She leaned closer to whisper, “The mage is hunting the missing princess, but the ship is not going where the mage wants. He’s heard Hannah may be in Delph or Behringer. A slight change of the ship’s course will take us to those ports instead of Indore.”
Marcus downed the remainder of his wine. He stood with a wink to her. “I have to see if anyone else has heard such a rumor. If it reaches the Captain’s ear, who knows what will result?”
Sara watched him rush off, then said, “He thinks I’m the princess, you know. Why did you set him off to do that?”
“Can you and Brice mourn over me if I fall into the ocean and drown? I’m not a great swimmer, you know.”
Brice said, “What are you talking about?”
“The no-see-me spell. Listen, what if you spread the story I went for a walk on the deck and never returned. For the remainder of the trip, I can use the spell to hide in our cabin.” Prin sat back and smiled, waiting for their reaction to her perfect resolution.
Their expressions were shocked and almost angry, then Sara’s softened slightly, as she let the ideas work into her mind. Brice’s brow remained furrowed until a tiny smile began. Sara chuckled. Brice joined Prin in outright laughter. The three of them drew the attention of everyone in the dining room as the only ones laughing.
Sara calmed herself and whispered, “I don’t know why we worried if you could survive on your own.”
Brice looked upset, or as much as he was able to portray as he said, “What? You didn’t think I could protect her?”
Prin said, “Of course, we will have to plan for my accident—but the two of you will either act the part, or it won’t work.”
“No, you’re right,” Sara said. “It solves all our problems. Everyone will be looking for someone else. The closest they might come is to suspect me of being Hannah, and if they penetrate my disguise, all they’ll find is a sorceress-in-training with no hint of you.”
Brice added, “I’m a sailor in hiding, maybe for deserting my ship. Not who they are searching for, and I’m no princess as any fool can see.”
“It’s only for eight or nine more days,” Prin said. “Well, maybe ten, but so what. I can take that easier than throwing another hunter over the side to drown. And think of all the confusion Marcus is going to stir up with his rumors. They won’t have time to search for me.”
Sara said, “When?”
“Tonight,” Prin said.
“Why wait until then?” Brice asked.
Prin and Sara exchanged a knowing look. Prin said, “Were you listening? We need to speak with Marcus and hint at how dangerous being a passenger on this ship seems. Are other passengers worried? What will the passengers do if another disappears? Will they be next?”
Brice’s eyes widened with each statement, as he began to understand. He whispered, “You may cause a mutiny.”
Prin smirked. “Not me. I won’t be here.”
Sara said, “You need to go missing near midnight. The crew will search every part of the ship and even the passenger cabins. Everyone will wake up.”
“I don’t know if I’m that much of an actor to pull this off,” Brice said.
“Then stay in our cabin where you should plan what to do when the ship arrives. You’re grieving, and people will understand your absence. Probably more convincing if you do it that way, anyhow.” Sara raised a hand to draw the attention of a steward.
As if knowing the food was about to be served, Marcus entered the dining room and rushed to their table while rubbing his belly. The grin caught the attention of the other three. He said, “Wait until you hear the latest. Have you ordered yet?”
Sara scowled. “Never mind the food. Tell us the latest.”
“Some of the crew said the Captain considered changing course and putting into the port of Remo near the Athenian coast and letting the local authorities sort out the murders. Did you ask for extra bread?”
“I’ll let you have mine,” Sara said. “What kept him from going to Remo?”
Marcus said, “This is a passenger ship and has a reputation for fast crossings. I heard a crewman who said that by tonight we’ll be closer to Indore so we might as well go there.”
Prin scowled, “No, that doesn’t sound right. We could even return to Gallium and be there in two more days.”
Marcus shrugged and continued as if explaining to a child, “Then at least, two days in port, two more sailing to return to this spot is six days. We should reach Indore in about the same. And that won’t inconvenience the paying passengers.”
Brice muttered, “I think that last has more to do with it than anything else. The Captain wants to please the regular travelers who sail this ship several times each year.”
The steward returned with a tray of sliced cheese, sun-dried finger-length fish that were salted and crisp, and hard crackers to go with them. The crackers were a staple on ships, baked and stored in casks, some for years. His other hand held a jar of wine and goblets.
“More wine, please,” Marcus said, “And perhaps more cheese and fish, too. Might as well bring another plate of crackers along with them.”
All but Prin laughed. She was lost in thought. If the Captain turned the ship to another port, her plans were disrupted. It might be better to wait another night before executing their plan.
Marcus piled cheese in a cracker and stuffed it all in his mouth, as he said, “That mage who sits and watches? He’s asking a lot of questions.”
“About what?” Prin asked, forcing the cold lump aside.
“You. Sara. Even Brice and me. But this morning, he’s asking about you.”
Prin had expected that, but not so soon. Despite her disguise, she had probably made a gesture or remark that reminded him of the little girl he used to spy upon at the Earl’s Castle. It wouldn’t take much. Maybe the way she brushed her hair back over her ear or lifted a mug. He was looking for clues that defied age and disguise. If she stayed within his sight, he’d remember some small thing and know her for who she really was.
The captain threatening to put in at Remo gave her pause, but if the mage was suspecting her, it provided impetus to disappear sooner. Tonight, for sure.
CHAPTER TEN
They finished the meal. However, none stood up to leave. It was as if they all understood there was more happening on the ship and nobody wanted to miss any of it. Marcus was especially on edge, his eyes and ears keeping track of the slightest movement or sound.
Prin couldn’t freely talk about her plans to disappear until he left. Sara’s gentle hints slipped past him like feet on new ice in winter, as Marcus smiled and repeated more rumors. He finished the wine and most of the food. But Marcus was clearly worried and remained jumpy, perhaps fearing for his own safety, or maybe because he sensed the change in the demeanor of his three dining companions.
Sara finally leaned closer to him. “Since we don’t have the extensive social contacts you do, would you be so kind as to ask around and find any new rumors or information? We’re dying to know.”
Marcus was already pushing his chair back, a grin threatening to turn to a chuckle. “I’ll check and let you know.”
When they were alone again, Prin made sure the nearby tables were empty and kept her voice soft, “I’ve thought about it.”
“Tonight?” Sara confirming her thoughts with a nod.
“Because of the mage. If he was not aboard, I’d remain. But, he will discover me sooner or later.”
Brice said, “You might want to sneak some of that hard-bread while you have the chance.”
Their steward burst from the kitchen door and raced the length of the dining room, running at top speed. The motion of the ship abruptly changed, then it leaned far to the port side. Prin called to a crewman who poked his head inside the door, “What’s happening?”