Eos and Charlotte stood on the beach for a moment just long enough to feel awkward. Then Eos turned and waved for Charlotte to follow, both of them making their way up a short rope into the ship.

The ship was small enough for one person to crew but big enough that the three of them did not crowd each other as Charlotte began to help them prepare to set sail. It felt almost unreal as the goddess moved effortlessly around the vessel. Charlotte, too, moved almost without any thought at all as Eos and the man gave her directions-tie this, check that. The two of them disappeared below deck every so often before coming up with some supplies or other.never asking Charlotte to go instead. Finally, with a jolt, the sails dropped and the ship moved forward into the ocean.

Charlotte hurried to the rail and watched as the beach and her access to her own tiny, beached rowboat grew further away.

"This is The Phaeton." Charlotte turned to find Eos approaching. "The Daybright to some. She'll take you where you want to go."

The man called from somewhere close below deck. "Not as famous as The Flying Dutchman, but she's got her own charm."

Charlotte couldn't quite manage to take her hands off the rail, turning back to find an empty horizon. Too many questions. Too many new, scary things. And those visions...

"There were more bad things that I didn't see." She said finally. "In the visions you gave me."

"Yes."

"Worse things?" Charlotte loosened her grip before she could get a splinter, drumming her fingers now.

"Yes."

"How do I stop them?"

The wind slowed, the ship with it. Waves splashed below and almost drowned out Eos' voice as she replied.

"Simple. Do nothing. Go home. And your family will be fine."

Charlotte spun to stare at the goddess.

"It can't be that easy."

Eos smiled. The pink in her eyes seemed to glow stronger.

"My family will be fine? You can promise?" A nod in reply. "So Elizabeth is safe?"

"Already with the Commodore."

Charlotte looked up at the still sails then down at the dark wood of the ship. A beautiful ship. It felt sturdy. Safe. But the idea of home felt safer. She wouldn't need the sword if she was home.

She started to look toward the sword and then jerked her eyes back to Eos' smile.

So easy.

She set her jaw.

"Will?"

"He will die." Eos shifted her gaze slightly, staring at something far out of Charlotte's sight. "The pirates already sail with him for the Isle de Muerta." Eos shook her head and her eyes focused on Charlotte again. "And Jack, of course, is back in custody."

Charlotte reached up and realized that her hair was already in place and left nothing for her to fidget with. There was no delaying this with fainting or playing ill.

So instead she was frozen.

The world waited and Charlotte couldn't even tremble.

Eos frowned. "You said to the Commodore... something akin to 'shall I sit and do nothing while this happens to another family?'"

She'd said several things to the Commodore.

But Charlotte nodded.

Eos stepped closer, holding out her hands. "You have much to plan for. This ship..." Her hands spread to gesture to The Phaeton. "Will take you where you decide to go."

Charlotte let her hand finally go to her sword. "To save Will."

Eos smiled. "Then, someday, you get back on this ship. And you work for me."

More questions.

She started small. "Someday?"

"I've waited hundreds of years. You will come this way again, one way or another." The goddess' expression did not seem to change even a hair, yet the smile suddenly seemed a thousand times less friendly to Charlotte.

"What work?"

"Not every lost soul is meant to be a pirate," The man told her.

"And not every lost soul started off human," Eos added. "You will find them. You will ferry them."

"Where?"

"Wherever they belong." Eos raised a hand and the wind began to pick up again. "That bargain is later. For now, you must hurry."

Charlotte closed her eyes. She saw the dark fort and the gallows, remembered her father's voice in her ear. Her sister in that room atop a mountain of gold, about to be murdered. The sword was a solid reminder in her palm-Will would be there soon. But what was she to do about it? Throw herself in instead? Maybe it was Elizabeth who would be going home to be her father's only daughter.

Except, really... if Charlotte was going to rescue Will... didn't Elizabeth deserve to be at her side?

Didn't she want her sister finally at her side?

Charlotte's eyes snapped open to find that she was alone now. No goddess, no god. They had vanished and now she was alone and the ship was gaining speed.

She wanted James as well if she allowed herself some more wishful thinking.

Charlotte Swann spun on the heel of her boot and charged up a short set of steps, placing herself at the helm of her borrowed boat. She reached for the wheel and then hesitated, not really sure where she was.

A breeze tickled her ear like a question.

"To Will? But take me past Father and Elizabeth and James. Just close enough for them to see me."

The wheel wrenched out of her hand and Charlotte found herself stumbling across the deck as the course changed to follow her directions. She caught herself before she fell completely and tried not to look panicked as the ship continued to control itself.

"I... Thank you, Phaeton."

The ship righted itself and surged forward, faster than Charlotte had ever gone. Her hat flew off almost immediately and her hair began to tangle itself hopelessly behind her, whipping at her face every once in a while just to remind her of the rat nest it was becoming. Her stashed food tumbled to the deck as well and was snatched up and eaten by the suddenly starving Charlotte.

She made her way to the front of the ship as she ate, watching for any sign of life and considering what exactly she'd thrown herself into. What promises she'd have to make or break. What she could ask in return for the work she was going to do.

It never did occur to her to ask how long she would have to do it.