1715

My nose twitched when I realized I was awake and not dead. When I yawned, I felt my chin scratch against splintering wood, practically feeling the dirt particles imbed in my skin. I pried my eyes open, and they adjusted to the dark wood contrasting against the calm blue sky.

I did not remember falling asleep last night. Was I knocked unconscious? Did I suffer a hysterical breakdown? Was I just so tired that I collapsed to the ground? No matter what had happened, morning came as it always did, blessing me with its gifts of the warm sun and bright blue sky. It was as if it was apologizing for the hell it put me through last night.

I felt my fingers press into the wood of the deck as I sat up. I grabbed a hold of the broken yet intact wheel to help my shaking legs stand up. I examined the significant damage that the hurricane caused.

The main sail was ripped to shreds, and what was left of the small mast now rested across the entire ship. The taffrail was split in many areas. Many of the barrels and ropes that made their homes on deck had been thrown overboard by the storm, and floor boards on the deck were completely smashed through to the berth deck. I was shocked it was still floating.

There was nothing worth repairing. I didn't have the tools, nor the skill set to salvage anything. The only positive note was that the ship wasn't sinking—yet. I would be lucky if this ship would move at all. I was going to need to prepare to die out here, humbly floating on the Golden Skye.

I began walking down the stairs onto the main deck, but then I stopped and slumped down and sat on the broken steps. I groaned as I rested my head on my tender knee caps. My short hair now fell around the sides of my face, cruelly reminding me of the traumatic decision that I had to make last night. I sat like this for a few minutes to let myself breathe, taking in everything that happened to let myself feel pity before trying to fix it.

I was practically shaking from malnutrition, I needed to eat something and soon. There were copious amounts of my skin that burned so bad, my red hot skin was peeling. I was trapped in a torturous existence.

I lifted my head up and gazed out into the endless ocean. There was a fire in the sky, burning my eyes. My vision was hazy, but I blinked the tears out and they rolled down my cheeks. Despite this wretched place being a part of my fateful demise, I looked to that infinite horizon and felt hope. Hope that there's someone, someplace just beyond that line, waiting for me. When I reach it, I will be able to find my new life.

I was putting all of my faith into what was just beyond that horizon. I almost didn't see the little dark speck interrupting the line where the sky meets the sea. I rubbed my eyes just in case it was a blur in my vision and squinted at it again. My thick eyebrows stitched together because the dot was still there. It was too good to be true, so I figured that I was just hallucinating from my lack of food.

Just the thought of food made my stomach begin to twist and turn inside itself. I felt so weak, I knew that if I didn't get any food at that moment, I would surely die. With a bit of motivation, I completely forgot about the object in the ocean and I trotted down the steps to fetch some food.

I stayed down under the deck to avoid the sun beating down on my sensitive face. The berth deck was nearly full of water, submerging my knees and my hips. Barrels were floating around but all the metal objects sunk to the floor. I went around to find what I could salvage. What was left of the water was getting worse and worse, and the food was slowly getting harder and more tasteless. I felt like I might as well be eating nothing at all.

I sat on the stairs that led to the deck to stay out of the sun but the water was slowly rising and it covered my legs. As I chewed endlessly on the hardtack that I have been living off of, my mind was still turning. I may have been suffering under the effects of the unforgiving sun with a severe lack of water and proper nutrition, but I came to the harsh conclusion that Princess Idina Maria Odette of Madya died with the rest of the royal family. As of now, I am nothing but a commoner, stranded at the sea. If I were to ever get off of this boat, I was determined to never let anyone know who I truly am. I am dreadfully afraid that someone will alert Krozar and I will face certain execution.

Again.

Once my breakfast was settled in my stomach, I talked myself into going up to the deck and assess the damage. My feet were heavy as I trudged up the stairs, and my eyes immediately drifted to where the speck was out of pure curiosity. It took a moment to register to the fact that it wasn't a speck anymore. It was larger.

I sprinted back to my cabin and swiped the spyglass from the desk. I nearly tripped on the rags I was wearing as I ran as fast as I could to the taffrail closest to the mysterious thing in the water. The deck felt slightly warm under my toughened feet. They've gotten roughed up and calloused since I've been on the ship. I took note of a soft billow in the structure that was sailing towards me before I rested my elbows up against the railing and put the spyglass over my eye.

