𝕮𝖍𝖆𝖕𝖙𝖊𝖗 12: "𝕱𝖊𝖑𝖎𝖝—𝖀𝖓𝖗𝖆𝖛𝖊𝖑𝖊𝖉 𝕸𝖎𝖓𝖉"
"¡Venga, amigos!"(C'mon, pals!)
I cheer, the sound of music drifting from all directions—the strings dangling beneath the musicians' fingers, candles burning warmly within the vast cloth pavilions settled above our heads, dotting the marketplace like a colorful dome. Ladies dance—appropriately, that's what happens here at least. Folks sit on low stools or makeshift benches, laughing between bites of something spicy. The scent of grilled meat and roasted peppers thickens the air, tempting and rich.
I raise my glass and tap it lightly against someone else's without even checking who. Doesn't matter. The vibe is good. Cozy. Loud—but in a good way.
Been a while since I've had space to breathe without watching my back—
Then I spot him.
"Xavier!" I call out, eyes narrowing in mock suspicion. Xavier's just entered… with a girl trailing behind him?
I nearly choke on my drink.
"Wait—you did not hit it off with someone?" I whisper to myself, half in disbelief.
I blink. Slow my step. Count them. Yep. Definitely more than one.
I sigh at the misconception I just had.
I muffle a bark of laughter—more at myself than the idea of him doing such a thing. Shaking my head, half-smiling, I duck through the crowd.
"What are you up to these days, eh?" he says, tossing me an apple, taking a bite of his own as he leans against a wooden table.
"Just chillin' up… ¿Y esa de allá? ¿Qué onda con ella?" I ask, leaning in slightly, teasing, before I take a bite.
(Just chillin' up… and that one over there, what's her deal?)
"That's a member of Ashens. Name's—"
"Only here on some quick errands," the girl cuts in, stepping closer with her arms crossed. "I'm Lee."
I nod, placing a hand to my chest in greeting.
"Lee… Mucho gusto..."
(Lee… Nice to meet you...)
Setting the apple aside.
"Eh… Âżla lĂder de los Ashens está contigo?" I look around before asking in anticipation.
(Eh... is the leader of the Ashens with you?)
She stares at me for a second, then tilts her head.
"ÂżEh?"
(What?)
Her face twists with confusion.
I almost smile at her attempt to speak our language.
 "It's Spanish, dear, and I'm asking for the Ashens' leader?"
"Oh, her? Yeah, she's gaping at the cat right there."
She casually points behind a stall.
I follow her finger and—finally, after days. Perfect.
Xavier looked at me, nearly baffled, as if he hadn't warned me not to ask this so directly.
"Xavier's way better at handling supply stuff than me, trust."
I nudge him.
 "Will you be fine with this, feroz bravucón?" I ask calmly, knowing she won't understand it.
(Will you be fine with this, fierce braggart?)
Xavier's glare sharpens.
She glances between the two of us, unsure, before giving me a subtle nod and stepping aside.
"¡Salud!"
(Cheers!)
I give Xavier a quick shushing gesture before stealthily slipping away, trailing after the cat-watching woman.
He's probably cursing me in his head, baffled and left behind.
I silently stand beside her, arms crossed, a soft frown on my face. She didn't even spare grass on me—not until the next moment.
Turning her head toward me with a curious look—right after realizing her head feels bare.
I quickly spin around and reappear on her other side.
"What's with the cold shoulder you're giving me? I liked the cherished bond we had."
I cross my arms again.
"Oh… hey there, handsome. You snuck up on me."
Nikolaii finally turns her attention toward me.
"Aha! So, you do feel the oddness between us. And here I thought my charm had expired."
I tilt my head.
She laughs at my dramatic attempt—startled but amused.
"Mind if I ask where on earth were you these days?" I ask, with a little skepticism.
 "Been trying to figure out how to talk to you without making it weird."
"You mean this wasn't weird?" she says between breathy laughs.
 "Well, you're definitely not subtle."
"Isn't that the point?" I raise an eyebrow, handing her beret back.
She tilts her head.
"Well… ever since we took her in—the war, the contracts—it all happened so fast, I didn't have time to visit the pier."
She fixes her hat on her head.
I glance at the cat licking its paw before unfolding my arms.
 "You looked like you were about to adopt that stray cat."
She bursts out laughing.
"I wish I could—but of course… Kade's allergic."
I chuckle.
"I respect his personal space. Nor would I have turned into a cat myself if I could… anyway, you were talking about some 'her'... who?"
"Lee."
She points toward the girl standing next to Xavier.
"Ah! Her…"
I step aside and slowly walk two stairs lower, giving her a squinted glance from afar, arms crossed again.
"She's the new—" Nikolaii starts.
"...Don't worry, Xavier already did the honors."
I pause before continuing.
 "They seem… quite reluctant of one another."
She pauses, pretending to think, then walks behind me. A gentle tap on my right shoulder.
I turn my head.
She appears on my other side—just like I did earlier—leans in close, and whispers softly into my ear.
I turn slightly, peering at her from the corner of my eye, a soft smirk tugging at my lips.
That's an incredible idea.
I chuckle lightly.
"On it."
Walking up to both of them, I throw my arm around Xavier, almost knocking him off balance.
"I'm the Wraith's first mate," I add. "Felix. Felix Daix," I say to Lee.
"Your last name?" I ask, raising my eyebrows.
She stiffens a little.
That was a bit suspicious… but let's not judge that quickly.
 "I mean it out of respect—calling you by your last name instead."
"I don't have one," she blurts out.
I blink before nodding slowly.
"Anyways, I have a plan—but it's a secret."
I peer at Xavier.
