"…oof…note to self: go easy on the grog next time…"

Stella woke up face-down on a tavern table. She had arrived at Plunder Outpost soon after entering the Sea of Thieves. Upon entering the tavern there, the pirates seemed to immediately recognise her as a new sailor. She quickly learned that a tradition in Plunder Outpost was that if a new pirate arrived, there would be free drinks all night. You can guess what proceeded…

"That's one way to spend your first night here, eh?" The barkeep, Tanya, placed a tankard of water in front of Stella. "Yeah…that wasn't how I expected it to go. Then again, I don't know what I was expecting." Stella replied, taking a sip of water. Tanya let out a light chuckle, "That's a good mentality to keep 'round here. Expect the unexpected."

"Noted." Stella then stood from her seat and stretched her arms before picking up her tankard, "Welp, Imma get some air. Try to get rid of this hangover."

"Aye. Oh, and one more thing?" Tanya spoke up, "I'd get a change o' clothes. Your clothes are fancy lookin', but they won't last long at sea. 'Specially if you get beset by another crew or somethin' else nasty."

"Will do."

Stella stepped outside into the fresh yet salty sea air. The sky was a bright blue with the odd cloud floating by and the sea was a sapphire blue. The outpost wasn't too busy; she spotted the odd pirate going between their ship and the traders' tents. Stella walked through the outpost before sitting down at a bench with a cloth shade over it. As she drank her water, she found herself lost in thought. She made it. She actually made it to the Sea of Thieves. But now what? She wants to follow in her mother's footsteps but where does she even start? She doesn't want to be part of the trading companies – part of her feels like she'd only be held back. She could just wing it until something relating to her mother comes up, but who knows how long that'll be. Being a pirate wasn't as easy as she'd thought it'd be…

"E-excuse me…"

A small voice caught Stella's attention. In front of her was a woman, looking only a couple of years younger than she was, with emerald eyes and ginger hair that reached past her shoulders. She wore a lavender and pink sundress with matching shoes, grey tights, and a blue cardigan. In her left ear was a metal ring. She had a nervous expression, and her arms were full of what looked like scrolls, a notebook, and writing utensils. "Is it, um…is it ok if I sit here for a bit? I-I'll try not to disturb you…"

"Sure!" Stella smiled. The woman whispered s quiet "Thank you…" as she sat across from Stella, placing the scrolls and tools on the wooden table. Stella watched as she unfurled one of the scrolls that seemed to be an uncoloured map of an island. She then opened the notebook which has a rough sketch of the island on one page and a list of notes on the other along with the island name: Plunder Valley. The list included the locations of landmarks and points of interest on the island along which what fauna and flora could be found there, and miscellaneous notes such as a cannon on the south cliff and that skeleton captains tended to appear on the eastern beach. The woman began colouring in the map while occasionally marking the note locations as she went. "Wow…these are more detailed than any map I've seen so far!"

"O-oh! Thank you." The woman seemed caught-off guard, her cheeks turning a slight shake of pink, "I try to be thorough in my findings. It makes it easier to locate certain things on an island and reduces voyage times."

"Sweet! My name's Stella, by the way. Stella Icewind."

"A-Ali. Ali Kart. It's nice to meet you, Stella."

"Same to you. Are you part of a crew?"

"Oh, no. I'm a…what would be a good word…a freelancer, I think. If people need help on voyages, I accompany them on their ship and lend them my maps. I never leave the ship when we get there, though. I'm really no good in a fight. I mainly end up helping the Bilge Rats most of the time." Ali looked down at the map she was working on, "Even after a year, I still haven't fully mapped out every island here. Not to mention there are still islands not even marked on official maps. I want to thoroughly map out every inch of land in the Sea of Thieves." A panicked look suddenly crossed her face, "A-ah! I'm rambling! I'm so sorry!"

"No, no! It's ok. I think it's really cool!" Stella smiled, "In fact, I'm hoping to form my own crew and looking at your maps, I could use a navigator like you."

"M-m-me?!" Ali squeaked. "If you're interested. I'm new to the sea and by the looks of things, you know you're way around better than I do. What do you say?"

"I mean…it would be a good opportunity to continue my island research…" Ali muttered, staring down at her lap before looking up at Stella, "Ok. I can't guarantee I'll be much help outside my maps, but I'll do my best!"

"That's great! Welcome to the Glacial Dragons!" Stella grinned, "Well first-things-first: Tanya said my outfit isn't all that sea-worthy, so I need to get some proper clothes."

"R-right. I better get changed into my sea gear too. I'll meet you at the docks."


Ali sat on the edge of the docks, her legs swinging above the waves. She now wore a sky-blue shirt under a dark greyish-brown coat – which had matching boots – with a pink sash tied around her waist in a bow. She also wore a navy, pleated skirt with a black belt, dark brown, knee-length leggings, and a white and sky-blue striped bandana tied around her head. Across her shoulder was a leather satchel that had a few map scrolls peeking out.

