Chapter 2

The young merchant yawned as she woke up in her room. "Well, the shop ain't gonna stock itself!"

She proceeded to wear a white dress with the collar popped upwards, reaches below her knees, and yellow ribbons tied around her short and puffed sleeves. She completed her outfit with a brown leather vest and boots, along with a large grey backpack she took the burden of carrying. The girl sported green eyes and and short brown hair with bangs on each side of her face.

The merchant left her room to greet her parents, both tending the store they lived in. "Morning, Ma! Morning, Pa!"

The girl's father, Olneo, greeted her in return: "Morning, Tressa! Looks like our number one employee is ready for another day of work!"

Tressa nodded gleefully. "Sure am! And I'll start by stocking up the store."

Tressa proceeded to head to the front door, before her father stopped her.

"Hold your seahorses, young lady! Tell me: what are the three things a merchant needs most?"

Tressa answered: "They need to be smiley, mannerly, and early! Thought you had me, didn't you?"

"Hehehe. You're too clever for me, Tressa. Now off ye go!"

"Leave it to me, Pa!"

Tressa's mother, Marina, cautioned her daughter: "Be careful out there, Tressa. Oh, those pirates have been causing trouble around the tavern lately. If you see them, you make sure to keep a wide berth, you hear?"

Tressa responded to her mother: "Got it, Ma! Be back in two ripples of the tide!"

Tressa left through the front door as Olneo regarded his wife: "There she goes. She reminds me of myself when I was that age. Always running off somewhere, wanting to prove myself a full-fledged merchant."

"Don't flatter yourself, dear. Our Tressa is something special."

"Hehe. That she is."

Tressa left her home as she proceeded to walk through her town of Rippletide. It was composed of several two-story buildings built with solid brick and concrete, as was befitting a port town within the Coastlands. Several boats docked in the pier, which itself lied adjacent to a marketplace among which Tressa received her supplies for her family's store.

At the marketplace, a fisherman regarded the approaching girl: "Well, if it ain't the hardest-working' merchant in town! Ye even beat some fishermen to the pier."

"Hehe. Don't sound so surprised! We both know the early bird gets the worm. Or, in our case, the fish!"

The fisherman responded: "Yer darn right it does. Well, here's the catch of the morning."

Tressa regarded the fisherman's captured goods: "Blue marlin, I see. A big one, too. With lots of good meat on its bones...I can give you this much for it."

The fisherman looked at the coins Tressa was holding, before replying: "It's worth a li'l more than that. This one's a whopper!"

"I guess I'll just have to take my business elsewhere then. Your hook snagged its innards. I was willing to overlook the damage, but…"

"Fine. Ye got yourself a deal, missy."

Tressa smiled in glee: "Pleasure doing business with you!"

Tressa handed the fisherman her gold, before he regarded her: "Ye drive a hard bargain. Yer a born natural at negotiating. I was wrong to underestimate ye."

Tressa chuckled. "Ya got that right! I may not look like much, but I can haggle with the best of them."

"I learned my lesson. Well, don't be a stranger!"

"I won't! Thanks again!" Tressa shook hands with the fisherman, before she turned to her next objective. "Next stop, wine!"

Tressa proceeded to grab a bottle of wine from a beverage vendor near her home, who ended up selling the bottle for a mere 50 leaves.

"Another day, another deal! A deal so good, it was practically a steal! This outta liven up our little shop!"

Tressa reflected on her words as she stopped on a bridge connecting the pier to Rippletide's buildings before she hung her head down: "Our little shop…Just me, Ma, and Pa...if I don't take over, who will?"

Tressa turned her towards the sea. "The ocean is so vast."

I always wonder...What do I really want to do? What do I really want in life? And then I wonder...What lies beyond the horizon?

Tressa's contemplative thoughts were interrupted by the ringing of a large ship approaching the pier.

Meanwhile, at the marketplace…

"Koff-koff-koff-hack-hack!" wheezed an old street vendor at Rippletide's center of wares.

"Oh dear Flame! Honey, are you alright?!" said the vendor's wife.

The vendor replied, trying to compose himself: "I'm fine honey. It's just a bad cou-" But the vendor couldn't bring himself to finish his train of thought, as he found himself continually coughing and hacking violently again. His wife's eyes widened in fear at her husband's condition, until a young apothecary appeared right next to the vendor's wife.

"Sir, I have to ask. Do you use the pipe often?" inquired the apothecary towards the vendor.

"Why, I've been using the pipe for fifty-odd years now" answered the vendor after finishing his last cough.

Alfyn sighed in annoyance. "Oh boy. You remind me of a guy in my village who just couldn't quit the damn thing. But let's put the withdrawal talks off later, right now I need to treat that cough."

