Scarlett lifted her head at the declaration of the man in the crow's nest. Forgetting her tears and sorrow, she squinted eagerly in the darkness for signs of land. It was still too far and foggy to see anything from her vantage point.

“Well, we have arrived,” Alexander said, peering into the distance as well. “You'd best go prepare to disembark.”

He left her side quickly to attend to his crew as they emerged from the dark recesses of the ship, heeding the shrill announcement they had all been waiting for. They jumped into action to furl the sails and steer the ship stealthily into the harbor. The commotion caused William to awaken as well, as he climbed above deck and approached Scarlett still standing by the bulwark.

“This is it,” he said, squeezing her hand. “We're going to find our sister.”

“Yes, this is it,” she repeated, sadness still overwhelming her as she watched the Captain giving orders to his men.

Batting her thoughts away, she urged William to follow her underdeck to gather their things--that being only their pistols and coats since they had lost everything else when kidnapped by Blackbeard. Scarlett thought of the last letter her mother had received from Grace and grieved the loss of a precious item belonging to her mother. But she tried to remind herself she would be bringing home something even better--or so she hoped anyway, if they were able to find their sister without the help of the letter’s address.

Quickly, Scarlett and William strapped on their bandoliers and donned their inherited coats, making sure their weapons were concealed safely underneath. It felt strange to Scarlett with the weight of a pistol on her hip and thick, heavy velvet upon her shoulders. Her brother glanced over her for a moment, a hint of apprehension in his eyes before he swallowed and gave her a nod of approval.

They climbed above deck again, finding a group of pirates clustered around the starboard side of the ship. They had already anchored in the bay and were beginning to lower the jolly boat into the sea. The Captain, upon seeing them joining the crowd, walked over to discuss their plans.

“We're keeping the ship anchored here away from the town and we'll row a boat into the harbor. This is a dangerous town and it's best to take precautions.”

“Is every town we dock in always so dangerous?” Scarlett said, half-jokingly.

The Captain didn't crack his usual smile. “Yes. We're pirates, Scarlett, so we're not exactly a welcomed sight in any town. And now with Bastian on our trail, we can never be too careful. Leslie and the crew will stay with the ship and four of us will travel into town tonight to find lodging at an inn. I want the two of you to stay very close to me. Do you understand?”

Scarlett nodded obediently, taking his warning more seriously than ever before. She didn't want the last town's events to happen again. This time, she wasn't going to make any foolish mistakes.

“The boat is ready for departure, Captain,” Leslie said, approaching his side.

“Very good,” he replied. “Ladies first.”

He guided Scarlett to the boat, holding her hand to help her board safely before urging William to follow after. Mister Collins climbed aboard next, taking place at the back, while the Captain sat down at the bow. Once all were ready, the crew remaining on the ship lowered the boat slowly down to the water. Scarlett clung to the wooden seat as the ropes creaked overhead and only loosened her grip when they splashed into the water. Collins released the lines as they bobbed haphazardly alongside the ship's hull and then took the oars in hand to begin paddling to shore.

It was pitch black, nearly midnight, Scarlett estimated--just how the Captain wanted it. The only light illuminating their way was the flickering flame of the lantern at the bow. Scarlett watched Alexander peering sternly ahead. No one made a sound, their fears of the night taking hold of their senses. The town was eerily dark but gradually, they began to see lights. Tiny specks glowed through the fog and as they approached the town, all seemed to sleep peacefully. They were undisturbed by any suspicious activity upon their arrival and the docks were nearly abandoned, save for a few lonely sailors who roamed about in their innocent drunken stupor. Though they paid no mind to the newcomers, the Captain still kept everyone close as they disembarked and set off into town.

It wasn't long before they were on the doorstep of the nearest public house and inn. The Captain had walked quickly, as if he knew exactly where to go, and had requested a room in only a matter of minutes. The innkeeper, dressed only in his sleeping gown and nightcap, guided them to the back hallway and after showing them their room, handed the Captain the keys and left to return to his slumber.

“Well, we can make do with this for the night,” the Captain said, as Scarlett and William entered their accommodations.

“So why stay here?” Scarlett said. “Why not stay aboard the ship?”

“Because it isn't safe to stay aboard a sitting ship anchored in the bay. Leslie and the men stayed behind to protect our ship, of course, should any threat come upon them. But I don't want to risk you two being aboard again. It's safer here and Mister Collins and I can get a feel for the town, keep guard and listen for any reports of any enemies. Then we'll know how to proceed in searching for your sister. Now, you better get some sleep. I'll stand guard.”

