Port Regal
Captain Lucas kept vigil on the Osprey's quarterdeck. He awaited the runner to return with orders from Commodore Trent, for when he and Lieutenant Jones should attend the Admiralty and give the customary debriefing of the ship's recent voyage. Lucas watched the ceaseless activity of Port Regal as his men busied themselves with the unloading of confiscated goods and the replenishing of supplies. Some had already been dismissed for their shore leave, mainly the wounded that could walk off the ship, the more serious wounded had been carried to one of the infirmaries on shore. The former corsair ship Infernal was safely anchored out in the harbour, with her stolen treasures under heavy guard. She'd be refitted swiftly and incorporated into the King's navy to help replace vessels lost during the war.
Liam strode up the gang plank discussing something with Second Lieutenant Jackson, Liam's quiet, younger brother tagging behind them. The captain watched the dark haired boy with interest, he had mentioned in his message to the commodore that the other Jones boy had been found.
Soon the messenger returned with orders that the commodore was able to receive the captain promptly and to bring both Jones brothers as Admiral Barrington and Beaumont were in attendance as well.
That surprised the captain. Beaumont was a courtier and also part of the King's council. Although not officially a military man he was often advising the King on strategy. His network of information gathering was legendary and there was little in the realm this man did not have a hand in.
Captain Lucas sighed; the man was also a right royal courtier pain in the arse at times, with his wheedling ways and foppish court manners an irritating contrast to the plain speaking royal navy officers.
Liam climbed up the quarter deck stairs to report to his Captain.
"Lieutenant Jones we are requested hence forth to the Admiralty. Make your selves presentable," Lucas indicated to Killian down on the main deck. "We depart within the half hour."
"They requested to see Killian?" Liam asked with concern, as he strode over to his captain.
"Aye, Raphael Beaumont is in attendance and no doubt he wishes to question the lad with regards to your father, amongst other things. Be at ease Lieutenant, it may help put another piece into the puzzle as to your father's whereabouts. The boy may be unaware of the significance of any information he has, but you can guarantee Beaumont will make use of it."
Liam cast a protective eye over to Killian "Aye sir."
The chance to uncover something helpful in discovering their father's fate eased his initial hesitancy.
"Admiral Barrington would like to meet with the lad too, so best find something more appropriate for a young gentleman to wear," the Captain said with humour. As he studied the boy in his simple merchant sailor attire, he concluded Killian looked more like the offspring of a buccaneer than the son of Captain Tobias Jones.
Liam had made his brother scrub up, tie his hair back in a ribbon (as was the fashion for gentlemen) and then don the formal clothes borrowed from one of the younger midshipmen. Once he had got Killian appropriately dressed for his audience with the Admiral, Liam had stood him in front of the captain's looking glass, installed in the great cabin.
Liam was about to make a smart quip when he noticed Killian's shocked reaction. It was the first time Killian had set eyes upon his own countenance for two and a half years. His hand had instantly gone to his face and then he slowly traced the scar on his cheek. His face was narrower and sharper than he remembered. Suddenly Killian felt very self-conscious and even his ears reddened as he blushed deeply. The only time he had really thought about his looks since leaving Ariston was in relation to whether he'd be recognised by the usurper's men or people that would've turned him over to the brutes. Killian stared into the mirror, not at all sure who the now older, worldlier looking youth reflected back was. Sensing his young brother's disquiet Liam patted him reassuringly on the shoulder.
"You look like a fine young candidate for an officer's cadetship Killian," he said as he smiled affectionately. Killian simply bit his lip in response.
Killian followed behind his older brother and the Osprey's captain, through corridors decorated in a sumptuousness he had never before witnessed. They had arrived in a carriage to an imposing white stone compound, the main building flanked with large columns and more windows than any structure Killian had seen in his short but eventful life. The place reeked of history and power.
The Osprey delegation was ushered into a room overlooking the main courtyard. Its elegant, tall windows and masculine decor reminded Killian, with an ache in his heart, of his father's study. A large, beautifully carved table dominated the centre of the room, covered with maps and several impressive looking tomes, while the shelfs or side tables displayed various globes and curiosities from who knows where. Rich tapestries also adorned the room but it was the framed charts that Killian fixated on. He was enthralled by it all and had to resist running over to the tantalising parchments on display along the panelled walls, maps of faraway places he was just itching to explore one day.
