The Prince of Lilies by David Hartley

Author:David Hartley
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Historical Fiction
ISBN: 9781780256313
Publisher: Autharium
Published: 2013-10-22T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter 11

The sea was calm as the trimmer headed East. This was the first time Orestes had been out to sea. They followed the coastline as the ship sped effortlessly over the waves.

It didn’t take long for Orestes to become accustomed to the trimmer’s unnatural movement but he still held on to the rail at the rear of the vessel for a long time before daring to let go and trying to walk along the deck. Ariadne had stayed with him all the time, laughing at him.

From time to time his stomach seemed to turn within his body and it wasn’t long before it lost its contents. Ariadne stopped making fun of him then, and finally took pity.

‘You have turned a funny shade of green my love,’ was all she could say as she held him around his waist. Orestes didn’t answer, he was trying to stop himself from losing more of his lunch, and his dignity. After a while Orestes found his sea legs and started to enjoy the voyage. Walking very slowly towards the front of the vessel, he stood with Ariadne and the King.

‘How long will we be at sea, my Lord?’ He asked, as he approached the pair.

‘We will not be long today. The sun is setting and even the mighty Cretan navy can’t sail at night. We shall find a sheltered beach soon and make camp, at first light we shall set off again and if we have a fair wind then we should make Knossos by nightfall.’

Just as the King finished speaking the vessel turned and headed for the shore, the sail was rolled up and the oarsmen began to row in time. Orestes marvelled at the way they all pulled together. The discipline of these sailors was incredible and the ship soon slid with ease onto a beach. The trimmer’s timbers creaked and groaned as they hit land. A rope ladder was lowered and the crew climbed down and went ashore.

Orestes watched their well-rehearsed routine. Some of them secured the vessel, while others went gathering wood that had been washed up along the coast, ready to make cooking fires.

Ariadne followed the King down the ladder; Orestes followed after and almost fell once his legs hit solid land. It took him a little while for his senses and legs to readjust, but at least he didn’t throw up. Cooking fires were soon blazing and pots were being hung over the flames on metal tripods. The sun was setting fast as small groups of sailors sat around their fires, talking and eating. The flickering flames of the fires cast orange shadows on the faces of the sailors giving them a demonic appearance.

The King, Ariadne and Orestes sat with the captain, sharing a stew of meat and herbs. Orestes was glad of the food, although the fat of the meat was already congealing around the edge of the wooden bowl, but having lost everything he had eaten that day, anything that stayed down would be wonderful.

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