The trip to Ashwind city was uneventful. Axel and Heral had already left the dungeon by the time Cyll broke through his prison’s bindings. With Maya leading the way, the two pirates made their way away from the dungeon and towards Ashwind, the sun shining brightly overhead.

It didn’t take long for the fortified walls of the city-state to reach out over the horizon in the distance. Cyll drew in a sharp breath at his first sight of them.

“What in the four great seas is that?” Cyll cursed.

“That,” Maya said, gesturing dismissively towards Ashwind’s walls, “is Ashwind. City-state, port town, and shithole. Now I really want to know just how long you were underground. Ashwind has been here for ages.”

Cyll just let out a noncommittal grunt and they continued onwards. As they grew closer to the city, Maya drew the captain’s hat lower over her brow. Heral likely thought her dead, but it wouldn’t do to be spreading rumors. Not yet, at least.

“Halt!” One of the guards standing before the gate commanded them as they grew close. His suit of shoddy leather armor barely fit him, but that didn’t stop the self-important man from looking down his nose in Maya’s direction.

“Just passing through,” Maya said.

Cyll was too busy marveling at the walls looming above them to answer. The guard didn’t take to that kindly. He stepped forwards, pointing his spear in Cyll’s direction.

“And your distracted friend?” The guard asked, prodding Cyll.

The guard’s spear was in Cyll’s hands before Maya could blink. The dangerous man scanned the weapon and grimaced in distaste.

“Unbalanced and shoddy quality. Who outfitted you with this crap?”

The soldier snatched it back from Cyll’s hands and gave him a suspicious look.

“The city lord. There’s nothing wrong with my spear,” the guard said.

“That’s right,” Maya agreed. “We have places to be, Cyll. Let’s just–”

“Nonsense,” Cyll said, the spear appearing in his hands once again.

The guard blinked and glanced down in disbelief. He shot Maya a glance, but the young woman just shrugged. Neither of them had seen the older man move.

“Look, see? The center of balance is far too high up. It’s crap,” Cyll balanced the spear on his finger and shot a pointed look at the guard.

The watchman slowly reached out and took his spear back from Cyll. He gave it a second glance, just to make sure it was still in his possession, before taking a step back and nodding.

“I think you two should get a move on. And please, make your visit quick.”

Maya nodded and dragged Cyll behind her, ignoring his protests, until they were within the city walls.

“You can’t draw that much attention to us!” Maya hissed. “Don’t forget we’re trying to be discrete. We’re buying supplies and getting out of here before somebody I know spots me. We’ll come back when we’re strong enough later, and you can mess around all you want then.”

“This is the first time I’ve been outside in years!” Cyll complained. “I have new life! A new purpose! Can you really expect me to be boring?”

“Yes.”

“Ah. Fair enough, I suppose,” Cyll said.

They continued deeper into Ashwind, leaving the main road and the gates behind them. With Maya at the lead, it didn’t take the two long to forge deeper into the city and towards the market. They wove through tightly packed houses and dark alleyways for several minutes. Then, without warning, the two burst out from the dense streets into a bustling market square.

Cyll ground to a stop. The calls of noisy merchants filled the air. Brightly decorated tents were scattered through the market, each one boasting more than the last. But none of that had caught Cyll’s attention. The man’s nose twitched slightly. He drew in a deep breath and turned to look at Maya.

“Food. I forgot food existed.”

Maya’s eyebrow twitched slightly, but a slight smile crossed her face.

“Okay, maybe we can take a few detours. Just don’t forget what we’re here for.”

Cyll followed Maya like a stray dog as they wove through the market. Merchants called out to them, but the call of food overpowered anything they could offer. Maya stopped before a small booth along the edge of the market.

It was large enough to sit four people. A large man with a head that resembled a thumb was busy preparing something from behind the counter, but he glanced up as they sat down in front of him.

“Good day,” he said with jovial cheer. “What can I get you?”

Cyll sucked on his lips and wiped away the drool that was gathering at the corners of his mouth. The merchant gave him a concerned glance.

“Don’t worry about him,” Maya said. “He hasn’t eaten in a while. Could you give us each two sticky buns and two pork buns?”

She placed a gold coin on the counter. The merchant’s eyes shot up and it disappeared into his robe instantly.

“This is worth a lot more than that, lass. Do you want change?” He asked, placing the requested food on the table.

Cyll’s hand darted out and he stuffed one of the fluffy white buns into his mouth. His eyes widened and he let out a groan of pleasure through a mouthful of steamed dough. The rest of the bun disappeared within moments and Cyll slammed his hands against the counter.

“No change. More of these…buns, you said?” He glanced at Maya, who gave him a hesitant nod.

“E-enough to cover a gold piece?” The merchant asked, taking a small step away from the crazed man who was currently in the process of devouring his second bun.

“I didn’t stutter, did I?” Cyll asked through another mouthful of food.

The merchant glanced at Maya. Then he shrugged, reaching for a sack at the bottom of his cart.

A few seconds later, he plopped a large bag of the steamed buns onto the ground beside Cyll. The pirate wasted no time in stuffing two more into his mouth and giving the merchant a grin that resembled a chipmunk.