Hour after hour, suppliers arrived at the ship. The last one came closer to nightfall, delivering documents, fabrics, and other supplies. Adiar paid for everything, and the crew set to work storing the final cargo. Once the loading was complete, everyone retired to their cabins. Adiar and Elmis went to sleep like the rest—except for Rachel and Simon.

  Rachel approached his cabin door and knocked:

  — Simon, are you awake?

  — No, but you can come in, — he replied.

  Rachel stepped inside and hesitated for a moment before speaking:

  — Listen, don’t you think the captain is too soft on that elf? She doesn’t really do anything—just follows him around like a lost puppy! It’s so irritating… He’s always been ruthless and cold to everyone—except maybe the poor.

  Simon smirked.

  — Are you saying he’s in love?

  Rachel frowned.

  — Maybe… But tell me, haven’t you ever found it strange that the captain, even at seven years old, was already so merciless? Why does he fly into a rage every time someone mentions his mother?

  Simon fell silent for a moment, then stepped closer and hugged her.

  — Don’t overthink it, — he said. — But you do have a point… When I first met Adiar, even the guild leader turned pale from what he had done…

  Rachel tensed.

  — Tell me.

  Simon nodded and began recounting the events of two years ago, the day he would never forget… And that night, they shared a moment of passion.

  The morning was cool. The crew had already gathered, and Adiar was counting the men when the guild leader’s deputy, Arcest, approached him.

  This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

  — Captain, the guild leader demands your presence in his office.

  Adiar instantly knew it was serious. He nodded to Elmis, and the two of them headed for the guild.

  Upon entering the office, they heard the guild leader’s raspy voice.

  — Adiar, boy, do you even know why I called you here?

  Adiar shrugged.

  — Another dangerous mission?

  — No, you idiot! I’m talking about your expedition! I found out about it a week ago and waited for you to come and explain yourself. But you tried to do it all in secret!

  — That’s right, — Adiar answered calmly.

  Tardo sighed in frustration and launched into a long lecture about laws, the ban on such voyages without the crown’s permission, and the fact that two sons of an influential count would be accompanying him.

  Adiar held back his irritation and nodded in agreement. Elmis observed him, noting how his frustration only grew after the conversation.

  Back on the ship, they were met by their new passengers—Albrecht von Windheim and Albrecht von Waruchtein. Seeing them, Adiar grimaced and muttered:

  — Aristocratic roosters…

  Elmis elbowed him.

  — Relax, kid.

  The highborn young men greeted the crew and Adiar with practiced grace. Elmis stepped forward to introduce herself.

  — Pleased to mee—

  But she was immediately cut off.

  — What is a filthy elf doing on this ship?! — Windheim exclaimed in disgust.

  — Calm down, brother, — Waruchtein smirked. — Perhaps she belongs to the little captain… for his nighttime pleasures.

  Those words struck not only Elmis but also Adiar. His face darkened, and his voice turned to ice.

  — Excuse me, what did you just say? Nighttime pleasures?

  — Yes, is something wrong? — Waruchtein grinned.

  Simon, seeing that Adiar was about to snap, stepped up to the aristocrats and whispered something to them. Their faces instantly turned pale. Hastily, they stammered out apologies and handed Adiar a letter.

  Adiar unfolded the message and read aloud:

  "On behalf of House Albrecht, I ask you to turn my foolish sons into real men. I give you and your crew full permission to treat them like pigs—considering how they turned out, I raised them poorly."

  A sinister grin spread across the captain’s face.

  — Well then, pigs, — he chuckled, — welcome aboard.

  The crew erupted in laughter, and the ship set sail.

  End of chapter eight