The first trade

It's a new morning on the Light of Cian.
Zenna is still lying in her bed when a bright light wakes her up.
Sadly Kael already got up. She would have liked to cuddle with him as long as he's still asleep.
He probably knew what she had in mind...

She leaves her room and already hears Maris and Kael talking.

So you really don't want to use swords anymore?

Never! I'm really sick of them!

So what kind of weapon do you want to use then?
Mabe something like a cestus or brass knuckles?

I don't know. I've never used anything like that before.
But I'm willing to try.

Good morning!
It's a sunny day today, isn't it?

I guess so.

So only Rafferty is missing?

Yeah. I guess he's an even worse late riser than you are.

As Maris and Kael continue discussing their plans, Zenna already goes on deck.
The Merchant Waters are already in sight.

They aren't really a single place, but a bunch of small islands and ships drifting in loose clusters.

As Zenna is looking around, she notices somebody approaching from behind.

Good morning!

Oh, it's just you.

Rafferty yawns.

Yeah, it's just me.

Look, we're already at our goal.

These small islands in the distance?

Yeah. Did you know that they are just the trader bases. The real business happens on ships.
That's why it's called Merchant Waters, not Islands.

Yeah, yeah. Then it shouldn't be too difficult to steal from them, right?

I don't think that's such a good idea...

Because it isn't. We're guests. And we still have enough money left. Don't dare, Rafferty.

Maris just came from behind.
Kael is with her.

The first trader ships are already in sight.
Any idea how to buy something?

Just wave to them when you're close, and they should let you dock.

As they get closer to the ships, they immediately notice what each of them sells. Most of the ships are recognizable in multiple ways.

They have huge objects and drawings representing their core business. Also in most cases their products are visible from the outside, at least a few.

And maybe even more importantly all of these ships have meaningful names written on them.
But Rafferty doesn't know that.

Let's get weapons first!

Yeah, I'm already excited.

They strike, and then Rafferty hugs Kael.
This is already too much for Kael, but despite his struggle it takes a while until Rafferty lets go of him again.

Oh, look at this one! They have some pistols.

Nice! Let's go there!

I'd rather go there first.

Kael points to a ship in the distance with some muscular guy on it.

We can go there later. This one is already here.

Actually, we should probably get clothes first.

The muscular man on the distant ship flexes his arms, clearly advertising his weapons for close combat. Mostly swords, but also some more exciting weapons like clubs. Kael looks very excited at him.

But...

Come on, Kael! Pistols first! You can punch things later.

Zenna giggles as Kael grumbles, rubbing his arm where Rafferty had grabbed him.

Maris is right, though. We do need new clothes. What you were wearing yesterday didn't seem that great, Rafferty.

It was great sleeping clothes. Maris has very comfortable nightdresses.

Maris rolls her eyes and points to a ship draped in colorful fabrics, its mast hung with ribbons.

That one. We should look at least a little more professional when we negotiate for weapons.

Kael sighs, but agrees.

I'll stop our ship. You can wave them to us.

Sure!

Zenna immediately starts waving the textile ship to them.
Rafferty and Kael join in.

The merchant, a woman with a measuring tape around her neck, waves cheerfully.
Her ship immediately comes closer themselves, and her crew tosses ropes to secure the two ships together.

Greetings! Here for fabrics, or something tailored?

Just normal clothes. Nothing too expensive.

The merchant immediately approaches Zenna and puts some fabrics over her shoulders.
It shimmers in different colors depending on the light.

Moonweave silk. It steals the starlight right out of the sky. Perfect for hiding in the dark. Or showing off in the daylight.

Actually, mostly the boys need clothes.

Rafferty seems very annoyed. He doesn't even want to deny it.

What about this one?

As Maris and Zenna look for clothes for Rafferty, Kael looks around and finds a nice robe.
It looks similar to his current one, but it has a dark blue.

He immediately picks it up and admires it.

Oh, you want this?

She looks at Kael now.

Yeah.

Feel free to try it on.

Kael just changes in front of everybody.
He turns away from them, but doesn't care that they basically see everything.

Then he turns back to them and shows off.

It's just the same as you already have. Just a slightly different color. Do you really need it?

At least it doesn't remind me of...
Nah, you might be right.

No, it's okay. If you really want it, we can buy it.

Really? You're an amazing captain!

Zenna seems a little envious when he watches Kael look at Maris like this, even if she knows that he's into her.
But gladly, Maris isn't really interested in him. He will stay hers.

I also like this robe. It fits you well. You're really not part of them anymore.

Yeah, you really get it, Zenna.

Now he looks proudly at her.

Uhm, did anybody see Rafferty?

I don't know.

Whatever, he can't be far.
And we already got some nice pajamas for him.

Yeah.

They keep looking for a while. Especially Maris and Zenna are excited about some of these clothes now. But everything they like is very expensive.

Can we finally go? I don't have any weapons right now.
It's my role to protect you, so let's finally go.

You're right. Let's leave.

As they're about to leave, they remember that Rafferty isn't back yet.

Hey, did you see Rafferty?

No. But he definitely isn't on this ship anymore. It's only this room and the deck. Everything else is locked. Only I have a key.

She shows her key.

Oh, uhm...

He probably went back to our ship.

Yeah, probably.
But can you stay until we found him?

Sorry, but I really have to get new customers.
Maybe if you buy one more item?

Sorry, we can't afford anything else.
We still have to get some weapons.
I don't want to lose him.

Zenna already runs ahead.

He isn't here!
But if I really find him, he can get back for a moderate fee.
There are small ferries everywhere

Oh, okay. So thanks for these nice clothes.
Bye.

Bye!

They leave the merchant ship and go back to their own ship.

The merchant ship leaves immediately.
It doesn't take long until Zenna comes back.

Rafferty really isn't here.
I looked everywhere!

Maris sighs as she holds the pajamas she just bought for him.

He wouldn't jump into the ocean..., right?

Uhm...

Kael points to a small ferry full of pirates, looking at their rusty swords, and already trading them.

He'd do that though.

Maris is pretty annoyed now.

Okay, let’s find that idiot before he gets himself killed.