"You know what we want. So tell us."
"Never."
"Tell us, or I'll have to do something you might regret."
"I'll die before I tell you anything."
"Alright… I didn't want to, but you're making me."
The grizzly man, with large arms and a dark beard, reached aside. Beside him in the headlight was a tray, a single rusty knife upon it. The man with white hair stayed oddly still. He was strapped down to a metal table with leather bindings, it was so tight, and his hands tingled. The grizzly man took the knife, and held it up for his shaded face to inspect. The small parts that weren't rusted over in dead brown glimmered with shiny bronze. The man with white hair, tied to the table, didn't flinch, and didn't move a muscle. He kept his sullen look, just staring at the man's shaded face. The grizzly man then stepped closer, his chiseled features exposed. The man with the white hair still did not move a muscle. The grizzly man rested a large hand on the white-haired man's forehead, holding his head back, stretching his skin so that his eyes were forced open. The man had a grim look, one with anger and determination. The white haired man still had no emotion. His mind raced a little though as the rusty bronze knife inched tauntingly closer. The white-haired man flinched as the blade, the tainted, rusty blade, inched closer and closer. The room was dark all around except for the over-head lamp that shined into his eyes, burning them, nearly. The grizzly man blocked the light then, and the bronze rust was only millimeters away from his left eye. Then, the white-haired man knew what fear was like.
A cry of pain echoed through the darkness.
The sky in mid-ocean was clear. The clouds below were floating unnoticeably, being drifted along by the winds that would hit sailor's sails. The sun shined down from the sky, high in the deep blue, casting warmth into the wind, so it wasn't too cold at the altitudes above the islands. The day was calm, as if nothing was to bother it. The early-morning air was clean, and refreshingly cool against the skin, and people were going about their early morning activities. Fishermen were wheeling in their nightly catches, mothers were preparing breakfasts, children were just waking up, and fathers were still fast asleep. Shops were opening within the towns and civilizations, and sailors were just unleashing their sails to the winds. But the early birds got the worms. Air Pirates were already at work. Black Pirates searched the skies for merchant ships to raid, and Blue Rogues searched for Black Pirates to raid. It was the regular day-to-day business. What about the neutral Pirates? Was it possible that Air pirates did not always choose a side? Two teenagers were of this category, and they were awake earlier than all.
A certain Back Pirate ship was sound asleep, anchored out on a small island in Mid-Ocean. The ship was of average size, being the traditional colours of red, yellow and a bit of green. The black sails were folded, not being effected by the wind in the least. The yellowish-brown boards of the deck and walls creaked with soft sighs in the wind. The red supporting along the hull and cargo bay held sternly to the sighing boards, not letting up on them or giving them relief. The glass window gleamed in the beautiful sunlight, and the entire ship had an air of relaxation and quiet around it. The black flag with a skull underlined by two red roses in an X pattern fluttered valiantly in the wind as a sign of silent victory to the previous raid on a Nasr merchant ship. The obscenely large cannon mounted on the front threatening any who happened to look. The ship was still and sturdy. The only stirring though was unwelcome. Two Pirates, only kids to some men's eyes, shifted uncomfortably within the cargo hold of this Black ship of foul deeds. They had been there for hours, laying in wait within crates, waiting for the perfect chance. Finally, the sleeplessness got to one of them, and they moved their cramped body out of the crate filled with cannon shells.
The lid to his crate fell open, filling the quiet room with the thumping of the lid against the floor. The boy sat up on his knees, letting his upper body fall to hang openly over the side of the crate, the wooden box under his arms, which hung lazily over the edge. He let out a sigh, closing his sleepless eyes, the bagged, ocean blue orbs surrendering to the weary eyelids. A sigh emitted from him, again filling the dusty room, faintly lit by the warm glow of the sun through circular windows. He soon opened his eyes again and looked around the room. Boxes were stacked atop one another, obviously emergency supplies in case of attack. Though, laid out in an unorganized pile on the floor was a pile of glittering treasure and old crates. The boy grinned lightly at the sight, reaching up to send his tan-skinned hand through his ruby-red hair. The sturdy style barely moved or became messy. He then took his arms back, and pushed against the edge of the box, causing it to tip over and send loud crashing through the room as he fell out, small cannon balls, several pounds of metal, falling on top of him. He groaned a bit, pushing them off and standing up slowly, stretching his back out and brushing off his orange button-up shirt with red cuffs around the armholes. He made sure the collar wasn't folded, and tightened the red sash around his waist, a part of the cloth hanging down his right leg, with small golden ornaments with blue orbs hanging off ropes of the fabric. He leaned down, brushing his blue jeans off, and then wiggled his toes against the wooden sandals he wore. After the quick inspection, the other Air Pirate came out of her crate.
