Sea legs

Tal closed her eyes as she stood shackled and gagged between two knights on the ship.

"Uh, who's the prisoner?" Piposhka asked.

"No clue. Just someone they're shipping to Traditsye for trial," Ami shrugged.

Piposhka tilted her head, but ultimately decided to give up on the probing, opting instead to enjoy the scenery.

"ULP! Ugh, uh, my stomach," Perl groaned as she crumbled up near the railing.

"Ngh, it's been too long since I last set foot on a ship," Penina grimaced as she pinched her face with her hand.

"Hey, Ami, you don't happen to have a potion that eases seasickness, do you?" I asked.

"Better not be for you," Ami growled as she grimaced and clutched her stomach.

"Nope, I'm used to the sea," I proudly huffed as I put my hands on my hips.

"Good. Because... Ugh, I'm gonna need another," Ami groaned as she pulled out a flask from her mantle and chugged down its contents. "Phew. That's better."

"Is that your potion for curing seasickness?"

"Oh, yeah... Normally, I don't need to use it, but I guess since I'm still recovering, I'm susceptible to seasickness to the point where it takes two just to calm my stomach."

"Since when do you travel on boats?" Mariamne scoffed as she strutted over.

"I... I, visit the docks from time to time."

Mariamne's grin began to widen.

"Oi, your own subordinates are about to puke, so don't go thinking you're superior just because you have better sea legs than me!"

"Oh? Admitting defeat? Then as victory, care to reveal the secrets to making that little potion of yours?"

"Trade secret."

Mariamne began to frown. "How about just handing two over for Perl n' Penina. I really wanna ease their suffering."

"This was my last vial... Ugh, fine. Let's go below deck to make some more."

Following the two into the ship, we eventually reached a small room with a wooden table adorned with flasks and herbs.

"You ever tried making your own?" Ami grumbled as she sat down.

"No, never really had a need to," Mariamne frowned as she closed the door.

"It is pretty simple, just mix this, and this," Ami began as she began grinding up some of the herbs.

Mariamne nodded in silence.

"...Then just shake this up, and done."

"Hmm, it's a different color from the stuff you drank," Mariamne noted.

"That's because I deliberately used a different mixture. Think I'd replicate the stuff I plan to market to my biggest rival?"

"Please, when it comes to potions and such, I concede the match to you. That's just never been my thing. Now, while we're in private, I happened to hear rumors that I'm supposedly starting a perfume line."

I gulped.

"Huh? Where's this coming from?"

"Apparently, word is before reaching Sto, you and LaNorne were helping Duchess Twin D' Tal sell perfume along the Ober-Kreplach route. I haven't seen much of the duchess, but I've seen enough to know that she's that prisoner they brought on board. Ami, what the heck's going on?"

Ami let out a sigh. "Were those two hurling just so you could talk to me like this?"

"Oh, no, no, but I just figured I'd take advantage of the privacy to ask you."

"Sorry, but that actually is classified information."

"Guess that means I gotta step up my game to become the next commander of Kreplach," Mariamne sighed.

"Hmm? What do you mean?" I asked.

Mariamne burst into laughter. "Wow, sometimes you're a riot, LaNorne. I may be elite and talented, but my rank's only squad leader. I wanna be privy to more secrets and such, I gotta raise my rank, and commander's pretty much the top, considering Supreme Commander requires some politics to get the role, and I suck when it comes to politics."

"Oh..."

"Now these will work on them, yes?" Mariamne smirked as she took the two flasks of potion from Ami. 

"Yeah, it's not my super mix, but I've tested the formula before and it works," Ami grumbled.

"Well, thanks for the potions. I'll have the girls give em a whirl," Mariamne waved as she headed out. "Oh, and don't forget about our fight once you're healed up!" 

"Tch! That bitch," Ami snarled. 

I also attempted to head out, however, a hand clamped down on my shoulder.

"LaNorne, don't think I didn't see you tense up when Mariamne mentioned the rumors about her starting to make potions. I also heard that rumor too, but couldn't figure out how it started... until now," Ami glared.

"I can explain," I trembled as I nervously turned to face her.

As soon as I explained everything, Ami sighed as she shook her head. "I guess it was for the best. Still, why'd you have to say Mariamne?"

"Only one I could think of that would seem believable," I frowned.

"Fine, forgiven."

"Yay! So can we head back up?"

Ami shifted her gaze to the side. "Um, it's comfier down here. Less people too."

I let out a chuckle as I sat down beside her. "It is a bit easier to handle the sea below deck."

"Wha!? I- I'm not staying down here because I'm seasick!" Ami cried as her face went red.

"Sure, sure. Well, I'll stay here anyway. There's a port window so I can still see the sights somewhat."

Ami began to frown. "L- Let's go back to the deck. Who knows when you'll get the chance to ride through the canal again."

"You sure?"

"Ngh, just let me make a few more potions first. You know, for Perl and Penina," Ami mumbled as she began grounding more herbs. 

"Sure, sure, and make extra just in case anyone else needs any," I smiled. 

Ami began to pout. 

...

As we stepped back on deck, we were greeted by Perl and Penina. 

"So how're you two holding up?" I asked. 

"Much better. I do apologize for the trouble, but our dear squad leader isn't exactly talented in the field of making potions," Penina chuckled. 

"Yeah, last time I chugged something she made... I'm... lucky my bowels are still in one piece," Perl frowned as her cheeks went red. 

"But we're all feeling good enough to enjoy the sights, right?" I smiled as I turned to Ami. 

"Yeah, feeling great," Ami mumbled as she chugged down a potion.