Fury
Quinn pressed his lips together in concentration as he put the finishing touches on Jaesa's stitches. Then he pulled the thread taut and deftly snipped it just above the skin.
"You've been patched up," he said, rolling his shoulders back as he stood up. "Mind the cut until it's healed. The bruises should take care of themselves."
She bowed her head in thanks. "I will do that. Thank you."
Quinn removed his gloves and turned to throw them out. He hesitated mid-turn when he saw Ishtaa standing in the doorway.
He bowed slightly. "My lord."
"Captain." Ishtaa nodded in reply.
Quinn's tongue darted out to wet his lips. He stood there twisting the gloves in his hands for a few seconds, like he was unsure what to say. Then he seemed to think better of it. He cleared his throat. "Well, I'd better go check on the rest of the crew. Excuse me."
Jaesa waited until he had disappeared from earshot before she spoke.
"He cares very deeply for you," she said.
Ishtaa lowered her eyes. "I know," she said in a quiet voice. She could sense that Jaesa was about to press the issue, so she forced herself to put on a bright smile. "How are you feeling?"
"Much better now that I'm cleaned up. Though there's not much to be done for my head except rest and sleep it off."
That earned a real smile.
Jaesa, however, didn't seem to see the humor. "I'm sorry," she said.
Ishtaa frowned at her. "Sorry?"
Jaesa avoided eye contact, her cheeks darkening in embarrassment. "I shouldn't have charged at Draahg the way I did. My plan was to wait until I sensed an opportunity but…my feelings got the better of me."
Oh. That. Ishtaa knelt alongside the cot, looking up so she could see the girl's face even with her eyes lowered to the ground. "I suppose you didn't see what I did once you were knocked out, then."
Jaesa laughed softly.
Ishtaa smiled too, but beneath the smile, she gave her apprentice a serious look. "Jaesa, there's no shame in being protective of the people you care about. When done appropriately, it can make strong men stronger and the brave even braver. There is nothing so dangerous on the battlefield as a friend or a lover and their care." She hesitated, and a note of sadness crept into her voice. "You just can't let it blind your better judgment."
"What about you?" Jaesa looked at Ishtaa intently. "Has Baras blinded your better judgment?"
Ishtaa sighed. "He did, for a time. What he did…to me, to my family…" To Quinn… She took a breath to brace herself. "But I've learned now that such hatred can only lead to more suffering. I will kill Baras, but for justice' sake. I won't let him walk free, or throw him in prison just so he can break loose and wreak havoc on the galaxy." She paused. "I don't get to kill Baras. I have to."
She realized that Jaesa was still staring at her with that piercing look of hers. Uncomfortable, she got up off the floor. "I should go. I have matters to attend to before we can leave."
She expected Jaesa to accept the farewell, but she stopped her with a hand on her wrist. "Ishtaa...I just thought you should know, that I am proud to call you my master."
Ishtaa blinked, taken aback. Then she clasped Jaesa's hands and smiled. "And you my apprentice," she said, bowing her head.
