Marcel and Captain Frown with his crew joined everyone inside the tavern. "Do you have enough food for my crew? We are hungry" asked Captain Frown the woman. "Of course!" she said and started preparing the food. Anna and Bia helped the woman in the kitchen while the others helped put the plates on the table. "How did you get here?" asked Captain Frown while looking at Marcel. "We were following the map we found and arrived at a small island. While we were waiting there a whirlpool formed and sucked out the ship along with the island" said Marcel. "Hmm... Then you must have been very lucky to survive it" said Captain Frown. "Usually when that happens the ship sinks and it never surfaces again" he continued while drinking from the cup. Marcel was shocked to hear those words but also felt relieved that it did not happen. "Do you know how to get back?" Captain Frown asked him. "No, but for now we plan to explore it a bit more" Marcel's answer pleased Captain Frown's ears. "This is what I wanted to hear. We, pirates, know that one life is not enough to explore all seas, especially since two of them are not marked on any map" Captain Frown said while smiling. "I will tell you how to get back once you find this," said Captain Frown and gave Marcel a map. "What is this?" asked Marcel. "This is an artifact map, one of the easiest ones from the Sea of Time" Captain Frown said. "Where did you find it?" Marcel asked but there was no response, only a riddle. "If x marks the spot, then who marks the x?" said Captain Frown and looked around. Marcel was confused by his words, but he accepted the task. They spent the night eating and drinking at the tavern, and the couple was pleased to see that what Marcel said was true. In the morning the woman asked Captain Frown if there was someone in his crew named Jose. "Of course there is, but he is currently somewhere else" answered Captain Frown. "After seeing and hearing the young boy's words, I would like to give you this tavern," said the woman. "But I can not do such a thing, to be honest, I do not remember how it happened that we own this tavern in the future," said Captain Frown. "At this point, it does not matter how. This tavern helped this boy achieve his dream and brought him to us, this is more than I can ask for" the woman said. "Then I will accept your offer with a single condition," said Captain Frown. "Which is?" the woman was looking straight into his eyes. "You do not have to give it away to anyone, you will be the owners until the sea will take you away," said Captain Frown. The woman started crying and accepted the condition. After that, Captain Frown and his crew left Black Lagoon.

Marcel woke up and went to Simon. "Can you take a look at this?" asked Marcel while handing Simon the map. "What is this?" asked Simon. "This is not a usual map, I have seen a few, but not this complex" he continued. "Captain Frown gave it to me, he said it is an artifact map, one of the easiest on this sea," said Marcel. "Ehm..." Simon was looking at the map. "Easiest he said?" he continued. "As I have said, I have seen a few while I was part of his crew, but not as complex as this, it might take me a while to decipher it," said Simon. "What about the other one?" asked Marcel. "Perhaps we could continue with the other map we found and in the meantime, I will try and decipher this one as well," said Simon. "Where is the other map?" asked Marcel. "I think I saw Greg with it a couple of days ago," said Simon. "I will go and ask him" and Marcel left the room. Greg was in the hallway. "Greg!" Marcel said. "Yes?" he turned around. "Where is the map from the wooden chest?" Marcel asked. "I gave it to Duke to keep it safe. Why do you ask?" said Greg. "I talked with Simon and he said we should continue with those maps until he deciphers the one we received from Captain Frown last night," said Marcel. "I see... Well, I will let him know when I see him" said Greg and went downstairs. "Thank you!" said Marcel and went outside searching for Duke. Before he left he saw Tim and Rob helping the man with the tavern storage. "Good morning!" said Marcel. "Mornin' captain!" they replied. "Have you seen Duke?" asked Marcel. "No we have not seen him," said Tim. "He might have gone to the town to do the groceries," said Rob. "If he comes back let him know that I need him for something," said Marcel and left towards the town. "Of course," they said and got back to work. The town was busy as usual and it was hard to spot someone in the crowd. Marcel was looking around, but no sight of Duke. "Woof, woof!". Joy was waving his tail and was watching Marcel. "Hey!" Marcel kneeled and petted Joy. "Do you know where is Duke?" asked Marcel. "Woof... Woof" barked Joy looking down. "Ah... So you do not know either," said Marcel. "Woof...", "Would you help me find him?" said Marcel while getting up. "Woof!" and Joy looked up at him and barked as confirmation. Marcel pointed in a different direction and said "You go that way, I go this way". Joy followed Marcel's instructions and went searching for Duke. After a couple of hours, Marcel and Joy returned to the same place without Duke. "You have not found him either?" asked Marcel disappointed. "Woof..." Joy barked and faced down. Marcel kneeled and tried to make Joy feel a bit better. "Do not worry, he should not be far. We will find him" said Marcel, and Joy waved his tail. They returned to the tavern as the night was falling on the Black Lagoon. When Marcel entered the tavern he saw everyone gathered up. "What happened?" he asked while closing the door. "Have you found Duke?" asked Greg. "No. I searched with Joy but no luck in the town either," said Marcel. "Guys! You need to see this!" Hulio was running down the stairs. "What?" everyone looked at him.

