Kendall's Story VII- Short Story

Kendall looked over the lines that had so easily captured her likeness on the page, fascinated that the artist had managed to portray not just her, but also the motion of the wind. She leaned closer, to look at the detail. Her dress was not as revealing as it felt, apparently. And on her face was a content expression. She gasped, and looked away from the picture.

"I'm sorry," the artist said. "It's not that good, anyway. It ... it's just a sketch ... "

"And what a fine sketch it is," Trenton said. Kendall realized she had been following him until she got distracted. "How much you what for it?"

The artist and Kendall both turned to look at Trenton, disbelief on their faces. "I ... I couldn't sell it ... it's just a sketch. And a poor one at that. It's so bad that I've upset her," the artist said, pointing to Kendall.

Trenton turned to Kendall, one eyebrow raised. She met his gaze, though she kept unconsciously trying to look back to sketch. "Is that so? Well, I think it's beautiful," he said, then turned back to the artist. "Regardless of what you, or Saphie thinks. How much?"

Kendall watched as the artist stood up, and looked quickly around the deck. "I, uh ... I really don't feel comfortable selling such a lousy piece." Trenton looked like he was about to protest, but the artist cut him off. "But if you'd like, I uh, I could do more formal portrait, if she'd be willing to sit for it, that is."

"Well?" Trenton said looking at her, "You game?" Kendall studied him, trying to figure out what his intentions were. She shrugged, and Trenton turned back to the artist. "Can we have at day or so to think about it? Are you staying on that long?"

"Sure. I'm headed for Fox Ferry, so I'll be around for about a week. But don't take too long deciding. A good portrait takes a least three, usually four days to complete."

Trenton nodded. "We'll try to find you tomorrow with our decision."

"Shouldn't be too hard," the artist observed. "There are only a limited number of places on the ship. "

Trenton chuckled, then said "Tomorrow, then." He took Kendall's arm in his and led her toward their cabin.

The room was small and sparsely decorated. A small window filtered in light through the thick wavy glass. A wooden platform that acted as a bed extended out from the left wall, doors underneath for storage. On the opposite wall hung a small tapestry. A bouquet of dried flowers and an enclosed oil lantern hung from the ceiling.

As cramped as the room was, it had a comfortable feel to it. Kendall sat on the bed and quickly pulled her feet up next to her to avoid getting stepped on by Trenton, who was now pacing the small quarters.

"Damn, I wish he would have just sold me the original. That would've been so much easier." Kendall watched him as he paced back and forth, covering the distance in either direction in three easy strides. Clearly he was agitated, but she was uncertain why.

"If he does portraits from sketches then we just run into the same problem. Besides, it was really nice. A good likeness."

Kendall felt the warmth spread across her cheeks, embarrassment mixed with a little pride. Earlier he said the artist's sketch was beautiful. If he felt it was good likeness of her ... panic followed that thought. If it was a good likeness, she had broken one of Darou's commands by indulging to take in and admire her appearance. There was no way for her to do penance for the transgression, either, as those were handed down from the temple High Priest, so even if she could remember what the penance was, without a high priest to present her offer formally to Darou, it would be worthless.

It seemed to Kendall the longer she was away from the temple, the more temptations she would have to face in keeping to her god's wishes. Maybe he had removed her from the temple to challenge her faith; to test how loyal she was. She had just bowed her head to beg Darou for strength to face these challenges when Trenton plopped down next to her on the bed.

"If he were going further than Fox Ferry I wouldn't worry so much, but that is still too close. If any of your pursuers were to catch glimpse of it, they'd have a lead as to which direction you went."

Kendall blinked in surprise. So that's why he wanted the picture. Not to keep it, but rather to keep others from seeing it. Embarrassment settled in her stomach like angry butterflies, and she looked pointedly at the tapestry across the room as Trenton turned and addressed her.

"I think our best bet is to have him do a formal portrait. In the very least that would give me a chance to spend more time around him, and have a better chance to get the sketch if he won't sell it to me. What do you think? Will to do it?"

Kendall nodded, lips pursed.

"Great," Trenton said. Whatever he was going to say next was cut off by a bell that sounded two sharp rings. "Dinner's ready," he said, quickly standing up. "If we don't get to the galley promptly then we don't get to eat."

Kendall nodded once more and followed him to the ship's galley.