The Passengers' Cabins

Raoul blushed again, this time with pleasure. "Thank you. I did the best I could to avoid it, and I should not perhaps have been so foolhardy as to go to see Noix alone... I wil be all right. Captain Padstowe has found me a copy of the Iliad. When you came in, I thought of Achilles' Wrath when his captive was removed from him - but under the circumstances ..." His lips twitched.

"I know you did." Stephen managed a smile. "Perhaps that is not a suitable metaphor; for myself I would actually never consider that comparison appropriate-" He suddenly felt dizzy, and grabbed the bulkhead for support.

Raoul moved swiftly to support him. "You must rest, in your cabin with no interruptions. No dealing with injuries caused by apples, or chilblains, or bruised fingers. Tomorrow you must be fit and rested. The assistant surgeon must cope until then."

"I am fine - it is simply the movement of the ship. I will just sit down for a moment."

Raoul lowered him back onto the chair. He looked at him, and then opened the door and called for Markham, to ask him to bring another cup and some fresh coffee, for the doctor. "That will make you feel better," he said, as they waited. The large Marine had looked up at them, but did not seem concerned at his appearance at the door of the cabin. A thickset lad, he had a pleasant face, and showed no obvious antipathy... The Sergeant seemed at least to have made a sensible choice.

"It was just my head," Stephen said softly, hoping to reassure des Sablières.

"I know - the one with the fractured skull which you used to fight me off - in much the same way as I used an apple. My dear doctor, sit, drink coffee and let the rest of the world take care of itself for some time. I am well, and all will be well, even without your care... Or as well as can be expected."

"It is only for a minute..." Stephen said. "I thought it would be different on board. We could sit at the taffrail, and watch the birds." He looked up. "Are you sure you are all right, Capitaine?"

Raoul blinked. "It isn't like that at all, is it, Doctor. Captain Padstowe thinks I should stay in the cabin, and you - I suppose you should go. Or," another attempt at a smile, "people will talk, and wonder what we are doing. But do rest. And go and sit yourself by the taffrail and watch the birds. There will be others to whom you can identify the sheerwater..."

Stephen shook his head morosely, and stood up. "I will go back to the sickbay."

Raoul smiled. "But rest, my dear.. my dear doctor. I will be here, if you ... " He stood up again this time taking care to still the cot first. "Do not neglect your birds and the fresh air."

"Perhaps before dinner, but I fear I will take no joy from them. I cannot neglect Mister Crozier. You will be well here, Capitaine?"

What else could he say? Raoul touched the book lying on the cot. "Perhaps I shall imagine myself Achilles, sulking in my tent from choice..." More briskly he said: "Go and see to Mr Crozier - if the captain has decided by then, I may even be allowed out myself before nightfall."

"I hope so. You have a good book at least - no more Rosseau," Stephen said with a ghost of a smile. "I warned you about him."

"Yes," Raoul said. "A good book, if rather too much death and glory. I was tired of Rousseau." He returned the smile, and added: "The Odyssey would be worrying - I do not wish to spend 10 years on this boat before returning home."

"Even with the death and glory, it is a masterpiece of literature; Rosseau is a come-kiss-me-fame infamous lying weasel of a man. I really must be going back; thank you, my dear, and I will return later," said Stephen, opening the door.

"You may think that - I could not possibly comment," Raoul said, smiling. "But Homer will do very well for now."

Stephen's smile grew a little stronger. "He is far preferable to the sickbay - I will be back in a few hours," and he closed the door behind him.

Raoul settled down again with his book. Of course, he knew how it ended...