"Try that again, Zeos," said Edes, his face red and the veins on his neck beginning to distend.
"Huh?" Zeos was never the quickest thinker among the crew, just the strongest. "Try what?"
Edes held his ground. "Try asking me to help again."
"What for, Boy. I already told you there was work to do."
"Drop the 'Boy', Zeos, and I might listen to you," countered Edes.
By now the crew on the maindeck had become silent as all ears strained and all eyes stared at the two. Work had stopped, except for the tillerman who kept his arms on the tiller, but allowed his eyes to wander from the heading point to the confrontation on the maindeck.
Bartuc stepped a little closer to Edes. "Are you sure you want to do this, Edes. Look at his arms for the love of the gods. They're huge."
Edes glanced, noticed, but carried on as before. It was too late to back down. He noticed from the corner of his eye that Yanil had stopped cutting vegetables and had moved towards a railing to get a better view. So they were all watching him. Zeos stared somewhat expressionless at Edes, that is, until the nature of Edes' challenge finally sank in. Then his face slowly folded into a deep, purposeful frown. It had mayhem written all over it.
Another, but different voice interrupted the heartpounding silence. It was Edusse. "What's going on here?" He had just come up from below and saw the crowded deck around the two seamen. He was told.
"This ship's too small for this. You'll settle it without a fight or both of you will be on shore next port."
"Hey, Edusse... let them arm wrestle," one of the rowers called out. Even slow Zeos comprehended this. "Sure, let the Boy and me arm wrestle, that'll settle it. Won't it Boy?"
A deliberate, purposeful response came from Edes. "Yes, let a contest settle it. You, Zeos, when you lose you will do two things."
"What are they, Boy?"
"You and every member of this crew will stop calling me Boy; and you, Zeos, will take a bath before we leave the next port." The sailors on deck roared with laughter and approval. Zeos had no choice but to agree.
"And when you lose, Boy?" countered Zeos.
"Call me Boy if you want, but let me row on the other side of the ship." And Edes held his nose between his index finger and thumb to make his point. The crew burst out in laughter again. Zeos face darkened even more. Bartuc simply shook his head and began to consider what words should be said at the ceremony when Edes was deposited into the sea.
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Determination was painted all over Zeos' face, his face only moderately red from exertion. Edes' veins stood out on his neck and on his temples. The 18 year old's arm ached with the strain of keeping burly Zeos from slamming Edes' arm to the table top and thus ending the contest. The crew cheered on, a few for Zeos who hardly cared, and many for Edes, which was small consolation for the pain climbing up his right arm. Perspiration began to flow from Edes' forehead and other body parts to add to his discomfort.
Strangely, Zeos' arm started to move backwards towards the table, as if Edes' arm was having an effect on it. Edes glanced at Zeos' face. There was a craftiness there that alarmed Edes. The 18 year old redoubled his pressure just in case.
Inches above the table top, and at the last minute, Zeos began to assert himself once more and now it was Edes' arm seeking the table top.
"Well Boy," said the confident sailor. "It looks like I'm about to be crowned the winner." Edes had a desperate thought.
"Crowned is right, Zeos," said Edes. "But by that great gull over your head... and it won't be in gold either!"
"Huh!?" Zeos looked up and relaxed his grip prematurely. Edes sensed the advantage and put every last ounce of strength he had into a final push. Down went Zeos' arm... right onto the table top. Zeos looked down barely able to comprehend what had happened.
The crew erupted into laughter and congratulations, then fell fearfully silent as Zeos stood up wordlessly and glared at Edes. The first mate wondered what he should do... just in case. Edes decided to take a chance, gulped, stood up and held out his hand to Zeos. "Hello Zeos, my name is Edes. I am pleased to be your shipmate.
The burly seaman stared at Edes, hard face focused on nothing else. Then a slight crinkling appeared in the corners of his eyes... followed by a softening of his expression. Then, his burly body began to shake with hidden laughter and he grasped Edes' hand with his. "Well met, Edes, said Zeos. "But there is work to be done. Will you be of some help to your shipmates?"
"Certainly. What shall you have me do?" Laughter, back slapping and good cheer settled in as they all went back to work. Edusse looked up towards the cabins and saw the Captain and Aythadis standing in their respective doorways. Both smiled and turned to re-enter their rooms. All goes well, thought Aythadis. And the young man now has a very powerful even if slow thinking new friend, whether young Edes knows it or not.
[This message has been edited by Civis Romanus (edited 11-09-2000).]