Kendall's Story V- Short Story

Kendall's Story V

11- October 2004

Based on the writing challenge:
Write 400 words including the phrase
"Just don't start anything...please?"

"Okay Trent, I'll give you passaged. Just don't start anything...please?" The boat captain's resigned tone made Kendall wonder what kind of trouble Trenton had caused for him in the past. Trenton smiled at the captain and hurried to help Kendall onto the ship.

"Who is the lady?" the captain asked as she boarded. The way he looked at her made Kendall uncomfortably aware of the exactly what her dress did and did not cover.

"She's my traveling companion, Blaine, and that's all you need to know. In fact, if you could forget that I had a traveling companion, I'm sure you'd be happier with the results." On the last line, Trenton's hand casually brushed across the money pouch at his side.

Blaine looked appraisingly at Trenton, and the weight of the pouch, then turned his eyes to Kendall. "I can think of something else that might help me forget the both of you. ONe that wouldn't lighten your purse, if you catch my drift." The look in the captain's eyes made Kendall's skin crawl.

"Blaine." If Trenton's tone of voice wasn't enough warning for the boat captain, then the look he gave him was. The captain held up his hands and backed away from Kendall a few steps.

"Okay. I get it. She's your girl."

"You'd do well to let your crew know that," Trenton said with a snarl, stepping forward and wrapping an arm around one of Kendall's. Surprised at his sudden aggression, and not a all happy with the turn of the conversation, Kendall tried to to pull away. Trenton held firm as he said, "I trust our cabin will be ready soon?"

Blaine took the out that was offered to him. "I'll see to it myself," he said, and headed off."

"See that you do," Trenton said as the captain made his way below deck. As soon as he was out of sight, Trenton released Kendall and turned to face her. In a low voice he said, "I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable, but it'll be better if everyone thinks you're with me. As such, I got only one room. It would be suspicious of me to sleep on the deck, so I'll sleep on the floor. Besides, no one will try anything if they know we're sharing a room," he said with a wink.

"Now to go see about getting some descent grub for the duration of the trip. If you don't tip the galley hands, you end up with the same slop as the hired hands. I'll get you when the room is ready."

Whistling some tune Kendall didn't recognize, he made his way below decks to the galley. Kendall took the opportunity to watch the deck crew making final preparations. Trenton had insisted on booking passage on the ship departing soonest; destination didn't really matter at this point.

The ship was loosened from it's moorings, and within a few minutes was headed down-river. Kendall stood on the deck and watched the city port fall away behind her. The wind picked up, loosening her hair from the braid she always wore, dark strands whipping around her face as if trying to draw her attention in protest of their unexpended freedom. She ignored them as she watched the shoreline glide by.