Syrup Village was not prepared for the change of pace. Today, there was no cry of pirates invading the village, and folks were late to work over it, sleeping in peacefully. "Where is Usopp?" everyone was asking. Some were acting glad to be rid of the annoyance for the morning, but there were others expressing concern. Could he be hurt, fallen off a cliff and screaming with a broken leg because no one came to save him? It became quick news across the town, with some even planning to visit the manor, knowing how close he was with Kaya.

The news reached the Usopp Pirates, who grew worried with all the conjecture and rumors brewing in town. "Maybe he's just at home," Pepper said, trying to keep a cool head. "Let's go check."

They found his house seemingly ransacked if not for the orderly method in which Usopp packed up. It is cleaner in here now than it has been in years, leaving the kids in awe of how good Usopp actually is at cleaning after all. But far more importantly is that his essentials are gone, too. Every piece of clothing except Winter gear, the last of his food (that hadn't gone bad), as well as precious mementos of home.

"Look at this," Carrot said simply, having found a folded piece of paper on the table with the words "Usopp Pirates" written on the front. Pepper and Onion huddle up around him, reading the letter, and understanding dawning across their face.

"AH! That idiot captain! And without even a proper goodbye!" Pepper raged, balling his fists up and trembling.

Onion, on the other hand, was whimpering. "Does this mean we'll never see him again?"

"We might have a chance to see him right now," Carrot said.

Onion wiped his tears away. "Yeah . . . maybe if we hurry, yeah."

Pepper started to grin, shaking his head. "It's more than he deserves right now, but you're right. Usopp Pirates, our last mission is ahead of us! Gather all our pirate gear from home and meet me at the mansion!"

Yet this was all happening by the time Merry was mentioning his gift. Final embraces and thanks were made between Luffy & Usopp and Kaya & Victor, but Kaya did not shed a tear to Victor's astonishment. Now, Merry led the new crewmates down a path, through the forest, to the North shore where his gift awaited. "So before I met Master Victor, that was my plan - to sail on a ship myself!" He laughed at that heavily (though notably alone), and adds, "Ah, but I'd still enjoy my small trips on this."

The three came out on the sand of the shore and if Luffy was amazed at the sum of money gifted to him, he and Usopp are unable to contain themselves at what Merry's gift proves to be.

Merry stands before them, turning to smile with pride and waves his hands wide. Behind him is the Going Merry, a vessel he just finished explaining he drafted himself when he longed to be a master shipwright in his youth. This was his one project, with a figurehead made in his strange hair's likeness (though it's really just a sheep's likeness), and turned into a runner ship when Victor would need things specially gathered from other islands. Those ventures were few and far between these days, though.

"She doesn't get nearly enough use, and it hurts my heart to just come down here less and less for maintenance," Merry explained. "I can think of nothing better than gifting it to you two. And besides, it's really the least we can do." He clasps his hands together. "Master Luffy, you do not realize, but our odds against those pirates really were quite slim. We never get pirate visitors."

"Well, now you've had two in one week, huh?" Usopp said while Luffy was still too focused on the ship, jumping for joy and letting his backpack and the lockbox fall to the ground. He leapt on board by stretching his arms out, running around the deck, calling out the things he saw like the helm or the mast or the crow's nest before leaping into the cabin and exploring the underbelly. Usopp and Merry shared a chuckle. "I think he likes it," Usopp added.

Luffy's excitement was placed under control, save for his ability to thank Merry profusely, even though the gift was so grand. Merry took this as an attempt to explain how to properly man the ship, but Luffy and Usopp both can hardly understand him, so he quickly gives up. "We'll manage fine," Luffy said reassuringly.

Then why don't I feel reassured? Merry thought to himself, deciding to move on. "Shall I help you push her out to sea?"

The three headed back to the sand after depositing their things inside (Luffy made a point of saying how he'd actually learn to cook after seeing the kitchen onboard the ship), and push with all their might to get the Merry back in the water some. As Usopp's feet entered the surf, the reality of leaving home returned to him. He's conflicted over his goodbye to the Usopp Pirates, but feels it's time for them to grow up. Their pirate crew wasn't a real deal at any point, but perhaps this departure would inspire them to chase their own dreams. Coward. The Merry was then bobbing at sea and Luffy waded out to start climbing aboard.

