From the introduction:
Your ship, the Moonwaker, has pulled into Jama, a sea coast town, and sold off some of its bulk stolen cargo at a discounted price. However, selling off the nice pricey loot just wont happen here, as the town has recently endured a sea devil attack.
Captain Tarheel is very frustrated at not being able to sell in the nearby city of Swampshoal Point. The Harbormaster now demands that one of the "established" city merchants must vouch for a captain's integrity before a ship can sell its cargo, no doubt a ploy of the Kar-Nodge Pirates Fleet.
Fortunately, Captain Tarheel has come up with a plan. One of the Jama merchant families has decided they've had enough of the sea devils and are going to set up shop in Swampshoal Point.
The family has no idea that the Moonwaker is a pirate ship, and will certainly speak well of its captain and crew in Swampshoal Point. To ensure the family continues to see them as a good ship, Captain Tarheel has decided to send some of his crew to protect them along the road. And the crew he picked, is you!