The rigging groaned as the ship began to slow her speed into the waiting arms of the harbour. Orders were shouted about the salt and spray, bells ringing from the shore to let them know where to go. High, high upon the mast waved two flags; one of orange and black, a phoenix emblazoned on it’s side, and the other of silver and green, likewise adorned with two crossed hammers behind an anchor. Knowing the significance of this particular voyage, the old Kul Tiran, silver locks whipping in the air, watched with a warm smile on his face. The voyage had been hard and there had been many delays, but nothing had slowed down the resolve of his nephew who now stood upon the rails, bare of feet and bare to the waist, sun glistening off sweat and ink stained skin. Though he hadn’t said as much, it was clear to anyone who’d come to know the displaced kinsman that he was finally relaxing. These men were not his men. This ship was not his ship. In the end, it didn’t matter. The Paladin had defended and worked alongside the crew as if they were his own, coming to earn the respect and admiration of those around him. While it was not uncommon to transport noblemen, it was rare to have a Duke who looked upon them as equals.
Swinging like a nimble ape from the line, Joseph was met with a flash of pearly whites as a smile split the dark, coarse beard of his nephew. Without hesitation, the older Kul Tiran walked forward to embrace the man he’d come to see as a surrogate son in all the months since they had met.
“Y’comin’ back t’see me an’ y’aunt, aincha?” he asked in a rumbling bass, a gentle mist cresting his blue eyes.
Chuckling, Vladimir pat the much larger man on the back. “Now don’t be gettin’ all sentimental on me now, old man,” he chided warmly, taking a step back to meet the man’s face with a cock-eyed grin, “Did you think Ed and I invited you on this little excursion just for the fishing? Adhelin is expecting us both in Braemar. You haven’t seen Kenna since she was born. I think a little quality time with her grandfather is overdue.”
Surprise was clear on the Joseph’s face as he processed what the Duke had just said. “But y’aunt….”
“Auntie Eileen will be here in about a week,” he replied, still grinning like an asshole. “We both felt you needed a little vacation. She’s been ready to kill you since you randomly decided to retire on her. Having you underfoot and making more and more dishes has driven her to the edge. She was just about begging me to take you.”
A deep, rumbling laugh escaped the old farrier’s mouth, his ample torso jiggling in turn. “Aye, I can see ‘ow she might be gettin’ t’that point. An’ I ‘ave put on a pound or two.” Grinning, he pat his stomach as if to make the point.
“More than two,” Vladimir teased, “And Auntie is worried about you mind getting as flabby as your behind lately. You two will come stay in Braemar with us for a few weeks while I get some affaires settled, and then I’ll come back with you to Boralus to work with Edward for a couple weeks.”
“Aye, an’ ‘ow’s y’lit’le wife takin’ alll y’travel. Y’ave responsibilites at ‘ome, after all,” Joseph remarked carefully, watching his nephew’s expression for that hint that he’d crossed a line. Though he’d come to know Vladimir, he was still wary of the younger man’s temper, knowing the imbuement to his armour being tied to emotions.
“I think Adhelin is enjoying it,” he shrugged nonchalantly, “It’s helping the Faircrest name and bringing business to both the Faircrests and Braemar, which is what she wanted. Braemar was always just seen as a military training sight due to almost nothing being able to be grown up in the mountains, and most of the mines have been stripped bare at this point. Now people are coming for rare and exotic antiquities, enjoying the safety the town provides and knowing the discretion of their transactions are as important to them as they are to us. Hell, I heard Edward’s considering branching out and setting up a caravan outpost in Braemar now to help expand business… Especially with how dangerous sea travel has become lately. Besides, any excuse I can get for Adhelin to miss me for a bit just increases the chance she’ll jump my bones when I get home.”
Covering his face with a meaty palm at his nephew’s oversharing with that last bit, Joseph just sigh. “I cannae say I was needin’ t’ear that.”
Laughing, Vladimir walked off towards the cabin, heading off to get changed back into armour. “Maybe not, but it made the perfect segue to tell you she’s pregnant again!” he called behind himself, ducking into the hold and leaving the dumbfounded Kul Tiran grinning from ear to ear at the thought of another baby to dote over.
Tags: @householt @adhelin
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