“Ease up on her now Captain, we're coming upon the port. We don't want a repeat of Burich.” Westley said as Erick stepped away from the wheel.

“You Know me, Wes, if things were always easy they'd never be fun.” Erick smiled as Westley rolled his eyes at him. 

Erick stared upon the beauty of Montport. They needed more supplies before heading to Valcra. With another mouth to feed and possibly more if they could convince their friends, they were going to need a lot more provisions for all of them, especially more alcohol. 

“Oh my! It's so beautiful! I've never seen so many colors in my life!” Norah exclaimed as she ran to the railing to get a better look.

Erick chuckled as he lifted her on his shoulder, just as his father had done for him his first time in Montport. Her giggles warmed his heart as she looked at the bustling place before them. As a young lad, he had shared her excitement about exploring Montport the moment he laid his eyes upon it. The only experience that topped him seeing it for the first time was the first time he brought Wes here, he adored how his eyes sparkled with excitement when he saw it for the first time. 

Erick smiled as he thought about how the first time they came here together Wes had spent roughly 200 silver on as many meat pies he could carry, stuffing his face full of anything he could sample. He later told Erick he did that because he had never tried fruit before, let alone meat. He always just ate whatever bland gruel his family had given him. Erick was going to spend the rest of his life making sure that Westley never had to live like that again.

“Approaching the dock on the starboard, at the ready Wes,” Erick called out as Westly dropped the anchor then ran to the starboard side, and quickly began unraveling the ropes.

“Let's make this trip short and sweet,” Westley said as he lowered the gangplank as the ship reached the dock.

“If we make this trip like you, Wes, we'll be here all night.” Erick chuckled as he set Norah back onto the deck.

“Westley, captain,” Westley said as he rolled his eyes and quickly ran down the gangplank to secure the ship to the dock.

“Can I come!?” Norah excitedly asked as Erick started down the gangplank.

“Absolutely, as the new member of the crew you're expected to! You can help Wes grab supplies.” Erick laughed as Norah quickly trailed after him swiftly grabbing onto his coat. 

“Captain, are you sure that's a good idea? What if the thing looking for her shows up? Shouldn’t we stay together?” Westley questioned as he met them on the dock.

Erick smiled, he was always so paranoid and worried. It was cute, how much he cared about him. However, this was something he could handle by himself. Langward’s men would be doing all the heavy lifting after all.

“I'm sure Wes! Don’t fret, if Norah needs protection she has you and I know you'll do a fantastic job keeping her safe. Besides, the young lady needs proper clothing if she’s to join the crew! We can't have her galavanting around with us in a tattered dirty dress, we have a reputation to uphold.” Erick preached as he shot Norah a quick wink.

“Yes, please! Oh, Westley I’d love a pretty new dress! Besides, it would be disgraceful for a woman of my elegance to ummm to…” Norah trailed off looking to Erick for help.

It was adorable seeing her stumble over the more sophisticated and bigger words she was trying to use. Erick could tell she was going to fit right in with them.

“To be seen in such a state.” Erick finished for her as Norah eagerly nodded at Westley.

“Alright.” Westley laughed, shaking his head at them. “I’ll take Norah to get new clothes and a brush, and anything extra we’ll need. Make sure not to piss Langward off again since I won't be there to mediate”

“Perfect! Good lad! I’ll meet you back here when we're done.” Erick said as Westley took Norah’s small hand in his, and Erick set off towards The Broken oven.

“The Broken oven’s the other way captain,” Westley called after him as Erick quickly changed directions. “Remember just there and back! No side adventures this time please!”

“Yes, yes I got it Wes thank you! I'll be faster than a sinking ship.” Erick proclaimed as he quickly set off so as not to endure any more of Westley's concerns.

“Such a worry wart that one,” Erick said, chuckling to himself as he made his way toward the vendor stalls on the west side. 

Montport was a bustling trading town, with more vendors and stores along the coast than you could count. The vendor stalls were each decked out in their flashy ways with vibrant colors, beads, and tapestries from across the world. The smell of fresh fruits and foreign perfumes mixed with the smell of freshly cooked meats and pastries dancing together in the air. The dirt and gravel paths crunched under his feet with a chorus of other boots and shoes dancing in the paths together. He understood why Wes loved this place so much, it was alive.

“Freshest fruit in Montport! Get it right here! Only twenty pent!”

“Best clothes this side of Zandrania! Just eighteen silver for luxury like a queen!”

“The best jewels from the far lands of Samiria! Only eight doubloons just for today!”

