Chapter 2

"Growing Russian Unrest"

Heeding the command that was given to him, John hastily made his way over to the conference room not far from Melody's bedroom. As he walked, the young British admiral could only imagine a good reason for this interruption to ruin his plans to ask Melody's hand in marriage. When he got to the conference room, he was about to see why this interruption was important.

"Admiral Nelson!" cried Sir Percy, who had returned from London a few days earlier with news of the trouble in question. "Thank God himself for letting you come to this meeting. I have the most urgent news concerning our situation in the Crimea."

"I knew that it was only a matter of time before they would give us cause for concern," said John, worriedly. "All of you know how much my father had been keeping an eye on the Russians."

It was true that Admiral Nelson had been keeping on the Russian Navy for several years prior to the Battle of Trafalgar. With the growing threat of Napoleon to the west and the growing threat of Alexander to the east, both Britain and Denmark knew that they had to eradicate one threat before eradicating the next.

"Well we all know of the situation," said Sir Percy. "I have been given the message by my superiors in London to dispatch our best ships from both the English and the Danish navies to the Crimea. If the Russians were to conquer Turkey, then they will have enough firepower to attack anywhere in Europe. We must not let them succeed in any way."

"If you don't mind my asking," interjected Eric, who raised his hand at the head of the table. "Why can't we ask Napoleon for help? He can send us a few French ships for support."

A long, long silence fell on the conference room and even John couldn't believe what he was hearing. Eric had no idea that Napoleon was a different man than he had come to know.

"I'm afraid, Eric that there is something about Napoleon that you should know about," advised Grimsby, who was sitting next to him. "Apparently, we might as well all agree that his highness, Napoleon has his own plans for conquering Europe."

"Indeed," remarked Sir Percy. "Ever since the battle at Ortega, the French have vowed to one day conquer all of Europe. If Napoleon joins forces with the Russians, then every kingdom in Europe would be at their mercy. Fortunately, the Prussians have focused their attention on Napoleon and thus, allows us to deal with the Russians."

Eric was shocked to hear this statement about Napoleon. He could remember attending that cashiering ceremony at Versallies, when Napoleon ordered that the naval officer who tried to rape Ariel was stripped of everything he had worked his life for. Eric thought that this wasn't true, that France did not have its own agenda. He knew that not every single French citizen was loyal to Napoleon and sure enough, he knew of someone that could help them in their cause.

"May I ask if we have enough ships in our fleets to combat the enemy?" asked John, firmly. "If we have enough, then in three days we will leave for the Crimea and start our defense."

"That is not enough," replied Sir Percy, rising to his feet. "We don't have enough men to recruit in three days. Our spies have informed us that the Russians are still in the midst of preparing their fleet."

"Then how many do they have?" asked John, again. "What did the spies say?"

Sir Percy didn't want to say anything that would spoil the meeting, but John was not one to wait for an answer over a long period of time. Time was of the essence and it was running out with each passing second.

"The Russians are planning to bring 100 ships to Crimea," answered Sir Percy in a grim voice. "We are facing a dangerous threat, gentlemen. I want us to recruit as many men as possible while the Russians are still preparing their fleet. Admiral, when do you want as many recruits by?"

"My belief is that we should men recruited and trained by the end of the week," replied John. "If we are to face a fleet of 100 ships from an empire as great as the Russians, we must be ready at full strength. In order to do it, we need time. At sunrise, I want you all marching through the streets of Copenhagen and London recruiting as many fine young men as possible. These next few days are to be the most important in your lives up to this point."

But, just as the meeting was over, Eric tapped the end of the table with his hand and everyone fell silent. Then again, Denmark was Eric's country and thus, his suggestions were just as great as the rest of men that were seated.

"I understand that the French are not to be included," he said. "However, I know of one individual who would be more than willing to aide us in our impending battle with the Russians."

"Are you of course referring to Prince Adam of one of the Northern kingdoms of the French Empire?" asked a man with red hair and a red moustache as he rose to his feet. "That young man is a considered threat to Napoleon's power despite his age. I don't know what you see in that boy."

"That is correct, Admiral Cardigan," replied Eric. "And he and I just happen to be childhood friends. I know for a fact that he would be able to aide us in our cause, whether he is loyal to Napoleon or not."

The middle aged Admiral sat back down and closed his eyes, absorbing everything that he had listened to. However, no one would be more than willing to trust Admiral Cardigan, for he was an Admiral who would treat his soldiers like personal property.

"Well," said Sir Percy. "I would be more than willing to let you summon Prince Adam to join our cause, sire. We must have all the strength we have to defend the Crimea from these tyrants that want to make Europe their own."

So, the meeting came to an end and Eric and John made plans to start recruiting and training as many young men as possible for an impending battle for the glory and the dignity of Europe.

But, as the preparations were about to begin, Ariel was in her private quarters making preparations of her own, preparations for one day passing her legacy onto Melody. For little did everyone know that the events of her ordeal at Ortega had made Ariel think of her own future as well as Melody's.