Adhémar almost went sprawling from the force of the shove. He turned, his hand on his sword, only to see a blur as Morgan bolted past him. He would have tried to stop her, but he couldn't catch her. Was she about to fling herself overboard?
Ah… apparently not.
Adhémar was bumped again as Paien of Allerdale hurried to aid his puking comrade. Unfortunately, he seemed to have an abundance of sympathy because he hardly had time to put his pack on the deck next to him before he was leaning over the railing as well, joining Morgan in her, er, business.
Adhémar found himself standing next to the dwarf. He looked down. "You too?"
Camid shook his head slowly. "Never." He patted his stomach. "Sturdy. Reliable. Unfailing."
Adhémar had to admit that he didn't have much to do with dwarves, as a rule, though Neroche did border their country of Durial on the east?and there was a dwarf on the Council of Kings. He thought he might perhaps have judged them as a group too hastily. Compared with the rather unsettling noises coming from the railing, the solid dependability of the dwarf next to him was rather comforting.
"I'll see to their gear," Camid said, then moved off to do just that.
"Your Majesty," whispered a voice at his ear.
"Glines, cease," Adhémar growled. "I'm traveling in disguise."
Glines made him the slightest of bows. "As you wish."
"What I wish is to have the gold back you pocketed from me not two hours ago. "
"My cards are always at your service, Your?" He broke off, then smiled. "Perhaps you might suggest what I should call you."
"Adhémarwill do.Doltwill not."
Glines smiled briefly. "Don't mind Morgan. She doesn't suffer fools gladly."
Adhémar glared at him.
"I mean," Glines stammered, "she doesn't suffer anyone gladly. Anyone who isn't her. Actually, she doesn't have much respect for anyone who can't best her in a swordfight and since there isn't anyone I know who can… well, you understand. "
Adhémar pursed his lips. "I doubt that's the case, but we'll leave that be for the moment." He looked over his shoulder at the young lad who slipped onto the ship and went hastily below. Well, that one bore watching, but later, when he had seen how bad this situation here in front of him was going to get. He crossed the deck and stood next to Camid as the dwarf watched the indisposed pair.
"This does not bode well," Camid said mildly. "We haven't even left the dock."
Adhémar gritted his teeth. The entire venture had been doomed from the start. Traveling without magic had been bad enough; trying to travel without his identity had been worse. He'd been insulted countless times, listened to numerous tavern stories of the king of Neroche who sat upon his fat arse upon his even more comfortable throne and did nothing for the common man, and been cheated in cards and dice more times than he cared to admit.
Add to that being bested by a slip of a girl, and it had been more or less a perfect autumn. He supposed he would have been well within his rights to have heaved Morgan overboard for the slight and spared them all the misery of listening to any more of her… well, heaving.
He dropped his pack next to the collection that Camid was guarding. He looked at Glines. "Keep watch over that and over them."
"High and mighty, isn't he," Camid said to Glines with a snort.
Adhémar ignored the slur and walked over to the captain, where he inquired as to comfortable accommodations and the true length of the journey. The answer was, unsurprisingly, none available and longer than he would enjoy since he was the companion of the two fools hanging their heads over the railing. After promising to consider the captain's suggestion to check their pockets for valuables and heave them overboard?and declining to mention that he'd already thought of that?Adhémar returned to see if things had improved.
All sound indicated that they had not.
The ship moved out into the harbor. Adhémar stood idly by and tried to concentrate on the cries of the seagulls and the slap of the waves against the side of the boat. In time, as the land fell away and the sea became rougher, Paien finally seemed to find his legs. He turned, then sank down against the side of the deck.
He looked at Adhémar blearily. "I don't sail well."
Adhémar sighed deeply. He likely should do what he could to aid them. He looked at Glines. "I don't suppose there is a decent galley on this ship."
"Why?"
"I need hot water. I have herbs that will ease them, but they must be steeped. "
"Of course." Glines stopped himself just before he bowed, then he went off in search of what was requested.
