1125AM NW Time-Second Summer Rise-Seventeenth Day-0789-Aeqairis Kingdom-Aramore Town

Dow, Coltone, and Octavius sit at a bar, mindedly drinking away the bar’s ale while listening to the shouting of the other patrons. But unlike the other patrons who were drinking and partying so early in the day, they were only drinking for the hell of it. The original plan was to get onto a ship and set sail off west to the Elven Island, like the strange old woman had told them, but some factors prevented them from sailing.

First, the most obvious one: they are technically broke. Ever since losing their supplies back in the Infirmi capital, they’ve been running around with no money. As a result, when they tried to get on a ship, they only then realized they had no money. The second reason is Dow. Slavery is illegal in Aeqairis, as it is in Infirmi, but unlike in Infirmi, where the government enforces the law, Aequries does not.

This results in underground slave auctions, and as a result, slavery is still a big part of Aeqairis, mainly with Beast-Kin. Because of that, Dow has been extremely wary ever since they arrived there, refusing, in some cases, to go out when he fears there’s someone after him.

So far, the money they’ve made is barely enough to afford an over-month long journey to the Elven Island, which is even more expensive than any other voyage due to its already being an unusual place for sailors to go.

As a result, the only thing they’re currently doing is slowly gathering money by taking any job they can, but that alone will take months. Not to mention the cost of living, such as food and a place to sleep, it is likely that until they find a miracle, they won’t be out sailing on a boat anytime soon.

"So... it has been an eventful few days." Octavius tried to lighten the mood at the table, as Dow and Coltone just sat there drinking, simply staring ahead.

"Alright, you sad fucks," Ocatvius says, grabbing both their mugs away from them, finally getting their attention. "Now, let’s go over how much money we have."

With a slight groan from both Coltone and Dow, they both grabbed the remaining coins in his pocket.

"I've only got four sturos left." Dow put down four copper coins of Aeqairis on the table, each with the engravings of galleons on them, since Aeqairis had been known to have a large navy.

"I only have seven right now. I was supposed to take a job clearing out some goblin gangs east of here, but that got canceled. "God we’re never going to leave this dreadful place," Coltone said, taking his mug of ale back from Octavius.

"I've only got six here... How much is it for an over-month long voyage to the Elven islands again? " Octavius said, asking both Dow and Coltone. "Since you two have been the ones doing the deals."

"It depends on the ship and captain. Travels to the Elves are not very normal, so there should be around eighty Sturos. " Dow was about to finish when Octavius interrupted him.

"Great! Only eighty Sturos! I don’t see why we were so worried.

"... each Maybe you should learn when to wait for someone to talk before talking over someone," Dow said, grabbing his mug back from Octavius.

The group had given up hope at that point.It’s only then, when the noise of the bar begins to die down a bit, that Dow is able to hear something with his ears underneath the cloak he’s wearing, a discussion about a sailor.

"Haven’t you heard? An old navy general for Aeqairis is in dock at the port. People say the ship he has is an old galleon he gained from the Queen after his work for the kingdom, "Dow heard a man say." Due to his more enhanced hearing given that he’s Beat-Kin The talk about the supposed old navy general caught his ears, and Dow continued to listen in.

"Yeah, I’ve even heard he’ll give free trips to anyone anywhere as long as they ask. I won’t lie, I think I’ll take up the offer, " another man responded.

"Yeah, but like hell, I’ll take a trip on his ship. Patched sails, rotting wood, the thing hasn’t had a proper check in years. His entire crew consists of old ex-navy people. "Like hell, I’ll trust them with my life," the same man who talked about the old man responded.

Despite the immediate risks that come with the old man and his ship, it might be possible for him to take Dow and them to the Elven Island, so it’s a risk he’s going to have to take.

"Guys, I think I figured out a way to the Elven Island..." "To Coltone and Octavius," Dow said, getting their attention.

"Seriously? Are you going to mug more drunk guys behind the bar with your body-" Before Coltone could finish, Dow spat the ale in his mouth into Coltone’s face, leaving his face drenched in mouth-soaked ale.

"Well... what solution do you have, Dow? Octavius said, as he handed Coltone a piece of cloth to clean his face off.

"I overheard some talk on the other side of the bar, my ears and all, and apparently there’s an ex-navy general in port willing to sail anywhere anyone wants for free. But, it seems as if the ship’s condition is less than subpar..."

It doesn't matter, we’ll take any chance we can get. "I will not let myself be humiliated by the failure of translating these papers," Coltone said, patting the bag on his side and putting the cloth on the table before putting on his helmet. He got up from the table as Dow and Octavius did the same, leaving the bar and walking to the docks.

