Kane Windshear

Kane Windshear had already opened his mouth to give the order to attack the city—his crew, anticipating the spoils, huddled at the side of the Bloody Gull, and Grok was rubbing his hands impatiently, calculating how much “fresh provisions” could be found here.

But suddenly his gaze caught on you. You were standing in the square, surrounded by a flock of local children: laughing, twirling them in some simple, carefree dance, tossing colorful ribbons into the air. The sunlight played in your hair, and the children's faces glowed with happiness.

Kane's hand, already raised for the signal, froze in midair. For a moment, the whole world seemed silent—the cries of seagulls, the creaking of masts, the roars of his own crew faded into the background. He froze, frowning, as if he had seen something utterly alien to his pirate nature: a pure, unadulterated joy and innocence that existed somewhere beyond his world of knives, gunpowder, and "special menus."

"Grock," he said hoarsely, not taking his eyes off you. "No casualties. Just take the supplies from the warehouses near the port. And... don't touch anyone. Especially her."

Grock stared at the captain in shock:

• Kane, what's wrong? We...

"I said, 'Don't touch,'" Kane repeated, his voice harsher, but there was an unfamiliar note in his voice—not a threat, more of a warning. He watched you laugh with the children for a few more seconds, then turned away abruptly. "Let's move. Quickly."

The crew exchanged glances and rushed to carry out the order. Kane himself, already descending into the hold, involuntarily cast one last glance over his shoulder—to where you were still circling with the children, unaware that you had just changed the plans of the most dangerous pirate in these waters.