The Olympian Sisters #2 The Great War

Chapter 27

SOUTHAMPTON ENGLAND DECEMBER 6 1917 "ADRIATIC"

I was in Southampton when the explosion happened.

Going through the supplies, I discovered we were low on goldenrod. I need that plant for wounds. There was little, if any, supply left here in England but there was a large supply in Halifax.

I looked up when I heard a loud noise. Baltic was racing towards me but had been caught in one of her snares. I couldn't help but laugh.

"Ha! Ha, ha, ha!" Baltic struggled vainly. "Not so fun when it's you who's caught is it?" I asked. Baltic glared at me. "Could you just get me out of this so I can tell you what's happened?" She yowled.

"Keep still!" I ordered, and unraveled the line caught in her props. "One of the blades is torn." I said.

"You'll need some poluse to heal it." Baltic shook her head. "Spare me." She muttered. "There'll be a lot of ships coming in that'll need 'em more than me."

"What's happened, Baltic?" I asked. She sighed. "There was an explosion in Halifax harbor. Mont-Blanc collided with Imo and her munitions went off." She explained.

"How bad?" I asked. "2000 people are dead and many more are wounded. Some of the herb stores were destroyed, but most remain relatively intact." She answered.

"While that's good to hear, it means that I can treat those wounded men. Is anyone on scene?" I asked.

"Carpathia's on her way, but she won't arrive for another week at least. One of the setbacks of a convoy is slowness. She's getting a little annoyed. I wouldn't be surprised if she tried to make a break for it." She replied. I seethed silently.

The war had greatly awakened my medical senses and I was always on high alert. Now, these senses were in overdrive.

"Help me gather these herbs." I ordered her. Wordlessly, she dipped her head to pick up some plant stems. She handed them to me.

"You need an apprentice to help you." She said. I winced. "And I did, until she struck a mine and sank in the Mediterranean." I hissed.

"Sorry, that wasn't very sensible of me." She muttered. "You're Baltic, the biggest prankster to ever sail the seas. I've never known you to have much sense." I replied. "I suppose you're right." She admitted, smiling.

"Alright, I'm off. If Lurania comes by, show her where my stores are. She's welcome to 'em. If you know how to do something, could you help her with it? She may be a quick learner, but she's still an apprentice." I ordered. Baltic nodded. "Ok, Adriatic." She said.

I frowned. "I've never seen you so agreeable." I murmured. "What's gotten into you?" She shrugged. "I don't know. Maybe the war? Fighting does change people." She said. I nodded.

"Alright, I'm off. Behave!" I growled. To my great surprise she dipped her head. "War is no time for fun, I know that now." She said. I nuzzled her. She stiffened in surprise. "Wow Adriatic, apparently the war's changed you too. I've never seen you so friendly." She exclaimed.

"Oh, shut up and get back to work." I growled. Baltic laughed. "Now that's more like it." She said. Baltic was an annoying little ship at times, but she was still my sister and I loved her dearly. Looking at her, I couldn't help but smile and laugh with her.