Eve gritted her teeth a bit. Even though it wasn't the best option she needed to get her first student into this area and then leave. The walled City wasn't far away she needed to get there, get her other student inside and then get back to the settlement. There was a gnawing feeling in the pit of her stomach telling her she needed to return.

“Very well bring the item here. How much will it cost?” A sly smile crossed Eve's face. Even if the item wasn't the best, she was going to find some use for it. At the same time if it was useless she could always give it to her student as a lesson.

The guard nodded leaving the post and going inside the shack not too far from them. He reappeared a few moments later with a box setting it down on a small stool in front of them. “The item will cost one thousand coins. After we receive the coins, we will open the box.”

Eve pulled a small pouch out of her bag, tossing it to the guard. “That is exactly the number of coins you need. I'm sure you're not going to count it since you've already been told how trustworthy and on point I am." Even though the box was small Eve was excited to see what was inside.

It was a box made of dark wood that Eve hadn't seen before. It had a glossy dark red finish with light sheets of metal on the edges. A devious smile crossed her face and there was a chance that whatever was inside that box was most likely something good.

The guard opened the box and not a sound came from it. The three of them move forward to peek inside to see what it was. Eve's eyes widened as she looked inside. “Wow I had no idea one of these was even in this area. Your captains must be trying to butter me up or something.” A playful giggle escaped her lips as she shut the box and took it from the stool.

Eve was going to wait until later to explain exactly what the item was. There wasn't any time to do it at the moment and she wanted to make sure it was still usable. “Is my student able to pass now? I have some other business to take care of so I will have to leave for now.”

“That is no problem. The captain would like you to visit the next time you get the chance. We will take good care of your student. What is her name?” The guard bowed his head in respect looking up at the taller student.

A sly smile crossed Eve's face as she looked at her taller student. “Go ahead and introduce yourself.”

The girl nodded, returning the guards bow as she replied, “My name is Luna. It is a pleasure to meet you both.”

Their spears clanged against each other, opening the way as the guard spoke, “Luna student of Eve, you're here by granted permission to enter the larger island chains.”

Eve was impressed. Luna didn't say her name to just anyone. Of course, that was what she heard from her father right before they decided to leave for this mission. “Alright Luna, we will let you take it from here. When you have gotten what I've asked for, send a messenger back to the settlement directly. When I come back to visit the captain here you can return with me to the settlement.”

Luna nodded it in agreement passing through the opening making her way towards the larger island market. There wasn't a need for any more words and Eve needed to leave anyway. Again, she was impressed with Luna, and she saluted the guards while Eve and her other student walked back to the dock.

Eve was hoping to stay a bit longer however the feeling in the pit of her stomach wasn't letting up. There was something extremely off in the direction of home and even if she couldn't leave for the settlement right now there was no time to waste and when she returned, she would look into the item they had gained.

“Master, why are we in such a hurry? Didn't you tell us that rushing missions like this wasn't a good idea?” The smaller student wasn't trying to start anything, but she could feel the tension rise after asking the questions.

An exasperated sigh escaped Eve's lips as she continued to walk, not turning around. “I have the skills in order to compensate for the rushing of our mission. When you have the knowledge to make decisions based on your gut feeling then you can also come up with your own ways of doing things. However, having the basics down is most important. That is what I'm trying to teach the two of you.”

The walk back was much shorter than the walk towards the larger island chain gate. Her student didn't respond to the explanation. She simply nodded in agreement with a curious smile painted on her face. Even though she was the master it was still nice to learn things above the basics that apply to real world situations.

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Eve's ship had already been brought to the exit area. A playful giggle escaped her lips glad to see they already knew her so well. They both jumped onto the ship securing the lines from the guards. There wasn't a second to waste and the nearest walled city was waiting.

“Master, how long will it take us to get to our next destination?” Eve's student asked as they made their way out of the harbor.

Taking in a deep breath Eve took control of the rudder of the ship looking up into the sky. A gust of wind passed through them furrowing the sails propelling them forward. “If we're able to keep this favorable wind only a few hours taking the route I know. However, if we have to take the long way it could take the better part of a few days.”

