The sound of crashing waves and the familiar creak of wood stirred Thane awake. For a moment, he was disoriented- the silk sheets and grand walls of the palace still fresh in his memory. But as the salty air stung his nose and the bellowing yells of his crew reached his ears, realization hit him.

He was back.

He looked down at his bed, fingers curling around the worn fabric of his single blanket, and let out an exasperated laugh, swinging his legs over the side of his cot. His hands shot up to his hair, which, thankfully, was as long and unruly again. He brought them down, finding them rough with callouses- keepsakes from the years he'd spent carving his own life at sea.

As if on cue, two familiar voices sounded just outside his quarters. He leapt from his cot, straightening his captain's hat and shrugging on his long black-leather coat, instinctively adjusting it with a flash of pride. He threw open the door to find Van and Runa mid-conversation.

"Goooodmorning my Chaos Consultants!" Thane called, grinning ear to ear as he approached, arms outstretched in greeting. "Secrets don't make friends- you know this. What're you two gossiping about?"

The warmth of his greeting faded as he saw their faces. Runa's brows were furrowed, hands gesturing animatedly as she spoke rapidly to Van, her whole frame tense. Van stood with his arms crossed over his chest, his expression as uamused as ever.

At Thane's arrival, they exchanged a quick glance before Van turned to face him. His broad frame loomed as he dropped his arms and stepped closer.

"As a matter of fact the hot topic of the day is you, Captain." His booming voice cut through his amusement like cannon fire. "We're actually thrilled you decided to join us- and perhaps, just maybe, loop us in on what the hell is going on here?"

Thane hesitated, his grin faltering. He glanced at Runa, but her expresson was equally unwavering. Straightening his posture, meeting Van's glare, "I'm not sure what you're referring to?" He said, forcing calm into his voice to contrast Van's sharp tone.

Van scoffed. "This is not the time for silly games, kid," The word made Thane's fists tighten under the cuffs of his coat, "You've been going on and on for weeks about raiding the kingdom, and now, just outside their walls, you've got this crew studying maps and watchkeeping rounds like a bunch of fresh recruits. All of a sudden, you want a fool-proof plan? You've got our ship bobbing out here like shark bait."

Van's voice could have carried the span of at least three of the seven seas, though no crew member would dare meddle and look in their direction. Stll, Thane tensed, certain anyone within earshot was piecing the story together.

Thane was frozen there, his heart sank into his stomach.

I didn't delay the raid. Why would I do that?

Then it hit him, his eyes momentarily averting from Van's. Koen.

Thane clenched his jaw, his shoulder's stiffening. They must have completely switched lives. Koen had been here. He'd been making decisions. What damage had he done? What had he learned?

Runa sighed, stepping between them and tearing Thane away from his spiraling thoughts. Her presence should have been relieving- it usually was- but the usual warmth in her tone was gone. Her gaze locked onto his, her green eyes searching his for answers.

"Your crew feels led astray, as do we," her voice lacked its usual smoothness. "We just need a little clarification o what's going on."

"Runa I-" He stammered, looking between her and Van. "I swear I can explain. You're going to call me crazy, but- well, I think that's what got me this job anyway, huh?" He forced a laugh, but it dissolved in the growing tension.

Neither of them found it funny. Runa's hand grabbed his arm, and before Thane could protest, she drug him back into his quarters.
The door slammed shut behind her, and she turned to face him, her burning glare cutting through his defenses. "Look, I'm not going to press any further because you clearly don't want to share what's going on, "she began, her voice sharp and low, "but I can't lie your way out of this one."

She gestured to the door with a sharp extension of her arm, "I've I've done what I could to keep the crew from questioning you. I've silenced their complaints, but they have a right to know what's happening."

Her hand fell back to her side with a slap, her gaze locking on him with harsh resolve.

"I deserve to know what's going on."