"I thought Devil Fruit wielders lost their power in the sea," Usopp inquired.

"Well, I'm not sure exactly how it works, but for me personally, I need to be submerged more than halfway," Luffy explained, getting up to the deck. He leaned over the banister, waving at Merry. "Thanks again, Mister Sheepy!"

"It's Merry, but you're welcome, Master Luffy!" Merry responded. Usopp turned back to him and offered one last embrace. "Take care, Master Usopp. You'll never be far from our thoughts."

"You'll never be far from mine," Usopp said. He looks back up at the roof of the mansion, just barely visible through the forest from this angle. "Take care of them while I'm gone."

"I'm not so good at uplifting stories as you, but I will do what I can, always," Merry replied. He nodded then, dropping the formality. "Go, kid. Be free."

Usopp couldn't help but smile then, and headed up after Luffy, who was trying (and failing) to lower the sails. Usopp flung himself over the side, letting his backpack fall as he caught his breath from the effort climbing up, and offered his services. "Let me try," he said, having at least listened to Merry.

The main sail unfurls and the wind pulls the Merry along. "Where are we heading?" Usopp asked.

"I guess where the wind takes us for now," Luffy said. They continue waving to Merry, left alone on the shore. "We've got to get us a whole crew - I'm thinking three more folks for now - OOH, and a Jolly Roger. We can't reach the Grand Line without a Jolly Roger?"

"So we are going to the Grand Line, then?" Usopp said, not even having discussed that aspect yet. "I have to admit, I'm as frightened as I am excited about that."

"Don't be frightened," Luffy said. "We're crewmates now." Luffy then looked past Usopp's head, toward the island, and furrowed his brow. "Look at that."

Usopp turned and his breath caught in his throat. In the forest along the cliffs, suddenly, Jolly Rogers bearing the insignia of the Usopp Pirates were popping up all over - one, two, five, seven, ten, thirteen, seventeen? Luffy's jaw dropped. "Usopp! I thought your crew was just those threw kids - how many people do you have on your side?!"

Usopp couldn't reply, too choked with emotion. His mind raced back to that day a few years ago, when the Usopp Pirates were discussing battle tactics in case pirates ever did come to invade the island. Usopp had concocted this half-baked idea to have the four of them lift up 25 Jolly Rogers to ward off attackers, making them think this was the lair of a big crew able to defend their own. The mechanism of sticks and twine Usopp had concocted so each person could lift more than just two Jolly Rogers broke easily, or else just set the flags at odd angles, but now, as the Merry sailed away, every flag was hoisted properly and waved in the breeze.

Six of the flags move through the vegetation and out from the treeline come the Usopp Pirates, geared up with their makeshift kitchen weaponry and armor, each with tears full in their eyes but refusing to let them fall, and all together as they shout: "CAPTAIN!"

Usopp sniffed, cupping his hands around his mouth, and called back, "YOU GUYS! YOU CAME!"

Then, the three kids together: "YOU BASTARD! HOW COULD YOU JUST LEAVE WITHOUT SAYING GOODBYE?!"

Usopp cringed, feeling guilty for that all of a sudden as Luffy began laughing, clapping his hands to his belly. "What a crew!" he remarked. He stopped laughing as he noticed Usopp trembling from behind, unable to see his face. Luffy placed a careful hand on his shoulder. "You alright, Usopp?"

Usopp then stood on the banister, holding on to a stay with one hand and cupping the other around his mouth. "USOPP PIRATES! IT HAS BEEN AN HONOR TO BE YOUR CAPTAIN! TAKE OUR TIME TOGETHER AND LET IT PROPEL YOU FORWARD, IN WHATEVER ENDEAVORS YOU PURSUE! I believe in all of you." He couldn't help but smile now, that same devilish grin he'd seen the pirate Luffy adopt. "And - IF YOU SHOULD DECIDE YOU STILL WANT TO BE PIRATES, SAIL THE SEAS WHEN YOU'RE OLDER AND FIND ME!" Now he replaced the smile with a more earnest one, innocent, and just like the same young Usopp the littler kids had met years ago. "And if not, then wait for my return after my journey is over!"

The Usopp Pirates had no hope to hold their tears in now, weeping openly for the final speech of Captain Usopp the Brave. "CAPTAIN!" they cried again in unison, unsure of what else to say.

Luffy giggled. "I like those guys!"

