Paul Kater - Bactine

Daniel took his time in making himself presentable. He had brought far too much things along, but that was okay. He also had the book of Nahmyo with him, and as he had to wait, he sat down to read.

There was a knock on the door. “Daniel? Are you decent?” It was Rayko.

“I am very decent, do come in.” He got up and was on the way to the door when she came in. “By the storms, you look magnificent.” He stared at her. “I can’t believe it.”

Rayko blushed. “It is nothing special, Daniel.” She walked over to him and fumbled some with his tie. “There, all done. Now come.” She held out her hand, which he gladly accepted. They walked along the corridor, into the hall, and from there to one of the smaller rooms where a table had been laid for four people.

Ugidra and Warlem were already present. They stood by a window and looked out over the water. The sun was setting, and the resulting view of the bay was truly breathtaking.

“Ehem…” Rayko said as they entered the room.

“Oh, Rayko. And Mr. Zacharias, how wonderful to see you. And in better circumstances than before,” Ugidra said. She came to greet Daniel and her daughter.

Warlem trailed behind and shook Daniel’s hand. “Welcome, Daniel. I am pleased to see you again. You look well.”

“I feel well, thank you. It is good to see you again too.”

“Come, everyone. Sit for dinner, please,” Rayko’s mother said. “Mr. Zacharias, would you care to sit there, next to Rayko…”

Daniel wondered what she knew or suspected, but did not object at all to sit next to her daughter.

The dinner started with a refined clam soup and a special kind of wine.

“Rayko, you look wonderful,” said Ugidra, “as do you, Mr. Zacharias.”

“Thank you, mother,” Rayko said, “Daniel also complimented me, earlier.”

“I am sure,” Warlem grinned, “after all, you did your best. And you weren’t even late for table.”

Daniel suppressed a grin, and then conversation floated along some light and safe topics.

The food was amazing. There were things that Daniel had never seen, and Rayko had to help him by showing him how to attack certain bits and pieces. It turned into a dinner with lots of laughter because of that.

After dinner, the group repaired to a small conservatory which gave an unobstructed view of the bay. As if it was planned, Rayko and Daniel were sat in the only two-seater chair available.

“You look very handsome together,” Ugidra then said. “Really.”

It made Daniel feel a bit uncomfortable. All of a sudden he was not sure how much of this all was set up.

“Please, Mr. Zacharias, do not feel alarmed.” Rayko’s mother sat down. She seemed to notice Daniel’s slight unease. “I can tell you and Rayko care for each other. There is nothing mysterious about a mother’s instinct.”

Daniel grinned sheepishly. He felt as if he had been caught.

Rayko took his hand. “Yes, mother, we do care for each other.”

“That was already so clear during the party,” Warlem pitched him. He pulled his legs out of Rayko’s reach, who cast a short look at him.

“Warlem, please,” Ugidra cautioned her son. Then she looked at Daniel again. “I sincerely apologise for my poor choice of moment, Mr. Zacharias, but there is something I would like to ask you. It is about something that bears down on me very heavily.”

Daniel looked at Rayko, who frowned back at him. It was evident that this was not a part of any plan.

“I do want to discuss this with both my children present. At this moment, Mr. Zacharias, the business of my… former husband… is still running itself. There are people occupied with the daily affairs. But sometimes questions are asked that we have no answers for. Solutions have to be made, decisions need to be taken .”

A feeling crawled up Daniel’s spine. It tingled as it crawled, and it made him curious as well as a bit nervous.

“I would like to ask you, Mr. Zacharias, if you would consider taking part in the business as it is now.” Ugidra waited for a moment, tasting Daniel’s reaction from his face, his body language. “I understand that this is very much a surprise. To you as well as to Warlem and Rayko. It is something that I thought of just today. I have spoken with Seigner Dogom ko Tzuy, who told me about how you received the medal at the Society, and someone who carries that medal is regarded upon as a very respectable person.”

“Medal?” Rayko turned to Daniel, ignoring the fact that she was interrupting her mother. “What medal?”

Warlem also seemed surprised by that, so all of a sudden there were three people wondering about all kinds of things.

“It’s just a small one,” Daniel said. “I got it from Seigner Skinsh ko Talush. Seigner Dogom ko Tzuy had recommended me for it.”

“But which one was it?” Rayko wanted to shake it out of Daniel, but that would not look very good.

“They told me it is the medal of Valour and Reward.”

Rayko’s eyes became large again. She put a hand over her mouth. “You received the medal of Valour and Reward?”

Even Warlem, who was not easily shaken, looked perplexed. “Good grief.”

Daniel was suddenly painfully aware that this medal meant quite a great deal here. He had not thought much of it all, as the general attitude at the Society was one of pomp and grandeur.

“Exactly, Warlem,” Ugidra picked up. “And since Mr. Zacharias was awarded this honour, I think it would be very beneficial to either side if he were to venture into the company with us. Or perhaps I should say for us.” She gazed at Warlem for a minimal moment, her expression making it clear how much she expected from that side.

“Oh, yes!” Rayko grabbed both Daniel’s hands. “That would be fantastic!”

Daniel was stumped. Parts of his brain fought for supremacy for a while and as that battle raged, he felt like an idiot. “I must say,” he said, trying to stall for time, “that I am quite overwhelmed by this offer, Mrs. Dandra ko Galem.”

You should not do this, part of him argued, you are a soldier, not a businessman!

Take that offer, Daniel, you’ll be out of financial problems for quite a while!

And you get the girl too!

“It is a splendid way to become one of the people from here,” the voice of Lundar the preacher pitched in.

But you won’t be able to go to sea again in that situation!

Calmly Daniel told every participant in the shouting contest to be quiet. “Your offer sounds very attractive,” he said. “Almost as attractive as your daughter.”

Rayko blushed.

“I am not cut out for this kind of work, never had any training or schooling for that, though. Have you considered that?” The words came to him naturally.

Ugidra smiled. “Yes, I have. And I have talked to Seigner Dogom ko Tzuy about that as well. He is willing to guide you, give you advice.”

Warlem seemed surprised by how far his mother had already gone in this. Rayko, whose blush had faded again, looked happy, her eyes beaming at Daniel.

“The Seigner even talked about a partnership, where the ships of both companies could be formed into one fleet.”

Daniel nodded slowly. “That sounds almost too good to be true.” His warning lights blinked. If something sounded too good to be true, it usually was. He acknowledged that. “But I will give this a try. We could see how things go, for a period that we can decide on. Would that be acceptable for you?”

“Yes, it would,” Ugidra said.

“But not for me, Daniel. I want to keep you,” Rayko said, holding one of his hands with both of hers.

“I don’t plan on giving you a period for evaluation,” he grinned. “I am not taking the chance that you don’t like me after all.”