The walled City they were going to was famous. It was one of the few that was so close to the free pirate market. They also had the most extensive information network. Of course, they didn't have the level of information that the market had. However, getting information from the market and from the walled City would allow Eve to give Crimson Judgment an upper hand in this coming war.

Thankfully the wind and the current were favorable to them. They were able to make what would amount to an almost three-day journey within only six hours. Her student's eyes widened. They had been living on a small island for a very long time and most that were born in settlements would never see a walled city. She was about to infiltrate this one and it would be on her own. The journey back to the Crimson Judgment settlement would take at least a day if not more depending on the conditions. Eve had no choice but to trust her gut and it was telling her to go home. However, there was no way she could abandon this mission and even though her students were young both of them had the ability to do this as long as they were careful.

“I want you to remember that a walled city is not something to take lightly. You need to have all of your senses alert at all times especially when walking around in the open. I'm going to give you a piece of my ability. It is the only thing I can do for right now and while technically you will not be using my ability directly as long as you have one of my weapons you will be able to conceal yourself. The concealment will not last long so you will have a week to gather all the information you can once that is finished you will send a messenger bird to me, and I will come to retrieve you. Now you must tell me your name. That will be the final piece to imbue into my blade; it'll only work that way.” Eve usually wasn't one for long-winded instructions, however she was about to send a student into a very dangerous place and there was nothing else she could do but give her a little bit of power, a weapon to protect herself and some knowledge to help sharpen her skills.

The student looked down at the knife that seemed to glow as if bathed in sunlight. She went to reach for it and stopped remembering her master just asked for her name. “My apologies master. I thought you already knew my name. Why do I have to give it to you again?”

An exasperated sigh escaped Eve's lips. “The blade must be imbued with your voice, me saying your name does nothing. If I gave you this blade it wouldn't protect you the way it's supposed to, it's part of the ability. I still have to perfect it but right now this is the best I can do to share my chameleon ability with you. Remember it only lasts a week you need to take special care to keep up with the time. So, I will ask you again. What is your name?”

She took in a deep breath as a playful smile crossed her lips. “My name is Veil.” The daggers glow intensified as the name echoed softly between them. Veil's eyes widened with excitement.

Eve let out a playful giggle. She was glad to see Veil was so excited about the prospect of her first solo mission. Of course, at this point without the dagger and Eve's powers protecting her she would be sending her student to an early grave.

“Now then do not allow anyone to touch this. It will last a week without fail however if someone else gets a hold of it the ability will disappear, and you will be found out for who you truly are. That is the drawback, and I guarantee you once they find out who you're associated with you will not be imprisoned you will be killed.” Now wasn't the time for Eve to be pulling any punches. Veil needed to know exactly what she was getting herself into.

“I will not fail in this mission, Master Eve. Everything you require will be accomplished for the advancement of Crimson Judgment.” Veil took the dagger from Eve giving her the master the best salute she could muster.

The walled city was coming into view. “Now I can't take you to the dock on this ship. You will have to swim the rest of the way. If I was alone everything would be fine however even with the ability imbued into the dagger, I don't have enough to change the appearance of the ship. Do you think you can swim from here?” Eve didn't like the fact Veil had to swim; however, it was good physical training at least.

Veil didn't hesitate sheathing the dagger in her belt securely she jumped into the water swimming towards the dock. She already knew they were in a hurry and there had been enough talk. It was time for her to start her first mission and there was no way she was going to fail. She wasn't officially a crew member yet, however living on the island made her an associate of Crimson Judgment. She was going to do her best for her master and for Captain Alexandria.

Eve let out a devious laugh adjusting the rudder turning the ship in the direction of home. Luna and Veil were the two best she had found on their island. Even after all the talk of her not wanting to bring novices on a mission she is now entrusted both of them with difficult tasks as their first solo missions. Veil had gotten the shorter end of the stick by far. However, she would most likely come out of this much stronger than Luna.

Now all that was left was to get back to Alexandria. Eve knew something was wrong and there was no way in hell she was leaving her captain to face it without her. Crimson Judgment had strong members individually however the true strength of the crew was when they all stood together because if separately their abilities were formidable then together, they would be unstoppable.