And the Merry then drifted into full view of the mansion, and there on the very edge of the cliff stand Kaya and Victor, just staring ahead. As the Merry drifts out, they are unfortunately too far to even share more final words with. Perhaps that's for the best, Usopp decided to himself, offering a simple wave.

Kaya and Victor waved back, but being so far, Usopp could never make out the tears flowing down Kaya's face. Victor glanced over to the Usopp Pirates, just visible from their vantage point, and shuts his eyes in relief. "Good. They made it."

"Father," Kaya sputtered out. Victor realized the extent of her tears then and embraced her, letting her crumple into him. "I can't lose him . . ."

And while Victor loved Usopp and wished him well, he was not worried for his safety. His mind kept drifting to Straw Hat and his jolly laugh but immense power, not even needing to see his defeat of Bellamy to believe what the others said about it. The attitude of him reminded Victor of the man who was said to have kickstarted the Golden Age of Pirates, a man whose name was forever carved into the annals of history, a man who was a pirate the same as Luffy. "Kaya, I wouldn't worry. I think Usopp will be just fine."

The Merry grew smaller; Merry himself started heading back to the manor, while the Usopp Pirates sat on the cliff, reminiscing about their time together as pirates and wondering what their time together will look like now. The village still wondered about Usopp, having visited his home themselves, but the kids kept the letter; they remained ignorant about Usopp's decision for some time, and even the gruffest of the townsfolk glad to have a quiet morning were praying for his safety, whatever the case was.

Kaya separated herself from Victor, brushing her eyes. "How can you be so sure?"

Victor didn't take his eyes off of the drifting Merry, growing smaller and smaller on the vast sea of the East Blue, vibrant as its name suggests that day. Big, white clouds filled the sky; the wind was strong but not harsh. I will remember this day, Victor realized, not entirely sure why at first. But he finally turned to his daughter, giving her his most reassuring smile he'd ever been able to give, and said, "Because he sails with the King of the Pirates."

A few days pass at sea, and Luffy and Usopp began to find their groove together. Within the first day, Usopp tried some of Luffy's cooking and had to ban him from the oven altogether, but had begun to wonder about a ban from the kitchen entirely due to Luffy's voracious appetite. "Luffy, I promise you, if you keep eating at this rate, we'll never make it to the next island."

Luffy's stomach rumbled loudly as he rolled around on the deck, unable to get past Usopp who stood at the cabin door, arms outstretched in both directions. "But I'm so hungry and we haven't seen land since your island! Where even are we?" He crawled over to the banister, staring out at the open sea. "I thought you were a navigator."

Usopp couldn't help but explode at Luffy, "When did I say that?!" His stomach rumbled, as well, almost as an echo to Luffy's, and with only a hint of bitterness at himself, he sighed, "Fine, maybe it is time for lunch after all."

Luffy cheered for joy as the pair entered the cabin and Usopp began preparing their lunch. Much of what Luffy and Usopp had stocked for provisions was already eaten up, but there was at least three days left of provisions if they played their cards right. Usopp was a bit stressed now, but to take his mind of this, he wanted to figure out a bit more about their mission. "So, the Grand Line. What treasure is awaiting you there?"

"Well, that's where the man who gave me this hat is," Luffy said, taking his hat off and studying it. "Shanks. He's Yasopp's captain. He told me to return this hat to him one day when I was a great pirate with a crew of my own."

So it's inevitable then, Usopp realized, chuckling to himself. "I can't wait to meet him." He glanced over his shoulder at Luffy. "Does that make you King of the Pirates?"

Luffy laughed. "No! Finding the One Piece will!"

Usopp fully turned now, eyebrow raised. "You believe in the One Piece?"

Luffy raised an eyebrow in return. "Yeah. Don't you?" he replied slowly.

Usopp shrugged. "Well . . . yeah. But I was always the only one in Syrup who believed so. It's just . . . rare to find someone who believes, too."

"Well, duh! How else do you become King of the Pirates?" Luffy grumbled. "But that's why I wanted you and no one else. I knew you'd believe in the One Piece."

After all, it'd have to be a pretty big treasure to drag you away from a family, Usopp thought, but as the oil started sizzling in the pan, he forced thoughts of Yasopp from his mind. "So then who are we going to need for this voyage?"

