Alan had been a sailor for all 30 years of his life. His father was a fisherman, like his father before him, and had taken the young boy out onto the sea. Alan lived and breathed the sea. Brittany was his home and the Meurvor Atlantel was his wide fields, free to roam as he willed. He spent most of his days out on the waves, from dawn to dusk, sometimes longer if there was something worth seeing. He could see a thousand miles away, even when the skies were covered in clouds. The ocean was his companion, his lover, and his friend. It never betrayed him.

Now, however, he was aboard the Morgazh, a small and fast ship that he owned for many years now. Alan was a fisherman as well, sometimes conducting a bit of whaling or shipping on the side if finances called for it. But his main trade was fishing, and he had done so for many years. He was a hard worker, and when he wasn't too busy he would be out with his son, teaching him the ways of the sea.

One day, however, Alan found himself looking at the stars, and thinking about his wife. He couldn't remember what she looked like anymore. She had died after giving birth to their daughter, and Alan had never really recovered. He'd gone back to the sea, but he still missed her every day. His son and his daughter was all that he had to remember her by. They were his life.

"It's been so long," he said to the sea. "I don't know how I've been able to make it so long with you, Margaid."

The sea just sat there, watching him, listening to him. Margaid was gone but the sea was still there. Perhaps the ocean gave the messages to her, Alan thought. He had no idea. All he knew was that the sea was the only thing that could help him through these hard times.

Alan had drifted off into sleep listening to the waves before being awoken by the sounds of boots on wood. Alan sprang up and rushed over to take a look. A group of five well-dressed men had made their way onto his dock. One of them carried what seemed to be a piece of paper. They called out to Alan in what he recognized as French, but Alan could not understand. Alan shook his head, and the man that seemed to be in charge spoke out in Breton instead.

"Your services are requested by the Duchess of Brittany!" the man shouted. "You are invited to Gwened to discuss with chancellors regarding using your ship and sailing ability to serve your Duchess."

Alan paused, taken aback. He hadn't been expecting this at all. The man handed him the piece of paper and turned to leave. Alan stared at it for a moment, reading the words slowly.

"If you accept this offer, we will be expecting you in Gwened. I am sure a man of your ability will have no issue arriving in Gwened with short notice," The official stated as he left the dock.

The document was an offer indeed. The Duchess of Brittany offered Alan to use his ship and his knowledge of the ocean to conduct piracy. Alan would be provided with the necessary equipment and money to prepare a crew. In return, Alan would receive 3/4 of loot that he takes having to pay only a quarter of it to the Duchess. This was a very lucrative offer for Alan, one that he surely could not refuse.

He went back to his quarters on the ship to think about it. It wasn't a bad deal. If he was going to spend his days out on the sea, then why not get paid for doing a bit of sailing? If he could gut a fish, he could gut a man. Alan had no doubt in his mind that he could do this. But, of course, there were many things that Alan had to consider before accepting the offer. His two children would have to be taken care of, but he had no doubt that his friend Janig would easily offer to look after his children while Alan was away.

Alan didn't want to leave his daughter behind. She was so young. What if she got sick? What if he was gone for a long time? What if something happened to him? These were all thoughts that ran through his head. Alan knew that engaging in piracy would have many, many risks. While he had no fear of the ocean, a blade in his chest was certainly reason enough to be frightened.

Alan looked over the paper again, reading the words once more. He could not think of a reason to refuse. This was a chance to make himself rich beyond his wildest dreams. But he couldn't bring himself to sign it just yet.

"What are you thinking?" Alan turned and asked the sea.

"I'm thinking that this is a very lucrative offer," the sea replied. "It's not like you to turn down such an opportunity."

Alan shook his head and just realized that he had heard the sea respond to him. What in God's name was wrong with him? Perhaps Alan had spent a little too long out at sea.

"You're right, as always," Alan said. "But I still can't help but think about my daughter and my son. What if something happens to me? What if I'm gone for years?"

Alan could hear the sea laugh. Yet the Atlantic gave him no response. Alan sat down on the deck of the Morgazh, rubbing the wooden deck gently.

"Perhaps has my head has been hit against the wall a bit too many times while sailing in rough waters," Alan said to himself. "I just don't know if I can take this risk."

He thought about it for a few moments before realizing that he needed to act now or never. This was the only way to ensure the safety and prosperity of his children. For them to rise above the life of a humble fishermen, Alan must be ambitious.

Alan looked out over the sea. There was no other option. Alan would soon be off to Gwened to become a pirate.