Chapter 20 – It's Time To Rest

"Even the strongest among us need to rest some time."

'31st February 1780,

What gives a man his purpose? Is it the things that he is obliged to do? Is it the things that his commanders tell him to do? When a man sets out to save the world, or control it, who has the right to say that the world needs to be changed? In the end does it all come down to those who are good? Is it my purpose to feel obliged to protect the good, and so become good myself? But I am not good. I have killed men, and robbed from others, hurt people, taken advantage of people. I can try to justify my actions and say that it is all for the greater good, but that is no excuse. I do not regret the things I have done nor do I want people to understand them. My purpose is the apple. I am meant to find it. Whether it is to protect it or to use it, it does not matter. I will never rest until it is in my hands…'

Slowly Nelson opened his eyes and stared up at the leaves of a coconut tree that served to blot out the sun. He was lying on a rough spun blanket over soft white beach sand. Nelson heard someone squeezing water out of a sponge and into a bucket. He turned his neck and sighted a young dark skinned woman wearing a white dress. She came over to him with the sponge in hand and placed the cool material over his forehead.

'There there.' She said. Her voice was soothing and sweet. 'It is about time you opened your eyes. I thought you would never wake up. My name is Cubah Cornwallis.'

The woman's English was not very fluent but Nelson could understand her well enough. 'What time is it?' He asked.

'About three o'clock.' She said as she removed the sponge from Nelson's forehead. 'It's the sixth of March. You have been asleep for three days now. You had the black water fever, real bad too. Worse than anyone I've ever seen before.'

Nelson sat up gently. 'Blackwater?' He uttered. It was the common term used for malaria. Without a word, the nurse set her things down and then walked off into the trees, leaving Nelson alone. When she returned, just five minuted later, General Dalling and Sir Parker accompanied her. Dalling pulled up a crate full of spices and sat down comfortably on it. Sir Parker did the same.

Dalling was the first to speak. 'Nelson, glad to see that you are okay. My young doctoress over here says that you had a bad case of black water fever.'

Nelson coughed once and then replied, 'It appears so.'

'Nevertheless I'd like to congratulate you and Collingwood on getting us into the fort. We owe our victory to you both.'

'Where is Collingwood?' Nelson asked.

'I sent him off to hunt down all the Spanish that tried to escape after our victory. Boy can they run.' Dalling remarked.

Sir Parker cut in. 'Yes, you did well. I've decided to give you command of a new ship, The HMS Janus. You can take command as soon as you are able.'

Now Cubah cut in. 'I'm sorry sir, but Horatio has not even broken his fever, and he was seriously wounded in the fighting. It may be a very long time before he is well again.'

Sir Parker thought for a moment. 'Very well, I've changed my mind. Perhaps you've done your part in the West Indies, and you've done it well. I am discharging you from here on until you are well again. Take the HMS Lion back to England and regain your strength.'

'Thank you sir.' Nelson said.

Cubah cut in again. 'He needs to rest.' She motioned for Dalling and Parker to leave. They stood up together and gave Nelson some privacy. He slept like a baby for the rest of the day and the night.

The next afternoon Nelson was given permission by Cubah to walk around the fort. He found that it had been mostly cleaned up, despite the damage done to the buildings. The entire fallen British soldiers were still being buried along the road that led into San Juan. The Spanish dead were either burned or thrown to the ocean.

As soon as he felt weak he returned to Cubah on the beach and he rested. Later that night Elizabeta and Collingwood joined him.

'Straight after the battle I sent the assassin's after Cortez, they are tracking him. We'll get another chance in time.' Elizabeta reassured.

Nelson informed both of them of his new plans. 'I am leaving for England with the HMS Lion as soon as she is ready. Once I have recovered I will go after Cortez myself. I want to make sure that he dies by my hand.'

'We're coming with you.' Collingwood said.

'No,' Nelson rebutted. 'Your place is here with Sir Parker, there is still work for you to do.'

'Then I guess this is goodbye, for now anyway.'