“They arrived four days ago and left immediately for Livadon.”
“Any news from Livadon?”
The captain shook his head, looking grave. “The coalition army seems to be struggling after the fall of Louivell Castle. I have heard that they are fighting to reclaim the lands taken by the monsters, but more news has yet to make it to us.”
Riftan’s face hardened, as did the faces of the knights silently listening to their conversation. The captain broke out in a sweat as the air around them grew bleak.
“If you wish, we can depart immediately. We already have enough provisions and hay on board.”
“Is there enough room for the horses?”
“Of course. I have prepared a stable.”
After inspecting the vessel with several of his knights, Riftan elected to depart at once. The knights led their horses from the inn and boarded the ship. Maxi entrusted Rem to a sailor in case the mare frighted while boarding and climbed aboard.
Standing on the deck, her heart began to hammer. She could not tell if it was fear she was feeling or a peculiar, new kind of excitement. Maxi gazed out at the calm sea glittering under the sun and took a deep breath. The saltiness of the sea filled her lungs, and her heavy heart felt a little lighter.
“Maxi, don’t stand too close to the railing.”
Riftan had been supervising the horses’ transfer to the stables below, but now he beckoned her over. Embarrassed that she had been acting like an excited child when they were on their way to battle, Maxi went to him.
As if he were pulling on the reins of an unruly colt, Riftan wrapped his arm around Maxi’s shoulder and led her to the cabin.
“Let me show you our lodgings.”
Maxi threw him a glance as she followed him down the stairs. “I-Is it all right for you to leave the deck…before all the horses are led to the stables?”
“The knights will see to that.”
The well-oiled wood paneling of the passageway glistened. They stopped at a door at the end, and Maxi peered out from behind Riftan to scan the dim room. Though it could not compare to their bedchambers at Calypse Castle, the cabin was still spacious and lavish. She darted into the room and sat at the edge of the soft bed. Riftan dropped the baggage he had slung over his shoulder with a thud.
“All the sailors are men, which means there will be no maidservants to wait on you. So, tell me if you need anything,” he said, removing the cover from the porthole next to the table. Light streamed in and bathed his face in bright sunlight. “Never wander around the ship on your own. Though I doubt anyone would dare to lay a hand on my wife, it never hurts to be careful.”
Maxi did not think he needed to worry so much, as it was highly unlikely for anyone to take an interest in her, but she kept the thought to herself and simply nodded.
They went back to the deck as the ship set sail. The sailors pulled the lines taut, unfurling the sails to catch the wind. Standing at the railing, Maxi watched as the large ship cut through the churning sea. A light tremor shook beneath her feet each time the waves hit the hull of the vessel, and gusts of wind filled the sails until they swelled out like clouds as though the wind itself were blessing their journey. The unfamiliar sensation of floating had Maxi clinging to Riftan’s side, and he stroked her back reassuringly.
“Sailing for the first time can make you feel dizzy, so try not to look down until you get used to the feeling. You might feel seasick if you keep fixating on the swaying.”
Maxi was already feeling a little dizzy, so she took his advice and stepped away from the railing. Beyond the stern, the port gradually faded into the distance. The city rapidly became nothing more than a speck on the horizon, and soon they drifted all alone on the open sea. Maxi enjoyed the ocean breeze with Riftan for a moment longer before they returned to their cabin to rest.
Their first day on board the ship passed peacefully. Although she felt nauseated for the first few hours, she feltbetter after a nap and was well enough to have dinner. Maxi went down to the mess with Riftan for their meal, then left for bed early. The fatigue was finally catching up with her. She felt heavy and limp despite the long nap. She was out like a light as soon as her head hit the pillow.
When she woke the next day, the sun was already high overhead. Riftan handed her a cup of water as she groggily raised her head.
“How do you feel?”
Gulping down the lukewarm water, Maxi took in her husband. He was wearing comfortable cotton trousers and a white tunic. Unarmed, he looked more his age, young and full of vigor.
“Do you still feel sick?”
“N-No. I think…I am all right now.”
“Even so, you shouldn’t push yourself. Try to rest in the cabin. Forget riding horses or treating the wounded while you can. Would you like me to get you something to eat?”
“I would…l-like to wash my face…and get dressed first….”
Riftan left the cabin and asked a deckhand for some food and a basin of water. A young man of about sixteen brought the water. Maxi washed her face and combed her tangled hair until it was sleek, then arranged it in a single braid. She was rummaging through her bag for a change of clothes when Riftan returned and handed her a small box.
