Four sailors, the biggest, the strongest, and the most seasoned, accompanied Mero, Master Antonin, and Leila. The group formed quickly, the four imposing sailors stepping forward, ready to ensure their safety. Their brutal appearance and confident attitudes clearly marked their experience with islands like this one. Master Antonin and Leila, more discreet but equally determined, took their places beside him. They were ready to board a small boat, which would take them to the island's shore.

The sailors took the oars confidently, steering towards the shore while keeping an eye on their surroundings. Master Antonin’s sharp gaze remained fixed on the horizon, scrutinizing every suspicious movement. Leila, more relaxed, seemed less worried, though her eyes remained alert.

The wind blew gently, and the smell of salt and damp earth mixed in the air. As they drew closer to the island, the dense vegetation became more visible. Palm trees and thick bushes lined the coast, and within, small paths carved by the locals could be seen. But everything seemed strange, different, almost surreal.

The captain had warned them to be cautious, but nothing seemed to truly prepare anyone for what awaited them on this pirate island. The silence on the boat and in the small skiff was thick with tension. The sense of danger hung in the air, invisible but present.

They finally landed, and the sailors disembarked first, checking the surroundings before allowing the group to step down. The city walls stood just a few meters away, and curious eyes followed their arrival, but no one seemed eager to approach them immediately. Their gazes were as wary as their own.

Master Antonin signaled for everyone to stay close, and he led the group down the small street ahead. The sounds of the locals singing and chatting were distant, but the atmosphere remained tense. Every corner, every shadow seemed to hide a potential danger.

In the distance, boats towed the ship toward the repair docks.

Master Antonin and Mero began to observe the stalls. Mero was fascinated by the variety of goods on display. Brightly colored fabrics, decorated pottery, spices with strong aromas, and handmade jewelry caught his eye. Merchants, of all kinds of origins, called out to passersby, trying to sell their wares. But behind this apparent normalcy, something seemed more troubling. The faces, though smiling, bore a certain hardness, as though suspicion was the norm, even among the locals.

Master Antonin, with his sharp eyes, seemed to be looking for something specific among the stalls. He stopped in front of a stand where weapons and knives were being sold. The blades, in various shapes and sizes, gleamed under the sun, some adorned with intricate engravings. Curved blades, daggers with intricately carved wooden handles, and others more rudimentary but just as menacing. He seemed to weigh his choice seriously.

Leila stayed close to Mero, observing as well, but her gaze appeared more anxious. She didn’t have the same ease as Master Antonin in navigating this kind of environment. Her eyes constantly swept the area, watching the movements of the passersby and merchants.

A distant scream broke the silence, quickly muffled by the chatter of the merchants. For a moment, the atmosphere seemed to tense, but everything returned to normal, as if nothing had happened. It was in these moments that Mero realized how unpredictable this island was. A peaceful moment, followed by a sense of danger.

As Master Antonin examined the weapons, Mero approached a small shelf where wooden sculptures were displayed. There were figurines of sea creatures, decorative masks, and jewelry. One of these masks particularly caught his attention, a strange work of art, depicting a creature that was part human, part animal, with an expression that was both mystical and menacing.

He couldn’t help but look at it, intrigued, but he knew they weren’t here for shopping. The journey continued, and it would be wise not to get distracted for too long.

Among the various stalls, among the eclectic trinkets, one item caught Mero’s attention. A box adorned with the ancient coat of arms of his family, a crest that hadn’t been used since their integration into the Empire. An inexplicable chill ran down his spine. This symbol, engraved with striking precision, should not exist anymore, especially not here, on a market so far from home. It was surely no mere coincidence.

His gaze fixed on the box, and he moved closer slowly, each step fueling a growing sense of unease. The item, seemingly innocuous, rested on a stall where collectibles were sold. But something about the way it was positioned intrigued him. It seemed deliberately showcased, as if it were waiting for him. This was not just a trinket among others, but an object with a deeper meaning.

He scanned the surroundings, observing the reactions of the merchants and passersby. Nothing seemed suspicious, but a strange feeling of discomfort enveloped him. He approached discreetly, without drawing attention, and examined the coat of arms more closely. The crest was identical to the one he had seen on family documents, the one his father had shown him long ago before they left. There was no doubt: it was indeed his family’s emblem.

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

He didn’t dare touch the object, but the question formed in his mind. How could this box have ended up here, thousands of miles from home? And why had it been left among these foreign objects? Someone here seemed to have a direct connection to his family. But who? And what was their purpose in displaying this long-forgotten keepsake?