"Now please, don't worry yourself kid. I'm just fine. Ain't no pipe going to ruin my breathin-" But the old man found himself suddenly coughing with his head completely bent over, just as the apothecary pulled out a concoction appropriate for old smokers who just don't know when to give up.

"Please drink this sir" requested the apothecary. "It'll help put off the coughs for a while."

The old man, starting to understand how severe his cough was by this point, obliged the young apothecary and drank the concoction that the apothecary was holding in his hand. Soon, the vendor found himself feeling much better. "Why thank you, young man. I don't know how much you charge for this drink, but I wouldn't expect little from one who knows his craft well."

The apothecary replied: "Don't worry about the price, old man. I just saw someone in a bind, and I wanted to help him out. Though quitting the pipe, even if it's just for a bit, can really help you out. But I'm not gonna push ya too much. The name's Alfyn, by the way…"

Meanwhile, at the dock...

"Drop anchor!"

An anchor did indeed drop from the large ship, as Tressa regarded its arrival: "I haven't seen that ship around here before. Wonder where it came from." Tressa headed towards the area where the new ship was parked.

The owner of the ship stepped onto the dock, before he examined Rippletide: "What a dreary town...But it carries a delectable scent. Its cuisine may be promising."

The captain proceeded to walk towards the town, before he noticed the girl eyeing his ship. "What's the matter, lass? You look like a fish out of water."

Tressa asked: "Is this a trading ship?"

"Indeed, and I am its captain."

"Well, Captain, the name's Tressa. I'm a merchant in this town."

"A pleasure to meet you."

"I'm sure you have all kinds of neat cargo onboard. Say, would you mind if I take a peek? I'd love to see what you've brought from overseas."

The captain chuckled. "You have a true merchant's eye, lass. You gaze at a simple trading ship as if it were made of solid gold. Alas, I only allow passage to those I trust."

Tressa held her head down at the captain's rejection, before hearing sounds of crashing and cluttering coming from the marketplace. "What was that? I'll go check it out." Tressa proceeded to head towards the source of the distracting noise.

"Busy as a bream, that one" said the captain as he saw Tressa leave.

At the marketplace...

"Don't, I beg you!" said the frightened street vendor towards the pirates approaching the old man to rob him and his wares. "This is all I have left…"

The thinner pirate, sporting a thin chin curtain beard along with brown pants and a short brown vest, replied to the vendor: "Then we be in the same boat, matey. We got nothing left ourselves. Ain't that right, Makk?"

The larger pirate, sporting a mustache along with blue pants with a brown belt and a short green vest, as well answered his accomplice: "Aye, Mikk. And when we be needing something, we be taking it. Tis what pirates do, after all."

"Please, have mercy" begged the vendor.

A lackey approached his two captains. "Sirs! I got the goods from that there shop!"

Mikk responded in frustration towards the lackey: "Everyone knows there's only one captain around me, and it'd be me."

Makk replied: "Hah! Everyone knows I be the captain and yer me first mate."

"We'll see about that, Makk, ya scurvy swine!"

"Aye, we will, Mikk, ye scabby-bottomed sea bass!"

The two captains then heard two different voices speak up: "Hey! Stop that!"

Mikk and Makk turned to see a young merchant and apothecary shouting at them. Tressa spoke up: "The people here are merchants and fishermen doing all they can to put food on the table. Have a heart! Don't steal what little they have from them!"

Mikk responded: "How's this for heart? I'll give ye one chance to shove off, kid."

Makk added: "Best to be on yer way, little one. We're doing grown-up business here."

Tressa growled. "I'm not going anywhere."

Mikk looked upon Tressa's goods, and remarked: "Well, well. What ye got there, kid?

Makk answered: "It's rainbow wine! And it'll be ours now!"

Makk swiped the rainbow wine from Tressa's pack. "A brat like ye wouldn't appreciate it none anyways. We're doing ye a right favor by taking it off yer hands. Now say 'thank ye.'"

Tress quickly reached her temper. "Give it back!"

Alfyn looked towards Tressa and spoke to her with concern for her rising anger. "Don't worry about your wine and these peoples' goods. I'll get them back from these low-lifes." Alfyn then turned his attention towards Mikk and Makk. "I'm only going to ask you once to give everything you took from these people back to them." Just as Alfyn finished his sentence, Makk stomped towards Alfyn and decked the apothecary hard enough in the face to leave him dazed and stunned on the ground.

"Or you're going to do what now?" asked a mocking Makk.

Tressa gasped at the apothecary lying face-down on the ground, and soon boiled in rage towards the pirates. "Why you-"

"That's enough lass" said the familiar voice of the captain as he approached Tressa and the pirates. "You and that young man have got pluck, I'll give you that. But they don't look like the types who'll listen to reason, savvy?"

Makk replied: "That lily-livered scalawag knows what he's talking about, kid. Best take his advice to heart. In this world, the strong take while the weak quake."

