Kushiel's Scion - Jacqueline Carey [340]
I'd never doubted her in that moment.
Never.
"That's a good story, Prince Imriel," Romuald whispered when I finished.
"It's a true story," I said hoarsely. "And I swear, by Blessed Elua, I am not dying by water after it. Not here, not now, not like this. And neither are you."
For a mercy, I was right.
The storm passed and the Aeolia endured. We were bruised and battered, and one of the horses had suffered a badly wrenched foreleg after panicking, but we were alive. After checking on the Bastard, who eyed me with a look that suggested all of his misgivings had been more than justified, I went abovedeck to greet the dawn.
All the sailors looked weary, but glad. No one had been lost. After a night of raging turmoil, the sea was almost tranquil. Captain Oppius was just handing over control of the ship's wheel when I emerged, and I greeted him with a deep bow.
"You are a master sailor, my lord," I said to him.
He gave me a tired grin. "That I am. Come here, lad. Have a look." Oppius led me to the prow of the ship. Cocking his head at the rising sun, he pointed directly in front of us. "Ought to catch sight of it in a bit."
I peered across the water. For a long moment, I saw nothing. Only the breeze ruffling the water into wavelets, tinged pink with the dawn, and a few raucous gulls soaring. Then the sun inched higher and I saw a distant spark of gold on the horizon, like a lit candle in a faraway window. The sailors erupted in cheers.
"Is that—?"
"Marsilikos," Oppius said. "The Dome of the Lady." He clapped me on the shoulder. "We'll be an hour or two yet. I'm off to catch a wink."
Our progress was slow, but I couldn't tear myself away. I stood in the prow and watched as the shoreline appeared, and the sprawling harbor city of Marsilikos. The gold glint resolved itself into the gilded Dome of the Lady, set high on the sloping hills.
Terre d'Ange.
Home.
I wished Gilot was here beside me to see it.
By the time we reached the mouth of the harbor, Oppius had reemerged, refreshed and cheerful. His men went to oars, singing once again. The harbor was mostly empty, only a handful of fishing vessels afloat. Oppius took the wheel and guided the Aeolia smoothly to the quai, and sailors leapt to the dock to secure her.
"Hey, Aeolia?" A figure in sea-blue livery approached, cupping his hands and shouting to the ship. By the gold braid and the crest on his doublet—Eisheth's gilded fish, the insignia of the Lady of Marsilikos—I guessed he was the harbor-master. A pair of men trailed behind him. "A little late in the season, aren't you? What's the urgent cargo?"
Oppius came up beside me and leaned over the railing. "Just this!" he shouted back in passable D'Angeline, pointing at me. "Says his name's Imriel."
The harbor-master drew nearer and shaded his eyes, peering up at me with a puzzled look. "Not…" His eyes widened. "Elua's Balls! Your highness?"
"Just Imriel," Oppius said affably. "He doesn't like to make a fuss."
"Oppius, you fat, prattling—" the harbor-master began in irritation.
I laughed. "Leave him be, messire. After last night's storm, I suspect we owe our lives to this fat, prattling, and most able ship's captain. I'm Imriel nó Montrève de la Courcel."
"On behalf of her grace Roxanne de Mereliot, the Lady of Marsilikos, well met and welcome home, your highness." He bowed, then straightened and elbowed one of his men, adding in a hiss. "Go tell her ladyship! Now!"
The man startled, then took off at a run.
Despite the difficulty of the crossing, I was glad it was late in the season and the harbor was quiet. Rumor flies swifter than an arrow in Terre d'Ange, and I didn't want an audience gathering to bear witness to my arrival.
As it was, I had my hands full with the Bastard. One look at dry land, and he charged down the ramp, as headstrong and determined as a Jebean rhinoceros. I clung to his lead-line and swore at him, dancing in an effort to avoid his stomping hooves.
"Nice horse," a good-natured voice offered.
Wrestling the Bastard into a semblance of control, I glanced up to see an escort had arrived.