The Azure Bottle: Chapter 9

 Chapter 9

Thyra watched as the city faded from view and the landmass disappeared. They were back at sea, and the shimmering waves felt like they were rocking her to sleep after the week on land. It was odd how quickly she found she could fall back into the routine of things. 

    She was hastily given tasks. She heaved the rough hewn barrels into her arms and carried them with an ease she didn’t know she could muster. Thyra felt stronger than she had at the beginning of their voyage even though there was the slightest tinge of pain from her healing wounds, though they had been healing well and easily and could hardly be called wounds any longer. 

    Hilda walked behind Thyra, hauling two barrels, one under each arm, as they headed through the trapdoor to enter the hull. The air was familiarly dank and musky, an almost pleasant odor after spending so much time on land, which she’d found carried a very different scent. 

    The two women set their loads below deck, then made their way back up to fetch the rest. Looking up at the billowing sails, the wind blowing in their favor, and the rudder charting its course across the waves, Thyra smiled as she realized how close they must be getting. She would reach the treasure, and all that her father died for. It felt truly real now, and that both frightened and elated her. 

    Bringing down her second load, she looked out one of the windows and watched as the sea moved by. It always seemed so much quicker from this close up. As she peered at the water, the sun reflected off the waves and the deep blue shone brightly from its infused radiance. Hilda moved over to her and looked out at the ocean.

    “They’re beautiful, so beautiful; I think you can understan’ why I’d give up royalty to be a sailor. There is so much more out there than ever can be in a stuffy house.” Hilda wrapped her arm around Thyra’s shoulder as she spoke.

    Thyra nodded absently. It was a beautiful land, and it wasn’t land that was filled with houses and containing walls. It was more open out here than a home could ever be. Even below deck she was glad that now after tasting the land and sea, after having known both, that she’d found that the sea was home to her. She didn’t ever want to be taken from it. 

    This was a home she refused to lose. A home she knew she’d rather die on than live apart from.

    As Hilda and Thyra’s shift ended, they moved above deck and leaned back against the mast. The dark wood of the deck was familiar and growing smoother with the constant passing of feet over its surface. Hilda dug her finger into a knoll in the wood, and Thyra smiled. It was so familiar. It reminded her so vividly of her first day on the trip, when Hilda had done the same thing just after they’d met. She grinned quietly to herself as she leaned back and rested her head on the mast. 

    The gentle howling of the waves was pleasant, and the whistle of the keel cutting through the water was as familiar to her by now as the back of her own hand. Hilda hummed a sea shanty as she and Thyra rested. 

    The day passed quietly and as the sun set, the sailors moved below deck, and night settled in. The darkness of the world around them was thick, and Thyra held a lantern aloft, trying to find her way below deck; the darkness was more absolute down there as there was no moon to light the way. Hilda walked behind her; Thyra could feel her warm breath on the back of her neck. 

    She felt along the edge of the door, searching for the handle. Her fingers wrapped around the cool metal knob. Thyra turned it and pushed the door open. She took a step inside and screamed. The ground was squishy and fluffy. There was an impressively loud squeak as Thyra pulled her foot away. The rat scurried away, desperately. 

    “Heck! These wretched rats!” Thyra mumbled. Hilda jabbed her softly in the back. 

    “Quite that there language.” Hilda chuckled and pushed past Thyra into their room. She quickly flopped down in her hammock. Thyra grinned and edged her way over to hers and lay down. She stared up at the ceiling, listening to the motions of the ship, it was quickly overpowered by the motions of air noisily passed out of Hilda’s nose. Thyra glanced at her and could tell her friend was asleep. 

    Sitting up, Thyra looked out the window at the shimmering blue sea, the waves dancing with more grace than the sailors at the tavern had done. For one horrible moment she remembered the siren attack and shivered. She could visualize the piercing yellow eyes of the monsters. 

    Her skin felt cold, and she wrapped her blanket around her shoulders. She watched as the water passed and looked down at the deep. The icy, radiant waters were both a blessing and a curse. 

    The water shifted, and Thyra sat straighter. Her eyes searched madly for some sign of what had caused the movement. She saw nothing out of the ordinary. At last, cautiously she slid back down and rested in her hammock, preparing to surrender to the night’s sleep. She tossed and turned, unable to rest. An unease had settled over her heart, and it would not be silenced. She tiptoed from her bed and went back above deck. It was a tricky feat since Hilda had put out the lantern. 

    As she stepped onto the deck, the cool breeze welcomed her. It felt less eerie out here, under the stars. She watched them silently. Although they were hemmed in by darkness on all sides, they only shone the brighter for it. She smiled up at them and eased herself down to the deck, hands behind her head, back stretched out across the wooden floor. A figure moved beside her. Thyra turned her head just enough to see who it was. The king looked down at her, and she looked up at him. 

    “May I join you?” he asked. She nodded silently as he edged himself down and lay on the deck near her. 

    The wind brushed against them. Thyra pushed wisps of hair away from her eyes. She lay there in silence, acutely aware of the king’s presence. Neither spoke, the sound of the breeze was the only sound to be heard beyond the creaking of timbers. The stars twinkled down on them, and a shooting star crossed the sky. 

    “Thank you.” Thyra whispered at last. She wasn’t sure why she’d said it now, when she should have before. Her pride didn’t choke her now as she said the simple words. The king looked at her, as she looked over at him. He had an eyebrow arched.

    “Thank you for what?” His brown eyes looked at her questioningly. Thyra bit her lip and turned away. 

    “For rescuing me from the sirens.” She could feel his eyes on her. She heard him sigh, and his head rub against the wooden planks of the ship as he turned his gaze back to the sky. 

    “Arne couldn’t get to the edge with the throng around him, and I didn’t want to take the time to ask the other sailors who would do it.” Thyra glanced over at him.

    “Why downplay it? You could’ve been killed.” 

The king met her gaze and shrugged. 

    “You and my cousin seem to get along well.” he said, looking away. Thyra furrowed her brow. That was random. 

    “Yes, she’s a wonderful friend. I’m glad you introduced us.” The king nodded.

    “She’s a bit rougher and louder than you are, but she’s nice and she means well.” 

    Thyra nodded and let the conversation drop. This was probably the most she’d ever spoken to this man, and she was content to just rest in silence. 

    The ship swayed lightly and the sails blew strong and full. The few sailors that still worked these hours did so in silence, their footfalls were hardly audible. 

    Thyra watched as the clouds veiled the stars overhead, and she sighed, preparing to get to her feet. 

    “May I walk you back to your room?” The king pushed himself off the deck as he spoke. Thyra nodded silently, and the two made their way below deck. The scurrying of rats was noisy enough to be heard and the creaking of the ship was louder down here.

    As Thyra opened the door to her room, she turned back to the king and smiled, his expression remained somber. 

    “We’re getting close now to the treasure. You can’t let anything slip, not to anyone, what we could be heading towards. The men will revolt and take it for themselves if they can. I have no doubt about it; just be wary.” 

    Thyra’s smile faded, and she nodded. There was no question she’d stay silent. 

    “Good, I’m going to get some sleep. I’ll see you in the morning.” The king muttered, then turned around and went back above deck. Thyra watched him go then slid the door closed and climbed into her hammock. 

    The green eyes of a sailor glinted in the moonlight as the word treasure reached her ears. 

. . . . . 

    I hope you enjoyed Chapter 9! Thank you for reading, and thank you to my Alpha and Beta readers for all your help. If you'd like to read more please subscribe. If you'd like to join my email list go to this link https://story-anchor.ck.page/b0d556afb4. 

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