Mikk shouted: "Thank ye kindly for the loot, ye deck-wetting worms!"

Makk said his goodbyes as well: "Aye, it's been a bloody pleasure."

The pirates left as the captain turned his attention back towards Tressa. "There's no need to pretend, lass. Your legs are trembling."

"It's just a cramp, that's all" replied Tressa.

"Not even the best merchant can buy back his life once it's taken from him" said the captain.

"I know, but…"

Alfyn groaned as he became fully conscious again and started to stand up from the punch that left him with a cracked and bloody nose. Tressa turned her attention to Alfyn and helped him on his feet.

"Those damn pirates. Are you alright?" asked Alfyn to Tressa.

"I should be asking you that mister. That big one hit you so hard I was ready to fight them because of how much they hurt you" responded Tressa.

"Don't worry about me. I know how to treat that punch I got. I'd feel worse if something bad happened to you because of me. Oh, and, the name's Alfyn by the way."

Alfyn held his hand out to Tressa, and Tressa reciprocated the gesture. "I'm Tressa. I'd say it's nice to meet you Alfyn, but the pirates didn't make our meeting a nice one."

"Yeah, tell me about it" replied Alfyn.

The old street vendor robbed by the pirates spoke up: "Why won't they just leave us alone? Those pirates should be out at sea! Instead, they're holed up in the Caves of Maiya, west of town. What do I do now?"

Tressa and Alfyn heard the vendor's words, and understood where to go now. They both turned their heads towards the direction of the Caves of Maiya, just as the captain turned his attention to them. "Going somewhere, lass and laddie? If I didn't know better, I'd say you two were setting a course straight for the pirates' den. Awfully rash, wouldn't you say?"

Tressa and Alfyn both thought about how dangerous it would be to face the pirates, but also understood the harm they caused to the townsfolk of Rippletide. Tressa and Alfyn both looked and nodded at each other, understanding what the other wanted. They were both happy to see someone else supporting them on their mission to retrieve the town's wares from the thieves responsible for taking said wares.

"And still you intend to go, I see" remarked the captain. "That must mean you have a foolproof plan of attack. And a weapon, of course. You wouldn't dare go empty-handed, would you? Only a fool would think they could haggle their wares back from dastardly pirates."

Tressa raised her voice towards the captain: "I know, but I can't just sit by and do nothing! Those poor people might starve if they don't get their belongings back! On my honor as a merchant, I can't let them get away with this!"

"And on my honor as an apothecary, I can't let these people suffer because of those pirates" said Alfyn.

"A fine choice of words, lass and laddie."

"Really?" asked Tressa.

"Aye, if you're so determined, I won't stop you...on the condition that you let me help."

"How so?" asked Tressa.

"I'm willing to part with some of my wares if you think they'll prove useful on your journey. If there's something that catches your eye, consider it yours...for the right price, of course."

Tressa's mood brightened at the captain's offer to help. "Deal!"

Tressa and Alfyn looked among the captain's wares, before Tressa settled upon purchasing a spear, crossbow, and sleepweed.

"I understand the use in the spear and the crossbow, but why would you choose sleepweed?" asked the captain.

"I'm sure those pirates must be exhausted after all that looting. So I thought I'd help them relax by slipping some of this into their wine."

The captain laughed. "You're a clever one, aren't you? Off you go, then. And be safe out there, lass."

"Thank you! By the way, Captain...why are you helping me?"

The captain answered: "Because my eye tells me to do so. As a fellow merchant, I'm sure you understand. We appraise with our eyes. And mine tell me there's something special about you."

"Hehe. I see. Thank you, Captain" said Tressa as the captain nodded and started walking back to his ship.

Alfyn turned his attention to Tressa with the sleepweed in her hand. "You're not kidding when you said you'll knock them out with that. That amount of sleepweed you have for knocking out the pirates should last until, at the very least, the sun is in the center of the sky tomorrow."

"Exactly" said Tressa. "I've got a barrel of wine back at my house. I can use it to mix with the sleepweed, and bam! We've got ourselves a lovely gift for the pirates."

"Sounds good to me" said Alfyn. "And if you don't mind, I can help mix the herb. Hell, I can probably get it right to keep them knocked out for two days."

Tressa felt elated at the apothecary's offer to help in the mixture. "Thanks for the assist. Come on. Let's get to my place and grab that wine." Tressa turned her attention towards the direction of her home, before she stopped and turned to Alfyn. "Oh, and please don't tell my parents we're going to that cave. They would never let me out of that house again."

Alfyn nodded. "You know, to be honest, I don't want you to get hurt going to that cave. But at the same time, I know you'd just go there without me anyway. Guess we've both got at least one thing in common."

"And what's that?" asked Tressa.

"We're both stubborn asses" said Alfyn.

Tressa smirked at Alfyn's comment and lightly jabbed him on his shoulder. "You got that right."

