Albert left the cold rocks of the cave he was leaning on and Alice turned staring at a tall young man with golden neat hair and wide cheerful smile. The smile that was supposed to have been washed forever by the angry waves was drawn once again on the face which the sharp rocks of the sea couldn't smash.
"Jeremy!"
For some reason, Albert felt happy and relieved to see that young man alive, to know that he hadn't lost his life and was alright. He didn't know if he should approach from him or maintain a wide distance or just run away but Alice accosted him first:
"You're still alive... how did you survive the fall?"
Jeremy busted into a laugh that discorded the rhythm of the falling rain as he put his hand on his heart saying:
"I think it's my love for Iris! they do say love is capable of doing anything, even saving the life of a person thrown into the wild sea thanks to certain people!"
Albert and Alice looked at each other in silent communication; was he going to avenge from them? But his merry tone and happy looks didn't change while saying the last sentence. But after acquainting with him, was he not always like that, with the same cheerful expression? Another thing caught Albert's attention, Jeremy didn't address his beloved with "My Iris" as he always did, he dropped the "my" this time. Despite being more curious to ask about the "my Iris" situation, he could not allow himself to fall into silly gossip and romantic adventures at this serious time, left alone with his friend with a man he could not trust so instead, he asked:
"What are you doing on this isolated island?"
"This island is ours because the key to the spring is located here. My confidence of my plan success that time made me spell its location; it's not something I regret though."
He then looked eyed the two shivering youngsters deducing easily:
"You're lost and you've not found the key yet, correct?"
"I can't say if we're saved by your appearance here."
Albert replied trying to pull himself together and show that he hadn't lost his courage yet but Jeremy replied walking straight to the cave entrance:
"You're, my friend!"
The Wilshire lad smiled warmly, he seemed to have reached a stage of enlightenment without maturing; his eyes were tranquil with no place for neither grudges or regrets, as if everything was past behind him. Albert looked at him with suspicious eyes from head to toe. He had lost some weight, but nothing else had changed; not his glow, joyfulness, his mannerism but were they not deceived by these same features? But lost and cold, the words Jeremy added made Albert's suspicions dwindle like a candle's light blown by the wind' should grow stronger or dim and fade?
"And I shall happily lead you to the key's place!"
The rain was still falling heavily but Albert hurried after Jeremy, nonchalant about the previous incident. At this stage, he was ready to accompany the devil and not ne left for dead on this island but then, Alice stopped him from his arm like a stray cat, Albert looked at her. She declared to the Wilshire boy:
"We won't fall for this again, what's your purpose this time?!"
Albert stopped in his tracks feeling naïve and stupid. Jeremy frankly said looking straight at her:
"Revenge."
Albert stood between Jeremy and Alice holding to his sword but Jeremy explained:
"I shall avenge from that cold hearted monster, Iris. That woman made me hate my whole family!"
Albert's hand released the sword's hand-grip in disbelief though it was not unreasonable after witnessing her schemes in person but still, where did all that love go? Jeremy had already risked his life for her once trying to take over the Amphitrite and kill its captain but nothing of that love had remained any longer. Albert asked warily:
"But I thought you loved..."
Jeremy interrupted him angered with the reminder of his fading love, opening and going on with a cascade of protests and disappointments, similar to a nagging of a little kid who was forbidden from his favorite toy:
"I'm tired of being humiliated by that woman! I kept showing her my deep love and true devotion and was answered with haughtiness and disrespect... I have even risked my life for her and how was my returning received? She yelled at me saying I've disgraced the family's name cooperating with thugs and that she wished if I had reached my demise in the depth of the sea before a word of this came out to the public!! I'm sick of her dominating our lives! I'm going to have my revenge on her by leading you to the key. As you see, I'm here because I expected your coming for it. I was the one who told your captain of it, after all!"
Alice looked at Albert confused, feeling sorry and pity for the way the foolish lover was treated with. They didn't know if they should believe the guy, his reason was not devoid of fault but was not unbelievable either. Jeremy felt their hesitation and calmed them down:
"If anything were to happen you can shoot me, I carry no weapon as you see. I don't even mind if you were to kill me right here and now yet I want to be useful for someone before I die and I decided it's going to be you!"
Albert and Alice kept exchanging glances like two deaf people, but Jeremy did not run out of patience. He added one last confession:
"I want to hurt that woman the same way she hurt me, whether by my death or getting the key although I am certain the latter would wound her more!"
His words sounded like take it or leave it, nothing bad will happen. And with exception to the last statement, although he was speaking about having revenge, he still spoke merrily planting some trust in his old friends' hearts again. Albert and Alice decided with a mutual nod to follow him deep into the tangled forest. The worried girl looked back. The fog was so thick blocking everything that even the huge masts of the ship weren't seen anymore but what calmed her a little bit was that Alex and the others were surely ahead of them, waiting somewhere as she hoped to. Albert looked at Jeremy who was determined to lead them to the key despite the rain and the storm, he had so many questions to ask him but it wasn't the right time for it. He wanted to ask him about his family's head reasons for killing Alex's fiancée and the cause of this deep hatred between the two of them. And so, if she didn't care about her cousin's life, why would she make an attempt on his killer's life?
*****
Jeremy suddenly stopped when he heard noises, he crawled like a lizard between the long grass, his clothes camouflaging him like their colors and looked carefully ahead. Alice and Albert did the same for no reason. Jeremy remarked:
"It seems your friends are waiting for you."
Alice smiled feeling relieved; Alex was sitting on a rock with the princess while Serena was going back and forth. Jeremy went on:
"Well, my turn is over. I don't intend to get killed again by your gentle captain there so listen carefully; the key is located in a small temple inside the cave there in that mountain!
He pointed at the place barely noticeable beyond the ancient carved statues of gods and holy men then added:
"And now, farewell pals!"
"But, you have just helped us! Where will you go?"
Jeremy smiled then disappeared between the trees after wishing them safe journey.
"I can never understand that guy nor think it's a good idea to trust him."
Alice crossed her arms pouting. So he chose to hurt his "beloved" by delivering them the key rather his life. Again, it was not unreasonable despite his bitter wining few hours ago.
"You heard his reasons."
Albert said then together with Alice they joined the others again. The men and the girls looked happy to see their two friends back safe and sound while Alex stood to continue the searching. Albert said confidently:
"We know the place to the key; it's hidden in that cave."
Albert pointed in the same direction Jeremy had. The princess followed his finger's direction and asked:
"How did you know?"
"We found some texts telling of its location on our way to here. It's was a good thing we got lost behind you!"
Neither the princess nor Alex did seem convinced. When Albert noticed this he said:
"You can roam this island for the whole day or trust our words!"
The others agreed with the officer leaving the captain with no choice but the follow what the majority want not of lack of power, he could order his men to search every inch of soil and they would not protest or hesitate but he himself was eager to finish this final part of the mission. Albert led the way to the cave where the group entered and found themselves in a small ancient temple.