Descrelate.

A veritable hive of villainy, if not for the fact it was underpopulated and clearly past its prime. What was once a bustling hub for pirates of all stripes to hide themselves away and connive was now a rundown island of bars, three card monty, and acted more like a pitstop for any pirate in the area. Convenient, not thriving.

Its close proximity to King Syrille’s castle and the Royal Precession headquarters certainly didn’t help. The fact it was still around at all was a testament to just how little a threat it posed to the royal occupation. But that didn’t mean pirates would avoid the place. If anything, it proved the pirates skilled enough to actually get there or dumb enough to stick around.

Truly, this looked incredible to Aloette.

“A pirate hub!” Aloette exclaimed, kicking her feet. “And so close to Intide! Ooo, I can feel my heart fluttering already!”

“This isn’t the pirate hub.” Sadashi admitted, as they pulled Nyra’s ship closer to the docks, only for Aloette to rush over to him.

“There’s another?!”

“Yes, a…you know, I don’t feel like telling you about it, cause you’ll want to go there.” Sadashi accurately pointed out, as Aloette grinned.

“Too late! I already want to! What’s it called?”

“Havencove, now keep sharp.” Sadashi insisted, right as they parked the boat, as Sadashi headed below deck, quickly lowering the anchor and gathering some supplies.

After properly taking in the view, and waving to a couple people on the docks, Aloette went down to join him as he scrounged through some loose weaponry.

“So, what’s the plan from here?” Aloette curiously asked.

Sadashi focused on searching, before remembering his promise to keep Aloette in the loop.

“…we’ll grab what we can here and head out. I’ve got a few connections in town, so I’ll see if there’s any ships we can either use or hitch a ride on.” Sadashi said, grabbing out a rusty cutlass, before tossing it away. “Once we do, we’ll come back here, grab as many supplies as we can, and head out.”

He finally found a cutlass in decent nick, before taking it and facing Aloette. “I don’t trust the people here to leave Nyra’s unoccupied ship alone, so you’re coming with me.”

“A-“

“Stay close. Don’t wander.” Sadashi insisted, taking Aloette’s hand. “You’ve already met pirates that want you dead, so as much as you want to have fun, this isn’t the place to do that.”

“…right.” Aloette let out, before looking back at the weapons. “…should I…?”

“…uhh…” Sadashi let out, truly mulling over whether Aloette wielding a weapon was a good idea. “…hold on.”

Sadashi went back into the weapons and dug around a bit more, before finding a small, sheathed dagger in the pile.

“How’s th-“

“Ooo, this one’s pink!” Aloette exclaimed, holding up an identical dagger, save for a pink handle and rose-gold blade.

“…okay.” Sadashi accepted, shaking his head. “You don’t have much experience with weapons, so it’d be more dangerous for you to handle anything too big. This should do for protection.”

“And only for emergencies, right?” Aloette assured, slipping it into her coat pocket.

Sadashi felt a touch reassured by this. “…yes, only for emergencies. Do you have the map on hand?”

“I sure do!” Aloette insisted, holding it out, before an idea popped in her head. “Oh, and I wanted to ask!”

She quickly unfurled it and showed off Descrelate on the map. “Nyra marked a small X here.”

“…yes?”

Aloette raised her eyebrows excitedly.

“…X marks the spot?”

Sadashi’s eyes sunk. “It’s not worth it.”

“Wha-why not?” Aloette pouted. “She could have treasure hidden somewhere on this island tha-“

“One, if it’s treasure, someone’s probably stolen it. Two, it’s more likely to be a personal cache of stuff, and we have plenty to take from here. Three, we shouldn’t waste time treasure hunting, we should be leaving here as soon as we can.” Sadashi finished, handing the map back.

Aloette let out a small sigh, before pocketing the map again. “I guess we can pick it up later.”

Sadashi ignored the comment and stood up, stretching proper and checking his clothes, before noticing that Aloette’s face could hardly hold back her excitement, even as she tried to put on an air of dignity for Sadashi’s sake.

Sadashi noticed and sighed out. “I suppose we should go before you explode with excitement.”

