Memory of Morning Read Free

up with a scar and the use of it. Thank the All and Dr. Swan. A one-armed surgeon is a retired surgeon. There was stiffness that I was sure plenty of exercise would work out, and, thankfully, I'm left-handed anyway.
    I missed the official celebrations of the great victory.
    I suppose I should formally state that the invading pirates were defeated. Not just those who boarded the 'Runner, but all the ships that came against the fleet at this Battle of the Arum Sea, as it came to be called. Most were killed during the battle, but the rest were hanged or flung into the sea. I am glad I missed seeing any of the necessary and deserved executions. Many of the pirate ships were sunk, burned down to the waterline. The five vessels declared as prizes were claimed by the Fleet Admiral for his own disposition, but the captains had no cause to complain of lost prizes, as there was plenty of seized property to share out as lawful booty.
    Serving with Captain Copper was a prosperous berth, even for us civilian contractors. The Moonrunner had taken many prize ships during my time onboard. Until now I had taken my civilian shares as written markers to be claimed for crowns, plumes, and pins when we at last returned to the homeport of Seyemouth. But as the ship finally approached Seyemouth during my twenty-seventh month on board, Captain Copper invited all officers and contractors to a dinner party. Of course, we frequently shared meals in the captain's dining room, which was also the war room and his personal quarters depending on the need of the moment, but this was an occasion for formality. I gratefully unpacked the silver-gray evening dress I wore so infrequently, and shook out the lavender sprinkled in the folds to keep it fresh. No doubt it was now hopelessly out of fashion back on Ang, but I was still delighted to have a chance to dress-up. I am vain about clothes, I admit it. I was so glad the dress has long sleeves, since I didn't want to show off the fresh scar all red and tender on my upper right arm. As I told you, vain. But, also, I felt wrong putting myself in the company of heroes, such as Second Officer Gate, who'd lost an eye to a bullet in the conflict with the Framin - The Damned Fram as he always called them. Or Lieutenant Eel - I'd removed two fingers of her smashed left hand myself. The loss was the result of her saving her gun crew from a cannon explosion. At any rate, I was able to hide my scar and enjoy the evening in company of people I had become fond of. I knew I would soon be missing them.
    Not that I loved everyone on board, of course. Nor did everyone love me. But we all managed to live in relative harmony, as we had no choice. Captain Copper ran a disciplined ship and constantly stressed our working as a team. If he noticed tension between any two people he made sure they served hard drills together until the personality kinks were worked out. I'd never had to submit to this sort of discipline, but I came from a huge, close family and already knew how to get on the good side or keep out of the way of anyone I had no say in spending time with. I pity only children, I really do.
    It was a group very comfortable with each other that settled down to dinner that night at the Captain's table. There were no strangers among us, and I will admit a bit of disappointment - but only the barest hint - at this. Not that I hadn't known for some days that the man who'd kissed me was no longer on board. The Fleet Admiral's orphaned staff had been gathered together once more on one of the pirate prizes the admiral claimed for his own. This happened while I was indisposed in the sickbay. And, frankly, I was a bit too shy and embarrassed by the incident to enquire just who the man was. I drew enough teasing for my lack of romantic interest among the Moonrunner's eligible crew. I'd even heard rumors that I was a devotee of the celibate Gray Moon Goddess sect and was joining a temple of the Gray Women when we reached port. I could