QUID PRO QUO
Chapter One
Exodus took care of everything as we left Aquilo making sure I was safe
and secure on the ship before dawn so no one would get the chance to touch me.
I curled back down into the carved out bed letting memories lap over the
present and the past.
A man was above me removing my clothes, admiring my breasts. His face was obscured in shadow and fog. “Mari?” a voice called but that wasn’t my name. Casana, that’s what he called me. “Mari, are you ok?” Exodus asked nervously bringing me back to reality.
“Yes is everything all set?”
“They were surprised to hear you already boarded and didn’t want to say
any goodbyes. It took a lot of convincing to Iko and Genji not to come aboard,”
he admitted, “but they finally agreed when Oreb spoke to them.”
“I bet,” I muttered. “How long will it be until we reach Torvoso?”
“We’ll arrive before dusk,” he said setting out a tray of fruit.
“Please eat something. You look ill.”
“I don’t do well in boats, the swaying,” I explained rolling over
snaking a piece of fruit eating ate it absently. “Bread is better if you can
find some.”
“I will,” he promised looking over me worriedly.
“I’m ok Exodus you don’t have to worry so much now,” I promised.
“Can I touch you?”
“No.”
“Then you’re not ok Mari,” he sighed shaking his head. “I wish you’d
tell me what he did to you.”
“No you really don’t,” I retorted rolling away from him. “I’m going to
sleep for a little while longer.”
“Ok Mari. I will lock the door and go check in with the captain.”
“Who is captain?”
“Pontus,” he answered giving me on last look before exiting and locking
the door. I curled down into the bed feeling numb. I was glad Avian wasn’t
captain though. It was one trouble I didn’t want.
I shut my eyes replaying the memory of the man above me trying to see
more of him but it was too faded. “Who are you?” I sighed miserably. “How am I
supposed to find you?”
The images shuffled over my mind too fast to understand. The coppery
taste of blood slid down my throat. I sat up fast grabbing a cloth pressing it
to my nose tilting my head back. A man wearing glasses stuck in my mind. His
bright blue eyes blinked at me as he looked up from navigation maps. “Right,”
he spoke so vividly through my mind.
“Mari,” Exodus gasped coming to the bed. “You’re bleeding again. Here
let me see.”
“No I’ve got it,” I muttered dropping my head back further pinching at
my nose. I wiped at the blood checking to make sure it stopped. “What’s going
on?”
“I brought you some bread. We’re leaving port now,” he explained
holding out the roll to me.
“Thank you Exodus.”
“Did you have a memory of something?” he asked sitting on the far end
of the bed.
“I think so,” I sighed digging into the bread.
“Do you want to talk about it?”
“I saw a man. I think he was a navigator but he had eyes like us,” I
explained looking into his bright blue gaze. “You said Casana left with a half
brother is that right?”
“Yes.”
“Maybe it was him,” I breathed.
“So you think that maybe you are Casana?” he questioned. I gave a slow
nod.
“It keeps adding up that way,” I murmured. “Exodus . . .” I trailed off
shaking my head.
“What is it Mari? Whatever you need you know I’m here to help,” he
insisted.
“I know you are,” I promised. “Could you just lay with me for a bit I
feel like I haven’t slept at all?”
“Of course,” he murmured. I shifted over finishing the roll before
sliding down beneath the covers. He moved carefully in behind me. I reached
back grabbing his arm pulling him to me fighting tears. “Ah Mari,” he breathed
cuddling around me warmly. “You’re in so much pain.”
“It will pass,” I whispered.
“Please tell me what he did,” he begged tugging me in closer to his
serene touch.
“I can’t Exodus,” I sniffed as the tears fell. “I just can’t.”
“Ok . . . shhh . . . its ok,” he soothed. I shut my eyes tightly
fighting past the fear. Exodus wouldn’t hurt me. He’d never hurt me like that.
I had to trust him. Soon sleep took me back but it was a warm safe thing.
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