Maya and Cyll set up camp as the sun started to set below the horizon. They found a small clearing within the forest that ran parallel to the right side of the road and, within minutes, they had small fire going.

“So, what are the plans to replace your Life-spark once we get ourselves a boat?” Cyll asked, placing some fuel onto the fire and warming himself beside it.

“I think we should go to Bulsen,” Maya said, shuffling over to Cyll’s bag and stealing a bun from it.

“Where’s that?”

“Right, I forgot you haven’t been on the surface in a long time,” Maya said between chews. “It’s a huge sea port in the middle of the Frontier sea. I’ve heard that lots of people go there with unique goods and information. Maybe we’ll find a lead there.”

“The Frontier sea is the one next to us, I hope?” Cyll asked.

“It is,” Maya said.

She polished her steamed bun off and yawned, laying back on the ground and staring up into the night sky. The stars twinkled above them, cutting through the inky darkness of the night.

“Do you really think there’s something that can awaken my abilities, even without a Life-spark?” Maya asked after a long pause.

“We’ll find something,” Cyll said with a firm undertone. “And if not, we’ll just pump you full of so much Essence that something has to happen.”

Maya chuckled. After a few more minutes of small talk, the pirates retired to their tents and allowed sleep to overtake them.

The following morning was heralded in by the call of a large bird. The sun had just barely started to rise above the forest, but the day was already warm and getting warmer. Maya rubbed the sleep from her eyes and emerged from her tent.

Cyll was already outside, his tent packed. He gave Maya a nod as she started to pack her own tent up and offered her a steamed bun once she’d finished.

“Thanks,” Maya said. “How many of those do you even have left?”

“Ten or so,” Cyll said after a quick check. “They’re delicious. Is all food this good?”

“Oh, you have no idea. I doubt we’ll spend much time in Hook bay, but you’re in for a real treat once we reach Bulsen. There are some famous restaurants there.”

Cyll forced himself to close his mouth to stop drooling. He nodded briskly and jerked his chin towards the road.

“Then what are we waiting for? Let’s get a move on, Cap!” Cyll exclaimed.

With that, they were off. The rest of the trip was largely uneventful, and the two of them drew near to Hook bay as the sun started to dip below the horizon once again. The port town was much smaller than Ashwind. There was a sturdy wooden barricade, but no stone.

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Wooden houses peeked over the walls, the paint on them either worn or entirely gone. As the two pirates approached, a single guard standing at the gate glanced up from the ground. His helmet was tucked under his arm and an old sword laid by his side.

“Good evening,” the guard said once they’d drawn close enough.

“And to you as well,” Maya said. “We’re looking to buy a small boat. Do you know where we might find someone willing to sell?”

The guard clicked his tongue and scratched the back of his head.

“Ah, bad timing for you two. The Ashwind family sent news just midday today, and they said to lock down any travel for the next week or so. They’re looking for someone, apparently. Some huge hulk of a man accompanied by a chain demon.”

Maya and Cyll exchanged a glance.

“I see,” Cyll said with a frown. “That’s problematic. We have an appointment overseas and we really can’t afford to miss it.”

The guard glanced behind himself. Then he leaned in close to Cyll.

“You two seem decent enough, and not many folk are pleased with the Ashwind’s decree. It’s putting a lot of trade and buisness to a halt. If you check out the Rusty Screw tavern by the dock, you might find someone who was more…supportive of your cause,” the guard whispered.

“We appreciate it,” Cyll said, nodding to the man.

The guard winked and waved for the two to continue onwards. Once they’d gotten a few steps into the city, Cyll informed Maya of what the guard had told him.

“Well, that’s good,” Maya said. “But did you hear what he said? A hulking man and a chain demon? It sounds like Axel exaggerated a bit to save his ego.”

“Are you telling me I’m not a huge muscle beast?” Cyll asked, flexing his arms. Maya rolled her eyes.

“Now I know why they locked you up down there and tossed the key,” she said.

As they continued deeper into the small town, the smell of seawater grew stronger. The houses near the dock were salt scarred, but the jovial laughter echoing from the numerous small taverns scattered around gave it a pleasant feeling.

They reached the Rusty Screw quickly. It was near the edge of town, just a short walk away from the docks. The building looked to be in much worse shape than the other taverns in town. A lot of the wood was rotted and greening, and the windows had been boarded over.

The sign bearing the tavern’s name had fallen from above the door. Someone had propped it against the front of the building. Maya raised an eyebrow and nudged the sign with her shoe.

“Fancy place,” she observed.

Cyll just grunted and opened the door. It squeaked loudly as the rusty hinges disobeyed Cyll with all their might, alerting the entire tavern to their arrival. Dozens of cold glares pierced into them the instant they stepped inside.

“Friendly place,” Cyll said, cracking his neck.

The tavern was full of sailors, but many of them didn’t look like they fished for a living. Everyone had a weapon either at their side or on the table. Most of them also had at least one scar.

“You sure you girls found the right tavern?” The bartender called to them, setting a wooden mug of ale down and stepping out from behind the counter.

“I don’t much like your tone of voice,” Cyll said, baring his pointed teeth. “You trying to start something?”

As one, the entire tavern stood up with weapons drawn. Maya’s sickle appeared in her hand, but Cyll chose to leave his axe strapped to his back.

“Last chance to walk away with all your limbs,” the bartender said, chuckling. “This isn’t a good place for little girls to run around, playing with weapons they can’t use. One bodyguard isn’t going to save you, lass.”

“Well, this is a bit of a misunderstanding,” Maya said. “We’re here to buy a boat, not–”

“Little girls should be quiet while the men are speaking,” a heavily scarred man said, pointing a scimitar at her and letting out a loud belch.

“Have it your way,” Maya said with a shrug, spinning the sickle in a lazy circle at her side. “Let’s leave them alive. We still need the boat.”

“Yes Cap. Let’s show them what for!” Cyll laughed, charging towards the nearest man.

The tavern descended into chaos.