Amity stood atop the deck of the Alba as it entered San Juan Harbor. It had been far too long since she was home. 5 years studying in Europe had its perks but nothing beat the warmth of the Caribbean sun. "Oh my lovely Puerto Rico, how I've missed you." She said as she danced atop the deck. The Blight family had moved to the archipelago only a few years before she had been born. As a child she would roam the streets of San Juan the sight of the old men rolling cigars by hand, The smell of the bakers making
fresh Pan de mallorcas(sweet bread rolls), the market selling fresh guava, the warm sandy beaches, the trips to the hot springs of Coamo it all put a smile on her face. As the ship passed by the port's fortifications a Spanish gunboat pulled up and ordered the ship to stop. The ship's captain obliged and 10 Spanish soldiers boarded the ship. Amity was curious about their reason and asked one of the men why they were halted. The soldier stated by order of governor phillip all ships were to be searched before docking
into harbor. Amity was no fool and was well aware of the conflict on the island but she was under the assumption the north of the island was safe. She had heard such awful things about the rebels and merely wished it would all come to an end. After 20 minutes the Spanish soldiers had confirmed the ship was clean and the ship was allowed to dock. As Amity got off the ship a familiar face was waiting to see her. "Dad!" Amity shouted as she ran to give her father a big hug."Hello sweetie." Alador Blight said as he
reciprocated the hug. The Blights were some of the elite of San Juan having made a considerable profit running numerous sugarcane and tobacco plantations on the island. "Why don't you wait in the carriage while I have the servants load your baggage." Alador said as Amity entered the carriage. After a few minutes her bags were loaded and they were off to blight manor their home located on the city's outskirts. As the carriage went through the city Amity saw how much things had changed. The once hustle and
bustle of the marketplace had died down. Every street spanish soldiers patrolled with rifles in hand and the locals had a sense of uneasiness in their eyes as if they wanted them gone. As they made their way through town she saw a group of Spanish soldiers removing posters that must have been put up by rebels. They read Boriken llama a sus hijos a la Libertad. How things had really changed since she left home…..
La Fortaleza 10 minutes later….
Governor Phillip Belos de Malo looked at a map of the island. 3 years of fighting peasants and slaves and they can't move an inch. Over the years he had sacked multiple generals but yet nothing. As he took a puff on his cigar a man walked into the room. The man wore a spiffing military uniform adorned with numerous medals. He had a well groomed mustache. The man was an advisor of Queen Isabella II. " How goes the war." The old man said. Phillip looked at this man and began to laugh.``How do you think it
goes. We haven't moved an inch in 3 years." Phillip said as he tossed the cigar into a metal trash bin." The Queen grows tired of this. She demands you put down this uprising at once." The advisor said setting off a nerve in Phillip." At once. At once. Well maybe if the Queen had listened to my request for reinforcements." Phillip said before being interrupted. "You think you're the only one in need of manpower. Revolts have broken out all across the empire. Santiago de cuba has fallen to rebels led by Carlos Manuel de
Céspedes. Riots have broken out in Manila and not even Guam is safe from this discontent. The Spanish empire is at death's door and I fear we are powerless to stop it." The advisor said as he poured himself a glass of rum and drank.``If you can spare me more men, a regiment or two, I can end this." Phillip said as the advisor took a swig of the rum.``I'll see what I can do but I make no promises." The advisor said as he left for the front door."You do realize if you fail, it won't matter that you saved the queen from a coup. Your head will be on a silver plate next to mine." The advisor said closing the doort to mine." The Advisor said as he exited the room. Phillip then poured himself a drink as his son Hector entered the room."Father how are you?" Hector said as Phillip took a sip of his rum.
"Fine, just discussing the state of this war with an advisor to the queen." Phillip said as He looked at his son. A young officer in the Spanish army. He requested him to be stationed here to keep an eye on him. He now worried for his son's future if he were to fail. He had to secure his future and the family blood line. " Father it seems we have been invited to the Blight party welcoming their daughter Amity returning from studies in Europe." Hector said, which gave Phillip an idea. "Well then we must get ourselves ready for the party then…..
Blight Manor…..
