The Refugee Camp was a human structure designed to attract displaced people and bolster population growth. The elves had their equivalent, called the "Guiding Tree," which served a similar purpose—drawing in wandering elves to settle.
Natural population growth was far too slow for Adrian's plans. For humans, it took over fifteen years for a newborn to become a productive worker or soldier. Elves required nearly a century, and even orcs, with their faster maturation, still needed about ten years.
Adrian didn't have decades to spare. Structures like the Refugee Camp and Guiding Tree offered a faster solution. The Refugee Camp attracted human exiles, while the Guiding Tree drew in wandering elves.
With this knowledge, Adrian had devised his plan for Windrise Island. First, he would clear a safe area and establish a camp for his men. Next, he would locate a suitable site to plant the Tree of Life and construct a Guiding Tree to attract elven travellers.
Following that, he would build Moonwells and Fountains of Life to revitalise the land. With humans and elves working together, Windrise Island would become a thriving settlement.
Adrian could hardly wait to begin. He stood on the deck of the "Titanus," eager for the ship to reach its destination. But as they neared the island, an unexpected problem arose.
On the sixth day of their voyage, just one day from Windrise Island, a black ship appeared on the horizon.
At first, Adrian was confused. Why would a ship be in such a desolate area? The route they were sailing wasn't a standard trade path. Most ships left Revernus, heading toward human ports like Flora in Chlorand or Burrow in the west. Beyond those ports lay the Emerald Sea, home to powerful nations like the Evernus Federation and the three great empires.
Others travelled east into orc territories, where unique goods were valuable in human markets. Some ventured southeast to Shire, home to dwarves. Shire's dwarves were renowned for the advanced mechanical products sought after by many.
But few ventured southwest, where Windrise Island lay. That route led only to the Cold Sea, with no trade hubs or settlements. Except for Windrise, there was nothing.
Adrian quickly concluded that this wasn't a merchant ship. He summoned the ship's captain, a veteran named Harp.
"Harp, can you tell what kind of ship that is?"
Harp leaned over the railing, squinted at the distant black ship, and used the binoculars he always carried.
"Of course I can!" Harp exclaimed. "It's a fast sailing ship, similar to our 'Titanus'..."
"Double-masted, with large sails…"
"The hull is narrow and streamlined. It can't carry much cargo, but it's built for speed… By the gods, IT'S A PIRATE SHIP!"
Harp's voice cracked into a near scream. Panic rippled through the crew. Seafarers feared three things above all: unstoppable storms, colossal sea monsters, and ruthless pirates.
Legends of pirates portrayed them as savage predators, roaming the seas like wolves. When they spotted a valuable target, they attacked without hesitation, showing no mercy.
Adrian's mood darkened. Of all the challenges they might have faced, running into pirates just a day from Windrise Island was a cruel twist of fate.
Harp began barking orders to flee, but Adrian stopped him with a raised hand.
"You know as well as I do that their ship is faster," Adrian said. "We're loaded with cargo and supplies. We can't outrun them."
"Then what do we do?" Harp asked, his voice trembling.
Adrian smirked. "We fight. Do you think the Shadowborn Mercenaries turn into cowards just because we're at sea? We're not some helpless merchants!"
His words sparked a flicker of hope among the crew. The Shadowborn Mercenaries were no ordinary travellers. With over 200 seasoned fighters aboard, they weren't easy prey.
Adrian quickly organised his men, ensuring their weapons were ready. The "Titanus" slowed and prepared to face the approaching pirate ship.
As the pirate ship drew closer, Adrian's expression shifted. His initial severity turned into something unexpected—a smile.
The pirate crew, heads wrapped in filthy white cloth, stood on deck ready for battle. Fortunately, their ship lacked artillery, which would have made the fight far more dangerous.
"Shall we fire first?" Karl, Adrian's lieutenant, asked.
Adrian shook his head. "No need."
"Wait until they're closer?"
"Yes." Adrian's grin widened.
If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.
When the pirate ship was close enough for voices to carry over, Adrian cupped his hands around his mouth and bellowed, "Burggy! You stinking brat! Robbing me, are you? Get out here!"
The pirates froze in confusion. Burggy was their captain, but how did this man know him?
Moments later, a muscular young man emerged onto the deck of the pirate ship. He squinted at Adrian, then broke into a wide grin.
"Adrian? Hah! What are you doing here?"
Adrian laughed. "I could ask you the same question, you fool! You're out here raiding, and you almost attacked me!"
Burggy scratched the back of his head sheepishly. "Didn't expect to run into you. Been a while, hasn't it?"
The tense atmosphere aboard both ships evaporated as the two old acquaintances began talking. Burggy quickly called off his crew, and Adrian ordered his men to stand down.
"Come aboard, Burggy," Adrian said. "Let's catch up. I've got plans, and I could use a man like you."
Burggy hesitated for a moment before nodding. "All right, Adrian. Let's see what trouble you're stirring up now."
The Burggy family were pirates to their bones. Adrian knew their reputation well. Flynn Burggy's father was a legendary pirate captain himself, commanding the "White Pearl," a massive ship that displaced over 2,000 tonnes. The vessel had been the heart and soul of the family business, a symbol of his father's grit and determination.
