"You think these are mere thieves? They are human traders!"
"What?!"
Albert exclaimed in shock. It was not that he was unfamiliar with the vocabulary, he just could not believe it exited. His disgust grew deeper. He refused to be pushed aside from the battle. Unsheathing his sword, that was more of a décor till now, he followed Vincent. Albert looked at Serena worried, he put his hand on his sword but Vincent was faster, before Albert could blink his eyes, he was standing already in the midst ofbattle, having slayed three men in one sweep of his sword leaving the other stepping back in a mixture of fear and fury. Knowing his role that he had not got a chance to start was already over, he rushed to Serena's side with his sword in front of her.The woman's eyes were glimmering with hope again, calling happily:
"Sir Vincent… Albert!"
"Who do you think yourself jumping in the middle of our conversation? "
Vincent's sword spoke on his behalf piercing through the fourth man who fell down with a swift strike that no eye could detect. The left men unsheathed their weapons ready to avenge their friend. A whistle from one of these men resonated in the awful air and suddenly, the seemingly dead alley way was filled with thugs, their scars covered bodies and faces speaking volumes of their brutal deeds and murderous instincts. Albert darted to Vincent side, who has already killed two of them, knowing he was no match for them, Vincent seemed capable of wiping out the whole part on his own but that did not stop his younger friend from seeking to aid him. But, a shot from a pistol made the invincible swordsman collapse on the dirty ground bleeding. In his fretful haste, Albert rushed to him as Serena screamed fearing the worst. Albert knelt beside him shouting:
"Vincent… are you all right? Hang on!"
"Do not worry about me…"
Vincent gritted through the pain in his shoulder, holding to it blood seeping to his clean white gloves.Albert got up; the area was filled with the rest of the traders gang, the man holding the pistol said pointing at Vincent and Albert with his weapon's muzzle:
"These two men worth more than that woman, they seem from a high rank disposition, we can ask their families for high ransoms!"
"Run for it, Albert… you cannot fight them"
Albert looked at Vincent ashamed at the truth of that statement the injured man repeated this again adding as they were running out of the time, the group of thugs ready to take them in.
"This is nothing, it is just a scratch!"
"But this is your fighting hand!"
Vincent guffawed uncharacteristically, as he easily shifted his sword to his other hand drawing Albert's eyes wider in surprise.
"We cannot drag this fight into the peaceful streets, and involve innocent people with these criminals…"
Vincent explained in a rush, and Albert understood his intention. He had to believe in his friend for now, the swordsmanship he had demonstrated was a solid proof but not enough to calm his heart. Reluctantly, Albert held Serena's hand and ran with her waving his sword left and right yelling:
"I promise I'll return with help Vincent so, hang on!"
"What are you doing?!"
Serena protested, Albert did not have time or breath to explain Vincent's view but she went on:
"I heard what Vincent said, but there is a man with a pistol there!"
She told him with a harsh tone, pointing at his own unused pistol. Albert shivered for a moment, he hated that weapon… he hated to have to shoot anybody… but the girl did not wait for him and pulled the weapon from his belt, shooting blindly at thethug with the pistol miraculously hitting him in the arm. This alerted a group of the men to follow them, but the two managed to lose them in the maze of interconnected allied. The group of criminals were supposed to know this part of the town as the palm of their hands, but the as the two they were persuading did not know where they were heading and dashed aimlessly, the could not anticipate their next turn and easily lost them. As soon as the market part of the city flashed by their site, they made a detour knowing their path now to the harbor. The Amphitrite was easy to spot, but they were stupefied at the sight. It seemed to them that the ship was preparing to leave. Assuring this was Alice's head that popped out of ship's board telling them to hurry and get on. Albert and Serena got on the ship with the intention of immediately leaving it with the necessary help. Alice, unaware of the situation asked them seeing the rough state they were in:
" Where have you been? We've been waiting for you, Albert!"
But Albert didn't replay to her; he looked for Alex and found him standing with Howard instructing his men. He rushed to him saying:
"Alex, we've been attacked by some thieves who tried to capture Serena and now they have Vincent as a hostage and he's injured! We have to save him quickly before they…"
"That's none of my concern, no one told you to leave the ship."
Everyone on the ship stopped whatever they were doing when they heard the captain's heartless words, Albert felt as if he was running, crossing a collapsing bridge to reach the other bank only to discover that this bank is made of ice, shattering to pieces under his weary feet. He recalled Alex's vague words to Serena about not leaving the harbor but it was no time for that. Serena wanted to explain the situation and that it was all her fault but her words fell on deaf ears. Alex did seemed interested in one thing, getting the ship ready to sail. His indifference to a comrade life made Albert shout in his face:
"Don't you understand the situation? I'm telling you that I need your men's help… my friend may die while we're still speaking!"
Alex snapped the spyglass he was holding, preventing irritation from sneaking into his icy words:
"We've wasted enough time repairing the ship; I don't intend to waste any more until we reach the Wilshire's island."
