Chapter 28: Stories
Chapter 28: Stories
In the blink of an eye, it was the next morning. Life at sea was so tedious, the space for activity so confined. The weather was muggy and humid, making Lothar prefer to stay by Banu’s side. The cool air she constantly emanated was like a small air conditioner.
Fringilla possessed no such ability. Although her body temperature was also cool, one had to be close to feel the chill, and their affection hadn’t reached that stage yet.
However, no matter how much he wished to stay put, Lothar had to fulfill the social obligations expected of a knight. For instance, instructing his two squires to train the male subjects, and ordering the female subjects to sew surcoats emblazoned with his coat of arms for their male village counterparts. He also had to supervise the crew to ensure they were diligently caring for their horses and check if the horses showed any signs of seasickness.
Hans could handle most matters independently, but Lothar couldn’t just become a hands-off manager; he had to maintain his prestige. Authority and reputation should not be delegated to others.
When he went up on deck, a thin mist shrouded the sea. The crew diligently handled the sails and steered the ship. The priest, holding his wooden cross, was still preaching to the passengers. Lothar stood to one side, listening silently, "devoutly" making the sign of the cross and praying earnestly.
Only after the sermon ended did Lothar approach him. "Where are we now, Father Beckett?"
"We’ve already passed through the Ionian Gulf; we’ve completely left the Adriatic Sea." Father Beckett paused, then pointed towards the hazy coastline. "In clear weather, we should be able to see the lighthouse of Morea from here. That is the territory of the Eastern Empire, with customs and traditions vastly different from your homeland."