At dusk, Captain Hunka reached a hilltop from where he could see the city of Iant-Oerelben—or Riverville, as the British neighbors called it—nestled on the banks of the Oerelwen River, known as Tallisaya by the Cherokees. Soon after, he was riding down the main street, lined with red-brick buildings and white-painted wooden structures. Some buildings featured porticos with Doric columns and large windows with dark shutters, evoking the architecture of old England, though with a subtle Elvish touch in the delicate carvings of leaves and stars on the moldings.
The main streets were flanked by two- and three-story buildings with ornate iron balconies, where bougainvilleas and honeysuckles hung heavily under the rain, dripping onto the passersby. The large tea halls and taverns, with hand-painted wooden signs, still glowed with the warm light of oil lamps. From time to time, the sound of a spinet or violin accompanied conversations, muffled by the whisper of the drizzle.
At last, he arrived at the governor's residence, whose façade bore scaffolding, indicating it was undergoing renovation. The captain entered the foyer, where Mr. Paine led him to the governor's office. The governor was visibly nervous.
"Thank the forest gods you're here," said the governor as he saw him enter, motioning for him to sit in a chair of gobelin craftsmanship.
At that moment, an Elvish maid entered with a tea service, placing it on a matching side table.
"Tell me, Hunka, how's the family? How are your nephew and niece? They must be all grown up. That boy Todd is quite the rascal…"
"It's Tut," Hunka corrected him. "And the girl is Anya."
"Right, your niece. Quite the engineer, expert in… agriculture?"
"Mechanics… She studied mechanics at Franklin College in New York," said the captain with a touch of indifference. "What's the problem, Governor? I don't think you summoned me just for tea."
"As you know, this colony has been one of the Kingdom of Borelis's most important investments. If it hadn't been for you, we never would've taken it from Aurora."
"Right… and now Aurora and Borelis are allies. Quite the plot twist."
"And that's where you and I are at great risk. In Aurora, you're wanted for piracy and terrorism."
Hunka, unfazed, replied with sarcasm:
"If I hadn't done everything they're accusing me of, you wouldn't be here living like an Elvish king… or better yet, like Louis XIV. Come on, tell me why you really called me."
The governor stood and walked toward the window. He took a deep breath and turned back to the Hunka.
"Hunka, the colony is in serious financial trouble. We must make a significant payment to the British Empire. If we do, we'll bankrupt the colony… and if we don't, the British will take full control."
Hunka crossed his arms and leaned back calmly in the chair.
"Looks like you've got yourself in quite a mess… So how do you plan to get out of it?"
"That's where I need your help."
Hunka shook his head, unbothered.
"I'm willing to pay whatever you ask," the governor continued. "My position—even my life—is on the line. At any moment, someone might come for me, and if they do, Aurora, now friendly with Borelis, will discover you're here… and you know what awaits you if you return to Aternum."
The captain immediately understood where the conversation was heading.
"You want me to return to piracy?" he said with an ironic smile.
Huerkelin nodded.
"Yes. You must raid galleons at sea."
The governor watched him in silence as Captain Hunka sat with his leg crossed, relaxed.
"Well?" he asked casually.
"No," Hunka replied.
"Why not?"
"First, raiding ships is no longer a profitable business. And after the Treaty of Utrecht, it's become far too risky… and you know it. Secondly,"—the captain paused for dramatic effect—"I'm retired. I have my land, I grow vegetables and fruits I export to the colonies—even to the Other Side. I have what I need without risking my life in that trade."
"You're an adventurer. It's in your blood. You come from a family of island pirates, and you were an accomplished sky pirate on the Other Side… Don't you miss it?"
"No…"
The governor pulled out a handkerchief and wiped the sweat from his brow. He hadn't expected that answer.
"Hunka, the Company needs you. The very survival of the colony depends on you."
"Then find a way to cut expenses. I see you're renovating the façade of your very comfortable home."
"Those are necessary repairs."
"That can wait. Or refinance the debt with our British friends. But don't count on me to go raiding ships."
He stood up, ready to leave.
"Listen, if the Company goes bankrupt and the British seize the colony, a lot of things will come to light."
The elf was already walking toward the door. He raised a hand in farewell. The governor looked at the secretary, who shrugged and stood up.
"There's something else you must consider… your family."
Hunka stopped, facing the door. The governor stepped closer.
"What about them?" asked the captain without turning around.
"You know exactly what I mean," said the governor. "I've protected you and kept you hidden all this time—along with your family. They could be in danger if I can no longer shield them. They would suffer the consequences as well."
"You're implicated too. The sabotage you asked me to carry out to depose the former governor and place you in his seat… You'd also be charged with conspiracy against the King of Borelis," replied the captain, turning around.
"I know. But you also know how justice works in Midgard. I'd be imprisoned for life, being of noble blood. You… you'd be executed on the gallows. And your niece and nephew would be exiled to the Other Side. As children of your brother—who betrayed the Filibuster Republic by serving as a mercenary for the Helvic Federation—their lives would be in danger. Neither of us wants that, do we?"
A heavy silence fell. Hunka stood with his back to the governor and the secretary, who watched him closely. The elf took a deep breath and exhaled slowly, as one resigned to the inevitable.
"My brother made a series of bad decisions," he said, shaking his head. "My niece and nephew can't return to the Other Side… That's not the life I want for them. To live as fugitives in Aternum… They're my responsibility, and what I love most in this world."
The elf turned and faced Huerkelin firmly.
The governor smiled, glancing sideways at the secretary, who returned the look.
"Captain, it'll only be for a short time. We get some cash flow, pay the British, and then you go back to your berries," said the governor.
The captain snorted in frustration.
"Fine," he said. "Get the ship ready to depart from Storm Bay before hurricane season."
"It can't be that late. It has to be sooner… let's say, in two weeks."
Hunka pressed his lips together and shook his head.
"So be it," he said with resignation.
The governor gave a broad smile.
"Welcome back, Captain Skippy," he said in a cheerful tone.
Hunka narrowed his eyes and left the office, slamming the door behind him, while the governor watched him with a smile—knowing that man could be his salvation… or his ultimate downfall.
A few minutes later, Secretary Paine entered the office with his notebook in hand.
"Ah, Mr. Paine," said the governor, adjusting the lace on his coat. "I summoned you to order that the ship El Gárnor be ready to set sail in two weeks."
The secretary hastily took notes.
"Sir, the ship has been moored at Storm Bay for quite some time. It may require a thorough inspection before going out to sea."
"I said prepare it for sailing without delay! Begin hiring the crew immediately."
The secretary nodded.
"I'll make the necessary arrangements," he said, bowing slightly before stepping back.
"And prepare yourself to board El Gárnor as well," added the governor, sitting behind his baroque desk just as the secretary reached the door.
"What do you mean, Your Excellency?" asked Paine, surprised.
"I mean you're going aboard too. I want you to keep track of the profits, audit every prize, and report directly to me."
"Forgive me, sir," Paine stammered. "I'm no man of the sea. I'm an accountant, not a sailor… I barely survived the Vortex jump. I've never set foot on a ship, an airship, or any flying machine in Aternum—much less one of these primitive vessels on this side!"
"There's a first time for everything, Mr. Paine," said the governor with a dry smile, motioning for him to leave.