The preparations for the battle were being set, Alex seemed furious as he gave the orders. He'd never looked that serious before, no one dared to argue with him, the whole the crew trusted their captain's decisions and strategies. Although they have been through many naval affairs before, this one was different, their families and people's hopes for another tomorrow were depending on their victory, they had so much to win, and so much to lose as well. Howard looked at the pure blue water that surrounded the island, five of his friends and sea fellows had died so far even before reaching their destination, this was painful indeed.
While the ship was busy and buzzing with hurried steps and yelling voices, commanding and repeating the commands, the island, the Wilshire territory, looked so peaceful and calm as if it doesn't care about the intruding ship. But it was a deceptive atmosphere of peace. The place might not be shrouded in mist like the island they claimed, where their priests worshiped and secluded themselves, the peaceful air around the island was pricked my sharp edges of the mountainous landscape like spears daring the gods themselves to descend without harm. The waves stroke the island at every shore, crashing violently against the naturally assembled rocks and shattering into a murderous hail. In every opening the whetted edges revealed, a golden canon glared ominously like a cursed eye. The cannon muzzles that peeked through the nature made holes through centuries of erosion were not the only golden wonders. Soaring above the rough honed walls, were golden ceilings of the many castles, palaces, towers and other buildings rivaling the sun in her morning shine, and defying her will in the moonlit nights. It was truly a sight of wonder encompassing both prosperity and power. The land was an endless green with different trees towering to the clouds, their colored blossoms decorating their pale silver as if breathing life into the floating boats across the skies. And beyond the spacious mountainous island, blocking the horizon line, nothing could be seen as if the many risen flags bearing the bloody rose crest declared the limit of the sea and the world itself. Only death awaited there as beneath the serene blue scattered the wrecks of many reckless ships. The flashy island loomed on a cemetery of wrack, its honed rocks and stones protruding through the ongoing tides like tombstones.
Alice was standing in a daze, as she watched the scenery unfolding clearer and clearer as they approached. Did the world really end at these cruel coasts? Did the sun even shine from behind the golden palaces? Was no sea joining the tide of the one the sailed through? Will the mighty Amphitrite go down along her friends? Her heart was beating fast in admiration and owe. Albert left his room, his eyes entranced by the view, holding the same questions as the girl standing few steps from him. He looked at her, completely taken by the mystery laying ahead of them but he did not dare to speak to her despite how much he wanted to hold her hand and gaze at the sight never survived together, just like in their dreams.
Alex took his spyglass and stared at the island, his eyes were focused on the fancy fortified palace that resided on a dangerous cliff, a proof of dominance over the last danger at the edge of the world. That woman was there drowned in her luxury and opulence leaving her people dying and enjoying the nobility privilege which saved her from justice but now, riding this agitated sea, he'd become this justice. He scooped over every opening in the rocks looking for weak points, counting the cannons, estimating the fleet number of ships. His calculation were interrupted by Albert's heavy footsteps; he stood in front of him covering the scenery the captain was looking at. Alex removed his spyglass and before he could comment Albert began:
"We don't have to start fighting; we should try to negotiate with them first."
As usual, Alex was uninterested in what the royal officer had to say or propose ; he didn't bother to listen and turned his back to add more lines and marks on his charts and plans. Albert did not give up, he was used to this by now. He followed Alex and firmly demanded:
"This is my duty as the royal officer onboard this ship."
The answer didn't change, it remained angry silence but Albert remained persistent, he repeated his words then added with bowed head and sorry sighs:
"We don't have to lose more men; we've already lost so many on this journey. It's true that I was the reason of one man's death and that's why I want to conserve the lives of these men I've been trusted with."
The whole crew looked at the young man who stood uttering his mind truthfully. Deep in their hearts, every single man of them wished if he didn't have to fight and peacefully return home to save his family and beloveds. Alex's will to fight did not betray his eyes as he noticed this in his men's expressions. But he also knew they will fight with the power of an entire fleet if he was to give the word and he had no desire to back down. Howard approached from his captain, standing by Albert's side and saying politely, expressing everyone wish for a negotiation trial:
"The royal officer is right, there's still a chance for negotiation even if it's a tiny one."
His words had no ring at all but the man understood what was in Alex's mind so he went on, unwavering at the piercing glances he was receiving from the hazel eyes:
"I know, we've lost our friends because of the Wilshire and that's why we've to try to lose no more men and make sure everyone returns safe to his family with the water... it's the reason they died for. I believe my gone men would never wish for their remaining friends to die even for their account. This is how the Amphitrite's men are!"
Albert looked at the vice captain who welcomed him at the beginning of the journey with a bunch of the face gratefully, his eyes were full of tears as he watched the whole crew supporting him despite everything that had happened lately. Alex studied his men faces. This was no mutiny, it was a humble request and he decided the failing of the negotiation will add more steam to the fuel. After all, no one knew Iris Wilshire better than he did.
"Fine. You've one hour to try negotiation but after the hour passes, I won't be responsible for your safety or return."
Alice's heart stopped for a second as she heard this, the Wilshire family is powerful and cares for nothing. She was sure that Albert, just like her, had no idea about their head and how to deal with that proud furious woman yet the determination he was radiating with was enough to set her heart at ease because the bright she hadn't seen for a long time was shining again in his eyes, they looked the same way as they did when he told her about his dreams while they were still little kids.
Albert for the first time thanked Alex coldly and went for his mission. He rode a small boat given to him by the Wilshire when they saw the Amphitrite raising the negotiation flag and headed to the shore where two guards guided him to the palace which was quiet fortified like a castle. Setting his foot on that island alone seemed like a dream, as the scent of flowers and musk mixed with the saltiness of the sea filled his senses. Albert walked between the gardens that surrounded the palace, roses and other different flowers were in everywhere breathing the scent of life overwhelming the scent of death the approaching battle was exhaling. The head of the Wilshire must be so fond of flowers, she should be a soft woman then but nothing of what had happened during this journey indicated this, Albert thought. But he was mostly surprised how Alex let him try his peaceful means with his fiancée killer just like that. He feared another notion was hidden or that he was sent as a distraction but so far, nothing unexpected happened and the man on a mission for revenge seemed to be holding to his word but that did not mean that he was totally trust worthy. The path to the palace alone took half an hour, Alex must have estimated that, leaving the royal officer with just another half hour, "The cunning bastard!" Albert cursed inwardly. The two guards guided Albert inside the palace that had no less roses scattered everywhere. Albert's heart was bouncing strongly as he was trying to prepare what he will say but nothing popped in his mind. He trusted that the words will come out on their own when he faces the head of this wealthy noble family. The guards stopped at a huge door carved with the famous crest. They opened it revealing a beautiful hall surrounded with huge windows overseeing every part of the island, the curtains were made of expensive silk that Albert had never seen before and the plenty crystal vases were blossoming with budding roses and other plants in a neat elegant fashion. Facing the door, the main wall was decorated with interlacing vines carrying fresh darkly red roses, the full blossoms embracing the younger budding ones, the decoration was alluring like a beautiful painting fooling the eyes with its beauty into disregarding the way it entangled the roses like a spider web. In front of that splendid wall was a chair like a throne, carved with no less refinement or grace than the walls and everything surround it. There, the head of the Wilshire sat waiting the messenger with a charming confident smile.