“I mean, wouldn’t they travel in the same social circles, so to speak?” Prin asked.

Elwin snorted. “I highly doubt that.” The prince must have been thinking of a story from one of his fairy tale books, it was definitely plausible that pirates and witches could have made an appearance in the same story. Elwin didn’t remember the specific tale, but it sounded like a juicy one.

“But pirates travel around a lot and go to taboo places to hide their loot.” Prin said.

“We seem to be standing in one.” Elwin said.

“I’m definitely going to be interviewing some pirates.” Prin said firmly.

“Oh no.” Elwin groaned. It couldn’t end well.

Before walking away from the beach, the boys hid their extra backpack behind a tree, partially covered in sand. Planning, of course, to return to it later. Prin carried the crossbody bag with him and his walking stick, while Elwin had the smaller backpack and the empty water jug.

Elwin swiped his sandy hand on his pants before running it through his hair. “I probably look like a crazy person.” He mumbled.

The prince grinned at him, his own hair part matted and part sticking up in wild curls. “You always look great no matter what!”

Elwin felt his cheeks heat up. “You don’t have to lie.”

“Maybe . . . a gorgeous crazy person.” Prin teased. He led the way through the copse of trees.

Elwin hoped they didn’t get lost. How big could the wooded area be, when the whole island had been the size of a cookie. He didn’t say this out loud, even though he thought it was funny.

Prin seemed to know where he was going, and soon their feet hit the dirt and cobblestone end of a street lined with colorful shops and buildings.

It seemed quiet, with just a few people walking around and a person sitting at a table in front of what looked to be a small restaurant.

In fact, as they walked by, it appeared that most of the businesses were closed. Some of them had large colorful signs which Elwin and Prin had trouble puzzling out the meaning of.

The town seemed very quaint and pretty, not unlike the main street of TallHillde, except with a lot more pink, mint green, and yellow. The happy tones of a resort town.

“I’m guessing this must be the rich people side?” Elwin said, not too loud, you never knew what might cause offense if overheard.

The prince cocked his thumb at the restaurant. “I’m going in there to talk to the owner, you can stay right here if you want.” He smiled at Elwin, before charging ahead into the restaurant’s front door.

“Ah, wait –“ Elwin started to follow him, but got suddenly shy and decided to wait right where he was.

Elwin began to get antsy as several long minutes passed. It seemed like anyone who passed him on the street craned their necks to stare. He was about to go in after Prin, when he suddenly returned.

The prince had a muffin cupped in his hands, holding it like you would a precious baby bird you were preparing to return to the nest. “Look what I got!” Prin said. “She gave it to me for free. The people here are so nice.”

Elwin’s stomach growled loudly.

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Prin motioned to a table and they both sat down to share the food.

“Here’s what I found out. Lila, she’s the owner’s daughter, said there is always work to be had at the docks. But if we ask around we may find something better, or at least easier. The blue building at the end of the road is an Inn, which is cheap, but sketchy? The one on the next road over is the nicer establishment. If we find a job, the employer might put us up somewhere while we’re working for him.” He took a breath, and ate a bite of his half of the treat.

Elwin had already devoured his. He nodded attentively.

“Oh, she did say, this is the street where the fancy girls come out to promenade and ply their trade in the evening.” He laughed. “What is their trade and why are they fancy? I was embarrassed to ask what it meant, but I like the rhyme.”

Elwin searched his mind but ran into a blank, it sounded like something for which they had no equivalent in TallHillde. He shook his head. “I guess we’ll find out soon enough.”

“Oh . . . and she said that one.” He pointed. “Is a place where you can get a bath, but it does cost.” He gave Elwin a sheepish look. “I figure that was a hint.”

“If we get to stay at an Inn, we can wash up there.” Elwin said, trying to suppress a wince at the second hand embarrassment.

“You can have the rest.” Prin offered the last few bites of his share. “I’m too excited to eat.”

“If you’re sure.” Elwin ate without waiting for a reply. “Let’s head for the docks? If we could get enough money to get cleaned up and rested . . .” Elwin said. Not to mention more food. He felt like that muffin had only teased his empty stomach. “Then we can maybe try to find some better work.” He was glad Prin had gone into the restaurant, to save him the embarrassment of doing it himself in his current state.

“Okay.” Prin stood up and led the way to the docks.

Elwin followed, and it didn’t take them long to be standing on the salt stained wooden boards of the most impressive boat docks they had ever seen. Of course, that wasn’t saying a whole lot with only one other for comparison. Still.

There were even several ships loading or unloading cargo as they watched. While Elwin debated the merits of going to the largest ship to ask if there was any help needed, versus the most expensive and well kept one, Prin began to tug on his sleeve.

When Elwin looked at him, he pointed with his chin at a ship that was unloading on their left. The crew had removed the sails and were folding them, but before they could hide the imagery completely, a grinning skull greeted onlookers.

“Pirates.” Prin whispered.

“Trying to be discreet?” It didn’t fit the image of pirates Elwin had in his head, but what did he know. There wouldn’t be any other reason for flying such a flag.

“Maybe some of the pirates are also rich people.” Prin said, still keeping his voice soft to avoid being overheard. “And they’re trying to mix in?”

“So does that make us on the rich people side?” Elwin wondered.

“I have a feeling it’s not so separated as all that.” Prin said. “It’s a small island.”

After a long moment of basking in the relative warmth of the autumn afternoon sun, watching the world around them like a living painting, Prin spoke up again.

“They don’t really look like pirates.” He said, clearly disappointed.

“It might be taboo to say the p-word.” Elwin cautioned, with a finger to his lips.

Prin nodded. “They are outlaws.”

“I don’t see what choice we have though.” Elwin shrugged. He avoided the ship with the obvious pirate flag, and led the way to another large, respectable looking vessel that was unloading.

Elwin asked if they needed assistance or knew of a job and was looked up and down before being denied. This continued until there was just one more boat they hadn’t asked, plus the one Elwin was trying to avoid. Of course, for all they knew they were all pirate’s ships.

Elwin got a tentative offer of work from the last ship, the most rag tag one of the bunch, but even they took one look at Prin and decided they didn’t need that much help. One would do.

“I’ll just check with them.” Prin pointed toward the one ship they had not yet asked. The definite pirates.

“No, please don’t go over there by yourself.” Elwin put his hands on Prin’s shoulders. “Please.”

“Okay.” Prin put his hand over one of Elwin’s and patted it. “I won’t. I understand. I’ll just go back to town and ask Lila. Maybe they have some potatoes to peel.” He winked. “Even if they don’t pay me, maybe I can get us some free food.”

Elwin tried to bury his pained expression, but he was sure it came through anyway. “If- If you’re sure you can’t just wait for me . . .”

“Don’t be silly.” Prin said. He firmly removed Elwin’s hands from his shoulders. “I’ll be fine. I should be the one worried about you. Don’t drink anything strange that they offer you.”

Elwin had accidentally insulted him and got the same back in return. Fair enough. “Meet back in front of the restaurant?”

Prin nodded. “Okay, if we miss each other there, we’ll meet at the boat. I mean our boat.” He smiled and waved at Elwin as he marched off with full confidence into the wolf’s den.

But what on earth could Elwin do to stop him?