With ponderous intent.

The fleet landing at the Lord Admiral’s Cove bypassed most of the city letting out directly into the higher city. Specifically, the markets and upper class residences of Captain’s row. The district purpose built so that during the summers the morning sun ran up the middle of the road lighting up the avenue like a thousand gems. It was brilliant. Crowds bustled unaware of who now walked up the lane in their presence.

Nikolas didn’t want to be recognized yet anyway, it was good to see the day to day of merchants hawking their wares, couriers and courtiers running errands for their lords and other bustle of a thriving city. Sofia was clearly eager to get to the crest but Nikolas moved with ponderous intent, not avoiding destiny, but certainly in no hurry.

He looked over the various goods for sale. Before many of the trade ships on their way to the mainland and the trade port of Tarin made their way through Logos first, as both a liberty port for their tired sailors and to show their gratitude to the Admiralty for helping them arrive safely within the bounds of Itheria, There were always high quality goods in higher city. While the best merchants and artisans could just be brought to the Serpent’s Crest Nikolas had always felt at home in the city proper.

He was about to make his way into a tailor’s shop who had been in business since before his father’s time, the best on the island, when a deep booming baritone caught his attention. At the corner of the square a man robes in white loudly called to people trying to carry about their business. Anger welled within the new Lord Admiral.

It didn’t matter how the blasphemers made their way onto the island they would not stay. Nikolas had first encountered the Order of the Light in the Frostpeaks. Their positions on caring and pampering their ‘flock’ were an affront to the goddess of the storms. Nikolas marched directly for the father upon his makeshift pulpit.

“Get down now. By the authority of the Lord Admiral!” Venom dripped from Nik's words but the priest did not falter. Though the two assistants stepped behind the priest defensively. They were no older than Nik. One with the raven hair and deeply sun-kissed skin of the isles, the other an icy blonde from the far northlands.

“And just who exactly are you to countermand the king and admiralty of these islands? Begone before I fetch the guards.” One of the attendants, the islander, ran to fetch the city watch. Nikolas let them. This would be a good test of his new authority. While one left Nikolas found it difficult to pull his eyes away from the northland beauty. She was slightly more curvaceous than necessary but the extra only added to her hour-glass figure and large chest. She looked away attempting to maintain some modesty under the lustful gaze of the young noble before her.

The priest, content that Nikolas would not interrupt and soon be dealt with proceeded to go back to his speech but was cut short by two running guards.

“Father we came as quickly as we could. Is this…” His sentence dried in his mouth as the lead guard saw the broach of the Lord Admirals office on Nikolas’s cloak. He dropped to a knee immediately drawing attention from the entire square. “Milord Admiral, I apologize I did not know you had returned. I will…” Lord Admiral Fainwright drew in a breath mustering as much noble grace as he could, cut the man off.

“Back to your post. Now that the Father knows who he is speaking to I am sure he will remember his manners.” He turned back to the priest. “Off the stand now. I will not have your cowardly god corrupting my people.” The paled priest stepped down onto the cobbles and bowed slightly.

“I understand my lord, but a word please.” He gestured to a tavern bordering the square. The two men stepped inside and took a seat. The priests attendants hovering nearby.

“You have five minutes, I am due back at the crest within the hour.” Nikolas gazed past the priest at the blond who no doubt understood his attentions and blushed with a crimson hue.

“The king. His Majesty Bryce decreed that the Order is welcome in all duchies of the kingdom, and that we will have a presence at their courts. Logos is to date the only one which has refused us this honor.” The man of the cloth let the unsaid threat linger. Were it any other man Nikolas would have made an example of the fool. Perhaps he would still; just later. “I would like to accompany you to court today.” Nikolas had to stifle the laughter that threatened to burst from his lungs.

“You’re mad. I should kill you on the spot. But that would dishonor his majesty. I will have one of the Order join me at court, but it will not be you.” He looked directly into the nervous ice blue eyes of the priests attendant. “You. What is your name?”

“Um.” The poor girl froze on the spot unable to find her words in his presence. The priestess looked down at her thin robes which failed to hide her ample breasts, then at the table, and finally worked her way to look at her new lord. “Calliea, uh, initiate Calliea of the holy light milord.”

“You will be the court representative of your order. Sofia, please get that guard who helped us earlier and have him deliver our… esteemed missionary to the Serpents crest.” The adviser and senechal was already making the arrangements