It magnified to a ship that was sailing closer and closer to me. I focused on it's white sails, and noticed it's hundred crew members racing around on the massive deck, doing a variety of different duties to sail the galleon ship properly. Suddenly, their sails began to roll up, which I assumed was to slow their ship down.

Did that mean they could see me?

For a second, I was the happiest girl in the whole world. My worries and struggles were not for naught. I was going to be saved, and I prayed I'd be brought back to land. I deserved a warm meal. I would find sanctuary in England, where I would never be afraid again.

My joy quickly faltered into confusion and fear. What if they're looking for me? What if that ship belongs to Krozar, and they just found me? No matter who is on that ship, I was fully aware of the danger I was going to face once they realize I am the only person on this ship. I am completely at their mercy.

The closer the ship got, the more of it I could see. It was much larger than the Golden Skye. It looked like a warship. With my spyglass, I could see an exquisite carving of a woman in the bow, and overall this beautiful and magnificent ship was unlike anything I had ever seen. It's details almost distracted me from dozens of her crew members all rushing to the taffrail with confused looks on their leathery faces.

The warship kept sailing closer, which made me aware that she could see me just as well as I could see her. The Golden Skye looked so feeble compared to her. I almost wanted to jump out and touch it to ensure that it was a real ship and not just a cruel figment of my wild imagination.

Suddenly, a disembodied voice broke through the constant sound of the waves. "Oi! Anyone home?"

My breath halted in my throat. This was the first time I heard someone's voice in months, ever since my entire family was executed. I had been driving myself utterly mad, so just hearing another humans voice was like honey in my ears. My heart was beating faster and in this moment, I did not care if this ship belonged to Krozar. I was so emaciated, I could barely think clearly. I would much rather live the rest of my life trapped in a dungeon or shot on deck than to be on the Golden Skye for another sunset.

With the last bit of energy that I had left, I dropped my spyglass and listened to it roll down the wooden deck while I raced down towards the helm. As soon as I jumped up the stairs, I waved my hands in the air to grab their attention. I was determined to get off that ship.

Breathlessly, I screamed out, "yes, please! I'm here. I'm here. Help me, please!"

I could see a few sailors pointing in my direction and yelling out to each other which resulted in even more of them peering down at me from their taffrail.

My chemise turned to rags through its constant use and the torture I put it through, so I knew I would never be able to face these saviors without some more coverage. I quickly trotted into my cabin to fetch my coat and I ran back out while putting it on. I could still hear the chatter of the sailors on the ship.

"Port side!" One of the crew members shouted.

"Drop anchor!" The order was made.

The ship halted to a stop right beside the Golden Skye, which resulted in water getting sloshed up onto my deck. Their enormous ship towered over her, making the Golden Skye look like a little dinghy in comparison. My brain could not comprehend the size of the massive ship.

I could hear their crew chattering and barking orders, but I couldn't make out what any of them were saying. I was practically panting under the heat, so I could barely hear anything over my own breathing. I was just relieved to have found someone again. Finally, it seems that my lonely days are through.

"She's a little beat up, eh?" A deep English voice rang out from their deck.

I glanced up and used my hand to shield the bright sun away from my eyes. One of the masts was able to block the sun, but the water swaying the ship made the sun blind me. I saw the silhouette of a sailor climb up on the taffrail, standing in front of the ball of fire in the sky. He gripped the ladder made of intertwined ropes beside him, and I could make out a sword by his hip. His dark hair and his loose clothes twitched in the salty sea breeze.

Recalling the horrible storm I ensured last night which resulted in a broken deck, a collapsed mast, and a splintered taffrail, I too would suggest that the Golden Skye was a little beat up. I responded, "she fought hard against the storm last night."

"That wasn't any old storm, love. That was a hurricane."

