Another hour had passed since Albert's return from the Wilshire Island but nothing seemed to be happening there. No sign of the sacred spring being released or any other activities. Only the hidden cannons were glaring at the sea in silence. Then suddenly, the morning tranquility was disturbed by the load groans of cannons that were neither the Amphitrite or the Wilshire's. Howard looked through his spyglass in the sound direction; the royal flagship was making a path for herself followed by twenty other ships from the royal fleet. Howard muttered upset by this unexpected and desirable appearance.
"These guys never miss a chance to claim glory for themselves but there is no win or glory to claim today!"
A messenger in a fancy colorful outfit was sent from the flagship to the Amphitrite. Howard heard with boredom the letter he was to deliver; they royal fleet had come to assist the Amphitrite in its noble quest against the Wilshire. Once he finished, Howard angrily yelled at the man:
"There is no fight, you idiots. Did you not see us standing still? We have made a deal with the Wilshire and they will peacefully give us the water."
A look of displeased surprise was drawn on the messenger's face, followed by a frown then an objection:
"We have sent you to fight not to make a peace treaty with these traitors! This is unacceptable!"
"The main objective for this mission was to secure the water, not necessarily by means of fighting. If we can obtain it peacefully without any further bloodshed, then why bother?"
Howard argued back leaving the messenger's protest useless but the latter did not give up.
"The main objective of this mission is to make an example out of this family who have dared to defy the king's orders!"
The royal envoy insisted but Howard was not in the mood and loudly brushed him off.
"Then fight on your own! But wait to set your example after our deal is carried own."
Another messenger yet arrived in the Wilshire's uniform. He was objecting to the assault and when Howard clarified that the Amphitrite had nothing to do with it, the Wilshire's envoy declared that if the attack is not stopped immediately regardless of who is involved then the deal is off. The royal messenger gladly accepted the challenge despite Howard's yelling and Albert's desperate plea for rationalization.
"You damn traitorous will learn a hard lesson!"
The royal messenger sparked a verbal war to which the Wilshire's messenger did not go along. He politely nodded stating.
"Fine. Then the deal is off. We will not be made a fool of."
"Wait! If this is your response then give us back our captain!"
Howard nearly groaned like an animal, but the Wilshire's envoy merely snickered answering.
"My Lady ordered me not to accept this. The deal is over by your hands and Alex Walcott is out of this game."
The Wilshire envoy went back quickly to their territory through a hail of cannon fire. Albert strutted to the man and angrily shook him:
"What on earth are you doing? We need the water to save the people and we have already secured it!"
"Royal Officer Albert Hudgson, I am acting on the king's behalf just as you are supposed to do. Is this not what your letter implied? That this rouge ship was out of line?"
The messenger whispered the last words in the officer's ears like a threat. They were surrounded by the angry eyes of the Amphitrite's crew. Howard wanted to punch the man but this would accomplish nothing but declare them traitors. He finally understood the meaning behind this heroic appearance; the king had sent his fleet to enforce his presence and authority over all the noble families and to see that no one takes the credits but himself. They were not after the water, they never were. The Wilshire Family had been a thorn in his majesty's side for too long. It was time to remove it with the perfect excuse. They had revolted against their captain and sacrificed him for nothing.
"And only now do they appear, after securing the route for them!"
Howard gnashed his teeth in disgust. The royal messenger refused to leave the ship, as he was to observe things go as planned and ensure the Amphitrite would not act on its own although Albert could see his desire to flee from the enraged ship, and for the first time, he felt ashamed of being addressed as the "Royal Officer". Howard noticed this and softly patted Albert on the shoulder.
"You are not a royal officer. You are one of the Amphitrite's crew, Albert!"
Everyone on the ship nodded in agreement. Albert could only say these few words filled with unprecedented affection:
"Thank you all for this honor!"
Now, after the path of negotiation was blocked, the long awaited nettle began declaring her arrival with the loud trumpets of death. The Amphitrite prepared under Howard's command for the battle furiously. Their mission remaining the same; securing the water, fighting whomever get in their way, and save their captain to restore their honor.
The Amphitrite started attempting to bring down the foreboding walls surrounding the palace but stopped to face yet an even more foreboding enemy; robust and untouchable just as these walls, the mighty fleet boasting with the Wilshire's crest on its sails. Finally, the two fleets along the Amphitrite were engaged in a chaotic battle. Still, few royal ships continued to hammer down cannonballs at the palace and wherever it could reach on the island. The impenetrable rocky backbone the made the island stood tall and defiant for a long while, responding to the fire aimed at it with no less fury and persistence. The royal fleet began to lose its patience, aiming left and right, south and west, up and down in every direction looking for weak spots. And surely, the natural barrier facing the forces that raised it was not short of eroded and blind spots. Some stones began to collapse falling into the sea creating waves and whirls of wind and water.
"At this rate, the cave where the spring lies will be destroyed. It is the most vulnerable spot."