At Tressa's home…

"Oh dear, where could Tressa be?" asked Marina.

"Probably still paying for goods with great deals on her part, honey" answered Olneo. "I sensed that kind of determined and non-stop spirit within her before she left."

As Olneo finished his sentence, the door to his shop opened and both Tressa and a young man entered. "I guarantee you sir, that our wine is the best wine you'll have across the entire continent of Orsterra" said Tressa.

"No kidding? I've had plenty of drinks where I'm from, and those are pretty hard to match in satisfaction" said Alfyn.

"You've only had your drinks in the Riverlands, Alfyn. You've never acquired the fine taste one would pick up here in Rippletide, let alone the Coastlands" said Tressa as she then turned her attention towards a nearby barrel of wine. "All you need is one barrel of my family's wine, and you'll be set for the happiest experience in your life."

Olneo and Marina were simultaneously impressed and concerned with Tressa's praise and exaggeration of their wine stock, and were wondering where Tressa was going with her offer to the young man Alfyn.

"One barrel, eh?" pondered Alfyn. "Call me intrigued. I suppose I can try this stuff back at my place. Let me just pay for the wine and I'll be on my way."

"Oh no, I insist on delivering your product" said Tressa as she grabbed one side of the barrel to lift up. Alfyn quickly got to the other side and lifted the barrel as well. "Well, if you insist, then I'm helping you take this thing back to where I'm staying."

"Very well" said Tressa as the two went out the door with a barrel of wine in their hands.

"That man didn't pay for the wine. I sure hope Tressa knows what she's doing" said Marina.

"Don't worry, dear. One of the best ways to make loyal customers is to treat them like your friends" said Olneo. "I bet that by the end of this day, that young man is gonna wish he had found us sooner. And it's all thanks to Tressa."

Outside...

Alfyn grabbed Tressa's sleepweed and proceeded to mix the entire herb into the barrel of wine they had. "Hehe. That should do the trick. Now to make a special delivery to the Caves of Maiya!"

"You said it!" responded Tressa.

On the sandy path towards the Caves of Maiya...

"Hey. You really think they're gonna buy our 'apology'?" asked Alfyn.

"Without a doubt" said Tressa. "A merchant's gotta know her customers well to get anything sold. Those guys may be tough and mean, but they're far from smart. They'd sooner believe in our apology if it means they get wine, than disbelieve us and lose all that good wine." Tressa then looked to see a pirate guarding the mouth of the cave. "Here we are. Ready?"

"Ready" said Alfyn.

Both of them proceeded to approach the guarding pirate.

"Ahoy there, me hearty!" said Tressa.

"Not you again! You both looking for more trouble?" said the pirate.

Tressa answered the pirate: "No siree! I came to apologize on behalf of my town. We should've known we didn't stand a chance against you swashbucklers. This is for you. I hope you can forgive us."

Alfyn pushed the barrel of wine towards the pirate. "Here ya go. One full barrel of wine for your whole crew."

The pirate looked ecstatic at the sight of the barrel. "The captains will be happy to see this."

The pirate grabbed the barrel and proceeded to enter the cave to present the gift to his bosses.

"Hehe. Bottoms up" said Tressa.

A few hours later…

"Man, the wait is killing me. I feel like at this point they should all be knocked out from the wine by now" said Tressa.

"You're right, Tressa. It should be just about time for the sleepweed to overwhelm them" said Alfyn.

"Then what are we waiting for? Let's go get everybody's stuff back!"

"I know, but we should move quietly because they might still hear our footsteps while they doze off. Before we go in, I just wanted to say thanks for coming along Tressa. I was planning to face those pirates all by myself, and here you come with a cool plan of putting the sleepweed into their wine and convincing them to drink it. I know it's not easy to face something this dangerous, but believe me when I say I'm scared too. But what matters is that we help the other people are suffering, because it's the right thing to do."

"Thanks Alfyn. I'm glad you came along as well. You were right when you said I would've left even if you told me not to go. Having you here makes me feel safer, and it reminds me of how careful I have to be. Seeing you punched like that made me all worried, but you're right about helping others. Those thieves took my town's way of living, and I'm not gonna stop myself from doing the right thing like you. If you want to leave and head to back to Rippletide now, I won't blame you. Being nervous isn't something I could easily hide, as that captain pointed out."

"You kidding? I didn't come this far just to leave like a coward and let others suffer because I didn't help them out of their binds. Whatever happens to me, so be it. I'll be happy when Rippletide's happy and you're happy. Now let's get those wares back from those damn pirates" said Alfyn.

Inside the cave…

Alfyn and Tressa noticed the guard pirate lying with his back against a natural wall in the cave while snoring.

"Looks like the sleepweed worked like a charm" whispered Tressa.

"Sure does, but let's be careful" whispered Alfyn back to Tressa.

