— I don't want you circulating around the port of Raviera. — Baltazar said with irritation. He was seated in his office, a pile of documents before him.
It had been four years since we last came to the kingdom of Raviera. It was in the capital's waters that the captain found and took me in, and I couldn't understand why I was forbidden to roam.
I loved the ship and the sea, but I also wanted to visit taverns, dance, drink, and listen to music. I was nineteen by then and had experienced several intense situations as we sailed through dangerous waters, yet that man, who played his fatherly role well, had never forbidden me anything.
— Oh, so you want me cooped up on this ship for a month until we leave again? — I rolled my eyes petulantly. I hated receiving orders that made no sense. Finally, the captain raised his gaze towards me. I was sprawled in the chair with my feet on the desk, casually cutting an apple.
— You insisted on staying with us, didn't you? You'll obey my orders, damn it. — Baltazar slammed the table as if that would intimidate me. If there was one thing I'd learned over the years, it was that the old man only had a facade of intimidation; he was nothing more than a soft-hearted soul who rescued orphans and took them onto the ship, even if their backgrounds were suspect. And that brought some problems later. The captain always found a way to throw my choices back in my face and remained without any regret.
— Alright, sure, Dad. — I smiled at him as if I truly intended to be confined for an entire month. A wonderful festival was happening in the city, complete with food stalls, dances, street theater, parties, and plenty of drink; there was no way I'd stay cooped up. Baltazar always reacted to the word "Dad" by becoming flustled. When I started calling Baltazar that, he was completely taken by surprise, but he never said I couldn't; on the contrary, he doted on me quite a bit, indulging my wishes and protecting my well-being.
I would never forget that two years ago, a mysterious merchant boarded the ship with suspicious cargo, paying Baltazar a small fortune to transport him across to the stormy waters on the other side of the continent. However, one tempestuous night, the man invaded my cabin and attempted to violate my personal space, taking hold of me. I kicked him until he was on the ship's deck. And as he cursed me with various names, he took a shot to the head, ending his life. No one messed with me. The captain himself carried it out without a trace of remorse.
The cargo was thrown overboard along with the body and never inspected. I knew I could count on every member of the crew. They were loyal pirates, and new recruits understood that. There was always someone trying to challenge the rules who ended up becoming shark food. I didn't care. I could defend myself. But it was always good to know how loved I could be by my companions.
I remember the first time I called Baltazar "Dad." It was at a party, a few months after my official entry into the crew. I was slightly intoxicated. I called him Dad, and I had never seen the man blush more than that night, and everyone was amazed by the situation. He ruffled my hair and retreated to his quarters, but I knew I could soften his feelings with simple phrases.
— It's no use calling me that. You're not going out. — Baltazar coughed softly and waved his hand in my direction. — Just be a good boy this time and I'll let you choose our next holiday destination, alright?
I rolled my eyes, but hugged him anyway and kissed his forehead. Then I left. There was no way I was staying on the ship on a festival day. Our boat was anchored far from the city port, but I could see the beautiful lights at night. The glow and the singing of the festivities. I couldn't just languish there with so many attractive individuals at that party.
My pleasure lay in finding a brief connection in each port. It was always good to be admired and charmed, to feel cherished and celebrated. My allure was undeniable. And sometimes I was lucky enough to please some merchant who bestowed various gifts upon me. But I never stayed long enough to become emotionally entangled with any of these men. My life was more thrilling when I was reveling on land and living freely at sea.
I waited until midnight. I slipped out of my cabin. I had my own space with some of my belongings, which included letters from past encounters and even some beautiful jewels I'd received. Learning to cheat at games was one of the gifts Olma gave me. Besides my excellent swordsmanship.
Of course, there were sentinels during the night. But I managed to hide in the ship's shadows and descend by the side rope. There weren't many crew members. Most were getting drunk in the city's establishments. I wasn't going to be confined for the entire time just because my father wanted to protect me from invisible threats. I understood that I was found in those turbulent waters, but... Well, I was different from years ago, and I didn't think anyone would recognize me. What dangers could there be in enjoying a little celebration?
I swam to the small bay, only a few meters from the boat. I searched for the chest hidden among the palm trees that Bob had left. We were basically brothers. Companions. We trained together. We almost died together a couple of times. And that somehow bonded us.
— Thanks, bro. — I changed my wet clothes for the ones I'd left there. The backpack with some supplies and my coin purse.
I would stay... a few weeks? Until I was sober enough to remember I should return to the ship.
They wouldn't abandon me. It would be easier for them to conduct a thorough search than to leave me in that city.
I walked along the road, whistling a famous pirate song, heading towards the beautiful lights. It was strange. I felt a sense of nostalgia as the first houses appeared, as if it were familiar ground. I truly had lived in that environment before, with another name, another life. Now I was a nineteen-year-old Omega, far from innocence and far more striking. My hair had long dreadlocks with golden tips, the right side shaved. Several earrings adorned my ears, lip, and tongue, and tattoos sprawled across my arms, neck, and chest. I wore a white button-up shirt, a waistcoat, tight trousers, and stylish pointed boots I'd received a few months ago from some gentleman whose name I couldn't recall.
I knew everything had changed, but I had no memory of anything before I lost it. Geany believed that at some point, I would remember. But so far, nothing. Well, we can think of it as therapy, right? I was arriving in my old city in Raviera, and I might just remember something. And honestly, I didn't care. The curiosity I once had had simply vanished. I had a great life now. I loved the sway of the ship, the off-key singing, and the strong taste of rum on a cold night. Would I die young? Possibly, but I lived my life so fully that I couldn't imagine anything better.
