Sadly not - Conspiracy afoot.

On the lord admiral’s command the ship sprang into action. Sailors ran about the decks pulling lines and moving the sails. The day was perfect for it and Nikolas’s cohort enjoyed the fresh sea breeze from the Arbiter of Fate’s command deck. Captain Sofia Lido took her place at the helm and guided the ship from port.

They enjoyed the company and a quick packaged lunch aboard the ship basking in the fresh summer sun as they watched the port fade into the distance. Nikolas made sure to mentally note that a number of the admiral flagships were missing - many of the other families retreating to their home islands. They were entitled to do so, only being oath-bound to be present on Lagos per his command but it had not yet been prudent to summon the full Admiralty yet. It would need to be soon, but it was not yet an emergency.

Still it was unfortunate that so few remained on the island where he could keep an eye on them. In light of the recent rumors that a Corsair fleet had been spotted near by Frostpeak watchtowers moving along the south coast; he wished the other admirals were sooner ready to move if called. Something to be noted to Baelin upon their return.

As the cruise continued Nik found his attention drifting towards the new Cabin-girl and attendant Isabelle - So far as he could see she was diligent and hardworking but seemed to stay near Sofia when not needed elsewhere. She was aloof from the rest of the crew. Whether this was the result of just being new to the crew or other reasons was unknown. While she clearly knew her way around the ship; the life was not an easy one and the tell tale signs of spending too long aboard were about the young woman like a miasma. Her hair was cropped short and held back by a bandanna, her deck-work uniform was as dirty as she could reasonably get away with. Nikolas summoned her over with a wave.

“Di Noro, I checked with Sofia, you’re up for rating soon.”

“Aye Sir.” She stood aloof in front of Nikolas too. Nervous?

“She seems to think you’re going to turn it down.” It was a statement of fact - Sofia already let slip that Isabelle turned down full rating. Then Sofia pawned her off on me. Why would a wet rat of a kid they picked up as a survivor, spent her whole teenage years on ships, turn down becoming a proper sailor? Better question; Why did Sofia then send her my way?

“Well, uh… I don’t really know what else I would do. There isn’t really a life anywhere for me.”

“The Captain spoke well of you.”

“I know sir, and I am grateful. I’ve been with Captain Lido for years - she’s… She’s always looked out for me.”

“Hrm. Alright, I won’t pry. We have a little work to do and if you want to earn your keep away from the ship as well, attend me.” Nik pushed himself off of the railing and away from watching the water. There were other events that would not sit well until addressed and the sooner they were, the easier life might be.

—————————————————-

The sun was setting and the ship returning to the cove as Nikolas and Nina retired to the admiral’s ready room just below the command deck. It was outfitted in brass and adorned with trophies taken during his time as a junior officer in various minor campaigns over his youth. With a meaningful glance between the lord admiral and his steward Baelin decided it was a good time to take a walk topside leaving only Nikolas, Nina, and his attendant present. Nikolas moved to the brushed cherry desk anchored to the starboard side and sat in the ornately carved matching chair before turning back to his guest - a pained look on his face.

“Ok, Nina - don’t get me wrong - I’m happy you’re here, but why show up now. I show back up in the isles; have barely enough time to get my feel below me and start feeling out the political tides of the admiralty and - at just the most convenient time possible. We both know our families have drifted apart. What business are you here for that your father didn’t want to approach me himself?” Nina hesitated. Her face crossed a series of emotions before her shoulders dropped and she took a seat at the small table in the center of the room.

“Nik, I did want to visit. I tried the last time you were on the isles and I tried to get a messenger to you when I was in the capital. I am happy to see you.” She looked into her hands` - they shook lightly. “…but, yes. Father asked me to meet you here” She quickly added “but Baelin accepted the request.” Nik only watched sternly. Passing blame onto his steward was not going to win points and his patience for the political games was already wearing thin. Damnit Nina - Can I have one person that doesn’t play this fucking game with me?

“Nina…” His voice held unspoken commands and her body subconsciously obeyed her posture lowering subserviently. “Why did he send you?”

“Our families were good friends once right? I still believe we can be. I want to be. I missed you Nik, believe me please. But your father hadn’t actually run the island for a decade and you’re barely considered an islander anymore with how long you’ve spent in the rest of the kingdom.” Nina looked up at him. His eyes felt like they pierced to her core.

“The other families have started talking; and dad needed me to get you somewhere private to tell you that it’s not just idle chatter anymore and I need you to know we’re not traitors. My family will side with whoever can protect the isles. We’re not strong enough to fight without help. Dad sent me to give you time to be ready. He wants a reason to side with you.”

“Loyalty isn’t enough? Fealty?” It wasn’t Nikolas already knew that. Fealty and loyalty only went so far as the reach of one’s fleet and the number of guns at their command. He sighed. Beating her up over this when she was trying to help wasn’t going to make things better. “Ok. Fine. To be ready for what exactly?” the Lord Admiral’s voice was as tense as the yardarm runs under a full gale.