Aloette was already up the stairs, nearly tripping as she sped up to the deck.

…she really is your kid, Atticus. Sadashi admitted. Never thought I’d be babysitting though.

By the time he made his way up, Aloette was already on the dock and waving up to him.

He made his way down, trying to keep up with Aloette as she rushed ahead, taking in the completely different vibe to Intide.

“WOW!!!” She let out, having reached the end of the docks, staring out at the town centre, several other pirates casually passing through the main street. “It’s so rustic!”

Sadashi simply joined her side, giving the occasional stink eye to other passing pirates, especially any that glanced at Aloette.

“Let’s not stick around too long. Nyra’s ship’s going to…” Sadashi started, only to realise Aloette wasn’t next to him. “…Aloette?”

A brief streak of panic washed over him, as he did his best to reassure himself. He made his way into the main crossing streets in the middle of town, glancing around, before finding her chatting with a hulky, tattooed pirate, wielding a massive sword and deadly scowl.

“And how much does is weigh?!” Aloette curiously asked.

“Maybe a ton. I haven’t checked.” He replied, as Aloette’s eyes lit up.

“And you’re part of a crew, right? Are you going after any treasure?!” She wondered, nearly going to touch the sword.

The man went to answer, only for Sadashi to immediately step in between them.

“We were leaving. We don’t want trouble.” He said, grabbing Aloette’s arm and trying to make a quick exit.

He was immediately stopped by the pirates booming voice.

“HEY.”

The pirate went and grabbed Sadashi’s arm, holding him in place from crushing strength alone.

Sadashi instinctively went for his cutlass, only for the pirate to turn him around.

“Don’t be rude. I was about to answer the lady’s question.” He replied.

He crouched down to better meet Aloette’s height. “There’s a place called the Fjulf Islands that we’re going to explore. But really, my real treasure is the time I spend with those close to me.”

“Oooooooooh!” Aloette let out, bunching her fists up, as Sadashi proceeded to keep pulling her away.

“I know we’re pirates, but if you’re not connecting with your crew, then is the treasure really worth anything?” He added, waving to Aloette as she left. “Safe travels!”

“You too!”

Sadashi sighed heavily, before pulling Aloette to the side. “Okay, you know how I said don’t wander?”

“But I got a good feeling about him! I’m very good at reading people.” Aloette pointed out. “Reading’s always been my specialty!”

“…okay, I-“

“Hold on.” Aloette said, before pressing her fingers to her temple. “…I’m guessing…you really like…pumpkin pie!”

If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

“A…” Sadashi started, before doing a double take. “…yeah, actually.”

“See?!”

“…good guess.” Sadashi excused, cautiously scanning around them, before spotting a sign sticking out of one of the nearby buildings. “Come on. And STAY close this time.”

“Sure.” Aloette let out, grabbing his arm, as he made his way over to what Aloette realised was a tavern.

After a quick walk down some winding stairs, and Sadashi sharing a glance with the bartender, they made their way inside a surprisingly lively, but still dingy feeling bar. Plenty of people were drinking at the bar, a couple were playing cards with knives to each other’s throats, one booth looked like its occupants were in the middle of a shake down…

Sadashi made a point to cover Aloette’s eyes quickly, before crouching down and grabbing her shoulders.

“I’m going to go chat with some folks who might give us passage. Stay here.”

“Can I grab a drink?” Aloette asked, having already locked eyes on the bar.

“…one drink.” Sadashi said, handing her a gold piece he snagged from Nyra’s ship. “But do-“

“I know, I know. Go, go have your piratey chats!” Aloette insisted, shooing him away, as Sadashi could feel his position as leader of this journey slowly slipping away from him.

Still keeping an eye on Aloette, he made his way over to another one of the booths, giving a small rhythmic knock on the table, as the pirates there stared up at him, before recognition slowly crossed their faces.

“Sadashi, you stack of shit! You’re alive!” One of them remarked, slapping another pirate’s shoulder. “Man, King Syrille must suck at executions!”

“That’s one way of putting it.” Sadashi admitted, joining them. “…any news in regard to Atticus?”

