The sea had been calm for too long again.
Kevin didn't trust it.
The ship moved steadily forward under controlled wind.
Carina sat near the mast, quieter than before.
She had started paying attention to more than just the horizon.
"…How long can we keep going like this?"
Kevin didn't look back immediately.
He checked the sails first.
Then the compass.
"…Not much longer without stopping."
Carina frowned slightly.
"…So we're low again?"
Kevin nodded.
"…Not critical yet. But approaching it."
He opened the supply crates.
Water barrels: reduced but usable.
Food crates: noticeably lower.
"…One more stretch of travel."
No panic.
Just calculation.
Carina stood up and walked over.
Peeking inside the crates.
"…This is less than before."
Kevin replied.
"…That's how consumption works."
She blinked.
"…I know that."
The wind shifted slightly stronger.
Kevin adjusted the sails automatically.
The ship responded smoothly.
But his focus had already changed.
"…Next island is required."
Carina leaned against the railing.
"…What kind of place?"
Kevin thought for a moment.
Then answered.
"…One that hasn't decided what it is yet."
A few hours passed.
The sea remained open.
No ships.
No land.
Just distance.
Then—
Kevin narrowed his eyes.
"…Something ahead."
Carina immediately stood up.
"…Another ship?"
Kevin shook his head slightly.
"…Land."
Far on the horizon—
A dark outline.
Larger than previous stops.
Multiple docks visible even from distance.
Smoke rising from inland.
Movement along the shore.
"…This one is active."
Carina squinted.
"…It looks busy."
Kevin nodded.
"…And not neutral."
As they approached, details became clearer.
Ships were docked unevenly.
Some looked damaged.
Some heavily armed.
Some clearly pirate-controlled.
No unified system.
Just dominance zones.
"…Contested island."
Carina frowned.
"…That sounds worse."
Kevin replied simply.
"…It is."
They slowed near the outer dock area.
No official welcome.
No signals.
Just observation from shore.
People watching ships arrive carefully.
Measuring value.
Threat level.
Opportunity.
Kevin anchored the ship without hesitation.
"…We go in carefully."
Carina stepped onto the dock behind him.
"…Carefully means what exactly?"
Kevin replied.
"…Don't attract attention unless necessary."
The harbor streets were rougher than previous islands.
Less trade order.
More opportunistic stalls.
Armed men standing near crates.
Deals happening in silence.
Carina looked around.
"…This feels different."
Kevin nodded.
"…Because control is unstable."
They moved toward supplies.
Kevin focused on essentials again.
Food. Water. Rope. Repair material.
But something changed.
People were watching them longer than usual.
Not openly hostile.
But evaluating.
Carina noticed too.
"…They're looking at us a lot."
Kevin replied.
"…We're new here."
At one stall—
The merchant hesitated before speaking.
"…You two traveling alone?"
Kevin answered.
"…Yes."
That made the merchant pause slightly.
"…Careful then."
Carina frowned.
"…Careful of what?"
The merchant didn't answer directly.
Just glanced toward the inland streets.
"…This island doesn't stay quiet for long."
Kevin placed payment on the table.
Collected supplies.
No extra questions.
Carina followed him out.
"…That sounded like a warning."
Kevin replied.
"…It was."
As they walked back toward the ship—
A group of pirates passed nearby.
Loud.
Confident.
Armed.
They glanced at Kevin's ship.
Then at Kevin.
Then at Carina.
No words spoken.
Just recognition of opportunity.
Carina lowered her voice.
"…They're thinking about us."
Kevin nodded.
"…Yes."
Carina hesitated.
"…What do we do?"
Kevin replied calmly.
"…Leave when ready."
They reached the ship again.
Supplies loaded.
Ropes checked.
Kevin stood at the helm.
Carina climbed aboard.
The ship remained still for a moment.
Watching the island.
Not yet moving.
Just observing.
Carina looked at Kevin.
"…We're not safe here."
Kevin adjusted the sails slightly.
"…We are never safe."
Then he paused briefly.
"…Only prepared."
The wind caught the sails.
The ship slowly turned away from the dock.
The island remained behind them.
Watching.
Waiting.
And for the first time—
Kevin felt that the next encounter wouldn't be avoidable.