[sometimes, you just can't sit the fence...]

(Continues the story of Talita da Motta, Templar, written in her own hand, as she recalls her early years in the order:)

Chapter 12:Tempting Fate - part 1

"Strike, strike, counter …No! Talita! Sword tip down, just under mine as you swing – like this!"

Ivonetta moved her sword with an easy motion and suddenly my blade was yanked out of my hand and skittering across the deck.

I frowned. Maker, but she made it look so easy.

Juca looked from his reading, watching us carefully. It was nearly a week since the raider attempt; soon afterwards we'd hit the trade currents, finished the repairs of the sailcloth, and were now sailing smoothly toward Gwaren. I'd made my apologies to Seadance; any ship that could move in combat like she had against those pirates could no longer be called a Seacow. I had made no such mental apologies to Captain Brellig, however. The man had not said of word of thanks to Juca for his efforts. Instead, Brellig had thanked Everado! As if he, our Knight-Captain, had pulled the strings and we, his puppets, had merely done his bidding. The thought of it made me grind my teeth in frustration.

For his part, Juca seemed unconcerned about the entire matter, pleasantly pleased (and surprised) that a few of the sailors had themselves thanked him.

Ivonetta had recovered sufficiently from her bout of seasickness to take up her part of my lessons once more. I was grateful, despite myself. For all her faults, at least the lieutenant wanted to teach me. Everado simply wanted to watch me fail.

Wiping the sweat from my eyes with my forearm, I nodded to Ivonetta. A cold wind was blowing across the deck, but it felt good against my face.

"Try again!" she commanded.

I gathered my practice sword, checked the straps on my buckler, and took my stance. Strike, strike -

Ivonetta held up a hand, and I pulled my swing short. What had I done wrong, I wondered.

She was looking past me, to where Everado had come up from belowdecks. He was storming toward us.

Ivonetta frowned. "Captain?" she asked.

Everado ignored her and instead stood over Juca, his feet planted wide. "Where is it, mage?" he growled.

Juca, looking up from his reading and blinked. "Ser?" he asked.

Everado reached down and pulled Juca roughly to his feet. Juca's book slid across the deck while Juca himself had to stand on his tiptoes. "You know what I'm talking about!" Everado shouted into Juca's face. "The satchel! Inside the chest! WHAT DID YOU DO WITH IT?"

Around us, crew paused, some pointed.

I was frozen with fear.

Ivonetta was across the space with four long strides. She laid a heavy, mailed hand on the Knight-Captain's arm. "Everado!" she admonished.

With some difficulty, Everado slowly released Juca. Ivonetta motioned to the crew to get back to their tasks. Most of them did.

I realized I was gripping my practice sword so tightly that I was losing feeling in my fingers.

The smouldering anger had not left Everado's eyes, however. "Answer me, Mage, and I will ask for leniency when I press charges! You may get out of this without getting becoming Tranquil, but you'd better talk NOW."

Juca stammered. "Knight-Captain, I…I wish I knew what you were speaking of…is something missing?"

"You know what I'm speaking of!"

"No, ser, I do not."

Everado held Juca's gaze for several long moments. He stepped closer, backing Juca against a wall of empty barrels. "I think you do," he said. His voice was low and ominous.

"He has been with us all morning, Everado! He hasn't moved from that spot." Ivonetta snapped.

"He is the only one with access to the room!" Everado snarled at his lieutenant.

Ivonetta stepped closer and hissed, "And you do not think there is a man on this ship who cannot pick our locks?"

Everado had not considered this. He frowned and slowly nodded, releasing Juca taking his hand from the hilt of his sword. Sweet Andraste, had he been about to kill him?

"First, we will search his things," Everado countered at last.

Juca nodded.

They led him away.

I stared after them, wondering what in all of Thedas was missing from the Captain's satchel; and how much trouble was it going to cause.

I am ashamed to admit that for almost an entire minute, I did not follow. I was merely a trainee and all of this was clearly not my business. But Juca was down there…

The shadowy monster of fate again. It seemed to be mocking me.

I scooped up my practice helmet from atop the barrels and descended into the darkness below the decks.

Sorry so short, but the confrontation which follows is likely to make this section too long...

TY to all the kind people who are following this story. I am so humbled! PLEASE review, especially if you see an error or something is phrased awkwardly.