Thane's lips parted, but no words came. He rubbed his arm where her fingernails had dug in, his mind racing. What could he say that wouldn't sound insane? He knew he needed Runa's trust now more than ever. She deserved the truth, but how could he explain something even he didn't fully understand?

Without answering, he turned away, walking toward his desk. His fingers ran through his hair as his eyes darted across the maps and notes scattered across the surface. They weren't how he'd left them- Koen had seen everything. He must have seen enough to piece things together, enough to know their next target. He sifted through the sketches and notes, letting out a groan as frustration boiled over.

"I'm waiting."

Her voice cut through his racing thoughts. He felt her piercing gaze track his every movement, refusing to let him go without an explanation. He sighed, finally turning to face her, leaning against the edge of the desk.

"Alright, fine," he said, exhaling sharply.

Runa raised her eyebrows, crossing her arms tighter over her chest.

"My head's been... all over the place these past few days," he admitted, carefully choosing his words. "That's why I've seemed distant. And while you've been keeping the crew off my back- thank you for that, by the way- I've discovered some new information, and we need to take a more calculated approach. So I've been working on a new plan."

Runa's brow furrowed. "Then you better spill the details now. You've already delayed the raid, sent your crew on a wild goose chase, and let Van growl his way through the ship. I have no idea what you're thinking to even cover your tracks anymore, so if you want me to keep this together, I need to know what's going on."

He lowered his head in a show of apology, acknowledging how much she'd put on the line for him. "The royal fleet- their supply routes have changed. They're starting to use decoy ships to try to throw us off and take us down."

Runa studied him with a skeptical glare.

"I'm serious," he pressed. "If we hit one of those decoys, we're done for. That's why I've delayed the raid. This time, being risky is not an option. I needed the time to figure out how to spot the real targets and avoid the traps."

"And how exactly do you know this?" She questioned, her voice heavy with doubt. "Where are you getting this 'inside information'?"
He shrugged, forcing a lopsided grin. "I've got my ways. You know me," Her expression didn't budge. "Seriously, it doesn't matter, I've got that part under-"

"No, it does matter." She shot back, taking a step toward him, "You're asking me to put my neck out for you again, and I can't do that if I don't know what you're hiding."

The words struck him harder than he'd expected. His voice softened. "You've trusted me this far, haven't you? I'm not asking you to cover for me. I'm asking you to stand by me. I swear, this plan will change everything."

Her jaw tightened, and for a long moment, she just stared at him. Then, finally, she let out a breath and shook her head, her gaze dropping to the the floor. "You're infuriating, you know that?"

He couldn't help but smirk. "I'll never forget it, thanks to you."

Runa rolled her eyes, but the corers of her lips twitched into a soft smile. It was the first time she'd actually looked at him like herself today. "Fine. I'll keep the crew in line- for now. But if this new plan of yours falls through, it's your head, not mine."

Thane chuckled, the tension in his shoulders easing, "Deal. No one would come for that pretty head of yours, anyways. Mine's much more valuable."

She shook her head again as she turned toward the door. "Charming."

"Runa," he called after her.

Her hand hovered over the handle, and she glanced over her shoulder.

"Thank you. You won't regret it." His voice was low and sincere, mustering all confidence he had behind his words.

Her eyes twinkled with amusement. "Unfortunately, I never do." With that, she slipped out of the room, leaving the door cracked and Thane alone with the weight of the situation hanging in the air.

The tension was palpable as Thane made his way up the creaking wooden steps to the upper deck. Runa stood waiting, her hands resting lightly on her daggers, and offering a trusting, knowing smile. She stepped aside as he moved to the center of the deck, turning to face his crew.

Van had done his part well- every member of the Crimson Scythe was gathered in a loose crowd below. Their restless grumbles hushed the moment Thane emerged. Every set of eyes were glued to him, their faces a mix of skepticism, frustration, and a glimmer of anticipation. Van stood at the back with his arms crossed, his expression indiscernible.

