The Question

Dearest Maxine,

I hope my letter finds you well. Mom and dad send their love. Mom, especially, is eager for you to visit the next time you are on Osiris. I suspect she needs a model to test her latest fashion designs and she has always said you have the perfect form.

I visited them myself, just a week ago. It seems as if they have sold some of the art in the house. I wonder if I should be worried about their financial situation. Have they said anything to you? I realize my parents wouldn't want me to worry, but I really think I should know. Please, if you know anything, share.

I also visited the temple, while I was on Osiris. I was honored to spend time in the company of the priestess. I can't believe how much I had forgotten about her. Not her beauty, of course. Few women in the 'Verse, even among our ranks, could compare.

No, I forgot the smell and taste of vanilla. How fond she was of it. The lingering scent of it around her neck and the taste of it on her lips and... other places.

I'm pleased to say I performed to her satisfaction. Apparently I haven't lost too many of my skills since leaving the Guild.

I suppose before I go on, I should relate this tale. I had a market encounter with representatives of a certain family. You know the ones. Afterwards, they ensured that we had trouble with the port authority and potential employers. It ended up costing my fellow shipmates money and time we couldn't afford. I felt horrible.

I related the story to the priestess and she just smiled.

“Will you be leaving this ship, then?” she asked me.

I told her I wouldn't be. I disliked putting my crewmates in that situation but we had become family. Their problems were mine, as mine were their's.

“I see. Wasn't the Guild your family, too?” she asked me.

I didn't have an answer. She saw I was flustered and leaned in to kiss me on the cheek.

“I know why you think you left the Guild, dearheart.” she told me before leaving me alone with my thoughts, “I wonder, though. Did you sack yourself to satisfy our honor? Or your own?”

The question has echoed in my mind since.

I must go. I will write again when I've worked out the answer.

My love, eternally,

Christian