The young sailor took a loose rope and swung over to my ship. He landed right in front of the stairs, and he steadied himself on his feet before turning to look up at me. He looked quite young, close to my age. Time had not yet wrinkled his rather handsome features. His clean-shaven cheeks were pink from the unforgiving sun, but his secretive and mysterious eyes were dark brown. His thick dark hair was shorter than mine, but he had dreadlocks by his face. He wore a dark, yet faded bandana that was tied securely around his head which I assumed was to protect his forehead from the sun. Over his flouncy white shirt was a tattered waistcoat. I examined his face, but I rested in his eyes. For the first time in weeks, I genuinely felt safe.

The hot sun was burning my delicate skin, igniting a fire within my soul. Just one look at the sailor and I could hear a bell ring. I quickly realized it came from their ship and it was not a figment of my sun-driven hallucination. Thank goodness.

Our eyes were locked, and I saw a little smile raise his sunburnt lips. He ran up the stairs towards me, and even though he smelled like rotten seafood, just another look from him and I forgot almost everything from the past few weeks. It was as if they all drifted off with the waves. His rich brown eyes told me of places that I had never been, with a gleam that was so familiar.

"You didn't try to sail through it, did you?" He asked compassionately.

"Sail through what?" I asked. My mind was still foggy from the heat, and my focus was lacking.

"The hurricane."

"Oh." I blinked to try to focus. "Oh, yes. I did."

"I can see that. Your ship is on the more broken... and destroyed side," he joked dryly.

"She has never sailed beyond the reef," I honestly told him.

"So you chose last night to give her her maiden voyage?" He asked with a sarcastic tone.

"I set sail a few months ago."

The sailor tilted his head to the side like a young puppy and asked, "are you lost?"

"Very much so, sir. Please, I beg of you, take me off this god forsaken ship."

He chuckled softly and said, "yes, of course. Is there anything you're not lament on getting rid of? This ship is a total loss, we won't be able to tow it and have it fixed for you."

"That's fine." I placed my hands upon my coat torso, just to feel my family jewels that I had carefully sewn into the fabric of. I let out a little sigh and ordered, "I must get off this ship."

"And we shall." He leaped up on the taffrail and he extended his hand to me and said, "take my hand."

I glanced down at his large hand, tanned from his time in the sun. Dirt was caked under and around his fingernails, telling me that they have probably been out at sea for a long time. I placed my nimble hand upon his, and he gripped me tightly. He hoisted me up and helped me stand on the taffrail, my free hand gripped his shoulder for balance while I readjusted my feet on the thin railing. He held me firmly against him, and my chest was pressed to his. He took my hand and wrapped it around his back and told me to hang on.

"Are you sure about this?" I asked wearily.

"What? You don't trust me?" He sounded jokingly offended.

"Frankly, no."

"Hold on tight."

I shamelessly wrapped my arms around his body in a tight hug, and he used his free arms to take a hold of a rope from his ship. He didn't give me any warning before he jumped, sending us swinging through the air.

My grip got significantly tighter out of fear of falling into the water, and I could feel his chest shake with a laugh. I squeezed my eyes shut until a little yelp escaped my cracked lips when we landed. I felt him laugh gently and his warm chest vibrated into my shoulder as he said, "welcome aboard the Wicked Wench, Miss."

I opened my eyes as I let go of the sailor and took a step back, where our eyes met once again. His deep brown eyes were glowing underneath the golden sun that lit up his tanned skin. Never had I met someone who made me smitten upon our first meeting. I had been on that ship too long...

It was so hot, I slipped off my coat as I turned around and I was able to see the crew members of his impressive vessel. They were all grungy, disgusting, and dirty. Odor from their bodies insulted my nose. I had met many privateers in my life, those sailing for the Madya Crown, and they were always well put together. Of course, I had never been able to see them while they're working at sea, however I always assumed that they maintained that level of respect while sailing under colors of my country. Something told me that these blokes were not privateers.

My eyes gravitated towards their flags, and none of which belonged to a country that I was aware of. However, a black flag caught my eye, and it wasn't until I saw the skull and cross bones that I realized that I did not find a ship of privateers or humble sailors. I had come across a ship of pirates. Bloodthirsty, brutish robbers of the sea. I had no idea what was worse; pirates, or Krozar.

"Anyone else board the ship, Jack?" One of the other pirates asked.

Jacks voice got low and his chin tilted down. He responded, "no."

