A span of hours had gracefully slipped away, finding both Jack and Mary ensconced in the captain's cabin. The wooden vessels cradling their rum gracefully swayed, mirroring the rhythmic dance of the ship, while the flickering candlelight provided a refuge from the persistent rain outside.

Having charted a course to an island, approximately an hour's sail from the Silk Harbor, Jack harbored hopes of bartering their silk for Nords. Presently, he clutched a staggering 21 Nord coins, a wealth equivalent to two gold pieces.

Upon the table lay merely two stone pieces, artifacts of mysterious origin that Jack continued to scrutinize with unwavering focus. Mary, her skepticism evident, questioned, "Captain, be ye certain these ain't worthless trinkets?"

"Mary, mark me words, these bits be worth more than the glint of gold, I can feel it in me bones," he declared, his right eye now a deep, pure azure adorned with a symbolic dance of golden circles.

"What say ye, lass? Could these stones be the fount of their mysterious powers? They met a fiery end at our hands, and these remnants are all that remain, alongside their flesh and bones," Jack pondered.

"Could be, captain. Let me have a go at deciphering their secrets," Mary suggested, seizing one of the stones.

As she endeavored to establish a connection with the artifact, her countenance squirmed, eyes narrowing in concentration. 

"HAR HAR, look who's got a sea-dog expression now, lass!" Jack teased, pointing out her canine-like transformation.

Undeterred, Mary persisted in her attempt to unlock the stone's mysteries. Meanwhile, Jack took possession of the other piece, deftly juggling it before a momentary lapse resulted in its brief descent. Swiftly recovering, he resumed his casual demeanor.

Various antics ensued in Jack's attempt to coerce the stone into revealing its secrets – slapping it on his forehead, mimicking acrobatics. Ultimately, it found its place near his heart, seemingly guided by unseen legs that burrowed it into his very being.

Observing this, Mary rushed to his aid, but the stone had already started nestling within him. "PULL, MARY, PULL!" he implored as the stone carved a fleeting hole before the wound closed with unnatural speed.

"Incredible, captain," Mary marveled as a surge of newfound power coursed through Jack, accompanied by the sight of a number – 100.

"Oi, Mary, it worked!" Jack exclaimed, motioning her to sit. An ominous grin played upon his lips as he closed his eyes, probing the depths of his newfound abilities. His left hand bore witness to the alteration.

Extending his left hand, Jack conjured two vines that ensnared Mary's neck, momentarily robbing her of breath. The laughter that followed the release echoed through the cabin, yet the number dwindled to 99.

"Captain! Why'd ye test it on me, ye scoundrel?" Mary protested, her indignant gaze meeting Jack's unrepentant grin.

"Did ye fancy the surprise, lass?" Jack inquired, the remnants of amusement lingering on his lips.

As the number diminished, Jack questioned the consequence of reaching zero. The other stone passed to Mary, he encouraged her, "Give it a whirl, lass. Place it near yer heart."

With a measure of hesitation, Mary complied. However, the stone remained unresponsive. Jack reclaimed it, surmising, "Pass it to me, lass. I reckon I know why it ain't responding."

Placing it near his heart, the stone exhibited an immediate reaction, embedding itself once more. "AAAA, DOES IT HAVE TO HURT LIKE THIS?" Jack bellowed as the wound mended. Upon regaining composure, he discovered a change. 

In the realm of his sight, Jack beheld the emergence of a small icon depicting a white vine, accompanied by the adjacent number 99. Below it, another icon materialized – a representation of white claws – paired with the distinctive number 100. 

"Mary, ye already possess power in yer hands; hence, it didn't heed yer call. I, on the other hand, only harbored power in me eye and later in me one hand," Jack elucidated.

"Captain, not fair! Ye got both these powers, and I only have one. Zap!" Mary retorted, unleashing a bolt of energy.

"I can invoke it a hundred times each, and I reckon it falters thereafter," Jack shared, furthering, "This be worth more than all the treasures I've sought before – a single stone conferring power, setting ye apart from ordinary pirates."

Leaning in close, he locked eyes with Mary, remarking, "Oi, lass, this be a realm of opportunities hitherto unseen."

Leaning back in his fixed wooden chair, Jack exhaled audibly. "I always reckoned me father set me on a treasure hunt, but in truth, he led me to these powers."

Mary absorbed her captain's characteristic narcissistic and rogue-like oratory. 

