Today is Sir Edward's second visit here. He had come before, but then you could hardly open your eyes, feeling a damp piece of cloth on your forehead... At that time he had come to see Bush. And now?
Sir Edward sits down on the edge of your hospital bed. He speaks softly, slightly pressing your hand, as if he were trying to pass on his strength to you, along with his confidence in a positive outcome of the trial. "Don't worry about Horatio. Doctor Clive says that you think too much about the trial, which is not good for your health."
Your teacher looks at you sternly. But you know why he is here. You know he is the closest person in the whole world that Horatio and you have. And he is the head of the tribunal. But... even he won't be able to save Horatio if Clive, Hobbs and Buckland give precisely the kind of testimony you expect them to, and which you fear far more than what will happen to you personally...
"Nobody accuses any of you of conspiracy or of disobedience to the captain. Or of an attempt on his life. Clive confirms having declared the captain unfit to command... All will be well, Archie. All is well. Now it is up to you: you must get well. I saw Horatio... He asked me to give you this."
The admiral gets out of his pocket a scrap of paper. A note? He gives it to you...
You read the thin letters scribbled in pencil. A bold, sweeping handwriting. Horatio.
"Don't worry about the trial and get well. We'll yet sail together, Archie. I need you alive."
A lifebelt... Horatio's hand on your shoulder... But how, how in the world could you stop worrying about him?!
You look into Sir Edward's eyes. He has never lied to you. The two of you exchange a little smile... You try desperately to calm down... to have faith.
The note disappears under the pillow. They don't search the wounded... and all the more so the head of the tribunal. Nevertheless, Horatio and Captain Pellew took great risks so that you could read these few words. So that you would calm down...
Horatio... It is as if he had come in person to talk to you. As if you heard him say the words you just read...
You feel Sir Edward's hand on your shoulder.
"Get well and don't panic. I'll get all of you out of here, I need you on the Indefatigable. And... I am so sorry I've sent you to the Renown..."
You are again alone in the hospital ward: you and William... But you have a feeling there are three of you. No, four. Horatio and Sir Edward are with you... You must have faith.