The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum - View Single Post - The Lonely Star -- Chapter 4

piosenniel · 10-06-2002, 01:55 PM

Lunch had come and gone, such as it was. Anee had gone on to her own duties, saying she would meet Daisy later and they would walk back together. Daisy found herself dreaming of a hot bowl of fish stew from the Star as she entered the captain's office. 'Tarcil.' she said to herself. 'His name is Captain Tarcil. I must remember that!'

He was busy, his back turned to her, as she entered. She stood there quietly, not wanting to disturb him.

'Well, come here, girl!' he spoke to her gruffly, when he had noted her. 'Did Anee show you where you will be needed to go for me?' She nodded her head mutely, not looking him in the eye. 'Speak up, girl! Daisy? Is it?! I cannot read your mind!'

'Yes, sir! Captain Tarcil! I know where I'm to go.' She took the sheaf of papers he handed to her. They were carefully folded, but none were sealed, and on the top fold of each was written the place and person to whom it was directed.

He looked at her appraisingly. 'You can read, can't you Daisy? Otherwise, I'm afraid we'll have to replace you, too.' A feral look passed briefly on his face. She assured him she could. And he tested her by having her read the names and places on the messages he had given her. Satisfied, he sent her on her way, saying that she was to pick up any messages or replies for him as she went and then bring them back directly to him before going back to the caves.

He turned his back on her, returning to his work, and told her to close the door as she left. She was just about to step out the door, and pull it shut, when she heard Bird's tiny voice near her ear. 'Daisy! Let me jump to the door jamb. I'm going to look around his desk when I get the chance and see what I can discover. Pick me up when you come back this evening with his return messages.'

Daisy felt the small leap of the neeker-breeker as she jumped. She saw her climb up to the top of the door, and hide herself on the lintel. 'Good luck!' she mouthed at her, then went out, shutting the door securely behind her.

[ October 06, 2002: Message edited by: piosenniel ]

10-06-2002, 01:55 PM	#136
piosenniel Desultory Dwimmerlaik Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Pickin' flowers with Bill the Cat..... Posts: 7,779	Lunch had come and gone, such as it was. Anee had gone on to her own duties, saying she would meet Daisy later and they would walk back together. Daisy found herself dreaming of a hot bowl of fish stew from the Star as she entered the captain's office. 'Tarcil.' she said to herself. 'His name is Captain Tarcil. I must remember that!' He was busy, his back turned to her, as she entered. She stood there quietly, not wanting to disturb him. 'Well, come here, girl!' he spoke to her gruffly, when he had noted her. 'Did Anee show you where you will be needed to go for me?' She nodded her head mutely, not looking him in the eye. 'Speak up, girl! Daisy? Is it?! I cannot read your mind!' 'Yes, sir! Captain Tarcil! I know where I'm to go.' She took the sheaf of papers he handed to her. They were carefully folded, but none were sealed, and on the top fold of each was written the place and person to whom it was directed. He looked at her appraisingly. 'You can read, can't you Daisy? Otherwise, I'm afraid we'll have to replace you, too.' A feral look passed briefly on his face. She assured him she could. And he tested her by having her read the names and places on the messages he had given her. Satisfied, he sent her on her way, saying that she was to pick up any messages or replies for him as she went and then bring them back directly to him before going back to the caves. He turned his back on her, returning to his work, and told her to close the door as she left. She was just about to step out the door, and pull it shut, when she heard Bird's tiny voice near her ear. 'Daisy! Let me jump to the door jamb. I'm going to look around his desk when I get the chance and see what I can discover. Pick me up when you come back this evening with his return messages.' Daisy felt the small leap of the neeker-breeker as she jumped. She saw her climb up to the top of the door, and hide herself on the lintel. 'Good luck!' she mouthed at her, then went out, shutting the door securely behind her. [ October 06, 2002: Message edited by: piosenniel ] __________________ Eldest, that’s what I am . . . I knew the dark under the stars when it was fearless - before the Dark Lord came from Outside.