Chapter 4

 

 

I made sure to keep my distance as Percifal and Thaimis rode along the narrow path that led to Ambedar. My grey mare, Vallah, pulled at the reins, tossing her head up in the air. She didn’t understand why I wouldn’t let her keep up with the others.

I heard Percifal laugh at something Thaimis had said just as Vallah stepped on a branch, making a loud CRACK! Just as I feared, the men had heard. Both stopped their horses and drew their swords.

“Did you hear that?” Percifal asked his friend.

“Of course I did. Someone’s following us.”

They both turned to look over their shoulders. I held my breath.

“Aye! Who goes there?” shouted Thaimis, gripping the hilt of his longsword.

Great, I thought, knowing I had no choice but to give myself up now.

I edged Vallah forward. “It’s only I. I followed you.”

“Chelela?” Percifal squinted and shielded his eyes from the sun as I drew nearer.

“How dare you follow us?” Thaimis added with more drama than necessary.

I ignored him and spoke plainly to Percifal. “I know you didn’t want me to come, and I’m sorry, but I’m here now. You may as well let me come.”

“Well, there’s no time to take you back now, so I guess you get your wish. But you will face punishment upon return to Aquila,” Percifal said, reminding me of our father with his tone of authority.

“I understand,” I replied with a bowed head. I would accept whatever punishment I must if it meant I could sail the sea. It would be worth it.

I followed quietly behind as the other two shared in each other’s conversation. They mostly guessed at why King Zaeden could be investing in Percifal’s sailing abilities. I was pleased they’d forgotten about me for the time being. I was enjoying the peaceful scenery.

As the sun began descending behind the horizon, casting an orange glow on the land, we reached a wooden sign with the word “Ambedar” carved into it. If that wasn’t enough, the faint scent of fish was carried in on the light breeze that caressed my unbound hair. A few people strolled along the roadway that led to the shore. I smiled at an old couple walking hand-in-hand. Ambedar was a simple little town, and its people loved it.

“We should make haste if we are to board a ship before darkness falls,” my brother advised.

We kicked out horses into a trot and headed for the harbour.

Voices rose up as I halted Vallah behind Percifal and Thaimis. I peered between them and saw two men having some kind of argument.

“But she’s my ship!” The man who must have been half-way to his sixth decade protested.

“I don’t care! If you cannot pay your fees, you must give up your ship!” the other man hollered back with a shake of his head. He looked to be at least a full decade younger than the other man.

The older man’s face turned a bright shade of red. I thought he might strike the other, but then his shoulders sagged and his head dropped.

“You’re a good fellow, Admiral Ruess. I’m sor—”

“Hold on a moment,” Percifal interrupted them. He’d gotten off his horse and now approached the two men.

I frowned at Thaimis in question. He held the reins of Percifal’s mount. He looked back at Percifal as though I weren’t even there. Useless.

“Admiral Ruess, is it?” Percifal continued.

“Aye, sir,” the older man said.

“Ah, good. I have found you. My name is Percifal Lacrima. Constable Lacrima, actually. King Zaeden has asked that I learn to sail a ship, and well—that ship is the very one you own. I’ll be paying you a large sum for your trouble, of course.”

All of us onlookers gawked at the transaction.

“I—uh—I—” The admiral began to stutter a response.

“I’m sorry you were uninformed of this. Please accept my apology and my silver.” Percifal gave him a wink as he handed over a small, leather pouch.

“I—Of course! Excuse my rudeness. I-d love to teach you to sail my ship!” He cracked a grin and handed half of the silver coins from the leather pouch to the fee collector with a glare.

The fee collector jingled the coins in his hand before giving the admiral a curt nod and walking away with the stiff back of someone who had authority.

“Good. Now that that’s taken care of—” Percifal started.

“You saved my Blue Angel!” Admiral Ruess cried, clasping Percifal’s arms.

“Your who?”

“The Blue Angel, my ship. By the goddess, I don’t know why you did it, but thank you! I owe you a great favour… besides teaching you to sail. Is that really why you’re here?”

“Actually, yes. King Zaeden has asked that I learn to sail. You do know how to sail don’t you?”

The admiral almost fell over as he bellowed with laughter. “Do I know how to sail? You’re a jester, Constable Lacrima.”

“Good, it’s settled then. Please meet my fellow soldier and friend, Thaimis.” Percifal beckoned us forward and the admiral shook hands with Thaimis.

I dismounted and handed my reins to Thaimis. Percifal put his hand on my back, coaxing me forward. “And this is my sister, Chelela.”

“My, what have we here?” The admiral took my hand and gave it a soft peck. His blue eyes, which were so clear they reminded me of ice, met my own. “The sea is no place for a lady.”

“I’m no ordinary lady, Admiral. I happen to love the water and wish to sail the sea.” I held my chin high. I had come too far to be left behind now.

“She’s got spunk in her! I already like you—Chelela is it?”

“Yes, but please call me Chel… like a seashell.”

“You got it, Chel,” he smiled before turning back to Percifal. “If you wish to sail today then we must board The Blue Angel now.”

“Do you think it will be alright to sail now that the sun’s set?” Percifal questioned, indicating the darkening sky.

Admiral Ruess ran his hand through his salt and pepper hair. “The weather’s been mild this spring, so aye, we’ll be alright. We’ll spend the night aboard and I’ll take you back t’morrow. I daresay, there’s more room on my ship than in my cabin anyways.”

