Daja instantly raised her staff at the man, ready to bash his head in if need be should he move to attack them. But then he moved away...and was surrounded by children. Children!

"But Sandry, we have to help!" she said, still holding her staff at the ready. "There are children there! What if he tries to capture them as slaves?" She stared at the crowd, aghast. Those children's parents were there! How could anyone allow their own children to talk to pirates?!

One of the children moved forward to get a picture, and the pirate kneeled down on one leg, setting the child on his knee. Daja gasped. The pirate was holding the child!