Page 96 of The King's Sword
“Here we go,” Otto said. “Are you ready?”
Her heart raced. “Who do you think is on board?”
“Lynk soldiers.” He folded his arms, observing the nearing ship. “I need to speak with my men.”
These soldiers were probably out looking for her. They might even insist she return with them. “What do you think is going to happen?”
Otto shrugged. “I’m not sure. But remember, you’re their queen. Act like it.”
He was right. These Lynk soldiers couldn’t tell her what to do. They were her subjects. It was time she mustered her strength and acted queenly.
When the Lynk ship neared, Sabine saw that the soldiers onboard had arrows trained toward the Bakley ship. No one owned this river, and those soldiers had no right to behave with such hostility. She glanced up at the mast to her left, confirming that not only did the Bakley flag fly, but also the one indicating a member of the royal family was onboard. Which meant these Lynk soldiers were acting extreme and dare she say, as if they were at war or owned the river.
Markis joined her. “I think it best if you go below deck,” he said, a short sword in hand.
“I may be needed here.” She watched her brother climb onto the crates. “What are you doing?” she called out to him.
“I’m fairly certain piracy has been outlawed,” he replied. Then he shouted at the Lynk ship, “Lower your weapons!”
A man came forward bearing the uniform of a Lynk captain. “It’s a little far north for a Bakley ship.”
“Lynk does not own these waters,” Otto said. “And that’s Prince Otto Ludwig of Bakley to you. Now order your crew to lower their weapons.”
“What’s your business this far north?” the captain demanded.
Sabine rocked back on her heels, shocked at the audacity of this man. It was time for her to intervene. She stepped forward to the railing. “Drawing a weapon on your queen is considered an act of treason. Shall I have you all killed?”
The captain’s eyes widened, but he made no move to order his men to stand down.
“I am Queen Sabine Manfred,” she continued. “I demand you lower your weapons and address my brother with his proper title. If I have to repeat myself, I’ll have all of you killed for insubordination.” She lifted her chin in the air and slid her hands over the railing, being sure her ring was visible.
The captain ordered his men to lower their weapons. “We’ve been searching for you,” he said.
Not wanting to acknowledge his comment, she ignored it and said, “I am eager to return home to my husband. If you have no other purpose here than to sail these waters, you will escort my ship north so we don’t encounter any further…disturbances.” She turned and headed below deck, not giving the captain a chance to respond.
With her arms and legs shaking, she made her way to her cabin which consisted of two rooms. The first one had a desk and acted as an office. The door at the back of it led to her sleeping quarters. Markis had insisted she take this cabin so he could sleep in the office to make sure no one got to her while she slept in the back room.
Sabine forced herself to sit at the desk, pretending to read the maps and letters strewn about.
Shouting came from above. She ignored it and kept staring at the papers before her, as if they held the answers to whatever it was she needed to know.
A few minutes later, someone knocked on her door.
“Enter,” she called out.
Markis opened the door, revealing the Lynk captain at his side.
“Your Majesty,” Markis said with a bow. “May I introduce Captain Higman.”
“Why are you on this ship?” she asked, leaning back in the chair.
“I’ve been tasked with returning the king’s property.”
“This is a Bakley ship,” she said, her hands gesturing to the walls.
“No. I am referring to you.”
She had to stifle her anger. It was time to play her part. A smile slid across her lips. “I thought I was clear before. However, in case you didn’t understand your orders, I’ll repeat them. I am on my way home to Lynk.” She made sure not to break eye contact. “As your queen, I bid your ship escort this one.”