Luffy chuckled, rocking in his seat with excitement. "I've already thought it all out. A quartermaster is a vital part of any ship, so we've gotta get him. Ooh, and a cook - no offense. Oh! A musician is a must. What sort of pirate crew do you have if you can't sing awesome songs? AND there's this one guy in particular I've heard of who sounds really cool . . . aw, geez, what was his name again?"

"Uh, Luffy . . . I think we ought to focus on finding a navigator first," Usopp suggested.

Luffy twisted his mouth up, leaned on his hand, and hummed for a few moments, as if he was going back and forth. Usopp was almost worried before Luffy finally said, "You're right! We'll need the best navigator the world has to offer!"

Luffy's eyes glanced out the window, where in the distance a mass was suddenly visible. He leapt from his seat so suddenly and forcefully that Usopp jolted with a yipe, accidentally touching the hot pan. Luffy ran outside, chanting, "ISLAND ISLAND ISLAND!" Usopp ran his hand under tepid water before following Luffy outside. The captain was already at the helm, turning them directly to face the island and sail right toward it. "Do we have any maps on board?"

"Only of Syrup and its surrounding areas," Usopp replied, grabbing a spyglass from inside and looking through it. Even with the tool, it was difficult to make out anything on the island besides that it was indeed an island.

"Let's land! I smell adventure," Luffy said, eyes wide with excitement.

This was Goat Island, a mostly uninhabited island save for a special species of pygmy goat only found here. Their appetites were voracious, but the grass here grew plentifully, never letting them want for food. In addition, they had another resource protecting them from visitors, though they knew nothing about this resource as it affected them.

A boy just younger than Luffy and Usopp wandered ahead, a tackle box in one hand and a makeshift fishing rod in the other, humming to himself without a real melody. The goats gave him some cries as he passed, and he stopped to say hello and pet them. "Hi, buddies, so good to see you," he said. "Just off to my usual spot, with my one hour of freedom . . ." he sighed, standing and heading off on his trek again.

The boy reached his spot, a small sandy grotto tucked in between two outlets of land. Unless you were directly facing this direction, there was no shot to even spot the grotto, making it a perfect spot for the boy to fish when his captain would let him. Nearby the boy was a fairly ruined dinghy, with some paltry efforts at repairs made to it. The boy stared at it longingly as he set his rod up with lure and bait, accidentally piercing the tip of his finger. "Damn," he whispered, sucking his finger. His attention was drawn upward suddenly as he realized that there was a ship aimed directly at the grotto and seemingly coming straight for him.

What do I do?! he thought to himself, wondering if these are pirates approaching. No Jolly Roger, he thought, reassuring him slightly. But no, that just made him worry more. They're in danger, he realized, but maybe he still was too. He hid his rod and tackle box in a beach bush nearby, then ran to the dinghy and tipped it over so he was partially hidden under it, at least obscured from the direct shoreline. Time seemed to extend here, and the boy started feeling ridiculous for this. If they're dangerous, you'll be glad.

But if they want a cabin boy, maybe it wouldn't be so bad to at least leave this island, he considered, beginning an interior debate on whether to reveal himself or not. After much deliberation back and forth, chewing his nails to the quick, he sighs with exhaustion. I should have just taken a nap today.

The voices from on board the Going Merry started reaching the boy's ears, and he listened intently, but couldn't make anything out besides that there were two voices. He heard a thump of feet landing on the sand, and a jolly voice called out, "Ah! Here we are! Maybe there's a town we can restock at."

Another set of feet landed, and another voice said, "Mmm, yeah, maybe. It seems like a jungle island, though."

"Baaaaah!"

The boy jumped, clapping his hands to his mouth to shut his scream up. In front of him is one of the goats, a funny smile on his face, staring at the boy in the eye. Go away! the boy thought, shooing the goat and trying to push him away.

"Is there someone in that dinghy?"

Usopp pointed over at the dinghy, changing Luffy's focus. They can both see pink hair poking up from the dinghy's lip, and the goat is obviously staring at someone. Luffy and Usopp head over, peering their heads around the dinghy to find the boy sitting there, suddenly wide eyed, quiet, and shivering. "Please don't kill me," he squeaked out.

Luffy and Usopp both scrunched their faces up. "Why would we do that? We don't even know you."

The boy looked up at them, relaxing his fists. "You aren't dangerous or nothing?"