As the carriage pulled up to the mansion Amity saw servants were hard at work . "Father, what is the occasion?" Amity asked as she was helped out of the carriage by one of the servants. "Why? It's to celebrate your return. It was your mothers idea." Alador said and at that moment it sent a shiver down Amity's spine. She knew what her mothers parties meant. Her mother is trying to find her a suitable husband. The men her mother thought were suitable were just nothing but pretentious rich snobs and were so dull
and uninteresting Amity wouldn't wed them if they were the last persons on earth. That said being a lady of Nobility she knew she had to at least entertain her mother less she incur her wrath. All Amity wanted in a partner was someone interesting and someone who treated her as an equal and not as some mere prize to be claimed. But alas It would take a miracle for her to find someone. As she entered the house her mother was busy organizing the part. "Amity, dear daughter, how are you?" Odalia said, giving her
daughter a hug that was not wanted. "Fine mother. What's this about a party?" Amity said as her mother sat down." Amity sweetie, I just want to celebrate my lovely daughter's return from Europe. What is so wrong with that." Odalia said. Amity was frustrated but decided against angering her mother. "Alright then I'll head to my room." Amity said as she was off.``Party is in 2 hours wear something nice." Odalia said as she went back to work preparing the party…..
2 Hours later….
Blight manor was lively with the sound of music and laughter. All of San Juans elite were in attendance. Amity was alone in a corner reading a book. Journey to the center of the earth by Jules Verne. She had discovered his writing while studying in Europe and fell in love. As she was reading she was smacked by none other than her mother." Amity please put that book down and mingle with the guest.." Odalia said as she went to small talk with prominent merchants. The Blights since moving to Puerto Rico had made a
sizable profit running numerous sugarcane and tobacco plantations across Puerto Rico. However the fighting had claimed their most profitable plantation so it was imperative they could get the best deals shipping their goods to spain. So Odalia began having these frequent parties inviting key merchants to wine and dine in the hopes of better shipping prices. As Amity walked around and greeted a few partygoers she bumped into Governor Phillip. "Oh, why hello governor Phillip we are glad you could make it."
Amity said as she signaled a servant for drinks. "Why Ms. Blight I am so glad you have returned from your studies in Europe. I Hope the journey wasn't rough. The seas can be quite cruel.' Phillip said, picking a glass of wine from the plate the servant brought. "Oh the seas were quite calm. Thank heavens for that." Amity said, also taking a glass of wine from the servant. The two then talked for a bit about Europe and the war. As being in good relations with the Governor was key to maintaining their business, Amity kept
talking despite absolutely hating it. "Well it was fun to chat but I must be on my way." Amity said , about to leave before Philip said "Wait. Is your mother still trying to find you a spouse?" Amity looked at him and said"Unfortunately yes." Phillip saw this as an opportunity."This is perfect if my son marries into the blight family, his future and my bloodline will be secured." Philip looked at Amity" Well my dear it so happens my son has joined me after completing his studies at the military academy. Hector please
introduce yourself." Phillip said as the young officer bowed before Amity before kissing her hand."It is such a pleasure to meet you Ms Blight." Hector said Amity who had to keep a good appearance played along though she doubted he would be any different than the countless suitors her mother had sent her way. "Well it's nice to meet you as well but I must get back to reading." Amity said but before she left Hector said" Reading what novel. I enjoy a good book myself. One I have grown quite fond of is Journey to
the center of the earth." Amity was stunned. "Wait, you enjoy the writings of Jules Verne?" Amity said as the Young officer turned around. "Oh quite, at the academy they had all of his works in the library. I tended to read them while My fellow cadets took part in horseback riding." Amity looked at the man in his clean pressed military uniform, his well groomed mustache and his bold blue eyes "Well maybe this one might be different it would be rude to not give him a chance." "You know why don't we go out to the back
and talk some more." Amity said to which Hector agreed. As the two went out Phillip looked over to Odalia and nodded. The two spent the next hour talking about what they liked to read and their time in europe. While he wasn't the dull uninteresting noblemen her mother would try to match her up with. He was still quite pretentious talking about his long lineage of great military leaders in his family. In spite of that, she thought to herself, "If I don't date him, my mother will set me up with an even bigger loser." I had
a good time, perhaps we can meet up again." Amity said as she returned to the mansion. "Well in that case how about a carriage ride to Fajardo, My father has friends in town we can stay with and the waters glow a wonderful shade of blue at night." Hector said to which Amity agreed thinking to herself "Well what is the worst that could happen."