"Columbus, the King has decreed that you are released."
"Ahahaha! I, Columbus, have finally returned once more!..."
"Ahahaha! Thank you, Envoy of the Queen, for coming to get me out of prison, and bringing a four-wheeled carriage fit for nobility... Huh?! Why is it you?! Eliyahu, you wretch destined for the Hell of Fire!"
Columbus stood at the prison gate, having changed into the clothes that were originally confiscated from him. Though still tattered, at least now he looked like a respectable person. Beside him was Captain De La Cosa, looking haggard and frail, obviously tormented by the life in prison.
As for the other sailors of the Holy Maria, only eight remained, even the Navigator Pedro was missing, perhaps even dead from illness. As for these ordinary low-level sailors, the Portuguese say that if they died, they died; even if the Kingdom of Castile pursued the matter, at most they would compensate with dozens of silver coins...