The two stepped quietly through the cave, passing by the bodies of several sleeping pirates until they came upon a huge stash of Rippletide's supplies in the back of the cave.

Tressa noticed Mikk and Makk sleeping near their stolen goods.

I hope there's treasure in your dreams, because there won't be any here when you wake up! Hehe… thought Tressa.

She then turned to see Alfyn already starting to grab all the town's goods, and proceeded to head over to him to help carry all that stuff out.

"Hey! What're you doing here?!"

The two turned to see the captain Mikk awake and looking directly at them.

"Us?" asked Tressa. "Er, well, we just came back to get the cask. We'll be going now…"

"Oh, that's mighty kind of ya" said Mikk in a mocking tone. "Makk, ye lazy sack of bones, get up! We got ourselves a couple of intruders!"

Makk then suddenly got up and exclaimed "What?!"

Alfyn remarked at the sight of the man who decked him and was now awake. "Oh no…"

"Hey, I know you! Yer those two morons from the town" said Makk. "Ohhh...I get it now. Ye came to steal our loot while we was sleeping, didn't ye? Ye got guts, ye both. But guts alone won't get ye far in this world."

"We don't forgive none what tries to take our hard-earned loot" said Mikk.

Tressa speak in a more angered tone. "Hard-earned? You stole all of this! You don't understand the meaning of earning anything! You don't understand all the love and care that went into making those products. How hard those people have to work to earn the satisfaction of their customers! And it's up to merchants like me to make sure these products find their way into the hands of those who can appreciate them! So on my honor as a merchant, I will get those goods back!"

Alfyn nodded to Tressa. "You're right Tressa. These guys don't realize how much pain they're causing from stealing these people's livelihoods. I'm not a warrior, but I made a promise to myself to never let anyone suffer while I have the power to save them. So even if these pirates kick my ass, I won't back down on my honor as an apothecary."

Tressa smirked. "You said it, ya stubborn ass. Now, let's down to business" Alfyn smirked at Tressa's comment as well.

"Yer shark bait, brats!" said Mikk.

"Don't expect us to go easy on ye. The world's a harsh place, as we're about to teach ye!" said Makk.

Mikk shouted "Mateys!"

Several more pirates heeding Mikk's call show up, surrounding Alfyn and Tressa.

"Yer both ninnies for challenging' us all on yer own" said Makk. "In this world, the strong take while the weak quake! Time to learn your place, ye squirmy li'l maggots!"

The two captains and their crew started to approach the two that challenged them, before they were interrupted by a spear-wielder moving quickly past the pirates and stopping in front of Alfyn and Tressa.

"That's far enough" said a familiar voice. Tressa recognized the spear-wielder as the captain who sold her the sleepweed back at the port. "Those who only pick on the weak and defenseless have no right to speak of the way the world works."

"Well, if it ain't the lily-livered scalawag from before" said Mikk. "What difference does one more make? Get them!"

Mikk and Makk's pirate crew approached, before the captain swiftly jabbed his spear into the shoulders of all the crewmen in quick succession. He moved at such incredible speed that none of the witnesses could keep him in their line of sight for even a second.

"Arggg! He done swabbed our decks! Just who are ye?" asked Makk.

"Hm? I'd think any pirate worth his brine would already know" said the captain.

"That blue spear…" said Mikk.

"With the strength and swiftness of a viper…" said Makk.

"Could it really be…" said Mikk.

"Captain Leon Bastralle!?" asked Makk.

Tressa's eyes widened. "What!? Captain, are you really…the Leon Bastralle?" asked Tressa while looking directly at her savior.

Captain Leon answered: "Aye, in name, though a pirate no longer. Now I'm just the captain of a humble merchant ship." Captain Leon then turned his attention towards Mikk and Makk: "Here's a lesson for you lads, from a true man of the sea: Dead men tell no tales."

"I...I ain't ready to be a dead man yet!" exclaimed Mikk.

"Haul bottom, mateys, else it be the locker for us!" exclaimed Makk.

Mikk and Makk, along with the rest of their crew, then dashed quickly out of the cave and out of sight of the fearsomely swift Captain Leon Bastralle.

"Heh. Their feet are as quick as their wits are slow" said Captain Leon.

"Whew. We just managed to avoid a fight because of your help. Thanks for backing us up, Captain" said Alfyn.

"Please, just call me Leon, laddie and lass."

"Mr. Leon….thank you for saving me" said Tressa in a grateful tone.

"I believe one good turn deserves another. Now, have you gathered all you need?" asked Leon.

"Yup! All that's left is to bring back the goods!" said Tressa.

"Excellent work. Now you can return back to Rippletide, your honor as a merchant all the greater" said Leon while looking towards Tressa. Leon then turned his head towards Alfyn. "And your honor as an apothecary all the greater as well."

"Aw, shucks, I was just doing what needed to be done" said Alfyn, smiling at the compliment he received.

