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Tales from the Ghostsea Chapter 8 Love and Mutiny (Updated 11/05/05)
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<blockquote data-quote="Tolen Mar" data-source="post: 2681648" data-attributes="member: 1295"><p><strong>Chapter 6 Hunger and Death</strong></p><p></p><p>Chapter 6: Hunger and Death</p><p></p><p><em>Hunger. Burning deep within. Hunger so deep it hurts, it aches. Like a need unfulfilled it continues to bother, continues to burn, insistent that it be resolved or drive one mad.</em></p><p><em></em></p><p>Charity moaned in her sleep. Lorenzo put down what he was doing, and moved to check on her. When he touched her cheek, he could feel the fever was still there, and getting worse. Lorenzo made up a special drug, the same he’d been giving her since yesterday when the returned from fighting the Dema Guild. He lifted her head, and gently put the concoction to her lips. The burning liquid caused her to cough for a moment, then she fell back into sleep. Ren took up vigil next to her bed, very worried.</p><p></p><p><em>Around her, the crew lie dead. As she moved about the ship, she found every one of her friends, their throat torn out like some crazed beast had gotten aboard. She didn’t understand.</em></p><p><em></em></p><p><em>“Why me?” she called out into the mist. “Why did they die, but I live?”</em></p><p><em></em></p><p><em>There was Khadija, slumped over a capstan, her back ripped to bloody ribbons, as if the beast caught her from behind. Aoife was nearby, her sword arm ripped clean away. Dunstan and Orange…All that was left of them was a piece of the barbarian’s kilt. She went downstairs, the massacre had come here too. Crewmen lay over their hammocks, some still as if they were asleep, as if they did not know their killer had even been there. </em></p><p><em></em></p><p><em>She pushed open the door to Ren’s quarters. He was at his desk, laying face down, asleep. There were no tears on his arms or back.</em></p><p><em></em></p><p><em>“Oh, Rennie!” she said. “You made it!”</em></p><p><em></em></p><p><em>She reached out and put her hand on his shoulder, tried to shake him awake. His hand slipped off the desk, and hung weakly toward the floor, blood dripping off of it.</em></p><p><em></em></p><p><em>“No. No, no, no.” She shook her head as if it could clear away the madness, and she pulled on his shoulder, making him lean back in his chair. There was blood everywhere, his throat gone. She backed away, tears stinging her eyes. </em></p><p><em></em></p><p><em>The corpse looked at her, and in Ren’s voice, asked “Why?”</em></p><p><em></em></p><p><em>At that moment, the hunger hit her. She doubled over from the pain, and that was when she noticed the blood on her hands. It was all over her blouse, her hair was matted with it.</em></p><p><em></em></p><p><em>Dead Ren stood from his place, “Why?”</em></p><p><em></em></p><p><em>She screamed…</em></p><p><em></em></p><p>Ren nearly fell out of his chair, he had fallen asleep, and her scream was a horrible shock. Charity was sitting up in her bed, eyes wide in terror. Her hair was matted down because she had been sweating in her sleep. He picked himself up and went to her. When she calmed a bit, she realized where she was, and looked at Ren.</p><p></p><p>“Ren?” she asked.</p><p></p><p>“It’s okay, you’re aboard ship. I’ve been taking care of you.” He tried to push her down into the bed. “You need sleep.”</p><p></p><p>She didn’t lay down, instead she pulled him to her, and embraced him, burying her face into his neck. </p><p></p><p>“Ren, thank the gods you are here. The dreams, they’re…”</p><p></p><p>“I know, it’s the fever. You’ll be okay, but you need sleep.” </p><p></p><p>She still didn’t move, save only to nod. She could smell him, feel the skin of his neck, the strength of his arms. She realized a fire had started to burn within her. She held him tighter, pulling him to her.</p><p></p><p>“I’m hungry, Rennie…”</p><p></p><p>Forcibly, he pushed her back. “You’re in no shape for that, you need rest. Here, take this, it will help with your fever.” </p><p></p><p>He held out a piece of black root, offered it to her. She looked at it doubtfully at first, then with a slight grin, took it. She kissed his fingers as she did so, working her way further and further down. </p><p></p><p>Ren was getting uncomfortable. He could not deny feelings for her, but she was sick, and he had duties. Nonetheless, he was beginning to take an interest in what she was doing.