The Voyage of Victoria Stayne

Chapter Two: A Touch of Seasickness

Vicki had found her sleeping quarters-a small, cozy cabin just off of her grandfather's. It had a small bed, a dresser with a basin, and a mirror. Victoria wondered briefly why everything seemed to be lashed down. Elias, who had shown her the room, gave her an apologetic smile. "Sorry it isn't any bigger, lass-but you're right close to your old Grandda should you need anything, and the cabin's warm enough. Once you're all settled in come on deck and I'll introduce you to the rest of the crew."

Vicki grinned. "Thanks Grandda. I'm used to small spaces, anyway. I had to share a room with Katarina, after all." Elias chuckled, then left the cabin, and Vicki set to work unpacking. She placed her trousers and shirt in one drawer, and her papers, ink, and pens carefully on top of the dresser, leaving her cordial ingredients in her bag. She frowned in thought, then brightened up and headed out of the cabin, calling for Elias. "Grandda! Grandda!"

Elias came rushing over, concern on his face. "What's the matter, love?"

Vicki laughed. "Oh, nothing. It's just that I've bought some items for making my cordials, and I was wondering where I could store them."

Elias grinned. "Well, lass, you could put them in the galley, and then later tonight you could favor us with a creation? That is, if you can put together something that quickly?"

"Grandda, I could whip up a tasty cordial before we leave the docks, if you like," Vicki replied with a grin, and Elias beamed.

"Well, in that case…Erik!"

Erik came trotting over. "Yes Captain?"

"Show Vicki to the galley, please. She's volunteered to make a fine cordial, and you know how delicious her cordials are."

Erik grinned. "I do indeed. Follow me, Miss Vicki." He led her down to the galley. "Careful on the steps, they're a bit steep."

Vicki slowly eased her way down the steps, her bag around her shoulders to allow her to have both hands free. The galley was dim, with the smell of smoke prevalent, and Vicki chuckled. "This place reminds me of Mum's shop when she's mixing potions. Dim and smoky."

The cook, a plump man with a silver earring in his left ear and a rather impressive white beard, was standing above a pot that was bubbling and boiling. He looked up, grinned at Erik, and gave Vicki a confused look. "Who the devil are you, lass?"

Erik stepped forward. "This is Victoria Stayne, the Captain's granddaughter. Vicki, this is Peter Foreman, who is nowhere near as terrifying as he pretends to be. He's actually a great softie."

Vicki curtseyed politely. "I'm very pleased to meet you, Mister Foreman. That smells delicious. Rath stew, if I'm not mistaken. Does it have rowan berry juice in it?"

Foreman gawped at Vicki in surprise. "It does indeed lass. I use it to flavor most of what I cook, but I didn't think I had put that much in."

Vicki giggled. "Oh, it's very mild. The tove tears salt is quite delicious as well."

Foreman shook his head in amazement. "You've got quite the nose, Miss Stayne. Where did you learn this?"

"From my Mum. She's the Potions Mistress at Marmoreal, and she's got to be pretty precise in some of her mixings. She's taught me quite a lot."

Foreman nodded, and then frowned. "Stayne…Stayne…why does that name sound familiar? Are you any relation to Ilosovic Stayne?"

Vicki grinned. "He's my father."

Foreman grinned. "Then your mother must be Alannah!"

"That is her name. Why, do you know her?"

"I did, but it was when she was a little lass. I was a cook for her neighbor, Lady Germaine, and your mum used to love the tarts I made. She was a sweet little child-always jabbering away. You look remarkably like her."

"I've been told. Mr. Foreman, I came into your galley to see if perhaps I would be allowed to brew a cordial to go with tonight's dinner."

Foreman frowned. "I don't have many cordial ingredients on hand, Miss."

