A Toast (2)

Writers: AL, Devin
Date Posted: 22nd November 2008

Characters: Jerroll, Lerra, Edele, Daren
Description: Daren welcomes the Silver Sails' crew to the Hold.
Location: Elsewhere on Pern
Date: month 12, day 10 of Turn 4

Daren turned when he heard Jerroll speak and he too smiled to Edele. "Ah, good. We were beginning to get worried about you." The holder took his wife's hand and led her around to a seat at the table to the right of the head. "Something to drink?" He asked softly.

"Um. Wine." Edele's gaze fell over to Jerroll and she finally managed to return the smile he had given her, though hers was smaller. She felt so strange, unable to remember yet having the sense that things were so familiar. At the same time, there was a strange ache in her heart and she turned her gaze away afraid that Jerroll might see. Daren poured his wife a glass of wine.

Lerra watched in silence, sipping at her own drink and savouring the bite before letting it sear down her throat. She had seen that look on Edele's face and she knew full well what it meant. It was a good thing she was going ashore and staying ashore.

Jerroll lifted his glass. "A toast, to Edele ... I mean, Alita. For finding her way home, and for being the finest cook the Silver Sails ever had!"

A bright flush accompanied Jerroll's toast, especially at the calls of agreement. Daren took a sip of some wine, then held up his glass. "A toast to Lerra, Jerroll, and the fine crew of the Silver Sails who brought my wife back to me. May your skies always be clear and the wind always be at your back."

Dutifully, Edele took another sip of her wine. Alita. Her name was Alita. It held the ring of truth in it, yet she didn't feel comfortable using that name. She supposed she would just have to get used to it...again. The woman couldn't help but sneak another peek at Jerroll. Would he miss her? Her gaze was cast down as more thoughts ran through her mind. No. He had other women he could go to. He had said so himself. Maybe as a friend, but nothing more. She was better of there, with her husband...with Daren.

"Thank you. It was our pleasure to have her aboard for the short time we did. I'm sure you realize what a lucky man you are." Jerroll kept a pleasant expression on his face while he wondered how he could Edele ... _Alita_ ... alone. He wanted to make sure she felt comfortable staying here.

"Yes, she kept us all from starving." Lerra cast a sidelong glance at her first mate and raised her eyebrows. She then reached forward, grasping a bottle and refilled his glass. "You look like you need more of this."

"Is there anything with which my hold can provide you?" Daren asked, spreading his arms out wide. "Please, name it, if it's in my power, it's yours."

Lerra smirked, wheels turning. Anything? Well well, this might be a profitable venture yet.

**You can give us our cook back,** Jerroll thought, emptying half his glass.

"I'm sure there are some things we could use before we sail." Lerra twirled her drink in her glass and leaned back in the chair.

"Make a list and it will be done." Daren slapped the table as if to seal a deal.

The captain leaned over and whispered to her first mate, "And here I thought we were on a fool's errand."

Edele glanced up at her husband but her gaze didn't linger. For some reason, she wasn't really looking forward to staying at Esper Bay.

"Maybe we can turn him into the fool," Jerroll whispered back. A pile of valuable things might make him feel better when they had to leave.

Lerra lifted her glass in a silent salute. A fool and his marks were soon parted. Well, they would at least make the best of the situation.

Last updated on the November 22nd 2008

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A Toast (2)