</p><p></p><p>Until she bit him. She clamped down with all her strength, and pain flared up his arm. </p><p></p><p>Khadija appeared at the door, “Ren, I need you to...” she stood aghast at what she saw.</p><p></p><p>Charity saw her, and hissed at her. Ren, surprised, fell backward, hitting his head on the edge of his work desk.</p><p></p><p>Charity’s voice took on a low tone, almost a moan as she looked at Khadija and said “I’m huuungry.” Then she leapt across the cabin, feline in her movments. Khadija barely had time to dodge aside, before Charity was out of the room, and on her way on deck.</p><p></p><p>“Stop her!” Ren shouted.</p><p></p><p>Aoife, hearing something, rushed for the stairs, sword drawn. It proved useful. The two eyed each other for a moment. Then Charity hissed, and charged up the stairs. Out of reflex, Aoife swung at her shipmate, opening a new wound, and knocking her down the stairs.</p><p></p><p>“I’ve been waiting for that a long time.” Aoife said.</p><p></p><p>Together, the three of them got Charity back into the bed, and for safety, Ren tied her down. He set to binding her wounds.</p><p></p><p>“What was that, Ren?” asked Khadija.</p><p></p><p>“The fever isn’t getting any better. It’s affecting her mind. Better tell the captain.”</p><p></p><p>Charity struggled against her bonds, mewled a bit, and fell unconscious.</p><p></p><p>“Well, at least she’s resting now.” Lorenzo cleared the room. “You can’t help her here. Go back to work. I’ll watch her.”</p><p></p><p>Khadija looked uncertain, but then shrugged and went out. Aoife, however, stayed behind. </p><p></p><p>“Are you sure, after all, she got past you once.”</p><p></p><p>“Yes, she’s bound now. She’ll stay like that till I can cure her.”</p><p></p><p>“I still don’t trust her.”</p><p></p><p>“You never did.”</p><p></p><p>“Hey, I’m not the one who came aboard this ship with a holier than thou attitude. If you ask me, she got what she deserved.”</p><p></p><p>“It’s not her fault!” Ren shouted. Then, more calmly. “She was raised in an environment where your profession is frowned upon. It’s what she’s known all her life. She can’t throw that away over the course of a week.”</p><p></p><p>“That doesn’t mean she has to treat me like garbage.”</p><p></p><p>“Maybe you’re right. But now isn’t the time to discuss it. We’ll be fine, she won’t get out of those ropes. Go make sure they don’t crash the ship.”</p><p></p><p>Aoife looked at Charity, then turned and left. Ren began to bandage his wounded fingers.</p><p></p><p>*****************************************************************</p><p></p><p>Her unconscious struggles had settled down, and she was truly asleep for the first time since the fight. Ren checked her fever, and found it was going down. Satisfied, he sat at his desk, and too tired to resist anymore, laid his head down. Soon he was asleep.</p><p></p><p>When she heard his breathing change, Charity opened her eyes. Slowly, carefully, she began to wriggle her way out of her ropes. She could see through the portal that night had fallen. It took her a long time, but she finally freed herself. Carefully, she crept out of the bed, and looked longingly at Ren. She licked her lips. Then she closed her eyes, muttered something barely audible to herself, and began to creep out of the room, hunched over, like some sort of animal.</p><p></p><p>She could smell people. They were everywhere. Such an array of scents, each one pricked up her hunger more and more. She turned and made her way to the bunk area.</p><p></p><p>The hammock closest to the door was Samson’s. Inwardly, Charity grinned as she stood to take him. She was no more than a foot from him, when her foot caught on something. It was a tripwire, and several tin cans were pulled from a shelf, causing a racket. Distracted, she didn’t see Samson wake. He threw his dagger, pinning her heart in one quick snap.</p><p></p><p>She looked down in disbelief. Her legs refused to hold her up anymore. She stumbled backward into the wall the shelf was on, and slumped down to the floor.</p><p></p><p>Samson, realizing who it was, started shouting for help. “Lorenzo! Wounded!”</p><p></p><p>Moments later, most of the crew were crowded around, and Lorenzo had to force his way between them. His eyes were still bleared with sleep, but that didn’t stop him from recognizing her. “Charity.” He whispered, the strength gone out of him.</p><p></p><p>She looked up at him. “Rennie. I...” she said and died.</p><p></p><p>“By hells man, what did you do!” Ren glared at Samson.</p><p></p><p>“I, I just reacted.”</p><p></p><p>Ren rushed the man, grabbing him by his shirt.</p><p></p><p>“What the hells did you do!”</p><p></p><p>“She came at me in the night, I didn’t even see who it was till later. I’m sorry, Ren.”