“I’m a gift of labor to you for as long as you have need of me,” Gis said, raising his eyes and giving Myrum a pleading look. “If you will allow me, I’m sure I could be invaluable.”
“They said you had to accept the gift of labor personally,” Helmen explained to Myrum. “Desur went to find you.”
“Desur probably went to the wrong cabin first. Sorry, I had my information square off,” Amina explained. “Myrum’s going to stay in my cabin.”
“Naughty!” Teshor sang, making the others chuckle.
“Can you both fit in a standard bunk?” Jossulum teased.
Myrum ignored their banter, considering his options.
He was conflicted. He didn’t want Gis on their ship, but he was also aware it would be better to keep a known member of the Annexers with him. Gis couldn’t be trusted except that he’d do everything possible to help his cause.
Gis didn’t seem to be bothered by the extended silence; he simply waited patiently, staring up at Myrum.
“You’re not thinking of refusing him, are you?” Helmen asked.
Myrum sighed and looked up. “I didn’t know the gift would be this Ossiso.”
“What does it matter?” Helmen asked.
Teshor stepped close to him and spoke quietly so the other Ossisos couldn’t hear. “Accept him, Myrum. After we leave Ossiso space we can find a place for him to resettle. This wouldn’t be the first time we’ve done this. Everything will be fine.”
The crew might think that, but they didn’t know everything. What if he made the wrong choice and Gis did something irreparable?
He looked at Amina. “What do you think?”
Gis remained in his bow but shifted slightly to turn his subservient posture toward Amina. “I swear to you, that if there is any danger, I will put myself between it and you, Myrum, and this crew.”
Amina sighed. “Fine.”
Myrum looked at the waiting Ossisos. “I accept this gift of labor and extend my gratitude to you and your superiors.”
Everyone around him relaxed at his words, including Gis.
“You’ll be very happy with Gis,” one of the Ossisos said. “He’s highly skilled in many ways.”
The Ossisos filed out, one of them giving Gis a longing look before disappearing out the hatch. Gis tried to hide his shudder, and Myrum was suddenly more confident in his decision. At least some part of Gis’s desperation to be on this ship didn’t have to do with any greater mission, it had to do with whatever that other Ossiso enjoyed doing to Gis. It reminded him of when Gis said he was where he was supposed to be and was safe. It was clear at least the second part of that wasn’t true.
Jossulum slammed a hand down on the hatch with a flourish. “And stay out.”
Desur came to a skittering halt, obviously relieved to see Myrum with Gis and no other Ossiso.
“Desur, I want Gis in cabin 011. You’re responsible for showing him around the ship and making sure he knows where he’s not allowed to go.”
Desur nodded and grabbed one of the bags left in a pile at the hatch. “Come with me Gis,” he said as the Ossiso rushed to pick up his remaining bags. “You’re safe now.”
Myrum could only hope that was true for all of them.
Chapter 17
Amina
She wasn’t usually a liar, but the ship was making her one. She’d told Myrum they wouldn’t be very busy on the trip to Lorse’s outpost, but then the electrical on the port side decided to have problems. It took days and three crew members to track down the issue.
Myrum was at her side at all times. As he’d promised, he was really good at handing her tools and even helped her come up with some new cuss words.
“...not even the brains granted to a rock buried deep in a mountain that never sees snow,” she repeated, enjoying the nonsense of it. “That one is my new favorite one.”
