Prin asked carefully, “What did we miss?”
“The part about not wandering about the ship. You’re as much as restricted to these two decks. At least, the rest of us are. Is it true you worked as seamen?”
Prin said, remembering her appearance was that of an unattractive middle-aged woman, “We did, but that was many years ago. I’ll apologize to him later. Thank you for the information.” And thank you for letting us know to watch what we talk about in the dining room because at least one nearby diner has exceptionally good hearing.
Prin turned to look out again but still couldn’t see much of the activities on the pier because of those outside waving to friends and relatives on the shore. However, she felt the shift in movement the instant the ship was freed from the pier. A crosswind gave the ship a rolling motion as the wind and tide worked against the side of the hull to move it from the pier.
Once away from the shore, minimal sails were hoisted, and the ship turned and attacked the waves with her sharp bow. The motion was one of a restrained lion, but as more sails were raised, the ship charged and sliced its way forward as if finally, free from captivity.
Prin said, “Not at all like the old Merry Princes.”
Sara said, “The difference in riding an old nag and a racehorse.”
They waited for Brice to comment, but his attention lingered across the dining room. He ignored the small talk as his eyes focused on one table all the way forward in the room.
Prin shifted her chair slightly to watch where he did without being too obvious. Perhaps five tables away was a small one, set for a single person. It was near the forward bulkhead. Instead of a view outside, the table provided a view of the entire dining room, and those eating. The man sitting there wore the long, dull robes of a mage, but more than that, she instantly recognized him. It was the one she called the young mage.
CHAPTER FIVE
The young mage was the same one who had watched her so intently at the Earl’s Castle when she was a fire starter for the kitchen as a child. He’d aged in the past six years, and she wouldn’t consider him young anymore. But, there could be no mistake. It was him. Traveling on the same ship. Searching for her.
His eyes roved over the diners, never lingering long on any one, but observing them as a group. Just in time, Prin realized he was watching for signs of evasion, like her eyes darting away as his eyes found her. Before he turned his attention to their table, she lowered her eyes to examine the design on the plate in front of her.
“The young mage who knows me is sitting at the end of the room.” Her voice was barely above a whisper.
Sara started to spin her head, but instead turned the action into something of a laugh, while Brice didn’t react outwardly, other than a slight furrow of his brow. Prin fought the urge to look back at him.
A steward brought a bowl of fish stew and placed it on the center of their table, along with three smaller bowls, large spoons, and a small loaf of hefty, brown bread. His voice came quick and bored, “Water, ale, or wine?”
Sara instantly said, “Wine. For all of us.”
Prin had expected watered wine.
Sara shrugged and said, “The strange water may make us sick. Always drink ale or wine when traveling.”
“As if we didn’t know. I don’t like ale. It’s sour and makes me burp,” Prin said.
“We know,” Brice added, laughing. “From both ends.”
“Does not,” Prin tried defending herself and gave up. “What are we going to do about that mage?”
Sara said, “Avoid him.”
“While there are probably fifty passengers, it’s a small ship to try to avoid someone,” Prin said. “Why is he on this one? There are hundreds of other ships, probably thousands. But he chose to sail on this one?”
Sara nodded. “That’s a decent question. I believe we should discuss it after we eat. In private.”
Brice looked out the window and said, “I can hardly see the land, already. It took me seventeen days to travel from Indore to Gallium, but the winds are with this ship, and she has more sail. She might make it in twelve or fourteen days.”
“I could stay in the cabin and you two could bring my food.”
Sara scowled, “Prin, that would point a finger right at you. I wish you’d think before you speak.”
Prin’s eyes went to the man at the next table who seemed to be listening to their every word. How much had he overheard? She kicked herself for forgetting him. They had discussed his big ears only minutes ago, and already she had let her mouth run free.
He extended his chubby hand to Prin. While shorter than most, he was also heavier, a sign of wealth in some societies. Only those with enough coin can afford to eat so much. His smile was easy. “Call me Markus. I’m traveling home to Indore after doing business in Gallium.”
Prin provided their first names.
He said, “Those mages have been bothering everyone lately. Something has them stirred up, but for me, I don’t like them or their magic. They act better than us, but they are just toads for the wealthy.”
“Toads?” Prin asked.
He laughed. “Or Toadies. They grovel and flatter while crawling on their bellies in front of royalty. That’s all they’re good for. I don’t blame you for avoiding one who’s seen you before.”
“Why is that?” Sara asked, her nose lifted high as she looked down on Markus.
He shrugged. “What good can come of it? More than likely, something evil if you ask me.”
“Indeed,” Sara agreed, giving him a slight nod of approval. “What good can come of it is the question.”
Prin took the time during the exchange to examine the appearance of both Sara and Brice for any mistakes or imperfections. Her intense scrutiny revealed their ages to be similar, more than fifty, but less than sixty. Their noses and hair were alike, but nothing out of the ordinary, or that might draw attention. They appeared precisely as Maude had intended, tired and wrinkled. Her spells were works of art.
The man at the next table continued, “Besides, I don’t like them, either. I’ve had suspicions they’ve used their powers to influence buyers to purchase from others instead of me.”
Sara shifted slightly to look directly at Markus. Her voice and tone were remarkably like Maude’s, imperious and demanding, “And exactly, why would they do that?”
“Well,” he fumbled, “I don’t think they like me.”
“I see,” Sara huffed before turning away. “If you’ll excuse us. Now, Prin, what were you saying about your plans this afternoon?”
Prin watched Sara spoon out a bowl full of fish stew and pass it to Brice before filling the next one. Sara had dismissed Markus as if he didn’t exist. Not even her eyes shifted his way, and they didn’t move to look at the mage either. Sara set the second bowl in front of Prin and then served herself.
But Prin was not thinking about the meal. Sara had come to her rescue again. Sara had kept the man at the next table at bay, and kept the conversation light, while at the same time putting Markus in his place. He concentrated on finishing his meal, then left without a word to them. The problem was that she wouldn’t be around to do those things in a dozen days. Prin would be on her own.
Well, not her own, but she was far more suited to the coming events than Brice. He was little more than a sailor who possessed a few elemental powers. Brice was not a trained mage, and his few skills in that area were equal to those of an apprentice, even if he did hold three of the four elements. His fighting skills were less than those of the lowest soldier. He had only two positive traits. First, he was like a brother to her. Second, he was loyal.