Mero cast a furtive glance at Master Antonin, who appeared focused on another transaction. He could talk to him about it, but perhaps it was better to continue observing in silence. After all, this discovery could lead to revelations far greater than what he could imagine.

He approached Master Antonin and showed him the box. He said he absolutely wanted it.

Master Antonin turned his gaze to him, noting the serious expression on his face. He observed the box in his hands and closely inspected the engraved coat of arms, a glimmer of interest in his eyes. A faint smile curved on his lips.

“You’ve got a good eye, Mero,” he said calmly, but with a hint of warning in his voice. “This isn’t just a decorative item. If you really want that box, you need to be ready to understand that acquiring it could attract more attention than you’d like. Objects like this, with such provenance, are often tied to... complicated matters.”

He paused for a moment to scan the area, studying the faces of the merchants and passersby. He seemed to be thinking about the best way to proceed.

“You really want that box, but be aware that there could be risks. I’ll handle the negotiation, but keep in mind we might face unexpected demands. Let me manage this, but if you’re determined to have it, you’ll need to act with discretion.”

He turned to the merchant selling the box, ready to start the conversation. The price of the object wasn’t what concerned him most, but rather what might come of it. But he remained calm, fully in control of the situation. Before advancing toward the seller, he briefly turned to Mero.

"Are you sure you want to continue, Mero? This box seems to be worth more than you think."

"Yes, it belongs to my family. It has to come back to me."

Master Antonin nodded slowly, his serious expression showing a deep understanding of Mero’s determination. He took a step forward, ready to take the lead, but his gaze lingered on Mero for a moment, observing his resolve.

"Very well," he said firmly. "If it belongs to your family, it must indeed come back to you. But remember, Mero, there are ways to reclaim what is rightfully ours. Sometimes, it's better to do so with finesse and patience."

He then approached the merchant, walking calmly and confidently. The seller seemed to welcome Master Antonin with some caution, likely due to the nature of the object Mero wanted to purchase.

After a few exchanges of pleasantries, Antonin began negotiating with a measured tone, but the atmosphere around them remained tense. The looks from passersby, intrigued by the transaction, hinted that there might be more at stake than it appeared at first glance.

After a few minutes, Master Antonin returned to Mero, a faint smile on his lips.

"Everything is settled," he said. "The box is now yours. We got a good price, but I advise you to keep it safe for a while. It’s likely that some people will start asking questions about its origin, and I have no doubt it will attract some envy."

He handed the box to Mero, who took it in his hands. It seemed to almost hum with past meanings and mysteries yet to be unraveled. The family crest was engraved with an almost supernatural precision, as if the object itself carried deeply embedded memories from history.

"It’s yours now, Mero. But don’t forget what we’ve learned here: it’s better to be cautious, especially with treasures like this."

Mero simply said "Thank you," aware of the consequences of his choices and ready to face all the implications. He knew that this moment marked a turning point, a step forward into unknown territories he could never have imagined before.

Master Antonin nodded slowly, his gaze softening as he saw Mero’s determination. He had watched the young man grow, and he knew this decision was not a small one. The box, though charged with family symbolism, represented much more. Antonin was fully aware of the impact that such choices could have, not only on the present but on the entire future.

"You’ve made a choice, Mero," he said in a calm but serious voice. "And sometimes, it’s these decisions, whether small or large, that shape a man’s character. But never forget that every action, no matter how right or legitimate it may seem, carries its own responsibilities. What we do today is not easily undone. What is done is done, and there is no going back."

He fixed Mero with a look, one that almost seemed paternal, then turned his attention to Leila, who followed silently behind them, her hands clasped behind her back, always ready to support without asking questions.

"Take care of what’s yours, Mero," he added as he resumed walking. "And remember that sometimes, the shortest path to our goals is also the one that reveals the most about ourselves."

With those words, he walked away, his steps measured and assured, as if the very street responded to his presence. Leila, faithful and silent, stayed behind, her eyes scanning the surroundings with quiet vigilance, waiting for them to move forward.

Around them, the market continued its course, the voices of the merchants blending with the sounds of the city, but something had changed. A palpable sense of weight hung in the air, a foreboding, as if the world had shifted slightly. Perhaps it was the shadow of this choice that now seemed to hover over Mero, or perhaps it was the promise that what he had done would lead him to discover deeper truths than he had ever imagined. But whatever it was, there was no going back.