as the thunder of that flag cracked across the armada , the light changed to a flag featuring an albatross over a red coat-of-arms , flashing magnificently ; then another deafening crack and it was shiny silver swords crossed beneath a white dove ; then twin gleaming-green dragons curling over ammalinaeus ; then gold lances over four blue crescent moons ; then sea horses with ruby eyes on each side of a scarlet-and-gold crown ; then green-blue palm leaves against the broad banded rings of ammalinaeus ; then what looked like a keeper surrounding a series of differently sized stars arranged in an arc ; then what looked like spires bordering concentric golden rings ; then a dolphin and a whale swimming through the vinelike stem of a beautiful white rose .