Leon then turned his attention towards the entrance to the cave.

"I must head back to the docks. Tis high time I left the port."

"You're leaving so soon?" asked Tressa.

"The sea calls me lass. But before I do, why don't you come by my ship? Same to you laddie" said Leon as he turned his attention between Tressa and Alfyn.

At Captain Leon's ship…

"What are you waiting for, lass?" asked Leon.

Tressa stood on the pier, looking at Leon's ship and the captain onboard it. "It's just...You said you only let those you trust onto your ship, so…"

Leon nodded. "So climb aboard already, both of you."

Tressa and Alfyn both nodded as they both approached and entered onto Leon's ship.

"It took a great deal of courage to stand up to those pirates. And I believe such bravery is deserving of reward. I've collected countless treasures from the furthest corners of this are my most prized possessions. And you may take whichever you fancy."

Tressa's eyes widened. "Really?! I could never take something so precious from you."

Leon responded. "It's okay, lass. I insist. Unless you don't care much for treasure, hm?"

Tressa answered: "When you put it that way, I can't really refuse!"

"Haha, that's the spirit!" said Leon.

"I always knew the world was full of treasures. But I never dreamt I'd see such wonders" said Tressa. She proceeded to start looking around Leon's ship, before stopping at the sight of a portrait of a fair maiden. "This is...beautiful…"

"Yeah, that lady in that painting sure does pretty" said Alfyn as he looked at the same portrait that Tressa was observing.

"Oho, a fine choice. What strikes you about the painting, lass?" asked Leon.

"I...don't really know" answered Tressa. "Out of all these incredible treasures, this one, it...It speaks to me. It's like I can see into the artist's soul. I can feel what he felt, all he experienced in his world."

Leon remarked: "That is Love Unforgotten, a work left behind by Bastian, a famed painter from a land to the west. He was quite the admirer of women, and married four times. And yet he could never forget the memory of his first love, who tragically passed when the two were babes of thirteen years. It was his life's work to depict her as a woman grown, the beauty he knew she'd have one day become, working on the piece until the end of his career. Today, it is one of the world's most famous works of art."

"Wow...I never knew" said Tressa. "Mr. Leon, would you mind if I looked around a little longer?"

"To your heart's content, lass" answered Leon.

Tressa proceeded to look more around the ship, as Alfyn spoke to Leon. "Wow. Tressa was so interested in that painting, and she didn't even know how big that portrait was across all the lands. She really does have the eye of a merchant. Kinda like me when it comes to the apothecary work, I guess. We both care a lot about the crafts we learn, her knowing the worth of goods and me knowing how to treat the ill. We have different jobs, but how much we pay attention to our jobs and to other people is what's important for both of us."

"Aye lad," remarked Leon, "she's a born merchant, that one. I too can see it in her eyes. She knew not a thing of Bastian, yet identified that painting as a masterpiece in an instant. I thought that this was a sleepy town, but that girl...She just might be a shining gem among the rocks."

"Did you two say something?" asked Tressa as she walked by Alfyn and Leon.

Alfyn and Leon both said "Nothing" as Tressa continued to search around the ship.

Tressa soon found the item that piqued the most interest out of her. "This is the one!"

Tressa walked back to Leon, holding a journal in front of her.

"Is it alright if I take it, Mr. Leon?"

Leon looked at the journal Tressa was holding, and chuckled. "I'm afraid this old thing won't sell for much. It was left behind by a man I once let aboard in my younger days. It seems I neglected to throw it out, and it got mixed in here. It's best you choose something else, lass."

"No, I want this one" remarked Tressa. "I can't really explain it, but I feel like it's calling to me."

"Is it now?" asked Leon. "Consider it yours, then."

"Thank you, Mr. Leon."

Alfyn and Tressa then proceeded to step off the plank of Leon's ship and back onto the pier, leading to the captain bidding them farewell before leaving.

Leon said his goodbyes: "Fare thee well, lass and laddie. Perhaps a day will come when you, lass, and I meet as rivals. But I won't be beat. I swear it, on my honor as a merchant. Weigh anchor, men! The ocean calls!"

Tressa and Alfyn both nodded, as Leon's crew proceeded to lift the ship's anchor and set sails for leaving the dock.

Later, at the pier…

Tressa and Alfyn both sat at the edge of the pier, looking out at Leon's leaving ship as the sun was starting to set.

"I saw it with my own two eyes" said Tressa as she swiped through the pages of the journal she was holding. "Within those dusty pages...I felt like there was something that would change my life forever. Can't wait to go home and read it all!"

"Home...Aw crap, I just realized. I haven't checked in at Rippletide's inn yet. Man, it's been a long day. The pirates stole from this town, we filled a barrel of wine with sleepweed, we gave it to those pirates, they were planning to attack us, that captain showed up and helped us out, and you got some kind of journal from him. Hasn't been that long since I left home, but I've already got an adventure to tell Zeph when I come back" said Alfyn.

