Lady Sylvia wrapped her arms around Gyla, hands grasping at her shoulders and her head resting on top. They looked out on the sea as the sun set. The water darkened as the sky exploded in orange and red. 

“So, the hunt is finally over?” Sylvia sighed wistfully. 

Gyla glanced down at her hands and the jar of honey paste. She turned the smooth little jar over. Plain and without labels. 

“I suppose, you are the quarry once more,” Sylvia continued. 

“I will be no one’s quarry, Lady Sylvia.” 

Sylvia only laughed and pulled away. She grabbed Gyla’s hand and pulled her along to where the others waited. 

Gyla felt those eyes on her back as they boarded the ferry. A heavy gaze that made her skin flush like the sky. She settled herself off to the left where she could watch the duke and one of his guards be the last to board. 

Tamaias closed the door and one of the locals unhooked them so that he could pull them home. The waves rocked the boat gently, then began to pick up speed. 

She tightened her grip on the jar as the waves thrashed their ride. Her shoulder slammed into the side wall. She crumbled to the side and clutched the honey paste to her chest. 

Sylvia also landed on her back, one hand grabbing the side to try to slow her fall. One of the guards wrapped an arm around her waist and tucked her into his side to take the brunt of the rocking. 

Queen Farida stayed on her feet, though only barely. Captain Colt held her tight, shielding her and eventually, guiding her to the floor. She locked eyes with Gyla, eyes wide. 

Gyla thought to crawl to Farida but stopped as another large wave sent her head knocking back. She whimpered quietly. Suddenly, a hand cupped the back of her head and she felt soft fabric press against her cheek. 

Basil grabbed her, wedging himself between her and the wall. His other hand wrapped around her waist and pressed her firmly to his chest. He also managed to slip his knee behind her back to stop any further bruising. 

Basil’s guard rushed to help Tamaias reign them in safely to the mainland. 

The chaos continued on forever until Tamaias shouted their arrival. He hooked the ferry firmly, helping to stop some of the rocking and he helped them alight. Lady Cur and their other guards waited for them with warm cloaks. 

Ajax approached with a thick cloak for Gyla. He said nothing, only handed it to the duke to help her in. He backed away and trailed behind as Basil guided her to the carriage. 

“Are you alright?” Lady Cur took over for the duke and shoved Gyla inside. She didn’t wait for an answer before turning and helping Her Majesty and then Lady Sylvia inside. 

“Is everyone in one piece?” Queen Farida asked once the carriage got moving. 

Gyla and Sylvia nodded, neither able to speak up. When they arrived, they silently headed inside and back to their rooms. 

Basil stopped Gyla in the hall, ignoring Ajax’s glower. 

“You’ve hardly spoken. Are you alright?” His eyes glanced over her and she might have appreciated the concern but her brain rattled in her skull as if still on the waves. 

“Bruised and tired,” she murmured. 

“I’m sorry. I’ll have ointment brought to your room.” Basil caught the jar in her hands. “Did your paste make it?” 

Gyla pried her fingers open, flesh white from the pressure and quickly turning red. The jar mostly made it, minus the long crack on the side. 

Basil quietly cursed and inspected her hands. 

“You’re not cut…” He nodded in approval. “I’m sorry it got broken.” 

Gyla smiled sadly at the sight. 

“It wasn’t for me.” She grabbed his hand and placed the jar in his palm. “It’s honey paste.” She turned immediately from him and walked to where Ajax waited. 

She desperately wanted to see his reaction but she had no energy for it. She didn’t even have the energy to remind herself she stopped her pursuit. 

Ajax opened her door and ushered her into where Naomi waited. 

As promised, Duke Dominis sent ointment to all the ladies for the bruises and sore joints. He personally delivered the jar to Gyla’s room where he passed it to Naomi and left without fuss. 

“My lady…” Naomi cringed at the sight of Gyla’s battered body. 

Gyla hushed her. She only wanted to rest and rest would come after the ointment and a change of clothes. After her skin had been lathered, Naomi helped her into her nightgown and turned down the covers. Her legs wobbled as she crawled into the little bed.

Naomi tucked the covers around her and ensured all the candles were out before leaving for the servant quarters.

Gyla could hear her surprised ‘Your Grace!’ and the ruffling of her skirt into a low curtsey. He wouldn’t enter the room, it would be too improper. Instead, he asked Naomi about her well-being and Naomi answered in a few crisp sentences. 

“Was the ointment helpful?” 

“Indeed, Your Grace.” 

The wood creaked as he retreated. Naomi remained outside for a moment, hushed whispers with Ajax before she too caused the floorboards to creak. 

“Ajax?” Gyla called out once she was sure Naomi had left. 

“Yes, my lady?” He cracked open the door.

“What did the duke want?” She tried to keep her voice low enough to not catch anyone else’s attention. 

“He asked if you were okay and if the ointment was useful.” Ajax did not betray his thoughts on the subject if he had any. She couldn’t detect any harshness in his tone. 

“Oh, okay. Thank you.”

“Good night, my lady. I’ll see you in the morning.” 

The morning came with more aches and pain and the thought they would be traveling back. Gyla got up, grumbling as she did so, and let Naomi fuss over her bruises. Some of them a stark black on her pale skin. 

“A storm is brewing,” Queen Farida noted once all the ladies joined them at the table. “I saw you took a heavy fall, Gyla. Will you be okay riding back?” 

Gyla ducked her head at the sudden attention from everyone at the table. 

“You slammed into the wall…” Sylvia’s eyes grew big at the sudden memory. 

“Gyla,” Cur sat next to her and brushed her hair away to see a light bruise on her cheek. 

“I’m fine,” she reassured them and turned to Her Majesty, “I can ride back.”

“Alright.” Farida did not argue the matter. 

They loaded up, the queen leaving a letter for the Viscountess with the steward of the manor. Duke Dominis and Captain Colt lined the seat with furs and some extra cushions. It would be an uncomfortable ride for the terrain did not smooth out until half a day’s ride north. The duke sent word ahead to ready the staff. Baths, ointments, and extra cushions would be needed.

“We shall have a day of rest before the festival,” Cur noted as they left Lindsor Port behind. 

“Yes,” the queen agreed. “This trip has been full of adventure, has it not?”

“It certainly has been something, Your Majesty,” Sylvia replied, a bit sullen as her aches flared with every bump. 

“I have found it refreshing.” Gyla didn’t elaborate and glanced out the window to smell the pines and sea salt. 

Queen Farida smiled and winked at the other ladies.