Chapter 9
The storm was the scariest thing I have ever been through. Will was a wonderful calming influence on all the passengers. The Skandians laughed at our fear and I wondered how they could be so calm. The horses were terrified of the plunging deck and they were fighting to get out of their stalls. I put my own fear out of my mind to comfort Coconut. Will, Gilian, Ishea and Horace did the same. I presume Halt was in his quarters and was too seasick to come calm Abelard. Alyss had not shown her face since the storm began but I presume she was terrified, seasick or both. Will did his best to comfort me, but I was sure that any minute we would hear the crack of the hull breaking.
This continued for two extremely long days and nights, and then one morning, watery sunlight broke through the clouds. Gundar looked exhausted, he had barely slept during the storm. "land ho" a sailor cried.
For the first time in days I smiled. In front of us was beautiful solid land. "That's Arradi alright, " said Gundar
That's when Halt stuck his face above the deck, "Thank heavens that's over, now Will, Gilian, prepare the Horses to disembark. Amber, pack our things into the saddle bags." and then to himself he said, "Lets see what adventures well have this time."
Within the hour we had disembarked and had met the dignitary. My first impression of him was he seemed like a bully. He assigned us ridiculously small quarters, two bedrooms with two beds between them for the six of us. Halt looked around the room and said, "pity Selethan was much more hospitable."
"They better bring us coffee," Will grumbled, "that's the only thing that will make this place livable."
"The new Wakir wants to make us angry," I observed, "like he wants an excuse to kick us out of the country."
"trading horses with Araulen was not the most popular decision," said Horace, "and I want to know where this new person stands on that decision."
"We'll figure that out in the morning," said Halt, "Gilian and Horace talk to the locals, find out what they think of this new Wakir. Alyss and I will meet with the Wakir tomorrow and Will take the apprentices and try to find the Beldum, maybe they will give us the truth and not some political story."
"Thank You," Will said to a servant bringing dinner. It was a mouthwatering plate of meats and fruit and of course coffee. We tucked in and called it a night. "Its more comfortable out in the desert," Halt grumbled.