"Zeph? Is that your friend?" asked Tressa.

"Yup! We actually studied as apothecaries together for several years now. He's watching the town I live in while I'm out helping people across Orsterra" answered Alfyn.

"A friend who helped you learn your job? That sounds nice to have. To be honest, I've never had any friends, let alone friends who helped me become a merchant. I mean, I'm on good terms with all the folk here in Rippletide, but asides from my Ma and my Pa, I don't really have anyone else close to me" said Tressa.

"No friends, huh? Well that's not true" said Alfyn. "You do have one friend right here and right now in Rippletide."

"Huh? Who's that?" asked Tressa.

"Me" answered Alfyn.

"Really? You'd call me your friend?" asked Tressa.

"Hell yeah I would. I mean, I was gonna face those pirates and get those supplies back no matter what even if I was by myself. But you came along and wanted to help the townsfolk just like me. Anyone who wants to help others in a bind even if it means doing something dangerous to yourself is a damn good friend in my eyes. Thank you for helping me Tressa."

Tressa smiled at Alfyn's compliment. "Thank you for helping me Alfyn. Truth be told, I was so scared at the thought of facing those pirates especially after what that big one did to you. But seeing you get back up like that, it just encouraged me to do the right thing despite the danger like you said. You helped me stay strong, so consider me your friend Alfyn."

"Aw, shucks, I'm gonna cry" said Alfyn in a sincere tone.

"Hey, come on now, I'm sure you've had plenty of friends before, right?" asked Tressa.

"Not really" answered Alfyn. "Zeph's the only friend I have in my life, and I left him to see the rest of Orsterra. It's just been me out here, so you're really the first friend I've made since Zeph. Like you said, I was on good terms with the other people in my town, but Zeph's been the only one to stick close to me for many years."

Alfyn then noticed dusk approaching in the sky, and turned back to Tressa. "It's getting pretty dark out here. We can talk more tomorrow. I gotta check in at the inn."

Tressa responded. "Gotcha. We're definitely both due for a rest. Then I'll meet ya tomorrow at the inn."

"Sounds good to me. Have a good night Tressa."

"Same to you Alfyn."

The next morning, in Tressa's room…

Within the book that Tressa found were the records of a traveler, one who had journeyed to the far ends of the realm. Spellbound, Tressa forgot time...and read every one of his adventures.

"This world is brimming with treasures," said Tressa as she read from the journal, "and I know what I'm searching for is out there somewhere. So I'll set sail for the horizon, and the great, big world beyond."

Tressa closed the journal with an extremely ecstatic smile. "That settles it!"

Tressa then proceeded to leave her room to meet with her parents.

"It's time I see the world!" exclaimed Tressa. "I'm going to leave Rippletide and become a traveling merchant. I'll see the world and have customers from every corner of the realm!"

Olneo and Marina both remained in shock at Tressa's decision. "Oh my...just think about what you're saying dear" said Marina.

Olneo spoke up as well. "Traveling merchant?! I won't have it! You're not even a stationary merchant yet! You need at least two more years of stocking the store, and three years of working the shop front. That's five years before you're ready to go anywhere."

Tressa shook her head, still as determined as before. "Sorry Pa, my mind's made up. Besides, I'll get all kinds of training on the road."

Olneo sighed in defeat. "I had a feeling you'd say that. There's no point in trying to stop you now Tressa. You have my blessing."

Marina was flustered at Olneo's acceptance. "Darling, this is our little girl you're talking about!"

Olneo responded to his wife's concerns. "I know, but I had a feeling this day would come. She is her father's daughter, after all. In the end, being a good merchant boils down to experience. And that's just what she'll find out there. Go and see the world, Tressa, until your heart's content."

Later that day, after Tressa finished packing for her travels...

"I understand, but I can't help but worry, Tressa" said Marina. "Do take care of yourself out there, won't you? Be strong, and may the Sacred Flame light your path."

Tressa nodded in delight. "Thanks, Ma. Thanks, Pa. And...I'm sorry for leaving. But I'll come back one day, and you'll see just how much I learned!"

"We wouldn't know what to do if you didn't'. After all, you're our number one employee" said Olneo.

Tressa chuckled. "Bye, Ma! Bye, Pa!"

Later, at Rippletide's inn…

Alfyn finished preparing his belongings as he moved them into his satchel. As he looked at the satchel, he contemplated about his friend back at Clearbrook. "Man, I wonder how Zeph would react if he saw Tressa. Probably would call her just as kooky as me. Hehe." Alfyn finished his contemplation as he grabbed his satchel and then left the inn he stayed at for the night.