"Ok, I'm ready!"

Ali turned to see Stella heading up the beach towards the docks. She now wore a blue and teal breast plate with small aqua frills near the top over a white and blue-grey sleeveless vest closed with large light blue buttons. There was a lopsided skirt, gloves and boots that matched the breastplate – the skirt held up by a dark blue belt – dark teal thigh-high socks held up by belts and matching detached sleeves. Over it all was a dark blue cape that formed a fitting collar at the neck and was fastened by a round blue stone. She still wore her crystal under the cape.

"It's not too much, is it? I wanted to make a good impression." Stella asked as Ali got up from where she sat on the docks. "You look great!" Ali smiled before taking a scroll out of her satchel, "I, um, was going through some of my maps to see if there were any nearby islands that would be good for a first voyage, and I heard a rumour that there's a treasure stash on Paradise Spring that might fetch some decent gold." Ali pulled out the map and pointed to a pool of water on the island's northern half, "It's said to be hidden in the bottom of this pond."

"Sweet! A treasure hunt!" Stella's eyes lit up at the thought of a treasure-filled adventure, "Let's hop on Snow Splitter and head there right away!"

"Snow Splitter?" Ali cocked her head to the side, almost like a confused puppy.

"Yep. That's what I named the sloop. Mom's ship was called the Icebreaker, so I wanted to honour it somewhat in terms of her name: Snow Splitter."

"I like it. It's kinda cute but cool at the same time! Er…no pun intended."

"Hey, I'm all about puns so don't hold back."

"O-oh! Okay!"


"Gyah!"

Stella swung her blade through the last skeleton on the island before letting out a sigh of relief before looking around. "Ali? Where'd you go?" she yelled out. "O-over here!" Ali poked her head out from behind a rock. As Stella sheathed her sword, Ali came out from her hiding spot, fidgeting with her fingers, "Sorry…I'm not much good in a fight. Plus, skeletons are scary."

"That's fair. So which way to the pond?"

Ali took out her map and compass, "It should be…this way!" Stella followed Ali through the thick foliage before arriving at a pool of water surrounded by rocks. "Bingo!" Stella cheered as she began climbing in, "You comin'?"

"No thanks. I'll stay up here and keep an eye out for anything nasty." Ali replied, scootching back a bit from the water's edge. "Okie dokie. I'll be back up in a jiffy." Stella took a deep breath and dove below the water. Ali sat on the ground when a faint 'oink' caught her attention. A small pink pig cautiously trotted up to her, sniffing her. "Oh! Hello, little guy." Ali smiled, which turned into a bright grin as the pig hopped onto her lap and snuggled up to her. "Aww, you're really cute." Ali cooed as she scratched behind the pig's ear. Suddenly, the pig jumped with a frightened squeal before running off into the bushes. "Hey, where'd you go?" Ali called out.

"Well, well, well! Look who's stealin' our treasure, boys."

"Uh-oh…"

Stella dove down to the pond's sandy bottom and spotted a treasure chest half-buried in the sand. Stella gave it a few hard yanks before it finally came free. With a satisfied smile, Stella tucked the chest under her arm and began swimming to the surface. Upon breaking the surface, Stella looked around excitedly for Ali, "Ali, I found it! Let's get back to the Snow Splitter and g- oh…"

"Ahoy there, newbie."

Where Ali was once sitting were now four pirates in black and red clothing and golden masks. Two of them were holding the arms of a very terrified-looking Ali. "H-hey! Let her go!" Stella yelled as she clambered out of the water with the chest. "Of course!" One of the pirates chuckled, Stella assumed this one was the leader since his outfit was more heavily decorated than the others', "Just hand over OUR treasure."

"Yours? We found it first!"

"Stella, just give it to them!" Ali cried, "They're part of the Reaper's Bones. They hunt other pirates for sport- ow!" One of the pirates stood on Ali's foot, "Can it, scaredy catfish!"

"Leave her alone!" Stella growled. "Or what?" The captain scoffed.

"Or this!"

A voice rang out before pained yells cried out from behind the captain. He turned around just in time to see a figure elbow one pirate in the side of the head before heavily stepping on the others foot, causing both to let go of Ali who immediately ran to Stella. The figure was a tall man with light brown skin, short brown hair and hazel eyes. He wore a navy, teal and light blue jacket with a matching hat and boots over a black turtleneck, black gloves and leggings, a small sky-blue sash around his forehead, and a larger sky-blue sash tied around his waist. He turned to Stella and Ali and shouted, "Run! Get to your ship and go!" Stella didn't needed to be told twice. With the chest still under one arm, she used the other to grab Ali's hand and took off running back to the Snow Splitter. As she ran, she could hear an explosion on the opposite side of the island. As they got to the shoreline, Stella and Ali heard the voice of the man before arguing with another voice.

