There are perhaps no weapons quite as famous as Wavecarver. The blade wielded by Castell Saltbeard during his final voyage, it gained its name from the supposed ability to slice the very sea in twain. Certainly, it sliced many of his enemies into two—or more—pieces.

-Excerpt from ‘Armoury of the Deep; Nine Blades of Heaven’ by Xen Diamondeye

The blush had only just faded from her cheeks. Her ridiculous proclamation had caused even the stern giant to let out a chuckle. Felix had not been so demure.

Even now he struggled to contain his laughter every time he so much as glanced in her direction. A few minutes earlier he’d been rolling in the dust and ash on the floor, cackling relentlessly.

Despite the reactions, she was not embarrassed by her words. She truly meant it. That hadn’t stopped her body from its instinctive reaction.

“Forgive me child, I do not mean to mock your ambitions,” said the smith. “It is just that forging such a blade would be impossible using materials of this calibre.”

She turned to him, a sheepish look on her face. Despite his answer, she wasn’t deterred. Even if the weapon she obtained today wasn’t quite as impressive as Wavecarver, she knew that one day she would wield a blade just as legendary.

“That’s okay. Giving voice to my ambitions felt right. I do want a weapon though. As for what kind, I’m not sure. Whatever you think would suit me best,” she replied.

“Creative freedom, I like it. Return when the sun is starting to set, I will have your weapon ready.”

“That long?” she muttered.

“What did you expect,” replied the giant, “for me to wave my hands and summon the weapon from thin air?”

“No, of course not. It’s just that… I had wanted to watch the process.”

“Ah, I see. You are truly curious. Unfortunately, I am in no state to be teaching, or even simply displaying my craft at the moment. Perhaps another time,” he said wistfully.

Rose turned to leave, grabbing Felix as she moved towards the door. He was finally able to look at her without bursting into laughter, but there was still a smile on his face.

They only made it a few steps into the corridor before she realised that she had no idea how to get out of the labyrinthine cathedral. “Maybe we should go back and ask?”

She had barely started to turn around when the very walls shifted and groaned, the stone under their feet writhing like a stormy sea. The world around her blurred and the next thing she knew they were standing in front of the archway that marked the exit.

“I think I might give this place a miss when you return for your stuff later,” muttered Felix, goosebumps running along his arms. “It gives me the creeps.”

“Suit yourself,” she answered, before walking underneath the stone arch. This time, it didn’t resonate with her nor Felix.

“Right, time for the next stop on our adventure. Maybe we can actually see some of the city now,” said Felix, stretching his arms high above his head.

***

Eastfel Bay was rather disappointing. There was nothing wrong with the city, it was just underwhelming after seeing the docks and the moving platforms.

On top of the ridiculous cathedral that the blacksmith called home, even the tallest of buildings seemed mundane in comparison. That didn’t mean there was no excitement to be had.

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Their tour started off by finding their way back from where the giant had taken them. Halfway to the city, Rose realised she’d never even asked the man for his name. Or why he had grey skin and gems for eyes.

She would see him again that evening. There would be time to have all her questions answered when she returned to collect her equipment.

Unless the entire process had been some elaborate scam to swindle her of her treasure. She doubted it—given the man’s strength, he could’ve stolen them with ease and she would’ve been unable to resist.

There was one activity Rose wanted to partake in more than anything else. When Felix heard that she wanted to visit a tavern, to hang out with the local pirates and sailors, he was mortified.

“That’s no place for kids like us,” he exclaimed with horror.

Instead of letting his fears dissuade her, she grinned and grabbed his hand to pull him along. Nothing would stop her. Now that she was a real pirate, this was the logical next step.

After all, what good was it plundering the high seas if you weren’t able to enjoy the short breaks in between. Not that they’d done much plundering yet, but that was besides the point.

Felix was powerless to stop her, instead following a couple steps behind with an expression like a kicked puppy. The change in demeanour was strange to adapt to.

On Unrequited Love he had been something of a teacher to her; showing her how to sail and live life on board a ship. Here in the city, away from all that he knew, the boy was shy and hesitant.

***

Rose stared at the shirt as it struggled to contain the bulging biceps—arguably the largest she’d ever seen—of the barkeep. The lines of a tattoo crept out from beneath his collar, but he was clean shaven and had cropped hair like one of the navy sailors.

He stared at the two kids, out of place in this tavern filled with drunken shouts and drunker pirates. “Well, if you’re not going to take my advice and get the hell out, then I suppose you’re customers,” he chuckled with mirth. “What can I get you?”

A bright smile crossed her face. There was only one drink she wanted to order; the same thing that every pirate drank. “I want a bottle of rum,” she declared with ignorant confidence.

Every person in the room went silent, save for a table of the most boisterous patrons—one of whom was dancing a jig on the table. He had a bottle in his hand.

One raucous cackle broke the silence and soon the entire tavern descended into boisterous laughter, with many of the pirates present jeering at her. Rose didn’t let it affect her and affixed the barkeep with a fiercely defiant stare.

Felix on the other hand, had gone bright red and was doing his best to fade into the background. An attempt that was soon foiled as a man with a dirty jacket and a dirtier beard wrapped an arm around his shoulder and pulled him right up against the bar.

“I like these kids, Billy,” he slurred, the pungent scent of alcohol on his breath. “Get them a bottle. I’m sure it will be an entertaining night.”

The barkeep fixed the man with a withering glare, but he did reach down behind the bar and pull out a green bottle with a weathered label. There was a pop as he uncorked it and placed it on the counter, alongside two glasses.

Rose took the glasses, spotting a few stains but not complaining. That was part of the experience, or so she’d been led to believe by many of her favourite books. Clean glasses were for lords and ladies, not boisterous buccaneers.

After that she grabbed the bottle and led Felix to a table tucked away in the corner of the room. Thankfully the smelly stranger let them be after helping them obtain a drink and they were able to relax.

She picked up the bottle and poured them both a full glass of the dark brown liquid. Some of the nearby customers made unintelligible noises and she even heard a cheer but by now she was ignoring most of the cacophony. It seemed to be the natural state of being for pirates when they weren’t at sea.

After a glance towards the barkeep, who had already returned to other tasks after serving them, Rose lifted her glass and gave it a sniff. That single whiff made her recoil and erupt into a coughing fit, earning more laughs from the other customers.

A few splashes of rum had spilled onto the table, but she managed to compose herself and bring the glass to her lips. She hesitated before taking her first sip of the potent, syrupy nectar.

Felix had yet to touch his glass and his face was almost green. It was clear he hated every second spent in this establishment, but she appreciated that he was sticking it out for her. But, it simply wouldn’t do for her to drink alone.

“Felix, it’s bad luck not to toast our first drink. Pick up the glass,” she said with a smirk.

Despite his obvious reservations the boy grabbed hold of the glass and after staring into the amber alcohol for a brief moment, raised it to hers. “Cheers to adventure,” he muttered, before taking a gulp.

Rose echoed his movements and drank about half the glass in a single swig. Moments later her throat began to burn, the stinging pain spreading like a forest fire, reaching even her eyes.