Summer 1338, Southern England

King Edward rode in the front of the entourage on his tall chestnut brown horse. Two dozen servants in the king's livery accompanied on horse and on foot. There were many military personnel in the revenue -- knights, esquires, but also stewards, grooms, pages, master of horse, master of wardrobe, attendants, maids for the princess, kitchen staff to prepare meals, laundry staff to wash linens, and clerics for spiritual cleansing. Joan had never travelled in such a large group. It was slow travels, but it included most of the comforts of home.

For almost a week, they journeyed, stopping at noblemen's castles every night. Sleeping conditions varied, but Joan enjoyed meeting new people along the way. The days grew hotter as summer progressed, and sitting in a stuffy carriage for hours on end with no one to talk to was dreadfully dull. Edward didn't ride in the carriage. Through the small windows, the countryside forest looked the same hour after hour until finally they made it to the seaside port at Dover on the southern coast of England.

How vast was the sea! She marvelled at the endless blue beauty. The port was filled with so many people loading and unloading ships. She gazed at the water and could see nothing else all the way to the horizon.

The king escorted Joan on the rocks as their ship was loaded with their belongings.

"What a big ship!" Joan exclaimed. It was as magnificent as she had imagined. The giant white sails reached up higher than she could crane her neck. The smooth wooden sides extended what seemed like a hundred feet. She had been on boats on the River Thames, but this was different. Those were lower to the water and powered by men on oars.

This ship loomed large over every other ship at port. The sea extended so far she couldn't see the other side of land. Just an endless grey blue field that never seemed to end. How marvellous! How beautiful the way the water sparkled.

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"Aye, Daughter. This ship is large, and it is fast. From here to the mainland is the smallest distance to sail. The sea is thrilling, but it is dangerous. The bigger the ship, the steadier she is."

"How does the captain know where to go?" Joan asked. She could understand that boats on the Thames went up and down stream and docked in front of the buildings they wanted to go to. On the sea, there was nothing in sight.

"They've been across the channel many times, and they've learned how the direction of the wind blows the sails. They keep note of direction by sun or stars at night. It doesn't take very long to see land on the other side. Hold onto the rail when we start to sail, and you'll see."

King Edward held her hand as they walked up the ramp to board their ship. Her feet swayed as the boat did, gentle but noticeable sway. Joan let out a yelp of excitement, finding the rocking of the vessel unexpected and exciting. She set her feet apart to balance.

By the time everyone and everything was loaded into the ship, the ship pulled away from the shore and into the horizon of the endless sea until the land was gone from view. The swaying of the ship became less novel and assuredly more nauseating rather quickly. Waves pummelled the ship, causing it to rear like an angry horse. Mist sprayed on everyone on board, whipping them in the face like pin pricks and leaving her face and hair damp. Joan leaned against the railing, feeling her stomach turning inside her. She closed her eyes even though she had wanted to watch the water the entire time.

The king laughed. "Daughter, you will get used to the boat! Just wait until your sea legs grow."

"I'll get new legs?" Joan asked, scared.

"You'll get used to the sea sometime. It just takes time."

Until then, he took her below deck and laid her on a small bed while he sat beside her. He got a damn cloth to put in her head. Lying down made the world seem less dizzy. "Rest here and close your eyes. Hopefully when you awake, we'll be on land again, then you'll feel better. Hush now. I'll wait here until you sleep."

He held her hand gently, and through his comfort, Joan felt her sickness lessen and soon was rocked to sleep.

When she awoke, she was safely back on land.