"Couldn't you be a bit quieter!" She scorned in a whisper.
This Air Pirate seemed much more energetic than the male. The fact that she was in a crate full of spare pillows probably helped a lot. Her long waist-length blonde hair was a little messy, and the make-up on her lips faded from a deep red to a lighter shade. She yawned and crawled out of the crate, hopping out. Her white-shaded skin seemed delightfully hued in the yellowish sunlight, and the light from the window defined her youthful curves. She was just entering womanhood, and she was very confident about the way she looked. She lightly checked over her outfit, her white top slightly wrinkled from her cramped sleep, the fabric being thick and ending just under her chest, showing off her trim midriff, and the black flame-like tattoos that somewhat framed her bellybutton, them being open at the top and bottom. The sleeves on the top had no parts covering her shoulder, much rather, it wrapped around her underarms, covering it, and continued down her arms. She smoothed out these wrinkles and checked her brown, thigh-length skirt, which was fine, and was slightly clingy to her legs. Lastly, her almost knee-high tan boots were brushed off against one another. She stepped towards the treasure then, her sapphire, gold-framed earrings dangling from her lobes, and the golden bracelets slightly hanging from her wrists. She kneeled down to it, the black yin-yang tattoo on her back visible to the male Pirate as she admired the gold with wide eyes.
"Wow Maxy, would you look at all this." She said in silent awe.
"Yeah." Maxwell, the male Pirate agreed, a slight grin on his teenaged features. "They really hit a good ship huh?"
"Yeah…" The female Pirate agreed. "But they stole it from an unarmed merchant ship. That's what Black Pirates do."
"We should take it for ourselves." She added.
"That's not what we came for, Lia." Maxwell said in a somewhat annoyed tone. "We came for that."
Maxwell pointed out with his right hand at a large object at the very center of the pile. This object was a large stone, with many minerals within it, and it emitted a bright glow. It was the only other thing lighting up the dusty room. It was called a Moonstone, and it could have been used for a variety of things. For years they had been used for fuel for ships, or forged to make weapons, or ever fermented to make loqua. It seemed that every day, someone could find a new and creative way to use these stones to benefit them. Maxwell and Lia wanted to bring it back to their home village, where they would sell it to whomever wanted to buy it. Maybe Bacco, the weapons merchant would buy it. Who knew? The biggest concern was getting the rock that weighed more than a cannon ball, off the ship and back home. The two Air Pirates had all night to plan about it, and come up with ideas in order to successfully escape with it. Each seemed a little unrealistic until Maxwell came up with the idea of quietly lugging it out while everyone was sleeping, hopping into a lifeboat, and heading straight home. But first came first. They had to get the thing out of the room.
They both silently agreed, and moved to the large stone, ignoring the glittering gold before their eyes. They both grabbed it, and by the count of three, lifted it. With both of them carrying it, it made the job much easier, but walking was somewhat difficult. They moved out from the empty space in the middle of the room, large stacks of crates lurking over them, as if watching them in silence. They both grunted and forced their way to the door, which was a little small for them to go through side-by-side. With timid annoyance, they turned so that Maxwell was walking backwards, and Lia walking forwards, and they made their way up the stairs, which proved difficult as well. The only sounds they made were breathing, light grunting, and the light tapping Maxwell's Swashbuckler Sword made against his leg while it was tucked securely within his sash. They moved up the stairs, silence surrounding them like morning glow, and they turned, heading for the door to the deck of the ship. They knew the lifeboats were on either side of the deck. It was only a matter of moments until they would both be outside, and lugging the Moonstone into a lifeboat and sailing away victoriously.
