Trouble

The morning sun hung low in the sky, casting a golden glow over Greywater. The air was crisp, the cool breeze that whispered of new beginnings. Caius stood by the shore, gazing at the calm ocean before him. His heart raced with a mix of excitement and apprehension.

At his feet rested a small, sturdy boat—his boat. It wasn't much, just a little vessel he'd used to play around the nearby waters, but today, it symbolized something far greater. Today, it wasn't for play. This time, it was for real.

Caius adjusted the leather strap of his small pack—a compact satchel that hung comfortably across his back. Inside, he had packed the basics: a few pairs of clothes, dried rations, a small flask of water, and a compact knife. Enough to keep him going until he found his way to larger supplies. The pack was light but contained all the essentials for the journey ahead.

But what stood out most was the pair of cutlasses strapped securely at his waist. He had chosen the twin cutlasses from Reynar's collection, their dark blood-red hilts gleaming in the morning light. 

Each blade was housed in a scabbard, strapped and crossed to his back, allowing easy access when needed. Their weight was reassuring, a reminder of the power and responsibility that came with this adventure.

He ran his fingers over one of the scabbards, feeling the smooth leather beneath his fingertips. These blades were more than weapons, symbolizing his readiness to face whatever the seas might throw at him.

Behind him stood the only people he trusted with his dream—Aunt Maria, Jory, and Reynar. No one else knew of his departure, and Caius preferred it that way. The empire had eyes everywhere, and he couldn't risk word of his journey spreading. If the empire's navy intercepted him, his adventure would be over before it even began.

Reynar stood with his usual composed stance, giving Caius a nod of approval. His eyes flickered to the twin cutlasses at Caius's waist, a silent acknowledgment of the challenge that had earned him those blades.

Jory, on the other hand, looked both excited and nervous. He had been the first to cheer Caius on, but now, standing on the verge of the journey, the reality seemed to hit him. "This is really happening, huh?" Jory muttered, his eyes darting between Caius and the boat.

Aunt Maria stood beside them, her warm smile carrying both encouragement and a trace of sadness. She had prepared for this day, but watching Caius prepare to sail away was something no amount of time could make easier. "You've got everything?" she asked, her voice soft and caring.

Caius turned to face her, offering a nod. "Everything I need."

Maria smiled, though her eyes lingered on him longer than usual. She stepped forward and pulled him into a hug. "Just promise me you'll be careful out there. And don't forget to write when you can."

Caius returned the hug, feeling the warmth of her embrace and the weight of his impending journey. "I will, Aunt Maria. I promise."

Jory stepped closer with a grin, trying to lighten the mood. "Just make sure you bring back some treasure, alright? Don't forget us when you're rich and famous."

Caius smirked, adjusting the cutlasses at his hips. "I'll bring back enough treasure to buy Greywater twice over."

They both knew that treasures and wealth were not what Caius aimed for. He wanted to become like how the legendary Silver Serpents crew. 

Reynar chuckled softly at their banter but remained silent, his sharp eyes watching Caius closely. The old man's presence was reassuring, yet it held the weight of everything Caius had learned from him.

The sound of waves gently lapping against the shore reminded them that time was running out. Caius glanced at the small boat, his heart pounding with anticipation. He could feel it—the beginning of something bigger than anything he had ever imagined. Adventure and freedom were all waiting just beyond the horizon.

With one last deep breath, Caius placed his hand on the boat. This was it. Everything was in place with the twin cutlasses at his back, the weight of the pack on his back, and the steady rhythm of the ocean.

No empire, no navy, no one would stand in his way.

Caius had pushed off from the shore, his small boat gliding smoothly over the water. The gentle waves lapped against the sides as he rowed farther away, the figures of Reynar, Jory, and Aunt Maria growing smaller in the distance. Soon, their voices faded completely, leaving only the ocean's sound and his oars' rhythmic pull.

Back on shore, with Caius just out of earshot, Reynar glanced at Aunt Maria with a knowing grin. "The weapon in that boy's hands… it's going to bring him trouble."

Jory's brow furrowed in confusion. "What do you mean?"

Reynar and Aunt Maria chuckled softly. Reynar gestured toward the horizon, where Caius was disappearing into the distance. "With how flashy those weapons are, people—especially the bad kind—will be drawn to them. They'll want what he has."

Jory blinked, glancing at the twin cutlasses Caius had chosen. "Weapons? You mean Stormfang?"

After Caius passed the final test yesterday, Reynar told them the weapon's name.

Reynar nodded, his smile widening. "That's right. Stormfang. He'll find out soon enough what it means to carry a weapon like that."

Jory, still looking worried, shook his head. "Then why didn't you or Aunt Maria say anything? He should know what he's getting into!"

Aunt Maria chuckled again, her eyes glinting with amusement. "Because it'll make his journey a lot more… interesting."

Torn between concern and curiosity, Jory raised his hand to wave at Caius. "I should tell him—"

But Caius, already a good distance away, glanced back and saw Jory waving. From where he was, it looked like Jory was enthusiastically cheering him on. Caius smiled, waving back, thinking his friend was sending him off with encouragement.

Jory sighed, lowering his hand. "He has no idea…"