“Well, guess I shouldn’t be surprised you’re back.” Bridget confessed, her dagger still to Sadashi’s neck, as a crowd started to gather around them. “You’re pretty good at not dying.”

“Back off. Right now.” Sadashi demanded, as Bridget side-glanced Aloette.

“I’ll have you know I was having a lovely conversation with your companion Aloette.” Bridget insisted, as Aloette’s eyes widened.

“Are you about to duel?!”

“Aloette, don’t be excited about this!” Sadashi insisted, holding his ground and refusing to break eye contact. “She’s a conwoman. A s-“

“Swindler, thief, pirate. I already gave her the spiel.” Bridget replied, before turning to Aloette and whispering. “I hate to say, but if we do duel, it won’t be as fun as you think it’ll be.”

“Try me!” Aloette insisted, only for Sadashi’s sword to get closer to Bridget’s neck, pressing directly against the skin. “W-Whoa, Sadashi?!”

“Oh, he means it.” Bridget assured, grinning playfully. “Duel to the death, Aloette. You know, like pirates do.”

Bridget confidently lifted her dagger from Sadashi’s neck and pointed it to Aloette. “You did say you wanted to be a pirate, right?”

Phil, quite happily, found himself landing on Descrelate’s dock with a thud, as the rest of the Royal Precession officers followed in lines behind him.

The pirates on the docks nearby noticed and immediately started clearing out, including a few idly inspecting Nyra’s now docked ship.

“One to five, search Nyra’s ship! Everyone else follow! We’ll grab those filth and drag them back for a proper execution!” Phil ordered, before spinning on his heel back to the ship. “Alfiiiiie!”

Alfie popped his head out.

“Do you want us to grab you anything while we’re out?”

Alfie efficiently shook his head, staying comfortably on the ship.

“Alright! Routine search, fellas!” Phil declared, as they marched into Descrelate proper, inspecting every nook and cranny of every street. “No stone unturned!”

“S-Sadashi, what’s your p-problem with her?” Aloette asked, showing her hands to avoid getting in anyway involved in the fight. “Did she do something?”

Sadashi found himself hesitating, looking over Aloette’s worried expression, as he found himself pulling his sword back for the moment.

“HIGH ALERT!”

The bar turned its attention to the entrance, as a fellow pirate burst through the door waving his arms about in a panic.

“THE PRECESSION’S HERE! THEY’RE SEARCHING TOWN!!!”

“What?!” The bartender cried, as the crowd started to dissipate, a few ducking into side rooms to hide. “What is it this time?!”

“I don’t kno-“ He started, only to spot Sadashi confidently holding his sword up to Bridget’s neck. “…actually, him, I’d guess.”

Sadashi could barely pay attention, as his blind hatred kept his gaze focused on Bridget, not even taking in the panic surrounding him.

The only thing that stole his attention was Aloette lowering her hand on his outstretched arm. He turned his gaze to her and saw concern on her face, but also the understanding that they needed to act fast and leave.

“…shit…” Sadashi let out, finally lowering the sword proper, as Bridget let out a coy sigh. “I didn’t think they’d follow so quickly. We haven’t gotten a new ship or the supplies yet…”

“Should we head back to Nyra’s ship?” Aloette asked, as Sadashi shook his head.

“They’ll have officers all over that thing. Dammit…” Sadashi muttered, grabbing his head in his hands. “I let my guard down…”

Right as Aloette went to comfort him, shouting echoed from the street above, as Precession officers made their way through.

A few bangs on nearby doors caused Aloette to jump back, her map falling out of her pocket as a result.

Bridget spotted it and picked it up, before noting a couple things on it.

“…you know…”

Aloette and Sadashi both turned to Bridget.

“…I have a ship you could use.” She offered, hands behind her back. “It’s nothing flashy, but it’ll get you off the island without the Precession catching you.”

“Can it get us to The Further?!” Aloette excitedly asked, completely ignoring the hostility from before.

Bridget smirked. “No, but it could take you as far as Havencove.”

Aloette turned to Sadashi with an overjoyed, knowing look, as Sadashi death-glared Bridget, before trudging over to her.

“Of all the tricks to pull, th-“

“This would be the worst timed.” Bridget noted, right as shouting from the Precession officers got louder.

“…I refuse to accept help from her kind.” Sadashi said to Aloette, as Bridget scoffed.

“Harsh, Sadashi, and pot calling the kettle black. You’re a pirate too.”

“Not your kind of pirate.” Sadashi argued.

“You mean like your crew? Last I checked, they’re not here.” Bridget noted, smiling. “Face it, I’m your best option.”