Jack continued, "We're embarking on a hunt for these stones, and amidst our journey, we'll plunder and lay claim to any gold we uncover."

Mary echoed with enthusiasm, "AY AY, CAPTAIN!" before pouring another round of rum for the duo.

...

The Creature dropped anchor at the bustling dock of Black Leather, an island under the command of Jorkin, a renowned pirate admiral in the Sea of Wales. This island, larger than the last, bore the unmistakable stamp of piracy—occupied solely by pirates and hosting a bustling black market for the exchange of plundered goods.

Black Leather presented a golden opportunity to sell their ill-gotten silk without drawing the attention of the Navy. 

No Navy dares to attack an island claimed by Pirate Kings/Queens and Admirals. The boldness of attacking an island claimed by Pirate Kings, Queens, or Admirals would invoke the wrath of hundreds of fleets, deterring any such interference.

Asthe ship docked, Jack, intentionally testing the air beneath him, attempted a grand entrance by stepping into thin air. He landed on the platform with a comical stumble, miraculously on his feet.

Mary, less theatrically inclined, simply leaped down, her hands laden with silk while Jack's remained empty.

The absence of hired guards this time stemmed from one of Admiral Jorkin's rules: no plundering of docked ships or vessels in the island's proximity. Violating this decree would incur the pursuit of Jorkin's formidable fleet, a fate most pirates sought to avoid.

The front part of the island, where the dock sprawled, housed a grand wooden structure—Jorkin's gift to the merchants. However, it came at a price, with the admiral claiming 15% of every sale. Behind this stood a network of cobbled stone pathways lined with wood and stone houses—a gift not only to Jorkin's crew but also available for purchase by wealthy pirates.

Navigating the bustling market, they encountered tables of varying sizes offering an array of goods, from gunpowder and leather to silk and gold exchange. Pirates and merchants alike bustled about, some laden with crates and barrels of their acquisitions.

Approaching a merchant displaying leather and silk, Jack pointed to Mary, obscured by the bounty of silk in her hands, and declared, "Oi, I have this for sale."

The merchant, an older man with no hair, brown skin, and crooked black-yellowish teeth, instructed, "Alright, put it down here," gesturing to the wooden floor.

Mary obediently placed the silk as the merchant meticulously counted each sheet aloud. Usually sold in rectangular thin sheets, silk's transport and valuation were made more manageable.

"One, two, three..." the merchant counted, ensuring Jack could follow along.

Upon completing the count, he proposed, "There's a total of 54 silk sheets, hmm, how 'bout 10 gold coins."

Mary corrected him, asserting, "Me counted it too, it was 89."

Amused, Jack laughed, "Lass, keep yer countin' to yerself HAR HAR," as Mary crossed her arms in response.

"Alright, give me the golden coins," Jack demanded, noting that while 10 gold coins were a considerable sum, it fell short of their larger financial needs. Stone and wood houses, along with quality ships, commanded prices ranging from 100 to 1500 gold coins.

The sheets, folded three times into a rectangular shape, promised a more significant size when unfolded, easing the work of tailors.

The merchant handed over 10 gold coins, and Jack, in a customary gesture, tested each coin with his teeth to ensure their authenticity.

Pleased with the spoils of their plunder, Jack cast a sly wink at Mary, hinting at something exciting.

Mary, catching on to the unspoken plan, smiled and they proceeded to purchase food along with a wooden crate to carry their provisions—three crates in total.

Exiting the bustling market, they ventured behind it to a tavern that served multiple purposes: providing alcohol, accepting bounties and missions, and offering a place to dine.

Pirate-controlled islands boasted taverns with this trifecta, distinguishing them from Navy-controlled establishments where food and missions were strictly forbidden inside.

Entering the lively tavern filled with pirates of various ages and attire, Jack and Mary found a spot at the counter. Jack, unusually opting for a seat at the counter instead of his usual strategic table choice, aimed to eavesdrop on conversations and perhaps pose a question.

Seated at the counter with Mary to his left, Jack signaled the waiter, ordering two cups of spirits and two cups of rum for himself. After a toast and downing their drinks, Jack leaned in towards a neighboring captain, his voice carrying a gravelly rasp.

"Ahoy, care to hear a tale so unbelievable you'd question its reality?" he provocatively offered, hoping to capture the man's interest.

The silver-haired captain with a cold gaze declined, leading Jack to playfully poke the man's shoulder repeatedly, earning irritation.

"Cut it out! Are ye daft?" the captain snapped.

