IX
In Mare
‘Upon the Sea’
The open sea casts a spell upon the uninitiated, those who are unfamiliar with the ways of that wine-dark realm. If one is already lost in thought, the gentle rocking of a ship, especially a large vessel, can hold one such that it is difficult to break free of the reverie.
For the Pen Dragon family, such was the case upon the deck of the Europa. For the first few days, as Captain Creticus’ three ships swung around the Dumnonian cape, crossed the Mare Britannicum, and began the descent down the coast of Gaul, they said little.
At first, Creticus believed they were only adjusting to the sway of the sea, that they felt ill.
“They only need to find their sea legs, husband,” Nerissa told him.
But he was not so sure. Of course, he could see that the Pen Dragons f
