Marcys: A Stowaway

 February 20

What an adventure we have had, and here we are only three days out from Bathum. Today we discovered a stowaway and not the normal kind. It not unusual for a ship to take on a stowaway, perhaps a young lad escaping from his master or a man hoping to find employment, but finding a young woman is quite unusual.

She was hidden in the one life boat that was placed on the main deck and covered with a canvas. It wasn’t until this morning that she ran out of food and was forced to emerge. No doubt she thought we were going someplace closer to home.

I’m sure you can imagine the shock of the crew when they suddenly noticed a woman, other than the princesses, standing amongst them as they hustled to complete their tasks. Though she tried to go unnoticed, heading in the direction of the galley where she likely hoped to acquire food and return to her hiding place, but even dressed in britches and with her hair pushed up under a hat it was easy to identify her as a woman.

            I heard the outcry from the crew as I stood on the forecastle and watched the fast ocean drift pass us. I reached the main deck about the same time as Haddock and the king. One of the crew had the woman by the arm and was dragging her towards us, the other sailors following and jeering at her.

            “Silence,” ordered Haddock. To my surprise, Ardythe tended to allow Haddock complete control over the sailors. “Who are you? How’d you get aboard my ship?”

            She stared defiantly up at Haddock. I suddenly liked her though I tried my best not to show it.

            “We found her stuff in the life boat,” announced one of the sailors. Haddock motioned for him to be silent.

            “My name is Dara. I believe you have my sister. I want her back,” announced the young woman, giving an obstinate toss of her head.

            I struggled not to laugh as she stared down the three most powerful men on this ship.

            “And your sister is?” asked Haddock. A tremor in his voice made me think he was also struggling not to laugh.

            “Lady Jocosa.”

            “I believe you mean her Royal Highness, Princess Jocosa,” I said before the sailors could question her statement. Most of them knew the others were not actual royalty, but some were starting to believe the lie in their own way. Sailors are strong men, but not always the brightest. We needed them to give in to the lie. “And she is no sister of yours. Captain, can I suggest we take her below for further questioning.”

            Haddock nodded and motioned for the sailor to hand her over to me. We remained silent until we reached the king’s cabin. He sat at his small desk while Haddock and I stood between the girl and the only door.

            “What do you mean princess?” she demanded.

            “Send for Jocosa,” ordered Ardythe. Haddock left to do so.

            “I have adopted your sister. Now why are you here?”

            “What do you mean adopted her?”

            “None of your business, now answer my questions.”

            Dara opened her mouth to argue, but was interrupted by the arrival of Jocosa. The princess stared at her sister, her eyes growing large.

            “Dara? What are you doing here? How did…” She trailed off, at a loss for words.

            “You were taken. I came to get you!”

            “Taken? Ha! You fool! I’m sorry Father. I do not know…”

            “Father?” shrieked Dara. I admit I was almost as shocked at Jocosa’s casual use of the honorary title. The others were not settling into their new life as easily as the Bathum native. She seemed almost happy with the sudden change her life had taken.

            “Shut up!” snapped Jocosa. “I don’t know how she got on board. I had nothing to do with this!”

            Ardythe nodded slowly and said the words I had been dreading since she was first discovered. “No worries. We’ll just throw her overboard.”

            I felt my shoulders drop. I knew this was coming. Haddock, Jocosa, and Dara all gave a start. They did not know Ardythe as I did. I saw that Jocosa wanted to argue, but wasn’t willing to risk her own position for the sake of her sister. Haddock was equally loath to argue with his king. I knew better than to do so.

            We marched out of the cabin and up onto the main deck, Dara openly weeping and calling out for mercy. I glanced at Jocosa and saw her swallowing and blinking back the tears that threatened to overwhelm her beautiful brown eyes.

            I noticed the other royals had arrived on deck to see the commotion. Ardythe took hold of the stowaway and forcefully guided her to the railing. Half way there Dara began to fight violently, thrashing about and clawing at anyone within range. Ardythe received a rake across the cheek before two sailors came to his rescue and grabbed her by the arms. They dragged her towards the edge, two more sailors taking hold of her feet and lifting her up off the deck.

            “Wait!” a voice cried out just as they reached the railing. I turned to see Forlaith charging forward. She reached Ardythe’s side and bowed low. “Father, please. There must be some way that we can spare her life.”

            “She risks our mission,” said Ardythe in a soft voice that wouldn’t carry beyond the immediate few people.

            “Please!” whispered Forlaith.

            “What do you suggest?”

            “We could… we could make her a maidservant. It is strange that a princess would travel without one,” said Forlaith in an even softer voice as she stepped closer to the king. “Much less three princesses.”

            Ardythe stared at her. I was surprised to see the king actually considering her suggestion. It was a good one, I admit.

            “I leave her in your care, little Forlatih,” Ardythe said before bending down and whispering in her ear. I was just close enough to hear his threat. “But one slip, one mistake and I give her to the crew before throwing her over board.”

            I saw Forlaith’s eyes grow wide in fright and her lower lip begin to quiver.

            Slowly the king was destroying her faith in humanity. It broke my heart to watch it happen.

Marcys