Howard looked at Alex; he wanted to object to this but didn't dare to as Alex frowned in Albert's begging face, he was serious about having no intention to help the two officers. Despite the crew's faces openly disagreeing with the decision, truly wishing to offer their help. But on the other hand, Alex had paid double to get the ship ready in one day and they already behind their schedule, meaning another day or more for the families to thirst and starve. Alice looked at the two men expecting that Alex will change his mind with one more word from Albert but the latter didn't add anything else, and Alex didn't back on his words either. Albert merely said:
"Fine, I'll save my friend on my own… I doubt that a pathetic man like yourself can understand what such relations mean!"
"If you were truly his friend, you would have unsheathed your sword or took the effort to pull him here."
Albert's entire body shook with rage at Alex's words. They bore no taunting or humiliation aside from being true. If it were not for Serena, even the shot from his pistol would not have been fired. Finding no point in arguing and determined on proving the provoking captain wrong. He left the ship back to the notorious alley, followed by Serena.
Howard carefully approached from Alex, having already went against him once, saying:
"Captain, aren't we supposed…"
"I will give a man who still needs to do something onshore one hour. Whomever returns after that, we will sail without them."
Alex said going back to his maps, the men exchanged looks and decided it was better to send a small group, excluding Howard so he won't be in more trouble. They loved their captain, they have long realized since starting working with him he had been a burden on his shoulder for so long, a burden that he did not wish to share with anyone, but as the same time, it was the same burden that made him sail the sea following no one rules or commands, raising no flags, demonstrating with his Amphitrite what the sea truly represented, freedom and standing against the perils it entails, inspiring everyone to join his crew and follow him without questioning. So when they got the vague green light, five of them rushed off the deck, though permitted, they still feared to be seen by their captain but nothing could escape the latter's sharp eyes. He glanced at them from the side of his eye, an unusual smile nudging his lips. Howard was more mortified by the smile than the angry fist that was aimed at him few days ago. Alex sighed in relaxation commenting to his first mate"
"They can do as they see fit, although I doubt their help is needed."
Howard raised his eyes trying to decipher what his captain's words; did he believe in the royal officer's abilities that much? Was that talented and they did not know of that? There were no clues or proofs but then he understood as Alec went on, a brief breeze playing through his dark hair.
"Vincent will not go down easily."
That explained a lot, and fitted much better but still it was no excuse to act like wanting to hinder the rescue mission. Howard had given up all hope on understanding his captain and had decided long ago that following him with trust is the more logical choice.
Alice watched Albert disappearing between the crowded streets with worried eyes, the captain had been always cold and enigmatic, no one could read his heart but he never acted the way he did now… is it because of the story Albert told her before? Indeed, everybody on the ship had hated Albert for being the royal officer, of a noble descent but after the Triton pass and his difference from the classic image of the nobles, things changed, he became part of them. She had always believed in her heart Alex did not care for ranks or petty revenge, her eyes glistened with joy when she saw the five men leaving the ship without a problem.
*****
Albert and Serena ran back to where they left Vincent and the gang of human traders but found no one, the alley was empty. Serena asked Albert terrified by what might have happened:
"Where did they go? Could it be that they have killed…"
"No! They wanted him alive… they spoke of a ransom!"
Albert replied immediately, to prevent his mind from travelling to the same dark destination as Serena's. A distant sound of a punch of men cut her talk, they followed the voices that led them to a hidden tavern, it seemed like a deserted ruins of an old shop rather than a place for downing drinks and spending suspicious fun times, Albert remarked:
"It's them… this place must be where they hide their stolen things… "
Albert preferred this phrasing rather than their "human merchandise". He peeked through a broken window;
Vincent was tied up and thrown on the ground as the men seemed in a heated discussion about how much he's worth , to whom they should address the letter and other options since he did not seem to have given response to any of their questions only by killing several others of them. Serena looked at Albert apologizing that this was all her fault and that she was stupid to ignore Alex's advice, but Albert denied this and asked her for a fever instead.
"Please Serena, go to the police and bring them here… we should have done this in the first place…"
"And you?"
Albert reached out his hand to his sword saying:
"I've always hated using this thing but now, I've to!"
"Albert! You cannot! It is insane!"
But he didn't wait anymore and sneaked into the gang hiding place, she could only pray for his safety as she she rushed searching for the police.
Albert held his breaths and crept like a lizard between the falling ruins until he became behind his friend, and with careful low voice he whispered his name but stepping on a broken rock made more than ten eyes all turn at him, Albert jolted to stand and unsheathed his sword as the men did and started fighting, he managed to repel them in the beginning but with hands unused to duel with a sword he couldn't stop himself from shaking his sword with slight fear, Vincent noticed this and kept on telling him to escape but Albert refused to, he refused to abandon his friend and turn into someone like Alex, someone who would sacrifice anyone for his own personal reasons. Thinking like this alone made him strong enough to fend for as he saw in every one of them that man's emotionless face.
"We might not be the police, but this means worse for you!"
Albert turned to the decaying shop entrance, Seeing five familiar faces from the Amphitrite with Serena restored his hopes and courage.
"And who are you, worthless insects?!"
