Anastasia and Callista stood in front of the Pirate King's office. Its wooden doors occupied most of the wall, and its rough, dirtied surface showed how many visitors it had welcomed in the past.

  "Are you really sure about this? What are we even going to say?" Anastasia asked nervously.

  Callista glanced at her and rolled her eyes. "It will be fine," she said.

  "And how sure are you!?" Anastasia exclaimed helplessly.

  Without giving Anastasia time to prepare herself, Callista knocked hard on the door to ensure they were heard from the other side. Silence followed for a few seconds before the sound of continuous thuds and tumbling echoed from within. Callista and Anastasia exchanged glances.

  A few seconds later, Herald's voice came through. "Come in!"

  Callista pushed the door open, and they were immediately greeted by the thick scent of liquor and cigarettes. The room was filled with heavy leather jackets and hats, gold necklaces, and antiques lining every shelf.

  Herald sat behind a large desk at the other end of the room, cluttered with all kinds of trinkets and papers. His face lit up at the sight of them while he sprayed something in the air—what seemed like perfume—to cover the unpleasant smell that wasn’t appropriate for students like them.

  "Oh, to what do I owe this visit?" Herald grinned, his curly light brown hair tied back in a low, messy bun, and his beard still wet from drinking.

  Callista grimaced at the overwhelming scent as Anastasia elbowed her, reminding her to mind her manners and maintain a polite smile.

  "Yes, we’d like to know if we can have a moment of your time?" Anastasia asked politely, chuckling softly.

  Callista noticed the bottles of liquor stuffed under papers and tables—the source of the noise they had heard earlier. It was Herald's poor attempt to hide his morning drinking.

  Herald stared at them, caressing his beard as if deep in thought, before bursting out laughing. "Of course! What do ya youngins’ want to talk about, aye?" His voice was thick with a southern accent.

  Anastasia hesitated as she glanced around the room. Her eyes landed on a table in the middle of the quarters, where small treasure chests filled with gold coins and maps were stacked on top of one another.

  Her eyes brightened. "Oh, wow! Did you get all of this during your journeys?"

  Callista looked at her in disbelief, knowing full well that Anastasia had now strayed from their original goal.

  Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  Herald laughed, clearly amused by the sudden interest in Anastasia’s eyes. "Yer’ right, My Lady!" His accent, which he was trying so hard to conceal, slipped out even more—no doubt due to the liquor.

  As if finding a friend who shared similar interests, Herald stood up from his seat and walked toward Anastasia, his heavy boots thudding against the floor.

  "This beaut right here? We got it from the Ashen Tides!" He proudly showed off a sapphire necklace.

  "Oh, absolutely amazing!" Anastasia, of course, gave him a satisfying reaction. She clapped her hands in amazement. "Isn't the Ashen Tides known for its dangerous waves? Where did you find it?" she asked curiously.

  "I found it in the deeper waters of the Ashen Tides. It had been guarded by its protectors for centuries. It was said that this piece of jewelry curses its finder," Herald explained. "But, of course, nothin' beats this ol’ man!" He laughed.

  Callista grimaced at the annoying laughter as Anastasia’s eyes twinkled.

  Herald put the necklace down as his laughter died. Leaning back against the table, the look in his eyes shifted. "But that isn’t what ye’ came here to talk about, aye? Am I right?"

  Anastasia and Callista exchanged glances. Anastasia smiled, her expression much calmer and more professional—almost matching Herald's.

  "That's right. I hope you can indulge us young folks for a bit," Anastasia said with a polite smile.

  Callista glanced at her, crossing her arms. Anastasia was essentially asking Herald to listen without causing any disputes.

  Herald’s lips tugged into an amused smirk, the gold necklace dangling from his neck shimmering in the sunlight that seeped through the room. "What do ye’ young lads want to talk about?"

  Anastasia hesitated once again. "It's regarding Marin."

  The moment Herald heard her name, his face slightly faltered as he crossed his arms. "If this is some petty quarrel between ye’ children, I’m not gonna put myself in it."

  Callista finally stepped forward. "But this isn’t merely a children’s quarrel. It’s also about the recent disappearances and attacks."

  Anastasia nodded, immediately backing her up. "We believe it’s Marin’s doing. She’s targeting Caspian by using the other victims as decoys."

  The moment Anastasia said that, Herald slammed the table so hard that some of the maps and chests fell to the ground.

  "Are ye’ listenin’ to yerselves, mates? I’ve known Marin for years, and so have the other mates on this ship. Now ye’ come to me, accusin’ her of being what? A siren?" Herald glared at them with deadly intensity.

  Anastasia faltered, pursing her lips. She felt that if they pushed any further, Herald wouldn’t listen to them anymore.

  But it seemed Callista had a different plan. Anastasia’s eyes widened.

  "But that’s exactly what she is," Callista said.

  "Stop it, Callista," Anastasia tried to intervene.

  Callista remained composed. "Don’t tell me you’ve never considered it before? Marin being a siren, I mean. I’m sure you’ve already suspected it since the Ashen Tides are known for their sirens."

  Herald’s piercing gaze never wavered. "Don’t compare Marin to those scurvy dogs! Those bloodsuckers aren’t even worthy to be mentioned in the same breath as that child!"

  Callista scoffed, a cold laugh escaping her lips when she realized what was happening. "Oh, dear. You’re protecting her."

  Her words seemed to make Herald falter slightly. Anastasia immediately noticed.

  "Please understand that we don’t have any ill intentions. You’ve been good to us since we boarded this ship, and we just want to repay your kindness," Anastasia said softly.

  Herald finally looked at her.

  Anastasia pursed her lips, her expression now softer, showing concern and anxiety. "I know Marin is precious to you, and to be honest, she is to us as well. We just want to stop her from hurting others. We have no intention of harming her—or killing her. We just want to understand why she’s doing this."

  A heavy silence filled the room. Callista carefully studied the situation, looking at both Herald and Anastasia as she hid a smile.

  Callista sighed. "Come on, it’s useless talking to someone who won’t even listen." She began pulling Anastasia out of the room.

  Anastasia hesitated, looking back at Herald. "Please. We’re trying to stop her tonight," she said before being pulled out of the room.

  Herald remained standing there, without even looking back at them as they left the room.

  Anastasia sighed helplessly as Callista let go of her arm. "I'm sorry. I know we were supposed to persuade him, but I got emotional," she said, looking down.

  Anastasia was already expecting an earful from Callista, who always hated it when she became too emotional.

  But to her surprise, Callista looked at her, then back at the door where they had left, a small smile tugging at her lips. "It's alright. You did a good job."

  "Sorry, I— what?" Anastasia blinked at her in surprise. "I... did a good job?" She pointed to herself.

  Callista nodded. "Yeah. You can go back now," she said casually.

  Anastasia looked at her in disbelief. "What? In what way did I do a good job?"

  Callista raised a brow at her. "You just did. Why are you being so weird?"

  Callista walked off, leaving Anastasia gaping at her retreating figure in disbelief. "What the heck?"

  You're the one who's weird!