Part 1
The rain continued to fall incessantly on the pier, creating puddles around the Sea which swayed gently in the harbor. Ed and Wilde arrived at the ship, their cloaks soaked from the damp weather. Basil, the sturdy captain, was on deck, overseeing the final preparations for departure.
Noticing their arrival, Basil approached with a keen look. "Good morning, gentlemen. Where's William? I don't see him."
Wilde, trying to shake some of the water from his cloak, responded calmly. "William is busy with other matters at the moment. He won't be joining us."
Basil raised an eyebrow, his expression growing more serious. "Then we're ready to set sail, and it looks like we won't be waiting for you any longer. Are you sure you won't be coming back with us?"
Wilde paused briefly, understanding the captain. "Yes, thank you for waiting. In fact, we'll have to spend a bit more time before returning. We wish you an excellent journey and a safe crossing."
Basil nodded with a sympathetic smile. "I see. Thank you for the consideration. If you need our services in the future, remember that we're always at your disposal. You can hire us to take you anywhere you need."
At that moment, Fergus, who was on deck listening to the conversation, raised his voice with a loud laugh. "Except to the south!"
The sailors, hearing Fergus' joke, couldn't hold back their laughter and joined in. The lighthearted atmosphere offered a brief respite from the melancholy of the rain.
Wilde smiled at the remark and nodded to Basil. "I'll keep that in mind. We'll make sure not to choose any jobs in the south!"
Ed, seeing the interaction, approached Peter, who was leaning against a corner of the deck, watching the activity. "Peter, I wanted to say goodbye. Take care and look after the crew."
Peter looked at Ed with a friendly smile. "Of course, Ed. You take care too. And don't forget to visit when you can. I'll be waiting to hear about your new adventures."
Ed made a gesture of gratitude and turned to Wilde. "Ready to go? I still need to train today."
Wilde nodded. "Let's go. We've got a lot to do, and time doesn't wait. But it was good to see them again."
The two walked away from the pier, the sailors' laughter still echoing behind them. As they moved away, the rain continued to pour down around them.
Part 2
William was on his way to the harbor when a sharp sound caught his attention. Turning the corner, he saw a box of apples rolling down the street, its red and green fruits scattering across the slippery sidewalk.
An elderly lady, with an umbrella struggling against the strong wind, was desperately trying to recover the escaping apples. Her expression was one of frustration and despair, her aged hands reaching out to grab the fruits that danced at the mercy of the rain.
William didn't hesitate. He ran to the lady, dodging the puddles that formed small lakes in the streets. "Let me help!" he shouted over the noise of the rain, his tone firm and friendly.
The lady, surprised and relieved, looked up at him, a grateful smile forming on her tired face. "Oh, thank you so much, young man. I can't keep the apples under control in this rain."
William bent down, picking up the apples that were still scattered on the ground. The water had made the fruits slippery, but he carefully placed them back in the box. "Don't worry, I'll help you gather everything."
As William worked, he noticed the lady trying to reorganize the box, which had tipped over. He lifted it with effort and set it upright again, adjusting the dented bottom so the apples wouldn't roll anymore.
"Thank you, young man." said the lady, her voice a mix of relief and exhaustion.
"These apples are all I have to eat today."
"I understand," William replied as he finished placing the last apples back in the box. "Let's take this to your home. It's not safe to stay out here in the rain."
The lady hesitated for a moment, looking at the box full of apples and then at William, who was drenched but had a determined expression. "You don't have to do this. I can manage."
William smiled with quiet kindness. "It's no trouble at all. We all need help sometimes. Let's go."
With the box now secure, William grabbed the handle with one hand and offered the other arm to the lady for support. She hesitated for a moment but accepted the gesture, her look expressing a mixture of gratitude and surprise.
The path was muddy and slippery, and William had to be careful with every step to ensure he didn't slip. The lady, despite her age, walked with quiet dignity, keeping herself steady by his side.
When they reached the door of the small house, William helped the lady inside and carefully placed the box of apples on the floor next to the entrance. "Here you go. I hope things get better for you," he said, shaking some of the water off his cloak.
The lady looked at him with a grateful smile, her hands clasping together in a gesture of thanks. "I don't know how to thank you. May the Gods bless you for your kindness."
William made a modest gesture, raising his hand in a friendly wave. "No need to thank me. It's always good to help. Take care and stay warm."
William was a few steps from the lady's house when Wilde and Ed appeared around the corner. Wilde, with a slight smile, waved to William.
"Look who's having fun in the rain." Wilde said, his voice muffled by the sound of the falling water.
"I didn't know you were so dedicated to helping others. If you keep this up, you'll end up being known as a hero."
William smiled, though he was a bit tired. "Sometimes, it's good to do something simple and help out. The lady needed a hand."
As they talked, the sound of guards' boots and desperate shouts caught the attention of the three. "Stop! Come back here!" shouted the guards, running after a boy who seemed to be in a panic.
The boy, with wide eyes and a trembling body, was struggling to run through the relentless rain. His worn-out shoes sank into the mud, making each step a battle. Suddenly, one of the guards, Liam, lunged forward and, with an agile movement, grabbed the boy's arm with a grip that seemed determined not to let him escape.
Liam looked at the boy with a harsh expression. "You stole from the fruit stand at the market! You better confess now!"
The boy, choked with fear and tears, looked at Liam with a mix of desperation and panic. "No... it wasn't me. I swear!"
Liam tightened his grip on the boy's arm, his anger visible in every line of his face. "I know it was you! I saw you leaving the market!"
William and Wilde, seeing the situation unfold, quickly stepped in to intervene. Wilde placed a hand on Liam's shoulder, trying to calm him. "Hey, hold on. This kid doesn't look fast or sneaky enough to pull off a theft. Look at him. It's clear he's just desperate."
William also stepped closer, his expression firm. "Please, assess the situation calmly. This boy doesn't have the appearance of a criminal. There must be a misunderstanding."
Liam, still panting and with a clenched jaw, saw Ed approaching. Ed's serious gaze seemed to diminish the intensity of his anger slightly. Liam took a deep breath, trying to regain his composure.
One of the other guards, watching the situation and the dialogue, finally spoke up. "Let's go. This kid isn't helping here. We can sort this out later."
Liam, reluctantly, released the boy's arm, but his gaze was still filled with frustration. "Watch yourself, kid. If I find out you were lying, the consequences will be worse."
The boy, now free and with a face marked by relief and fear, gave a brief bow before running off into the rain. His steps were slower now, but his fear seemed to have subsided a bit, at least for the moment.
William, Wilde, and Ed watched as the boy disappeared into the distance.