It was two hours past lunch when Hudson finally stopped putting off the conversation with Eva. There was a lull in the warehouse activity, the workers taking the time in between deliveries and shipments to inspect their equipment. Since the sabotage incident, those inspections were both more frequent and more careful. Hudson walked down the hall and tapped on her door lightly. ?Eva? Ha?e ye a few minutes free??

Eva's lips were moving as she counted silently, and her eyes glanced up to Hudson. She took an extra moment before responding so she could complete her figuring, a number quickly jotted down, and then her posture relaxed and she smiled. "Sure, come on in."

There was one chair on the other side of her desk, and she stood, gesturing to it with one hand while organizing the scattered array of documents on her desk. "What can I do for you?"

?There?s tae be some changes tae th? organization here, and I?m tae fill ye in on th? matter.? Hudson?s expression was friendly but serious as he took the seat. He leaned forward, resting his forearms against the edge of the desk. ?I?ll begin wi? th? largest news. Rhys will be returning tae Yransea shortly.? The lines on his weather-beaten face settled a bit deeper; he cared for Rhys a great deal, and was unmistakably sad to pass on the news. ?He?ll nae be leaving Captain Caisson?s employ, but be working at th? trade dealings in Yransea.?

For a moment, it almost looked like she didn't understand. She sat, catching the edge of her chair, as if she were surprised to find it beneath her. A hand lifted to tuck her hair behind her ear. She'd known that Rhys had been unhappy. They were by no means close, but Hudson's absence had driven them together as Rhys took over many of Hudson's duties, and Eva tried to assist where she could. She'd assumed the unhappiness was because of the stress of the extra work, and grieving over the loss of Hudson, someone she thought Rhys had considered a close friend. But Hudson was here now, and Rhys was still leaving.

"Oh... I thought... well... when will he be leaving?"

Hudson frowned, not at the question, but at the fact of the departure. ?In th? next few days is my understanding, should all gae smoothly.? His expression softened as he explained. ?He be auld, Eva, aulder than I thought, and getting tired. His health hasnae been good, and he doesnae care for RhyDin in truth ? tae much o? chaos and change here tae be comfortable.?

She nodded, looking down at her hands as they rubbed the thighs of her pants. Yet again, they'd be short-staffed. It just felt so sudden. Eva looked up once more to meet his eyes. "Okay, well... whatever you need from me... more hours, or more responsibilities... I've been keeping up with all the payroll records, and I updated last year's records for the busy season so we have a sense of what our peak expenses will be." She started to shuffle items on her desk.

A sparkle of humor lit in black eyes. ?Ye dinnae ken what ye ask for wi? more responsibilities. I?ll be taking on Rhys?s place here, and I asked Captain Caisson tae consider ye tae take my role. He?ll be thinking that o?er, and wished tae speak wi? his cousin about th? matter before making a decision, but I dae think ye should ken that th? possibility be there. Even if he decides against, I?ll be asking for th? extra hours ye speak o?, at least for th? first while o? transition, and be sure tae compensate ye for them.?

Eva got caught somewhere in the middle of his words. Her brow furrowed in confusion. "Sorry... you recommended me? For... for your job?"

?Aye, I did. Ye?ve a better sense for calculating th? profits o? a trade deal than I dae, and yer more than capable o? th? rest o? it. If ye dinnae be interested, I?ll tell Captain Caisson that and we?ll look tae find another for th? job.? Hudson was still smiling faintly, perhaps a little amused at her dumbfounded look.

"No! I mean... yes..." She laughed at herself, her head lowering for a moment, and then looked back to him with a nod. "I appreciate you recommending me, and I'm happy to be even considered. So, really, whatever you need from me. Even if it's just some more hours, that's fine, I mean, I'm happy to help..." She trailed off her nervous babbling.

Hudson?s smile warmed. ?Guid, and I?ll thank ye for it. I ken well how much ye did for th? warehouse and Rhys while I was gone.? He nodded, and then with the matter settled as far as he was concerned, let it drop. ?Now ye said ye ha?e th? figures o? our peak expenses from th? last year? Ha?e ye a comparison tae our income o?er th? same time period, by any chance??

