Necromancer's Whisper

Chapter One-4

THE CABIN WAS SMALL and smelled of urine. It was no bigger than Nicole’s walk-in closet back in St Louis. There was one small dresser that sat next to the door, a wobbly wooden chair and two bunk beds strapped to each wall, both of which could be raised and secured to allow room to move about. Nicole paced back and forth from the door to the wall near the head of the beds nearly out of her mind with claustrophobia.

She cursed Cabal. He was the lucky one. He traded his passage as any poor farmer would, by working all day out in the sun and wind as a deck hand. Nicole was supposed to be a recent widow and as such was a prisoner to the cabin. How could she have been so stupid? Why did she agree to be newly widowed? She yearned for the sunlight and fresh air. Yet a widow in mourning gallivanting on the deck in the bright sunshine would be inappropriate.

If she didn’t get some fresh air soon, Nicole was convinced she would kill someone. Probably Cabal. Yes most certainly Cabal. She’d kill him the next time he came through that door with a bright red sunburn and an exhausted smile on his face.

Sarah watched Nicole pace. Elves were not used to being shut up indoors, especially woodland Elves. She had to get Nicole up on deck, but there was little she could do. Her magic was weak. The further they moved away from the Elven lands, the weaker her magic became. Sarah glanced at the small porthole Nicole stopped at to stare silently out at the rolling waves.

“Nicole,” She began, “I’m going to get you out of this room.”

Nicole spun around to face her. Sarah’s heart melted, Nicole was drenched in sweat. The cabin was hot and stuffy, nearly unbearable for Sarah. She could only imagine what the thick musky air did to Nicole’s senses.

Nicole crossed the short distance to where Sarah sat on the lower bunk bed and said, “Thank you, thank you! I’ll do anything you ask if you’ll just get me out of here for a few minutes.”

Sarah’s smile brightened. She explained, “I have enough magic to enhance the effect of the port wine the sailors drink with dinner. I can send them into a light sleep for a few hours. Cabal can take over the helm and you can have free reign of the deck. You won’t feel the sun on your face, but the night air will be cool and refreshing.”

“Sarah, you are the best!” Nicole hugged her and they parted quickly both wishing this realm had deodorant.

Sarah rose and headed for the door. “I’ll have to get close enough to cast a spell without anyone noticing and I’ll have to toss a spell at the officer’s aperitif as well. I’ll come and get you once it takes effect. You should wear a scarf to cover your ears, just in case. It’s best to let everyone keep thinking you’re both human.”

******