The eyes of the pirate shifted to me and I felt a chill down my spine. My smile faded. He hissed, "grab her."

"No, no," I begged and spun around to flee, but there were some pirates standing right behind me. They grabbed me and spun me around to face the center of the deck. They pinned my arms behind my back, grabbing at any scrap of clothing they could get their hands on while I fought back as hard as I could by thrashing around but they overpowered me. One hand wrapped around my throat, forcing my jaw up.

A man dressed in a lavish purple coat came through the crowd of speechless pirates and ordered, "board the ship. See to it nothing is left."

"Captain, that ship is nothing but ruins," Jack pointed out. His flint hand gestured toward me and he said, "let the lady go."

The Captain ignored Jack and continued barking orders at the crew. The pirates kept a firm grasp on me, I could barely breathe without their fishy breath assaulting my nose.

It didn't take long for the pirates to plunder what was left of my ship. They climbed back on board and over the railing. One reported, "we found a few pieces of gold, Captain. Most probably are lost to the sea after the storm."

The Captain huffed and he turned to me. "Who are you?"

Through my gritted teeth, since I couldn't open my mouth even if I wanted to, I spat out, "I am none of your concern."

"That's not what I asked."

"I am no one of importance."

"Why was there gold upon your vessel?"

"We weren't transporting it if that's your concern. I am nothing but a humble servant."

"If you are of no use to us, we have no reason to keep you." He looked to his crew and took a few steps away from me. The men holding me brought me down to my knees, and the rough wood poked and scratched through my chemise.

The captain turned back at me and took a pistol out of his belt. I froze, staring at the barrel of the gun while shaking with fear. The captain looked at Jack and handed it to him. "I'll let you do the honors."

Jack took the gun carefully from the captains hands. I could see the gun shaking in his grasp. He glanced up at me, then looked back down at the gun. I felt the pressure of the men gripping my shoulders to keep me from moving. My heart was in my stomach, I was terrified.

Jack looked back up at the captain and said, "no."

"No?" The captain asked.

"I won't do it," Jack stated firmly.

"Very well, then," the captain sighed. Then he ordered, "make her walk the plank."

The entire crew cheered while I was utterly gobsmacked. The men brought me back up to my feet as I shouted, "how dare you?!"

"Hope you can hold your breath," the Captain chuckled.

"I will not," I said firmly.

A hush fell over the crew, and the Captain turned to face me. He pulled out a gun and pressed the barrel against my jaw. He hissed, "I wasn't asking."

This riled up the crew again, making them cry out with their weapons in the air. They huddled around us and pushed me toward the railing where a long wooden plank was placed over the water. The men finally let me go, but they were replaced with guns and swords being pointed at me to ensure I didn't make it back onto the ship.

I faced toward the ocean, and my hand shook a bit for fear of what was awaiting for me. I closed my eyes for a moment and I could feel my throat tightening up, and my stomach full from the salt water I was going to drown in.

"Oi," Jacks voice rang out. "This is a little hasty, eh?"

"She is just another mouth to feed," one pirate spat out.

"Not to mention the bad luck women bring to ships!" Another yelled.

"Look at what she did to that ship there!" Another shouted and pointed towards the Golden Skye, which was now nearly underwater.

"We are keeping to the Code. No boy or woman are to be allowed amongst us. Code is Law, lad," the Captain stated.

"I think we should welcome her back onto the deck and celebrate her improbable survival with a tankard of grog," Jack suggested.

"No. If you want her, you'll have to jump in and get her." The Captain clicked his gun that was pointed at me and said, "you either walk the plank, or I'll shoot you off the plank."

I slowly walked a little further down the plank, which made the men uproar. I tried not to give them the satisfaction, so I tried to appear calm and composed as if I were at home. Not a tremor crept over my frame, nor did I allow a pallor overspread my features as I walked toward my fate.

As I was taking my fatal steps, I folded my hands over my bosom and I raised my eyes to heaven. I stepped off the plank and fell down to the unforgiving waves. The wind that gave me my first breath also received my last sigh. I sank down into the dark water without a murmur. Just a blind hope that I'd turn into a mermaid.

