Chapter Forty Eight - The Admiral

The king stood at Horseshoe lake with the legion of Ice Mages. A fisherman stood on the docks, confused about the stampede of horses and the commotion. The king asked to borrow the fisherman’s wooden dinghy and the fisherman politely bowed.

“It’s not a luxury barge, but anything for you, my king.” The fisherman said, tipping his cap.

The king got into the boat and two ice mages rowed alongside him. The king was looking into the murky water.

“I can’t see anything.” He said to the ice mages. The water was too cloudy. He had an idea. Without telling anyone, he grabbed the anchor and held it to his chest. Then he held his breath and jumped into the cold water.

The king sank to the bottom of the lake. His ears adjusted to the pressure. He opened his eyes and saw nothing but rocks and seaweed. A few fish floated around him, curiously looking at him. The king let go of the anchor and pushed off the bottom of the lake. He came to the top and the ice wizards looked at him.

“Did you see it?” One of them asked.

“It’s not down here. Pull up the anchor and let's try the other side of the lake.” The king said, gasping for breath. The king looked around the lake in different places. Eventually, on his fourth dive down, he came face to face with the ship’s mast, and then he landed on the ship’s deck. It was buried in the sludge at the bottom of the lake. The king dropped the anchor and rose to the top. He was cold and wet, but there was a big smile on his face.

“I found it.” The king said. “We could drain the lake, but that could take weeks. I have a better idea.”

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A few minutes later the king was treading water beside the ice wizards. They were all splashing around, some of them were happy to be swimming. It was a beautiful day.

The king dove to the seafloor and the wizards followed. The king showed the wreck and gestured with his hands. The wizards created a massive portal by working together. It opened beneath the sand. The sand, the ship and a massive amount of water started to fall through the portal.

Meanwhile in the Castle of Flowers, a large portal opened above the town square. Water, sand, mud and the large ship came falling through. The town square was drenched. The portal created a whirlpool in the lake and the mages and the king were sucked inside. They fell onto the ship, and were caught by the ship’s railings. Water quickly started to flood the street. The portal overhead closed, and the water barrage stopped. The king sat in the middle of the town square absolutely soaked. The mages were splayed out across the courtyard, gasping for air.

“Let’s do that again!” one of the mages yelled, a smile appeared on the king’s face.

The king got off the ship and walked a few metres away. He admired the ship.

It was still in one piece. It was leaking water slowly from some small cracks in the hull. The ship was beautiful. It was definitely something to be proud of. The ship’s front was decorated with a large ram. It was made out of ornate metalwork.

“The Admiral,” the king muttered to himself. It was surreal seeing it in the flesh. All he’d ever seen was the painting. It was a truly beautiful ship.

The wood had started to decay in some locations, and seaweed, and algae covered half of the ship. The king simply sat on a bench nearby and admired the scene.

The town square soon became filled with curious villagers and guards.

The king smiled. The Admiral was his ship now.