WebNovels

Chapter 18 - Anchoring at The Island of Mist

An elusive wind like the tooting of a fife playing a mysterious melody, one you can't determine whether it's joyous or doleful was calling forth the Amphitrite as it headed toward an isolated island that resided by itself alone veiling its existence with thick layers of hoary fog. Just few days before the ship arrived at this vague island, Princess Selene was seen speaking to the captain in the piloting cabin. She entered accompanied by her majestic loftiness and spoke directly to the captain whom the princess's dignity wasn't enough to push him to show the supposed respect this said dignity imposed. Howard stared at the two of them with careful eyes while directing the rudder, everyone onboard this ship knew, for unknown reasons to them, that nothing can push the captain to show even the slightest respect to anyone of the royal family. The captain jumped immediately to the main point:

"Do you know anything about the key to the spring?"

"Yes."

Since Howard was the one who is directing the ship's direction, he paid more attention to their conversation. Alex didn't leave his chair although his hand which he leaned his head on trembled for seconds. He went on calmly:

"We have the charms needed."

"I'm not of the Wilshire's priestesses; hence fore, I need the key to the spring to be able to control it."

Alex frowned. The princess's words proved that Jeremy was not lying about this matter at least. And thus, another delay until the arrival at the Wilshire territory was presented annoying him. He turned at Howard with the order to head to the key's whereabouts. The princess bowed in thanks and left silently as she entered. Howard took the direction to this island unable to hide his disturbance yet he couldn't complain to his captain. He later complained to Albert about it:

"First get the princess, and now the key to the spring... just how much time our people have to suffer and endure waiting?"

"Don't blame her highness; we've wasted much more time on saving Alex and repairing the ship for his romantic whims!"

Albert replied cruelly and left the man's side back to his room as if he himself was not responsible for a day time worth of waste while where he himself was saved in return.

*****

The huge white sails of the Amphitrite could no longer be seen as the ship went to the island through the fog; her sails blended along the clouds of murk fading into a dull silver, the carved goddess taking refuge amidst the mist she was enveloped with like sacred veils, protecting her from the undeserving eyes of mortals. The body of the ship rocked carefully and slowly as it waded through hazy surroundings finally anchoring in the island wide bay like a precious relic adorning a forgotten temple of gods. Some men of the crew stayed onboard the ship to guard it while the others led by Alex himself went to the land taking the princess. Albert watched them leaving, he said he would stay by Vincent's side but he knew the other officer didn't need him, it was a mere excuse. Albert turned, he found Alice preparing herself to go too. She didn't look at him, she had not since their last conversation yet she said quickly:

"I'm going with them."

She walked few steps then found Albert following her like a kicked puppy, but she pay him attention.

" I think I'll go too..."

He said with a shy voice, as if he couldn't resist a bad habit. Alice turned at him craving to smile again at his face yet it her wish was turned down as he added:

" I'm the royal officer, I have to witness everything. I can't allow that man to act the way he pleases!"

He said this and walked putting on the sash which remarked him as one of the king's direct officers. Alice rushed after the others to catch up with them followed by Albert's composed sober steps unlike his heart that was bouncing, beating eagerly to search every inch of this land he was visiting for the first time and might never have the chance to see again.

The sun in that place was shy concealing herself behind a mantle of mist. The soil was humid receiving the tangled plants dew like tears shed for their isolation from the sun, although if reaching them, they would burn and wither. Alice's eyes were getting wider and wider from the surprise every time she stopped at a rare flower or strangely carved stone watching it as if she wanted to absorb the details into her eyes. Alex turned repeatedly at the two youngsters. The princess who walked beside the captain remarked:

"You don't need to check on them."

The man didn't reply on her, he looked one last time at them; Alice was shouting happily pulling Albert from his sleeve to show him the weird plant she came upon but he just nodded, he was merely walking beside her because he feared she might fall behind them and get lost but the girl suddenly stopped her exploring and joined the straight line along the others. Albert noticed this, he wanted to ask her why but the answer was obvious; it was because of him and his unshared enthusiasm or attention. She increased her speed and walked faster, putting more distance between the two of them. She was probably angry and upset... and she had every right to as Albert felt terribly bad for ruining her joy with his gloomy face and cold reactions, he wanted to apologize but he couldn't bring himself to cheer up. Besides, he wasn't the only one with depression on his face. He looked at Serena who asked to join them; she was looking secretly at the captain. Albert got across her intentions; she wanted Alex to notice her vivid spirit of venturing, she wanted to show him how much better she was than her sister but the captain's mind wasn't there at all. The path was taking the group up a rough hill where the fog started to thicken with every step they advanced. Unconsciously, Alice found herself holding Albert's hand as she found nothing to grasp in front of or behind her. The two youngsters kept walking side by side following the echo of footsteps because they could no longer see anything but far figures engulfed in whiteness that devoured their shadows in the end leaving Albert and Alice behind. Alice mended her paces trying hardly to reach to the others but there were only the two of them standing all alone. Alice turned around terrified saying:

"What should we do now? We were walking randomly trying to find the key... there's no specific place to meet with the others!"

"Don't worry; I'm sure we'll find a way out of this. We're not kids; we don't need someone to watch after us!"

Alice didn't stand his limited mind as she described it and walked angrily muttering, Albert stood in his place confused but her scream awakened him. Albert ran after the girl trying to reach her hand as she was falling down an unclear hill.

"Alice... Alice!"

Albert slid on the muddy land and rushed to Alice who was lying unconscious and covered with dirt and bruises. Albert held her and searched for a shelter from the heavy fall of rain that barraged them suddenly, adding to their misery. There was nothing but giant trees around them but when he looked more carefully, he found a small cave hidden between them.

*****

Two hours passed since sleep overcame the young man who sat leaning at the cold rocky wall watching Alice and making sure she sustained no major injuries. He opened his eyes recalling what happened; they were lost because of the heavy mist and it seemed that no one was searching for them as no sounds were heard calling their names. Albert bowed his head, he was slightly afraid but he refused to show it. Alice woke up a little after he did; she looked around and saw how they were still alone. She thanked Albert for helping her, but the gratitude hurt him. What was she expecting of him? How did she view him after all what and happened? Again, her merely nodded not accepting the notion of a thanks. Alice spoke to herself to encourage her spirit:

"I'm sure that captain Alex will come looking for us."

"We won't wait for that man, as soon as the rain stops we'll go find them. Alex doesn't care for us; he cares for no one."

Albert looked at the raindrops speaking his plan out loud. The girl frowned and turned her face away refusing to hear what he was saying.

" Just grow up a little bit!"

"Do you see anyone looking for us? Do you hear anyone calling our names?"

Alice opened her mouth to protest harshly searching her mind for excuses but found nothing to say. Then a sharp well – remembered voice interrupted their erupting quarrel:

"Albert! Miss Alice! Long time, no see!"

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