The Hidden Princess and the Sword

Chapter 8

Johann grinned and gave Annika a hug as she slid off, clapping her soundly on the back. "That's my girl," he said.

Annika blushed faintly, looking up at Johann.

He was several inches taller than when she had last seen him, almost a foot taller than she. Annika drank in the sight of his dark hair, almost to his shoulders now, and lightly browned skin, like the color of her toast in the mornings. His chocolate-colored eyes met hers, searching with a platonic fondness.

"Nice to see you again," Annika said, carefully keeping her voice neutral. "Johann, this is Matrix. Matrix, Johann."

The stallion snorted, lowering his slender head to rest in Johann's palm. The other two men tensed, knuckles white around their swords.

Johann grinned at Annika. "Quite a friend you've made there, Ani," he said. "Quentin, Maurice, this is Annika. Princess Annika, if you want to be formal."

"Your Highness." The two men bowed. The younger - Quentin - had carroty-red hair and a slender build, while Maurice, the man who'd been in the front of the boat, was stockier, with gray-streaked dark brown hair.

Quentin looked rather overwhelmed in the presence of royalty, albeit royalty he'd never known to exist, so Annika curtsied, although it was more of a lopsided wobble. "Good sirs."

"We should get back," Johann said quickly. "The crew was instructed to come after us if we didn't return in an hour." He looked with a critical eye at Matrix. "Does he have his own methods for crossing water? Because, to be honest, I can't bring it - him - on the rowboat with us."

Annika looked at Matrix, who inclined his head slightly. "He does."

"And make sure you tell him to wait until we get there. A demon horse is under imminent threat of death at all times."

Matrix nodded, almost imperceptibly, again.

"He can hear you, you know."

"Oh. Uh, sorry, Matrix."

"Here," Johann added, stepping into the boat. He extended his hand to her.

Carefully lifting and pinching one side of her cream-turned-brownish-gray dress, Annika took his hand and stepped gingerly into the boat. Suddenly, it rocked side to side in a violent swaying motion.

"Whoa!" Johann grabbed her arms, stabilizing her.

"You have to rock with it," he said. "Like a horse."

Soon she was settled on one of the benches, and Quentin and Maurice climbed in. Maurice pushed off, and Quentin rowed.

The boat cut smoothly through the waves. The only sound was the lapping of water against the hull and the whoosh of the oars.

They reached the main ship quickly, just ten or so minutes.

"Lower the ladder!" someone shouted. "The Captain's back!"

Johann climbed up the rope ladder first, then waved Annika to follow.

The rough ropes dug into her skin, and they were damp and unpleasant from brine. Annika ascended quickly, trying to rid herself of the feeling.

She scrambled awkwardly onto the deck, where Johann helped her up. Smoothing out her dress, Annika surveyed the crew.

They were steely-eyed and unfriendly, and more ragged than one would expect from Indovan sailors.

"'Ey Cap'n," one said. He filled out his clothes well, with crossed arms over a scarred, muscular, and mostly visible chest. "Is this a 'nother one for your cabin?"