Eva nodded. "Yeah, actually, I was just finishing up a report on it along with a forecast for this year, factoring in the new trade agreement, and shipping limitations based on our current capacity. Might be useful for Captain Caisson I think. To see it sort of clearly laid out that way." She shrugged a shoulder, looking across the desk to Hudson.

?Aye, I think ye?ll be right, and ?tis verra guid thinking. Would ye mind tae gae o?er it wi? me then?? Hudson pulled his chair closer to the desk, angling it so that he could look over the papers with her aid. There were changes coming to Captain Caisson?s business, but the trade would go on.


((Adapted from live play))

Gaerwyn stepped through the open doors of the warehouse. The workers looked to be having their midday meal, huddled about a makeshift table out of barrels and crates. They shared good humor and bad humor alike, and upon sighting Gaerwyn's broad smile and approach, turned to greet their boss with likewise grins and shaking of hands. "Good to see you all well." Gaerwyn clapped a near fellow on the shoulder. "How's that lovely wife of yours, Sam?"

"Oh, she be well, sir, right well, thank you for the asking."

Ewan watched his cousin's easy manners with the workers, not that he envied him. If he had that role to play, he could do so. In fact, he saw much in that relationship as he did with men he served with in fields of battle. Here, though, he was a silent watch to the dealings of these workers. He gave them smiles, but continued on to the office to see if Hudson was in or out at the hour.

Bent over a stack of papers on his desk, Hudson was indeed in and reviewing the reports of the shift foreman from the previous twenty-four hours. The creak of footsteps down the hallway wasn?t at all unusual, but two sets and heavier than Eva was enough to have him looking up from the reports. When Ewan entered the office, he smiled a greeting. ?Guid morning tae ye, Ewan. Ye?ll ken ye enter a room as if ye expect an assassin tae jump from behind th? door?? It was a bit of a jest, and he went on more seriously, ?Welcome tae ye ? I?d nae expected tae see ye again afore th? ship left for Yransea.?

Ewan gave a reasonable and affable nod and smile. "I had not anticipated requiring to do so, but it seems my cousin has let some information fall my way at the last moment." This last he spoke with a resigned smile and glanced over his shoulder to his cousin?s more enthusiastic arrival.

"Well, here we are, Hudson, troubling your work day, I see. Hopefully it will not take long." Gaerwyn had the good sense to close the door behind him.

"No assassins," Ewan commented upon the door being closed and whatever lay behind it being revealed. "That is good to learn."

"What's that?" Gaerwyn looked puzzled between the two, and then shrugged it off, rather not knowing. "We're here about Eva, that's what. Seems I have caused my cousin a bit of worry." Gaerwyn looked cheeky, but it could not hide his own concern in his eyes.

Ewan said nothing at the present, but nodded that indeed that was their reason and looked to Hudson.

?Nae, ?tis nae trouble ? th? reports will still be here when we?re done.? When Gaerwyn had entered as well, Hudson stood and gestured to the pair of chairs in the room. When Gaerwyn stated their purpose for the visit, Hudson?s dark brows winged up. ?Aye, ye mentioned wishing tae speak wi? Ewan on?t.? Hudson resumed his seat slowly, and looked over at Ewan to address him directly. ?But I?m curious tae ken what could cause ye tae ha?e concern. Eva?s done grand work here.?

Taking the seat, Ewan relaxed back as much as the chair allowed. He looked quite at ease with what he had to say. "I do not deny it. In the few days I managed to lend some assistance, I saw what great detail and care Eva took in her work." Ewan started out with the facts. On his next words, though, he did not look away nor shy from the blunt truth. "However, I have witnessed from time to time behavior that causes me to worry."

Gaerwyn gripped the edge of his seat, "And I will be asking you to be more explicit."

"And you know I will not be completely so, but will say what I can." Ewan retorted, but without venom. Keen were his thoughts upon this and just as sharp his words.

"Hudson," Ewan began once more, "tell me beyond her work, what you think of Eva?"

