Chapter 81: The clue

When Cervantes' ship, which was now commanded by Rock, arrived back in Spain, the first thing Ivy and Rock saw when they disembarked was the sailor who had helped them, running towards them.

- Heey! – he yelled while approaching them at full speed.

- What happens? – exclaimed Rock.

The sailor stopped beside them, panting, and he handed them a folded piece of paper.

- What's this? – asked Rock, picking it up.

- I don't know. A hooded man gave it to me and told me not to unfold it. He said that I just had to give it to you.

Rock looked at the piece of paper suspiciously.

- How did he know that we would come back?

- I don't know. – repeated the sailor.

- Unfold it, Rock. – said Ivy.

The captain did it reluctantly.

- What on earth is this? – he asked, showing it to Ivy.

The piece of paper depicted a sort of path. There were some handwritten words all over it.

- Toledo, Paris, Berlin... – she read. – These are European capitals. I think this is a map, or something like that.

Fortunately for Rock, who remembered as far as his life in America, Ivy was an educated and well-read person, so she had understood the words he hadn't.

- A map? – asked Rock. – To where?

Ivy continued reading to herself.

- The last word is New Delhi. – said Ivy. - India.

- Where is that?

Ivy looked at his eyes.

- Far. – she answered. – We should go back to the ship and gather more supplies. Fortunately, I'm the only one who needs them.

- I'm not very sure about this, Ivy... What if this is a trap?

- A trap or not, it's our only clue to follow.

- You're right. We'll take Cervantes with us. I don't want to leave him alone.

- Do you think that will be safe?

- Alan will keep him under control. Calm down, we won't let him hurt you.

- Thank you. – replied Ivy smiling.

- We'd better start moving.

Rock went back to the ship to let the crew know about his plans and to gather supplies and weapons.

Ivy addressed the sailor:

- You've helped us a lot. – she said. – I belong to a distinguished family. I have a high sum of money in a bank, in London. When all this finishes, I'll have you in mind.

- Oh, that won't be necessary, miss. I just wanted to help.

- I think you deserve it. Do you have a family?

He nodded.

- A wife and three children. We're not rich, but we don't starve either.

- Anyway, I'm sure that money will suit you well.

- If you insist...

- I really hope to see you again. – said Ivy before heading back to the ship.

- Wait! – yelled the sailor.

- Yes? – replied Ivy, stopping.

- Good luck. And if you ever need me again, I'll be right in here.

Ivy smiled and she finally went back onto the ship.