Izavelle answers before Rosaleen opens her mouth, “Ashlea, just as I told Taylan yesterday morning, you have to know that in our world, this ship, these towns that we visit, the Palace; nothing is always what it seems. We will talk later, but here is not the time.” Izavelle, daring her not to urge for an answer stares at Ashlea.

Ashlea clearly understanding murmurs, “Okay Izavelle, later.” Her voice, a pitch higher than usual, and her posture, slumped down like she has shrunk. She has the passion and desire to know why, and it is more important than anything else to her in this moment. Izavelle nods as a confirmation that she will follow through and tell her later.

Soolena goes back to today’s planned trip to the mainland she turns to Rosaleen, “I was thinking that I could take Ashlea for a flight to the mainland, Izavelle you can also come along with us, I wanted to show Ashlea the landscape and teach her some tricks.” Soolena looks to me, “The plan I had was to also bring you on the flight, but with your injury, I don’t want to risk you re-opening your wound. Instead, I was thinking that Rosaleen can bring you by boat this morning to the mainland, and you can see the sights on foot.”

I answer, “Yes that is fine with me.” I rather curl up in a bed by myself for the rest of the day, but I know that I have no say in the matter, and these people don’t seem to let an attack or an execution get in the way of their plans. I look at Rosaleen who seems satisfied with the suggestion.

Izavelle says, “I think I will stay onboard the ship today.”

“Are you sure Izavelle?” Rosaleen says, “It is okay, I know that you love this area.”

Izavelle shakes her head and refuses, “No, no it’s fine, I will stay back and keep an eye on things and help where I can.”

“Okay” Rosaleen doesn’t push it, and I sense that she is a little relieved that Izavelle decided to remain.

“Well I am full,” Rosaleen says satisfied as she rubs her belly. I was able to manage three-quarters of my overloaded plate; I guess that I really was starved.

Ashlea shows a glimpse of her light-heartedness to this conversation and smiles, “Looks like you were hungry after all Taylan!” She blows her cheeks up with air, gesturing to me.

I smile a little embarrassed, “Yes I guess I was.”

Izavelle touches my shoulder, “It is normal to feel hungrier; you are regaining your strength from the attack. Just remember if you are hungry you eat, and if you are tired then say so, so that Rosaleen knows to let you rest, okay?”

“Yes,” I confirm. I wonder if I can get away with saying that I am tired right now. I had better not push it.

Rosaleen encourages, “Let’s go now.” We all leave the table, Soolena and Ashlea go upstairs to equip themselves with the flying suits, and Rosaleen and I go out to the side deck where the smaller boats are stored. Izavelle stays back, gathers our dishes, and disappears into the kitchen, since the servant who normally did this was the one, I killed earlier.

A man whom I have only seen a handful of times in passing since I have been on the ship greets us in a friendly deep voice. “Good morning princess and good morning Taylan.” He welcomes us with a smile and seeming unbothered by the events that happened earlier. I am guessing that he knows my name from the gruesome events that took place earlier.

“Good morning” Rosaleen answers confidently, but still politely.

I smile and say, “Good morning Sir.”

“I am guessing that you two are ready to make your trip to the mainland now?” He directs his question to Rosaleen.

“Yes” Rosaleen answers with a smile.

“Okay great the boat is already equipped, and I am just going to lower it now.” He advises.

Rosaleen and I stand back and watch as the boat is lowered into the water. Rosaleen glances at me and suddenly seems startled by something. The immediate thought that comes to mind is if I have a bug on me or something.

Rosaleen says, “Oh that is not good, I can’t have you looking like this.” She leaves and goes back into the ship. What, do I have blood on me? I look at my clothing and my skin, from what I see I am clean. I feel clean. The man has taken no notice to Rosaleen quickly leaving because he is still concentrating on lowering the boat. Rosaleen quickly comes back with a long dark red scarf. The material is light and thin. The ends float behind her as she quickly walks down the deck towards me.

“Face me.” She barks.

“Chin up.” She orders. I do what she asks, and she gently ties the scarf around my throat.