Introductions were made; Admiral Barrington was a medium built, grey haired man, who carried an air of dignity and authority one would expect of his rank. The advisor Beaumont was garish in comparison to the military men; his courtier's ensemble all bright silks and ruffles. Killian hadn't encountered anyone dressed like that for a very long time; He'd been rubbing shoulders with an entirely different sort of society since hastily leaving Ariston all those moons ago.
There was a cunning and persuasive way to Raphael Beaumont's demeanour. He nearly always got the information out of people he wanted, usually with nothing more than flattery and charm. He had been blessed with a trustworthy countenance of dark eyes and a warm smile and used his features to his advantage when gathering secretes and intelligence.
Beaumont assessed the youth In front of him as the boy's sea blue eyes boldly met his gaze. Raphael was certain the lad was scrutinising and weighing up his character as much as he was the boy's.
So this was Killian Jones, the missing son, who held the key to so many unknown pieces of a complex puzzle. Beaumont would ensure he left with every scrap of information the boy could remember about his father and their travels during the war.
To make the session less intimidating, he had insisted there be refreshments suitable for a young gentleman and the accompanying officers. Once all were settled around the table and served food and drinks, Raphael began his questioning.
Liam was both protective of Killian and curious, as it was the first time he had heard Killian speak openly of his time as a fugitive with their father. There was no doubt the courtier's reputation was well earned, for soon Killian divulged anything the man asked of him, without any of the reticence he had shown towards Liam and his fellow shipmates the past fortnight.
For his part, Killian had decided after seeing his reflection in the mirror, he didn't want to let Liam's obvious pride in him be diminished by Killian behaving like a surly brat. So he had decided to trust these naval men. Killian was perceptive enough to realise that by being co-operative (no matter how painful the memories of his father were to him) it would bode well for his future and possibly Liam's as well.
Seeing his scar in the mirror had reminded Killian of Niamh's words.
He could "continue to be alone or belong to something noble." The conflicting emotions Killian felt for his father (and yes even his brother to a point) for leaving him to fend for himself, with the desire to regain his deeply ingrained heritage of honour and duty, helped Killian find the courage to look his superiors in the eye and let them see this is where he belonged, with the Royal Navy.
Beaumont had asked for Killian to tell them what he could recall of his "travels" with his father, the first year civil war had erupted. Killian recalled being on the sail boat for a while, but usually at night and always close to shore. Then Father felt they should go inland away from the sea (for where else do you hunt a sea captain but in salt water) after an unpleasant incident from which Killian still carried a scar on his arm. His father had taken Killian high into the mountains and occasionally over into the neighbouring kingdoms, meeting and sometimes staying awhile with all sorts of folk.
"I'd never been into the mountains before, it was beautiful, those big forests and snow all around. Father said it was where the best ship masts came from and we needed to ensure the King's Forest was protected." From what Killian didn't know?
"But then when winter arrived we headed across the Great Mires. We were sailing on a large lake, towards another town, heading north by the star's positions I'd say."
"Ah yes, how did you and your father escape from Clarion, Killian? Our reports said the lakeside town was almost under siege and capture was certain, with there no hope of escape."
"Yes it was frightening," Killian admitted "but the soldiers weren't too sure who exactly they were looking for. Then late one day there was a revolt against the local militia, instigated by some of the mountain rebels and in the chaos we were able to escape Sir. We were helped by some travelling jongleurs and a couple of troubadours, who had no allegiance to the usurper."
"They did not think to inspect the troupe? That's an obvious escape if ever there was one Killian."
"They did Sir, but they were looking for a man and his son …..and well we had been skilfully disguised."
"What as Killian? It must have been a damn convincing disguise for you to slip away like that during a siege."
"Well I…well umm I don't really want to say Sir," the boy blushed and lowered his eyes to the floor.
"You must Killian, don't be ashamed lad, we have all done some interesting things in order to survive these past three years." Beaumont said it with humour to help Killian reveal what had been a baffling mystery to the King's spies, on how the tenacious captain had slipped through the enemies lines.
"Well they made Father up to be much older; they stuffed wadding in his clothes and made his hair all grey." So no glamour spell then, thought Beaumont, just good old fashion disguises.
"Surely that wouldn't throw them off the scent though, you are a distinctive looking lad Killian?"
"Well yes that was ummh the thing. Someone pointed out that with my face I could, I could…well with a bit of artistry could umm be disguised as a …."
