The port city of Valarion was teaming with life as market vendors shouted advertisements of their wares, and people bustled about their days. The salt water of the Emerald Sea splashed against the foundations and walls of the great city, filling the streets with the scent of the sea. Fishermen were coming back in from their morning catch, and children played on the beach and in the shallows. Further out, ships were coming and leaving, picking up or delivering crates of various goods. Among the cobblestone pathways, Alister Gallows was running from a shitload of trouble.

It wasn’t even his fault this time. The mayor here had tried to double-cross him, and cheat him out of ⅓ of their agreed payment in exchange for the exotic birds he was delivering as pets. So Alister had relieved him of ⅓ of his body from his shoulders up. Of course, he was the bad guy though. As he cut through a back street, he came upon an uncomfortable sight.

Two older men were bothering someone younger. They looked like soldiers, but they apparently hadn’t heard of the sudden, tragic death of their mayor. Judging by their conversation, this wasn’t the first time these two had cornered the younger person. Alister frowned before he stepped behind the stranger being bothered.

“There you are, darling,” he said, flashing a charming smile down at them as he wrapped an arm around their shoulders. “I’ve been looking everywhere for you.”

He ignored their momentarily startled look and looked at the soldiers. “Me and my dearest will be leaving now,” he said, his tone gathering an edge as his eyes darkened.

He led the stranger around the jackasses, and calmly walked away. However, he could hear the commotion he was running from getting closer. He leaned down and whispered in the stranger’s ear.

“Don’t panic, but I’m being followed,” he mumbled. “I’m sorry, but it appears you’re involved now.”

As soon as he said that, soldiers tore into the back street. Alister immediately grabbed the stranger’s hand and broke into a run, pulling them behind him. They ran until they reached the dock where Evermore was already pulling away. One of his boys threw him a rope. He grabbed it with one hand, the other wrapping around the stranger’s waist as he jumped off the dock. He swung around to the stern, holding tight to the stranger he had accidentally brought along.

Alister landed on his feet, catching the stranger in his arms with a small smile. “I should probably know your name before this goes any further. Sorry for the dragging, but I figured you’d prefer a pirate ship to a prison cell.”