𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝕋𝕙𝕚𝕟𝕘𝕤 𝕋𝕙𝕒𝕥 𝕎𝕠𝕟'𝕥 𝕃𝕒𝕤𝕥 𝔽𝕠𝕣𝕖𝕧𝕖𝕣. ⏱

7. The Captain

-Who knows if It's good or bad that I'm afraid...

Time frowned looking at the map of Underland.
-Again, the feeling in the guts, Sir? - Wilkins put down a tray with a tea he had just bringed.
-Yes, something tells me that I shouldn't go. That I'm doing something wrong. It happens increasingly.
-But you wanted to go!
-I know! Of course I wanted to! I'm dying to spend some me with her and get out of this...- He gestured vaguely -... prison of ours!
-We...the Seconds and I will be loyal and never leave the guard, but I can't see why you shouldn't have a little break.
-You can see it on the first page of The Order! It stands clear that I have to stay here for the whole eternity. - He snorted.
-Oh...but you won't leave for too long and the castle is under supervision, what could possibly go wrong? Just don't let anyone kill you.
-I don't know.
-If anything happens you can use that black-hole device and get you all back here safe and sound, right? And you won't be alone anyway.
-Right...maybe I'm overthinking it too much.
-That's what I was saying all the time. Less thinking, less babbling and more doing!

Time looked at him and he felt like he spilled too much and went silent.
-I appreciate it. - Time said. - You are tired, aren't you, Wilkins? You spent hundreds of years by my side.
-Huh? Me? Well I wouldn't say 'tired'. I would say It's good to let the energy out of here sometimes and let the new one in. I mean, it's healthy.

***

   When everything and everyone was ready to take off from the shore, Alice settled the ship course to the north-west. She remembered to lead them to avoid the dangerous tides and unknown waters. It would take more time this way, but they would reach the Outlands.
She was very good at it. If there was something she knew as well as her own pocket, it was the ship steering.

When she reached for her pocket, looking for her father's watch, Alice found something else there. Another silver pocket watch. When she opened it, it was empty, excluding a trembling black-hole in the center. She realized it was Time's teleporting device. She put it back in her pocket and fastened it. She hoped using it wouldn't be necessary.

***

   Of course, it was impossible to not have Tarrant on this journey. He didn't hesitate even for a second. And where Tarrant was, Mally was there too, as well as Thackery. Bayard had to reject Alice's proposition, because of his wife, who didn't want him to put himself in any more danger. It was quite obvious Cheshire and Nivens would also stay on land. Tweedles were not happy about such a long trip, because they both had seasickness(The Jubjub Bird had his part in that! He shook them too much, taking them upside down to Salazen Grum) Alice didn't even ask if the Queens were interested, but she did tell Queen Mirana that if they find anything on the sea, it will belong to the Kingdom of Marmoreal.
In the end, the five of them were going to explore the sea and the Outlands and it was absolutely fine. They had enough space to travel even too comfortably.
Alice and Time shared the captain room together.

***

   They already spent four days on the sea and everything was going just as planned. They were about half way to the Outlands.
Alice never felt so happy before. Oh, if only her parents could see her steering this beautiful ship! If only they could meet her beloved friends...!
Her friends...
Despite Alice's fears, they all were compliant with each other. There was no tension between them.
Everybody was enjoying the journey and their company.
Even Time was enjoying himself. He didn't have to do anything but what he wanted. There was no rush anywhere. His shoulders, always raised up and tense, finally fell down relaxed. He didn't have to pretend anything. Not with Alice. And he even learned to like those mad friends of hers with reciprocity.

***

-Look! Look! - Mallymkun squealed.
-What is it, Mally? - Tarrant asked. They all gathered together on her call.
-The water! It's crystal clear! I can see the bottom of the sea! - She replied very excitedly. Friends came to the railing to have a closer look. Indeed, the sea was so clear they were able to see all the sea creatures through the water.
-You think the water is sweet? We could have a drink and we would not waste the water supplies. We could even refill our empty barrels! - The Dormouse said.
-That's a wonderful idea! - Alice came to the railing, drew a bucket and a rope and lowered the bucket down to collect the water.
She took some liquid in her hands and smelled it first, then gently dipped her lips in it. -It tastes great! - She said.
They all took their mugs and teacups and poured the water into it.
On the other hand Time smelled something odd, something repulsive in the air, he looked over the railing, blinked a few times and then he saw it.