Maji Born

30 - Say No To Seafaring

It took the Duke and Zehara three days to organize their departure. Duke Eligton saw them off at the docks, handing Zehara a sealed envelope. Eirian, Devarak, and Lavinia watched them converse from on deck.

Once they finished speaking Zehara hugged him and made her way up onto the deck.

Her lips formed a firm line but she kept her expressing clear. She stowed on her person and nodded to the others as she passed. She went to speak to the captain.

Eirian moved to stand at the bow of the ship determined to take in the disappearing coastline. A prickle of fear ebbed at her sense as the ship left the dock. Devarak came to stand with her leaning against the rail. He gazed down at the water.

Eirian smiled over at him gripping the rail with white knuckles, her nails digging into the solid wood.

"Do you think they know we're coming?" Eirian asked, staring down into the frothing water line trailing in the boats wake.

"Most likely. From what the duke said there are spies everywhere, but I can guarantee that King Radek has twice as many as Zehara and they'll be on high alert," Devarak said.

"We should expect a trap," Lavinia said. She had followed Devarak to the rail and found her way to Eirian's side, looking slightly queasy.

Beside her, Eirian shivered slightly. A light misty rain was starting to fall. The clouds coming in were deep sinking grey, a sign of more to come.

"We should head below. It wouldn't be good to get sick so close to our destination." Devarak suggested.

Eirian nodded, she pulled her cloak tighter, raising her hood. Having shorn hair left her ears exposed to the elements. The wind bit at them, leaving them stinging.

The Duke had got his hands on more of Lavinia's sedative tea for the journey to come. It would not be strong enough to knock her out but it would make her slightly lethargic. She could join the others but without the discomfort. She had taken some just before their departure and held tightly to Eirian's hand as they went below.

Eirian recoiled as the stale air hit her. It held a hint of mould and something slightly musty, most likely sweat from the sailors. It was much nicer on deck with the breeze and the salty air. Their ship was much quieter than the other two, they only had six soldiers, seven deckhands, and the captain sharing the ship. The other two ships contained thirty soldiers apiece.

Lavinia lowered herself to the ground near the hammocks her back pressed into one of the wooden beams supporting the deck above. She looked slightly uneasy and less than happy, but she didn't look panicked or strained, which in Eirian's opinion seemed like an improvement.

"I am never leaving Midais again. Promise me no more boats," Lavinia mumbled as Eirian released her hand.

Devarak chuckled.

"Hopefully you won't need to be on one ever again Princess."

Footsteps sounded from above and Eirian spotted Zehara making her way down into the belly of the ship to join them.

She slid down and sat beside Lavinia, closing her eyes for a brief spell. Then she spoke.

"I sent news ahead of us through the Duke. If all goes well we will arrive to a warm welcome. My informants have been busy trying to find a way into the Capital for us." Zehara sighed, "I don't want anyone else to die. I wish we had an easier solution to all this," she said.

Eirian slumped into her hammock.

"I hate that so many have already been executed. It's horrible. It's hard to imagine that only a week ago the same people were minding their own business and mingling with the masses. Now they're being killed on mass and being forced to skulk like scolded dogs in dark alleys."

"It'll be over soon. It's terrible that the King has done something so extreme. At least the people can see him for who he really is though." Zehara said. Lavinia nodded.

"We'll land in the port town of Uritha. It has a large road heading straight for the west gate into the capital." They would land there while one of the remaining ships headed North of Uritha. 

They would take the coast with as little force as possible, the other ship would drop anchor just beyond Neirth. They had estimated the length of the journey. If all went according to plan the second ship would dock the day after they did. They were ordered to take them prisoner and detain rather than kill.

"Will it be difficult to overthrow Radek's  rules?" Eirian asked.  

"Let's hope so," Zehara said. She could feel her stress level increasing with the movement of the ship.

"It will take time.  But I believe Midais can withstand the transition." Zehara leaned back against the side of the ship and shut her eyes, signalling the end of this particular line of questioning. 

There would always be protest from those who disliked the way the country was run. She would do everything in her power to satisfy most of them.

Their journey took them north and up the coast of Zedar. The plan was to come down the coast to the port town of Uritha in Midais. As their fleet sailed farther north the wind chill and the sleet blended together creating a nasty combination.

Zehara watched from the deck as the captain of their vessel signalled to his compatriots to continue down the coast. They would take the southern and eastern ports while they took Uritha in the north. They would drop anchor and wait just outside the port jurisdiction. They were to wait two days prior to taking the ports. That would give Zehara time to reach the capital.

Their ship docked in Uritha and the captain disembarked with two soldiers. He greeted the port authority with papers signed by the council with their intention to proceed as diplomats. The man shrewdly eyed the paperwork and then the ship. He withdrew a quill and added his signature to the form with hesitation, handing them back to the captain. 

 Zehara stood on the deck in a hooded cloak, just out of sight of the two men. She watched the captain make his way back up onto the ship. He passed her and opened the door to his cabin.

"Let's discuss it in here," He mumbled as he passed her. She followed him into the cabin and he handed her the signed papers.

"He has grudgingly agreed to let us dock. He did warn me though that majik is not welcome in Midais and that anyone found with it will be hung," he said. He moved to stand behind his desk.

"As suspected," Zehara said. She lowered her hood, shaking the snow off it and onto the carpet. She moved to the desk and laid the papers down, "we need to reach out to our contact. They will be in the port."

The captain nodded.

"I'll send a messenger immediately." He pulled out parchment and a quill and wrote out a hasty note for their contact. Then he rolled it up and nodded to Zehara, exiting the cabin. Zehara followed after him, bringing her hood back up to disguise her bright blue eyes. She crossed the deck and went below deck.

The others were in the far corner. Eirian pouring over a small book with Devarak, and Lavinia sitting quietly against the far wall clutching her cloak tightly.

"We will be leaving soon. Please gather your things and prepare," Zehara said as she crossed the room. When she reached Lavinia she bent down to her level, gently gathering Lavinia's hand in hers.

"Are you alright?"

Lavinia gave a small grimace.

"I will be once we get on land."

Zehara gave her hand a small squeeze.

"That should be any minute now."

"Promise me I never have to do this again," Lavinia murmured.

"I cannot guarantee it but I'll do my best to prevent it," Zehara said.