For several seconds after Soren spoke, none of them moved.
The tavern noise continued around them—low conversations, the scrape of chairs, distant laughter—but at their table, the atmosphere shifted into something more deliberate.
Aira leaned forward slightly, elbows resting on the table.
"…Weapons convoy," she repeated.
Soren nodded once.
Kenji slowly turned back and dropped into his seat again, interest lighting his eyes. "Now you've got my attention."
Ryu remained standing for a moment longer, studying Soren carefully before sitting back down as well.
"Details," he said calmly.
Soren rested his forearms lightly on the table. Up close, he looked even more composed than before. Not excited. Not eager. Just focused.
"It leaves from the northern dock," he said. "Two cargo ships. One escort vessel."
"Escort strength?" Ryu asked.
"Thirty to forty fighters," Soren replied. "Mixed. Some hired. Some loyal."
Kenji let out a low whistle. "So not amateurs."
"No."
Aira frowned slightly. "Marine convoy?"
Soren shook his head. "Underworld."
That single word carried weight.
Kenji leaned back in his chair slowly. "Ah."
Ryu's gaze sharpened slightly. "Who's funding it?"
"Unknown broker," Soren replied. "But shipments from Brassfall usually end up in larger networks."
Aira exhaled quietly. "…So if we hit it, we're not just hitting random pirates."
"No," Soren said. "You'd be interrupting a supply chain."
Kenji grinned. "Even better."
Ryu didn't smile.
He tapped a finger lightly against the table as he considered the information.
"Why tell us?" he asked.
Soren met his gaze without hesitation. "Efficiency."
Kenji snorted. "That's vague again."
Soren continued calmly. "I intended to intercept it alone. But after watching you… the probability of success improves with cooperation."
Aira blinked. "You're recruiting us?"
"No," Soren replied. "Proposing alignment of interests."
Kenji burst out laughing. "He talks like a contract."
Ryu allowed a faint smile. "He's not wrong."
Silence settled again, but this time it was thoughtful rather than uncertain.
Outside, the light had shifted slightly. The sun angled lower across Brassfall's industrial skyline, casting long shadows through drifting smoke. The constant clang of metalwork continued somewhere deeper in town, but the harbor itself had grown busier.
Ships preparing to depart.
Merchants loading crates.
Guards moving in tighter patrol patterns.
Dusk approached.
Aira glanced toward the tavern window. "…How long until it leaves?"
"Two hours," Soren said.
Kenji immediately stood. "Plenty of time."
"For what?" Aira asked.
He stretched his arms casually. "To make a decision."
Ryu rose more slowly.
His injuries still hadn't fully healed. The earlier clash at sea with Morrow and the brief fight in the tavern tugged at muscles that hadn't had time to recover properly. But he ignored it, as usual.
He looked at Soren.
"You've scouted the route?" he asked.
"Yes."
"Terrain?"
"Open water for the first stretch. Then a narrow passage between cliff formations north of the island. Ideal interception point."
Kenji nodded approvingly. "You've planned this."
Soren gave a small shrug. "Preparation increases survival."
Aira stood too, adjusting the strap across her shoulder. "If we do this… we need supplies first. Ammunition. Rope. Repair materials."
Kenji pointed at her. "Navigator thinking."
Ryu nodded. "We restock. Then decide."
Soren rose from his seat as well, lifting his rifle and securing it across his back in one smooth motion. "I'll be at the northern ridge overlooking the port."
Kenji raised a brow. "You're just… trusting we'll show up?"
Soren met his gaze.
"Yes."
Kenji blinked.
Then laughed softly. "I definitely like this guy."
Soren didn't respond. He simply turned and walked toward the tavern exit with quiet confidence, disappearing into the smoky streets of Brassfall without looking back.
For a moment, the trio stood there.
Aira folded her arms. "He's calm."
"Very," Ryu agreed.
Kenji cracked his neck lightly. "Also strong."
"And possibly dangerous," Aira added.
Kenji grinned. "That too."
They stepped outside into the late afternoon air.
Brassfall bustled around them, but the atmosphere had shifted slightly from when they first arrived. More guards were visible now. Heavier crates moved toward the northern docks. A large cargo vessel could be seen in the distance being loaded under watchful eyes.
Preparation.
Ryu observed it all quietly as they walked.
"You trust him?" Aira asked.
Ryu considered for a moment.
"…Yes," he said.
Kenji looked at him. "That quick?"
"He had chances to shoot us," Ryu replied. "Didn't."
Aira nodded slowly. "True."
Kenji shrugged. "Works for me. Plus, anyone being hunted by bounty hunters that aggressively probably isn't boring."
They stopped at a supply stall near the port and began gathering what they needed—basic repair materials, fresh rope, ammunition refills for Aira's small firearm, and a few preserved rations.
The merchant didn't ask many questions.
In North Blue, questions were optional.
As they finished, the sky shifted toward evening. The smoky clouds above Brassfall turned orange and gold under the setting sun, casting long shadows across the harbor waters.
Ships began moving.
One large cargo vessel slowly detached from the dock, escorted by a smaller armed ship that positioned itself slightly ahead and to the side.
Kenji spotted it first.
"…That them?" he asked.
Ryu followed his gaze.
Likely.
Heavy cargo.
Armed escort.
Deliberate timing.
Aira tightened the strap of her bag. "Looks like it."
Ryu exhaled slowly.
Decision time.
He glanced toward the northern ridge beyond the port, where jagged rock formations rose above the shoreline. Somewhere up there, a sniper waited.
Kenji rolled his shoulders, expression sharpening. "We doing this?"
Aira looked at Ryu.
The wind shifted across the harbor, carrying the scent of salt, smoke, and distant gunpowder.
Ryu's answer came calmly.
"…Yeah," he said.
They turned toward the northern path.
Dusk settled over Brassfall.
And somewhere above the port, a rifle waited for the right moment to fire.
___