I didn't hear a splash but my skin turned to ice, as if scales of gold were beginning to grow out of my body. My lungs deflated like a balloon, which made my ribs feel like they cracked and separated. I imagined it was my body making room for gills so I could breathe.

My body sank deeper and deeper down into the water. I looked up where my last breath floated to the surface. I saw a shimmer of light above me. My body was weak, and I was close to a quiet death. I was at the mercy of the current of the sea that was pulling me deeper and deeper into the abyss.

Narrator's POV

Jack watched in horror as the young woman he had rescued from her sinking ship had plummeted into the waters he just saved her from. His mind remained agitated that the efforts to rescue her from a slow and agonizing demise was all for nothing. He didn't understand why they freed her from the clutches of the Davy Jones only to throw her back into his arms.

"Was that really necessary?" Jack whined. He walked to the edge of the ship and looked down at the water, not seeing her rise back up. His lip snarled from disgust of what he just witnessed.

"We have no room for stowaways," Captain Morgan replied. "But, if you want her to be a part of the crew, be my guest. But someone is going to have to bring her back up."

Jack looked back over into the water and still didn't see the young princess try to fight for her life. His leg bounced slightly as he anxiously waited for her to break the waters surface. He knew she wasn't coming back up, so he looked to his crew mates and asked, "anyone willing to get her? Anyone?"

No one was willing to risk their lives for a frail girl they found just minutes earlier. They weren't even certain if she was going to survive the neglect and terror she already suffered through. Jack grunted and climbed up onto the railing. Her wonderfully elegant voice kept playing in his head, begging him to save her. He jumped into the air with his arms raised above his head before diving into the frigid waters.

The crew all scrambled to the taffrail where they saw bubbles popping in the water from where Jack had just jumped. They knew Jack as a man who only cared for himself, so watching him risk his own life for a stranger was out of character for him.

In fact, it was Jack's own curiosity that implored him to save Idina. He knew there was more to her than she was willing to admit, and he wanted to know what that was. He wanted to know why she was on that ship, how she got lost in the middle of the ocean, and where she came from. Something he could use for his own benefit, no doubt. He wasn't willing to let such a beautiful creature be lost to the waves.

"I didn't think he was actually going to do it," one pirate commented.

"Neither did I," Captain Morgan said gravely.

Meanwhile, Jack was in the water waiting for all the bubbles to leave his vision so he could see where Idina was. The water was dark, but he saw the glisten from Idina's pearl necklace shine. He swam further down into the water that got colder and colder the further down he dove. Bubbles were no longer escaping from her blue lips, so he knew he had to get her to air immediately.

Jack wrapped his arms around Idina and held her close to him. He kicked to bring them up to the surface, and he made sure her head broke through the water first.

The crew had thrown some rope over the edge for Jack to cling to so they pull them up. Once they reached the railing, they helped get Idina down to the deck so she was laying on her back. Jack clumsily fell over the taffrail and crawled over to the dying princess.

"She needs air," he stated out loud, talking to everyone but no one in particular. His eyes drifted down to her chest and observed how it wasn't moving. He placed his hands on her chest, not feeling a corset that may have obstructed her breathing. He pressed down on her chest to try to pump the water out of her lungs, but it wasn't working the way he hoped it would. Frustrated and too panicked to care, Jack's next idea was to pump air into her lungs. He kept her on her back but he leaned down and placed his lips on hers, blowing air into her mouth but it came out her nose. He pinched her nose shut and tried again, this time the air filled her lungs.

Idina's eyes shot open and she sat up quickly, nearly bumping her head against Jack's but he fell back just in time. She coughed up all the seawater she managed to inhale.

"Well done, lad," Captain Morgan said.

Idina's eyes gravitated toward Jack, just as surprised as she was relieved to be alive. However, panic took over her body when she saw she was still with her captors who tried to kill her. Her chemise was gauzy and sheer, clinging to her body, showing off her curves to all the men on the deck.

Captain Morgan walked up to them and thought for a moment. He cared about Jacks opinions, and if he was willing to risk his life for this woman, there must be a reason. He said, "Jack, I want you to go below deck and fetch our guest some proper clothes and breakfast."

The older gentleman came up behind Idina and he draped a warm blanket over her shaking shoulders. She was still afraid to be around them, and very confused over this newfound change of heart.