"I told you not to use bombs on their ship! Our boat was too close!"

"I thought we were far enough! Besides, at least they won't be able to leave!"

"Yeah, and if we can't get off this island, we'll be too!"

"Oh yeah…"

The two watched as the man from before emerged from the treeline with another, shorter person running beside him. He had warm-ivory skin, light orange eyes, and orange hair shaved into a long mohawk that flopped to the right. There were three scars on his chin and a bandage on his nose. He wore a dark red and gold, short-sleeved jacked with a flame pattern on the sides, held together with a dark red sash, torn red pants over black leggings, shoulder-high black gloves, and red and gold boots. The two ran up to Stella and Ali. "I feel really bad for asking but SOMEONE," The taller man glared and the orange-haired one who smiled sheepishly, "Blew up our rowboat. Can we ride back with you?"

"Of course! You did save our skins back there! C'mon!" Stella replied hastily. Chest in tow, the four quickly swam back to the sloop just in time to see the Reaper's Bones pirates emerge from the trees, looking very battered, bruised, and angry. Stella quickly lowered and adjusted the sails as Ali grabbed the wheel. "Let me help with the anchor." The taller man offered as he and Stella grabbed the handles. "Thanks!" Stella smiled as the two quickly raised the anchor and the sloop took off into the deeper waters, leaving the other pirates behind.

"Phew! That was close!" Stella sighed, "You ok, Ali?" Ali was gripping on to the wheel so tightly, her knuckles were turning white, and her legs were shaking, "T-that was terrifying! I hate Reapers…"

"I don't blame you." The taller man replied, "Reapers are horrible excuses for pirates with no respect for the Pirate's Code. Leavin' them was the best decision I ever made."

"You used to be a Reaper?"

"Ae. But when they tried to hurt this troublemaker over here," he motioned to the other man who seemed to be eyeing up the barrels used for storing cannonballs, "That's where I drew the line. My name's Koa, by the way. Koa Pahi. And the explosion-obsessed nutjob over there is, Hǔnluàn Zhen. Resident pyromaniac."

"I prefer the term explosives expert." Zhen grinned, "Thanks for saving our butts back there!"

"Hey, you saved ours. It's the least we could do." Stella replied, "I'm Stella Icewind, and this is Ali Kart, my navigator."

"H-hello…"

"Icewind?" Koa seemed taken aback, "As in the Icewind from years ago?"

"That was my mom. I came here to carry on her legacy by reforming the Glacial Dragons. You've heard of her?"

Koa nodded, "There're very few souls on the Sea of Thieves who haven't. She was a tough but merciful pirate who sailed for one reason only: adventure."

"She was also the only pirate who could go toe-to-toe with Flameheart, right?" Zhen added but was shushed by Koa. "Zhen, you know it's bad luck to say his name while sailing."

"Who's Fla- er, the pirate you mentioned?" Stella asked. "He was a notorious pirate who sailed the Sea of Thieves for years. He was captain of the Burning Blade and leader of the Ashen Dragons. He and Icewind were said to be fierce rivals during their time on the sea. But he disappeared without a trace about 10 years ago after going on a pirate-killing rampage, not long after the Glacial Dragons vanished."

"I never knew mom had a rival." Stella muttered, "But it's quite fitting; the Glacial Dragons being rivals with the Ashen Dragons."

Zhen suddenly gasped dramatically, "I just had the best idea in the history of ideas."

"Oh boy. How many explosions should I prepare for?" Koa smirked. "Hardy har." Zhen rolled his eyes before continuing, "You guys look like you need someone to pack a punch, right?"

"I mean…yeah." Stella admitted, "I can hold my own in a fight, but not against a large group. Plus, I've never had to fight another ship on the ocean either."

"I'm ok at using daggers," Ali added, "But I get scared really easily and am no good at confrontations."

"Well, I'm practically an expert at using cannons." Zhen replied, "And Koa is a weapons expert and a great fighter. We could join your crew! We've been looking to join a crew for a while now. I can be your powder monkey and Koa can be quartermaster."

"Don't volunteer for me…" Koa sighed, "But I agree. I'm pretty good at keeping track of supplies and while I don't mean to brag, I'm no slouch in a fight."

"I'll say. You wrecked four pirates on your own back there." Stella agreed before thinking for a bit, "Y'know what, sure! The more the merrier, right? Welcome to the Glacial Dragons!"

"Whoo-hoo!" Zhen cheered, fist pumping the air, "We won't let you down!"

"Don't worry, I'll make sure he doesn't blow up the ship." Koa half-joked. "I appreciate that." Stella laughed nervously before shrugging it off, "Awesome! We pretty much have a full crew now! Once we get this chest back to the Gold Hoarders, nothing can stop us!"

Oh, was she wrong…

To Be Continued…