Problems at Sea

Standing at the front of the ship, Aurora felt the breeze whip through her long hair. While the bulk of it was in a tight braid, fiery wisps flickered around her head like a crown of flames.

It was the third day on the voyage and the first real-time the Empress had been above in the open air. Other than when she had been carried onto the vessel, Aurora had been tucked safely below deck.

Part of the confinement was to allow Aurora more time to recover, but there was a second determining factor. The first night, the three ships in the convoy hit a squall so bad that even all but the most essential crew took cover below deck. 

More than one of the people had become violently ill under the curse of the undulating waves. The sea had been ruthless. Even those who were used to the ocean's wrath became uncomfortable under the pressure. They abandoned their hammocks in search of any leaks or signs of sinking. 

Their restless wanderings yielded opportunities to patch leaks before they became real problems.

When the third day came and the skies finally cleared, only the second boat needed any serious bailing. It was only by the Captain's brave leadership that no one had washed overboard.

Schwinn had worked tirelessly to keep all three ships afloat and together during the multi-day storm. It took no small amount of skill and cunning to keep both of the other ships in sight and yet not so close that an errant wave might crash two of the crafts together.

His knowledge of the topography had also kept them from ruin. Even without the stars to guide them, Schwinn had navigated them around the shoals of more than one island to get them into open water.

Not every boat had been so lucky. Only a short time ago, Aurora had spotted a broken mast and an upturned hull sticking out of some jagged rocks in the distance.

The sight had pulled at the Empress's heartstrings, but Devrim assured her it was a wreck from another storm. The moss beginning to grown on the wood and the lack of people and other debris in the water seemed to support this fact.

Schwinn had confirmed the findings. "That's Foulard's ship. Was found like that months back. No survivors or any bodies. His disappearance is a mystery." Realizing he was scaring the Empress with his idle talk, Schwinn had flashed a brilliant smile. "Don't worry. Just old Captain's gossip. Mostly nonsense, I'm sure."

Aurora had let the matter go. What business of hers was it how another ship had crashed? As long as they didn't crash also, all was well.

So now, with nothing but beautiful blue water and azure sky in every direction, Aurora relaxed and took in the sunshine.

Leaning on the bow of the ship, the world flew past her in a glorious, salty spray. The Empress giggled.

"I think that is enough standing. You are going to fall over the edge." Devrim worried.

"How could I possibly fall when you haven't let go of me enough to take a decent breath since I came on deck?" Aurora stuck her tongue out as she looked over her shoulder.

She regretted the action immediately as a splash of salty water shot over the rail. Spitting out the water, Aurora coughed until her mouth was clear.

Devrim frowned. "See? You are coughing from too much exertion. I will take you back to bed at once. What if you had been leaning forward when you coughed? You would have ended up like her!"

The Emperor pointed at the carved mermaid proudly adorning the front of the ship.

Aurora burst out laughing. "First of all, she is wooden. And second of all, she is much prettier than I am. Being like her would not be a loss."

Nudging her husband gently, the fiery-haired woman gave her husband a soft smile.

"Listen, I know you nearly lost me, but I am here now. I'm even standing with this brace and your support. Can't we just take a moment to enjoy this beautiful view?"

Devrim sighed. He had to admit that his wife looked pretty healthy, all things considered. Whatever the doctor and healer had been doing, it was working.

Other than the brace on Aurora's leg which made her dress pull funny, the Empress appeared almost like her old self.

But Devrim was not fooled. When he held her in his arms, the grey-eyed man felt the fragility under the brave exterior.

The crew and soldiers might think their Empress had returned to her former glory, but the Emperor could not shake the feeling that his wife was one step away from crashing once again. He would do anything to keep that from happening…

…including acting like Nanny.

"Don't worry so much," Aurora said, understanding his sigh. "If you won't enjoy the view, then kiss me like no one is watching."

"What?" Devrim jumped at her words. "Are you serious?"

"More serious than Reyan when someone else eats the last tart." The Empress nodded solemnly.