Luffy laughed and extended a hand. "Get on out of there, stupid!" The boy took his hand and Luffy hauled him up before his own strength could contribute. "What's your name, shrimp?"

The boy with pink hair rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly (He's even got me beat, Usopp thought), head cast down, sniffling. "I'm Coby. Hi."

"Good to meet ya, Coby! I'm Luffy, and this is Usopp, my mate," Luffy said proudly. "Say, this place looked like a jungle from the sea. Is there a town on the other side?"

Coby grew deathly serious here, but only Usopp really picked up on it in that moment. "So you weren't seen getting here?" he asked.

"Seen?" Usopp said. "By who?"

Coby splayed himself out, placing himself in between the pair and the treeline. "That's great news, then! You're safe! Listen, you've come to a very dangerous place. This is a pirate's lair!"

"A pirate, you say?" Luffy says inquisitively. "Who might that be?"

"This is the headquarters of the Iron Mace Pirates, led by Captain Alvida! The lady scourge of the East! You didn't know? She's notorious in these waters!" Coby exclaimed, shocked at their ignorance.

"I've heard the name," Usopp admitted. "Don't know a whole lot. Does she have a bounty?"

"Yes! It may seem small, but her 3 million beri is earned from savagery! Anyone who happens upon this land has their belongings stolen, their ships turned to scrap, and their lives forfeit if they don't agree to join her crew," Coby said, staring at the sand. "That's how I ended up here . . . I went for a simple fish, as I always did on the weekend, but the Iron Mace Pirates were attacking my land, and on their get away, they took me hostage.

"Alvida made me an offer herself: Join or die." Coby shakes his head. "Sometimes I wish I'd have died."

Luffy scoffs. "That's stupid. Why don't you just leave with us then?"
Coby looked up, shocked at Luffy's friendliness. Usopp is, too, not having expected such quick camaraderie to a stranger. He's not wrong, though. That's a terrible story, Usopp thought. "That's a no brainer, man. We'll take you, we got plenty of room."

"That's . . . incredibly kind . . . I never expected to hear such a kind offer," Coby said humbly, bowing to the two of them. "I am forever grateful."

"You're weird, kid," Luffy said. "So ya wanna get out of here? Or do ya want me to go beat this tough old biddie up?"

Coby freaks out, jolting in place and clamping his hands on Luffy's mouth, looking this way and that like a trapped dog. "SHH! Don't say that . . . you never know when she could hear you. And she is tough, don't forget it!"

"Okay, okay, sorry," Luffy said with annoyance, shaking his head. "You're really irritating, kid. Are you gonna come with us or not?"

"You'd really just . . . help a stranger like that?" Coby asked.

"If you have to keep asking, we'll leave without you," Luffy threatened.

Coby thought a moment, but his mind drifted to terrifying hypotheticals. What if Alvida finds out and comes after you? These two don't seem too bright . . . they might drift into view of her base, and then what? She finds me on board and we all die? Great plan. Coby shut his eyes, trembling with fright. The words can't come to his lips.

Luffy crosses his arms, ready to say something else to Coby, but Usopp anticipated this, placing a hand on his shoulder to stop him. "Go easy," he whispered in Luffy's ear. But Coby heard this, too, and swallowed his fear, wanting nothing more than to leave on this merry looking ship with these two strangers.

"As much as I'd love to," Coby said, simultaneously thinking Anything would be better than this, "I can't . . . Alvida would see what happened immediately and pursue us. It could never work!"

Luffy flexed his right arm. "Well, that's why I offered to beat her up! If she's so awful, I don't mind. If she's a pirate, I'll probably have to fight her someday anyway."

"What makes you say that?" Coby had to ask. "You aren't Navy men, are you?" he added with a bit too much hope.

"No, we're pirates," Luffy proclaimed as proudly as ever, giving Usopp no time to interject and keep Luffy from revealing that. He squints over his shoulder back at sea (Please don't get awkward, he thought), unsure of how Coby would respond to that and damning Luffy's lack of tact (Gotta keep an eye on that, I guess, he thought).

"More pirates, huh?" Coby muttered, shaking his head. He throws his hands up. "Look, I appreciate the offer, but to jump from one lion's den into another isn't on my agenda. I have no use for pirates. If I'm to leave this place, it'll be with plans to join the Navy!" His blood started boiling now, and anxiety melted from him momentarily. "I'll lock every no good pirate up, including - no, starting with Alvida!"