?Beyond her work, be it? I think she be a loyal friend, one who?d gae tae great lengths tae help those she?s committed tae, an? she?s a kind nature tae her as well. There?ll nae be many who?d gae tae th? trouble she did for Sianna, I ken that well.? Hudson?s answer was measured ? this wasn?t a snap retort, but obviously the result of consideration. ?She?s a sadness tae her, and she holds hersel? tae great control ? though ye ken, even th? best control can be tested from time tae time. She?ll nae speak much on her past and she?ll be slow tae reach out, but once she does I dinnae think much will sway her mind.? One brow arched a bit as he looked back at Ewan. ?Dae that be what yer looking for??

Ewan gave a slow nod, "In point of fact, you touched upon my greatest concern, her control." Ewan shook his head. "My own observations quite the reverse, you see. I have witnessed her lack of control, and publicly at that. As an accountant of this firm, I was willing to not act upon it nor draw it up to the attention of Rhys or, you, Gaerwyn."

Gaerwyn frowned with his own concerns now starting to form at the contradictory reports between two men he trusted very well. "Go on."

Eva wasn't the type to be comfortable sitting at a desk all day. Weather permitting, her lunch hour was most often spent walking along the docks, getting a breath of sea air, and stretching her legs.

Today, getting out of the office had been an absolute necessity by the time her lunch hour rolled around. Once the reality of a possible promotion had settled in, her thoughts had been consumed by not much else. But no matter how much time she had to think, she was no more sure of herself, the future, and the decision she knew was out of her hands.

And so it was that her head was bent and her brow furrowed in concentration as she climbed the steps to return to her office, fingers absently unbuttoning her coat as she passed Hudson's door.

Not precisely watching the door, Hudson had still been keeping alert for Eva?s return to the warehouse after Gaerwyn and Ewan left. When he heard her start to walk past, he lifted his voice. ?Eva ? would ye step in for a wee bit, please?? It was a friendly invitation in delivery, but more a direction than a true question. He carefully set aside his pen and capped his bottle of ink while he waited for her to join him in the office. ?Shut th? door and take a seat, aye??

Eva felt her stomach clench in answer to the direction, but she smiled and nodded all the same, doing as requested. "Sure." The door shut quietly behind her, she kept her coat on and open as she settled into one of the chairs. "What's going on?" Her hands rubbed absently at the thighs of her pants.

Black eyes were sharp to observe the small signs of nerves, habits that working with Eva had made familiar. Hudson was straightforward in delivering the news of the meeting. ?Captain Caisson stopped by wi? Ewan a bit ago tae speak o?er th? matter o? stepping ye tae my auld position. Ewan had a concern he wished tae be sure Captain Caisson and I were both aware o? before th? Captain made a decision one way or t?other.? His scarred hands were set loosely on the desk as Hudson looked calmly at Eva. His expression was pleasant and for the moment, neutral.

Ewan. Right. Eva's stomach flipped and her eyes shifted down to the desk for a moment. Ever since he'd seen her get into a scuffle in the Inn, she'd sensed that his opinion of her had fallen. But that was before the New Year and she'd since apologized for the incident. She could guess that the apology hadn't done much to reassure him. Her eyes lifted once more to meet Hudson's. "What concern?"

Hudson?s expression remained neutral as he explained. ?He were concerned that he?s seen ye lose control in public afore ? th? which I told him I ha?enae seen such from ye, but I trust him tae speak me true on?t. And he were concerned that ye could be swayed by personal matters tae make judgments which could harm th? business. On that I maintain ye?d dae nae such thing. Th? difficulty be that much o? my auld role be dealing wi? th? merchants and traders o? th? city, and as such representing th? business as a whole, ye ken? Nae only on hours, but off.? He paused, to see if she understood the ramifications of that, and to watch her reactions. So far his words indicated nothing of the final decision.

Eva couldn't stop her frown. "I... I understand what the position requires. But I..." Her hands balled into fists and rubbed the thighs of her pants. Her voice grew quiet as she continued on a different path. "I've been told before that... that my scar can be off putting." A hand lifted to gesture briefly towards the left side of her face. "That it makes people uneasy. I'll understand if... if Captain Caisson feels that I'm not... I'm not the right person to represent his business interests." She shook her head, and met his eyes, and try as she might, she couldn't hide the flare of her temper there, held in check. "But I... I take exception to the idea that I've done anything in my time here to give any of you the impression that I am untrustworthy, or that I let my personal life influence my work."

