Page 9 of Whispers of the Starlit Sea
Sorcha let her attention return to the ship, this time noting the shape of the hull. It was wide and long, but not deep like many of the others that passed over the grotto.
“We can watch from the rocks,” she offered.
They swam back to the large rocks at the entrance and hid among them. Sorcha kept her hands clamped over her ears, and ducked beneath the water when two men appeared near the back of the boat to release the anchor. She winced at the splash, knowing the fish and sea life would be scattering in fear.
The sailors vanished, then reappeared on a small platform one deck lower. One was several hand-lengths taller than the other, but their blond hair was the same. They stripped off their shirts, then the taller one leapt into the water with a whooping shout. The other followed, shrieking as he fell through the air. On the ship, a fluffy brown and white creature whined and yipped after them.
Mesmerized, Sorcha watched the humans play in the water. She’d never seen humans so close, nor grown ones splash about like that. Occasionally, their voices reached her, but they were having too much fun for conversation. Beside her, Ciara watched with an intense look on her face.
“I wonder what it would be like on land,” Ciara mused.
Sorcha shook her head. “Not me. Living on land would be so one dimensional. The water holds freedom.”
“Yet water is constrained by land.”
Sorcha thought about that. In a way, yes, it was. The land rose from the water, resisting it. But the ocean went on forever.
After some time, the humans climbed up the side of the ship. The small creature spun in excited circles and beat its fluffy tail against the men.
“It’s getting late,” Sorcha said. They’d been gone most of the morning.
“Not yet,” Ciara whispered. “I want to see what they’re doing.”
But it appeared that they weren’t doing much. The pair sat on the small deck, their legs over the edge as they talked. Another sailor appeared above them, holding a flat, oval box with a long handle in one hand and a stick in the other. Sorcha squinted, but she couldn’t see what they were for.
“Is that a weapon?”
“Don’t be silly. What would they need weapons for?”
“Then what is it?”
Before Ciara could pretend to know its purpose, the man raised the box to his shoulder and put the stick to it. Music filled the air, the notes tripping over each other like a school of clownfish darting through the coral. Sorcha gasped in delight, letting her hands fall from her ears so she could better hear. The vibrant sound pulled her from her hiding spot, and she swam closer, only her head above the water. She could sense Ciara beside her, but she willed her sister to not say anything to interrupt the music.
The song changed to one full of melancholy that made her chest ache. A voice lifted, a rich baritone that blended perfectly with the music. Longing filled her, and with all her heart, she wished to know the meaning of the words sung by the tall blond sailor.
Laughter pulled her back to herself as hands clamped over her ears.
“Look at you, Miss Never-Want-to-Be-near-a-Human.” Ciara smirked.
Sorcha gasped to realize how close she’d gotten to the ship. The tall man was staring in their direction, the song fading from his lips.
With a cry of fear, Sorcha dove beneath the waves, losing herself among the rocky formations on the harbor floor.
Chapter three
Thesunwassettingin a glorious banner of purples, pinks, and oranges as the royal yacht cast off from the dock. A cheer went up from those gathered on the deck for the official inaugural voyage.
The plan had been to leave a bit earlier and watch the sun go down as they sailed outside the harbor. But with the unpredictable storms, Arick had advised the king not to take the risk. And so they had pushed back the start time of the party to begin with the floating ball — enough of a novelty in itself to be talked about around every teapot in the city for at least a month.
As the guest of honor, Thomas stood on the bridge, leading the cheer. His parents stood behind him, their expressions more reserved. His sister, the princess, Ailsa, graced the top of the port flight of stairs while Arick positioned himself on the starboard. He joined in the clapping, again impressed with the gracefulness of the ship. Over the past few days, he’d had the opportunity to speak further with Captain Blair and learn more about the vessel. She would never win any races or haul great cargo long distances. But she was a delight to handle and would be perfect for the royal family to travel to other parts of the kingdom by sea.
The yacht made a sweeping circuit of the harbor, then lowered its anchor in the same spot where they’d gone swimming a few days earlier.
The musicians slid from the jovial tunes that had welcomed everyone on board to the more sedate strains of a dance.
Thomas turned and bowed over the queen’s hand. She was a petite lady, but her elegant demeanor made everyone forget her size, and she glided down the stairs on her son’s arm with a benevolent smile. Arick crossed the bridge and offered his first dance to Ailsa. She flushed a pretty pink and curtsied in reply. As they descended the staircase to the dance floor, Arick couldn’t help noticing the pleased looks they were receiving from several of the councilmen who were gathered along the rail.
Arick guided Ailsa through the dance, concentrating on the steps — and on not stepping on her. At sixteen, Ailsa was full grown, yet her head didn’t reach his shoulder.
