Long ago, when Solstice's people were still figuring out their footing, a fish merchant found an injured pirate floating in the water. He was ragged and bruised, and had bloodstains all over. This was a man unlike any the merchant had ever seen in all his days of sailing.

But he believed every sail had its purpose. And the moment bubbles surfaced near the pirate's nose, the merchant scooped him up and rowed back to his quarters on the island.

When the pirate eventually came to, he found his wounds dressed, as was his entire body. He didn't say much after he had learned what happened to him. It was almost as if he looked disappointed. But for saving him, the pirate said he'd be the merchant's helper to pay the debt he owed him, and he need only tell him when it's been fully paid.

The pirate was a marvel on a ship. With him, the merchant could travel uncharted waters and gather exotic produce never found on Solstice. How could such a person have been drifting out at sea, the merchant thought? Many had even started flocking to his market stall for the merchant's produce.

And while the pirate never spoke about himself, the merchant never asked. All he wanted was a meal and a bed. What did his past matter to him then? He secretly enjoyed the company, too.

One day, the merchant fell terribly ill. A sickness caught from one of their travels and only treatable with foreign medicine. Hope was grim. Most everyone on Solstice had gathered to pay their respects and expected the mysterious pirate to take over his shop now. It's even what the merchant had wanted.

Instead, the man called for an audience with the kinlady of Solstice. He kneeled down and spoke.

"One crew that can sail. I'll teach them the rest. We make for mainland Tamriel and will be back before the month's end," he said to her.

"I've heard of the goodwill you and the merchant have brought to Solstice," she said. "But you're asking me to give you Elves who've never endured journeys like the one you're about to embark upon. How can I trust that you'll return?"

Faced with no other choice, the man stood up and met the kinlady's eye with a sharp yet soft gaze that made her lean forward.

"Because I'm the sole survivor of one of the most feared pirate gangs to sail Tamriel's waters, and I murdered my entire crew. I realized the ruffians that we were and had decided to die with them. But the merchant saved me. Didn't ask for nothing, and yet I sailed him everywhere. I did this to him."

"The sea runs in my veins. And the island's given me more than I deserve. Let me save him."

The kinlady asked him to rise and sent her guards to escort him out of her chambers. One pulled out a rope and started to tie his hands together.

"Did I ask you to bind him?" the kinlady said with a polite, fierce tone. Squirming, the guard retracted the rope.

"Escort the pirate to one of our ships and give him a crew from the College of Sea and Sword. When you return, alive, pirate, I'll have your judgment decided."

The pirate met her gaze and nodded.

While it had been ages since he had commanded a ship and crew, the waves felt smoother than normal. Not because he was back to his old ways, no. Something stronger pushed his sails now.

But even time held no mercy for the righteous. While quick, by their return, the merchant had already passed.

Defeated, the pirate met with the kinlady for his punishment, but she had other plans. More so, the islanders did, who were asked by her to decide his fate. The crew who sailed with the pirate was also consulted.

It was decided the pirate would take charge of the merchant's shop and lead a crew to expand Solstice's trading routes. And, in his spare time, he would consult and instruct Elves in the College of Sea and Sword.

Astonished and confused, the pirate could only muster one word, "Why?"

"You've proven to the island not to judge someone for their past. I don't see why I should, then. You're not a pirate anymore, are you?"

And that is how the Island of Solstice came to welcome travelers from all walks of life. Even ex-pirates.