“Not that we’ve heard. King Syrille probably thinks he’s still dead.” They insisted, as Sadashi let out a cautious breath. “What brings you here?”

“A…trip, to reunite. I’m gonna need passage.” Sadashi said, as his gaze briefly went back to Aloette at the bar.

“My good man, your finest rum!” Aloette insisted, placing the gold piece on the bar, as the bartender gave her a side-glance, before shrugging and grabbing her drink.

Aloette sat down by the bar, scanning around the tavern and making a point to listen out for anything important.

As she did so, a woman drinking at the bar alone shared a glance with her, right as the bartender served her drink.

Aloette confidently took the glass and chugged it, as the woman waited for some kind of violent reaction, only for Aloette to handle it like it was nothing.

“WOW! For my first taste of rum, that was quite good! My compliments, fine barkeep!” She exclaimed, getting very little reaction from the shrewd bartender.

Having now fully stolen her attention, Aloette faced the woman, before smiling happily.

The woman spoke up. “…you lost, kid?”

“Hardly.” Aloette insisted, before leaning onto the bar. “I’m looking for a hearty crew of adventurers for a journey.”

“…hearty, you say?” The woman asked, curiously spinning around to Aloette. “And why’s that?”

Aloette grinned. “Are you interested?”

“In a job I know nothing about?” She replied, lifting her drink up. “I’ve already got plans, and they’re not waiting for me.”

“…oh.” Aloette let out, before sinking into her stool. “Alright. It was worth putting a feeler out…”

The woman gave Aloette a once over, more to convince herself someone had walked into the bar dressed like that.

“…be honest, are you actually a pirate?” The woman asked, indicating to Aloette’s coat. “The plunder and sailing type, not the…kids birthday type.”

“…well, not yet, but I’m planning on it.” Aloette answered, nodding her head. “Once this journey’s over, I’ll be fully fledged!”

Geez…poor kid. The woman thought, taking another swig. Someone’s taking her for a ride…

She gave the coat another look and deduced it was impressively well made. Gaudy for a pirate, but clearly expensive…

…but that should make her an easy mark. She thought, before turning to Aloette and sticking out her hand.

“Bridget.” She said, as Aloette gazed at the hand, before shaking it happily.

“Aloette!” She replied, as Bridget leaned over closer to her.

“So, what’s this journey you’re going on?”

Aloette leaned in so she could whisper. “I won’t go too into detail…but I’m heading to the Further.”

Bridget’s eyes widened. “The Further?”

Aloette nodded proudly.

“The uncharted ocean?”

Aloette kept nodding.

“Surrounded by whirlpools and unnatural storms?”

“The very same!”

Bridget found herself snickering.

Of course…

“Quite the dangerous trek.” Bridget assured, tapping one of the daggers by her waist. “Need more than just this to make your way there.”

“Exactly! That’s why I’m perusing for a crew!” Aloette declared, scanning around the bar again, as Bridget leaned over.

“You know…if you want the best chance of getting there, I’m part of a crew.”

“Really?” Aloette asked curiously, as Bridget nodded.

“Oh yeah. Massive ship, stockpiled with all you’d need for a journey like this. We’re one of the few that’re able to outrun the Royal Precession.” Bridget insisted, as Aloette stared at her in amazement.

“I don’t believe that!”

“It’s true! Why do you think I’m parked so close to Intide? Can’t even touch us.” Bridget stated, as Aloette found herself getting giddy.

“Do you have any stories of your adventures?!”

“Oh, tons. We’ve been together forever.” Bridget assured, finishing off the last of her drink. “Tell you what. We can head to the ship now. We’re strung up a bit offshore, so we’ll be taking my smaller ship over.”

Bridget waved her hand about. “We were already in talks about heading to The Further, so there’s lucky. Glad we caught ya when we did.”

Bridget bumped her shoulder and stood up, as Aloette giggled to herself.

“So? You wanna meet ‘em?”

“Oh, no thank you.” Aloette said.

Bridget sneered. “It’s not an imposition.”

Aloette grinned happily. “Well, considering you’re lying, I guess that’s technically correct.”