Alfyn looked from outside the inn towards the marketplace, seeing the townsfolk happier than yesterday now that they've got all their stuff back. He saw the old street vendor, working at his business but noticing no pipe with the vendor. "Here's hoping you can quit the habit" remarked Alfyn as he stared at the vendor.

"How ya doing, Alfyn?!" exclaimed a cheery voice behind Alfyn.

Alfyn turned to see Tressa, carrying what looked like a bigger and heavier filled backpack than yesterday.

Alfyn smiled. "Hey Tressa. You look like you got a lot of business in that pack."

"Oh this?" said Tressa as she pointed to her backpack. "It's filled to the brim with goods and items I'm gonna use for my sales and survival while I'm out in the world."

Alfyn's eyebrows widened. "Out in the world? You mean…"

"Yep! I'm gonna become a traveling merchant" said Tressa.

"Wow. Can't imagine how your parents feel about this" said Aflyn.

"Oh they're worried, but they know I'm gonna learn a lot as a merchant when I'm out exploring the world. I bet your parents were worried about you too, and now you've helped me and my town" said Tressa.

Alfyn's mood sunk a bit. "I don't really have to worry about my parents. They're both...gone. But I bet they'd be so proud of me helping people, even if I might get in trouble for it like yesterday."

Tressa's mood lowered a bit as well. "Aw, I'm sorry Alfyn. I didn't know your parents weren't around."

Alfyn brightened up and regained his smile. "Aw shucks Tressa, don't worry about it. The important part is going out and doing good things like my parents would've wanted. I'm glad I came here and helped Rippletide, and I'm glad to meet another friend."

Tressa's smile returned. "Same for me, Alfyn. I'm so happy to meet you, because I know you value making other people happier like I do. You and I help people feel better with goods and herbs. Sounds like a great team-up!"

Alfyn was puzzled after Tressa finished her last sentence. "Team-up?"

Tressa nodded. "Yeah. I'm going to travel and explore the world, and I want to go along with you...if you'll let me. You said before you're going to see the rest of Orsterra and help people, and I think we'll get far together. The merchant and the apothecary: a duo that sells and aids. Dealing in things that help people get better in mind and body. Alfyn and Tressa, two people that offer good health and good sales. What do ya think?"

Alfyn smirked at Tressa's offer. "Aw shucks Tressa, I never really had anyone join me in my travels. I've helped some people, but they either stick in towns or go the opposite way from the path I take. Having a friend like you come along just makes the roads easier to pass by. And, to be honest, I'm light on money right now. So having a merchant for a friend would really save my ass."

Tressa chuckled with Alfyn. "I definitely want a friend like you joining me Alfyn. I felt stronger when you joined me in facing those pirates, and I know I'll feel stronger if we go together across Orsterra. So what do you say?" Tressa held out her right hand towards Alfyn.

Alfyn's smile grew wider. "I say let's go." Alfyn held out his right hand and shook Tressa's hand, Tressa's smile growing wider as well. Both of them turned to look at the docks and the horizon beyond, looking across the sea in all its beauty. They wanted to have one final look at the town of Rippletide and the waters across it, before setting course to another part of the Coastlands and Orsterra.

Tressa then skimmed across the journal's pages and stopped at the center of the book. "This journal...The author only filled half the pages. The other half is still blank. Guess I'll just have to pick up where he left off. I'll write down everything! I won't leave any stone unturned! From the next chapter, this will be my story. I'll travel far and wide, and journey on until every last page is filled! I don't know what lies beyond the horizon, but there's only one way to found out."

Tressa turned to Alfyn. "Alfyn, you said you were from the Riverlands. What town did you stay in?"

Alfyn answered. "Oh, um...it was Clearbrook."

"Okay, then why don't you show me what's it like there sometimes? I bet your friend Zeph will be excited to meet a merchant like me" said Tressa.

"Oh he'll be excited alright. Excited that I actually managed to make a friend out in the world and not just patients. I was a pretty rowdy kid when I was young, you know. So to see Zeph's face when he sees you would be priceless" said Alfyn.

"Oh, I'm sure there's a price for anything, including that" said Tressa. Both she and Alfyn then chuckled.

"You know, I was on my way to Goldshore because I heard rumors that tell of a really bad sickness spreading over there and some miracle woman treating all the cases. After I check it out, then we can stop by Clearbrook and surprise Zeph" said Alfyn.

"Sounds good to me!" exclaimed Tressa. "My parents traveled sometimes to Goldshore, but I never got to go. They always had me tending the store while they're gone. Now I can see what that town and the rest of Orsterra's like!"

Tressa then looked around her hometown, before giving her goodbye. "See ya, Rippletide!" Tressa then turned with Alfyn towards the path out of Rippletide, and onto new lands for the young girl to explore.

My adventures as a merchant are just beginning. I'll start by following in the footsteps of Alfyn and my nameless traveler who penned in this journal, and journey far, far beyond!"