Shrouded Seascape

Chapter 214. Destination

In the safe house of Whereto's Governor's Mansion, Margaret clasped her hands to her chest as the incessant roar of cannon fire sounded from the direction of the docks.

With each deafening blast, an involuntary tremble coursed through her. Her father and brother were fighting there. Every explosion could mean their demise.

"What can I do? What can I do to help them?" Margaret muttered with tears threatening to spill. Her anxiety and fear were near breaking point.

Her mother, Kalytha, grabbed her hands and guided her to sit.

"Don't worry. Your father will handle this. We need to trust him. He is one of the greatest governors of Whereto, after all."

"Mother, why would the governor of Albion Isles attack us?" Margaret asked.

Kalytha let out a silent sigh. "It's a matter between men. Who can say for sure?"

As the two women waited anxiously, the bombardment outside gradually ceased. Escorted by servants, Margaret followed her mother out of the safe house and returned to their lavish mansion.

Soon after, Margaret saw her father, Daniel, and her brother, Jack, descend from a car.

Staring at their battle injuries and weary expressions, Margaret wanted to rush toward them but halted when she noticed more individuals—the island's administration—alighting from the other vehicles. Everyone had grim expressions, and they all followed her father into the office.

Soon enough, the familiar roars of her father and the sound of fists slamming on tables resonated from within the office.

It continued for two whole hours before the doors flung open, and the attendees rapidly dispersed.

After making sure that everyone had left, Margaret dashed in.

"Father! Brother! Are you alright?" she asked, her voice laced with apparent concern.

Jack took a puff of the cigar in his hand and replied in an irritated tone, "Of course we are. Would we be here otherwise?"

Kalytha entered the room and approached her husband to gently lay a hand on his clenched fist. "Why don't you and Jack stay behind in the next battle? Other governors don't risk themselves as you do."

Daniel's voice boomed like a loud trumpet, "I don't care what others do! The Cavendish's creed must not be violated! A Cavendish man must be on the front line! What good is a governor if he cowers from death!"

Kalytha's worried gaze landed on her son before she turned back to her husband. "Is it all over then?"

Daniel shook his head. "Impossible. That Albion dog actually dared to launch a surprise attack on the port. This is war! No way it's going to end just like that!

"Why would they attack for no reason? We didn't even provoke them," Kalytha asked.

A cold sneer appeared on Daniel's face. "My spies had gathered intelligence. Ever since that dog acquired industrial technology from the Divine Light Order three years ago, his navy's combat power has increased significantly. He's obviously aiming to outdo me and monopolize the entire Northern Seas."

"Is there no way to resolve this? What about negotiating peace? We can give up our position as the overlord of the north region," Kalytha proposed, her face painted with worry.

"Woman! Stop meddling in men's affairs with your ignorant ideas. Is this the time for peace talks? It's clear that he intends to break the strongest opposition first so that the smaller governors will obediently submit to him.”

"Can't you keep your volume down a little? I'm just worried about you," Kalytha's voice softened in aggrievement.

Standing by the side, Margaret watched her parents' conversation with a mix of sadness and frustration on her visage. Troubles seemed to follow one after another lately with no respite.

Suddenly, she felt a searing pain at the tip of her little finger and quickly withdrew her hand. She realized that her elder brother had burned her with his cigar.

Jack motioned with his mouth toward the door and exited the room.

"What do you want?" Margaret asked as she stepped out.

Jack attempted to put an arm around his sister, but Margaret shrugged it off immediately.

"Come on, you aren't upset, are you? I admit I was a little anxious and gave you attitude earlier, but please show some more understanding to my predicament," Jack tried to reason with Margaret.

"I'm not upset. It's my fault. I shouldn't have acted impulsively and run back," Margaret answered in a somber tone, her head lowered, and her gaze fixated on her toes.

"Well~ As long as you're not upset. I need your help with something."

Margaret looked up at her brother and instantly knew what he wanted her to do.

"It's useless," Margaret remarked. "He doesn't even remember me. Charles won't help us."

"I know better whether it would be useful or not. Sometimes, it takes a man to know another man. The Governor of Hope Island has more influence than you think. Just do as I say.”

Margaret pondered for a brief moment before she nodded in agreement, "I can agree to your request, but I have my conditions. I'm tired of waiting in the rear. Teach me how to fight, how to battle! I want to fight for the Cavendish name as well!"

Jack stared at his sister's peerless beauty for a few seconds before he took a puff of his cigar. He then wrapped his strong arm around her slender neck and shook it gently. "Not bad! You're a true blue Cavendish, indeed! Let's protect our home together!"

***

Charles was lying on the bed in the pilothouse of the Narwhale. He clutched his head in agony as the ceiling above him began to warp and twist. It was happening again.

Not only did he have to deal with visual and auditory hallucinations, but sharp, sporadic pains shot through his brain every so often during such episodes.

Beside him, Laesto sat on a stool and sipped from his tin flask. He showed zero concern for Charles' distress.

"I wasn't part of your previous treatment. Using medication recklessly might cause unintended side effects. You'll have to endure it."

Charles closed his eyes to avoid the distorted vision completely.

"Bandages," Charles called out. "Turn five degrees to the left and advance at full speed. I can feel that we're getting close."

Manning the helm, Bandages silently carried out the captain's command.

Laesto pressed down on a bulging vein on Charles' forehead. "Can you really navigate in this condition? Are you sure you are not leading us to get lost at sea again?"

"Shut up!" Charles snapped back furiously with his eyes still closed. A harsh tone like this was so rare that it made Bandages wonder if the crazed version of Charles had returned again.

Silence engulfed the cabin instantly, save for the ticking of a quartz clock on the wall.

As he faded in and out of consciousness, Charles lost track of the time until suddenly, the excruciating pain in his brain ceased. He opened his eyes and surveyed his surroundings to notice Laesto and Bandages staring out of the glass window.

"What happened? Have we arrived?" Charles asked as he climbed out of bed and joined them.

The silhouette of a brightly lit landmass emerged in the distance amidst the dark sea expanse.

"Captain...Is this... the place?" Bandages asked.

Charles nodded in excitement. "Yes, this is it! The solution to breaking the Divinity's Curses is on this island."

At least, that was what the GPS in his mind was telling him.

The Narwhale soon approached the island. It was a strange land with not a single vessel in sight at the dock. Not even a fishing boat.

The crew dropped anchor and disembarked. As soon as they stepped ashore, they immediately noticed the harbor's odd atmosphere. The port lacked the usual bustle and unsavory establishments.

Instead of the typical seafarer trifecta of brothels, bars, and gambling dens, there were atypical buildings—theaters, circuses, and doll shops.

Charles even spotted a jewelry store that was lavishly decorated.

Opening a jewelry shop in the harbor district? Are they trying to donate to the poor?

Compared to the out-of-place infrastructure, the island's inhabitants were just as odd.

Lily, now dyed orange, scratched her fluffy cheek with her tiny paw and remarked, "Mr. Charles, they... they all look so lazy."