Drifting Along
Posted: Sun Jan 12, 2014 6:38 pm
Drifting Along by GrayOverload, on Flickr
The cabin of the ship was not overly ornate, yet at the same time it was not plain either. The windows were stained glass, difficult to see through but transparent enough to let light into the room. Two identical beds sat in the corners of the room, their sheets draped neatly over the wooden frames. A bookshelf, a desk, and two chests filled the rest of the open wooden space. The rocking of the ship could be felt very faintly here, but it was more soothing than anything else.
Cordelia had changed out of her long dress and sat dressed in her white nightgown. Although it was around noon, she hardly ever left the cabin and saw no need to make her presence on the vessel any more prominent than it needed to be, given the confidentiality of the trip.
Besides, she told herself, what use would a princess be in the workings of the ship?
Robert popped into the cabin from time to time, chiming in and giving Cordelia important information of the ship’s whereabouts. As captain of the ship, Robert could not spend the day lounging in the cabin, and his assistance was often required of the sailors.
Bringing herself back out of a daydream, Cordelia heard Robert stroll into the room. Smiling, she sat up and greeted him. Her advisor, cheerful as ever, clearly had some time to spend chatting, as he made no motion to leave.
“Your Radiance is looking well, considering the circumstances.” He said, placing a map on the decorated table and staring intently, tracing his finger along a line. “We should be arriving at the port city of Tenford in three days time. Your nautical captivity ends soon, Your Radiance.”
Cordelia smiled, although she dreaded the end of the seafaring portion of her journey. On the ship she had time to herself, time to relax and ponder. Back on land, in a foreign kingdom, she would have to deal with all the nuances of royalty, as well as coming to terms with the betrothal she had so involuntarily been cast into.
“Excellent, Robert.” She replied, forcing a smile. “Although I do have questions about the remainder of this journey.”
“Well, it is my duty to answer them to the best of my ability, Your Radiance.” Robert stated, straightening himself as if he were a guard standing along the walls of a great hall.
“How are we to pass through the kingdom unnoticed? You have me under the impression that this expedition was very secretive, and so far that has proven to be true. However, wouldn’t we seem odd in such a land? We’re foreigners, and our accents and appearance would give us away immediately.” Cordelia posed the question with a sincere tone of fear and worry.
“You are very clever, Your Radiance. You left no stone unturned. I will assure you, though, that the necessary precautions have been made. King Martin V has dispatched a small detachment of soldiers to meet us when we arrive. They will escort us safely to the capital of Lindford.” Robert reassured, returning to his concentration on the map.
“While that is somewhat comforting,” Cordelia began, “Why are we so trusting of these people? They are not our allies yet, and if they were truly our enemy they would revel in the chance to harm us, or imprison us. What will we do then, if they do betray our trust?”
Robert stopped studying the map. He spun on his heels from the table and walked over the chest near his bed.
“I was instructed specifically what to do in that scenario, Your Radiance.” Robert unlocked the chest, his red cloak hanging loosely around his shoulders as he bent into the wooden chest. “In the event that such a horrible travesty is committed, I am to help you escape by any means possible, even if it results in my own death in the process.”
At this point, Robert pulled out a long, thin sword from the chest. It was unlike any blade Cordelia had ever seen. The cross guard was small and decorative, unlike the robust guards of the blades back home. The faint light danced on the gleaming metal as Robert played with it in his deft fingers.
“In that case, Your Radiance, whether I succeed in protecting you or fail, the endgame is ultimately the same.” Robert’s mouth grew taut, and it was evident he did not want to consider the possibility at all. “If they were to be foolish enough to do what it is you propose, it would be war, Your Radiance. A war unlike any living soul has seen. A war similar to the grand chronicles passed down from the Godless Age.”
A heavy silence fell on the room. Cordelia sat on the bed, all of a sudden feeling very uncomfortable. She wished, above all, that she had never asked. Seeing Robert so grim was something she had hoped to never see.
Robert finally broke the silence, shaking his head and chuckling quietly. “It will never come to that, Your Radiance. I assure you.”
Cordelia remained as unnerved. For all of Robert’s reassurances, and all of his calm words, she noticed his grip on the sword had not lessened at all. The rocking, once very calming and quiet, suddenly tied knots in her stomach and groaned in her ears.
Brickshelf, with more photos. The second chapter of my latest story, A Lion in the Wyvern's Nest. As always, C&C welcome!