In the meantime, a middle-aged man was laying up in the crow's nest of the old-fashioned Pirate ship. He was stirred awake by the breeze, and he stretched out his arms. There was a lone pillow and a sleeping back in the crow's nest for him to sleep in, and he wiggled out of it and stood up. His bald head was covered by a bandana, and he wore a striped shirt of varying shades of yellow. His black jeans were torn at the bottom, fitting over his boots. He looked over the edge of the crow's nest, well over a few feet taller than the walls around him. His defined features sported a smile, which formed into a grin remembering the celebration the night before. He scanned the horizons, seeing nothing but blue sky for miles, a few small islands scattered here and there. The man sighed in relaxation. It was going to be another quiet morning. Or, at least, that's what he thought until he heard the doors open from the inside of the ship. Expecting to see his fellow pirates, he turned around and looked over the edge of the crow's nest. His eyes went wide in surprise when he was met with the sight of two teenagers making off with their plunder. The young woman looked up and saw him staring at her, and let out a gasp, dropping the large stone right on the young man's toes. The young man cried out in pain, ripping his foot out from beneath the weight and hopping around, biting his tongue.
"Oi! There be lil' bloaters makin' off with our loot!" The man cried as he reached up to a bell that glittered with its brass surface, suspended on the crow's nest. He grabbed a rope and jerked it back and forth in a fury, causing the bell to make a loud clatter. It was loud enough to wake the other Pirates inside their quarters. Lia and Maxwell panicked a bit and picked up the stone, desperately waddling towards the side. The bell continued to clang and cash, and all of the Pirates were up and out on the deck within seconds. However many of them there were didn't matter, because the two Pirates were stopped dead in their tracks by a burley voice that called out to them. Somehow, the voice seemed to exclaim champion from with its vocals.
"Stop!"
The two Pirates did so, stopping and dropping the stone, stepping away from it. A large man came from the Black pirate gang. He wore a highly disapproved look, his chin being very big with a cleft. His large arms crossed over his flared out chest, which were toned with an abundance of muscle. He simply wore a black tank top, stretched tight over his chest, white gloves, black pants, and a sash that tied over his waist. He wore large black leather boots that made deep thumps when the hit the ground. His hair had one large spike in the center of his bangs, sticking up like an antennae. Of course, his form cried out with power and commanding, and it also hinted at his previous profession. He glared meanly at the two teenagers.
"You're stealing from MY ship!" He exclaimed.
"Wow, he's a sharp one." Maxwell taunted, looking to Lia.
"What!" The Captain of the ship shouted, stomping his foot on the deck, making the two younger Pirates flinch. "Do you have any idea WHO I am! I am Vigoro the Strong, and you're on MY ship, the Titan! You're stealing from a formal Admiral's ship!"
"Yeah, we know that." Lia rolled her eyes. "We came for this Moonstone here. Surely you don't need it."
"Yeah, it's probably taking up weight anyways." Maxwell agreed with a grin. "We'll just take it off your hands."
"You'll pay for your arrogance!" Vigoro shouted. "Men! Take the boy and throw him overboard! Then, grab the girl and take her into my quarters. I'm going to have a little… chat, with her."
"Ew! No way pal!" Lia exclaimed, a look of disgust on her face.
The Pirates were in a bundle; they're being maybe five in all. Maxwell and Lia were ready for them though. Maxwell pulled his sword from its spot in his sash, the blade smooth, but sharp, made out of transparent green Moonstone. Lia had a whip dangling from her waist, and she took it from its holder, keeping it coiled, and a purple Moonstone gem in the hilt. The Pirates, armed with cutlasses, smirked, thinking that the fact that it was four on two was an advantage for them. Vigoro's men advanced on them quickly then, all charging with menacing laughs. Lia quickly lashed her whip out then, catching two of the Black Pirates side-by-side. She caught one's right leg, and the other's left, and the whip coiled it leather length around both legs, pulling them together like a ball bearing. Lia yanked back on it, bringing the Pirates' feet from under then and knocking them onto their backs. Then, with a skillful flick of her gloved hand, she recoiled the whip and fled from the other two. Maxwell smirked at these two, fleeing from them as well as he climbed up to the wheel. Vigoro ordered them to get him, but they were unable to as he quickly grabbed one of the ropes the led to the mast and cut it. He then ran forwards and jumped, swinging over their heads with a laugh.
