CHAPTER 6:KARRASS
Karrass shook his head as he watched Mariel disappear over a gentle hillock. How could he ever hope to compete with the man her parents had chosen for her? He had wanted so badly just to touch her face, to let her know that he felt the same way about her as she did about him.
He shrugged it off with a wince. I really should go back and see Coaldwin about these scratches before he departs, Karrass thought. He lightly grazed the wounds with his hand only to be rewarded by an eye-watering stinging. Maybe I'll go tomorrow.
For now, he was going to have to settle for a good soaking. He turned and ran for the water. He dashed into the water and delighted in the spray that erupted in front of him. He hopped after the drops around the shallows then bounded out of the pool and sped off across the grass. When he finally came to a stop, he had started bleeding again. He looked down at his chest and he panted. Each rise sent another stream of blood rolling over and through his fur. Maybe I'll go today.
He set off for the space port at a brisk trot, but was forced to slow down before too long. He felt better than he had in a long time. Mariel hadn't said that she wouldn't see him again and that was news enough to dance for.
>You should have come to me hours ago,> Coaldwin, the ever sensible doctor, scolded his patient.
>Can you just patch it? You're leaving it exposed while you lecture me,> Karrass whined.
>I ought to box your ears,> was Coaldwin's jovial reply. He applied a thin film of syn-skin over the wounds. It burned momentarily, but Karrass didn't evidence his discomfort. All that was left was to bind the now flushed and sealed cuts.
>Thanks, doc.>
>Fine, fine, but next time, please come here first. If not, you could end up with a rather nasty infection.>
>Don't be an old woman,> Karrass gently teased.
>We'll see who the old woman is the next time you come crawling in here looking for my aid. How is it that you always get into so many scraps? This base could be quiet as an iltarjach and you would still managed to make you're way here all beaten and bruised.>
>It's not like I look for trouble. I usually get the jobs that nobody wants around here. Nobody wants them for good reason.>
>Then why do you take them? You are a talented fighter and would be a credit to any captain's ship. If you would only apply, most captains would overlook you academy record. I know that I would after seeing you in the field,> Coaldwin said
>I've been to war and that is not the life for me. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for cleaning up the mess that we made, but I know the mortality rate of young warriors. I won't be one of them.>
>How can you say that? After all that your own father has suffered-->
>It's my father that's keeping me out of this war! They need able bodied workers here too and that's the demand that I'm filling. I won't let him come home to nothing. The rest of the universe will already be against him whether they will admit it or no. He will never escape infamy. At least he will be able to find sanctuary somewhere.>
>You talk like he's coming backā¦>
>He is coming back.> And with that, Karrass abruptly left Dr. Coaldwin's office.
