Well, here they were. Albion. They were home. Well, they were on their home island at the very least. As excited as he'd been to spend the better part of a year on the continent, there was something to be said for the comforts of what he'd known before he left. It was hard to believe that the last stretch of their journey had taken this long, but damage to the old bird had been extensive and they couldn't afford to stay in one place for more than a day or two, and so any repairs had been done on the move with whatever parts were to hand. The Sunbird hadn't been going as fast as she could as a result, but they'd still pushed for as quick a journey as possible.
Forty men and women were dead, and equal that number were wounded. They were running with a skeleton crew mostly, and everyone had known someone who had died. That was just how it worked aboard such a small vessel. But that was all beside the point; they were back, and they were safe. The prince was safe, and that was the important thing.
"Well, here we go. I want our semaphore clear and visible. We're requesting docking rights at the royal palace, with valuable cargo aboard. I daren't say more than that in semaphore."
Midshipmen and deckhands scrambled to rig the flags in the right order at the captain's command, not that Archer could understand what each of the flags represented.
"Archer, my spyglass if you please. I wish to see how they respond to our request."
There was a series of flashing lights that caused Archer to blink away as he handed the spyglass to his friend, but Lawrence didn't even put the thing to his eye before he grimaced.
"Well, it seems that will be unneeded. They're using morse to communicate back."
"What are they saying?"
"'No proof, denial.' We need to give them proof if we're to be allowed to dock."
"But we can't give them any proof unless we dock!"
"I know that. Semaphore, tell them the captain is willing to come down via raft and discuss it with them."
"Yes, sir!"
Lawrence bristled at the use of the honourific once again, sighing heavily as he leaned on his cane. Archer held back a snicker for the man's sake, for it seemed that the title wasn't liable to stop anytime soon. There was another series of lights, and Lawrence nodded grimly.
"Right, they've accepted. Helmsman, as soon as the life-raft takes off make for the nearest port and ready the ship for repairs!"
He waited a moment for a response before turning to Archer and continuing.
"Mr Haywood, if you would accompany me and the prince, we're heading down to the surface. To the palace."
"We- I mean, I'm going with you?"
Lawrence looked at him as if he had grown a second head.
"Of course you are man, don't be daft. Now run to grab Talon and head to the raft. By the time you've grabbed him and gotten there I should be there as well."
Archer nodded, forcing down his nerves at the prospect of being in the royal palace.
"Will do, boss. I'll meet you there."
----------------------------------------
It felt strange, this whole trip. He'd expected more people to try and stop them, more people to ask questions, but they all seemingly took one look at Talon and just... stopped. The landing party that greeted them hadn't even introduced themselves, instead just staring slack-jawed at Talon. Given that there were likely more than a few portraits and pictures of the prince still in the palace there was little wonder that he seemed to be recognised, but still.
"God, it really is you. Captain..."
"Captain Walker."
"Captain Walker, I take it this is why you asked to dock in the royal ports?"
Lawrence just nodded sternly.
"Indeed. I did not wish to communicate this matter so openly, hence the secrecy."
The dockmaster nodded, still staring dumbfounded at the prince.
"Your highness, welcome home."
Talon nodded while smiling.
"Thank you. It's nice to be back, I think. Come now Mr Walker, Mr Haywood. We have an appointment in the palace."
One of the guards helpfully spoke up.
"Your father is in session at the moment, your highness. He'll be in the throne room if you need him."
"Thank you, mister. Let us be off then."
"Halt. I require identification before you pass."
"Identification? Look at the portraits on the wall, boy! That should be all the-"
Talon held up his hand, and Lawrence fell silent. Instead the young man simply held open his locket, showing it to the guard. The man looked between it and the prince a few times, eyes widening. Without even knocking and asking permission, he immediately moved to open the doors into the throne room. Nodding once at them, his gaze lingered on the prince.
"It's nice to see you back, your highness."
The three men walked into the vast chamber, all eyes settling on the three of them as they interrupted whatever proceedings were being held. Talon stood behind Lawrence and Archer himself, almost as though he were hiding behind them. Some lord stood in protest at their flagrant disregard for whatever favour some minor noble had wished to ask the king for.
"An interruption? There is an order to these things you know. It isn't like you can just walk in and-"
The king raised a hand, silencing the man, and looked at the three of them with a bemused expression.
