Chapter Nineteen #4
After breakfast on the first floor, the party set out for the pier, where large ships were docked in an orderly line.
Suntanned sailors tirelessly loaded cargo onto the vessels.
Maxi also noted a few of them hanging precariously on to the masts, checking the condition of the ropes and sails.
Maxi felt she might harm her neck as she craned it around to take in all the hustle and bustle of the port.
Riftan spoke with the captain of a ship anchored at the very end of the dock.
Hebaron had explained to her on the ride that nothing mattered more in a sea voyage than a competent captain.
It was why they had to make sure that whoever took charge of the vessel was trustworthy.
Riftan was certainly grilling the man, but the seaman seemed to take it in stride, calmly answering the barrage of questions without any sign of displeasure.
“We finished all the preparations a few days ago. Before she left for Livadon, Her Royal Highness Princess Agnes specifically instructed that we must be set to depart as soon as you arrived.”
Maxi was taken aback at overhearing mention of the princess. Had Princess Agnes also traveled to Livadon? Riftan, on the other hand, did not seem surprised at all.
“When did the royal knights depart?”
“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 felt better 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.
“I had the merchant guild procure this for you.”
Maxi’s eyes widened when she saw the navy-blue dress folded inside the velvet box. Riftan looked her over, and his brow furrowed slightly in disapproval.
“Perhaps you would wear it today? I am sick of seeing you in those trousers.”
“Wh-What is wrong…with me wearing trousers?”
He did not answer, and she pursed her lips, but still took the dress out of the box.
She could not help but blush with delight at the smoothness of the silk, something she had not felt in a while.
She gleefully unfolded the garment and held it against her body.
After locking the door, Riftan slowly walked over to her and held out a hand.
“Let me help you. Turn around.”
“I-I can do it by myself,” Maxi said, clutching the dress defensively.
Riftan narrowed his eyes. “I do not intend to lay a hand on you until you are used to being on the ship, so stop worrying and give it here.”
Maxi eyed him dubiously but handed him the dress.
Riftan pulled her tunic over her head and undid the straps of her trousers.
He regarded her for a moment before clenching his jaw and slipping the dress over her head.
Maxi slid her arms into the loose sleeves, relishing the feeling of the smooth fabric softly enveloping her skin.
Riftan pulled the dress down to her ankles, then gently tugged at the tangled laces on her back and knotted them.
“Good. It suits you.” He turned her around and scanned her from head to toe. Maxi was keenly aware of the faint heat rising between them, but Riftan took a step back and brusquely looked away. “You look well. Let us dine at the mess hall. We better leave the cabin before I change my mind.”
Maxi quietly followed him out without bothering to ask what he meant.
They went down to the mess for a late breakfast before making their way up to the deck.
There were no clouds in sight, and the clear blue sky was so vast it was almost overwhelming to behold.
Racing to the railing, Maxi once again watched the waves churning with white foam.
Riftan stepped up next to her and leaned an elbow on the railing.
“If this weather keeps up, we will be able to reach Levan in a week.”
“H-How far is the battlefield…from Levan?”
“It is about three or four days away. Once we get to Levan, we will head to the basilica first. If we are lucky, we might be able to meet up with the Temple Knights dispatched by Osiriya and depart for the battlefield with them.” Riftan’s face suddenly grew tense.
“You must remain with the church. I will arrange for you to stay at the monastery.”
Maxi felt her back stiffen. When she did not reply immediately, Riftan straightened and anxiously turned her around to face him.
“If you do not wish to stay at the monastery, I will send a request to the royal family of Livadon for you to stay at the palace.”
“I-I do not wish to be left behind…in an unfamiliar place. If I went with you—” Maxi stopped and quickly pressed her lips together when she saw his face contorting.