An Assistant for You

Sensing the undisguised scrutiny in Anne's golden eyes, Sharff the Artisan shrank back two steps. He did not dare keep looking at Queen Anne's Revenge in the darkness.

He instinctively felt that the girl before him, who looked as though he could knock her down with one hand, was even stronger than the Golden Queen!

"I—I'm Sharff."

He swallowed and answered.

His drifting life after leaving the church had taught him that sometimes volunteering his identity was the best way to protect himself.

"..."

Anne said nothing. Her almost tangible gaze swept over Sharff's tousled, flaxen hair and brown eyes framed by puffy bags, then over his thin, almost malnourished body. After a moment, she nodded.

"Bring him aboard."

As soon as she spoke, a gangway dropped from the ship's side. It swayed in the waves like a giant black hand waiting for the three of them to step into its palm.

Anne boarded without looking back. Angel glanced at Sharff, signaling with her eyes for him to go first.

"Do we really have to go up there?"

Staring at the dark, silent ghost ship, Sharff could no longer suppress his fear. He hesitated as he asked.

Once Angel confirmed it, he took a deep breath and slipped a hand into his clothing pocket, gripping the last Mystical Item he had left. As though steeling himself, he planted a foot heavily on the swaying gangway.

Soft footsteps sounded behind him. The Golden Queen followed close on his heels, like a guard escorting a prisoner.

Strangely, as Sharff made his way along the gangway, his fear and unease gradually faded, replaced by anticipation of the unknown. It reminded him of the thirst for knowledge he had felt as a young man after taking the Potion at the Church of Steam and