Maya and her crew nearly made it to the docks when the Redthroat guild struck again. The assassins had clearly waited until nobody else was in the area to avoid any guards. This time, there was no grandiose demonstration. A man wearing a black cloak darted out of an alleyway and lunged for the crew’s captain.

Cyll intercepted the strike with his own body. The sword went clean through his chest. The immortal pirate grunted in pain and snapped the would be assassin’s neck with a clean move. He ripped the sword out of himself and the wound faded away.

“Annoying little shits. I need my weapon,” Cyll said. “And a new shirt. Probably a few of them.”

Patty blurred into motion. She slammed her axe into a man that had dropped from one of the roofs above them before he hit the ground, showering them in a light drizzle of blood. Maya scanned the area, but it was clear that nobody else was about to try anything.

“Thanks, guys. I don’t know what I’d do without you,” Maya said, wiping some of the blood droplets from her face with a distasteful grimace.

“It’s our job, Captain,” Cyll replied with a shrug. “And Patty, don’t forget to wipe that axe down. It’ll rust if you leave the blood on it.”

Patty obediently cleaned the weapon off on one of the men’s cloaks before sheathing it. They headed back off towards the docks, leaving the bodies behind them.

“How much money do we have left over at this point?” Maya asked Cyll as they stepped onto the docks. “I’d like to get us some new clothes. I doubt we can afford another weapon right now, but don’t worry. It’s next on the list.”

“About fifteen gold,” Cyll replied. Dug through his pockets and pulled the aforementioned money out, plopping it in Maya’s hands.

“Okay, great. I’ll go buy clothes and some basic supplies. You and Patty get the boat ready. It’s only a short walk at this point, and I doubt the Redthroats are going to try anything more today,” Maya said.

“You sure? They’ve attacked in broad daylight once today, I don’t see what stops them from doing it again,” Cyll said.

“Fair point,” Maya said. “Patty can come with me. You get the boat ready.”

“Works for me, Cap. See you,” the pirate said, turning and jogging off towards where their boat was docked.

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Maya and Patty turned and headed back towards the town square. It didn’t take the two of them long to find a clothing store. It was a larger building with beige wooden walls and huge glass windows that let onlookers see into the shop.

The two pirates pushed past the rows of fine clothing, completely uninterested. The merchant was at the back of the store, sorting through textiles when he noticed the two of them out of the corner of his eye.

“Good day,” he said, glancing away from his task. “Can I help you two fine women with anything today?”

“I hope so,” Maya replied. “We’re looking for seafaring clothing. Two sets for me and my friend, and four sets for a larger male.”

Maya held her hand up to show how tall Cyll was. The merchant tilted his head in thought.

“Mmmm, yes, I think I might have something for you. No promises on if the ones for your friend will fit, though. If he isn’t here, I’m just guessing,” the merchant said, leading them towards the far corner of the shop.

“That’s okay,” Maya said. “We’ll make do.”

“I think I might have something in your style,” the merchant said. He reached a pile of clothes that had been tossed in the corner and started shuffling through them. After a few moments, he pulled out a bundle of cloth with a smug huff. “Traditional seafaring clothes. Leather vest, durable cotton for the shirt. The pants are leather padded as well.”

He held the clothes up so they could look at them closer. Maya had to admit the salesman knew what he was talking about. The brown leather vest looked striking against the plain white shirt and black pants, but she had the feeling that the white color wouldn’t stay that way for long.

She held the shirt up in front of herself. It looked like it would probably fit. Patty did the same and then gave Maya a nod.

“These will work,” Maya said. “Are the men’s clothes in the same style?”

The merchant piled a large stack of clothing on the floor in front of them.

“Identical. Got them all from the same tailor,” he replied. “The lot will run you five gold. They’re quite nice, and they should last you several years so long as –”

His speech was cut off as Maya dropped the gold in his lap. Patty grabbed the clothing from the ground and the two of them marched out of the shop, leaving the merchant staring at their backs in shock.

Maya and Patty quickly stopped by a general goods store on the way back. The man at the counter sold them a large bag of dried meats, cheese, and hard bread for just a gold. The two of them reached Cyll a few minutes of brisk walking later. The man grinned as they approached and finished tying off a rope.

“I hope some of those are for me,” Cyll said. “I know I wouldn’t fit into either of your clothes, but that won’t stop me from trying if my shirt gets any more holes in it.”

“We got you four sets,” Maya laughed as Patty brought the goods below deck. “Now, lets get out of here. I have no clue how long we have until the Ashwinds hear that we’re in Bulsen. The Redthroats probably reported we’re here.”

“Ready when you are,” Cyll said.

Patty emerged from below deck. She helped Cyll lower the sails and Charbrand gently slid into motion as the wind filled her sails. Bulsen started to fade away into the distance as the wind picked up. The patrol boats didn’t pay them any attention – they were only concerned about ships approaching the city, not leaving it.