"And who might you three be, to so boldly walk into the throneroom of the king of Albion?"
His tone was not one of anger or annoyance, but a mix of curiosity and amusement. It seemed in some ways that the apple had not fallen far from the tree. Lawrence spoke in answer to the king's question.
"I am Captain Walker of the RAN Sunbird, and next to me is Officer Haywood. We... we've done it."
"You've done what? Who is the third member of this trio?"
"Your Grace, surely you do not mean to spend time on this farcical display of-"
"Silence, Lord Wier. Continue, Captain Walker."
Lawrence looked awkwardly at Archer, who just nodded at him. The two of them took a step away from each other, slowly so as to allow Talon to prepare himself. The young prince stepped forwards, and raised his head to face his father. His voice was quiet, not quite a whisper but certainly not far off from one.
"Hello, papa."
There was silence in the room for a long moment, before the king shakily rose to his feet. Moving to descend the steps in front of him, he walked towards Talon.
"Talon? It... it's you. You're real."
Talon nodded, closing the remaining distance. The king cupped his cheek so warmly that Archer was acutely aware of exactly how much this man had loved his son.
"It's me, papa. I'm real. I'm home."
"Your Grace, can you be sure-"
Whatever pompous fool had thought to speak up then was silenced by the pair of level glares thrown his way courtesy of Lawrence and Archer. He had little doubt that the king would have joined them, if not for fact that at this moment the awestruck man had eyes only for his son.
"You're home, Talon. Why did you go?"
"I had to, papa. I needed to find who I was outside of stuffy palaces and ambassadorial halls. I needed to be me, or I was going to suffocate. I'm sorry I left."
The king shook his head slowly, wiping away a tear that had begun to run down the prince's cheek. To be honest it was taking quite a lot for Archer not to start crying as well, because quite frankly this was one of the most emotional displays he'd ever seen. That was saying something, because he'd seen a lot of emotional displays these last ten months.
"Don't be sorry, Talon. You did what you felt you needed to do; you wanted to find yourself, no matter what. How could I ever blame you for that, my son? Never. Never is when."
The king pulled Talon into a hug, and Archer felt himself let out a breath he didn't know he'd been holding in. Finally, everything had fallen into place. Talon was back home, and that was enough of an adventure for him. He had the feeling that more than a few state visits would be in his future though, so he supposed he wasn't completely done travelling. He felt himself relax as Talon hugged the man back fiercely, causing the king to let out an "oomph" as his son clung to him.
"I believe that will be all from the court for today. Thank you for your attendance, you may now take your leave."
Archer wasn't sure who the man that had spoken was, but the king shot the him a grateful look. The man nodded at the four of them as the lords were led out of the room, before leaving the room and closing the doors behind him when the last of the stuffy old suits had left. The king must have caught Archer's gaze, for he smiled fondly where the man had been as he spoke.
"An old friend and trusted advisor of mine. There's nary a man I trust more."
He stepped away from his son, looking him in the eye with a mischievous smile.
"Now, little rascal, don't tell me, one or both of these fine men are to take a similar role for you?"
Talon blushed a little and gave his father an abashed smile.
"Something like that, yes."
The king nodded, taking a step backwards, and Archer suspected the man was sizing him and Lawrence up.
"Excellent. I take it these two men are those who saw you to safety? Who cared for you whilst you were away?"
Talon nodded before them, resolute and determined.
"They are. There were many others who cared for me also, but of them all these two have been the truest friends I have known."
His voice dropped to little more than a whisper, and Archer caught the prince move to grip Lawrence's right hand as he continued speaking.
"They've been family to me. They are family to me."
Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.
The king looked at the three of them, nodding gratefully.
"I understand. Tell me, Captain Walker, Officer Haywood, if the choice were yours, would you continue to stand alongside my son? You would be well looked after, of that I can assure you."
Archer nodded without a heartbeat's hesitation.
"If that offer were to be made, I would take it. I have stood beside your son these last ten months, and before now he has saved me despite the fear he must have been feeling. I would repay the kindness he has showed me ten times over, if that chance were mine. I only ask to be allowed to visit home frequently, if you would allow it of me."
"He will."