"Get him!" Vigoro cried as he watched his men act like idiots.
The men turned their attentions to the swinging boy then. Maxwell came back at them, sword in hand, and swung right at them. He glided over Vigoro's head, and skillfully kicked the two standing men down, making them land on the other two who were just getting up. Maxwell planted his feet on the ground then and turned to them, letting his rope go. He took hold of another rope and laughed as he watched the four Pirates trip over one another and struggle to get up. Vigoro scolded them, but still insisted on not doing anything. The four of them finally stood up and turned their attentions on Max. Max grinned and threw his sword up. It cut through another rope on the mast, the one that was intended to keep it rolled up. It began to unroll, and just as the men dove at Maxwell to grab him, the rope tugged up, and the counter-weight lifted the boy off the deck and into the air. The men fell on themselves all over again, and Vigoro slapped a hand to his face in disgrace. Maxwell grabbed his sword on the way up, and leapt off to the sail, grabbing onto it and sliding down to the mast.
"Do I have to do EVERYTHING myself?" Vigoro scorned as he took out a cutlass of his own.
Though, from behind, Lia's whip wrapped around Vigoro's ankle, and jerked his strong legs out from under him. He fell forwards onto his face, hitting his nose off the deck. He groaned, holding his nose as he looked back at Lia, who winked at him. He raised an eyebrow in confusion as she pointed up. Vigoro looked up just in time to see the mast falling towards him. Maxwell had cut it down while he was on it, and he leapt off before the mast hit the ground. He landed on the deck and turned to see "Vigoro the Strong" get hit in the head with the mast, and his men getting caught under the black sail like a big net. Maxwell laughed then as Lia coiled her whip back and put it on her waist, skipping over. She stepped right on Vigoro's head on the way by, going over the sail that had five different from struggling to get out from beneath it. The bumbling Black pirates gave the two Neutral Air Pirates enough time to lug the large Moonstone to the lifeboat and hop inside. The lifeboat jerked down under the weight, but was barely able to hold it. Maxwell started up the motor then and took hold of the throttle, beginning to sail away into the sky, the wing-like motors working to thrust them through the air.
"See you later lunk-head!" Lia laughed as she waved, sailing away quickly.
"Damn!" By the time Vigoro had gotten out of the trap, the two Air Pirates were merely a spec in the horizon.
The two Air Pirates felt very fulfilled sailing through the air in their little boat. The wind blew through their hair, Lia's long, beautiful blond hair swaying freely in the wind while Maxwell's shorter hair merely fluttered about. They were both laughing about the fight, mocking the block-headed Black pirates who had attempted to stop them. All that was around them were blue skies and fluffy white clouds soon. The lifeboat did not go overly fast, especially with the weight on it, so they had a while to wait and talk with one another. Both of them mainly talked about having a big breakfast when they got back, and selling the Moonstone. Lia was especially interested in that, since she seemed to have a sort of desire to get wealthy. Though, at most times, this dream seemed to be very farfetched and unattainable. Maxwell had different dreams. He wanted to sail around the world, Just like Vyse, the Legend, and he wanted adventure, just like Vyse, the Legend. In fact, it seemed that he wanted to be just likeVyse in many ways. Soon, they were approaching their home.
A few leagues northeast of Pirate's Isle, there was a mountain called Moonstone Mountain, which had a waterfall running from a lake in the uppermost part of the sky. Vyse the Legend had discovered this lake when he somehow gained a ship that made it that high. This mountain was a clean gray, and even had white snow lining the top above the clouds. Soon after Vyse had defeated the Silver Gigas, Zelos, people began to build and expand outwards. A small settlement in Mid-Ocean had built a city right in the side of the mountain, some building suspended outwards on platforms like the Ixa' Taka villages. The rest of this city was built right into the mountainside, holes having been blown out of it by explosives. It was by no means a large town, but it was home to the two Air Pirates. The sight of it brought a smile to their faces. As small as it was, it was home, and there was no place like it on earth. They quietly sailed right up to the docks where Maxwell tied down the ship and helped Lia moved the Moonstone out of the boat and onto the dock. He then crawled out onto the dock and helped Lia out, and they grinned to one another.
"Home sweet home." Maxwell said as he took in a deep breath of air. "I'm beat."
