The Legacy of the Uncharted

~ Chapter 41 ~ The Duskwind's Departure

Captain Solara's sharp eyes flickered down to the pouch of gold that Rainer held out before meeting his gaze again. She wasn't one to take unnecessary risks, but the weight of the gold in his hand was hard to ignore, especially with a ship to run and a crew to pay.

    - Captain Solara (slowly): "Gold speaks loud, stranger. But so do your boots. They tell me you've got naval blood. Why would someone like you be looking for passage on a ship like mine?"

Rainer didn't flinch. He knew this wasn't going to be easy. Solara was no fool, and to earn her trust, even temporarily, would take more than just money. But he had no choice.

   - Rainer (calmly): "I've left the navy. Officially. If I stay here, they'll hunt me down. I need passage away from this port, and I need it fast. You get me out of here, and there'll be more gold in it for you. Enough to take you wherever you want to go."

Captain Solara raised an eyebrow, intrigued but still cautious.

   - Captain Solara: "Left the navy, huh? People like you don't just walk away. What makes you think I can trust you?"

Rainer took a deep breath. There was no use hiding the truth, not when the stakes were this high.

    - Rainer: "You don't have to trust me. But you can trust that the navy will be turning this port upside down soon, and you'll want to be gone before that happens. I can get you ahead of them. And when I'm gone, I won't be your problem anymore."

The crew members nearby exchanged glances, clearly listening in on the conversation. Solara studied Rainer for a long moment before nodding to one of her men.

  - Captain Solara: "Get him on board. But make no mistake, Rainer—if you double-cross me or bring the navy down on our heads, I'll throw you overboard myself. Understood?"

    - Rainer (nodding): "Understood."

With a wave of her hand, Captain Solara motioned for her crew to get ready. They were leaving port, and fast. Rainer followed her onto The Duskwind, the ship's planks creaking beneath his boots as he stepped aboard. The crew, a tough-looking mix of former pirates and smugglers, eyed him warily, but no one made a move. They knew better than to question Solara's decisions.

Setting Sail

The ship's crew moved with practiced precision as they prepared to leave the port. The sails were unfurled, catching the evening breeze, and The Duskwind began to pull away from the dock. The port city, with its looming naval presence, slowly receded into the distance as the ship glided over the dark waters.

Rainer stood at the stern of the ship, watching as the lights of the city faded into the night. His decision to leave the navy had been the right one, but the road ahead was still uncertain. Now, with only the trust of pirates and smugglers to rely on, he needed to think carefully about his next move.

As the wind picked up and The Duskwind cut through the waves, Rainer turned to face Captain Solara, who was standing near the helm, watching the horizon with a steady gaze.

   - Rainer: "I appreciate the quick departure. I'll make sure it's worth your while."

Solara didn't look at him, but her voice carried a note of curiosity.