Johan Puke was going up the steps to the Royal Palace in Stockholm dressed in his best uniform. The short blue wool coat had a worn silk lining but shining polished golden buttons. He was apprehensive of the meeting with His Majesty the King of Sweden, Gustav III. He had met him before and wasn't nervous about meeting the absolute ruler of Sweden, but this time he expected to be rewarded for his many successes and he was excited.

It turned out he was disappointed. Not that he wasn't rewarded. The King did award him Knight of the Royal Order of the Sword and he was given a country house on Vikbolandet. He had recieved the yellow silk sash and retreated from the King with deep courtesies and a wide smile, but he felt betrayed. He had wanted a promotion, a ship of the line and perhaps even a squadron of his own. What good is a farm to a man longing for the sea?

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When walking through the palace on his way out he passed by small groups of people, talking, raising glasses, laughing. Johan looked around and soon found a servant bringing champagne on a silver tray. He grabbed a glass and quickly drank it down. He took two more glasses before letting him be on his way. During his latest voyage the wine had spoilt. There had only been a few bottles that could be drunk out of two cases. Rather than drinking the same beer as the men, he had drunk water. Not having lost his sea legs compleately and qickly feeling the effect of the champagne he almost felt a little tipsy. It comforted him.

"Gratulerar!" a voice said from behind, congratulating him. Turning he found Nordenskjöld with a raised glass. Johan raised one of his glasses in return and emptied it with an unimpressed look. "Johan af Puke", Nordenskjöld said emphasizing "af", continuing "Majoren verkar inte nöjd med sin utnämning." With a slight bow Johan answered, "Hans Majestät har hvalt att belöna mig med högre utnämningar än jag någonsin kunnat önska." with a half hearted try at diplomacy. The champagne made it come out more sarcastic than he wished. "Det vi vunnit af edra bedrifter är för värdefullt för att belöna eder med ett linjeskepp. Vilken dåre som helst kan icke göra mycken fel i en slaglinje, men en god fregattkapten är svår att ersätta." Nordenskjöld said shedding light on why his rewards had kept him a Major. The Navy needed a competent frigate captain more than wasting his skills on a ship of the line. "Jag äro tacksam för ert ärliga svar, Schoutbynacht!" Johan said bowing slightly and pausing shortly before mumbling to himself, "In i dimman." and emptying his other glass. Nordenskjöld choose not to correct him on his own recent promotion to Vice Admiral.