Scarlett found it hard to oblige, her mind restless with anxiety. But she lied in her bed anyway and without the constant rocking of ocean waves, she slipped quickly into a still, peaceful slumber. The only interruption was the Captain's shuffling on a chair in the corner and the unlatching of the door at some strange hour of the night. She heard hushed voices outside their room and footsteps fading down the hallway. It was hours later when the door opened again and the Captain returned to his position. He leaned wearily against the wall, likely attempting to get some sleep before the morning light.

However, it wasn't much later when the sun filtered in through the window, muddled by a cluster of clouds and sea fog. It was enough to wake Scarlett and she rose from her bed. William still slept in the opposite bed and the Captain sat propped in his chair, his head resting against his fist. Upon hearing Scarlett's rustling, his eyes fluttered open from his light sleep.

“You really should have taken a bed, Alex,” she said.

He stretched, craning his stiff neck to the other side. “I'm afraid you're probably right,” he said. “But I wanted to be cautious, especially when we're so close to finding your sister.”

“And what did you find? I heard you leave in the middle of the night.”

“Yes, Mister Collins and I were scoping out the town last night and early this morning for anyone who may be following us. It doesn't seem like they've caught on to us over here but I am sure the word from Bastian will reach Plymouth soon enough.”

By now, William had woken up and heard the Captain's report as well. “Do you think it's safe, though?”

“Yes, I think we will be fine. We'll proceed with caution but so far it seems a safe town. Now, we better hurry and get an early start to your search.”

After rising from their beds and donning their clothes, the four exited the inn as they had come. The morning air was cold and crisp, though a faint scent of fish met their noses from the marketplace down the way. They turned to the pub beside the inn and ducked inside to find a quick bite of breakfast to begin their day. It was a meager meal of coffee and biscuits but it would have to suffice.

Mister Collins stood off to the side, standing guard in the vicinity of the door, while Alexander, Scarlett and William took their place at a small table to eat and discuss their plans.

“So since this is your search, Scarlett,” the Captain began, “how do you suggest we start? You don't remember the address from your sister's letter?”

“I'm afraid not.”

The Captain gave her a weary look. “And you didn't try to memorize it?”

“I had no need to,” she said, defensively. “I didn't intend on losing the letter. However, I think I can recall the street--which house, though, is the problem.”

“Well, it's a start. Do you have any clue where she may have been employed--anything in her letters to indicate a location or a landmark of sorts?”

“She never told of her employment. For all I know, she may not even live in this town anymore.”

He sighed. “Well, we'll just have to ask around and see if anyone remembers her name.”

After gulping down the remains of their muddy coffee, they asked the owner of the house for directions to the street Scarlett recalled from Grace's letter. It was on the other side of the town but not disheartened by a long walk, they set off. Scarlett led the way, eagerness to find her sister motivating her steps. Soon enough, after climbing the slope from the marketplace and venturing into the town's small neighborhoods, they stumbled upon the street by means of a crossing alleyway. They gazed along the neverending home fronts of cold stone. Women busied themselves with housework: some brought out buckets of ashes from their hearths, dumping them onto the ground; others beat the dirt from their rugs in the streets; and yet others swept with a broom along the cobblestone steps in front of their small abodes. Scarlett and her search party approached each resident who answered the knock at their door but none had ever heard of Grace Hamilton.

“Perhaps this wasn't the right street,” Scarlett said, dejected as they had reached the end and found themselves at another crossway.

“Don't worry, sister,” William said. “We can still search the marketplace. Someone is bound to know her there.”

They carried on back to the marketplace as he suggested, stopping along each vendor stand and popping their heads into each store front. Again, no one knew the name of Grace Hamilton.

Then Scarlett's eyes landed on a bakery. Homesickness overcame her but it felt like the answer to her saddened hopes. There had to be a connection--their family bakery had been in the Hamilton heritage for ages. Grace would surely find employment or at least some comforts of home there, Scarlett mused.

Scarlett and William stepped inside, greeted by the overwhelming smell of freshly baked bread. A small counter displayed some items for sale while an oven burned hot in the back of the room. It felt like home. But then the owner emerged, his unfamiliar face reminding them of the long distance between them and their father. They inquired with him, repeating the same questions regarding their sister but he only shook his head in response. Disappointed, Scarlett thanked him and bid goodbye.

“Anything?” the Captain said as they exited the bakery, his foot propped up on the step. He had been loitering outside to “stand guard,” as he had pridefully excused himself at the beginning of their search. But seeing the nervousness in his eyes, Scarlett knew the real reason he kept his distance.

“Nothing,” she said.

He straightened his posture and took a deep breath. Scarlett couldn't tell if he looked relieved or sensed the gloominess in her countenance. But then he took her hands and peered at her earnestly. “We will find your sister, whatever it takes,” he said.

