Prin froze for a split second before casting Elwin a helpless look. It was over in a flash, as he decided if she was targeting him with that comment, perhaps it was meant as a teasing remark and he should roll with it. He laughed. Somewhat uneasily.
Prin quickly took Aster’s hand in his and gently kissed the back of it. “You’re right. We can’t escape into the light, because the bad things don’t care if the big star is shining or not. They’ll follow us anywhere.”
Aster took her hand back and laughed, skipping backwards a few steps as though to keep out of Prin’s grasp. Her new boots pattering against the ship’s polished deck in an almost music like rhythm.
Elwin saw an old lady cross Aster’s path and knew immediately that a crash was inevitable. However, it all happened so fast he was powerless to stop it.
“Oh no!” Aster turned around quickly and almost fell down herself, stumbling over the woman’s cane and, fortunately, righting herself quickly.
The old woman sprawled out on the deck in an undignified manner. Her all black mourning-attire included a stiff looking dress with chiffon at the cuffs and collar, and a thin wool cloak that was not in keeping with the sunny and mildly warm day. Her fox fur hat was knocked askew, and the broach at her neck sparkled with rubies and looked like it cost more than a horse.
Which was as expensive as Elwin could think of for a piece of jewelry, though maybe not as rich as Captain Thompson’s pirate treasure had been.
She scowled up at them, turning her particular ire toward Aster. The mad bumper.
Elwin wondered if he should pick up the cane himself before she tried to beat them with it. The silver bird’s head handle (a crow, or maybe even a vulture) looked like a mean thing to be hit with, more weapon than walking aid.
“I’m so sorry!” Aster reached down, offering her hand.
The old woman kept her gloved hands to herself.
“I didn’t mean it.” Aster said, sugar sweet. “I should have been watching where I was going.”
The woman continued to glare, saying nothing. It was as though she was waiting to see what further groveling she could illicit. Or, just hoping they would go away and leave her alone.
Prin reached down and took her arm without asking, hoisting her to her feet. He brushed the hem of her skirt off briskly and put the cane in her hand. “It’s all my fault, ma’am, we were just playing.” He gave her a hundred watt smile. Had his teeth always been that perfect? His eyes the blue of sapphires today.
The prince’s stomach growled loudly, as though on cue to disrupt the gentlemanly perfection of the moment. His cheeks went pink.
The woman’s frown wavered, and if he didn’t know better, Elwin could swear she was suppressing a laugh. “Aren’t they feeding people on this ship?” She asked gruffly.
“We were just on our way to find supper.” Elwin said. “Weariness from travel caused us to sleep through lunch.”
Aster’s own eyes sparkled with an epiphany. “We would be delighted if you joined us!” She said, casting a subtle wink Elwin’s way.
Between the two of them Aster and Prin were just too dazzling, and Elwin resolved to stay out of their light. There was no way he wouldn’t fade away in it if he stood too close. Not that he wanted to be the center of any attention.
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“You just now traveled to join the ship?” The woman asked skeptically. “I hardly see how . . .” She looked from one to the other to the other. “Are you here as part of the entertainment? A musical act perhaps?”
Prin laughed.
Elwin could almost see him imagining the three of them up on stage trying to play instruments and sing. He didn’t know what Prin thought of it, but it sounded like a nightmare to him.
“No, no, we’re just here to catch a ride.” Aster said. “Oh, how rude of me. I’m Aster, this is Elwin, and this is Prin. I should have introduced us sooner.”
“Cora.” The old woman said. She brushed her clothes off with one gloved hand, as though Prin had not managed it well enough. “I suppose if you are new on the ship someone should show you around.” She took Aster’s arm and looped it through hers. “I don’t know how you ended up with these two, young lady, if you aren’t performers.” She began to promenade across the deck with Aster on her arm like a bouquet of flowers. “You need to watch out for yourself with those two.” She cast a narrow eyed look at them over her shoulder, as they followed along behind.
Aster gave a delighted giggle. “Them? They’re as harmless as baby bunnies.”
“That’s what they want you to think.” Cora said. “Pretty girl like you, traveling with a couple of hungry eyed young men. That don’t look like they have prospects.” She clicked her tongue disapprovingly over her shoulder.
Aster looked back at them too. “See what I mean about your clothes? No, they are down on their luck aristocrats actually.” She told Cora. “Much more highborn then myself, who came from a struggling single mother.”
“Oh you poor dear!” Cora exclaimed. “That must have been hard.”
“She did the best she could.” Aster said. “Until . . . Until she died a few years ago and I’ve been on my own ever since.”
“Well you’re here now and you aren’t alone anymore.” The old woman said. “Let’s get you fed, you have nothing but a stick for an arm.” She squeezed Aster’s arm as though to test her theory.
Elwin was just glad it was the uninjured arm.
Cora looked back over her shoulder. “Don’t dawdle boys, come along.”
Prin smiled at Elwin in a smug way, as though to say, my friend could win over anyone, did you doubt?
Elwin had not doubted it. He was pretty sure.
When they arrived at the restaurant, a more upscale one than Aster had originally suggested, Cora chose a table for them where she could sit with her back to the wall.
So, a suspicious sort who liked to see who was coming and going.
Elwin and Prin sat across from her and Aster.
When the waiter came, dapper in his black and whites, Aster asked for the same as Cora and Prin passed the menu to Elwin, trusting him to order for the both of them.
The old woman sat very still, only her eyes moving as they waited or their food.
Was it not proper to talk during this time? Or was she waiting for them to start the conversation? Elwin was uncomfortable but didn’t want to be the one to initiate.
Cora stared them each down in turn, reading their minds for all he knew. Elwin tried to keep his own cheerfully blank just in case. He let one thought slip through, he wondered if Prin was thinking she was a witch.
Finally she released him, and her eyes cast around the room. Elwin followed her gaze, although he had to turn his neck at an uncomfortable angle to do it, to a young couple sitting in a semi private corner of the room. They were dressed in matching white linen. Her dress, long and sweeping with colorful ribbons at the waist, his suit tailored and neat. He was leaning in close to her with a sly smile, and she was laughing as though he said the funniest thing in the world.
When the food arrived, it was nice indeed, though no better than something Mrs. Frances would cook.
Aster and Cora had a steak and fried potatoes with a rich smell of garlic and cheese sauce wafting from them, as well as red wine. And, Elwin and Prin had a pasta dish topped with herb roasted chicken. He wasn’t sure but Cora’s choice looked better than his. Prin didn’t seem to mind and dug in to his meal making a little sound of approval as he ate.
Cora took one delicate bite, carefully carved with her knife and fork, before turning back to Aster. “Now, I want to know all about the three of you, how you came to be traveling together, and what you are doing on this ship.” She leaned eagerly close. A gossip hound’s pose.
Aster just smiled as though she were prepared for and unworried by this questioning. However, just before she could say anything (and Elwin was very curious what that might be), a commotion started in the corner of the room, and Elwin looked over to see the young woman in the linen dress throwing a glass of wine in the face of the young man.
“First, tell me what’s going on with them.” Aster declared eagerly.
