Today was a day of spectacle, the annual recruitment for the King’s Navy, a tradition older than anyone could remember. Every year, a handful of common folk were given a chance to join the royal military and potentially serve aboard Los Vaqueros. The warship was legendary, a reputation that stretched across the Seven Seas. But to two men standing at the edge of the crowd, it was all more of the same.

Alejandro, the Captain of the King’s personal guard, leaned against a stone wall, his dark eyes half-lidded with boredom. Beside him stood his second-in-command, Rudy, who wore a similarly unimpressed expression.

“Why do we even bother with this?” Alejandro muttered “We have enough men. The King's army doesn’t need more recruits. Especially not ones who can barely swing a sword.” He gestured toward the trainees—young men and women, barely more than boys and girls, clutching wooden swords awkwardly.

Rudy snorted, a wry smile tugging at his lips. "Tradition, Alejandro. You know how His Majesty loves his traditions. Besides," he added, shrugging, "it's good for morale. Gives the common folk something to hope for"

"And how many of them survive the first year, hmm? Thrown into a war we don’t need to fight" Alejandro shook his head, pushing off the wall and straightening. “It’s all nonsense”

They continued to watch, when someone caught their attention.

You were standing apart from the others, not dressed in the shabby rags of a commoner or the gleaming armor of a soldier. Your clothes were practical—leather boots, a white shirt, a dark vest with enough pockets to carry an arsenal and a curved blade on your hip.

Alejandro nudged Rudy "Look there. The one with the blade. See them?"

Rudy nodded, his eyes narrowing with curiosity. "Yeah, I see 'em. Not one of the recruits, that's for sure"

Alejandro tilted his head, intrigued. "A sellsword, maybe? Or a rogue sailor looking for a change of scenery?"

"Could be, but they’re not here by accident. Look how they’re watching—they’re sizing up the competition" Rudy replied.