Nano 2019 Day One
a 45 min word sprint that i hacked out before bed. be gentle for you tread on my dreamz! :D
Day: Nov. 3. 2019
Time: 1:19 am
Wordcount: 559
Wordcount Goal: 10,000
Ahumai stared longingly at the extravagant bed of his suite. Piled with pillows and soft silken sheets, it beckoned to him shimmering in the moonlight of the porthole overhead. The walls swayed again. Or was it the floors? Ahumai’s belly lurched sickeningly and he let loose a low moan. A small pillow rolled onto the floor from the bed, mocking him. He lowered himself to the cold wooden floor slowly and curled on his side. What a sorry sight; the Prince of Oshani seasick. Who would have thought? The boy was practically a fish himself, having learned to swim almost straight from the womb.
It had been hours since they cast off from the royal port of Dascus and the sun had long set. The horizon had all but disappeared and he found himself disoriented as he seemingly floated in a black, star speckled abyss. First his head began to swirl, then his stomach protested. And soon he’d bashfully retreated to his rooms, a sour burp lodged in his throat. A soft knock sounded at the door.
“Go away!” groaned Ahumai. A strong wave of nausea washed over him as he raised his voice.
“It’s Goshen, your highness. I’m coming in.”
As much as he didn’t want to be seen like this, he was glad it was only Goshen. His friend peeked in and then let loose an exasperated sigh.
“Oh, my Goddess, Ahu. The bed is right there!” he said mostly to himself. He let himself in and locked the door behind him much to Ahumai’s relief.
“Don’t let them see me like this, Goshen.”
“Oh, hush. Why the floor, Ahu? Come on. Up with you.”
He tried to pull the prince up, but a strong gag made him recoil. Instead, Goshen fetched an empty bucket from beside a nearby table and sat next to the moaning crumpled royal pile.
“There, there…” Goshen patted his head haphazardly, trying not to rouse him too much. Wary of being retched upon.
“Why am I doing this, Goshen? Why did I get on the Goddess-forsaken boat?” he mumbled. Weariness was overtaking him. He wanted so badly to get into the comfortable bed. But he was afraid to move.
“You’re being an obedient son. And you’re being a Grande Ambassador. Remember, you wanted to leave early. We wouldn’t even be here for another six months, if you hadn’t insisted on seeing to diplomatic relations yourself. Don’t think I don’t know what you’re up to either. And needless to say, if I know, so does your mother. This idea of yours is stupid.”
“Thank you for your support.”
“I’m serious, Ahu-” Goshen’s voice dropped to a whisper, “-running away? What are you ten years old again? There’s nowhere to go! It’s a foreign country and you’ll stick out like a fish on land. I think you should actually attend the Princess’ birthday celebration. It will throw the Queen Mother off your scent at least.”
“I’d planned on going,” wheezed the prince. “If only you’d have listened…”
“Okay. I’m listening.”
Goshen set the bucket down with a clatter and stared down at the prince. Ahumai moved at a snail’s pace rotating to face him, and Goshen muscled back a smile at his struggle.
“Go ahead and laugh. The Prince of Seas is seasick, and rolling like sea slug across his own floor…”
***
Shout out to all my peeps. I love you and am so happy to be welcomed back into your welcoming um bosom. :D
@sincerestaffect, @zekethegm, @my-words-are-light,