"Are you sure you are feeling alright? The woman I know doesn't go around kissing with abandon in public." Devrim received a longsuffering look from his wife. 

"If you don't want to kiss me, just say so." She turned back to the bow of the ship. 

"I never said that," the man answered huskily. Tightening his arms around her, Devrim pressed his lips against Aurora's neck. 

She shivered at his touch. "I'm glad you still like me." 

"Love. Only love from me." The grey-eyed man corrected gently. He punctuated his point with another kiss on her neck. 

"Me too." Turning around, the Empress caught her husband's lips in hers. The sudden motion had nearly knocked her off balance, but the Emperor pressed her between himself and the wooden railing to steady her. 

The pair enjoyed a passionate moment at the front of the ship. The sun shone down as the glistening water passed them in a blur. Everything was perfect. 

Until... "ARGH...bluh..." Retching interrupted the royal couple just as the Emperor was truly beginning to enjoy himself. 

Brinn wiped her mouth as she leaned against the railing beside them. Her face was green. 

"I would like to say it was your kissing that made me vomit, but I'm not even well enough to make that joke..." 

"Still seasick?" Aurora looked compassionately at her friend. "I thought Alvar was helping to take care of you."

"That worry-wart won't give me a moment's peace." Brinn spat over the side. "Plus over here I can at least annoy...I mean enjoy the two of you."

"Glad to see you haven't completely lost your humor," Aurora encouraged her friend. 

Brinn had been so anxious for this adventure, and yet she had spent most of the time on the boat vomiting or sleeping. At least now that the storm had passed, she was able to 'feed the fish' as the sailors said, instead of using a bucket. 

"I've been losing too many other things to send my humor overboard with it. I just hope we get to the South before my stomach decides it wants to be outside also." Brinn scowled at the sea with contempt. 

"I don't think it will come to that," a new voice broke into the conversation. "It will probably only be a day or two before your body adjusts to life on the ocean." Schwinn nodded with enthusiasm. "Maybe less!"

"Maybe more..." Brinn retorted. "I spent hundreds of years on land, maybe I should have stayed there." 

"You really are feeling sour," Devrim cocked his head to one side. "Even Reyan hasn't been complaining this much." 

"That fairy can fly any time he feels sick and then land when he feels well again. I don't have my wind magic, or any magic! So I am just doomed." The elf's dejectedness made Devrim refrain from his teasing. He had been a little upset at the princess's interruption of his romantic moment, but Binn seemed truly miserable.

"I think Alvar was talking with our cook to get something for your stomach. Would you like me to send one of my men to find your husband?" Schwinn offered amiably. 

Brinn nodded. "I will look for him myself, thank you." 

She ambled off, much to the shock of the Emperor and Empress. 

"Brinn must be dying. She never leaves calmly." Devrim's mouth hung open.

The elf called over her shoulder. "I want an embarrassing Nurlan story when I return, Captain. And don't skimp on the details!" 

"There's my girl," Aurora laughed. 

Then she sighed. She was growing quite tired but was not yet willing to give up her place in the sunshine. 

'Just another minute,' the Empress promised herself. 

With Devrim holding her up, she and the Captain surveyed the horizon. 

"With days like today, I can see why being a sailor is an attractive prospect." The Empress breathed in the salt-laden air with a sigh. 

"It was General Nurlan who pointed me to the sea," Schwinn said with his shoulders poised against the wind. "I never did get to properly thank him." 

"There's no time like the present," the burly soldier appeared from behind them. 

"I suppose you are right..." Schwinn looked back at the sea with a grin. Silence stretched between them.

"Scooter..." Nurlan looked ready to launch into a hefty speech.

"I am just teasing you. It is as easy as it always has been. Thank you for changing my life General. The sea is my love and I give you full credit for it." 

"What's that?" Aurora broke up the happy scene as she pointed at the horizon. 

As Devrim squinted to look at the dot, the other two men's expressions darkened.

"That," Captain Schwinn said, "is a problem..."