</p><p></p><p>Ren let go of him, and turned back to Charity’s lifeless form. Bitter tears stung his eyes, as he picked her up. Refusing all help, he carried her back to his room, and shut and locked the door.</p><p></p><p>************************************************</p><p></p><p>The next morning, the ship put to shore nearby, and built a funeral pyre. They laid the bundled form on top of it. One by one, Samson, the Captain and the rest said a few words over her body. Then Ren set the torch to the pile, sending her on her way.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Tolen Mar, post: 2681648, member: 1295"] [b]Chapter 6 Hunger and Death[/b] Chapter 6: Hunger and Death [I]Hunger. Burning deep within. Hunger so deep it hurts, it aches. Like a need unfulfilled it continues to bother, continues to burn, insistent that it be resolved or drive one mad. [/I] Charity moaned in her sleep. Lorenzo put down what he was doing, and moved to check on her. When he touched her cheek, he could feel the fever was still there, and getting worse. Lorenzo made up a special drug, the same he’d been giving her since yesterday when the returned from fighting the Dema Guild. He lifted her head, and gently put the concoction to her lips. The burning liquid caused her to cough for a moment, then she fell back into sleep. Ren took up vigil next to her bed, very worried. [I]Around her, the crew lie dead. As she moved about the ship, she found every one of her friends, their throat torn out like some crazed beast had gotten aboard. She didn’t understand. “Why me?” she called out into the mist. “Why did they die, but I live?” There was Khadija, slumped over a capstan, her back ripped to bloody ribbons, as if the beast caught her from behind. Aoife was nearby, her sword arm ripped clean away. Dunstan and Orange…All that was left of them was a piece of the barbarian’s kilt. She went downstairs, the massacre had come here too. Crewmen lay over their hammocks, some still as if they were asleep, as if they did not know their killer had even been there. She pushed open the door to Ren’s quarters. He was at his desk, laying face down, asleep. There were no tears on his arms or back. “Oh, Rennie!” she said. “You made it!” She reached out and put her hand on his shoulder, tried to shake him awake. His hand slipped off the desk, and hung weakly toward the floor, blood dripping off of it. “No. No, no, no.” She shook her head as if it could clear away the madness, and she pulled on his shoulder, making him lean back in his chair. There was blood everywhere, his throat gone. She backed away, tears stinging her eyes. The corpse looked at her, and in Ren’s voice, asked “Why?” At that moment, the hunger hit her. She doubled over from the pain, and that was when she noticed the blood on her hands. It was all over her blouse, her hair was matted with it. Dead Ren stood from his place, “Why?” She screamed… [/I] Ren nearly fell out of his chair, he had fallen asleep, and her scream was a horrible shock. Charity was sitting up in her bed, eyes wide in terror. Her hair was matted down because she had been sweating in her sleep. He picked himself up and went to her. When she calmed a bit, she realized where she was, and looked at Ren. “Ren?” she asked. “It’s okay, you’re aboard ship. I’ve been taking care of you.” He tried to push her down into the bed. “You need sleep.” She didn’t lay down, instead she pulled him to her, and embraced him, burying her face into his neck. “Ren, thank the gods you are here. The dreams, they’re…” “I know, it’s the fever. You’ll be okay, but you need sleep.” She still didn’t move, save only to nod. She could smell him, feel the skin of his neck, the strength of his arms. She realized a fire had started to burn within her. She held him tighter, pulling him to her. “I’m hungry, Rennie…” Forcibly, he pushed her back. “You’re in no shape for that, you need rest. Here, take this, it will help with your fever.” He held out a piece of black root, offered it to her. She looked at it doubtfully at first, then with a slight grin, took it. She kissed his fingers as she did so, working her way further and further down. Ren was getting uncomfortable. He could not deny feelings for her, but she was sick, and he had duties. Nonetheless, he was beginning to take an interest in what she was doing. Until she bit him. She clamped down with all her strength, and pain flared up his arm. Khadija appeared at the door, “Ren, I need you to...” she stood aghast at what she saw. Charity saw her, and hissed at her. Ren, surprised, fell