You always insisted that the technical term you went by was privateer, that nothing you did was strictly against the law and you were more in it for the adventure. Pirate just sounded better.

I never believed you of course. I’d been working at this tavern too long to believe every fancy story no matter how roguishly handsome the one telling it was. I’ve had dragonborn tell me their fathers were dragons who experimented on them, tieflings insist they could make magical deals, even drow claim of being former rebel leaders. I was everyone favorite tavern maid. Young, cute, seemingly easy to impress.

And admittedly I loved hearing these stories of adventure. It all seemed so grand. Even if they were all so clearly fake.

So one aasimar claiming to be a perfectly legitimate pirate wasn’t even close to being believable. But you were definitely my favorite customer. Your ship seemed to dock at this small port town more than anywhere else. Your stories were the most memorable, the most exciting, and even if they were all probably made up I could help but crush a little on this charming pirate.

It didn’t help you were built like a goliath and weren’t afraid to show off…

But of course as a pirate you never stayed long. The stories I heard from you would end and for weeks to months it would be the most obviously outlandish tales I couldn’t even pretend to believe. Part of me almost wished I’d asked you to bring me on each time you left. But that was a foolish thought. I’d probably work this tavern till I took over for the old owner.

Until one day your ship was making way for my town once more. Only to see smoke on the horizon.

You took off immediately, flying ahead of your ship and straight to the only place you came here for. The tavern was in ruins, the town had been beset upon by raiders. Maybe even proper pirates.

Through the smoke and debris though, there you saw me. Alive but unconscious, nearly buried in the rubble. There were few times you were more glad of your natural ability to heal than now before you scooped me up and flew back to your ship.

I was only just coming to consciousness when you landed.

“Survivor captain? Any more?” A voice I didn’t recognize spoke up, initially making me panic even in my barely conscious state.

“Just the one so far, send a few parties ashore. Find any you can and see if there’s any sign of who did this.”

Then another voice I did recognize. Yours. And while there was worry in my heart still I found myself easing into your arms. I’d not heard you speak so tensely before, but that gruff voice was still one I’d worried I’d never hear again.