He was holding a piece of paper. "This is from Duke!" Hulio said. "Where did you find it?" asked Marcel. "It was on his bed" Hulio answered. "What does it say?" Greg asked. "Ehm... I am sorry I leave like this, but I have seen my parents here in Black Lagoon and I want to spend some time with them before it happens again. I will be back shortly. Signed Duke,". "What does he mean by 'before it happens'? Will something happen with his parents?" asked Bia. "We have no idea, he never talked much about his life before, this is the first time we hear it as well," said Marcel. "What about the map?" asked Greg. "This was all I found," said Hulio. "We should find him, I think he needs us," said Marcel. "Then why would he leave like this?" asked Fred. "Because he does not want to be a bother to us, that is why. You have seen him, he is always alone and does not talk much, but he is trying his best to help us" continued Marcel. "This is our time to return the favor," said Marcel and opened the door. Joy followed him as well as everyone else. They left the tavern and spread out. Marcel and Greg went to the docks and the rest went into the town. It was less crowded now that the night had fallen. On their way to the port, Marcel saw three people taking a boat. He and Greg rushed to the boat but it was too late. Barely seeing through the darkness, Marcel managed to spot something familiar at one of the persons, he was wearing Duke's clothes. "Wait!" Marcel yelled. Duke turned back, saw him, and continued paddling. "Come back!" he continued yelling. "Greg! Go and notify the others, we have to go!" said Marcel and went to their ship. Greg started running and by the time Marcel prepared the ship they all arrived. "Raise, the sails!" Marcel yelled in a hurry. "We have to catch them!" he continued. Everyone on board was doing their best to catch up to the boat. The weather changed drastically since they left the port. The storm started picking up and the waves were wild. "Do you see them?" Marcel yelled at Rob who was in the crow's nest looking after them. "No!" he answered. "I think I see something," said Greg while leaning over the ship railings. "It is them!" both Rob and Greg yelled. They got closer to the boat and threw the ladder. "Come on board!" Marcel yelled. Duke's parents climbed the ladder on the ship. Duke was the last one to climb when a giant wave hit the boat and made Duke hit his head on the side of the ship. "What happened? Where is Duke?" asked Marcel while turning the helm with all his strength. "He is not climbing, where is my child?" said the woman panicked. Greg looked at the leader and did not see either the boat or Duke. "Greg! Take the helm!" Marcel said and jumped in the water. The sea was dangerous and wild, but despite that, Marcel jumped over to help Duke. The visibility in the water was even more reduced because of the lack of light. Marcel looked left and right and managed to see a human shape. He started swimming towards him. It was Duke, unconsciously taken by the waves. Marcel managed to grab him and get to the surface. The ship was far, but Greg managed to take it closer to them, Fred threw the ladder and helped Marcel get Duke on board. When he got on board he was not breathing. Marcel and Rob were taking turns with mouth-to-mouth breathing and pushing his chest. After a couple of tries Duke turned on his side and started breathing again. He spit out a lot of water. "How are you feeling?" asked Marcel. "I... I... am sorry," said Duke. Marcel slapped him. "I asked you how are you feeling!" said Marcel. Duke only then realized that the slap was not meant to hurt him but to remind him people were worrying about him. "I am fine now, captain!" Duke answered. "Glad to hear that" Marcel hugged him. "Never do this again!" he continued and started crying, but the rain was covering it. Duke's parents were taken downstairs away from the storm.

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

As they were turning around to Black Lagoon, the storm started to calm down. When they reached the port they left the ship there and returned to the tavern. It was still in the middle of the night and everyone was exhausted. "We will talk tomorrow. Now get some sleep!" said Marcel. "Aye!" everyone exclaimed and went to bed. The next morning Anna and Bia prepared breakfast for everyone. Duke's parents were admiring Marcel and his crew. When everyone was awake they all gathered around and ate. "Now, let us know what was on your mind last night?" said Marcel with a calm voice. Duke started explaining everything. A couple of years back before he joined a crew of pirates he lived with his parents. One night they were traveling from Black Lagoon to their home and a storm started. They were caught up in the storm and the boat was destroyed by the waves. His parents have been missing since then. When he walked around in Black Lagoon he saw them and knew that day was about to come and he wanted to spend more time with them before it happened. Everyone was moved by his words and they would have probably done the same. "Next time take your time, and tell us. We will help you with everything we can" said Marcel. Everyone agreed and made Duke cry. "Thank you! Thank you very much!" Duke said while wiping his tears. "You have found a lot of good friends, we are proud of you," said his father. "I wonder what will happen now that we changed the course of history," said Greg. "I guess there is nothing we can do but wait and find out," said Marcel and raised his cup. "But for now, let us enjoy this moment together. For friendship!" he continued. "Aye!" everyone else raised their cups. After they finished Marcel asked Duke about the map. He said that he left the map in the drawer. Simon went and took the map from the drawer and deciphered the next location. "Now that your parents do not have a boat to get home, we will take them with our ship, if that is fine with them as well," said Marcel. "We can not ask that much of you. You already did a lot for us" said Duke's mother. "I insist!" said Marcel. After a bit of back and forth, Duke convinced his parents to come with them. They made one more stop before their adventure. Greg told Duke to give his parent a couple of coins for the damages. They refused to take the coins and left. "Your parents are stubborn," said Marcel. "Ehm... They do not like to receive things for free" said Duke. "This is a detail you never told us," said Marcel while smiling. "Maybe in the future, you will open up to us more" he continued while turning the helm. "Of course!" said Duke and smiled.