Jack, laughing with unrestrained exuberance, teased, "A wee bit of madness never hurt. What be yer name? Let me take a wild guess. Powder Monkey! HAR HAR HAR."

While Jack engaged in his usual eccentric banter, Mary seized the chance to order more spirits and slyly down each cup in quick succession, stifling giggles.

Growing increasingly angered, the captain stood up and questioned Jack's legitimacy. Jack, also rising, gestured for peace and introduced himself as Captain Jack Thunder, boasting a fictitious crew of two hundred men and presenting Mary as his vice captain.

Captain White Marshall, now displaying respect, extended his hand for a shake, curious about Jack's previously unheard-of exploits.

Sitting together, Jack spun a tale of sailing the treacherous Sea of Calamity and Thieves, capturing Captain White's attention.

Intrigued, Captain White Marshall asked, "Blimey, it can't be! Ye're not that mad, are ye?"

Jack, embracing the madness, chuckled and replied, "Mad as a cuttlefish in a storm, me heartie. Anyways, care to lend an ear to the tale of me recent skirmish in the treacherous Sea of Calamity?"

Captain White Marshall nodded, and Jack commenced his tale of deceit.

"In the Sea of Calamity, I've crossed paths with a bloke wieldin' powers beyond reckonin'. He could prance on the waves, part the seas, and command the fish and creatures beneath. A true marvel," Jack weaved his tale of deceit.

Captain White roared, "Ye laid eyes on Vernos!?"

Jack's brow feigned a slight furrow before he smiled slyly, saying, "Ah, so that be his name—the elusive second Pirate King."

White nodded eagerly, questioning, "What manner of man is he? Did ye meet him face to face?"

Jack wove another thread of deception, "Aye, he was surprisingly friendly, although he kept his name shrouded in mystery. He spoke of powers granted by stones. Have ye heard of such things?

White, appreciating the shared information, disclosed, "Indeed, those be artifacts. And those who possess them are called Linkers, though why remains a puzzle."

Jack remarked, "In me six years at sea, I've encountered a Linker but once, and it turns out to be none other than a Pirate King."

Turning his gaze to Mary to check if she had ordered anything more, he found her asleep, cradled in her crossed arms on the counter, already inebriated.

Returning his attention to Captain White Marshall, the man continued, "Linkers are a rare breed, mostly confined to the Seas of Thieves and Calamity, avoidin' the more frequented routes."

Jack, after confirming the old captain had no further information, engaged in casual banter and shared meaningless tales, the two of them indulging in drinks for a few hours, satisfying their hunger in the process.

Mary stirred from her slumber, digging into her meal and promptly consuming more spirits.

"Aye, lass, awake now, are ye? Welcome back," Jack greeted.

Mary's eyebrows knitted in confusion, "Aye, captain, who's that?"

She had either forgotten or paid little attention to Jack's interaction with the old captain.

"This, me lass, be Captain White Marshall, me newfound mate," Jack proclaimed, a sly grin on his face.

Mary resisted the urge to facepalm, offering a forced smile, "Pleasure to meet ye, Captain," as she shook hands with White Marshall.

As the drinks flowed and camaraderie thrived, Jack refined his farewell to Captain White Marshall. Mary, bearing crates of provisions procured earlier, and Jack, their laughter harmonizing with the nocturnal breeze, traversed the thoroughfares with unwavering haste.

Upon reaching the dock, their pace transformed into a lively sprint, the echoes of Jack's laughter resonating through the sea breeze. 

In the sanctum of their ship, as the sails caught the wind, Jack, with an unabashed grin, confessed, "Lass, the temptation was irresistible! HAR HAR."

Mary, sharing in the merriment, reveled in the exhilaration of their audacious escapade. In a flourish, Jack unveiled the spoils of their whimsical heist—a spyglass, approximately six Nord coins, and a compass ensconced in an elegant silver casing.

"Every day we're expanding our treasures and items, Mary," he proclaimed with a touch of theatrical flair.

Meanwhile, within the cozy confines of the tavern, Captain White Marshall, poised to settle his account, delved into his brown-hued coat, only to discover its newfound barrenness—devoid of Nords, bereft of the spyglass, and bereaved of the cherished silver compass. 

Rising to his feet, a thunderous exclamation escaped his lips, "That  wily rapscallion!"

While pillaging ships was outlawed under Admiral Jorkin's decree for his claimed islands, the subtle art of pickpocketing found no mention in the code.