Killian went suddenly shy and awkward; not wanting to divulge that embarrassing episode at all, as it came rushing back to him. He started to drum his fingers on his leg in agitation.
"What did they disguise you as Killian?" Liam asked softly, he loathed seeing his brother's distress.
Killian sighed and continued to avoid eye contact, especially his big brothers. He took a deep breath and continued.
"Well they disguised me as his um his…. granddaughter."
"They put you in skirts and a bodice?" Raphael queried, trying to keep a straight face imagining such a sight. Mind you given those long lashes and high cheek bones, it was as plausible as some of my disguises, Beaumont decided. "That fooled them Killian?"
Killian nodded "Well they also messed with my hair," his face screwed up; a single ribbon for long locks was manly and practical, but the jongleurs had gone to the extreme with curls and ribbons that day. Killian remembered throwing a tantrum (not his best idea) with his new curls bouncing during each stamp of his foot, making his tormentors snigger even more, until his father sternly reminded him, their lives and everyone else's was at risk if Killian couldn't carry off his disguise.
"They used their stage powders," he continued "and they were bloody ruthless, the bastards completely mutilated my eyebrows. It took two months for them to grow back properly," Killian said in utter disgust. He realised that was the last time he had seen his own reflection and it was not one he was keen to remember or discuss.
Liam started laughing, more at the affronted look on Killian's face than the lengths he'd had to go to in order to survive. "Ah you always did enjoy playing dress up little brother." He jested.
Killian huffed and gave Liam his best pissed off little brother look, not daring a sassy remark to a brother who was senior in rank and currently standing in the admiralty high office with Admiral Barrington no less. He reined in his temper.
"Aye well, let's just say I have an appreciation for the lengths the lasses go through, to look pleasing to our eyes," Killian said with a grimace.
He had also learnt during that embarrassing four days, just how lascivious menfolk could be towards the women. Once he'd had been finally able to shed his disguise, he had solemnly sworn to himself and a few of his favourite sea deities, never, ever would he be lewd or make innuendos towards a female, he would always act the perfect gentleman.
Raphael decided to restore Killian's affronted masculine pride with a good old retelling of a naval victory.
He guided Killian over to a table with two types of model ships arranged outside a harbour, it looked vaguely familiar then Killian realised what he was looking at. He noted there were no merchant ships in the tableau before him.
"I hear you have a talent for navigation Killian and your brother certainly has your father's talent for tactics. What do you make of this?
"It is a sea battle Sir."
Aye, one of our grandest sea battles. This is the one that turned the tide against the usurper cur and helped us on to victory. Would you like us to tell you the tale of The Battle of Slate Harbour?
"There would be no point Sir"
"Why is that Killian? Do you not like a good rousing tale of the Royal Navy in one of its finest hours?" Beaumont was slightly taken aback the boy was not interested. He noticed the boy's fingers on his right hand had started to drum against his thigh again.
"I mean Sir there is no need to tell me of it because I was there Sir. Our ship was in harbour at the time." Killian picked up a model boat and placed it by the seawall in the harbour.
Liam and Captain Lucas widened their eyes in shock upon hearing Killian's words. Captain Teal hadn't mentioned they were in harbour at the time.
"You were? Well lad you got to witness one of the navy's most decisive battles, it will be written about for years to come in song and prose, celebrated throughout the kingdom." Beaumont enthused.
Killian looked distinctly unmoved with that statement. "Yes Sir." He said quietly.
Liam shuddered at the thought his brother had been there. The Royal Court would call it a triumph and glorify the deeds of the victors, but any sensible military man knew it for what it was. Wholesale slaughter for the warring sides not to mention the civilian population caught in the middle. It had been a gruelling battle both on land and on sea and a close won battle at that for the Rightful King. Hearing his little brother had been in the thick of it, Liam thought it was no wonder Killian was so changed from his innocent little brother.
Sensing Killian's disquiet Beaumont changed the subject, he was curious as to what this clever youngster envisioned for himself. "What ambitions do you have for your future Killian?"
Killian looked away from the model battle and boldly walked over to a parchment on the centre table. He picked up the map that showed a coastline that had not been completely charted and looked at the men before him, blue eyes blazing with determination.
"Well Sir, I mean to be the finest navigator this kingdom and all the known kingdoms have ever had. I wish to chart the unknown, explore new lands and bring much honour to the Admiralty and my family name Sir."
No one in that room doubted Killian's sincerity or his ability to achieve such a goal.