The Next Day, Early Morning, Altavista
~Pax’s Perspective~
I sit on the ground, my feet hanging over the water below an area that was once the docks of Altavista. I look around at the empty ruins of houses, taverns, and shops before looking back at the horizon, where the sun is rising for another day.
I tug at the new bandana on my wrist. My original one was destroyed in battle by a fire mage in a fight with the vanguard. I took another strip of cloth and wrapped it around my right wrist yesterday when I regained consciousness. Landon got even more pissed off.
Apparently one of the Rebel 25 knows how to enchant things to make them fireproof. I’ll talk to them today if they’re in the mood for conversation.
The Shining Pirates suffered heavy casualties even though they won. The Rebel 25 lost only 2 members but mourned them. When I asked Averill about that because I didn’t see many other crews mourn their members so heavily, he looked at me and told me why.
Apparently the Rebel 25 are all friends with each other. They started a crew together, fought together, and worked together as a tight-knit unit more tight-knit than most crews. Those 2 members they lost were the first ones they lost in 2 years. They lost their original captain and another crewmember previously.
And now I feel like a bastard for not thinking about that.
Will comes over and sits next to me.
“How’s your head,” he asks me.
“Better than yesterday,” I respond.
When I woke up, I had a splitting headache because of spirit exhaustion. I remember Pollux giving me something and I fell asleep.
“Great,” Will chuckles. “Well, we left our supplies at Oblitesco so we don’t have any food. But apparently a group of pirates went fishing last night and they’re cooking breakfast nearby. Wanna go get some?”
I smile as I tell him, “Yeah, sure. But make sure to ask Castor. And let’s go get Landon.”
Will laughs.
“He’s talking with Castor right now.”
~Landon’s Perspective~
I stand across from Castor, a table between us.
“I’m guessing you already know why I’m here,” I tell him.
He nods.
“It’s about the Altavistan refugees, right?” Castor replies. “We know. And we have every intention of keeping our word. But have some breakfast, at least. C’mon, I just woke up.”
“Already did.”
“Motherfu-”
“C’mon Castor,” Avery says as he walks in. “Just give him the info and we can go get our breakfast.”
Castor glares at Avery and raises his middle finger at him.
“Fine,” he spits. He grabs out a map of the Western 2nd Sea and puts it on the table before turning it to me. He points at an obscure island drawn on the northeast area of the map.
“When Sage attacked, your people moved here, to a place we now call Dawn’s Refuge. A seemingly barren island in the shape of a dome. Your people discovered that the dome was hollow and used it to hide. They’ve been surviving on fish caught by their master angler and supplies we ferry to them.
“If there’s any chance that your brother is still alive, your chances of finding him will be highest there. We plan on going there to tell them that their home is free. If you want, you and your friends can join us. Now scram. I need to eat breakfast.”
Castor walks away. Avery and I lock eyes.
“William and Pax already have plans, don’t they?” he guesses. I nod. “Well, think about it and talk it over with them. And I recommend you get out of the captain’s quarters before you get in trouble for being somewhere you’re not supposed to be.”
He leaves the room, leaving me to ponder the offer. What the fuck am I supposed to do now?
End of Chapter XLII