Breakfast and a surprise guest

**No Smut in this one. Setup chapter. I redid the last one to improve on the smut there so look that one over again if that’s what you want ;) **

The next days were a flurry of getting his own house in order. The elder Lord Admiral had been in the capital for over a year prior to his ****, handling the affairs of state that required a direct hand at the capital. While Baelin was more than a competent steward the islands needed the new Lord Admiral to take command of the fleet in person. Doing so from the capital by letter or messenger would only serve to tell their rivals that the time was right for them to move; and so, on his father’s **** Nikolas came home.

The next morning Nikolas awoke more well rested than he had in years. There was something about the island air and of being home that just couldn’t be replicated. Lyn bathed him and prepared him for the day and Nikolas in return chose to ignore how her gazes have grown more longing of recent. Calliea had been given one of the guest suites for the evening but was likely already on her way back to the church to notify them of the station granted to her. While the church couldn’t be **** to accept Nikolas’s decision, they also lacked the presence in the islands to undermine his choice. One problem resolved, and sadly a thousand more to go.

The last week after his arrival was a flurry of meetings, situation reports, and personal inspections of the various family flagships. Today’s promised to be a little more relaxed. The Fainwright flagship The Arbiter of Fate finished it’s time in the Docks and was ready to take to the seas once more. Time for her inspection; he would be taking command in two weeks time for a tour of the other isles. The crew would need those two weeks to make the necessary changes fit the Lord Admiral’s tastes exactly. As a monarch and champion of naval power - the ship had to personify him perfectly.

Baelin wanted his attention early this morning and they agreed to have breakfast on the balcony overlooking the crown district down the windward side of the island. The sound of laughter reached his ears and he paused listening for a moment. Baelin’s deep gruff laughter was overlaid with a lighter giggle that Nikolas knew he remembered but could not quite place. The doors were held open and through the windows beside them Nikolas could see a table filled with fruits, nuts and cured meats, a traditional breakfast well spread across the table. Balin was seating in front of the window and glanced at Nikolas, who raised a questioning eyebrow before he caught sight of the pair of delicate - but healthily sculpted legs and the door that blocked his vision of their owner. Baelin only chuckled and went back to his guest.

“And lo- Speak of demons and they shall arrive. I think our good master has deigned to join us.” Nikolas opened the door and turned to see a woman clearly of the isles. Unblemished but sun-kissed caramel skin, bright aware eyes with full athletic features. He opened his mouth to speak but was beaten to the point.

“Niki!” The guest jumped to her feet and ran to give the now stunned Lord Admiral a deep hug. He couldn’t help but laugh and sink into her embrace. He stepped back before their embrace reached awkward or unbecoming.

“Nina. It’s been far too long! I’ve missed you!” If Baelin was listening in he hesitated outside of the conversations, casually sipping at the glass of fresh juice next to his platter. “Baelin told me he had something to discuss this morning. This was not what I was thinking at all. I’m grateful you’re here.” He took a seat between his steward and their guest. “I hope it he didn’t take you away from anything important.”

“Just my father still trying to marry me off.” She paused, in mild contemplation. “Among other things.” - It was no secret that the women of the fleets were proficient sailors and captains in their own right but the noble families of late have moved towards the mainland tradition of intrigue and intelligence being the main forte of the ladies of court.

“And I can just imagine how well you do with the would be mother-in-laws. All dolled up in their courtly attire?” No matter how he tried it was difficult to picture Nina in courtly dress playing the demure hostess and discrete spymaster.

“They try for sure. The mainlanders at least - and their boorish children looking to ‘civilize’ me. For all their pomp and ceremony they are nothing but crass boars.” She sighs and takes her seat selecting a small group of berries before turning her attentions back to Nikolas. “But I’ve come home and how could I not come here knowing you’re finally back? Well, Baelin chased me down; but I’m here now. So what are we doing today.” Her sweet smile and brashness Nikolas had to admit he was overjoyed to have a close friend with him. Even if their reunion was silently spoiled by the duties of the Admiralty.