"Yeah, I'm tired too…" Lia said with a yawn, stretching out her arms and legs. "Fighting first thing in the morning was by far the worst idea we ever had."
"Forget selling that thing, I'm going to bed." Maxwell groaned.
"Are you serious?" Lia asked in surprise.
"Yeah I am. It can wait, it won't be going anywhere." Maxwell said as he turned to head towards his home. "Seeya later."
The mountainside village was fairly feudal, much like the neighboring Pirate Isle. If Maxwell's tan were not natural, he would have had a hard time keeping it. The village within the mountain was shrouded in shade, since at most times of the day the sun was unable to bask it's warm glow upon it. In fact, the sunset was the only light to hit the inside of the blue-hued cave, and bask it in an orange glow. At all other times of the day, torches flickered and sparked along the cave walls to light the village. Torch poles were also set up, like Vuluan street lamps, in order to gain vision. Though it was a hazard, and they were usually kept within glass casings and lanterns in order to keep the wooden houses and shops from catching on fire. The village had once caught aflame during its starting months, though only a few homes were lost. The wood was generally made out of common pine or cedar trees, so it was easy to burn. Only the mayor's home was an exception to this rule, his home made of stone. The walkways were wooden as well, and the platform that extended the village from the mountain was also made of wood. Though, it had metal supports holding it to the mountain and keeping it sturdy. Nobody ever thought of what might happen if those supports ever gave way, and nobody really wanted to.
Nights within the cave could be cold for the villagers, which there was barely over twenty. Days didn't get much better, unless a warm breeze was blown into the cave by a summer's wind. Though with the amount of fire in the village, it was easy to keep warm. Maxwell found the conditions awkwardly favorable. He never knew why, and he rarely questioned it. If he ever bothered, he'd merely give himself a headache. He just liked it, and that was that.
Maxwell's mother was just waking up when he came in the door. The woman with red hair and green eyes was a little surprised to see him. She offered him breakfast, but it was a no deal. He was too tired to eat; he just wanted to go to sleep. When his mother asked him what he had come home with, he remembered he had left Lia to drag the stone into a safe place. He felt a little bad, but his mother told him not to worry about it, and wished him a good sleep. Maxwell yawned as he climbed the stairs and went to his room. He made certain to be quiet, as to not wake his little brother, Taylor, and he moved to his room. Once inside, he kicked his sandals off. He looked around the darkened room, and he lit a lamp next to him, bringing light in. The room was fairly small, the size of a small office. The only things within the room were a bed with light blue covers and a white pillow, a window at the far side for air, since using it for light was senseless, and a dresser across from his bed. He found he didn't need anything other than those things. With a sigh, he undressed himself, placing his sword on the dresser and hopping into his bed. After several minutes, he was fast asleep, dreaming of the sky.
Several minutes after both Maxwell and Lia had fallen asleep; a traveler came to the village. He didn't appear to be any sort of a sailor though. Everyone looked at him as he passed. His pale white features appeared to be very matured, and his snow-white hair draped down to his mid back. His one dark green eye showed fatigue, while his left was covered so securely by his white bangs, that it couldn't be seen. He was very opposing, being above average in height at six feet tall, give or take a few inches. He wore a sort of dark green coat, though the front and sides ended at his waist, while the back of the coat flowed down to his ankles, like a cloak. His long legs were dawned in dark black pants, and the large black leather boots on his feet were decorated with golden plates. His face showed a somber expression, though his fists were balled tightly, hidden behind large wrist blades known as katars, which seemed to have silver, translucent blades. This wrists, hands, and some of his forearm were wrapped tightly in taping, somewhat yellowish due to long hours of wear and tear. He tiredly walked through the village, dragging his feet somewhat. Most people stared at the odd traveler, but when he fell against a wall for support, a kindly woman asked if he needed assistance.
"I request lodging…" The white-haired man said.
"Certainly." The woman said graciously. "Right this way."