Bridget looked a little too proud of herself for putting Sadashi in such a bind, as Sadashi did everything he could to stop himself pulling out his sword again.

The echoing from the street got louder.

“…fine.”

“What was that?” Bridget playfully asked, as Sadashi grabbed her cloak’s collar.

“WHERE?”

“Third door on the right, geez.” Bridget remarked, freeing herself. “It’ll take us out into the side street. My ship’s docked further up the beach, so we’ll sneak our way there.”

Sadashi immediately turned to the door, as Bridget crouched down to Aloette.

“As sunny as ever.” She joked, getting a chuckle from Aloette, before pulling out the map again. “Hey, have you checked here yet?”

Bridget pointed to the small X on Nyra’s map of Descrelate, as Aloette shook her head.

“Sadashi beelined us right here.” Aloette sighed, before Bridget flashed a grin.

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“Okay, good t-“

“You slow us down, we’re taking your ship!” Sadashi insisted, hurrying the duo along, as Aloette quickly remembered the danger and hurried along.

They made their way through a winding path between buildings, slowly connecting into an alleyway filled with empty supply boxes from the bar, before coming out into a small side street, as Precession officers could be seen charging through the main streets on each side. Nighttime had properly set in, and fortunately, they were hidden well in the pitch-black darkness.

“Which way to your shi-“ Sadashi started, only to notice Bridget splitting off from them. “Bridget!”

“Head down to the shore! It’s behind an outcrop of rocks near the docks!” Bridget called out, as she headed into the now emptied main street. “I’ll catch up with you later!”

Aloette noticed her leaving with the map and chose to stay very tight-lipped about it next to a noticeably pissed Sadashi.

“…great, of course!” Sadashi yelled out, before remembering the officers around them.

The duo huddled behind some of the supply boxes, waiting for another clean opening.

“So right to her ship, right?” Aloette asked, as Sadashi sighed out.

“…if she’s telling the truth, we’ll head to her ship.” Sadashi insisted, scoping out the streets. “But we’re not waiting for her. If she wants to waste time on whatever the hell she’s doing, that’s on her.”

Sadashi looked to Aloette for a reply and only saw excitement.

“…I thought you’d be against stealing her ship.”

“Well, she is helping us…” Aloette noted, before pumping her fists. “But we’re pirates! Pirates take what they want! We’ve already stolen one ship, and we’re in a hurry!”

Sadashi found himself a little amused and shook his head. “…you surprise me with your pragmatism.”

Sadashi noticed a few of the officers on their left thinning out and moving onto another street, as he beckoned Aloette to follow him.

They poked their head out and saw an empty path down to the docks, with the shoreline extending nearby, and what looked to be the outcrop of rocks Bridget was talking about.

They huddled down the street, careful not the draw the attention of the officers now exploring the centre of town. Fortunately, most of the other pirates had cleared out after hearing the Precession was in town, leaving the docks fairly abandoned of any life, save for the few lights coming from the Precession vessel and Nyra’s ship.

Aloette and Sadashi clung to the side of building, waiting until they reached the stairs to the shore, before making a sprint for the outcrop.

It was a clear shot to the outcrop, with Aloette actually outrunning Sadashi slightly. Right as they got closer, the sails of a smaller ship started coming into view over the rocks.

“I see it!” Aloette cried, cheering a little as she ran.

However, right around that time, Alfie’s scanning from atop the crow’s nest spotted what looked to be two figures running quite desperately on the beach.

Upon further inspection, Sadashi’s figure and Aloette’s bright coat identified them pretty easily, even in the settling darkness, as Alfie was immediately put on high alert and quickly made his way back down to the deck.

Right as the duo arrived and got a good look at Bridget’s ship, a loud ringing bell echoed out from the Precession ship, drawing both of their attention.

“Search every building! We’ll fan back out to the shoreline once we…” Phil declared, only to stop once he heard the ringing bell coming from the docks.

“…that’s Alfie.”

He made the connection, before pointing back at the docks. “The fugitives are back near the docks! Quickly now, we mustn’t lose them!”

“Of course they’d…notice us!” Sadashi let out, putting everything he could into pushing the ship offshore with Aloette.

She quickly hopped on, before scanning around them. “Is Bridget back yet?”

Sadashi sighed and looked back over the beach, only to spot searchlights heading down the docks.

“…I’m calling it.” Sadashi said, dislodging the rope holding the ship to shore, before jumping on and quickly taking the wheel.

The boat was just about to leave shore, right as a thud came from behind the duo.