They carried on further for a while, meandering through winding streets and looping around through the town. It seemed as if they were walking in circles by now, their search becoming haphazard in their desperation for some lead. Before they knew it, the daylight began to fade and dusk was soon approaching. The Captain, concerned about the danger that lurked in the shadows of the night, recommended that they end their search for the day and return to the inn. Scarlett hesitantly agreed and they made their way back, finding a humble meal before heading back to their room to rest. It was here that Scarlett found herself with enough time and silence around her to dwell on what little she knew of her sister. Where would a young Hamilton maiden, unwed and abandoned, be in a town all by herself? That question plagued Scarlett's mind over and over until she concluded she couldn't find the answer.

The following morning, they resumed their search in much the same manner as before. With renewed energy for the day, they set off eagerly to search throughout the neighborhoods, choosing any and all roads to ask residents about Grace Hamilton. Again, however, their endeavors fell short of producing a result and the day dragged on. Scarlett felt her excitement fading and they eventually found themselves walking mindlessly back to the center of the marketplace, observing the townsfolk bustling about the harbor and visiting the little shops. It was here that something caught Scarlett's eye.

She paused, stopping to look in a window they had nearly passed by without another thought. It was a seamstress shop and intricately embroidered dresses decorated its display. It was exactly the place a young maiden would endeavor to be--if not to purchase, then to sew. Excitedly, Scarlett opened the door and stepped inside, William following closely behind.

An older woman occupied the tiny shop, threading a needle swiftly through a large and vibrantly-hued gown skirt. She was clothed in a plain dress, despite the many rich fabrics displayed around her. Scarlett approached the small counter where purchases could be made and peered into the larger portion of the room where the dress-making occurred. No other signs of women were to be seen.

“Hello, may I help you?” the woman said, rising from her stool to greet her patrons. She was feeble and slow as she approached, brushing back her greying hair with fingers that were dry and rough from years of labor.

“Yes,” Scarlett replied. “We are searching for someone. Would you know a woman by the name of Grace Hamilton?”

The woman pondered for a moment but then slowly shook her head. “I'm afraid not, miss,” she said, ready to turn back to her work but then she stopped. “I do remember someone named Grace, though. Oh, what was her name? Humphries? I think that's it. Goodness, I haven't heard that name in years.”

Scarlett's heart fluttered, her hopes jumping at the chance to take anything as a lead to their search. She turned to the Captain, who stood gazing through the window, and ushered him inside. As he obliged, Scarlett turned back to the woman. “How would you describe her?”

The woman shifted her eyes nervously toward the Captain. “Well, tall, slender, beautiful face with blue eyes, dark hair quite like yours but it was always done up. It wasn't…free like yours.” She cast a judging glance over Scarlett.

Avoiding the woman's gaze, Scarlett couldn't help but brush her hair back behind her shoulders as she felt conscious about her untied, natural curls. But keeping to the task at hand, she turned to the Captain. “Do you think it's her?”

“It could be but that could describe many women. Why would she change her name?”

“Did she ever talk about her family or where she was from?” Scarlett said to the woman.

“I think so but it's been so long ago now. But who are you and why are you inquiring? I don't like your kind around here.” The woman scrutinized the Captain.

“I am her sister,” Scarlett said quickly, sensing the woman's uneasiness. “And this is my brother, William.”

“William--that sounds so familiar. She often spoke of a little boy.”

“Yes, that was me,” William said. “We are looking to reunite with her. We lost contact with her many years ago.”

“Perhaps she wanted it that way,” the woman said, her countenance changing to irritation. “She was one of those modern types of women. I employed her for a time and she was a lovely tailor but then she changed. I always felt something was bothering her but I never pried into her past. Then one day she left without any notice, leaving me with much work to look after. I never saw her again. But it’s no matter. I don't like such fickle types around my shop anyway.”

“Do you know where she last resided?”

“On the other side of the town, I believe. I may still have her address in my book, actually.” The woman pulled out a small notebook from a drawer and thumbed through it. “I always liked to keep my ladies’ addresses in case of emergencies or to make sure they came to work unless on their sickbeds. Now it's hard to find workers at all. Ah, here it is.” She ripped a portion of the page and handed it to Scarlett. “You might as well keep it. I won't be needing it anymore. Perhaps you'll find her there but mind you, that was many years ago.”

“Thank you, we will try,” Scarlett said.

They bid goodbye, leaving the woman to resume her sewing and left the shop with their newfound clue in hand. Scarlett mulled over the woman's story and how she acted nearly resentful against her sister. Of course, she had been upset about Grace leaving unexpectedly but there were other things she said that left Scarlett unsettled. Her sister being continually plagued by her burdens and then suddenly disappearing just didn't seem right. She had good employment in a respectable trade. Why would she throw it all away? Theories ran through Scarlett's mind as she realized her search was now more urgent than ever.