Thane took a deep breath, summoning the confidence that had made him their captain. His crew meant everything to him- more than he'd ever admit. They had given him the life he'd only dreamed of as a boy: freedom, purpose, and deep-rooted respect. He carried the weight of their trust like a badge of honor. Now, the delays and secrecy had left them restless- forming cracks in their faith. Some seemed to question if the man standing before them was still their Captain.

He leaned casually against the railing, a smirk crawling onto his face. "I know what you're thinking. I can see it all over your dirty faces," he began, projecting his voice over the waves crashing against the anchored ship. "Your captain's gone mad. Leading us in circles, wasting time- turning us into fresh bait for the Crown's defenses. Am I wrong?"

Nothing could be heard save for a few coughs and scuffles of boots. Some exchanged glances between one another.

Thane pushed off the railing and walked to the other side of Runa. "Naturally, you're mistaken" his voice sharpened. "I pity those who doubt me, because they'll never grasp the greatness that lies ahead. I've not lost my edge- I've been sharpening it. Perfecting this plan. I've been gathering information, and let me assure you: this raid isn't just another mark off our list. This is our legacy."

Thane paused, letting the words sink in. The eyes of the crew softened, intrigue replacing doubt.

"We're not here for treasures or jewels. We're here to send a message- a tribute to who I once was, and who you've led me to become. The Crown thinks they can outsmart us by changing supply routes and setting up decoy ships?" He let a chuckle roll from his lips. "If the sea is where they want to play games, then we'll show them why it belongs to us."

The murmurs grew louder, a ripple of excitement moving through the crowd. He even caught Van uncrossing his arms, his posture loosening slightly. Runa, still standing beside him, gave him a subtle nod of approval.

Thane stepped forward, his grin widening. "Sharpen your minds and swords, mates. Our greatest score awaits!" He yelled, his voice carrying across the deck.

The cheers erupted like a wave, replacing the tension with triumph. Revelling in the sound, Thane allowed his mind to drift back into an earlier time with the crew- a moment that defined everything he had become.

The Crimson Scythe crew had just finished raiding a heavily guarded port in foreign waters, slipping past the royal navy stationed there. Their stockpiles had been far greater than anyone has expected- a blessing and a curse. It took slightly longer than anticipated to load up the bounty, giving reinforcements from a nearby outpost enough time to close in on the island, announcing their arrival with the thunder of cannon fire.

Amidst the chaos, Runa had been cornered by a group of guards while Van stood his ground at the ship, fighting off others to buy time for the crew loading the cargo. Thane, with zero regard for his own safety, had made the kind of reckless choice that only he would dare. He decided to jump off the ship with an empty chest, drawing the guard's attention with taunts. As they drew away from Runa and Van, he hurled the chest at a lantern post, the wood splintering as it fell onto the dock of the royal ships, setting them ablaze.

The fire created enough mayhem and confusion for Runa to slip free and for Van to help load the rest of the loot onto the ship. Thane's own escape was close- too close.

As he heaved himself out of the water and back onto the ship, the whistle of a bullet sliced through the air. It grazed his shoulder, a searing pain erupting as his arm fell to his side. Just as his strength faltered, Van's outstretched hand caught him and hauled him aboard. Moments later, as the Crimson Scythe was pulling away, the burning port exploded in disarray behind them.

Back on the ship, the three of them collapsed onto the deck, gasping for air. The cheers of the crews rang through the air, a commotion of triumph and relief. Runa had rolled over, scolding him for nearly getting himself killed as she punched his injured shoulder. Van had roared with laughter, defending him and calling his feat "bloody brilliant."

Thane had grinned despite the pain, the pride in his chest outshining the wound on his shoulder. He was bloody brilliant, wasn't he. Unstoppable, quick, and clever.

That's who he was. That's who he would always be. Though this new plan might have countless holes, risks might never be fully calculated, one thing he could count on was this: his loyalty to his crew would always lead them to victory. It always had.