Temptations

ɎChapter♠SixteenɎ

 Elias and Archer sat at the long table, their fellow Edward Jameson beside them. At the head of the table, The Duke of Howard sat, drinking a small cup of tea. He was young, most likely around 28 years old but he didn't look it. His hair, though graying on the sides, was still a luscious dark blonde. He didn't have the body of a soldier but that of Nobel, with a slim, long shape and barely any muscles.

"I'm sure many of you already know the reason I've called you here today." He said, his voice posh and high pitched like that of a boy's. "I've had an audience with the queen, and she's given me her blessing to recruit three ships and three commanders for my fleet." When no one answered he continued. "Gentlemen, I'm about to embark on one of our country's most exclusive and revolutionizing expeditions and I've chosen you three to do it. I'm going to find the Isle of Time." He said with a smug smile as he leaned forwards on the table.

Edward and Archer burst into laughter. Elias held himself back and only showed a smile, but Archer was dying beside him, laughing so hard he could barely breathe. He wiped his tears away, and like the brash, and wide-mouthed person he was, he spoke his mind.

"The Isle of Time doesn't exist! It's a bedtime story told to us by our parents when we couldn't sleep at night. By gods, I think that gold necklace of yours has poisoned your mind!"

Edward laughed harder with him and Elias pursued his lips. "I'm not joking." The Duke growled.

"Very well, sir. You may not be joking, but you'll have to find yourself a Captain that will actually sail under your command to find a fairy tail, along with possibly losing their own crew and supplies." Archer said, standing and ready to leave.

"Are you saying you're ready to commit treason?" The Duke said, crossing his arms with a smirk.

"Treason?" Archer asked, his eyes narrowing into threatening slits.

"Yes. Her Majesty allowed me to pick any three, giving me her blessing on this expedition. If you do not comply with Her Majesty's orders, you are committing treason against the crown." They all fell silent.

It was not only a waste of time, but of supplies, and energy. Men die at sea all the time, and the risk with absolutely no reward was ridiculous. But treason was a death sentence, and they had so much to live for. When they didn't answer, The Duke took that as his answer.

"We will leave in 5 days. If you aren't at the Southern Docks by the 7th hour, I'll take that as your rejection of the order, and decided treason was a better fate." Elias and Archer looked at each other but said nothing. "Now, if we're done here. Dismissed." With one last glare at the Duke, they walked out of the bar.

"Well, I think it's time for a drink, don't you?" Archer asked, brows raised in amusement even though his shoulders were pushed back in tension.

"Yes, I think it is," Elias answered. "Would you like to join us, Edward?"

"No, I'd like to spend my last few days with the Mrs., just in case that loon takes us to an early grave." He chuckled.

"Marrying at 22 already sent you to an early grave!" Archer guffawed.

Edward rolled his eyes. "And to an early bed." With a nod to his head, he said his goodbyes and left the two alone.

"I guess it's just us tonight," Archer said.

"Don't forget our mystery thief; the only reason we're going out tonight."

"Yes, yes. You want to find your sword," he waved him off. "Let's get that drink first."