Scarlett began to step away from the table but it was too late. Two pirates jumped up and had her in their grip, forcing her to stand before their black-bearded captain. The barman stumbled back and fled the scene to return to his duties, leaving Scarlett to fend for herself. But, she reasoned, it wasn't his battle to fight.

“Well, well,” Blackbeard said in a scruffy voice, his hand resting on the handle of his tankard. “Look what the Devil dragged in.”

“You would know,” she said, jerking her arms away from the pirates beside her but it did little good against their tight grasp.

“Careful, wench,” he spat. “Sit down.”

Blackbeard glared down his nose, as his pirates shoved her into a chair. She resisted but it was pointless to fight.

“Funny how things work out, ain't it?” he continued, waving for her to be served a tankard of ale. Immediately, it was placed in front of her as if the barmaid had been waiting for the command. “What brings you to these parts?”

Scarlett pushed the tankard away. “Why do you think I would tell you?”

He raised his eyebrows in amusement. “Oh, come now--we're good ol’ friends. It was only Captain Jones that got in the way between us. Oh, I seems to have struck a nerve. Where is he, by the by? He left you, didn't he? Broke your little, delicate heart and now you're searching for him.”

“You don't know what you're talking about.”

“Dearie, I tried to warn you about him but you wouldn't listen.”

“At least he saved me from you.”

“And look where you are now.” Blackbeard let out a hearty laugh, as his men chuckled on the side. “You're afraid you'll never see him again, aren't you? I can read it on your face. Well, that's a pirate's life. I've had a wench or three I was glad to never see again.” He paused and leaned back, peering over his fingertips as he brought them together at his lips. “You showed up at a very good time, my dear.”

“Why is that?” Scarlett said, her heartbeat quickening again.

He gave a sinister smile. “It's tough these days--hard to find good, healthy women.” He watched her over the lip of his tankard as he took a sip, nearly causing Scarlett to shiver in disgust.

Suddenly, the clock off to the side struck, its chime ringing loudly in Scarlett's ears. She gasped as she looked up at the face. It said six thirty.

“What's the matter?” Blackbeard said. “Late for something?”

“Yes,” she said, placing her hands on the table. “Please let me go. We can forget any of this happened.”

“You think I'm going to let you go just like that?”

“I never wanted any trouble and everything in the past--you said it yourself that Captain Jones got in between us. I wish no hard feelings and I beg the same of you.”

“What a beautiful little act. Might bring a tear to me eye.”

“Please, I am being honest. My brother is with me and he's probably wondering where I am. Just let me go find him. I will say nothing of this.”

“My dear, one of the rules to being a pirate is never be honest and never trust another.” Blackbeard motioned his hand to his crew. “Men, go find the boy. He can't be far. Hayward, Wickham--take the lass to my ship.”

“What? No!” Scarlett fought off the two men as they pulled her to her feet. She gripped the edge of the table, hanging on as tight as she could as they tried to pry her away. She gazed at Blackbeard, sitting calmly across from her. “Please, just leave us alone! Leave my brother out of this. He did nothing to you. Take me, if you must, but leave him alone.”

“You should have kept your mouth shut if you wanted to protect him. Besides, business is tough these days. I'll take any poor soul I can get.”

“What business?” she seethed.

“Always have to know everything going on, don't you? Well, you'll find out soon enough. Take her away.”

The pirates yanked her away, forcing her to leave the table. She sobbed as she struggled, her scarf falling to the ground and her hair falling loose around her face. As they turned to leave the tavern, she looked up at the crowd. They had grown quiet and watched the spectacle unfolding before their eyes but no one dared to move. She begged for their help but found no solace in them, some even averting their gaze nervously. Scarlett knew it was useless. No one dared to challenge the feared pirate captain.

They dragged her to the door and stepped out into the damp, cold air. Hayward and Wickham pushed her through the fog-covered pathways, passing quickly through the marketplace toward the dock. Scarlett glanced around wildly in search of her brother. The crowd of vendors had disappeared as nightfall had arrived but the dim lantern lights made it difficult to see. They passed the bakery where they had agreed to meet but no one stood there. Had they already captured him? Perhaps he grew cold and decided to wait at the inn, she thought. She wished to tell him where she was and not to worry--that she had been captured before and lived to tell the tale--but she counted her blessings that he was out of harm's way. At least she hoped.

