Fathomless Fortunes [slash]

Chapter 3 - Ghost stories

Nicolas caught himself turning around again as the long-boat made its way from the HMS Valiance back to the port. The Empire's flag ship was such a huge vessel that she seemed to take up all of the vast bay Landfall was located by. The other ships anchoring here, even ships of the line like she was, looked small next to her. The Valiance was about 77 yards long with six decks, armed with a hundred cannons and a crew of about 850 men. Well, one less now, as Nicolas officially was no longer her second lieutenant. His meager belongings had been packed hastily into his chest as he didn't want to waste any time or even begin saying goodbye to all the crew members which would have taken all day. Nicolas knew that he was rather popular among the crew because he treated everyone fairly and with respect. Under his watch, there had never been brutal disciplining measures. First Lieutenant Theobald Gatsby had told him time and time again that he was too lax and friendly with the deck hands, but Nicolas had learned from experience that people were much more willing to follow orders if treated decently. Gatsby for sure was a fellow officer he wouldn't miss.

Another matter was the man waiting for him at the quay. Now freshly promoted to replace him, Second Lieutenant Finnis Donal grinned at Nicolas as he disembarked off the long-boat.

"Ready to head off?" Finnis asked in his broad Caeran accent. As always, his orange hair had escaped the ponytail underneath his hat. He looked a bit too young to be a commanding officer with his freckles and boyish features, but Nicolas knew him to be only a few years younger than himself.

"As ready as I'll ever be," Nicolas replied. He gestured the sailor unloading his chest to put it on a waiting handwaggon. He would have to leave everything reminding of the Albian navy behind, so there wasn't enough left to fill a chest. It would be stored until he came back. He had already earned a few curious looks from the sailors when he had left the ship in civilian, plain clothes and not his uniform. Only a small duffel bag and his weapons would accompany him.

No one except Admiral Morton knew of his mission, and he hadn't told Finnis anything, either, but Finnis wasn't stupid and had of course guessed that this was something important and secret, not just a shore leave to visit the family or, worst of all, a dishonorable discharge.
"Whatever you plan on doing, you'd better be careful," Finnis said, holding out his hand. "And do come back in one piece. I won't give up my new post again, mind you, but you could replace Gatsby."

Nicolas took it, and they clasped hands around each other's wrists for a moment. "I'll try my best. And you take good care of the admiral and the Valiance in the meantime."

Finnis nodded and let go. "Blessings of the Sea Goddess to you." He stepped into the long-boat that would take him back to the Valiance.

Nicolas turned and left the footbridge with brisk steps without looking back.

 
This was the beginning of his new life now. He was no longer Nicolas Gordon, son of a noble family and a navy officer. He was Nico Ordano now, raised in Calez by an unmarried mother who had been seduced by an Albian sailor. He had been working at sea all his life, mostly on various trade ships, and gotten some education due to the help of some well-meaning captains. He was looking for more in life, however, and would take up any offer he would get from someone promising freedom, riches, and equality past all social status.

That last aspect of his new identity Nicolas was still coming to terms with. The pirates were rumored to treat everyone according to their abilities, not their heritage. They elected their captains with even the smallest cabin boy having a vote as important as the first mate, and the captains elected seven of their own to form the atoll council, with the legendary Admiral Heron as their chairman. That dreaded, cunning old pirate hadn't been seen for some years now, but his name was still feared. Albian mothers even used to tell their children that Captain Heron would come and get them if they didn't behave.