Vendors shouted from all around as he took quick looks at the stalls on his way. It couldn't hurt just to browse. Besides if he did find something he liked he'd just make sure they added a little extra onto what they owed Clayland, that dirty bastard. Nothing so far was catching his eyes anyway, however, he did notice a group of girls ogling him from afar. He shot them a quick wink and moved on to the next stall. As much as he didn't care for the women who tried to approach him, the attention was always welcomed. 

“See anything you like captain~?” The girl working the stall asked him.

 

Erick looked up at her, she had a plain face and straight black hair that was thrown into a bun. He did like her gold earrings but that was about the only thing about her that stood out, to him she was just another fish in the sea. 

 Erick looked down at the goods she had laid out in her display, she had the usual array of jewels and necklaces, any young girl's dream. Suddenly his eyes caught on the only two rings she had in her stall. It had been a while since he had seen rings being sold in montport let alone such well-crafted ones. The first one had a silver band with a dazzling emerald, the second had a gold band with almost a pink hue to it that complemented the perfectly carved silver diamond on it.

“Those rings are exquisite,” Erick commented as the girl lit up. He could tell she probably hadn’t sold anything in a while.

“You have amazing taste captain, we just got those from Celpine.” The girl complimented as she gestured towards the rings.

“I always have good taste, my dear. I know my way around jewels.” Erick smirked as he glanced at her, making her blush.

He chuckled to himself as he inspected the rings closer, it had been a long time since he had seen such fine craftsmanship like this. He could feel the girl's eyes on him, how could she not be infatuated with him? He was the finest-looking pirate in all of the seven seas.

“I’ll make you a deal,” The girl tittered as she drew his attention back to her. “I’m not supposed to do this but since you're the first person with taste I've met here I'll let you have them both for let’s say 100 silver.”

“Well, I'm sure being graced by my presence should take that steep price down a bit lower,” Erick said as the girl giggled.

“Maybe captain, I'll let you have them for the low price of a kiss.” The girl gushed, as she pushed her chest towards him.

He had to admit she was doing a good job, she was going to be the death of a man someday. Yet he loved that she was feeding his confidence.

“I’ve got a counteroffer for you, how about we meet down at the Crescent Inn and I'll help you earn your sea legs.” Erick seductively teased as the girl's face turned bright red.

“Y-you have a deal, my captain.” The girl swooned as Erick quickly grabbed the rings. 

“See you half past midday, my dear,” Erick called back to her as he quickly disappeared into the crowded street.

He chuckled as he slipped the silver banded ring onto his finger, that was even easier than he thought it would be. The women here were always so easy to persuade. He did feel bad about it, but at least she would learn the most valuable lesson in the world: Never trust a pirate. Hopefully, she wouldn't be too heartbroken.

“Ah, Captain Ashrock. To what do I owe the displeasure of having you back in my shop.” Langward chuckled as Erick walked into The Broken oven.

“The usual order times two Langwood.” Erick huffed as he reached the counter where Langwood sat.

Besides the Sirens Heart and most taverns, The Broken Oven was one of the only bulk suppliers that welcomed Erick. It was his own doing after all, even if Langwood is a bitter old bitch he at least still took his business.

“Finally acquired a crew that'll put up with you, on that tattered old tugboat you call a ship?”

“The Sea’s Treasure is the best ship on the seven seas thank you very much. She’s always ready for another adventure. If you don’t kick the bucket and head to Davy Jones before we get back, maybe I'll tell you about it.” Erick scoffed as Langward chuckled.

“And have you bore me to death? I’ll pass Ashrock. It’s gonna be twenty doubloons along with the twenty-eight silver you owe me from the last time.” Langward heckled as Erick grabbed his bag of money. “Where’s that puppy of yours by the way? Don’t tell me you chased him away finally? That boy's better off in a different company anyway.”

Erick bit his tongue as he felt his jaw clench. It was one thing for that bilge-sucking toothless old stinkpot to insult him but he had no right to say anything about Westley. Westley belonged with him and he would never let anything happen to him. Yet as much as he wanted to tell that bastard of a wench what he thought he held his tongue. Westley wouldn't forgive him if they had to find a new supplier. 

“Westley is out grabbing other supplies if you must know. Have your men load it all as fast as possible. I don’t wanna be stuck here waiting on you Langward.” Erick grumbled as he tossed 22 doubloons and 8 silver onto the counter.

“It’ll be done a little after midday, pleasure doing business with you Ashrock. Tell your mutt I said hello.” Langward sneered as he waved Erick away.

Erick huffed and quickly left, he despised dealing with that chum-smelling bastard of a fish-eyed monkey. 

“I need a good drink”