Talon's voice was quiet, but still resolute. It was as if he was daring his father, the king, to deny Archer his request. There was a brief moment of silence during which Archer was worried he or Talon had overstepped, but instead when the moment passed by the king began chuckling.
"Oh, you've not changed a whit, save that you seem happier. I'm very glad of that. My son, these two men saw you home. I don't think I could deny them anything. Your mother will say much the same when she gets here, I know it. Mr Haywood, your request is granted with all the gratitude I can give. The paperwork can be filed and signed off as soon as you wish, but if ever there is something I can do for you then please, let me know whenever I have a moment to spare."
Archer shuddered out a relieved breath, still clutching his hat to his chest, and nodded his thanks before stepping backwards.
"And you, Mr Walker?"
Lawrence took a shaky step forwards.
"I'd ask for a night to think on it, if you would be so kind. I have spoken before now with his highness on the matter of remaining in his service, and though I bear him a great deal of... admiration, I am still born of the aether. I was born on the ship that bore your son home, and have lived there all my life."
The king nodded in understanding once again. Archer was glad that he seemed to be so polite and kind, for if nothing else he now knew where Talon seemed to get his kindness from.
"For one such as yourself to leave behind the skies there would need to be a great deal awaiting you down here. It would be a big decision and I would not have you forced into making a choice without proper thought. You will be granted quarters in the palace as long as you wish to make your decision. Is there anything else you would ask of me?"
Lawrence nodded, taking another shaky step forwards and allowing Talon's hand to fall out of his own.
"My ship and home, the Sunbird, is either docked or in the process of docking somewhere in the city. I know not where it has set down, and she is an old ship, but she is still a naval vessel. It has taken a great deal of damage in our flight to see the prince home, and carries a great many wounded and dead aboard. I would ask for the ship to be repaired, the wounded treated, and the dead laid to rest. Their families compensated as well."
The king smiled.
"You needn't make that request, for I can assure you that all of those things will be taken care of regardless of your asking. Nonetheless, it tells me much that between the two of you the only requests that were made were for time, for family, and for the looking after of those under your command. I am glad my son has taken to people such as yourselves."
"I have known him only ten months, your grace." Archer began. "Lawrence- sorry, Captain Walker, has kept him safe for far longer than I."
The king chuckled again.
"You needn't downplay your own contributions, Mr Haywood. My son would be most displeased with me if I didn't recognise your own part in all of this."
"Indeed I would, Archer."
Cooke's voice was playfully stern as he looked at him, and it did make Archer smile a little.
"Thank you, your Grace. I may not believe my own contributions to be as extensive as Captain Walker's own, but I thank you for your acknowledgements all the same."
The king soon continued talking, and so he made sure to listen. He wasn't about to miss something because he was too distracted by his friends or how pretty the palace looked.
"Be that as it may, I would like to hear more of this. We will have plenty of time to reconnect properly, but I would have the basic details now. For how long has Mr Walker been by your side, my son?"
Talon smiled warmly, moving back to slip his hand into Lawrence's again.
"Ever since the Carronade Pass. I was shuttled to the Sunbird when the Leviathan started to go down, and he was the very man who got me out. He's been by my side and kept my secret ever since, helping me learn to navigate the world in more ways than one. He's done so much for me."
"Let us not forget, Talon," Lawrence interrupted, seemingly forgetting that the man he was so casually addressing and holding hands with was the crown prince, "you saved my life at the Thornbush Mortuary. Without yourself and Archer I would have fallen two leagues down to an unremarkable end. But I didn't."
The king continued to beam down at all of them, seeming to be genuinely happy that not only was his son back, but that he'd found people he could be truly close to with no fear of being taken advantage of or being placed above them. He'd found people with which he could be himself.
"Seven years, Mr Walker?"
Lawrence nodded.
"Perhaps eight, if I am not mistaken."
"You have done much for my son?"
Talon broke in again.
"He has. He helped me learn how to deal with what had happened at the Pass in a healthier manner, he showed me how to live in the skies, hell, he launched a mutiny to save me!"
Archer and Lawrence went ramrod straight at that, after all, Talon had just casually admitted to the king that they had committed a mutiny.
The king raised an eyebrow at the captain.
"I see. Captain Walker, if you don't mind me asking, why was it exactly that this mutiny was carried out?"
