The Duck Pond was surprisingly full for the early afternoon. Oddly enough, the same people seemed to inhabit the same places: the beards at the tables, the loners on the stools, and the "promiscuous barflies" that floated around. Apparently the latter group worked as waitresses during the night.

"Hey babe, what do ya need?" one of the barflies asked Maxi.

"A seat for two," Maxi replied with a wink.

"Follow me, babe," she smiled. Cassandra received a glare.

Soon they were seated at a table near the bar, and Maxi ordered two glasses of brandy.

"So where are your friends?" Cassandra asked.

"Around. I'd like to have a few drinks first," Maxi answered.

"You really do make a terrible ex-alcoholic," Cassandra laughed.

"Some of us just weren't meant to be ones."

"But really, are those other guys here?"

"Should be. I told Porus to be here midday. He said he had some other men in mind to fill out the rest of the crew. We'll need his four men and about a dozen more to man the Lorcha."

"So what exactly happened here last night before I showed up? It looked like you were in a bit of trouble when I arrived."

"Yeah, well, Porus and I were getting to know each other. He seemed like a solid guy, and his four stooges didn't seem bad either. They looked like future-crew material."

"Then why were you fighting them?" Cassandra asked, very confused.

"I insulted his mother."

"Wait, what? Why?"

"Because, Cassandra, you don't just accept any nice old guys into your crew. You have to see if they're really men first, ya know?"

"No, I do not know," Cassandra answered in disbelief. "Why did you insult his mother?"

"Any man who answers a mother-insult with a right hook is welcome aboard my ship any day. And that's how Porus became my First Mate. That and 50 gold pieces a month."

"…unbelievable," Cassandra answered, and took a long pull from the brandy.

"It looks like I won't be the only alcoholic for long," Maxi laughed.

Cassandra grimaced and returned a dirty look to the waitress as she walked away.

"Stupid whore," she mumbled.

"Ha-ha, I should drink with you more often."

Cassandra offered a weak smile and returned to the brandy.

"Hey, it looks likes Porus is here. I'll be right back," Maxi said as he greeted Porus at the door. The pair headed to the bar and immediately resumed their drinking and back-slapping from the night before.

Cassandra thought of joining them, but decided against it.

Let the boys have their fun. We'll all be stuck together on a small ship soon enough.

Then the waitress sat down beside her.

"Hey, girly, is that guy over their single?" she asked, motioning toward Maxi.

"Uh…"

"I mean, I doubt you two are dating, right? You look more like sister material to me."

Cassandra stood and knocked out the waitress without batting an eye. Maxi and Porus gawked at her.

"That felt pretty good," she said and walked their way.

"Have a seat, miss," Porus said and moved over one stool.

"Thanks, I…yeah. That felt good."

After an awkward moment or two, the three of them burst out laughing.

"Cass, I don't even know what to say. Nice right hook," Maxi winked. "This is Porus, by the way."

"Hello, miss. I am Porus. You must be the beautiful Cassandra."

"Yep, that's me," she giggled. "I heard you're from Egypt. I've never been there, but I hear it's nice."

"Yes," Porus answered, "it is beautiful. Hot, dry, and sandy, but it is my home."

"Sounds awful," Maxi chimed in. "No offense, Porus."

Porus mumbled, but seemed to smile as well.

"So when does everyone else arrive?" asked Cassandra.

Maxi turned to Porus. "Soon?"

"Yes, they will meet us at the shipyard."

"Great, let's head out. Hey Cass, don't forget to say goodbye to your friend," Maxi teased.

The three looked over and saw the waitress rubbing her chin. After another laugh, they left the Duck Pond and headed toward the harbor.

When they arrived, a rag-tag group of sailors was waiting for them. Maxi was right—there were about a dozen and a half in all. Porus introduced them, but Cassandra immediately forgot their names. The only one she remembered was an older man named One-Eye. He was old, but wiry, and his only eye had an evil glow. Cassandra disliked him immediately.

When they had all boarded the ship, Captain Maxi made the order to cast off. Within minutes, the coast was practically out of site. Then, quite unexpectedly, the ship turned south.

I thought Venice was north.

Cassandra made her way to the helm of the ship, where she found Maxi steering the vessel.

"Uh, Maxi, I though we were going north."

"We were. But I have it on good authority that south is the way to go."

"Where exactly?"

"To Sicily. Palermo, to be exact. There's an old vault down there, hidden underground, and it contains several pieces to Soul Edge. Cass…it could be enough to get us to your sister.

Maxi had spoken the magic words.

"All right, Maxi," she conceded. "If you really think Sicily is our best option, I'll trust you. I have faith in you."

