16 16. Her Own Worst Enemy

Over the next few days Katelyn did her absolute best to avoid Egil, which was quite a task given that they now shared the same cabin.

She would often pretend to sleep earlier to avoid him in the evening and rise earlier so that she would already be at work when he woke in the morning.

It was hard and exhausting but necessary. She couldn't risk any further contact with him, everytime they seemed to interact just left her mind and heart in more and more chaos. It was at the point of being almost painful. She was in turmoil every time they met. A part of her wanted to reach out and cling to that warmth he was offering while another part of her told her it was wrong.

Unfortunately for Katelyn, there were some moments where contact with Egil would be. Meals in the mess hall where she was required to serve were one of those exact moments. Where she had grown accustomed to the looks and behaviour from the men, most of the crew, having witnessed their previous display had backed off.

In spite of this Katelyn was still on edge. Egil's presence in the room was unavoidable. She had been on edge every night since their last encounter, she now dreaded the presence of their Captain more than she had the crew.

During their last meal together she had been made to not only sit on his lap but to feed him as well. It was this kind of intimacy she dreaded as she knew it would peel back her remaining resolve. No matter what she did, or how she acted, this man always seemed to be one step ahead of her.

Egil, had been fully aware of her intentions since the onset. It would only be natural for her to want to avoid him now. A cruel light gleamed in his eyes as he contemplated his next move. He was fully aware she couldn't escape him during meal times. The idea of her anxiously dreading these moments amused him greatly, but how would she react if she he didn't appear at all? The rabid little kitten was undoubtedly waiting for his attack. If that attack didn't come, if he avoided her as she had him, he had no doubt it would throw her even more off balance.

That thought in mind he summoned the ever faithful Eddie to his quarters.

"Eddie, from now, I want all my meals brought here. The girl is to serve the men. You can have the chef or one his men bring my food."

Eddie listened to his Captain's orders. A look of confusion filling his eyes. Having been quartermaster [1] for sometime now he knew better than anyone, not to question him. The faithful right hand man merely nodded his head and slipped out of the room. He had been by the Captain's side long enough to know when something was afoot. This was one of those moments.

That evening as Katelyn pranced back and forth in the hall prior to serving dinner, she couldn't keep her anxiety from growing. Just thinking about it was causing a massive knot to form in the pit of her stomach which grew the more she thought of it. The worst thing was, it was unavoidable.

Katelyn sucked in a deep breath, pushing the door open as she pulled the rough wooden cart behind her. She didn't dare look at the head of the table where the Captain usually sat. Averting her eyes she danced around the men as she always did sliding their plates onto the table in front of them.

It was only when she had served the last crew member that she dared to look ahead. Katelyn blinked, and then blinked again. The person she had been fearing the most had not arrived. She had spent an entire day walking on eggshells and dreading this moment. For nothing. In fact, it caught her so off guard she wasn't sure how to react. It was almost worse than she had anticipated. Throughout her whole meal she simply couldn't relax. The food was bland and tasteless and her mind was everywhere but at the present. To make it worse at any point when she would hear the scraping of the chairs or swing of a door she would feel her heart jump out of her chest.

Finally, once the meal was done Katelyn was able to breathe. She waited somewhat impatiently for the last man to leave the room before gathering up the dishes and returning them to the scullery. Nervous as she had been, the experience had left her exhausted. And worst of all, he hadn't even needed to do a thing.

Katelyn was her own worst enemy.

The follow days and evenings continued to pass in much the same manner. Katelyn would carry about her tasks doing utmost to avoid seeing Egil, and Egil would take his dinner in the bridge [2]. Every day Katelyn would brace herself expecting to meet up with Egil at dinner and be placed under some form of torment. And every day she would be equally disappointed. As it happened, for Katelyn, the only thing worse than facing her fears head on was to live in continual state of anxious uncertainty.

After three days of mutual avoidance Egil decided to break the stalemate. Knowing full well that Katelyn would be almost at the brink of settling into a routine he decided to make an appearance. Once again calling for his ever vigilant companion, Eddie.

"Inform the cook I will take my dinner with the men tonight."

Eddie could only blink once more. The last 3 nights the Captain had dined alone. Tonight he would be joining the crew. This time, his curiosity got the better of him. Clearing his throat he shuffled forward scratching at the back of his neck nervously.

"Cap-Cap'n..er..Might i ask..Why the change of heart?"

Asking the Captain anything, especially in regards to an order was always a tricky business. Even for him. Nevertheless, Eddie was just unable to maintain his indifference this time around. He braced himself for discipline

Egil, however, merely smiled at the man who had been by his side for so many years. He leaned back in chair nonchalantly and merely stated:

"Eddie, if one is hunting a wild animal, the best way to have it let down its guard is to play dead is it not?"

Eddie watched the smile that lit his Captain's features as he explained his plan. Shaking his head with a sigh he left the room to follow the Captain's orders, deep down though, he had to admit he felt a great deal of sympathy for that girl. She was up against a quite formidable rival. And this rival especially was one that did not like to lose.