“What were my instructions?” The man with dark dreadlocks turned around to face the bald man, his face stoic and a hand on the hilt of his saber attached to the ropes around his waist.

“Don’t… Don’t touch village women…” The man stuttered as he answered, his body shaking as he understood he had done something wrong and would be punished.

“Don’t touch women IN the village.” The man corrected him and hardened the grip on his saber, making the bald man flinch and sweat on his face. He lifted his arms to protect himself from any possible attacks. “Take him back to the ship. We’ll have a talk later.” He took his hand away from the saber and turned to the blond man, ordering him.

The man flinched at the order but quickly rushed out of the chair to escort the bald man. They didn’t even look back as they walked away. The man in a blue coat watched them until they descended down the stairs.

“My apologies. Some of my crew aren’t the sharpest tools in the shed.” The man bowed toward Navia with his hand on his heart. Showing that he truly felt bad about that incident. “If you don’t mind me asking. You’re here only for the food and afterward moving on?”

“That is what I said.” Answered Navia, crossing her arms and waiting to hear what that man intended to do with that information.

“Allow me to sit by your table, and none of them will dare to lay a hand on you.” The man turned the chair around and pointed his open hand at the seat, waiting for Navia’s permission.

She first looked at Mirabell to check how she felt about it, but after seeing how they obeyed the man and how well-mannered he was, she loosened her grip on Navia’s arm, feeling a bit safer.

Navia gestured for the man to sit down, and he nodded his head to thank her as he sat down. “So that is your ship at the dock?” Asked Navia as she didn’t want to sit uncomfortably in silence. Looking through the window, she could only see the mast of the ship.

“Yes, it is. Dark Wave. My glorious ship that endured countless battles.” The man bragged about his ship, a smirk on his face as he explained. It was easy to tell that it was his pride and joy.

The waitress placed the soup and bread between Navia and Mirabell. The man lightly grabbed her arm before she walked away. “Excuse me. Could you get me some wine?” He said with a gentle smile, making the girl blush just by looking at him.

“Yes… I’ll get it right away.” The waitress answered with a light smile on her face, joyfully stepping away, the man’s grip loose, so when she walked away, his arm slipped down.

“Currently, all the tables are taken by my men. To avoid any problems, I set a rule so the people working here and living in the village could feel safe. Even around random armored people.” Explained the man in a blue coat as he looked away so as not to make the girls uncomfortable with his constant gaze.

“You don’t belong to the Guns For Hire group unless you hide your symbol. Perhaps a different group of mercenaries?” Navia asked, making small talk at the topic the man continued.

The man placed a hand on his mouth as he tried to think of an answer. “Mercenaries? Partially. We are free men, not bound to one profession.”

“So you’re pirates.” Navia stated, making the man go stiff at those words, striking a nerve with those words.

“I rather call us people of freedom…” The man answered bitterly with clenched teeth. As the waitress placed his cup with wine, he only gently nodded his head. He then took one big sip, savoring the taste and the aftertaste as he let out a sigh. “We live in a world that fell from its glory. We don’t know how long until it's all going to fall. Like the lost city of Beronia, Brimwon.”

Just the mention of the city’s name was enough to bring all those bad memories to Navia’s and Mirabell’s heads. Navia grabbed her temple as a stinging pain appeared there. Mirabell looked at her food as lost her appetite and moved the bowl aside.

Navia let out a long sigh, and without looking the man in the eyes, she said, “That’s why The Order Of Tomorrow exists… To protect the people and the whole world from this catastrophe. Brimwon was… It was unfortunate. We are the only survivors…” Navia unsurley answered, finally facing the man. A saddened smile painting her face.

He was surprised that they were survivors, but it was hard for him to believe that story. “You survived that? How?” Doubtingly asked the man, but he seemed concerned when she mentioned that as he leaned closer to listen what Navia has to say.

“The monsters didn’t attack one of the shelters. We decided to try and escape by ships, but the army of monsters attacked us. We were the only ones who were able to escape.” Navia told the story, her voice low as she imagined the deaths of all those people and those who died during the tide, as if she was trying to scare a child with a horror story.

Seeing how the girls reacted, his expression changed, and he was saddened by that news. He stood up from the table and bowed slightly. “I apologize for asking such a hard question. Seeing as you finished eating, I will escort you to the exit so no one would bother you...”

As they walked through the inn, Navia watched all of those pirates; they only glanced once and then avoided eye contact when they saw their captain by their side. “People of freedom… Maybe they are different than most of the pirates. Or at least he is…” Thought Navia as she looked at the man’s back, imagining what his soul could look like.

He opened the door for them and said, “Have a good night, ladies.” with a waving hand in the air.

“Could you tell me your name?” Navia asked, wanting to know the name of such an unusual individual as him.

“Right… I forgot to introduce myself…” He scratched his chin in embarrassment. “My name is Evan.” The man answered with a light bow.

“I am Navia. It was nice meeting you.” She answered after a moment, understanding that it was her moment to introduce herself next.

“And my name is Mirabell!” The girl said loudly so the man could hear her even through the loud chatter, lifting her hand so he would look down at her.

“Those are beautiful names.” The man answered with a soft smile.

He watched them for a moment as they walked away and then closed the doors of the inn to join his crew in their feast. Mirabell held Navia’s hand as they moved toward their ship. “That’s one unusual person. Now I understand why I felt something off about him.” Navia said with a relieved face, letting out a sigh as if all those worries had left her with the air from the lungs.

“What was it?” Asked Mirabell, giving a curious gaze toward Navia.

“It’s because he is a pirate and not that bad, too.” Answered Navia, a light smile on her face. Glad to know that not all the pirates are pure evil.

“My mama told me a lot about pirates and how bad they are. But looks like she was wrong.” Mirabell began jumping like a rabbit instead of walking, watching the path ahead.

Navia stopped and kneeled in front of the girl.“Your mama wasn’t wrong. He is the only exception…” She whispered as she poked the girl's nose.

Even though the Dark Wave was without any light, there were a few voices coming out from it. “There is someone on the ship.” Mirabell pointed her finger at the ship and grabbed Navia’s shirt to catch her attention.

“They must have left someone to guard the ship. We didn’t have to do anything like that because we didn’t have anything valuable on the ship.” Explained Navia as she slowly guided the girl to their ship. “Get some sleep while I sail the ship to our next destination.” Navia said as she left the girl on the stairs to the underdeck.

“Okay…” Answered Mirabell as if all the energy she had a second ago was burned in the blink of an eye.

Navia set sail a few miles away from the land but was close enough to see it clearly. Her destination was behind this island. The fortress of the Order of Tomorrow, Avalon.