The mysterious traveler was taken to the woman's home, and given hospitality. The village seemed humble with hospitality to the man, to the point where he thought them foolish. He had noticed the same pattern everywhere he went. Everyone was so happy and trusting, and he did not understand why. At least, not until he learned about Vyse the Legend. He learned that some years before, a young boy saved the world from Zelos and Ramirez, a former Silvite. Peace then reigned for several weeks, and then the world resumed its normal course. It was a little foolish to the white-haired man, but he had his own problems to worry about. He was to gather his strength quickly, and then leave again. He knew very well that he could not dwell in one place for very long. He used the woman's hospitality to his advantage, eating a full meal for once. He couldn't remember the last time he had done that. He soon went to sleep then, and stayed that way for quite some time.
Meanwhile on a mid-sized ship made entirely of metal, a man looked on towards the mountain. He could see it from the bridge of his ship, and he stroked his goatee beard in thought. His hair was black as night, and he wore a large black robe to bovver his body. He looked something like an eerie priest, with his hair shaved very short. The ship was buzzing with activity, men running about, preparing themselves. They put on armor, took up arms, and were soon at the deck at attention, not moving a muscle. There weren't many of them; there was simply a small squad. They all wore black, with full-face helmets and shoulder pads of metal. The rest of them were dressed in tight spandex suits, black unlike the shiny silver metal, and their boots were large, with pointed spikes attached to the toes. The man turned his attentions to a younger boy as he entered the bridge, his average-toned white features seeming sullen.
"The men have all assembled… Just like you wished, Baita." The boy said, bowing to him.
"Good." Baita grinned. "You've done well Gemma, now you can watch. We will finally get that man and make him tell us what we want to know."
"Very good milord." The ginger-haired boy said, wearing a black cloak much like his master's. The boy's blue eyes seemed a little regretting though, more than likely of fear from a boy being involved in such a predicament.
"The men will attack the village at once." Baita laughed as he turned to see his men still standing at attention. "They can destroy anything they want during their search, but they can't leave any evidence, and they will bring the man to me, alive."
"Max! Get up!"
Max heard a cry from his younger brother Taylor, and felt a smack into the side of his head. He groaned, sitting up and shaking his head. He rubbed his head and looked to his little brother, seeing the distress in his green eyes. Maxwell immediately gained a look of confusion on his face. He got up and got dressed, throwing on his pants and shirt while his brother told him what was happening. By the time he had gotten his sandals on, he was aware that men were attacking the village. With that information in mind, he grabbed his sword from his dresser and held it firmly. He was still confused, though, as to why anyone would attack his village. It didn't make any sense. Why attack a village that was quiet, out of the way, and harmless. Not only that, but who would be crazy enough to do so? Emperor Enrique would surely somehow put a stop to them.
Maxwell ran outside, to see a few men at the center of the village. He ran towards them, Lia also having done the same. They stopped, looked at each other, and then looked at the men. There were three men in black spandex suits, boots and headpieces, and then there was a white-haired man they had never seen before. They appeared to be having a heated argument, many of the villagers having gathered around to watch, others being held in place by other black-suited men. Maxwell had his eyes specifically on the white-haired man, somehow drawn to the scar across his chest from the lower left to his left breast. One of the black-suited men's voices rose up again, snapping everyone to attention.
"Come quietly with us, and we won't hurt these people!" He proclaimed so that everyone could hear.
"These people have done nothing, let them go." The white-haired man said.
"Surrender yourself, and nobody will get hurt." The man said.
Just as the white-haired man went to speak, the two other men who were holding prisoners were knocked out. At the thud they made on the ground, everyone looked to them, only to see Maxwell and Lia, their weapons out. They looked ready to fight.
"You leave these people alone!" Maxwell shouted.
"What!" The men were somehow surprised by this stand.
"Get out of there, kid." The white-haired man said.
"Not a chance!" Maxwell said. "These guys don't come causing trouble in my village!"
"And I'm not a kid!" Lia scoffed at the white-haired man.
"Kid, just buzz of." One of the black-suited men laughed. "We just want this man, nothing else. Give him to us and nobody has to get hurt."
"Look at the way you were handling my mother!" Lia shouted. Her mother was one of the people the men were holding hostage. "Nobody touches her like that!"
"Obviously someone did, since she had you." One of the men laughed.
"WHAT?" Lia was outraged.
"You three are beginning to annoy me." The white-haired man said. "Be gone!"
