too, will take time and patience. He does not understand what it means to be free to make his own decisions. I'll help him as best I can."

"Naturally," said Manu, "the same responsibility falls to me for Ranice and Abuella. They, too, have been slaves, suffering at the hands of that monstrous man. They will need support in the hours and days and weeks to come."

"Again... if I can help..." I offered.

"You take on too much already, Kal," Manu told me evenly. "Let us handle these things. I'm sure we will involve you whenever we feel it necessary."

"Okay." It felt odd to pass off these responsibilities to others. I cared about people. People in general but also specific people. How could I avoid taking charge to help Felicity, or Sebastian? Yet, it was clear, my involvement moving forward would not be required in the general sense. In fact, trying to step in might make things worse as Kate and Tok and Manu worked with the others over the days and weeks ahead. Butting out was rarely something I was good at or eager to do, but I was going to have to learn to try.

"There's still the matter of that safe," I said to change the subject. "How do we get it open? It's a combination lock, not keyed separately."

Manu suggested, "Ekoh mentioned he might know how to get into it. Talk with him."

"Alright."

"I am very curious," Kate added, "as to what is in there. Do you think it's just more money? Gold or gems, maybe?"

I shrugged. "No way of knowing until we get in."

Kate nodded, then looked at Manu a moment, then back at me. "There's one more thing..."

I knew what was coming. "Who killed Dunston..."

"Any thoughts?" she asked carefully.

I let out my breath and said, "I think the best thing to do is not explore this further. Yes... I have thought about this a lot... believe me. I cannot see any good coming from identifying who did it. The complications we'd face, the questions, the decisions we might have to make... We need a clean break from that situation. The end is the same. The man you condemned to die was put down. The rest... the rest is details we don't need to know."

All three Elders watched me silently before Manu said, "I agree."

"As do I," Tok added.

"That makes it unanimous," Kate confirmed. "It doesn't matter who did it... unless that person needs support afterwards. I think it's clear from the way the rope was described that he didn't do it himself. Someone killed him... I hope that doesn't become a burden for the one who twisted that rope..."

"We'll deal with that as we can," I replied. "Anything else?"

The Elders had nothing else they wished to discuss with me, so I returned with Tok to our work while we still had light.

- - -

The evening call with the North brought a plea from Hakee. "Some people are concerned, Kal. We don't really know what's going on. Can you come North tomorrow and help explain things?"

Kate had briefed them again on a scheduled call that morning, but I knew the details were glossed over in order to press on. They knew about the trial and death of Dunston, but it was clear that this upsetting situation could use a more personal explanation. I didn't really want to leave the water storage work or the thousand other things in need of my attention, but my friends and family came first. "I'll be there as soon after daybreak as possible."

"Thanks, Kal."

"How are things today otherwise?" I asked generally, leaving it up to Hakee to interpret it as personally as she chose.

"Well. Good progress still. We are ahead of schedule."

She'd chosen to ignore the personal implications of my question and get to the business directly. I appreciated that, though I really did want to know about her relationship troubles.

"See you in the morning, then."