“I’m.. I have duties to attend to. The Arbiter is ready for inspection. It’s not glamorous but if you wanted to join me I wouldn’t refuse the company?”

“Smooth Nik. Trying to show me your cannon already?” Baelin managed to hide his smile in his glass but Nikolas was dumbstruck for more than a held breath. Nina was never this forward in rumor with others or in person. She was always sarcastic and coy, but was she interested? Baelin had mentioned her as a prospect. - Ok think of something clever… but nothing came.

“Uh…” Nina’s laugh saved him from and embarrassment and Baelin guided the conversation towards the matter of business for the day ahead as they enjoyed lunch and reminisced about their mischievous youths’

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The military docks were kept in a cove tucked away from the city proper and while the disorganized chaos of the city was hidden behind the walls of the cove, the organized hustle of the military held a chaotic sway of it’s own. The foreman made to call a halt to the work as the Lord Admiral and his entourage approached but were quickly waived off by Baelin. Nikolas would not want to disrupt the sailors and dockworkers moving food and shot across the massive eight pier base just because he was here to see one ship. So they continued on towards one ship that towered above the others. The Arbiter of Fate was a seven-deck 120 gun ship that projected the king - and admiral’s power wherever she went.

“Admiral on Deck!” - A young shipman rang a loud bell announcing Nikolas as he stepped on the ship. The crew snapped to attention before being dismissed back to their work by a wave from Nikolas. Two people stood at attention patiently still, waiting as they boarded.

“Captain Lido! Congratulations on the promotion.” Nikolas instantly recognized one of the two figures before him.

“Sir! you know it’s just Sofia for you.” She crossed quickly and after a brief hug and sly maternal kiss on the cheek backed away. “I know you put in my transfer papers. The admiralty boards move too slow to get a reassignment done that quickly.” She turned beckoning the party towards the quarterdeck. “Not that I mind.”

“I needed someone I trust without any reservation. While I do trust our other captains, I don’t trust them like I do - you. Anyway, the tour?” While she was a powerhouse of a warship she was also a diplomatic vessel and as such had a number of guest quarters on her larger quarterdeck with a common area for dinners and meetings. Sofia lead the five of them into the main dining-room. While his father had been a man for stoic brutalism; Nikolas had come to appreciate the subtle shows of power that well placed opulence could convey.

The dining hall evidenced that they had already spent some time customizing the ship to the new Lord Admiral as new art adorned the walls and fine rugs, tapestry, and various trinkets collected over Nikolas’s time on the mainland and traveling adorned the chambers. As the Capitan gestured to the table they took a seat.

“Nik, This is Isabelle Di Noro, one of our midship cadets I’ve assigned her to serve as your cabin girl and attendant when on-board. While she was of age, the cabin ‘girl’ was scraggly and seemed malnourished with some obvious scarring running up her arms to behind her blouse. She was modestly proportioned with very petite tomboyish looks; the hair cut in a close approximation of a pixie cut did not help improve her image. Nikolas raised his eyebrow looking questioningly at the Captain.

“Trust me Nik.” Sofia interjected.

“Mi’lordship - I have served for six years since I was recovered from a shipwreck fighting corsairs. I know my duties and I ask that you give me the opportunity to prove my worth. You will not regret it I swear.” At least she seemed sincere if nothing else.

“Alright.” He sighed and turned back to Sofia. “Have my travel accommodations been moved aboard? And where do we stand for ships readiness?

Sofia lilted her head and let Isabelle take the question. “The quartermaster reported all rations and arms be aboard by now so we’re ready to sail, and I saw to your private chambers over the last week. I checked with the Crest staff and I am sure it will meet your expectations.” She almost beamed as Nikolas looked at her with a bemused appreciation.

“Well then it shouldn’t be an issue for us to take a small cruise around the island. Captain Lido, I trust you have enough crew for a short patrol?”

“Of course sir, two of the three sections are still aboard. I’ll ready the ship.”