backward, hitting his head on the edge of his work desk. Charity’s voice took on a low tone, almost a moan as she looked at Khadija and said “I’m huuungry.” Then she leapt across the cabin, feline in her movments. Khadija barely had time to dodge aside, before Charity was out of the room, and on her way on deck. “Stop her!” Ren shouted. Aoife, hearing something, rushed for the stairs, sword drawn. It proved useful. The two eyed each other for a moment. Then Charity hissed, and charged up the stairs. Out of reflex, Aoife swung at her shipmate, opening a new wound, and knocking her down the stairs. “I’ve been waiting for that a long time.” Aoife said. Together, the three of them got Charity back into the bed, and for safety, Ren tied her down. He set to binding her wounds. “What was that, Ren?” asked Khadija. “The fever isn’t getting any better. It’s affecting her mind. Better tell the captain.” Charity struggled against her bonds, mewled a bit, and fell unconscious. “Well, at least she’s resting now.” Lorenzo cleared the room. “You can’t help her here. Go back to work. I’ll watch her.” Khadija looked uncertain, but then shrugged and went out. Aoife, however, stayed behind. “Are you sure, after all, she got past you once.” “Yes, she’s bound now. She’ll stay like that till I can cure her.” “I still don’t trust her.” “You never did.” “Hey, I’m not the one who came aboard this ship with a holier than thou attitude. If you ask me, she got what she deserved.” “It’s not her fault!” Ren shouted. Then, more calmly. “She was raised in an environment where your profession is frowned upon. It’s what she’s known all her life. She can’t throw that away over the course of a week.” “That doesn’t mean she has to treat me like garbage.” “Maybe you’re right. But now isn’t the time to discuss it. We’ll be fine, she won’t get out of those ropes. Go make sure they don’t crash the ship.” Aoife looked at Charity, then turned and left. Ren began to bandage his wounded fingers. ***************************************************************** Her unconscious struggles had settled down, and she was truly asleep for the first time since the fight. Ren checked her fever, and found it was going down. Satisfied, he sat at his desk, and too tired to resist anymore, laid his head down. Soon he was asleep. When she heard his breathing change, Charity opened her eyes. Slowly, carefully, she began to wriggle her way out of her ropes. She could see through the portal that night had fallen. It took her a long time, but she finally freed herself. Carefully, she crept out of the bed, and looked longingly at Ren. She licked her lips. Then she closed her eyes, muttered something barely audible to herself, and began to creep out of the room, hunched over, like some sort of animal. She could smell people. They were everywhere. Such an array of scents, each one pricked up her hunger more and more. She turned and made her way to the bunk area. The hammock closest to the door was Samson’s. Inwardly, Charity grinned as she stood to take him. She was no more than a foot from him, when her foot caught on something. It was a tripwire, and several tin cans were pulled from a shelf, causing a racket. Distracted, she didn’t see Samson wake. He threw his dagger, pinning her heart in one quick snap. She looked down in disbelief. Her legs refused to hold her up anymore. She stumbled backward into the wall the shelf was on, and slumped down to the floor. Samson, realizing who it was, started shouting for help. “Lorenzo! Wounded!” Moments later, most of the crew were crowded around, and Lorenzo had to force his way between them. His eyes were still bleared with sleep, but that didn’t stop him from recognizing her. “Charity.” He whispered, the strength gone out of him. She looked up at him. “Rennie. I...” she said and died. “By hells man, what did you do!” Ren glared at Samson. “I, I just reacted.” Ren rushed the man, grabbing him by his shirt. “What the hells did you do!” “She came at me in the night, I didn’t even see who it was till later. I’m sorry, Ren.” Ren let go of him, and turned back to Charity’s lifeless form. Bitter tears stung his eyes, as he picked her up. Refusing all help, he carried her back to his room, and shut and locked the door. ************************************************ The next morning, the ship put to shore nearby, and built a funeral pyre. They laid the bundled form on top of it. One by one, Samson, the Captain and the rest said a few words over her body. Then Ren set the torch to the pile, sending her on her way. [/QUOTE]
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