It took their eyes a second to adjust, before realising it was Bridget on her back, now holding a small lockbox and grinning happily.

“You made it!” Aloette cried, only for Bridget to press her finger to her lips, as they quietly distanced themselves from the shore.

They were a good bit away from the island once the Precession started searching the outcrop, finally letting Bridget let go of her breath.

“Phew…that was a close one.”

She smirked and happily stood up. “And we got out with a little something too.”

Sadashi just now noticed the box.

“What’s that?”

Bridget grinned, before handing the map back to Aloette.

“Nyra’s personal stash. Your, or I’m guess her map, had its location.” Bridget let out, before opening the box and revealing a small fortune inside, filled to the brim with gleaming gold. “This…is beautiful.”

“TREASURE!” Aloette exclaimed, excitedly jumping over to it. “Oh, if only I were there to dig it up! What a missed opportunity.”

“Don’t worry. I’m a generous one.” Bridget insisted, slugging her arm around Aloette’s neck. “I used your map, so it’s only fair you get…”

Bridget thought on it, before staring back at Aloette’s beaming face.

“…you know what? It’s your first bounty, I’ll give you half.” Bridget offered, as Aloette’s eyes lit up.

“Oh, Bridget, you’re a delight! And with such a quaint little ship too!” Aloette exclaimed, as Sadashi felt he’d heard enough and took himself off the wheel.

He went over and grabbed Bridget’s arm.

“Can we chat privately?”

Bridget rolled her eyes and nodded, before looking back at the wheel.

“Hey, Aloette?” She said, indicating to the wheel. “Think you can keep that steady?”

“You don’t have to ask twice!” She exclaimed, jumping right onto it, as she immediately felt the pressure on her arms. “Alright, you’ve got this…”

Bridget smirked to Sadashi, right as he yanked her into her small cabin, just out of earshot of Aloette before letting her go.

“Owie, my arm.” She moped.

Sadashi glared at her, right as she sat down.

“…okay, can you finally put the metaphorical sword down?”

“Don’t be clever with me. What are you doing?” Sadashi demanded.

Bridget sighed out and rolled her eyes. “I’m helping you on your journey to The Further.”

“No you aren’t. You don’t do that.” Sadashi insisted, stepping back. “You want money from her, don’t you? She doesn’t have any on her.”

“I know that. And in case you forgot, I just gave her plenty.” Bridget pointed out, almost sounding offended, before getting up and turning her back to him. “…fine…if you must know why I would dare join you…”

She shook her head.

“…I like the girl. She’s impressed me.”

Sadashi felt his eye twitch.

“What?” Sadashi let out.

“Is that so hard to believe?” Bridget argued, facing him again. “She’s fun. She’s got the soul of a thief in her.”

“Coming from you, that’s a dangerous statement.” Sadashi stated, as Bridget’s eyes drooped.

“Oh what, is this abo-“

“Yes.”

Sadashi got right in her face. “Yes, it is. It always will be. I’ve not forgotten that day, and I won’t let you forget it either.”

Bridget stared him down, before looking out at the deck at Aloette. “Are you going to tell her?”

Sadashi looked back at Aloette and sighed. “…I already did, but she doesn’t know it was about you.”

Sadashi clenched his fist tighter. “…for whatever it’s worth, she trusts you, and you’re providing us passage…so I’m willing to see this out for the moment.” Sadashi noted, before glancing back at her. “But…”

He got right back in her face.

“ONE foot out of line, ANYTHING to endanger her, and I won’t hesitate to make things right again. Her life matters more than yours.”

The air was silent, as Bridget took in the meaning behind that line.

She clicked her tongue, before pushing his head back with her finger.

“Okay, drama queen.” Bridget remarked, before splitting off and heading back out on deck. “Unlike you, some of us can move on from things. Future matters more than the past, especially when you’re a pirate.”

She ducked out of the room, waving her hand behind her. “We’ll head out in the morning. Get past Precession Headquarters and sail right to Averole. You’ve got a friend there, right?”

Sadashi didn’t reply, as Bridget disappeared from view.

Right as he let his guard back down, she briefly popped her head back in.

“You know, if she’s so important to protect…”

Bridget lifted a finger.

“…why’s she becoming a pirate?”

Sadashi found himself without an answer, as Bridget disappeared proper to take over the steering from Aloette.

Aloette used the opportunity to head to the edge of the boat stare at the night sky while they travelled, leaving Sadashi with his thoughts, and using his seat as a makeshift bed.

…don’t worry Aloette. Sadashi thought, finding himself drifting back off to sleep. I promise… you’re safe as long as I’m around…