Princess Selene was suddenly seen on the ship's deck, pointing out the dreadful fact. Albert looked at the place she was aiming it, a smooth façade with a little opening allowing the light to stream through it. The cause of this entire war was hidden there, the key to save thousands of people existed in the most fragile area of the fortified island and the cannonballs threatened to destroy it without consideration. The royal officer turned angrily at the messenger who remained on the ship to oversee the fight despite the constant threats of being thrown into the deadly blue, exclaiming:
"Tell your ships over there to stop their random cannons! The princess had spotted the sacred spring and you are about to bring it down!"
The messenger who had heard the royal princess loud and clear, answered the exasperated officer nonchalantly:
"This is not our problem. It is an advantage point in this battle as I see, and we have come here to make of the disloyal Wilshire an example to all the noble families as I have said."
"You can do this without destroying the spring!"
" Everything defining these traitors shall be erased! They shall never rise again!"
"Your kingdom will never rise again if you do this!"
Albert shouted in frustration, the royal fleet was bent in one aim and they were not going to hold back, just as blind as Alex and Iris. He wanted to bunch the idiot officer in the face so much but a relaxed arm held to his as a gentle voice whispered in his ear:
"Let's go and seize the spring!"
Albert turned at the princess baffled. He knew what was going on in her mind, these proud men of her father will not let anything stand in the way of their given orders but if these orders were to kill a member of the royal family, they will return to their senses for sure.
Howard was having his way with his foul mouth with the messenger who looked at his with disdain when the princess, in a white hood that covered her entire body approached them. She strictly declared with the authority a princess should display.
"I shall go with the royal officer to take control of the sacred spring now. Provide us with your boat at once."
"But your highness..."
The messenger looked at her unable to show his anger and comment back rudely and the princess did not care for what he had to say.
"Then we will lose this advantage..."
The princess merely raised her eyebrows in discontent then added to stop the man:
"So may it be."
The messenger swayed his hands at his sides unable to speak back as he was forced to send a signal to the other ships to cease their attacks on that particular alluring spot. Albert stood gazing at the island where he was to go again. Alice was standing right at his side, he looked at her as he felt her sweet presence.
"We are finally here, at the Wilshire's island, at the edge of the world."
Alice said with fidgeting hands, the bright in her eyes was not reflecting the mutual fire or the cannonballs flames, it was reflecting the excitement of her heart and for the first time since long ago Albert asked her certain of the answer:
"So you still remember?"
"Of course I do! We made a promise!"
Albert smiled in relief, his bravery returning to him. He slowly extended his hand to Alice who did not hesitate to take it.
"That is why you should wait until I return with the princess and the water, and the fighting is over then we can..."
Albert struggled with the words, he could barely believe he had finally arrived at his long sought destination, beside the woman he loves, just like in his dreams. But her safety surpassed any fantasies or wishes but her response was immediate and resolved.
"We made a promise to go together and you have already gone ahead without me! Now, we will step together on that island and discover what lies beyond it together! We will face that mysterious danger side by side, Albert!"
Albert thought he should stop her for her own safety, but the girl's determination was unstoppable. Her whole delicate features glowed with a certain will and he could not cheat his heart anymore. He longed for her to be by his side.
"I am so glad you will come with me, Alice... really..."
Standing together, grasping each other's hands, receiving the bless of the carved goddess and of the morning breeze caressing her softly, they watched
with the eyes of imagination the long craved dream. There was nothing the least different in them from the twelve year – old two little kids who stood at the plain of Panusarea pointing at the far ahead island, seen only in their childish imagination, while entrusting their vision and dream with the growing phlox flowers.
***
The boat was swung out and ready. Howard alongside Vincent and Serena stood beside the three youngsters who were ready to go down to shore. Howard said:
"Please be careful Albert and take good care of Alice and her highness!"
Albert smiled promising her will. Vincent approached from the officer who asked him to remain onboard the ship to meditate any upcoming problems wishing his younger friend good luck. Albert stared gently at the man expressing his gratitude:
"After this battle is over, we will bring you to see what lies beyond this island, Vincent!"
"Sure. I am eager to!"
The kind man smiled encouraging the younger one who had the same dream as his once upon a time. Albert prepared to leave but stopped when he noticed there was still something Howard wished to say but found difficulty with. The first mate bowed his head sighing as the crew looked at him, his wish the same as theirs.
"Albert, please bring Captain Alex safe back with you... if you were able to!"
Albert looked with surprise at the entire crew then drifted his gaze at the empty captain's cabin. Can he hold on to this promise to the crew that had just acknowledged him as one of them?
The boat was ready to go, and Albert with Alice were the first to ride but before boarding it, the young princess had also something to say. She turned at the crew that had welcomed her and protected her through the whole journey this time, she was the one bowing her head to their surprise and discomfort, her act humbled the crew yet raised their spirits.
"Everyone, thank you for everything. Sailing with brave and honest men like yourselves was the greatest honor I have ever had!"
The words had the echo of a farewell to them. The crew stared at her worried but before anyone could ask or speak in return she boarded the boat asking Albert to sail right now. The boat started to get further and further away from the ship maintaining its position. Alice's eyes were fixed on the awaiting shore but Albert turned at from time to time at the princess who satin silence as usual. The obscurity surrounding the place they were heading to was no less than the obscurity surrounding her.