{Smaller chapter, 980ish words, but this won''t be common]


    The rickety dock creaked beneath Kain''s boots as he approached the rebel vessel.


    The Whispering Serpent wasn''t much—a modified fishing trawler with hastily added gun ports—but it would serve their purpose.


    Night had fallen over Falmouth Harbor, the smallest of Krevane''s rebel-held ports, shrouding their departure in darkness. Fog rolled in from the sea, thick enough to obscure visibility beyond twenty yards, while a light drizzle pattered against his hood.


    Kain adjusted the reinforced leather and metal gauntlets on his hands. The custom-made weapons had become extensions of himself over the past two years, carbon-steel plates layered over supple leather, with reinforced knuckles that could crack stone.


    "Move it, brother," Talon called from the gangplank. "Commander Voss said the tide waits for no one, not even his favorite mercenaries."


    Kain studied his clone—no, his other self. At fifteen, Talon stood an impressive 10 ft even (3.05 m), his black hair cut shorter than when they''d arrived on Krevane. The diagonal scar over his right eye had healed well, a souvenir from a close encounter with a government loyalist''s knife six months ago. Like Kain, he wore dark clothing suited for night operations, though Talon preferred deeper blues to Kain''s grays. The constellation tattoo across his collarbone—matching the one Kain and their brothers shared—peeked from beneath his collar.


    "Just taking in the moment," Kain replied, stepping onto the gangplank. At 9''8 ft (2.95 m), he was third tallest among them, but what he lacked in height he made up for in calculated precision. "This is our last mission in Krevane."


    "About time," Ash said, appearing at the railing. His auburn hair had grown longer, now tied back in a short tail. The fifteen-year-old stood at 9''7 ft (2.92 m), the shortest of them but arguably the most changed. Intricate tattoos covered both arms—the stylized compass on his right forearm, crossed swords on his left wrist, the raven silhouette on his upper arm, and chain links circling his right bicep. The anchor over his heart remained hidden beneath his light armor, but Kain knew it was there, just like the constellation pattern they all shared.


    Ash twirled his new metal staff—a masterwork of lightweight but durable alloy that collapsed into three sections for easy transport. "Two years of rebel work, and finally we get our ticket out of here."


    Redd emerged from below deck, his sandy blonde hair cropped military-short in preparation for their future plans. At 10''2 ft (3.1 m), he towered over the others, his broad shoulders filling the doorframe.


    Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.


    "If you''re done with the dramatics," Redd said, unfurling a map on a barrel, "we should review the plan one more time."


    The four gathered around as the small vessel pulled away from the dock, rebel crewmen working quietly around them. The intermittent rain created a soft percussion against the deck.


    "Commander Voss received intelligence from fishermen near Crescent Bay," Redd explained, his finger tracing a path on the map. "The Mudflap Pirates docked at Ember Island three days ago. According to reports, they''ve been raiding local villages and will likely remain for at least another day while they celebrate their haul."


    "The Soggy Weasel," Talon said with a smirk. "What kind of name is that for a pirate ship?"


    "A fitting one for the Wretched Pirates," Ash replied. "From what I''ve heard, Captain Rhodes couldn''t navigate his way out of a bathtub."


    Redd cleared his throat. "Their incompetence is our advantage. The ship itself is a small sloop, barely large enough for six people. Rhodes has four crew members: his first mate ''Hackjaw'' Loma, navigator ''Mapless'' Migs, mechanic Boltz, and a cabin boy called Pickle."


    "Sounds like a circus, not a pirate crew," Kain observed.


    "Don''t underestimate them," Redd cautioned. "They''ve survived this long for a reason. Our approach will be simple—we''ll dock at the northern side of Ember Island near midnight, then proceed on foot to Crescent Bay where their ship is anchored."


    "I''ll take point on reconnaissance," Talon offered, tapping his gauntlets together with a metallic clink.


    Redd nodded. "Once we confirm their positions, we move in quietly. If possible, we take them while they sleep. If not..." He glanced at Ash.


    "We beat them into submission," Ash finished, a gleam in his eye. "These aren''t government soldiers fighting for a cause. They''re pirates who prey on innocents."


    "What about the crew bringing us there?" Kain asked, nodding toward the rebel sailors.


    "They''ll wait offshore until dawn," Redd explained. "If we succeed, we''ll signal with a flare and they''ll return to Falmouth. If we don''t signal..."


    "We won''t fail," Ash interrupted. "Our contingency plan is simple… don''t lose to weaklings."


    Kain exchanged a look with Redd, who sighed. "That''s not actually a contingency plan, but yes, failure isn''t an option. Once we secure the ship, we sail directly to Ironhearth Port. Kain and I will enlist there, while you and Talon can begin your pirate hunting career."


    The four brothers fell silent as the rebel vessel cut through the foggy waters, leaving Krevane behind. The rain intensified briefly, then settled back into a steady drizzle.


    "Two years," Kain murmured, watching the shoreline disappear into the mist. "We came here as boys who couldn''t last two minutes in a fighting pit."


    "And we''re leaving as men who held their weight in a civil war," Talon finished.


    Ash leaned on his staff. "Think Garik would be proud?"


    The question hung in the air, unanswered but felt by all. Kain flexed his gauntleted hands, feeling the weight of the weapons, the weight of the years, the weight of the promise they''d made to become strong enough to forge their own paths.


    "He''ll find out soon enough," Kain said finally.


    The Crimson Serpent pushed onward through the night, carrying them toward Ember Island and the next chapter of their lives.


    ****


    Read ahead at https://www.patreon.com/NamelessAuthor_</a>