It was Hudson?s turn to frown, then. He could both understand and sympathize with her indignation, but nevertheless - ?And did I nae say I maintain ye?d nae such thing? Th? scar wasnae e?en a matter brought up, Eva, th? issue were more th? worry that ye?d lose control in a public place again ? e?en if ye were off-hours ? and th? effects that could ha?e on our reputation. In trade yer reputation be what will make or break ye, and th? business has already had troubles tae unsettle things o?er th? past year. We cannae afford tae lose th? guid reputation we dae ha?e.? Again Hudson paused, but this time it was a brief thing.

?Th? Captain?s decision be tae gi?e ye a trial period if ye wish th? position, three weeks. I?m tae make verra clear tae ye that if there be trouble tae reflect on th? business, or witness ? nae hearsay, ye ken, but witness ? tae unruly behavior, then th? matter will ha?e tae be reexamined. He said quite plain he likes ye and wishes ye tae succeed, but there be tae many people whose livelihoods rely on th? business tae risk th? business again.? Finally Hudson?s mouth turned up into a warmer expression. ?I?ll hope ye understand both th? concern and th? trust Captain Caisson places on ye, and I?ll hope tae ye ken I ha?e every faith ye?ll dae verra well in th? role.?

Ewan nodded with some certain solemnity. While he could not say he was surprised, he was disappointed.

Though not for the same reasons that Gaerwyn was completely baffled. "She declined? Wouldn't even give it a go?"

Ewan gave a nod towards the patient Hudson, but explained it to his cousin. "I told you I had concerns, and they are proving themselves out. Even Eva is uncertain of her ability to meet the requirements of the position."

With a fist slam to the railing that caused the crew to turn as well as the Baroness's children playing on deck, Gaerwyn did take notice of his growing frustration, and made a motion. "Come with me and we are going to see this settled."

Ewan knew this temper of his cousin's, and with a nod to Hudson that he had better come along, followed his kin down the gangway to the docks once more and off to Water's Edge Tavern. It was not a long distance away, and with Gaerwyn's obvious mood clearing a path for them through the bustle of the docks, they made good time.

Water's Edge Tavern was surprised for the swift repeat visit of the Master Merchant, Master of Arms, and token guest. However, Gaerwyn's polite demeanor was donned on just long enough to get them a private dining room in the back of the tavern.

Ewan closed the door and turned, folding his arms across his chest and leaning against a wall. "I am glad you had the sense to get a private room, cousin, though you do know these walls are not sound proof."

"Roaring seas, Ewan, I know that, but I am going to have it out what your smug expectation was at this news? I saw that look. You expected it didn't you?" Gaerwyn's thunder was brewing, but he was doing a level job of keeping it below a roar. It at least did not seep beyond the walls as yet.

Studying his cousin, Ewan knew what a close edge there was and any hesitation would only be fire to the boiling kettle. Still, he nodded and then clarified, his voice never rose in pitch, kept as gentle as a rocking breeze to a bough. It was, in fact, that which he imagined to keep his tone so easy. "I suspected, but had not certainty of it. It was why I voiced the concern at all. I had to see if she had improved."

"Improved?" Gaerwyn narrowed his eyes, his frown so mighty that a headache was looming on the horizon for him. He rubbed at his brow. "Ewan, I am going to ask you speak plainly, if that is entirely possible for you."

Hands out to his side in a gesture of good will. "I am speaking plainly. Eva is a troubled soul. I have seen them, Gaerwyn. She has abilities, she has promise, but she does not trust."

"By the Twelve, you don't trust, Ewan. I'd say that's foul play on your part to call the lady on that account." He sat with a grunt on the edge of the table in the small room. It wobbled beneath his unexpected weight.

Ewan shook his head. "I trust several people, but you are, as ever missing the point, old man." A glance to Hudson who was, probably with a good deal of wisdom, keeping silent on the matter for now. He turned back to Gaerwyn. "You trust Eva. Hudson trusts Eva. She does not trust you." The last words given a great deal of weight.

Those words popped the growing bubble of heated anger. Gaerwyn thought a moment on them and took in a long breath, then released it. "What makes you say so?"