Kaer met Gartonk, who agreed to offer his services for a large sum. Kaer paid without comment.

The water journey lasted long enough for Kaer to discover the pirate Gartonk, a man of honor he could rely on. A friendship based on trust has grown between the two. Kaer heard many stories about pirates, totally different from the ones he usually heard around the inns.

Gartonk leaned back, as he recounted the story to Kaer. "After a fierce battle with a rival pirate on the water, I captured the battleship. It was the first ship I seized through force and the second addition to my small fleet."

Kaer raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "What happened next?"

"In the defeated captain's cabin, I found a vague map. It seemed to point to the location of a treasure," Gartonk continued, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "I spent a lot of time and money following that map. The map was old and barely legible. But I had a feeling about it. We sailed from port to port, asking questions, and piecing together clues. It took months, but we finally found the island. Finally, I unearthed eleven chests filled with bottles in a cave."

Kaer, curiosity piqued, asked, "What's in those bottles?"

Gartonk chuckled softly. "Do you know what you're drinking right now?"

Kaer looked down at his glass, swirling the liquid inside. "No, but it tastes exceptional."

"That's what was in those chests," Gartonk revealed. "At first, I was disappointed. I expected gold or jewels. But then I tasted the drink. It was worth more than any treasure. It became my favorite drink, and ever since I've tried to find out what it is, but no one knows."

Kaer laughed and raised his glass. "So, we're getting drunk on a mystery. Friend, when you finally discover where this drink comes from, I'll order five crates right away."

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

Gartonk clinked his glass against Kaer's. "To the unknown." They clinked their glasses together, the sound resonating through the cabin.

Now Kaer will save Enneta, sister of alchemist Salvianna.

Followers of the Santher village hide in a deep forest. Only a keen eye can spot the armed men in the treetops surveying the surrounding area. The buildings are just as hidden. Only a handful of houses and storage sheds are visible from a distance.

Several roads led through the forest to a massive concrete building, a bunker, and two smaller houses. The remaining part was devoted to agriculture. Vegetables, crops, and animal grazing were the purposes of the fields. Farmers worked the land, growing or cultivating almost anything. Several signs warned the curious that access was prohibited.

Dozens of families, including a handful of farmers and hunters, lived in the small community. The only access was by water.

Kaer used Stealth to sneak into the village held by the notorious and dangerous Followers of the Santher. He had to be careful, as the group was known for their extreme violence and lack of compassion for others.

He spotted two guards in a watchtower. Both carried crossbows. A large number of men had weapons.

Kaer had already observed the location and noticed that many guys were armed. They patrolled the area with dogs.

Kaer had no choice but to sneak around.

A large building housed several people. They seemed to be preparing for something. Kaer watched and listened. One man was yelling at the group.

"Our time has come! We will take what is ours! Stopping us won't happen!"

The crowd cheered. Kaer continued to observe. The man continued.

"We will no longer be enslaved or denied. We will take what is ours!"

The crowd cheered again. The man raised his hands.

"We will no longer be the forgotten ones!"

The crowd cheered once more.

Kaer snuck into the watchtower, knocked out one of the two guards, then threatened the other. After learning of Enneta's whereabouts, Kaer puts the guard to sleep with one of the potions created by Salvianna.

After finding Enneta, Kaer set fire to two wooden structures, and the two retreated towards the ship.

The mission was not without its dangers.

Gartonk's pirates secured the perimeter and monitored the surroundings to facilitate Kaer and Enneta's safe retreat to the craft deck.