Paul Kater - Bactine

She glared at him, venom in her eyes. Daniel’s eyes lingered for a moment on the unusual strip of red jewellery that the young woman wore on her cheek.

Daniel moved to the next person in the line, a young man he did not know. He had long black hair hanging over his shoulders, deep dark eyes, and a strong chin. He also had a cane in hand.

“Warlem Dandra ko Galem,” the young man introduced himself. “I am the disgrace of the house, and deemed useless to boot.”

Daniel was surprised about this introduction.

“I have heard what you have done, Mr. Zacharias, and I applaud your daring,” Warlem said, bowing to him. “I’m afraid that I am not made of the material of heroes.”

Daniel grinned. “We are not all the same, sir.”

“And that is a good thing,” Warlem shared, only then releasing Daniel’s hand. “After all, what good are acts of heroism if there are no poets to recite their achievements?”

“Uhm, I guess you’re right, sir,” Daniel said, rather out of his field with that remark. He nodded and faced Gaguran.

“Mr. Zacharias. Good evening. Welcome.”

“Good evening, Mr. Slindris.” That and a nod completed the round of introductions.

Daniel stepped away and positioned himself near a large plant, out of the crowd. He took his time to get a feel for the people who were there.

“Are you feeling out of place, Mr. Zacharias?”

To his surprise, it was his host who addressed him. “Oh, good evening, Seigner. I am just trying to get in the proper spirit. I am not used to venues like this.”

“I understand.” Clelem nodded. “Have you been treated well during your stay in the hospital? I worried about you, Mr. Zacharias. It was a fortunate occasion that the medical person from your former location was present to assist. Our Glandrine skin is becoming you.”

“The staff of the hospital was wonderful, Seigner Dandra ko Galem,” Daniel said, as he caught Gaguran trailing after Rayko who was disappearing in the crowd. “I hope to be able to reimburse the people who paid for my stay there.”

“No need to worry about that, Mr. Zacharias. The Ship Owners Society has provisions for incidents like these,” Clelem said.

Then Warlem, his son, cut in. “Father, the senator has arrived, would you please join us?”

“Excuse me, Mr. Zacharias.” The two men walked off to greet a thin guest who wore a remarkable green robe. The man had long, wavy blond hair and a large nose. That was a senator?

Daniel frowned and sipped some more of his wine. Then he slowly walked into the large hall, to satisfy his curiosity. He had to know where the arches of water ended up.

Daniel felt a stranger in the large house. His suit did not make him stand out, but his size did. Oh, there were several people in the hall who greeted him and entertained some socialising, but there was no real connection. He longed for the company of the people of the Pricosine, or the comfort of his own space in his apartment.

A large buffet, spanning almost a dozen of tables, was opened in an adjoining room. Daniel had not a clue what most of the food was, so he picked from the large plates carefully.

“Lavish, isn’t it?” someone asked Daniel, who was studying a plate with curly pink things. It was Warlem, the poet and shame of the family.

“It is, indeed. And I don’t know most of it either,” Daniel confessed. He had taken an immediate liking to this young man who was one of the few normal people here, as far as he was concerned.

“Those are safe,” Warlem pointed at the pink curlies. “Avoid the green vegetables if you do not like sour food, and the yellow cubes over there are sweet.” He picked one from the bowl. “And delicious.” The cube quickly disappeared from view and fingers.

Daniel appreciated the assistance, and approved of the choice of food he carried away from the tables, looking for a place to sit down.

Warlem followed him with a plate of his own. “I was highly entertained by what I heard had happened to my sister,” he said as he sat down next to Daniel. “And please, do enjoy the food. It is prepared by the the cook that was on the boat.”

“Ship.” It popped out before Daniel knew it.

Warlem laughed. “You are one of them. How quaint.”

Daniel failed to see the quaintness but ignored the remark. He was glad to have some company.

“Rayko was highly distressed about your behaviour on board. I assume you know that?”

“There were a few incidents, indeed, but from my view they were not too bad.”

“You, sir, need to learn about women and clothing. Tearing her dress has signed your death warrant.” Warlem chuckled.

Daniel grinned along with him, recalling the moment. “Luckily she managed to trip all by herself.”

“She tripped? Oh dear, and you were there to see it? Sir, you are braver than I had already had given you credit for, by showing yourself here tonight. And you are still standing — well, sitting, after meeting her. She must like you.” Pleasure danced over Warlem’s face as his eyes searched for his sister. “The poor sod never gives up,” he sighed before taking a bite of his food.

Daniel frowned and scanned the room, seeing Gaguran standing close to Rayko in a rather odd way. The woman ignored him completely, yet he looked as if he was having the time of his life. Daniel grinned.

“Ah, you heard about him, I understand,” Warlem said. “And there he is, feeling completely inconspicuous.” The poet shook his head, sending his hair jumping.

“Warlem, I require your seat for a moment.” Clelem suddenly stood with them.

Warlem got up and walked away, without a word. It was something that surprised Daniel.

“Mr. Zacharias, I hope my son was not being his indigestible self,” the Seigner said as he sat down. “He has the habit of making himself unwanted in many ways.”

Before Daniel could reply, the man continued: “I want to thank you again, personally, for the work you are doing. You saved a ship, a cargo and the lives of many.”

“It is what I am supposed to be doing, sir,” said Daniel. “Sometimes an assignment is harder than other times.”

“Yet, you have gone beyond tasks, Mr. Zacharias.” Clelem nodded and stared into the crowd for a moment. “I assume that you have things under control?”

Daniel wondered about that question. “I would hope so. But could you elaborate your question, please?”

Clelem reached for a new glass of wine. “Of course. There has been word in Ship Owner circles that there are people trying to trick employees into switching positions. If you know what I mean.”

“Ah. I see.” Daniel thought back to the offer of Huajo, the fat ship owner he had met. “In that case, Seigner Dandra ko Galem, everything is under control.”

“Very good. I am pleased to hear that. Do enjoy your evening, Mr. Zacharias.” With that, Clelem got up and disappeared in the crowd that kept moving like living tapestry.

Daniel finished his food and returned to the other room to get rid of his plate. He returned to the main hall, studied some faces and paintings, and went back to the large fountain where glowing fish were swimming. The sun had since long set, and the light of the animals was fascinating to watch now.

Small groups of people were now forming, all wrapped in their favourite subjects. Daniel moved around the room, feeling lost again. He could not locate the poet, which made him feel even more alone. Suddenly, as he passed an open door that led into a side room, he recognised the voice of Clelem. The man sounded very aggravated. He then also heard the voice of Rayko.

“Father, no, I hate that man and I am sufficiently disgusted that you asked him to come here,” she said.