“We’re not sure exactly.” She continued despite Nik’s grumbles. “While the family has been approached by agents of the plotters dad’s been hesitant to commit so we don’t know the details. Look he’s taking a huge risk by coming to y-.”

“I know.” Nikolas faced away staring at the map of the isles laid out before him on the desk. He knew his fathers position was tenuous when Nikolas agreed to take on the title. But finally it began to sink in. The long lessons of courtly intrigue with Baelin, the reason his father trusted the steward who was basically a second father. The **** of his mother, fathers withdrawal from court after, the infrequent visits to Logos from a number of the other admirals. The lines all began to connect. Nina moved to stand behind him looking over his shoulder. The intensity of his focus as the stresses set in upon her childhood friend. If he could whether the coming storm he would be a great man. “Nina, I need to think alone for a time. Isabelle, take her to the Steward please. Then return. I’ll be along in a few minutes.”

“Ok,” Nina knelt next to Admiral Fainwright and placed a gentle kiss on his cheek. “Don’t push me away Nik - you’ll need friends and I want to be here.” She stood and the diminutive attendant reached for Nina and gently lead her back topside.

————————————————-

When Isabelle returned she found the normally put together young admiral in an altogether different state. His jacket was tossed aside on the small bed, waistcoat undone he sat back staring at the wall fingers on his temples. He stirred but did not move when the door clicked shut. She stood awkwardly to the side unsure.

“Isabelle. Do you believe her?”

“Mi’lord Admiral?” While clearly unsure of herself she straightend and walked over to stand behind her master.

“Do you believe her?” he repeated.

“I’m the wrong person to ask mi’lord. I don-“

“I’m asking you. Answer the question.”

“She seems sincere.” What else was there to say? She barely knew the other noble. Was this her new role? To sit unseen and listen to the games of the admiralty that happened behind closed doors. He looks exhausted; as if he aged 10 years in as many minutes. Hesitantly she put her small hands on his broad shoulders. She traced the lines of his muscles for a quick minute before trying to kneed them. His shoulders were as hard as teak, but what mattered was that she tried; and after a second he breathed out and his shoulders dropped a fraction of an inch.

She continued to work at his shoulders a few minutes more as they sat in silence. Until Nikolas spoke again. “How did he keep it together.” It was just musing to himself. Not her place to interject; and so her mind wandered. He was quite handsome. When Sofia talked about him Isabelle has imagined a twiggy awkward boy. Before her though, was a young, strong, cut, if a bit baby-faced man. That had set her feeling things she’d been hesitant to admit to herself for a long while. Maybe she could do this. She moved her hands forward from his shoulders down onto his chest causing Nikolas to glance back at her questioningly. Isabelle moved to his side as her hands continued sliding down until they hovered over the buttons to his trousers. She breathed a small sigh of relief as he made no move to stop her.

“I know I’m not beautiful, but I can try to help uh, relieve you.” She began undoing the buttons on his trousers and hesitated as she felt his manhood stir and begin to grow. Nikolas slid his chair back to give her access and the decision was made she was committed. She hurried to finish with the buttons and reached to move take his rapidly hardening cock in her hand. Isabelle slid her lithe body against his nuzzled against his neck as her hand finished fishing his manhood from his undergarments. A deep sound, a mix of a sigh and moan signaled his approval and she increased her pace stroking him and fluttering kisses along his neck. She didn’t dare try to kiss him directly yet. This would do for now.

While her inexperience was clear, Nikolas thought it was cute. It was fitting too that she did not hesitate move to take care of him when he was clearly distressed. He groaned aloud as she sped up. He was quickly approaching his release and reached behind the small thing and began nudging her to move. She wasn’t getting the hint so he stood awkwardly causing her to almost fall and pausing her ministration.

“Fuck, on your knees and keep going.”

“Oh!” as the realization caught up with her she fell to her knees as commanded and resumed stroking him with purpose and vigor until he swatter her hands away and took over. While she’d never done anything with the men, she heard tell of how they liked the girls in town. She positioned herself below him and looked up just in time. Her hazel eyes caught his right as he peaked and the first jet of his seed caught ran from her forehead to her chin. The next and the next after that did the same. The bursts after that caught her neck and ran through the small mounds on her chest. Finally he collapsed, spent, back into his chair. Isabelle rested against his leg for a moment longer.

——————————————————

Once they were cleaned up Nikolas was the first to leave the ready-room only to find that they had already docked back in Admiral’s Cove. The sun was beginning to set and the ship was already moored again as the sailors were changing out shifts. He’d expected that Baelin and Nina would’ve headed back and yet he found them talking to the harbor master and awaiting his return. While he wanted to bring Isabelle back to the crest and take her on as a page - the time was not right. Not with the scowl Nina was giving him, and the knowing smirk his steward sported.

It would have wait. There was a coup to thwart.