The crew's five men were not here for chitchatting, they unleashed their weapons and fury and barged straight into the battle, while Serena ran toward Vincent cutting his ropes with a knife. Vincent eyes rested on her the entire time, as if there was no cat fighting few steps from them. The woman did not fail to notice that, his eyes lingered on her face with unfathomable expression. Uncomfortable with this, she reasoned he was getting delirious from the blood loss.
Albert wished he could withdraw now that men has come for rescue, wondering how did they manage to decline their captain's orders and feeling guilty for what might await them. At this thought, he refused to retreat from the battle although he was of no use actually. He swung his sword copying the other's movements expecting the battle to end quickly with the men's arrival but quite the opposite. They were outnumbered; more thugs kept crawling from everywhere like rotten insects. The time since he left the ship with Serena had probably exceeded an hour. Distracted, his sword was thrown away from his hand as he stumbled, his head was between the ground and the sharp blade of his foe, Albert closed his eyes… all of his future dreams were shattered at that moment as his body trembled in fear. Vincent screamed his name but the echo of a bullet silenced everyone... Albert opened his eyes to see his reflection in the broken blade of his enemy; another bullet dropped the man dead. Albert turned happily expecting one of the five men who came to help had saved him shocked when he saw Alex standing with his pistol in hand. His black flowing cape blocked anything else the young man hoped to see, it covered his eyeshot with blackness as his heart was covered with anger and shame. Another punch of the Amphitrite crew rushed for their friends aid but Albert couldn't move his eyes away from Alex who stood watching his men. He couldn't deny that he was afraid yet he didn't feel grateful, he was rather frustrated, refusing to believe that his life was saved by the same man whom his life was behind his father's death. He held to his thrown sword again as if he did not want to seem defeated. The next moment, another sound alarmed the place, it was the police for real this time, probably notified by the Amphitrite's crew on their way here. Alex looked at the thrown Albert ordering:
" You explain the situation; I wish not to be involved with anyone."
He said this then commanded his men to return to the ship as he left the ruins.
*****
Two men carried Vincent back to the ship while Serena stood watching the ship preparing to leave the port, the men stood looking at the poor woman whose passion was reflected upon her whole face, feeling sad for her yet they all knew their captain's nature, he'd never fall to anything, even to the soft voice of a beautiful woman asking him to accompany him, like he was immune to all earthly pleasures, even the finest liquors could not make him drunk or lose balance. Serena looked at them and bowed her head as a token of appreciation for all what they have done for her so far. That's when Albert ordered the men to wait before going ahead and got off the ship again holding the woman's hand, Serena looked at him surprised, he held her hand strongly saying as he looked at Alex with adamant eyes.
" I've never used the authority given to me by his majesty before but now, as the royal officer I demand this woman stays with us! She has a knowledge about sailing and had proven that on the Triton pass!"
Howard looked at his captain who carried on with the orders for leaving; ignoring Albert who left the ship, Howard followed Alex saying:
"Captain, we can't sail without the royal officer!" Besides, we owe him for saving the ship while battling the enemy's fleet, just be lenient with him this time as pay back."
Howard lowered his voice at the last suggestion, adding in a humorous tone:
"Just satisfy his shattered ego! He is still young and stupid!"
Alex turned his face at Albert, already bored with the entire unnecessary delay, as if he had not just helped arresting a notorious gang, as if the humane act did not bring him joy or pride, meaningless like every wasted second not pursuing the Wilshire's island. But seeing the young man standing holding Serena's hand with a determined look in his eyes brought a fresh breeze of a distant spring to the once blooming plain, he saw in them a young new sailor holding his fiancee's hand promising to show her the whole world, even the unknown parts of it claimed to be non – existent beyond the Wilshire's shores. And again, after years of fading, the almond tree that colored Alex's dead eyes blossomed small pink roses on the smiling lips of Serena when she heard the captain's words:
"Do as you please."
She rushed on the deck with Albert whom the sailors surrounded praising his courage in front of the captain. Alice surrounded him from behind praising his embellished show of courage by the sailors' narration and remarked enthusiastically:
"You were so cool holding Serena's hand asking to let her stay onboard the ship… even the captain softened for both of you!"
"Then you don't mind what happened?"
Alice looked at him, she didn't understand what he meant by his question and before she could answer, he looked at seamen faces saying in a stubborn tone:
"That was no achievement with Alex. He can't oppose me; I'm the royal officer here and my commands must be headed. That man thinks he can put one on me by saving me!"
Alice withdrew his hand, pushed away by his words. She thought he was reminding her of the difference between them, not only him and her, but him and the entire crew. He understood this, but did not have any energy to elucidate his true meanings. This didn't sound at all like the Albert the sailors got to know and respect. They looked warily at him yet he didn't apologize or explain his words. he went back to his room while Alice watched him worried. She turned at the grim faces of the crew with a wide smile:
"He's probably kidding… he must be tired from all this… or feeling ashamed for not being on bar with you!"
The sailors hummed among themselves, some expressing that a snake might shed her skin many times but will remain a snake. Alice did not like that, and reprimanded the men standing out for Albert and threatening them to pass on making dinner tonight which was enough to accept her excuses for the officer's weird behavior.