Caius leaned against the ship's railing, a soft smile playing on his lips as he observed the crew. The atmosphere had shifted entirely since his skirmish with them. Now, every pirate on deck looked at him with respect and admiration, and the captain, a grizzled man named Captain Maddock, seemed more than eager to answer Caius's questions.
"So, tell me more about Silverhaven," Caius asked, folding his arms casually.
Captain Maddock nodded, gesturing toward the bustling port in the distance. "Silverhaven's an island like no other," he began, his voice gruff but amiable. "The Falcone family rules it firmly, but they know how to keep things balanced. Pirates and townsfolk live side by side, and as long as you follow the rules, you're free to trade, drink, or gamble without worry."
Caius raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Gambling, you say? Are there gambling houses here?"
The captain chuckled, shaking his head. "Not like the dens you'd find in other ports. The Falcons keep Silverhaven clean of official gambling houses, but if you're looking for a wager, head to The Siren's Call. It's a tavern with all kinds of folk—pirates, merchants, and travelers. Betting happens there always, though it's mostly for fun."
Caius's interest was piqued. "The Siren's Call, huh?" he murmured, mentally marking it as his first destination on the island. "Sounds like my kind of place."
Captain Maddock tilted his head, a curious glint in his eye. "Got a reason for askin' about gambling?"
Caius hesitated briefly, then decided to be straightforward. "I'm looking for someone—a woman named Elara Duskwind. Reynar mentioned she has a… well, let's say, a reputation with gambling."
At the mention of Elara's name, some crew members nearby exchanged glances. Maddock's eyes narrowed thoughtfully. "Duskwind, eh? Can't say I know her personally, but that name's whispered on the winds here. And if she's who I think she is, it might just be... her."
Caius frowned. "Her? Who's 'her'?"
The pirates erupted into chuckles as if sharing some inside joke. Caius couldn't help but feel both amused and curious.
One pirate, a wiry man with a crooked smile, leaned in. "They say she's the 'Queen of the Cards.' If you're dumb enough to bet against her and she loses, you might wake up missin' a finger or two."
Another chimed in with a wide grin and a gleam in his eye. "I heard she's got a way of bending the odds to her favor. Some say it's magic—others call it tricks. Either way, she plays for keeps."
Captain Maddock laughed. "Rumor has it that she once convinced a whole table to bet on a hand, then used some strange 'force' to nudge the dice. Won the whole pot, and the fools at the table swore the dice moved on their own."
Caius chuckled, trying to picture the mysterious Elara in action. "So, she cheats, then?"
The pirates shook their heads almost in unison.
"She doesn't need to," Maddock replied with a smirk. "She's just that good. It's almost like the cards listen to her like she has a connection to luck. Even the toughest pirates don't want to mess with her."
Caius's curiosity grew as he took in the stories. If half of what they said was true, this Elara Duskwind was as unpredictable as the sea. She seemed exactly the type of person Reynar would send him to find.
Maddock's smirk faded as he crossed his arms and gave Caius a knowing look. "But I'll tell you this, lad—your luck's not as good as you might think. Word is, Elara left Silverhaven a few weeks back. She's not the only one, either. Some of the most notorious pirates have cleared out of here around the same time."
Caius's brow furrowed, his curiosity only deepening. "Why would they leave? Did something happen?"
Maddock shrugged, his expression thoughtful. "Nobody knows for sure. We're just small fry compared to the big names, so information like that doesn't come to us. But there's been talk—rumors, really. Some say there's word of a new treasure, something big enough to draw even the best pirates away from safe harbors."
One of the crew added with a nervous glance toward the horizon, "Some folks say it's not just any treasure, but a relic lost to time, one with powers that could change a pirate's fortune forever."
Caius turned back to Maddock, his eyes sharp with determination. "So, if I want to learn more about Elara or this rumored treasure… where should I go?"
Maddock nodded toward the harbor, his tone lowering as if sharing a secret. "The Siren's Call. The owner's been here since before, even the FalconFalconscharge, and knows everything and everyone that passes through Silverhaven. If anyone can give you answers, it's him."
Caius looked out over the bustling port of Silverhaven, his mind already racing with plans. "Sounds like I have my next stop, then," he said, a small smile playing at the corners of his mouth.
Maddock chuckled, clapping him on the shoulder. "Good luck, lad. And be careful—The Siren's Call might seem friendly, but you'd be surprised what dangers can hide behind a smile."
Caius landed smoothly on the dock, his boots hitting the wood with a solid thud. He took a moment to scan his surroundings, getting a feel for the busy energy of Silverhaven. The harbor bustled with movement, voices rising and falling in a chorus of deals, laughter, and the occasional argument.
But before he left, he paused and turned back to Maddock. "Hey, Maddock, do you have something I could use to cover these?" He gestured to the twin cutlasses strapped to his back. "I realize they might attract... unwanted attention."
Maddock raised an eyebrow, a grin spreading across his face. Before he could answer, one of the crew members—a wiry man with a quick, eager grin—fished through a nearby barrel and tossed a rolled-up cloth toward Caius. "Here, lad! Old sailcloth. It should keep those flashy hilts out of sight. If you need to tie it up snugly, there's some rope, too."
Caius caught the cloth and rope with a nod of thanks. He quickly wrapped the Stormfangs, securing them tightly with the rope until the gleaming, dark, blood-red hilts were completely hidden.
"Thanks," Caius said with a genuine smile, his gratitude clear in his expression.
Maddock and his crew exchanged glances, looking slightly taken aback. The captain chuckled, shaking his head. "Strong as you are, you've got a bit to learn about pirates if you're out here thanking us."
Another crew member laughed, adding, "Can't believe it! A lad as fierce as you, grateful as a kid who's never seen the rough side of the seas."
Caius shrugged, unbothered. "Maybe I am. But it doesn't hurt to be polite." With that, he turned on his heel, heading down the pier toward the lively streets of Silverhaven, his eyes set on The Siren's Call and whatever answers awaited him there.
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