Archer broke in, eager to defend his captain.
"Because the old captain had just managed to nearly get us all killed by taking us through the Thornbush Mortuary and then announced that our next location was to be the Blacksnow Graveyards. Captain Lawrence never asked for the captaincy, it was damn near forced on him by the other officers, but without his actions your son would be dead in a snowbank somewhere at the top of the world."
Maybe he'd lain it on a bit thick, but he'd have no-one doubt the loyalty of his friend, not even the king.
For his part the king simply gave the two of them a flat look, as if searching for a hint of a lie. Whatever he saw in them must have satisfied him greatly, for he broke out into a wide smile once more.
"Fine men of Albion, the both of you. Captain Walker, Officer Haywood, I owe you both a debt of gratitude that I fear I will never be able to repay. Thank you for seeing my son home safely. Thank you for making my son happy. By your telling of damages, I take it there was a battle of sorts on your journey home?"
Talon nodded.
"He wiped out Commodore Greyfax's flotilla, papa. The whole thing. The Wolfhound was three times our size, but he was able to drive it to the floor despite the wound he'd already taken in the battle. He's Albionic down to his boots."
The king smiled and nodded at his son.
"Well, you always have been an excellent judge of character. Better than I am, that's for sure. If you will continue to vouch for them, then they will always be welcome in the palace. As for you, Captain Walker, what my son has described are exactly the sort of men who live on as heroes in the pages of history. I believe a knighthood may be in the near future for you, Mr Walker. As for you, my son, I believe I know who you'll be speaking to as soon as we finish talking here?"
"Is mama here?"
The king shook his head, smiling, whilst Lawrence looked a little uncomfortable at being complimented by the king.
"Sorry, my boy. She'll be here soon though, a few days perhaps. No, I was talking about the painter. Are there many on board who remember the scene well?"
Talon smiled wider as he realised what his father was proposing.
"Oh, certainly! I believe that would be just the thing to immortalise the moment alongside all the other tales of overcoming adversity through history."
"I believe there is a great deal we need to talk to each other about, a great deal indeed. But for now, my son, Mr Walker, Mr Haywood, please make yourself at home. Albion is ever in your debt."
----------------------------------------
"Well, that went a lot smoother than I expected, all told."
"Indeed. Though does there really have to be a heroic portrayal of my wounded self commanding the sunbird?"
Talon turned around to face them both, walking backwards as he responded to both of them.
"I knew it would all be fine, and duh, of course there does! Just picture it: 'Captain Walker's Defiance'. Wouldn't that be a fine picture?"
Archer snickered, nudging the aforementioned captain lightly.
"It would be a mighty piece of art, especially with his jawline."
Talon joined in with his snickering as Lawrence turned his face away to try and hide his reddening cheeks. After a few more minutes of walking down immaculate hallways an up more than a few staircases, Talon came to a stop.
"Well, here we are! My old chambers..."
The prince held his hand out to open the door, then seemed to hesitate. His hesitation lasted but a moment, and was gone too soon for Archer to comment on it, but it was there nonetheless. Talon pushed open the door leading to his room, and stepped inside. Lawrence and Archer followed, and for a moment the clacking of Lawrence's cane on the floor was the only sound in the room. As Archer looked around at the lavish quarters he noticed that Talon had gone almost completely still, a soft gasp escaping his lips.
"It's the same as I left it. They left it here for me, because they knew I'd be back. It's all... it's all still here. Everything is still here."
Lawrence smiled with an almost melancholic pride at Talon, not that the man could see it. Archer caught the look all too well though, and patted the two of them on the shoulder one after the other.
"Come on then, lets sit down for a bit. There were a damn lot of stairs to go up to get here, and I'm tired."
Talon giggled again, Archer's comment shaking him from his shock.
"There weren't that many stairs."
Lawrence broke in with his own incredulous comment.
"You've been climbing ladders and rigging every day for the last ten months. How have three flights of stairs tired you out?"
Archer shrugged, just happy to have ignited a conversation.
"Don't ask me, I'm just a manservant."
"You're an ex-officer and currently serving royal advisor, I think that's rather different."
Archer snorted.
"Yeah, maybe. So, our most illustrious prince, how do you want to move forwards? You're home, you'll of course be spending a lot of time with your father and, when she returns from Hithin, your mother, but what else will you need to plan?"
