8 8. A Calm Before the Storm

Having left Katelyn behind to deal with the aftermath of his attack Egil became broody. His eyes darkened and filled with clouds, his mind was in a state of disarray.

As yet he couldn't determine for himself the reason behind his actions. He had kept the girl on a whim. The first night, the moment she landed in his arms, he had been taken in by the purity of appearance. She had skin as soft and supple as silk and her hair was like spun gold. While the Captain in him knew she would fetch a hefty sum, the man in him had been consumed with a need to possess her. He had never had his curiosity or interest peaked to this extent before.

The first evening on the ship she had indeed proved to be more than entertaining enough. Her every action proved her innocence of nature and had kept him amused.

The moment she had flung herself at him, with a fork of all things, upon first light had been thoroughly entertaining. The fire in her eyes as she attacked had enthralled him. Her every action caused an equal and more complex reaction in him to such an extent that he himself had not yet noticed the change.

Having pushed open the hatch Egil entered the top side of ship, his face darkened with frustration as he glanced sightlessly at the sky. He had only meant to scare her. He needed her afraid because life at sea wasn't easy nor peaceful. There were far worse things out there than him and people whom were much less merciful. Fear would teach her caution. That being said he couldn't help but feel he had gone too far. What on earth had caused him to react to her so strongly, he had almost lost all and any sense of caution. He could still remember the softness of her lips and the way she felt in his hands. What exactly was he doing?

Egil was so lost in thought that he was oblivious to his crew hard at work behind him. Only when his thoughts were momentarily interrupted by the sound of cautiously approaching step did he bother to look over shoulder. Standing within a few feet of him was Eddie, his most trusted and long term companion.

"Er..aahmm ..Cap-cap'n..about tha lass..ye..ye dun think maybe ye were just a bit to hard on her do ye?" Eddie winced as the question escaped his lips. He knew Egil was a man who tolerated very little, he was short tempered and expected absolute obedience. He braced himself for brief moment expecting the punch that was destined to land..

..except it didn't..

Eddie blinked not just once but two or 3 times before opening his eyes to see a very frightening man infront of him. Egils eyes were a blaze with e0qual parts fury and confusion, it was like watching the start of a squall on an otherwise peaceful day.

"What. Do. You. Mean? Was I too hard on her?" Egil managed to grind out between clenched teeth. It was all he could do not to strike the man, yet he couldn't fault him. It wasn't Eddie he was mad at, it was himself. He had lost his control and Egil was a man who thrived on control.

Egil took a deep breath before finishing his thought. "From today onward, you are in charge of the girl. She is to tend the laundry and the mess hall and serve at all meals. Make sure she does her job."

Eddie couldn't help but narrow his eyes. In all his years he had never seen the Captain like this. It was worse than any rage he had been in previously. If the clothing emotion he watched in Egils eyes resembled a squall then his temperament right could be no other than the calm before a storm.