5. Bryn
Bryn
A new dawn broke as the ship breached the ocean’s surface, bringing slivers of sunlight to my hiding spot.
This closet was getting far too musty and cramped for my liking.
I needed to get out of here. Stretch my legs a bit.
But how could I do so without being seen?
Maybe I could dress like a crew member and, if noticed, be mistaken for someone else?
I peered down at the cloak draped across my legs.
That would definitely make a nice half skirt.
Glancing around the tiny room, I found an old sack and tore it apart until it made a nice shawl, then fastened and cinched all the materials together until I looked like a haphazard kitchen maid. I could pass for crew in this. As long as I rebraided my hair and tucked it into the shawl.
Doing so, I checked myself over once more before assuring myself that my daggers, compass, and pendant were all still in place and hidden. Then I took a deep breath, prayed to the ancestors that I wouldn’t get caught today, and headed out of my hiding place.
The ship was abuzz with crew flitting about, organized shouts lobbed to and fro, people focused on their tasks and not me.
I stared at the tall masts and rigging, fully expecting droplets to fall on my face, but none came.
Ancestors, Henrik’s magic had kept the entire ship dry during our submersion.
Or perhaps his magic worked with that of the Fjord Fae sailors too?
Either way, I was, reluctantly, impressed.
“Watch your step,” a male voice said, and a hand yanked me aside.
I whipped around on instinct, ready to protect—
Wide eyes stopped me in my tracks as a sailor with fair hair and freckles pointed down to a bucket beside him. “Didn’t want ye stepping in that.”
“Oh, silly me.” I placed my hand to my chest, feigning the same relief I currently felt. “Thank you.”
“Of course, miss.” He squinted at me, then shook his head. “Be sure to watch your step up here. We’re cleaning the decks and the blood from yesterday.”
The thief.
The one who’d done exactly what I was doing.
Sort of.
I had stowed away but hadn’t stolen anything… yet. I did have a history of stealing from Henrik—like the compass on my hip—and wouldn’t mind reducing his collection of gold while I was here.
“Good day,” I said and was across the deck in a twirl of faux skirts, much more careful of my footing and the bustling crew.
A faint smell of something delectable mixed with the smell of salt and soap. Bread. The kitchen was baking again.
Don’t mind if I do.
I swept back downstairs and eventually found my way back to the kitchen, where I snuck another small baguette off a stack near the doorway.
With the warm, golden, goodness back in my hands, I took a big bite and made my way through the ship once more, this time passing swinging hammocks—most of which hung empty as the boat rocked with the waves—and several obnoxiously large cannons.
Taking a large bite of bread, a moan slipped from me.
Oh, ancestors, bread was good. I needed more of it in my life. That and shining things. Did they make shiny bread? I’d certainly eat it if they did—
“You there!” A large hand clamped down on my shoulder. “What are you doing eating before crew meal?”
I swallowed the lump of goodness and peered behind me.
Sverre glared down at me, his brows furrowed. “Well?”
Shite. The first mate. This wasn’t good.
“I… I’m on my courses and felt a bit faint.”
He sighed and removed his hand. “I’m sorry. But you know the rules.”
“Sorry, sir. It won’t happen again,” I said, because I damn well didn’t plan on being on the ship for much longer, and I hadn’t had my monthly bleed in decades. Not since I’d been taking the tonic.
“Good. Food will be served shortly. If you’re this hungry and faint, please head downstairs immediately. You know Captain doesn’t like it when crew are unwell.”
“Of course, sir.” I bowed my head and turned to leave—
“Did your courses mess with your head?”
I stopped and turned to face the brute. “Pardon?”
“The crew mess is the other way.”
“Oh, yes, silly me.”
Double shite. Maybe I should have stayed in my broom closet until we reached Grim.
Slinking past Sverre, I strode as quickly as I could in the other direction, hoping I appeared confident in my direction and had been overcome by a near fainting spell.
As soon as I was out of sight, I bolted up the nearby stairs, scurried across the deck, and found a spot to hide beneath the stairs to the helm.
This was as good a place as any to temporarily hide and finish my bread.
I bit off another mouthful. That had been far too close for comfort.
As soon as I was done with my morsel and the sailors finished dealing with some of the ropes, steadying a sail or whatever that large piece of string did, I would rush back to my hiding spot in the abandoned closet.
Large footsteps approached and I hunched, doing my damnedest to make myself as small as possible with as little movement as possible.
Sverre stormed past and entered the captain’s quarters, slamming the door shut behind him.
I wonder what they’re talking about? Perhaps it was the gold in the hold… Which reminded me. I needed to check that out for myself. Maybe relieve the captain of some coins.
Moving out of my current place of refuge, a yell from the quarters stopped me in my tracks, and I ducked back under the stairwell. Pressing my ear to the wall, I listened in on what little of the conversation I could hear over the lapping waves and my own munching of the last bite.
“Did we take on any new maids this voyage?” Sverre’s gruff tone asked.
“No, we did not,” Henrik replied.
“Then why did I just find one lingering in the hall complaining about her courses?”
Uh-oh.
I could practically hear Henrik’s eyes narrowing. “What did she look like?”
Time to go.
I yanked off my overskirt, sprang from my cover beneath the stairs, and scurried across the deck. Water sprayed over the railings, beckoning me to jump overboard. The cold ocean might actually be safer than Henrik’s clutches.
Sailors turned in shock as I flew past.
“Oi!”
“Easy there, miss!”
“What the devil?”
Heart beating wildly, I jumped over ropes and raced up the stairs at the bow. It was the closest spot for me to dive in and then swim beneath the vessel to hide which direction I turned. Going over the side would leave me too open.
Footfalls barreled after me before going silent.
Shite. Shite. Shite.
My breaths came hard, lungs shaking as I ran across the bow deck, prepared to jump atop the railing—
Cool metal brushed against the soft underside of my jaw, and I stilled.
A male chuckled darkly, the noise reverberating through my body. “What have we here?”