He worked himself up, panting in place with his fists clenched into balls and raised by his face. Luffy and Usopp both just stare at him as he finally looked back up at them, realizing the speech might not have hit as best as he wanted. "Well . . . alright then," Luffy said. "I'd just take you to a Navy base, but if that's what you wanna do, I won't stop ya."

"You what?" Coby said.

"Come on," Luffy said, turning back to the Merry. "We're just causing this guy grief. Let's get out of here before he has a heart attack."

Usopp watches Luffy head, giving Coby a simple wave over his shoulder, then turns back to Coby. "Sorry, guy. We mean it, but . . . Well, good luck." Usopp reaches out and shakes Coby's hand, an action he never would have expected from a pirate. He hesitantly shakes Usopp's hand.

They really don't look like pirates, Coby thought as he watched Usopp follow Luffy up to the deck. They hollered orders at one another, rowing about face to head out. As the ship's bow turns to its stern, his mind raced. Intimidating Alvida was the chief force of evil in his life, but now he was faced with a greater evil. What have I done? What if that's my last chance? he thought, letting his mind run circles with what to do right now. Should he charge into the surf, swim to the ship and climb aboard? Call them back and ask for forgiveness, a chance to leave this forsaken island once and for all?

He said he'd take you to a Navy base, a little voice told Coby, remembering Luffy's earnest words. He was being sincere, the little voice was telling Coby as Coby gathered his things from the bush to head back to base. I didn't even get to fish, Coby thought with total disappointment as he watches the Merry leave the grotto. Usopp leaned over the stern banister, staring back at Coby and offering a small wave as Luffy turned the helm to port.

Good, they should avoid Alvida's detection, Coby thought with a nod as the Merry finally drifted out of sight, and Coby turned back into the forest to report for duty. The entire walk back was a drudge. He had never felt so depressed; this was the first time he'd ever had a chance to even escape from this island. The dinghy he'd been repairing was made from driftwood shored at the grotto, as the pirates would never let him take lumber without question. And they'd never let you escape, the same little voice reminded him.

Before he knew it, the beating Coby was mentally giving himself ended as he returned to the makeshift wharf the Iron Mace Pirates have constructed on the far side of the island. Yet he returns not to the regular lackadaisical nature of the hideout, but to the wharf swarming like a beehive. Coby looks around as the older men around and past him, sometimes shoving into him to get to where they're going. "COBY!" came a gruff voice that made the captive cabin boy flinch.

Coby turned to find Alvida's First Mate, Lawrence, jogging toward him. "Where have you been, boy?"

"Albarrot gave me my break," Coby said sheepishly, but Lawrence doesn't care. He points to the pirates' ship, the Love Duck, a magnificent white ship with a swan's figurehead. Alvida's Jolly Roger is an ugly skull and crossbones, the skull at profile, a vibrant red heart on its cranium. Burn, the little voice in Coby's head said.

"Forget about that, put your stuff down, we've got a ship," Lawrence explained. "Alvida's already on the Duck, so report to her quarters."

Coby's blood froze for a moment, and he set his tackle and rod down at his feet. "A ship?"

Lawrence turned and pointed out across the blue sea at a ship - a very familiar ship that Coby just finished his farewells to. The sheep figurehead is even discernible from here as he can make out Luffy and Usopp walking into their cabin on deck. Lawrence chuckled. "Looks pretty. Hopefully there's good loot." He clapped Coby hard on the back. "Now get to it, boy!"

I don't want them to die, Coby realized, but little else to do, he trotted over to the Love Duck and boarded the gangplank. He made his way past the crew readying the ship and arming the cannons and themselves, climbing the double decker stairs up to the entrance to the cabin. Entering Alvida's quarters, he finds her in her immense seat behind her desk. He knocked on the door quietly three times. "Captain Alvida?"

"I am the most beautiful," Alvida grumbled with a snore. Asleep, Coby realized. But his knocks made her awaken, and she grunted, jolted, and her massive iron mace fell to the floor, causing a dent in the wood. Coby flinched at the impact.

Alvida snorted, sucked, and coughed as she awakened, rising from her seat to tower over Coby and gather her mace up from the floor as if it were a mere paperweight. "Coby. Whose seas are these?"