Author's Note: A shorter Chapter this time but I've already finished the next one! Please leave me a review!
Chapter Twenty Two: The Silver Ship
'DG!' Glitch caught the dark haired princess up in a huge hug. As his own shoulders relaxed knowing she was safe and well. He felt DG's shoulders heave in a silent sobs. As she cried Ambrose clung onto her for longer. He also felt tears spill down his own cheeks. Whilst rationally he had been telling himself that DG would be fine. She was far more valuable to any kidnapper alive than dead... But he had been panicking. Now he felt calm flow through him again. He, DG and Cain had been through a lot. Together, they would be fine.
DG managed to get herself under control whilst her face was buried in Glitch's shoulder. Meanwhile Day, Cook and Cain had been hauled on board. Pulling away she wiped her face and gave her friend a bright smile.
'We're here now.' Glitch said to her gripping her arms. DG nodded and turned to look at the others.
'Why is Day tied up?' she asked in a quiet voice.
'Don't worry too much about it at the moment Ma'am. He's no bother now.' Cook said his voice curiously flat. DG looked from him to his friend and then back again. Eventually she shook her head.
'You have to call me DG, Seb. Please.' The green eyed boy smiled and nodded. But the Princess's attention had already wandered to the Tin Man. His blue eyes were locked on her. For a long moment they both stood unmoving then they both took jerky steps towards one another. DG reached a hand out towards him and then froze.
'We must head back to the others.' It was Yanel, the ship's Captain. His voice seemed to break the spell between the General and the Princess. They shared one last very significant glance and then turned to the Gypsy Captain.
'Where exactly are you taking us?' Cain asked. His voice announced that he was not happy about it wherever it maybe.
'To the others.' Sisara said coming to stand next to Yanel.
'We do have work to be doing. Places to be. Lives to be leading.' Cain said dividing his attention from between Sisara and Yanel with equal suspicion.
'Do you rank higher than your Princess?' The Ship's Captain asked, Yanel's voice was laced with hostility. He was bristling physically as well; almost squaring up to the Tin Man. DG was mildly impressed by his stupidity.
'Cain speaks for me.' DG interjected quickly. Not completely understanding but taking her prompting from the expression on Sisara's face. The raven haired girl had given DG a wide eyed look. The significance of rank was lost on the princess but clearly it was important.
'My leaders wish to discuss... matters.' Yanel spoke with less hostility now. Clearly DG's words had made some impact up on him. But there was no give in his tone. He was simply stating facts not entering into a debate.
'We don't wish to...' Cain began but Yanel interrupted him.
'I'm afraid this is your choice. You are not our guests. Right now it us. Our leaders. Or the waters.' For a long moment DG thought Cain might choose the water rather than accept being a prisoner however polite their captors were... But eventually he simply nodded.
'You have concerns we know. We will do what we can to aid you.' Sisara spoke softly. Yanel frowned slightly at her. 'We will.' She repeated in the same soft voice.
'We won't be travelling again until after dawn: it's not sensible to move too much during the night. We will sail in the light.' Yanel had moved more towards the centre of the ship. He gestured towards the stockier of his crewmen and the man hauled up a previously concealed hatch in the deck. 'Sisara will organise you to rest.' With that he bowed to them and disappeared into the hatch.
(###)
It turned out that the Ishlar-Nari were organised by rank. Each person had a rank according to their status and role. On a ship there was always a Captain and a Mate plus some crew. The Captain, in this case Yanel, was responsible for the running of the ship overall. The Mate, Sisara, was charged with caring for the crew. Their feeding, clothing, and sleeping arrangements etc. Zses, the stocky silent crew member was charged with up keep of the ship itself. He had busied himself with casting out anchors and checking the lamps as soon as Yanel has left the deck. Tobias, Sisara's brother as DG had guessed, had been introduced by name but his role had yet to be explained. He simply lurked in the background watching them. He spoke only once, when he offered to aid Cook securing the captured Day.
Sisara had produced more hot chocolate and dry clothes, this time more in line with the Central City fashions, normal pants and fitted shirts. Then food, simple flat bread and ham, was passed around. With the food came the conversation. First DG told her tale stumbling over it in places and displaying her grazed and swollen wrists reluctantly. Then Glitch had told them their tale, including relating Lyle Day's mutiny and Cain's restraint. When that was explained to her, DG found herself focusing on Cain; his gaze in turn was persistently locked onto the wood of the deck. As the chat went on, Glitch and Tobias were discussing the magicians, the shackles and their use. But DG and Cain found themselves stealing glances at one another.
The ship was lit by oil lamps and it brought a warm if flickering light. Each time DG felt the Tin Man's gaze on her, her pulse reacted like the flames in the lamps. Flickering and burning. But there was no opportunity for them to be alone. For the Princess the conversation had faded into background noise. She was wondering if maybe she should have gone to him in the water... since the moments they had shared on top of Halliford Keep they had no time to discuss their relationship. That kiss had meant something. Since the Dance things had been heading towards... well... Things had felt different between them but in what way? Was she imaging the heat in his gaze?
After maybe an hour the men were shown down into the ships hold. There were three compartments, a real hold for food and supplies, the Captain's quarters and a main area for sleeping. Blankets and pillows were already arranged for them all. DG was to share Sisara's quarters, which in good weather were the tent of silks on deck.
'You are safe here. It is a matter of honour to us for you to be unharmed.' Sisara told them as they began to head into their respective quarters.
'Ma'am it has been a strange few days.' Cain said. 'But I trust you.' He tipped his fedora to her before raking a pale blue gaze over DG one last time and disappearing into the depths of the ship.
'That is high praise?' Tobias asked for his place lounging at the ship's edge.
'It is.' Glitch confirmed. 'And I echo it. Thank you for your help.' The advisor aped a bow at everyone deck and the followed the General. With a shy smile Seb Cook followed suit, Day was already secured. Tobias and Zses followed leaving DG and Sisara on deck alone. The older girl gestured towards the tent. Inside were beds made of cushions spread with blankets, Sisara sunk onto one, her legs fold under her: DG followed her example. Sisara watched DG for a long moment. The dark haired Princess tried to focus on her but she was in debate with herself. Would Cain go back on deck to speak to her? Should she?
'Sleep now. I'll wake you if he comes.' DG was dragged from her conflicting thoughts by those words.
'How did...' Then she stopped. As Cain and Glitch has already articulated there was something implicitly trustworthy about Sisara. Something in her manner that made DG believe that she was being honest. Plus she was exhausted. A few hours sleep might help her know how to speak to Cain if she did get the opportunity. Sliding down into the bed DG sighed and whispered: 'Thank you.'