—–

After an hour-long walk from the bar to the docks, Coltone, Octavius, and Dow walked down the harbor, walking past multiple people as they went about their days. The harbor was a familiar color, as instead of regular gray stone, the Aeqairis used red bricks, as they thought it gave a positive feeling when merchants docked at their cities, causing more merchants to most likely come. As they walk down the road, passing by people, carriages, and fish stalls alike, they eventually reach a point in the port where there are fewer people. They eventually find the ship of the supposed ex-general. It was immediately obvious it was the ship, as unlike the merchant ships in dock, and in clean and great condition, this ship was very obviously a war ship, a galleon, as evidenced by the dark wood that seemed to be rotting, and the numerous old cannons still poking from its sides. The group looked at the ship in confusion at how it hadn't sunk yet due to its poor shape.

"Then, Colton watched as an old man wearing a gray cloak walked past them, carrying four baskets of fish and other various foods in them, heading towards the ship.

Without missing a beat, Cotlone spoke out to the old man, "Uh, excuse me, sir." This question from Coltone caused the man to turn around, revealing his face under the cloak. The first immediate features Coltone saw were his bald head and the massively long gray beard tucked into the cloak, as it hadn’t been cut in decades, and multiple scars over his face, which also revealed his annoyed look at being interrupted in his shopping.

"Yes... what can I do for you, lad?" The man asked in a raspy voice, with an annoyed tone as well.

"I apologize for interrupting, but my mates and I are looking for the captain of this... "fine "That ship," Coltone said, pointing to the old, battered galleon.

At his words, the annoyed look on his face dissipated and turned into a slight grin.

"Seriously? Maybe I have to But, what does this captain look like? I don’t have the best memory, lad, " The old man said, his raspy tone still present, but the annoyed tone had faded and been replaced by a slightly amused tone.

"Uhh... he was described to have great muscles given his age... and a long flock of gray hair on his head..."?" Dow and Octavius stared at each other in bewilderment, giving an almost "what the fuck" look on their faces.

The old man, though, stared at Coltone for a bit, making Coltone think he had said something wrong, before the old man burst into a fit of laughter.

"I’m just fucking with you, lad! Come here, fat man, take these, " The old man said, putting the baskets in Octavius’ hands. "C'mon, I’ll let you three on my ship!" The old man said, leading the three onto the old galleon.

—--

Once on board, the three noted how much of a mess everything on the main deck was. Ship equipment was thrown around, barrels with what seemed to be rotten food in them, as well as what seemed to be various holes around them, which further raised the question of whether they’d survive the voyage.

"Right, I forgot to introduce myself," the old man said, turning back around to the three. My name is Errol Hartmann. Once a former Navy General of the Aeqairis Navy! " The old man said, with an enthusiastic voice, as he saluted.

"Ehh... My name is Coltone. "These two behind me are called Octavius and Dow," Coltone took the initiative, giving himself the look of a leader in the group.

"That's so...? Well, welcome aboard my pride and joy, a once great galleon in the Navy given to me after my retirement, the Aurora, "the old man said, with some pride in his voice.

"Well, thank you a lot for letting us on this great-uh, nice ship..." Dow said."

Oh, don’t mention it, though. You Beast-Kin have really got to stop wearing cloaks everywhere you go. It makes you more suspicious than you intend, "the old man said," surprising Dow as to how he found out about it.

"Surprised, eh? Well, not many folks around here have skin tones darker than sand, so those who do are usually Beast-Kin. Don’t worry about it though, I honestly could care less about your species. Despite the things I’ve seen... "

Despite the strange thing he said at the end, Dow took off his cloak, letting his ears and tail be free from their prison. The old man then guided the three to his office in the old galleon, which he had now made into a bedroom.

"Now then, I really appreciate you lads joining me on this trip. Most, if not all, immediately leave after seeing the condition the Aurora is in, but she’s still a Goddamn good ship! " The old man shouted, shortly before grabbing a map and laying it across a table, "Now, where would you like to head off to?"

"Well, we know it’s well over a month long trip. But, could you sail to Elven Island? " Coltone said, pointing to the southwest corner of the map.

"The Elves? Strange, but exotic location.I won’t ask any questions! " The man said as he rolled up the map and put it away, before heading deeper into the ship with Coltone and the group following closely behind.

In the lower levels of the galleon, unlike the massively deteriorating outside, the inside was massively furnished, something they were not at all expecting.

"Holy shit..." "This looks like the inside of one of those fancy ballrooms those noble people have," Dow said, commenting on the ridiculously large furnished rooms.

"That was the style I was going for when I bought all this. After my retirement, I didn’t want to live in a large mansion all my life; I loved the sea too much. As a result, inside the old girl Aurora, she’s completely decked out to the brim in high-class, noble things! Also, don’t touch the cannons; they’re still loaded. "

"Well, thank you very much, Sir Hartmann, for letting us be on your ship. "I'm surprised you are honestly willing to bring us the Island of the Elves," Octavius said.

Don’t worry about it, but remember, I’m the only one to steer the ship, okay? The old man said, with a threatening tone.

"Yeah... we got it..." Dow said.

"Great, then first thing tomorrow, this old girl is going to sail across the ocean once more!" The old man shouted.