The Farglass Cycle

Story: Just Mel
Year: 981 FY
Characters: Mel, Derin, Dallu, Kesu
Warnings: Banditry, isolation, discussion of ostracism/exile



It wasn't until he and Derin were completely cut off that Mel realized exactly how lucky he'd been for most of his life. He'd had a community to be part of, to support him. He'd had rank--of course, unless the Clan itself was dying, no one really went wanting, but rank was always helpful. He'd been on a ship with a skilled Captain, who made sure they prospered.

And now he was skulking in an icy inlet in Raselar, watching the iron-grey sky with Derin half-submerged nearby, balancing the need to stay hidden with the need to support the two of them.

:Traveler,: Derin said, quietly. :Small boat, single passenger, out of the North.:

Mel blinked, and looked in the direction the hippocampus was indicating. "He's probably not worth it," he said, but he wasn't certain.

:He'll have food,: Derin pointed out. :And you need to eat more than half-frozen clams, you're getting skinny.:

Mel rolled his eyes. "Fine." He braced himself for the cold, and slid into the water just as fat, heavy snowflakes started drifting down from the clouds.

With Derin at his side, Mel swam out towards the little boat. Like his companion had said, there was a single passenger, an unnaturally pale man probably Mel's age or a little older. He looked completely comfortable with the weather.

:Ready when you are.:

Mel shot out of the water in front of the boat, with Derin ready behind to stall him. "Give me all you're carryin'," he said, with as much menace as he could manage. "And I'll tow you safe to shore and not have my bondmate sink you."

The Northerner blinked at him, his bear shifting to look behind them. "There's no need for threats," he said mildly. "I'm willing to share. Please back off, you're making Kesu nervous."

:I can take him,: Derin said.

Mel hesitated, though. Banditry in and of itself didn't bother him--gods knew he'd done it even before he broke faith--but this was a navigator he was taking. If he wanted to cling to anything good left in himself...

:Please don't start that again,: Derin said, upset.

Mel shook his head to clear it. "...why should I trust you?"

The Northerner quirked a smile. "Well, I'm not the one making threats."

"Not straight ones," he said.

He shrugged. "Ah, perhaps. But you started it."

This was true.

:If it bothers you this much...look, Mel, I'm happy either way, as long as we get some of his supplies.:

It didn't, exactly. But the bear had wickedly sharp claws and teeth, and Mel was tired and cold and it was snowing and this Northerner had offered to share. Perhaps only to spare himself and his companion, but he had still offered. And Mel loved Derin, of course he did, but he'd been so long without non-violent human contact, that...

:I think he means it?: Derin offered.

He took a deep breath, then nodded. "...fine. If you're willing to share." Mel pulled on the water around himself and the boat, knowing that Derin would have no trouble following.

"My name's Dallu," the Northerner offered, with a smile.

"...Mel."

"Just Mel?"

He closed his eyes, feeling a too-familiar deep, lonely ache spreading in his cold bones. "Just Mel."