The World of Rhune

Hannah was below decks when she heard the calls. “Land Ho!” Rung high and clear through the morning sky. Having never seen Andato before, Hannah rushed up, neglecting to even put her boots back on. When she reached the port rail of the ships she could see the land. A thin, dark black outline on the horizon seemed to be the first look at Terra dei Cavalli Volanti. Being skilled in nautical life herself, she realized they still had quite a bit of distance to go. Judging on the distance alone she wouldn’t believe the ship would reach land until the next day, contradicting what Sammy had told her earlier.

She spun around and searched the rigging. Will was nearest only on the first yardarm. She scaled the rigging to meet them, but realizing her intentions he met her part way up. “Hey,” She said as she seated herself in one of the crisscrosses of ropes. “Hey, Hannah,” He said, his hazel eyes, had a more of a green tint today, with a star of orange circling his pupil. “Do you really think we’ll land today?” Hannah asked. “Well, actually I think we may moor early tomorrow morning. We originally thought we’d be there by tonight because the wind was behind us, but it didn’t hold, so it will take longer now. At least it isn’t working against us,” He said, turning his head to look towards the shoreline of Andato.

Hannah nodded, “Yeah, I guess that makes sense. I’m just bored out of my mind, I mean Sammy tried to teach me a card game, but I wasn’t particularly good at it. I’m much better at poker.” “Hmm, so you’re a poker player, a gambler no less,” He had a lopsided grin on his face and his tone was obvious implying something, teasingly though. “Not as far as my mom knows. She still thinks I’m her innocent little girl. Obviously she isn’t one of those pampering types, she knows me well enough. She just isn’t exactly aware of all of my outings,” Hannah replied. Will cocked an eyebrow, and Hannah sighed, faking exasperation, “Well I mean I’m pretty sure my mom thinks the only alcohol I’ve ever had was wine in the palace,” Hannah paused, “And under her watch. I’m not so sure she would approve of me drinking wine on no special occasion.” Will chuckled, “Is that really as bad as you get, love? A little wine your mom doesn’t know about?” Hannah ignored his joking name of affection for her and became a mock kind of defensive, “I’m worse than that you know. Sneaking at of the palace to go to parties is something not approved for me. I’m pretty sure my mother doesn’t suspect me of ever getting drunk that’s for sure, much less that it was on beer a few of the times.” Will’s grin spread across his face, “And the boyfriends?” Will wiggled his eyebrows at her, Hannah cocked her own in her ‘really’ face, “Actually I’ve never had a boyfriend my mom didn’t know about.” Will gave her his own ‘really’ face. Hannah continued, “Well I wouldn’t call them boyfriends.” “Ahh, now the truth about the princess comes out,” Will hopped on his feet, hanging on to a rope one handed, swinging down, “The royal princess of Cancri, respected future queen by day, wild child by night.” Hannah rolled her eyes, “Oh yeah, like you’ve always followed the rules.” Will pretended mock concentration, “Nope, I think I’m pretty good, for a sailor at least,” he grinned, “Well actually, there was that one thing, oh, what was it?” Suddenly he swung down so his face was inches from Hannah’s, “Oh yes, that’s right I kissed the Princess,” He swung back up to his original position. Hannah laughed, “You’re not the first,” and then she added teasingly, “Actually I think your kiss was the shortest one I’ve ever had. Well that I count at least.” “Hmm, does that mean something? ‘Cause I could fix it if you wanted,” He gave her a smirk. “Well I might take you up on that,” Hannah paused, “but, I think you’ll have to wait a little longer.” “I can wait, I have the rest of the trip with you, love,” Will smiled.

Are you coming the rest of the way?” Hannah asked, again ignoring her apparent new nickname. “Yep, Jasiri decided he doesn’t want to go, so I took up his spot,” Will said. “Wait, Jasiri isn’t going?” Hannah was a little disappointed. Will’s smile disappeared for a moment and he sat back down next to her, “Nope, he was only going because of your brother, and I guess he told him he didn’t want to go anymore.” “Wait, Amir knows Jasiri,” Hannah was just confused now. Will had a look of confusion cross his own face, “Well, yeah, he’s supposed to be protecting you and all.” “What?” Hannah asked with a bit of force. Will looked very confused now, “Well, yeah, didn’t you know, Amir asked him too.” Hannah pressed her hands against her face in aggravation, “When is he going to learn I don’t need protecting,” Hannah groaned through her fingers. “Well I think you do need protecting, not necessarily a bodyguard you don’t know about, but I still think you need it,” Will said. Hannah looked up, “You don’t think I can protect myself either, well oh hell are you wrong,” Hannah’s voice was challenging. “Definitely not what I said,” Will replied, hands up in the general indication of ‘I didn’t do it,’ “I think that you could kick ass if you wanted, but I still think you need protection. I mean you are the Princess still.” Hannah gave a fake laugh, “Yep, guess I’m kind of stuck with that. Whatever, nothing I can do. I’ll just tell Amir to get off my case though.” “It could be worse,” Will offered. “Yeah, I know I’m being an idiot about it all but, what can I do. I’ll just go on this trip see the rest of Rhune and maybe I can have some fun when Amir’s not looking,” Hannah sighed. “That’s the spirit, sweetie,” Will said, bringing a smile to Hannah’s face, “Besides, I thought you were excited about this whole thing.” Hannah gave a small smile, “Kind of, I’m really nervous too. And no more calling my love or sweetie or anything.” “We’ll see,” Will remarked, “And don’t worry, by what I know of you, you’ll kick ass.” Hannah laughed, “Thanks.”

“Now, since we’ll be here a little longer, what do you want to do?” Will asked. “Don’t you have to work,” Hannah questioned. “Nah,” Will’s hair shook side to side, “Not when I’m with you. Besides, we’re only cleaning and practically done, look around you.” Hannah looked, he was right, most of the sailors were just relaxing, some of them even playing cards. Will clucked his tongue, “You really think I’d leave the crew to do it all by themselves, I’m ashamed.” Hannah’s eyes flickered back to his face for a moment, and she gave her best serious face, “I’m sorry, Will.” Will gave a humph, “Fine, apology accepted, on one condition.” “What?” Hannah asked, amused with him. “I’m still allowed to call you anything I want, including love, and sweetie, and whatever else I want. Like,” Will paused, thinking, “well whatever else I think of.” Hannah laughed at this, “Fine, sure, as long as I’m forgiven.” “Okay, you’re officially forgiven now,” Will claimed.

“Alright then, what is there to do here?” Hannah asked. “Well I don’t know about you, but I’m pretty hungry,” Will said to her, “I would even bet, that the cook wouldn’t notice if we took some.” “A thief now too, Will?” Hannah joked. “You know me, steal from the rich, give to the poor,” Will whispered in her ear as if it was a serious secret. He hopped down a few feet of the rigging and winked and beckoned to her. Hannah laughed, a sound close to the tinkling of bells, “You know, I’m sure I could just ask.” “Well, you don’t know the cook then. He’s nasty, hoarding all the food for himself,” Will jested. “Alright, I’m coming,” Hannah rolled her eyes but the tips of her lips were raised in a smile.