Talon thought for a second, then moved over to a desk where a pen and some paper was already set out, likely still there from when he had left home some eight years ago. He brushed a layer of dust from the pages and picked up a fountain pen from out of one of the drawers on the front of the desk.
"Well, I'll need to attend court to show the nobles that yes, I am definitely still alive. Then I'll have to make a speech at parliament, in fact all three parliaments; Albion's parliament should be easy, since we're already in the same city as it, and the Hithinian Parliament shouldn't be much more difficult. The Lairdsmeet in Pictriu might be a bit more difficult given how rarely it convenes, but if my name is somehow still in the running for first Liard then my return should be enough to set a session in motion. Then there's all the private functions I'll need to attend, the dinner parties and galas... there's quite a list."
Archer huffed out a laugh, nudging the prince playfully in the side.
"Well, I'm afraid that's the price you'll be paying for skipping town for so long."
Talon gave him a wide grin.
"Don't sound too smug Archer; they're you're problem as well."
Lawrence laughed as Archer blanched.
"What, how can I-"
"You're the prince's advisor now, I'm afraid." Lawrence said. "That means you're to be by the prince's side."
Archer and Talon looked to each other for a moment, smiles dropping a little.
"And... have you any idea whether you'd like to be there as well? I don't want you to stay just because of me, but... well, it'd be an awfully lot more bearable with the both of you by my side rather than just the one. No offence Archer."
Archer patted the prince on the shoulder.
"None taken. I could probably use some help with keeping this one from doing anything reckless. You do seem uniquely qualified for the position."
Lawrence paled a little.
"Official functions, courtly duties... I don't know the first thing about acting prim and proper! I don't know how to act at such a standard that the nobility might be able to stand me!"
Archer and Talon looked at each other again, this time smiling owlishly. He was already coming around, and could never resist the both of them. Talon spoke first, followed by Archer when the prince's piece was said.
"You're a lot better at it than you think, and we both know you're a lot better than most of them are."
"Besides," Archer added with a shit eating grin, "you'll learn."
Lawrence looked at the two of them with an expression that was probably supposed to be deadpan, but was so overflowing with warmth and homeliness that it couldn't have been anything other than adoration.
"Fuck you, Mr Haywood. Fuck you."
----------------------------------------
Archer lounged on the edge of the prince's bed. God, everything in this palace seemed huge. This bed could easily fit the three of them side by side, and Archer doubted any of them would have even touched each other whilst they were in it. There was a crash of thunder in the distance, a wonderful sound to his ears, as Talon and Archer talked. It had started raining a good few hours ago, and in that time Lawrence had done little other than sit in a chair by the window and watch the droplets race down the window as lightning lit up the night sky occasionally. There was another crash of thunder, and Archer watched as Talon turned to face Lawrence, who still stared out of the window.
"Well, Lawrence?"
"Hm?"
Lawrence visibly recalled his mind from wherever it had wandered these last few hours, and turned to face Talon.
"Terribly sorry, I'm afraid I wasn't all there. What did you say?"
Talon rolled his eyes playfully, smiling as he flopped over on the bed, arms dangling off the side.
"I didn't actually say anything, but the subtext was that I was asking you about if you'd decided on whether you'd be staying or not yet."
Lawrence pursed his lips.
"I have not, no. I do have one question though: would I still be able to take flight on occasion? I recognise I would not be able to live aboard an airship, but I could still take flight sometimes, yes?"
"Lawrence, I would literally allow you to do whatever it was you wanted so long as you remained by my side. By our side."
"And if I did not?"
Talon stopped for a moment, thinking hard. When he spoke it was clear that he had resigned himself to the fact that this was not his decision to make, and that he had to accept whatever came of it.
"Then I would give of you whatever you wanted before you left, and ask that you come to visit on occasion."
Lawrence nodded, and Archer watched as the two men exchanged small smiles. There was no perfect outcome here, but Archer knew for damn sure which one he wanted to happen. He was also fairly certain which one would happen as well, which was good.
Lawrence remained silent for a few more seconds, before he turned to face the window once more. Thunder crashed again in the distance, and the rain picked up it's intensity.
"If that is the case, then I believe I have made up my mind. I think I know what I will do."