The Admiral

James Morgan

I wanted to make the most of whatever time alone Arden and I might have together, and it couldn’t have gone any better.

Arden most likely didn’t have much time before she had to get back to the ship, but we were able to spend an hour just walking around the market. I never knew Arden to be much of a talker, and she’s not exactly talking a lot now, but I’ll take what I can get. It’s all progress. “We should probably get going; it’s getting late and it’s a long ride.”

“Where’s a long ride?”

“You and I are not staying on the Morning Star; we’re going to headquarters. Command has requested a meeting with you. They have some questions to ask about what you saw when the Orion went down, they should be on island either tomorrow or the day after.”

“Right. I suppose I should find something to wear tonight for dinner.”

“It’s taken care of.”

With that Arden leads us to a local stable where two horses were ready and waiting for us. It was a pleasant enough ride through the countryside. When we passed fields of sugar cane Arden asked if I wanted to try some and dismounted to go cut a stalk. After skillfully stripping off the hard outer layer she hands me the white, soft inside.

“Do I just eat it?”

Arden smiles, “Yes.”

She bites into a piece herself and I follow suit, “Oh wow, that’s good.”

I watch Arden mount up and we ride one. She seems to smile at whatever memory just got triggered. “We used to cut sugar cane on the way to school. Nearly every day.”

“We?”

“My mother would walk with me, every day, there and back again. She didn’t have to, but she said it was her favorite part of her day.”

Arden looks my way, and I can see all masks are off, she’s trying to let me in. From that moment on I asked questions and she tried her best to answer them. I could see it was difficult for her. I managed to get a little glimpse of the first chapters of her life that, for whatever reason, she’s chosen to keep closed and never read again.

I piece the timeline in my mind. Arden was born in England, moved to Barbados with her parents, and for a time she was happy here. Her father taught her to shoot and fight, he had been an officer in the army for a time, and her mother was one of the first women botanists in England and the reason they came here, so she could study the plants here on the island. Her grandmother on her mother’s side eventually joined them when her husband died.

As I go to ask my next question Arden cuts me off and all masks are back on, “We’re here.”

The building we arrived at is a large Spanish villa on a beautifully manicured estate. The guards allow Arden and me to pass with no questions asked and she leads me inside the grand house. The only people I notice are staff who seem to go about their duties, and only nod in acknowledgment as we pass.

Arden suddenly stops at a door, “This is your room, you are permitted to go anywhere on the grounds except upstairs, do you understand?”

I can’t help but smile like an idiot. I like it when she’s in officer mode, “Yes, darling.”

Arden’s mask slips and she blushes a little, forcing away a smile, “There’s a bell in the room, Selvin has been assigned to look after you should you need anything.”

“I don’t think Selvin can help with what I need right now,” I lean in a little closer in the hopes of kissing her, but she drifts away.

“The walls here have not only ears but also eyes. Please, be on your best behavior.”

I grumble as I straighten myself up and narrow my eyes at her, “Where’s your room?”

Arden smiles and looks to the door right across from mine, “Be ready to leave for dinner in an hour. Can you manage to stay out of trouble for that long?”

“I’ll certainly do my best.” I watch as Arden disappears down the hall and around a corner before going into my room.

The room is incredible; an apartment within itself. There’s a large four-post bed, plants, and there’s even a cage with a large colorful parrot inside. The bathtub is already filled with hot steaming water, with oils and soaps all lined up on a little table, and when I check the wardrobe, it’s filled with clothing. There’s a new Fleet uniform, a light linen suit, some casual clothes, and even pajamas, that all look to be my size.

First things first, a bath. After so long at sea a hot bath is like a gift from the Gods. I make sure to scrub and wash my hair to make a good impression on Arden and her grandmother.

Exactly an hour later I was dressed and ready to go when I heard a light tapping on my door. I was so wrapped up in making sure I looked my best that I wasn’t at all prepared for the vision standing at the door when I opened it.

Arden looks like an angel on earth in her simple yet elegant, white beaded dress, and her hair is pulled up revealing her long, delicate neck. I just stood there staring at her, completely lost for words.

Her brows knit and she looks down to check her dress. “Is it too much or not enough? I’m not really experienced in this sort of thing.”

“You’re Perfect,” my hand grips the door handle in an effort to keep it off her, “Christ Arden, how am I supposed to be on my best behavior with you looking like that?”

Arden smiles, and I close the door a little louder than I intended to before offering her my arm.