Charles stared back and forth at the pelican and the raft as if he was losing his mind. "Oh! Sorry chap!"

He pulled out three golden coins from his back pocket and dropped the coins on the pelican’s leather book. “Why don’t you take these beautiful coins and forget about the raft.”

The pelican stared at the coins and glared at Charles. In a few moments, the pelican smiled. “Welcome to Brightmoon. Enjoy our casinos and banquet.”

Charles saluted and strolled down the dock as Lucy followed him.

“That was easy,” she whispered behind him.

“If you got the money, you can do anything here,” Charles answered.

Through the town on the cobblestone street, different animal people in fancy dresses and white coats. Light posts stood along the path between bushes and benches. No dirty rotten peasant ran around, begging for gold to fuel his gambling addiction. Only friendly folks looking for a good time.

Lucy did spot two scruffy looking fellows sitting on a porch. A bear and an owl, rolling two dices on a barrel. They must have their own personal game instead of wasting coins in a casino.

A fox sat on a bench, playing a hury-gurdy instrument. And a swarm lady picked a flower from a bush to sniff it.

This place looks so much better than my old home. Lucy hated to admit that, but her father told her honesty can be a good virtue. But never insult something unless you are looking for a fight.

Up a stairway, Charles climbed up toward a yellow mansion on a hillside. A giant seashell hung over a swinging double doorway.

"Is that the Golden Shell casino?" Lucy asked.

Charles reached the porch and smirked at her. "The only casino with a giant seashell on top."

Lucy wondered how tourists could tell since the casino didn't have a sign over the entrance. Perhaps asking the townsfolk who lived on Cordeen would know better than the new arrivals.

"Unhand me!" a voice from inside.

Charles and Lucy stepped aside as two bulls in black tuxedos pulled a turtle gambler out, wearing a raggy green suit.

"Get out, loser!" One bull shouted and pushed the turtle down the stairs.

The reptile tumbled down like a rolling ball. He hit the ground and slammed into two barrels.

The bulls laughed and marched back inside. As for the turtle, he got back up, dusted the dirt off his coat, and walking away while mumbling to himself.

Lucy felt her heart raced after she watched the poor reptile get thrown out without remorse. But the turtle seemed okay with a hard shell on his back.

"Don't worry, lass. They make the women clean the kitchen." Charles pushed the doors opened and stepped through.

Lucy followed him as she shrugged. "Better than getting your neck broken."

The casino lobby was packed with gamblers, all wearing fancy clothing like the other rich folks outside. They all sat around tables, rolling dices, and playing with cards, placing bets that made them cheer or cry. More bulls in black tuxedos roamed around, watching closely at the wealthy gamblers. Lucy could tell they were bouncers, making sure nobody starts trouble.

Toward the back stood a large stairway, built up to the second floor where more people gambled.

If the Backwash Tavern was fancy as the Golden Shell, the customers would get drunk for days.

Charles glanced around until he grinned at the far left corner. "There he is!"

Lucy looked, but she could only see a crowd of gamblers gathering around a table. "I can't see him."

"You will." Charles strolled through the gambling thong.

As she followed him, Lucy noticed some gamblers were players, wearing their own pirate gear. They were too busy playing with the NPCs, trying to win plenty of money to buy more gear.

After squeezing through the crowd, Charles and Lucy reached the table in the left corner. Two gamblers moved aside, giving them some room to join the commotion. They were all watching a dwarf white cat holding five cards in one hand. He definitely looked like a pirate with a red durag on top of his fluffy head. His head looked fluffy with a white mane around his small face, shaped like a round beard. He wore a blue robe tightened by a red scarf holding a pistol. One black eyepatch covered his right eight, nearly touching his large red nose. Over his blue robe, he also wore a heavy leather brown trench coat, which wasn’t big enough to cover his fat gut.

“That’s him,” Charles whispered.

Lucy beamed her eyes at the cat, checking out the fat pirate cat’s status.

Walton Hazel Level: 13 Race: Persian (Cat) HP: 130 Non-player character

Two tall white cat ladies sat with him, rubbing as if he was their lucky kitty. Concubines, obviously. The people of Oyster Haven never allowed concubines to set foot in their town. If Lucy had become one, her father wound scowl her for life. There were better labors than offering yourself to perverted people. Of course, Lucy knew better than turning into a harlot.

Walton smirked at his opponent, who was a horse in a red jacket and a white ponytail wig on his head.

“Aye fold!" The cat placed his cards down. Above the cards, five numbers appeared.

55533

The horse gritted his teeth and slapped his cards down. "Damnit!"

11234

"Walton is the winner!" The otter dealer announced.

Walton laughed and pushed the pile of tokens toward him. Both the cat ladies kissed his furry cheeks.

"Better luck next time, scallywag!" The cat shouted.

The horse snorted and walked away, giving Charles the chance to sit down in front of Walton. "Good evening, old chap."

Walton glared at Charles until he coughed a laugh. "Well, I be damn! Charles th' Traitor. Long time no see, scallywag. Did ye lost another crew?"

"Technically, I am sailing solo right now. But yes, I lost my crew to the Navy."

Walton laughed. "Meow! Ye see, beauties. Charles be a horrible cap'n. Sail wit' 'im, 'n ye will be sleepin' wit' th' fishes."

The cat ladies giggled.

Some old friend he is, Lucy thought.

"Why are ye here?" Walton lit a cigar in his mouth.

Charles scratched behind his head, humming as if he was about to say something embarrassing. "I need my ship back."

Walton burst out a loud laughter. "'Tis me ship still. Ye lost it fair 'n square."

"But you cheated unfairly."

Walton spat at the floor. "Ye can nah prove that. If th' dealer said I won, ye lost. Why don't ye get o'er it, scallywag."

Charles glared while tapping his fist on the table. There was murder in his eyes like he was ready to eat the cat up. But he didn't move a muscle. "Very well, let's have a rematch. Right here, right now."

Walton laughed off his ass. "Wit' wha'? Ye got gold?"

"Nope, but better than gold." The wolf pulled Lucy close to him. "This fine lass."

"What?" Lucy shouted.

Walton observed her, beaming his single blue eye. "Wha' be so special about her?"

"Aren't she a beauty?" Charles stroked Lucy’s hair. "A girl like her can make an excellent mate on your ship."

Walton blew a raspberry. "Dog strumpets are nah me fav'rit. I already got two beauties t' keep me in crew."

His feline ladies giggled, and one of them tickled his nose.

Charles pointed his thumb at Lucy. "She was also a bartender. She can craft free drinks for your crew."

Walton's pointy ears twitched as his eye widened. He slowly glanced at Lucy and smiled his yellow fangs. "Ye got a deal, mate!"

Lucy’s legs rattled, fearing Charles has just sold her into slavery unless he loses the game against Walton.