Vicki grinned, patting her bag. "That won't be a problem. I've got everything I need right here. But if you have a bit of rowan berry juice left, I'd like to use it." Foreman nodded, and Vicki set her bag on the counter and began pulling out ingredients. "Let's see…we're having Rath stew, and that's a pretty spicy dish, plus the rowan berry juice will make it a bit sweet and spicy, so…aha! I'll make some greenberry rose cordial. Just enough sweet to offset the spiciness of the stew." She immediately set to work, humming to herself.

Erik grinned. "Well, I've got to go help get the ship underway. Vicki, I look forward to a delicious cordial."

Vicki grinned at him. "You'll get one, I promise." Erik beamed and left to get the ship underway.

It was much later at night, and Vicki was sitting in her cabin, feeling distinctly queasy. She leaned back against the wall, her eyes shut as the ship rocked on the waves. Her cordial had been a wonderful success, and Foreman had asked her grandfather if she could be his assistant for the voyage. Elias had asked Vicki if she would be up to the task, and she had agreed-she liked Mr. Foreman.

But now-she groaned in pain as her stomach gave a sickening flop, threatening to bring up the rather good dinner she had eaten. She cracked her eye open as a knock came on her door. "Come in."

Erik came in, giving her a sympathetic smile. "You look as though you've got a touch of mal de mar, Miss Vicki."

Vicki frowned. "No, my stomach hurts."

Erik laughed. "I meant that you're seasick. It's nothing to be ashamed of, you know. This is your first time at sea, so naturally you'll be feeling a bit under the weather. I'm afraid we don't have anything to give you at the moment."

Vicki groaned, then frowned in thought, staggering to her feet and over to the dresser. She opened it, rummaging through her shirts, and grinned weakly as her fingers brushed against cool glass. She pulled a medium sized vial filled with a green liquid out of the drawer. "I thought Mum would have done this!" She uncorked the vial, taking a small sip, and sighed as her seasickness vanished. She put the cork back on, and then carefully replaced the vial, laughing at Erik's confused expression. "It's a potion Mum made to cure nausea. She's sold it to quite a few fishermen."

Erik grinned in understanding. "Ahh, I see. Well, I'm glad you're feeling better. How did you enjoy your first day at sea?"

Vicki grinned. "I loved it. Night Erik."

Erik smiled and left the cabin, and Vicki grabbed a sheet of paper and a pen, then sat down on her bed, braced herself against the wall, and began writing.

Dear Mum and Dad:

I am writing to you from the White Sea, and it is so beautiful. We had a very easy time getting underway-that's what Grandda told me it's called when a ship heads to sea from the docks-and I spent most of the day walking around the Golden Bird. She's a beauty of a ship, and Grandda takes marvelous care of her. I've learned the names for many different things on board. For example, the front of the ship is the bow, and the back is the stern. The left side of the ship if you're facing the bow is port, and the right is starboard. The Golden Bird has two masts-a mainmast and a mizzenmast, and her sails are triangle shaped. Grandda says that they catch the wind better than square-shaped sails.

I wanted to climb up into the rigging and look around, but Grandda said not until I've gotten my sea legs-and I was stumbling about quite a bit! Walking on a ship is harder than it seems, but I'll manage.

I met the crew, and they are all quite nice. Dad, you don't have to worry about me-they all are your age and older, and many of them have daughters as well. In fact, Erik is the youngest crewmember, not counting me, and you know you can trust him. Mum, I met someone that used to know you when you were a babe. Peter Foreman. He's the Ship's Cook, and he's good-but he's not as good as you are. He made Rath Stew for dinner, and it was a bit too spicy for me. I much prefer the way you make it, with the gingerberry roots. I made greenberry rose cordial, and it was an instant success. Mr. Foreman has made me his Assistant. The Galley is nice-smoky and warm (it reminds me of Mum's shop when she mixes up potions)

Mum, thank you for slipping in that Anti-Nausea potion. I should have guessed you'd know I'd need it at some point. I am feeling ever so much better, and wanted to write to you before I went to sleep.

I love you both, miss you quite a bit, and will write to Katarina and Michael tomorrow.

Love,

Vicki.