The white-haired man lunged at the man in the middle then, his katar blade clashing with the black-suited man's sword. They were locked in a test of strength, and Maxwell and Lia just looked at one another in slight confusion. Though, when the other two were about to move in on the white-haired man, Maxwell thought he might as well help him, since the black suited men looked kind of like bad guys. He ran at the one to the white-haired man's left and shouldered him in the back, knocking him to the floor. Lia was a little startled by this act of random heroics, but she quickly followed suit. She lunged her whip out, and skillfully wrapped it around the remaining man's neck. She then pulled back to lunge herself forwards and kick the guy in the back, bringing him and her to the ground. The crowd around them gasped in shock as Maxwell and Lia went about taking the men's weapons away, and stripping them of their armor. In the meantime, with all eyes diverted, the white-haired man still struggled with the man in the middle.
The white-haired man showed fury as he fought with the man to drive him back. But neither of them seemed to be getting anywhere. So the white-haired man lunged forward, thrusting his knee into the black-suited man's gut. The man coughed and keeled forwards a bit, holding his gut. The white-haired man then pushed him onto the ground, stepping away. He looked around quickly and then turned to Maxwell and Lia, asking if there was a boat nearby, or some sort of means of escape. Maxwell and Lia were a little slow, but once their minds caught up with them, they nodded towards the dock. The man looked over to see the lifeboat they had stolen earlier in the day. He thanked them and ran to the boat, jumping into it and starting the motor, he then sailed away without a word. The black-suited men got up then, one still holding their stomach. That one man gave the order to go after the white-haired man, and they ran to their own lifeboat, heading in a different direction. When all was said and done, there was silence. Though many of the villagers were curious as to whom the men were. Over dinner, Maxwell and his family conversed.
They had little idea about who any of the men were, but they weren't going to let it stop them from living their lives. Nobody was hurt; Lia's mother was fine, and everyone was merely a little shaken up. Though they had to proceed with every day life. Lia's father, being a man who was wise and usually prepared for most situations suggested that Lia go with him, her mother, and Maxwell to Sailor's Island to gather shipments for the small item shop opened up in the village. This was of course a good idea. Lia thought immediately that they could sell the Moonstone Maxwell and her had stolen for big bucks over there. So of course, she agreed with little regard to recent events. The blonde haired girl just loved money, and almost everything to do with it, what else could she say? That was probably the main reason she became an Air Pirate with Maxwell in the first place.
The next day they prepared to go. It didn't take much preparation. Lia's father had his own ship, which he had built from the ground up when he was a young boy. It was a small kind of ship, fit for three or four people. It wasn't painted any special colours, or had any fancy decorations; it was just a plain brown ship with white sails and Lia's father's flag. On the flag it hat the personal insignia of an awkward kind of marking that seemed to resemble two S's over-lapping each other. It looked a lot like any old fishing boat. The inside had two bedrooms, and an engine room, and of course there was the deck and the bridge. There were no cannons on the ship, making them completely vulnerable. But, usually if anyone wanted to steal from them, they would board the sad-looking ship, and be fought back by Lia and Maxwell. Looks were definitely deceiving there.
It was a long several hours until they managed to reach Sailor's Island. Maxwell was actually glad to go, never having wanted to dwell on things. It was his own personal belief that if people "walked on eggshells," nothing would get any better. So going on was the best thing to do. He spoke with Lia the entire time about the men, and why he helped the white-haired man. Somehow Maxwell was able to trust the white-haired man without question. The male Air Pirate said that the man with the white hair just seemed to have an air of trust around him. Besides, he was the one that looked like he was in trouble. Lia admitted that the only reason she had helped in the first place was because Maxwell did. She never really understood why until then. They talked like that the whole trip, which was rather smooth, with no problems confronting them. When the ship docked, they unloaded the large Moonstone and lugged it through the town.
Sailor's Island had barely changed a bit. From the few years before, when Vyse had saved the world, little was different. Polly still ran her Tavern across from the Sailor's Guild, but it was a little larger. When her husband Robinson had returned to her, they had many children, about twenty, so it was understandable that an expansion was in order. Down the stone walkway and across the wooden bridge, over the clean blue water, were still the item shop, and the ship merchant's store. To the lest was still the inn and the weapon's shop, and the lighthouse still stood tall and proud, shining its light for lost sailors. Merchants, Pirates, fishermen, and so on still made Sailor's island a common stop on return voyages for parts and a place to stay. It had only gotten larger since Vyse's time, though it had only become slightly busier since then. Maxwell and Lia had rarely come to the place, but were usually glad when they did.