Flynn shared a warm friendship with Adrian. Their bond was born during the time they were prisoner hostages of a warlord in Cyrust, as they faced gruesome conditions and narrowly escaped death. That shared trauma had cemented their brotherhood.
Two years prior, disaster had struck when his father drowned in a sea attack that had not gone exactly according to plan. The dashing son of the dead pirate, Burggy — standing before Adrian — had inherited his father's mantle and his place as captain of the Pearl. But that was not so easy to do, as was often the case with pirates.
Pirate rules were far crueller than anything Adrian ever had to endure at the hands of the Shadowborn Mercenary Corps. Where Adrian's crew would camouflage their theft under a guise of mercenary work, the pirates took glee in chaos and bloodlust. A new captain would always want blood. Flynn had fought his way to his new place, leaving a carpet of bodies behind him.
Adrian cared for Flynn like a brother. Adrian was older than Burggy by one year. The pirate captain frequently called him "big brother."
And when the "Pearl" and Adrian's ship crossed each other, what could be a battle turned into a reunion. Their two ships sailed side by side, and Adrian got aboard the "Pearl" with Milan and Zig, his associates.
"Ah, Adrian!" shouted Burggy, who ran to fling his arms around him. "Been so long since we had a drink together. This wine — snatched from a nobleman in Chlorand last month — is fit for kings. The ransom that soft-skinned fool paid earned me five hundred gold coins!"
Adrian smiled, raising his glass. "Chlorand nobles — nice skin, delicate hands, and not an inch of backbone among them to speak of. Cut a knife across their throats, and they shatter like dry parchment. Makes you wonder how they can hold onto their titles!"
The two old friends laughed and drank, catching up after being separated by long distances and circumstances. Yet that reminiscing turned quickly to business talk.
"Brother Adrian," said Burggy, leaning slightly forward. "What brings you here? You are far from the Shadowborn Mercenary Corps. And what's that story about that ship?"
Adrian sighed and recounted everything: battles, betrayals, and his decision to buy Windrise Island. Burggy listened attentively, his brow furrowed with concern at the end of the story.
"Windrise Island?!" he repeated, shaking his head. "That accursed place? Adrian, why waste seven hundred gold coins on that bleak rock? Even if someone gave it to me for free, I wouldn't accept it."
Adrian smiled weakly. "You don't understand, Burggy. Owning Windrise gives my brothers a place to settle — a home where we don't have to constantly look over our shoulders. But what about you? Why are you out here instead of prowling the Emerald Sea?"
This made Burggy frown. "A month ago, I tried to mess with a noble from Chlorand. It so happens the numbskull had connections. The navy, which lies in Flora, sent a fleet against me, and they placed a price on my head: two thousand gold coins."
Adrian's eyebrows shot up. "Two thousand? That's enough to make you a target for every pirate and bounty hunter across the Emerald Sea."
"You're telling me," Burggy said with a bitter tone. "The 'Pearl' has narrowly escaped capture three times already. To top it off, other pirates have betrayed me, hoping to collect the reward. I had no choice but to retreat here to the Shoreline. I even thought of taking Windrise Island as a base, but after what I saw there…"
He drank a long sip, his voice trailing off.
"What did you see?" Adrian asked, piqued by his own curiosity.
Burggy leaned forward, speaking low with seriousness. "Monsters. Things unlike I have ever seen. Human-sized, but without faces — no eyes, no noses. Instead of arms, they have long, muscular tentacles that can crush a man's bones.
"Some of my crew were strangled before they could even raise their weapons. And that's not all. Some of these creatures wield strange powers. One cast a void-like darkness that not even torchlight could penetrate. Others used some kind of mind control, driving my men insane."
Adrian listened intently as Burggy continued.
"I brought thirty of my best fighters to the island," he said. "We were there less than an hour before we were ambushed. After losing several men, we had no choice but to retreat. If it hadn't been for a nearby island, we wouldn't have made it out alive. Adrian, I'm telling you — Windrise isn't worth it. Whoever sold you that cursed island robbed you blind."
Adrian thought over Burggy's words. He knew his old friend was speaking from the right place — concern — but surrender wasn't going to happen.
The odd conditions of his hero panel meant he'd have to capture Windrise Island before he could build up the area into a citadel. Without it, the vision he had of a home for the Shadowborn Mercenary Corps was never going to see the light of day.
"I thank you, Burggy," Adrian said calmly. "That is not a question I can answer; but this is what I have decided. The island of Windrise is my choice. Whether there are monsters or no monsters, I will carve out my brothers' home. They cannot go on forever; eventually, I will kill them all."
Burggy stared at Adrian for a long moment before laughing. "This is the Adrian I know — thoroughly stubborn, and twice as entrenched in his decision-making."
Burggy sat back in his chair, adding, "My temporary base isn't far from Windrise. You know where to find me if you need help. Let's be neighbours for a while, eh?"
"Thanks, Burggy," Adrian said with a small smile. "I'll take you up on that offer if things get out of hand."
As the two friends finished their drinks, the weight of their respective challenges loomed large. For Adrian, the way to Windrise Island was paved with blood, sweat, and steel. For Burggy, survival would be living one step ahead of the bounty hunters and Chlorand navy patrols.
Yet, in this instant, the two old friends found solace in their firm resolve to defy the odds and make their own destinies.
---
~Please check out my patreon to read chapters in advance and support me:~
https://www.patreon.com/Venerable_Shameles