The next day, Savaria
~William’s POV~
“As promised, here’s your payment,” Reese says.
I look at the objects on the table. A sword of good make and 2 flintlocks with ammo and 2 bags of gunpowder lie on the table.
After we recovered on Trigno’s ship, Reese apparently showed up to fufill his end of the deal with the Mantle Pirates. We ran into him and he asked how much we wanted. I asked him if he could afford guns and a sword. He was able to and that was our payment.
“I don’t know how much I can than thank you,” he says.
“Don’t bother,” Pax replies cheerfully. “We would have done it for free.”
We walk out of the ship and onto the docks. Apparently the new governor agreed to allow Trigno to dock his ship for three days so he can repair it without the AG attacking him as repayment for Kairo.
A while later, me and Pax are training at the training field as I teach Pax the basics of using a sword. Mine’s longer, but his is shorter and he can swing faster. I’m still beating him though.
After an hour or so, me and Pax are resting when a familiar figure approaches us.
“What the fuck did you guys do now?” Avery asks.
“Oh hey Avery,” Pax replies. “How has life been?”
“Doing well,” he responds dryly. “Word has it you guys were involved in a little something over at Kairo.”
“Yup,” I respond.
“Do you know how we can get to Stratus Town?” Pax asks.
Avery freezes. His eyes flash with concern.
“Why?” he asks.
“Because that’s the next spot on our journey,” Pax replies.
Really man? You couldn’t wait another moment? You killed the mood.
Avery sighs.
“Wow,” he says. “You’re really impatient, but it’s still pretty bad up there.”
“We can help,” Pax responds. “We helped take down Ramses.”
“Because he only had a piece of his sand curse. You wouldn’t be alive if it weren’t for that.”
“But we have to try to help people. Besides, Will’s from there.”
Since when did I go by Will?
Avery sighs.
“Alright, you got me there,” he concedes. “So long as you promise me one thing.”
“What is it?” I ask.
He grimaces.
“Can’t tell you until you agree,” Avery responds. “Let’s just say it’s related to some information about me and my wife we don’t want going public.”
I exchange glances with Pax.
“Alright then,” Pax says. “Your secret’s safe with us.”
“Alright then,” Avery says. “No going back now.”
“Around a month or so ago, a pirate named Veridies began to gather a crew. A large one. They called themselves the Plasma Pirates. The issue was that, well, let’s just say there’s only 3 big pirate organizations for a reason.”
“A balance of power,” I murmur. “3 big organizations with heavy influence over the smaller ones. The Mantle Pirates, the Emerald Skull Pirates, and the Shining Pirates. They rose to power in times when corruption was widespread in the government, the Shining and Emerald Skull Pirates formed about 75 years ago to fill the void left by the destruction of the Patch Pirates 25 years before.”
Avery nods.
“Veridies was a threat. One of the most powerful pirates forming a crew would upset the balance of power and cause a pirate war. Trigno went after him a while back. Then the tornado went through and sent his boat flying onto one of the sky islands mid-battle. Me and my friends were stationed in the 1st Sea at the time so our captain sent 4 of us to check on the situation with our spare boat.”
“4 of you?” Pax asks.
“Me, my wife, and the 2 that went up to check the situation.”
“Wait a minute,” I say. “You said you were stationed here. By who?”
Avery looks at me.
“That’s why I told you to keep a secret. Think about it. How do I know so much about the threat Veridies poses to the balance of power that only a member of one of the 3 big pirate organizations could know?”
I think before I realize what he means. I freeze up.
“Which organization?” I ask.
Avery smiles.
“Hey Arianna,” he calls. “You can come out now.”
Arianna appears behind us, holding a cutlass in her hand. She smiles at us apologetically before taking a stance.
“Avery and Arianna Solana of the Shining Pirates at your service,” he states.
“Wait,” I say. “As in, the Avery Solana? As in, one of the feared members of the-”
“Rebel 25?” Avery interrupts. There’s a look of pity on his face. “Yes, I’m afraid so. I warned you, after all.”
I feel the blood drain from my face.
“Wait,” Pax says. “Who are the other 2?”
Avery looks at Pax.
“For the sake of your friend, I’m not saying.”
“I won’t help if you don’t tell.”
Avery sighs.
“Castor Aaio and Alex.”
What little blood that is in my face drains away.
“At least Cassius isn’t here, or else that kid would’ve wet his pants,” Arianna says dryly.
Oh gods.
We just got involved with 4 of the 5 most dangerous members of the Rebel 25.
“Keep an eye on them,” Avery orders. “I’ll get the sky skates.”
End of Chapter XVIII