Maxwell and Lia grunted and groaned as they lugged the glittering stone though the town. Merchants and sailors alike eyed it with interest. They lugged it towards the item shop, but dropped it just across the bridge at a stockpile of boxes beside the shop. They sighed, leaning against the boxes and wiping their brows of sweat. Then, with smug little grins, they slapped a price of eight hundred gold on the hunk of precious stone, and sat next to it. Almost immediately, buyers came running, offering prices and such for it. But they all found eight hundred gold far too much, even though the kids thought it was a reasonable price for all the trouble they went through to get the thing in the first place. They stubbornly refused each low offer, especially Lia. She would have no part in anything less than eight hundred gold. Though, if anyone offered more, she surely would have accepted. Every offer seemed lacking and dull, until one man approached them.
The man's Nasr heritage showed with the nomadic veil he wore on his head. It was white, with white cloth hanging down to cover his neck. He was a young man, apparently twenty or so from first glance. His skin was slightly tanned, more than likely from the desert sun, and from what could be seen, his brown hair hung down in a slightly messy way, but still remained decent, and a little spikey. He wore a simple outfit of a sleeveless blue silk shirt, defining his thin, though muscular body. A black cloth tied around his waist, slightly coming over his abdomen, separated the blue of his shirt and pants. His silk blue pants covered his legs to his black boots, and they flared out a wee bit at the bottom, a typical Nasr style. A silver chain necklace around his neck gleamed in the light, and he peered down at the two young Air Pirates, blocking the view of the sun, which shaded his front half, making his green eyes seem deeper. He crossed his arms, a black glove on his left hand with lime green stripes over the knuckles, his face showing a youthful, playful grin.
"Eight-fifty." Were the only words he said, his voice hinting at a free-living nature.
"Huh?" The two Pirates looked up at the man in confusion.
"… You'll pay eight hundred and fifty gold!" Lia cried after a moment of thinking, standing up quickly with a smile.
"Yeah." The man said. "Eight hundred for the stone, and fifty to pay the attractive spokes-girl."
"Wha?" Maxwell was still confused.
"Anyway, you can have it for that much!" Lia said eagerly.
The man dug around in a pouch on waist and said, "Yeah, I need it for my ship. There's a treasure out in the desert you know."
"A treasure?" Max was at attention again.
"Oh yeah." The man said, taking the gold out of the pouch. "It's said to be in a temple under the sands. I might be the only guy in the entire place that knows it's true. I just need the Moonstone there, and some help."
"Hm, well, for that money, you can have the Moonstone!" Lia smiled as she took the money.
"Yeah… But I still need help." The man said.
"Yeah we know that." Maxwell said.
"I could be anybody." The man said again, raising his eyebrows at them. "Anybody at all. You know, anyone who likes adventuring and treasure."
"I like adventuring." Maxwell grinned.
"And I LOVE treasure!" Lia piped in.
"Well why don't you come with me!" The man smiled, full of sarcasm. "I mean, it's not like I was hinting on to that!"
"Wait buddy, we don't even know who you are." Maxwell said.
"The name's Gavin." The man chuckled, holding out a tiny piece of paper to them both. The paper had his name and his address on it. He was apparently a citizen of Maramba. "Treasure hunting's my game."
"I think we could be real good friends, Gavin." Lia said.
"I certainly hope so." He winked to Lia, who seemed not to notice.
"Right… But still, I don't know…" Maxwell said.
"Come on Maxy!" Lia pleaded, looking down at Maxwell.
"Yeah, come on Maxy!" Gavin joked as he stood next to Lia and mimicked her. "What have you got to lose? We'll ask your parents before you go, it's not like I'm gonna kidnap the two of you. If I did that, I wouldn't know what to do with you!"
"Well… If we ask first, I'm sure it'll be all right." Maxwell said in deep thought, he then grinned. "Besides, I want to see this treasure too."
"Trust me, if you two come, I'll make it worth your while." Gavin grinned. "We'll split the treasure three ways. I won't let anything bad happen to you two kids anyways. I doubt there's anything to worry about!"