And now I would take advantage of our business in Raviera. The last time we stayed so long in a port, I managed to get involved with two Alphas at once, until I discovered they were friends and it caused a huge ruckus. I was arrested and even had to have my bail paid by a stranger, otherwise Baltazar would have blown up the prison. That man was wanted in at least two kingdoms and several islands.
The city's side entrance was the least guarded, and since my head wasn't on a bounty in the region, I could enter as a visitor trying to enjoy the festival. The most prominent colors were the red and gold of the royal family's banner. The music of the bards playing in the streets echoed through all the passages and alleys. The mud and usual fish smell of the port were no impediment to the celebrating people. Many food stalls offered varied aromas.
Flags adorned the streets I walked through. Inns tried to attract customers and tourists. Many foreigners desired a good meal at that hour of the night. It was past midnight, and the port remained festive. Guards were stationed around, especially near the boats; their armor and red and gold capes didn't hide the oppressive posture they maintained amidst the general revelry.
Everything was incredible. Even the sound of the music. Some distant brawls of wild drunks.
I went to the Gapped Unicorn Inn; it was the meeting point with Bob.
The young man, now more mature, sat near the stage, listening to the violin of a bard. He was practically mesmerized, trying to catch at least a glance from the woman who didn't seem to care for a pirate. I sat beside him, bumping his shoulder.
— Hey. — I lightly tapped his chin. — Your jaw's almost on the floor.
— I've never seen a woman so beautiful and talented. — Bob smiled towards the bard and tossed her a coin. I rolled my eyes and ordered a drink.
— You say that every time we enter a tavern. — I chuckled.
— Leave me alone. — I took a slap on my shoulder as Bob seemed desperate for the woman's attention. — What right do you have to lecture me when you ran away from the ship? The captain will kill you when he finds out.
— No, he won't. — I took the mug the attendant handed me. The dark beer was the best. — Deep down, he knows there's no way to keep me confined on that ship for an entire month.
— And you didn't think there might be a reason he doesn't want you here? — Bob finished his drink and immediately ordered another.
— Yeah, yeah... — I shrugged. — He's probably afraid the past will come back to haunt me. We're in Raviera's biggest city, the capital of lights, and you really think someone will recognize me? Oh, please. — I furrowed my brow slightly. — If someone were interested, they would have already put up my poster and a price. Makes sense?
I chugged the entire drink, already moving on to the next.
— You have a point. But the captain genuinely is protective of you. — Bob still tossed a few more coins towards the singer, who seemed flattered but went to sit at another table.
— Haha. — I patted his back, amused by the situation. — And did you hear about any cool places?
And now I would take advantage of our business in Raviera. The last time we stayed so long in a port, I found myself in romantic entanglements, which led to a huge misunderstanding when I discovered they were friends. I was even arrested and needed an unknown benefactor to pay my bail, or Baltazar would have razed the prison. That man was wanted in at least two kingdoms and several islands.
The city's side entrance was the least guarded, and as my head wasn't under a bounty in the region, I could enter as a visitor eager to enjoy the festival. The most striking colors were the red and gold of the royal family's banner. The music of the bards playing in the streets resonated through all the passages and alleys. The mud and the usual fish smell of the port were no impediment to the celebrating crowds. Many food stalls offered varied aromas.
Flags adorned the streets I walked through. Inns tried to attract clients and tourists. Many foreigners desired a good meal at that hour of the night. It was past midnight, and the port remained festive. Guards were stationed around, especially near the boats; their armors and red and gold capes didn't disguise the oppressive posture they displayed amidst the general revelry.
Everything was incredible. Even the sound of the music. Some distant brawls of intoxicated revelers.
I went to the Gapped Unicorn Inn; it was the meeting point with Bob.
The young man, now more mature, sat near the stage, listening to the violin of a bard. He was practically enraptured, trying to catch at least a glance from the woman who paid no mind to a pirate. I sat beside him, nudging his shoulder.
— Hey. — I lightly tapped his chin. — You're almost drooling.
— I've never seen a woman so beautiful and talented. — Bob smiled towards the bard and tossed her a coin. I rolled my eyes and ordered a drink.
— You say that every time we enter a tavern. — I chuckled.
— Leave me alone. — I took a tap on my shoulder as Bob seemed desperate for the woman's attention. — What right do you have to lecture me if you ran away from the ship? The captain will kill you when he finds out.
— No, he won't. — I took the mug the attendant handed me. The dark beer was the best. — Deep down, he knows there's no way to keep me confined on that ship for an entire month.
— And you didn't think there might be a reason he doesn't want you here? — Bob finished his drink and immediately ordered another.
— Yeah, yeah... — I shrugged. — He's probably afraid the past will come back to haunt me. We're in Raviera's biggest city, the capital of lights, and you really think someone will recognize me? Oh, please. — I furrowed my brow slightly. — If someone were interested, they would have already posted my bounty and a price. Makes sense?
I chugged the entire drink, already moving on to the next.
— You have a point. But the captain genuinely is protective of you. — Bob still tossed a few more coins towards the singer, who seemed flattered, but then went to sit at another table.
— Haha. — I patted his back, amused by the situation. — And did you hear about any cool places?