Their boots clunked on the boardwalk and they approached a plank leading to a grand ship. It was larger than the Captain's and more ornate, the figurehead on the bow glistening with a golden finish. The woman's eyes were emotionless, a sight befitting for such a dark ship. Scarlett gazed at it and began to feel a weighty sickness in her stomach.

“Come on, wench, up you go,” Hayward shouted, pushing her forward as they led her underdeck.

It was darker than the night in the depths of the ship and the air smelled stagnant with sweat and drunken pirates. Wickham lit a lantern, allowing Scarlett to see the rows of cannons and gunpowder awaiting their next battle on the seas. A few men in tattered, dirty clothing were sprawled out beside them. They rested their heads against the cannons, knocked out cold from their spirits as the bottles laid empty on their stomachs.

“Move it,” came Wickham's strong accent as he pushed Scarlett further along. “Stop ‘ere.” He jangled some keys from his pocket and fumbled to find the right one in the flickering light. Opening the heavy steel door to the brig, he shoved Scarlett in, slammed it shut and locked it behind her. She turned to face him as he lifted his lantern to have a closer look. He displayed a wide grin, his remaining teeth yellow and stained, and then let out a low cackle. “You're a pretty one, aren't ye? They're going to ‘ave fun with you.”

“Who?” Scarlett said, lunging at the door. “Where are you taking me?”

He chuckled, wagging his finger. “Ah, ah, ah--Cap'n orders. Let's just say the rich folk have…particular pastimes.”

Scarlett gasped and shrunk back as he reached for her face, clinging to the wall furthest away from him. He roared with laughter before walking away, the glow of the lantern fading until she was left in the pitch black darkness. It was quiet and the only sound remaining was the faint snoring from the gunners next door.

Finally alone, Scarlett began to sob. Regrets of ever taking her journey to begin with fell upon her tired shoulders. Even more, it pained her knowing her brother had been dragged into it also. She breathed heavily in between her cries, wringing her hands as she wondered where he was. They were still in dock, likely scouring the town for him so they could capture him, too. She could only pray he would escape free.

Then her silence was interrupted by a noise--there was a commotion and someone was yelling. Feet tumbled down the stairs and shuffled closer to the brig. Scarlett retreated back against the wall until she saw a face in the light of the lantern.

“William!” she said, rushing to the steel bars and reaching her hands through.

The pirates pushed him forward to the cell beside hers and tossed him in, locking the door quickly behind him. They scowled but didn't loiter, walking back the way they came and leaving the two in darkness once again.

Scarlett felt with her hands to find the bars between her and her brother. She grasped at his shirt. “William,” she said, sobbing. “I'm so sorry.”

He reached through and cupped her face in his hands, his voice trembling as he spoke. “Scarlett, I was terrified. I didn't know where you had gone.”

“I know. I'm sorry I got us in this mess. I should have never stepped inside that tavern.”

“What happened?”

She swallowed the lump in her throat. “I went to the docks searching for a merchant like we had planned and one suggested I visit the tavern. The barman there told me of a man who could take us on our journey. I had him introduce me and that's when I found out it was Blackbeard. This is his ship.”

“Blackbeard? Like in Father's stories?”

“Yes, he has as black a beard as in the stories and took the name for himself. When I was with Captain Jones, he stole me from him. I fear to think what would’ve happened if Alexander hadn't rescued me. But now I fear that fate has fallen upon us again. Oh, William, this is my battle, not yours.”

“That's not true.”

“No, he's angry about what happened and he won't let go of me now. I begged him to leave you out of this but he wouldn't listen. I could only pray they wouldn't find you.”

“I didn't even realize what was happening until it was too late. When you didn't show up at the bakery, I became worried and went looking for you on the docks. Those two men approached me--they must have seen me searching desperately--and they told me they had spoken to you and that they were taking us on our journey. When we boarded, they bound my hands and threw me down here.”

“I'm so sorry, William.”

He sighed heavily, wiping a hand across his forehead. “What does he plan to do with us?”

Scarlett paused, her sobs growing quiet. “I don't know. I'm afraid to think of it.”

“Don't be afraid, Scarlett,” he said, grasping her hands in his. Though they were cold, damp and trembling, she felt a strength in his grip. “We will get through this.”