Maxi looked at her. She seemed ready to cry. "Sheesh, Cass, don't go dying on me. It's a week's diversion is all, maybe two."

"Sorry, Maxi. I just got a little…emotional when you mentioned my sister. I miss her."

"It's okay, Cassandra. I know you do. We'll find her soon, though. I promise."

"Well that was fun. Didn't you think so, Mitsurugi?"

Mitsurugi grunted and loaded another bag of rice onto the ship.

"I think you have enough rice there. Don't you eat anything else?" Raphael asked.

"This is fine."

"Okay then. I suggest we continue north. My men are just about finished feeding, and the winds are starting to pick up again."

Mitsurugi nodded solemnly and continued up the gangplank.

"What's wrong with you?" asked Raphael.

"Nothing. I'm going to my Quarters. Let me know if you come across any armed opponents."

"Oh, Mitsurugi. You're such a samurai. Don't worry, though. Our next stop is full of pirates and other scrappy lowlifes. Bandits, to be exact. You'll have a ball, I'm sure."

A few weeks had passed, and Cassandra felt no more comfortable aboard the ship than she had the day of their takeoff. But after staring awkwardly at the hideous man for some time, she decided to break the ice.

"So, One-Eye, what's your story?" Cassandra asked.

One-Eye spat something dark and thick into the water. "Don't got one."

Of course not. "Where are you from?"

"East."

"Are you Turkish?"

"Does it matter?"

"I guess not," Cassandra answered. "Well, uh, see ya."

That was awkward. Stupid creepy dudes.

Cassandra left One-Eye and looked for Porus.

"Hey Porus," she said after finding him. "I have a question for you."

"What is it, miss?" he asked.

"What's up with One-Eye?"

Porus smiled. "You know, he's actually the only one here I don't personally know. One of the men recommended him. He's been sailing longer than any two of us combined, and he's seen a lot out on these waters. His experience will be useful."

Hopefully.

"I hope you're right. That guy gives me the creeps."

"Ha-ha, don't mind him, miss. He won't give you any trouble."

"If you insist. So where exactly are we going in Sicily? Maxi mentioned some vault near Palermo."

"Ah, yes. The Vault is a highly prized hiding place for some of the world's greatest treasures. A world-famous arms merchant named Vercci supposedly buried all of his possessions underground somewhere off the coast of Sicily. It is not an easy place to get to, however. They say there's a Ghostly Guardian who protects the treasures and slays any who enter the Vault."

"Then how did people find out about the Vault or the treasure inside?" Cassandra asked.

Porus laughed again. "I take it you don't believe in ghosts."

"Nope. Not really."

"Well hopefully you're right. I wouldn't mind not running into any Ghostly Guardians, either."

Cassandra smiled. "We can agree on that! Well, I'm going to catch a nap before supper. See ya around, Porus."

"Sleep tight, miss. I'll go see if Captain Maxi needs anything."

Cassandra made her way to the door opposite the entrance to the Captain's Quarters. Maxi said he'd normally let her have that room, but he needed to occupy the Captain's Quarters to keep up appearances.

Stupid Pirate code.

She turned the handle of the Guest Chamber's door, and eased herself into the dark, windowless room. After feeling her way around, she made her way to the bed and slid under the covers. The bed was not as soft as the ones at the Inn, but it was warm, and that was all she cared for at this point. Cassandra slowly fell asleep.

Above deck, Maxi and Porus discussed the voyage.

"So, Porus, are you really worried about this Guardian?" Maxi asked.

"I am, Captain. I've heard terrible things. Men don't simply walk in and walk out of the Vault."

"But I've heard he's not even there half of the time. I've know plenty of thieves—amateurs at best—who've come and gone as they pleased from there, without even the slightest obstacle."

"And I've known just as many who have perished," Porus reminded him.

"Yeah, I suppose I've known a few of those ones, too. But Porus, we're not just simple grave robbers. We'll be taking a small army down there. Surely one little bodyguard won't be able to stop us."

"I'm only saying I'm worried about the trip. I signed on thinking we were traveling to Venice, you know."

"Come on, Porus. I need you there with me. These men know you. They trust you. I'll need your help if we're going to do this."

Porus remained silent for a long time.

"Please?" Maxi asked.

Porus hesitated. "All right. I suppose I've always wanted to see the Sicilian coast myself. And what kind of Pirate would I be if I missed my chance to explore Vercci's famed Money Pit?"

"Ha-ha, I knew you'd come around," Maxi said.

Captain Maxi then walked to the railing and began to shout. "All right you callous bunch of halfwits! Let's raise the main staff and correct course to port. We have a Vault to loot!"

"You heard the Captain," Porus yelled beside him. "Full speed ahead!"