"Ya sé lo que tramas, hermanito. La tripulación me lo contó todo… seems like we're having a deal with the citizens, right?"
(I'm onto you, little brother. The crew filled me in… seems like we're having a deal with the citizens, right?)
He gives a short smile, peering back at me.
My face faux-falls in disappointment.
"Sure thing."
I rub the nape of my neck sheepishly.
"Anyways, to the Wraith's ship. It's an important call."
He unfolds his arms and starts walking away, almost jerking me off balance as we head out of the market and toward the piers.
"¡Desde luego!"
(Of course!)
I guide the way.Â
"What's with his mood today?" I mutter in a low voice.
I look enthusiastic on the outside—but inside, I'm still a little concerned by his recent behavior.
.
Stepping onto the deck of the ship, I help the ladies up and show the new one around. The sea breeze flows past, carrying the aroma of grilled tuna seasoned fresh. Seagulls squawk in the distance while the crew moves about, each making their own noise—some sweeping, some hauling crates... and some apparently torturing sea turtles.
"Hey, don't do that at least!" I call out to one of the mates.
"Apologies for the delay!"
Kade steps onto the deck, sweating.
"I had to deliver to a party," he says, walking up and adjusting the bow crossed over his chest.
"I was thrilled to hear that you're finally catching up with the other kingdoms. And as for me—finally something to do besides making hats."
He chuckles.
 "Seriously, when did pirates start trading?" His tone is joking.
I laugh at that.
"Trading's the only saintly option left—we're tired of looting treasures all the time, I guess."
I exhale and rest my hands on my waist.
"We're going to be trading large amounts of raw clay to Emberclaw," I add.
 "Since Orlendar is rich in earth layers, it is the finest resource we can offer."
"King Oryx wrote to our king, Maelgran, saying they're having trouble rebuilding their house lands." Nikolaii explains.
 "I got a note from Gale—Ethan believes the pirate ships can bear the weight and offer a safer option if anything goes wrong—so I'm to bring it up with the Wraiths."
"I agreed, obviously. But Xavier's not really chill about it—so c'mon, y'all."
I clap my hands together, gesturing for them to follow.
We walk past the cannons reaching the Quarter's room. My knuckles hover just a second at the wooden door before I knock on it. After a brief moment—
"Come in!"
The Captain's voice answers.
I open the door. All four of us glance at Xavier, seated at his chair, elbows resting on the navigation desk, fingers steepled in front of him. He's... definitely tense.
"The region's riddled with volcanoes—constant eruptions make the ground restless. Buildings don't even get a chance to dry before they begin to crack." I say, turning my attention back to the others. I close the door behind me and continue explaining as we walk in and form a circle around the room.
I open my mouth to continue—but stop when I catch sight of his stern face. He's lost in thought. I feigned my focus on the map spread across the desk to divert attention from myself, subtly sliding closer and leaning near him.
"You alright, brother? You… don't seem to be in a discussion mood today."
"Didn't sleep properly last night, that's all."
"Where were you even last night?" I add, frowning in concern. "The cabin was empty."
He looks straight ahead before exhaling sharply through his nose.
"Explain the route."
"Xav—"
"Felix," he cuts in, voice low with a slight growl, glaring at me.
"Not the time."
My shoulders slump a little. I sigh, giving in.
"As you order."
"Everyone, the ships will be leaving tomorrow night. I need you all in charge of the situation. Report to me if you see any suspicious activity."
We turn our attention to the map spread out on the desk.
"Here's the sea, and the ships will depart from Orlendar's piers—right here,"
I say, taking a shaky inhale as my finger runs across the map.
"Since Orlendar is on the western side, if we take the route from west to the northern sea, the border soldiers of Thalorix—who are unfortunately sirens—will attack us and sink our ships. That would cause us massive losses."
"But if we go southward, then head straight across the sea, we'll reach the Kingdom of Valrath's pier—completely abandoned after its past destruction," I continue.
"From there, we take a direct route to Emberclaw. It'll take longer, but it's the safest option."
"As a pirate," Xavier says, rubbing his chin, arms crossed, "I've learned not only mermaids—but sirens especially—remember rivalries across generations. They're cannibals. They definitely don't like humans. Start a war with them, and they'll bother you... and your descendants."
"So, by this plan, you mean… you don't need route permissions to transfer the goods?" she asks. "Isn't that illegal?"
"Well, Valrath doesn't count as a kingdom anymore—so… yeah. It's fine, I guess." I answer.
"On a separate note, if we were to send a peace proposal to Thalorix, might they grant us entry?" Kade asks.
I laugh.
"That's simple, silly. It won't even—"
CLANG.
We all flinch and turn our heads as Xavier slams his dagger down, sticking it into the map. He stands up against the table.
"Isn't that enough?" he asks me, voice polite—too polite. His expression doesn't match it.
"It… is, I guess?"
"You guess?"
His eyes lock onto mine.
"You may begin now."
"O-Alright, but—"
"Leave," he says. His final word.
It's not worth protesting.
"Let's get moving, pals," Kade says, pressing his hands onto mine and Nikolaii's shoulders, gently guiding us out.
Lee stays a little longer, casting Xavier one last glance—then follows us.
"Geez, he's really onto something," I mutter under my breath, walking a little faster—only realizing I was pacing when Nikolaii stops me.
"Felix, don't worry. He's the senior here—he'll be fine. We need to focus on the task at hand, alright?"
I nod slowly.
"I'll take the night shift. You all can work during the day," Lee offers.
"No, lady, we can handle the nighttime—" I try to convince her.
"It's alright, I said," Lee assures.
And that's when I choose to not bicker anymore, everyone's doing as they please.
"Well...if you say so."