“What should we do with our horses?” Thaimis asked, holding up three sets of reins, and looking annoyed that we’d left him to play stable boy.

“There’s a stable just down the road, that way,” Admiral Ruess said, pointing. “They’ll keep horses for a small amount of coin.”

“Perfect! Thank you for tending to our horses, Thaimis.” I mocked him with a bright smile.

He bristled at me before he left to search for the stable, three horses in tow.

“We’ll wait aboard the ship for you!” Percifal called after him.

Once Thaimis joined us aboard the small, but resilient, ship called The Blue Angel, Admiral Ruess instructed Percifal on the art of sailing.

I tore off a piece of the bread Percifal had packed and chewed on it while I watched the Admiral pointing to the sails and shouting at my brother over the blusterous wind and crashing of waves. Thaimis stood behind them, listening intently to Admiral Ruess.

I admired the admiral. The way his eyes sparkled while he spoke about sailing; it reminded me of myself and my love of the sea. The sea… I turned to the edge of the ship and took in a deep breath of salty air. The sky had turned a deep shade of violet now that the sun had sunk away from the world for the night. The clouds covered the moon like a thick blanket, but a few stars glittered though their veil. The endless, dark water spread out before me, giving me a sense of peace. This was where I belonged.

Curious, I peered down into the rippling water below and made a swirling motion with my finger. To my delight, a small whirlpool appeared. I was shaken from my hypnotic state when a blanket dropped around my shoulders. I jumped and spun around to find Thaimis standing there with a stony expression. Surely, he hadn’t seen what I’d done.

“What are you doing?” I growled.

He lifted both shoulders. “Your brother wouldn’t be happy if you caught a chill and grew sick.”

I rolled my eyes and pushed off from the edge of the deck. “I’m going below to get some rest.”

He didn’t answer. I pulled the fur blanket closer around myself and climbed the ladder to the lower deck. It was a compact space filled with empty barrels and a couple pallets. Dust tickled my nose, causing me to sneeze. I lay down on one of the pallets and closed my eyes. Why did my brother have to be friends with such an arrogant ass? Thaimis needed to mind his own business and stay out of my way. He’d almost caught me using my power. Luckily, he didn’t see. I could imagine how he’d badger me for answers if he had. I swear, I’d have had to throttle him just to shut him up.

I must have been tired from the day’s journey because before I knew it, I opened my eyes to streams of sunlight beaming in through the cracks in the boards above me. Thaimis was asleep on the pallet beside me. Admiral Ruess and my brother’s voices floated from up above.

I sat up and stretched. I left Thaimis sleeping and joined the others up top.

“Ah, g’mornin, Miss Chel,” the admiral said cheerfully.

“Good morning to you, Admiral Ruess. What a beautiful day.” I gestured towards the bright blue sky.

“Ah, right you are. A perfect day for sailin.’ You want to come see what I was just showin’ your brother?”

“I’d love to.” I picked up my skirts and walked past Percifal to follow the admiral.

Percifal gave my head a rub, messing up my already tangled hair. “I’ll go wake Thaimis. If I let him, he’d sleep the whole bloody day away.”

“I say, let him sleep it away,” I replied, quickening my step to keep from being playfully slapped on the arm.

I joined the admiral at the back of the ship, which he informed me was called the stern. There, he stood by a large, wooden wheel with brass spokes. He held onto the spokes, steering the ship through the water. “This is the wheel of the ship. It’s what’s used to control where the ship’s goin,’” he explained.

“It’s magnificent!” I admired from beside him.

“Would you like to hold onto it?”

“May I?”I asked with wide eyes.

“Yes, just place your hand here—and here. Ah yes, there you go. See, you’re in control of the ship.” He let go of the wheel once I’d placed my own hands where his had been.

“How wonderful! I can feel the motion of the sea in my grasp,” I marveled.

“A great feelin,’ ain’t it?”

”Thank you, Admiral Ruess! For this, and for allowing me to come onto The Blue Angel.”

“It’s a pleasure to have you here, Miss Chel. You remind me of myself at your age. So in love with the sea.”

“What is this?” Percifal approached us with a bleary eyed Thaimis in tow. “My sister in control of a ship? You’re a brave man, Admiral Ruess.” He nudged my cheek and shared in a laugh with the admiral.

Thaimis shook his head. It seemed he didn’t have anything to say.

“Look! I see the shoreline!” I squealed.

“Indeed, we’re almost back at the harbour,” Admiral Ruess said.

“So soon?” My lower lip stuck out a bit in disappointment.

“Yes, I believe your brother has enough new information to soak up for now. Perhaps you can join him on some of his other lessons.”

I gave Percifal the most pleading look I could muster.

He snickered, “We’ll see. First you’ll have to tell Mother and Father where you’ve been.”

I nodded, happy with the possibility of sailing again. Perhaps we could leave Thaimis behind next time too. When I glanced at him, he scoffed at me as if he could read my mind. I rolled my eyes and handed the wheel to Percifal. I wanted to spend more time alone with the sea before we anchored.

In too short of a time, we set anchor and had to part ways with the charming admiral and his ship.

My mother had found the note I’d left in my room stating I’d went with Percifal. She decided to punish me by making me clean my own chamber until the following full moon. I didn’t mind. It’d been worth it, and I couldn’t wait until I could sail again.