Shara groaned as the ship hit another wave. She was seated on the cabin bench with the chamber pot between her feet. Her stomach was in revolt and had been since they set sail two days ago. The ship lurched suddenly and her stomach heaved. The only good thing she could think of was that she’d emptied her stomach hours ago so she only had to endure dry heaves.
She looked up from the floor and watched Blade move gracefully through a complex unarmed combat routine. She said it helped her get used to the bobbing of the ship. It seemed to be working. Blade hadn’t thrown up in hours. Shara had tried a more basic version of the movements yesterday, but they only made her feel worse.
Someone knocked on the door, three knocks followed by a pause then one more. Robert had returned.
Blade opened the door and he stepped inside. He was smiling as usual, the rat.
“How are you two feeling?” he asked.
“Better,” Blade said.
“Lousy,” Shara countered.
“Well for those feeling better I have a snack.” Robert took a small sack from behind his back and removed an orange, two apples, and some brown bread. Shara longed for the food but her stomach had other ideas as they bobbed up and over another wave.
“Maybe later,” Shara said between groans.
Robert put a comforting hand on her shoulder. “Don’t worry, it will get better. I almost forgot. It seems you have an admirer. Our young guide seems quite smitten with you.”
Blade sighed. “That’s all we need.”
“Don’t worry, I told him Shara was engaged to a jealous sorcerer. Once that story gets around no one will bother her.”
“Isn’t that a little close to the truth?” Shara asked.
“Well, yeah, but in this case the truth suits our needs. Besides, I haven’t had many opportunities to tell the truth lately. I thought the practice would do me good.”
Shara laughed. He was absolutely incorrigible. Father would like him.
“How long until we arrive?” she asked.
“If the good weather holds about three more weeks, if not, maybe four.”
Shara groaned again. “Three more weeks? Heaven help me.”
He patted her shoulder again. “You’ll be fine in a couple more days, don’t worry.”