It was almost evening by the time Kay went in search of Tristan. The Windlass Mountains glowered to the west and south, their shadows creeping towards Luer. Out of habit, Kay turned away from the mountains towards the harbor. He loved to look at the ocean blaze in the last rays of the sun. He was always awed by how many shades of red there could be.

A faint breeze tossed the first autumn leaves from the trees. Lights flickered on in the windows of houses, making them more inviting. Captain Ryda would be home. Perhaps, Kay should stop by to say hello to his wife and family. Helen would tell him to at some point so he might as well get it over with. Or he could do it tomorrow. He was looking for Tristan right now after all, and the Captain’s family would still be there tomorrow.

Kay stopped next to a leaning clapboard house. He really should look for Tristan and make sure nothing happened to him. Helen had asked him to do it after all. He raised a fist and knocked on the door.

Captain Ryda opened the door himself. “The wife was just wondering if you were coming to say hello or not.” He took hold of Kay’s jacket and dragged him into the house.

Immediately, Kay was surrounded by the five Ryda children all trying to tell him about their day at the same time. It was always like this at the Captain’s house. Lacy Ryda beamed at him. Her hair wasn’t quite as gray as Helen’s but they had the same knowing smile all mothers have. She asked if he’d eaten, then offered him something to drink when he said he had.

“Did you get into any fights on this trip?” asked one of the boys, his arms and legs sticking out awkwardly as he perched on a chair.

“Not this time,” said Kay. “I didn’t meet anyone worth my time.”

“I’m sure papa wouldn’t have given you too much trouble if you did,” said one of the girls. Kay could never remember her name.

“That’s not the point--”

“Who’s stronger, you or papa?” asked another girl.

“We’ve never bothered to find out,” said Captain Ryda, coming to Kay’s rescue.

“But every good sailor gets into fights, and Kay’s not just a sailor. He was a pirate!”

“Where did you hear that?” demanded Lacy. “You shouldn’t spread stories about people.”

Kay turned to the Captain. “Do you remember the boy we picked up in Dymouth? Said his name was Tristan.”

The Captain scowled a moment. “The stupid one who nearly fell overboard when the wind swung around? What about him?”

“He didn’t seem right in the head so Helen sent me to look for him. Have you seen him since landing? He was wandering around the street here earlier.”

“Can’t say I have. I did see Fae Isolde. Had to answer a few questions per usual. They’re looking for someone again.”

Kay thanked the Captain and said goodbye to his family. The evening air felt fresh and cool against his face after the Ryda house. At least the visit was over. He wouldn’t have to go back for at least another week. Children were wonderful until they asked questions. Like Tristan.

Tristan had seemed extremely interested in deadwood. Could he actually be a spy trying to find out how Luer made it’s deadwood? Not that it was really a secret. But maybe that’s where he was. Kay turned towards the shipyard.

The stacks of deadwood made eerie shadows in the growing dusk. Kay swiftly circled each one of them. No sign of Tristan. Kay ran a hand through his hair. Someone who had just arrived shouldn’t be this hard to find. Luer wasn’t that big of a city. Kay peered around again, listening.

Off to his left, he heard a yelp. It came from the beach and was most definitely human. Kay took off at a run. It might not be Tristan, but it was someone in trouble. There were all kinds of criminals lurking around the beach at night. Everyone knew to stay away from there. But someone new to the city, someone like Tristan, wouldn’t know that.

Kay slid down the shale bank to the beach. Pebbles crunched loudly under his feet. Make as much noise as possible. Let the criminals think he was more than one person. Kay was glad he hadn’t brought a light. That would give him away.

The beach was dark and silent. Kay strained his eyes, looking for any movement. A dark shape huddled not far from the ocean, hissing and muttering what almost sounded like curses. Kay couldn’t see any other unusual shadows in the twilight. “Who’s there?” he demanded.

The shape moved slightly. “Can you give me a hand? I don’t have any shoes and these rocks hurt.” Kay knew that whiny voice. It was Tristan.

“Where are your shoes?” Kay dodged a tidal pool. “You weren’t actually stupid enough to try wading, were you?”

“I didn’t wade,” Tristan said stiffly. “I just didn’t think waves were that fast. Also, why did the water affect my shoes? Wasn’t the leather just as dead as deadwood? It didn’t dissolve the leaves I tossed in or the scrap metal. If people get tossed in the ocean a lot, how many pieces of jewelry and things do you think are at the bottom?”

Kay grabbed Tristan by his coat collar, dragging him away from the water’s edge. He didn’t bother answering any of the questions. No person was stupid enough to deliberately get so close to the sea. And yet, here was Tristan, sitting on the beach surrounded by tidal pools and the waves running no more than a foot away. He seemed oblivious to how lucky he was for not loosing a foot, a leg or even his life.