The Runaway Princess

Chapter 2

"Are you sure the captain won't be mad?" I asked after Embeth explained the job.

"Of course sweetheart," she said condescendingly. "Besides, she isn't even there. Now go! I'll meet you by the brig." she finished, and without waiting for a reply, she headed below deck.

I shook my hands out a bit before moving forward. I wasn't doing anything wrong, I was asked to help during preparations. Also, the task was simple. Go into the office and find a red engraved mirror, then bring it to Embeth.

I tested the knob to the office and, upon finding it unlocked go inside. It was a large wooden room with a massive redwood desk in the center and a black leather chair behind it. Maps dotted the walls and there was a bookshelf on each side. In one corner there was a ladder and in another a stash of swords and daggers.

I glanced around again but didn't see the mirror. I walked to the other side of the desk and saw three drawers on each side. I pulled on one of the drawers to open it a few times until it finally opened, but by opening it, jerked the desk, and a globe that was on top of the desk crashed to the ground, luckily not breaking.

I let out a yelp in surprise, jumping back from the desk. I stare at the door, sure that someone will burst in. After about a minute I let out a sigh of relief, placed the globe back in its place, and turned to look at the contents of the drawer.

Inside I found the red mirror. It looked completely ordinary aside from some engraved swirls on the rim. Job completed, I closed the drawer and went for the door.

"Where do you think you're going?"

I turned around and spotted the captain standing in the corner by the ladder. I glanced up as I should have earlier and saw that the ladder goes up into an opening in the ceiling, and I recalled that the captain's quarters were above us. She was leaning against the wall with her arms crossed over her chest. Her eyes roamed up and down before she stepped forward and plucked the mirror out of my hands.

"I- I'm so sorry!" I stammered out. She chuckled and looked up at me. I realize how close she was standing to me as she stepped back and placed the mirror on the bookshelf, going on her tiptoes to do so.

"It's fine, as I'm guessing you were asked to do this. Embeth, correct?" She sat down at her desk and rested her head on her hand. "Let's just put this behind us and have an actual introduction. I'm Storm."

"Hi Storm, I'm Ester. Uh, Odette and Thala, I think, said I could use this ship to leave Aregium." I said, inwardly hoping that Storm doesn't send me off the ship. Storm starts muttering darkly, I only catch a bit about Thala pulling her leash and something about lost souls.

"Well, luckily for you, we've just left Aregium. We can drop you off in another country as we go along. For now, let's get you situated."

Storm goes out onto the deck and called out to someone to grab some spare clothes before coming back in. She opened her mouth as if to say something, but then stopped and closed it.

"Will I be able to keep these clothes?" I asked, gesturing to my dress and cloak.

"Yes, of course, but we'll wash them first," she replied.

Just then Embeth entered the room, holding a pile of folded clothes. She glanced between Storm and me before guiltily looking down.

"Here," Storm said, holding out the mirror to her after grabbing it back from the bookshelf. "Let's switch." Embeth gave Storm the clothes and got the mirror. She glanced at me once as she left the room quickly.

"There you go," Storm muttered, holding out the clothes. I took them gratefully. "Embeth always is a tricky one, especially when it comes to her sister's possessions. Sorry, she brought you into it. Also, we're short on rooms here, so you can use my quarters to sleep."