Bridget paused briefly, as Aloette, despite her innocent, beaming face staring back at her, suddenly looked a lot different.

“…I’m sorry?”

Aloette giggled again, before kicking her legs. “My first swindling! I didn’t think it’d happen so soon!”

Bridget blinked in profound confusion.

“Wait, no, back up, you were playing me?” Bridget asked, genuinely curious as she sat back down. “How’d you know?”

“You were lying?”

Bridget nodded.

“Frankly, it all seemed a bit too convenient.” Aloette insisted. “First, I saw pirate ships in the docks, comfortably out in the open. Your ‘crew’ would have no reason to be stationed offshore, especially if their resources were vast enough to well protect themselves.”

Aloette raised two fingers. “You glanced at my coat when I came over and most likely thought I had money, so there’s good motive to lie to me.”

Bridget watched her raise another. “Third, I’m not about to follow someone I just met to a second location. I may be new to this, but I’m not stupid.”

Aloette raised one last one. “And just like me, I have a feeling you’re on your own. Otherwise, you wouldn’t be drinking alone at this bar without any of your crew around, would you?”

Bridget could feel her mouth hanging agape, as it took her a few seconds to collect everything and regain composure.

“…holy shit.” Bridget let out, genuinely awe struck. “…I don’t know what to say. Usually your types are the most gullible.”

Bridget found herself, despite her best efforts, cracking a smile, before laughing and leaning back on her stool, almost falling over.

“Colour me impressed! I underestimated you…Aloette?” Bridget said, before sitting up straight and sticking her hand out again, which Aloette shook. “Bridget. That part I didn’t lie about.”

Bridget placed a hand on her chest. “Professional swindler, thief, conwoman, not too bad with a dagger, and pirate.”

Aloette smiled, before doing the same. “Aloette. Daughter of a noble, aspiring pirate, and pretty good at reading people.”

Bridget chuckled again and jabbed Aloette’s arm. “Ain’t that the truth. If you weren’t so on the ball, we’d be on my ship, and you’d be missing a lot of gold…and that coat.”

“Oh no, I wouldn’t have followed you anyway. I’m not about to leave my crewmate.”

Bridget raised an eyebrow. “So you have a crewmate?”

“Yes, Sadashi! You should meet him, he’s lovely!” Aloette insisted, scanning around the bar, before spotting him over at the booth and waving to him.

“…right. Thanks anyway.” Sadashi said, excusing himself, before catching Aloette’s waving from the bar. “Stealing it is the…”

He stopped himself, right as he saw who was sitting next to Aloette, and who she was excitedly pointing to.

“…of course…”

“Sadashi! I’m sure you two will catch on like a house on fire.” Aloette insisted, as Bridget comfortably leaned against the bar.

“Hate to burst your bubble…”

Aloette watched as Sadashi charged up to them at the bar, getting his cutlass ready.

Bridget turned to her. “…we’ve already met.”

Right as he was about to reach her, she got up, before pulling out her dagger and holding it to his neck, right as he held his sword to hers.

Bridget smirked. “Sadashi, hey! How’d the execution go? Did you die?”

“What are you doing?” Sadashi demanded, refusing to break eye contact.

“Drinking at a bar. You should try it, cools your nerves.”

“S-S-Sadashi?” Aloette let out, as he held his free hand up, right as the other patrons caught on to the fight about to break out.

“Stay back. Don’t trust a word she says.” Sadashi insisted.

“You should listen to Sadashi.” Bridget assured to, flashing her a grin. “We’re good friends, after all.”

~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~

“Hold on…we’re nearly there….please please please please ple-YES, THAT’S IT! Do you see it? Do you see the ship there?”

Alfie gave a thumbs up, as Phil sunk down from the banister, right as Descrelate, and Nyra’s ship, came into view.

“Thank goodness! Ever reliable Descrelate.” Phil insisted, before standing back up and bringing Alfie in close. “Ah, old familiar. What’s say we pay that den of pirate scum a visit?”

Phil stood out from the banister. “Routine search boys! We find these thieves and we bring them to justice! Truly, there is no greater crime than that of theft!”