“My fault,” he said. “I usually check to see if any passengers have needs, but the Captain has us all doing extra duty.”
“The missing passenger?” Prin asked, making sure she used the singular term. She was not supposed to know of the others.
“We’re not supposed to speak of it. I’ll get your wine.”
Brice wore an impressed expression. He said, “You two amaze me. By chastising the steward, you established our presence in the dining room in a way he will remember that we were here nearly all morning. I saw him look at your papers and book, and if asked, which he probably will be, he will say we were sitting here at our table and couldn’t have been involved with anything else.”
Prin said, “If we were half as smart as you think we are, this would be an easy voyage.”
Sara unfolded a sheet of paper and pointed to the top. “Prin, item one?”
Prin read the line. It was the refreshing spell to maintain their appearance. A brief nod and Sara moved her finger down. The ingredients and incantation for the no-see-me spell, in case she should lose the powder hidden in her purse. Another nod, and the third item, and the next, and next.
“You’re sure?” Sara asked after they reviewed the final spell.
“The contents, results, incantations, and possibilities of each. I practiced them as much as my combat lessons. I can enchant an arrow to fly where I wish, my knife when thrown does not miss, and if no weapons are nearby, I can use what is at hand. If nothing else, I can defeat most men barehanded. But, before any of that, I would run away so the combat master would be happy that I chose the right solution.”
Brice said, “Running away does not sit well with me.”
Sara turned to Prin, “That’s because of two reasons. You tell him.”
“You are a man—and therefore too innately proud to run. Next, you don’t understand that even if a great warrior wins nine out of ten battles, he will be dead after the tenth, on average. The one that runs away ten times lives to fight or run the eleventh. Running, if done right, ensures survival every time.”
Marcus rushed into the dining room and almost dived into his chair. “Did you hear?”
“What?” Brice asked.
“Another passenger is suspected to have fallen overboard.”
Sara gently closed her book and gathered up her papers as she said, “Yes, we know they suspect two of them fell overboard. Poor souls.”
Marcus leaned closer and whispered, “Three, is the latest rumor.”
CHAPTER NINE
“They say they found blood smeared on the deck right outside of this dining room,” Marcus continued, while leaning closer to them, with his hand held near his mouth to keep his words from being overheard at other tables. “Right behind me. They think he was stabbed and his body thrown into the ocean.”
Sara said calmly, “Are they sure it is blood? I mean, a lot of other things can be mistaken for it.”
“A crewman said it was. He sounded convinced. When they were searching for a second missing passenger, they found more blood streaked on the side of the ship where he was thrown over. Three dead passengers in two days at sea. Rumors are getting ugly.”
Prin listened, feeling her throat tighten and her stomach turned sour. She’d been thinking only about herself, but even innocent passengers and crew were growing worried. If more died, who knew what would happen? Even if their disguises held up to the investigation when authorities came aboard, the delay might cost many days of additional travel. Each day gave her enemies more time to prepare, or for King Willard to die a ‘natural’ death.
“Put it anywhere,” Prin told the steward who brought the wine and mugs. After a glance at the strain on Marcus’ face, she added, “And bring another mug, please. Marcus, you may use mine.”
Marcus reached for a mug and poured himself a full measure of wine before halting as he realized his rudeness. He abruptly handed it to Brice, then poured a smaller one for each of the women, and waited impatiently for another mug that finally arrived before drinking any. He said to the steward, “Better bring more wine, too.”
Prin glanced at the other occupied tables. The conversations were hushed. The table where they played cards remained silent, each player with a hand dealt in front of him or her, but few cards were being played, no banter, and less laughter. She spotted a woman who read a book, but her eyes were not on the pages, but on the other passengers. A seagull flew past the window near the woman, and she recoiled as if scared.
Sara and Marcus were talking softly, but Prin had no idea of the subject. She looked at Brice and found him watching her. She gave a wan smile and emptied her mug of wine in one long, satisfying drink.
One fact suddenly stood out beyond all others. She was not chasing, hunting, or trying to assassinate any of those who had died around her. In each case, they had initiated the attack in one manner or another. If they had remained in their homes or left her alone, they would be alive. All three. She was not at fault.
“Everyone is talking about it,” Marcus said. His eyes went to Sara. “And they’re wondering why. All sorts of wild ideas are circulating.”
Brice said, “The runaway princess?”
“And others. Some feel a madman is aboard. By the time we dock, there will only be crewmen left alive because of the passengers dying too fast. Some believe the killer must work on the ship as a sailor because no crewman has died. Others say the Captain is thinking of restricting people to their cabins for the remainder of the voyage.” Marcus seemed amused at the rumors. “Of course, he cannot do that.”
“Why not?” Brice asked.
“He doesn’t have the manpower. Who will serve the food to them in their cabins, and collect the plates, and run their errands? Besides, this is a passenger ship that depends on treating people well, so they will sail her again. Repeat business. If word gets out that the Captain locks passengers in their cabins …”
However, Prin started to think on a different level with the revelations spilling from Marcus’ mouth. Three people already missing in two days, all assumed to have fallen over the side. The entire ship was abuzz, and no wonder. But there was one other factor nobody mentioned. The suspicion of who might be Hannah was immediately removed from any who disappeared.
Prin let her mind wander. A person didn’t have to fall over the side of the ship to disappear, not when she carried two or more spells that would accomplish the same end. What if Prin used the no-see-me spell on herself? Those other passengers on the ship would think her another victim. Another man overboard.
The young mage. She hadn’t seen him since the day before. He was up to something.
She turned to Sara and Brice. They would have to act the part of mourners if she pretended to fall overboard. Were they up to it? That brought her thinking to focus on the mage again, and what was he doing. “Marcus, there was a mage sitting over there watching everyone. Have you seen him?”
“He’s going from crewman to crewman, whispering in their ears.”
“Any idea about what?” Prin asked.
“Probably about finding that princess.”
Prin pursed her lips as she tried to think of a way to use that information. “I wonder if the Captain knows his crew has two masters? The Captain and the mage. And I wonder if a rumor might start that the mage is trying to take control of the ship?”
“Mutiny?” Marcus asked as he leaned closer to hear her response. “Why?”