Rosaleen quietly confides to me, “I don’t want strangers knowing that you were hurt. If people see, they will usually ask, and we have no time to wrap our heads around making up some fabrication to cover up your attack. An injury stands out and I rather that we conceal it.” She gently secures the scarf in place with a fancy knot. “There that is much better.” Rosaleen seems happy with her own handy work.

Naturally, my fingers touch the scarf and I reply, “I don’t mind the scarf, but what is wrong with being truthful?”

“I don’t want to startle anyone with what happened, and once things become known then it tends to branch out into exaggerations and then choosing sides and more problems. Keeping it hidden is better and easier for everyone.”

The man calls up from the boat; having already gone down the ladder to do a quick check of the boat and is now climbing back up, “It is ready now.” The boat’s solar panels shine, and the propellers idle in the water. He takes a step back up onto the deck. As he steps off of the ladder and in a synchronized motion Rosaleen steps onto the ladder like the maneuver between the two of them was choreographed and descends first; I follow slowly and awkwardly stepping onto the ladder and descend to meet her on the small boat.

Rosaleen un-hooks the ropes that lowered the boat and hollers back up to the man, “You can bring up the ropes.” She takes the boat out of idle and we are now on course to the shore. The sun is out with a few fluffy white clouds in the sky. The rays of light warm my skin. It feels so nice and soothing, mentally, and physically as we travel through the water. I sit back on the cushioned seat and relax. Rosaleen sets a good speed not too fast and not to slow just a steady movement. It is late in the morning and the water is no longer still. The wind creates a few small waves that cause the boat to bounce and splash the odd time as we make our way to the shallow waters. The warm breeze feels nice, and I start to smell the aroma of spices in the air as we make our way to the shore.

Rosaleen slows the speed of the boat to a putter as we approach and then turns it off. We glide forward and ride the waves, as they are a little stronger now that we are in the shallows. Rosaleen takes a rope and hops out. The water is up to her knees as she walks up onto the shore and securely ties the rope around a tree. She runs back to help me out.

“Come Taylan.” Rosaleen is back in the water almost knee-deep, extending her arms up to me, and I grab onto her to correct my balance, stepping to the ledge and then step down into the water. It is a sandy bottom with the odd tree leaf under the water.

“There we go.” Rosaleen says encouragingly, “What do you think of this place?” She asks clearly wanting me to be impressed by the surroundings. She seems to have a special place in her heart for this place. Seeing this side of Rosaleen reminds me of being in the company of my own sisters.

“It is beautiful and the smell in the air is so wonderful.” I look around; it is a rather narrow beech. You can tell that this part of the beach is not frequented because there are no signs of buildings, or walkways and the trees have grown close to the water.

Rosaleen catches me looking at the forest that has grown so close to the shore, “They are cinnamon trees and they grow all around here. I am sure you will get to taste it. The locals use cinnamon in a lot of their cooking.” I glance at the trees that surround the shore to make a mental note.

“Rosaleen, can we talk before we do anything else? I would just feel better in knowing what your thoughts are on everything that has happened.” I feel a bit dizzy and need a few minutes to recuperate; I think she senses it too.

Rosaleen says, “Come let’s sit over there.” I fight the fatigue and we walk not too far from the boat and sit on the warm light brown sand, facing the ocean.

She asks still looking out on the water, “Where would you like to start?” Her question is not needed, she knows what I intend to know. I ignore the stupidity of her question and just cut to the chase.

“Well let’s start with the man who attacked me. Why do you think it happened?” I pause to watch her reaction, which is blank, emotionless, I cannot read her, and then I follow her gaze out on the water.

I can hear her swallow, “I didn’t think you would be attacked.”

“Well, why do you think then?” I raise my voice; flustered by her vagueness and urge her. She has not revealed anything to me.

“There is more in play. Izavelle has advised you of this right?” She glances at me as she asks.

“Yes, Izavelle warned me to trust my instinct and understand that nothing is always what it seems.” Izavelle never really explained what exactly was in play.