Morgan walked up to her with a bundle of papers, the first page clearly stated that the document was a pirates code of conduct, also known as the Pirate Articles. These were the rules of the ship that once Idina signed, she's have to follow for the rest of her days.

"Sign them, or you die. And I won't give Jack a chance to save you this time. After all, dead men tell no tales," he snarled.

Idina fearfully plucked the inked feather from his hand and signed her name with cursive loops beside all the other names of men who were on the ship and also had to sign the articles. The name she signed was illegible, because she didn't want to give them her real name. She saw Jack's name, taking note that his last name was Teague.

Morgan smiled and said, "good choice."

Idina's siren eyes remained intent on him, untrusting of what he may do. She wanted to remain steadfast in her refusal to become a pirate. She knows where piracy leads. She's seen the bodies hanging over the docks of Kingston.

The older pirate grabbed Idina's coat and he helped her to her feet and he guided her away from the crew members and into the cabin beneath the helm, belonging to Morgan. Morgan followed close behind.

Idina looked back over her shoulder and locked eyes with Jack. He could see the fear in her eyes and how she only found comfort with him. He gave her a little nod, telling her that he will be right there. The door closed, leaving her alone in the room.

Idina's POV

"Go ahead and sit—" the Captain gestured to the red velvet couch in the middle of the room "—you've met Jack, he's my first-mate, and he will be in soon to give you some fresh clothes."

"Thank you, sir," I said tightly, trying not to let my voice shake. They were a bit more lavish than I expected pirates to be, perhaps they have had some good plunders.

The Captain smiled at me softly, but I didn't fall for the false sense of security they were trying to trick me into believing. I readjusted my coat that rested on my shoulders just as he was leaving. He shut the door to his cabin, leaving me alone.

The room was quite extravagant. It was twice as large as the captains quarters in the Golden Skye, with a much larger desk, and a larger globe. However, the Golden Skye had an impressive library on board while this ship did not have one at all. Perhaps it's because most pirates cannot read. I nervously picked at my chapped lips, which were dry, cracking, and the skin was flaking off anyways.

One wrong move, and everyone could figure me out. I had to be very careful of what to say and do in front of any one. There is no one on this ship I can trust. I'm not sure if there is anyone in this world I can trust. The agony of this was nearly unbearable. I nearly jumped out of my skin when the magnificently carved door opened and in walked the pirate who got me on board. Jack.

Jack had a large bundle of fabric in his arms, as well as a ceramic plate balancing on the bundle. He smiled at me softly with red lips and he walked over to me. I grabbed the plate from him before it could fall, then he dropped the fabric by my feet.

"Thank you," I said softly and placed the plate on my lap. My mouth was practically watering with the food that was on that plate. He got me some fresh fruits, vegetables, cheese, bread, and cooked meat with a tankard of fresh water. A real banquet.

"We just left a port, so I grabbed you some of the freshest produce we obtained for our next journey. You look starved to death."

It took every ounce of my being to decline the offer. I had never eaten something that wasn't tested first by a member of my staff. And these men know how desperate I am to eat. They could have poisoned it.

"I mustn't eat this."

"Dont be foolish, you must eat to regain your strength. Or, I can get some leeches."

"Not poison?"

"No."

"If you have tried to kill me, you would have done it already," I reasoned.

"Exactly."

I didn't even care if it was unlady-like. I used my hands to shovel the food into my mouth as fast as I could, barely even enjoying the taste before I swallowed it and began chewing the next bite. I inhaled almost all the meat in an instant.

"I can always grab you more," he offered.

"Thank you. All I have eaten for the past two months are beans, jerky, and hardtack."

Jack made a face of disgust, flicking his tongue in and out of his mouth in revulsion. "Please, eat a lemon."

If I laughed, I would have probably choked from how fast I was inhaling the food. I finally controlled myself enough to slow down and I got my aching head to clear up a bit. I asked, "please tell me again, where am I?"

"You are aboard the Wicked Wench, sailing across the Caribbean Sea, Miss."

I was just about to correct him on my title, but I held my tongue. Princess Idina is dead. She died during the revolution.

"And your name is Jack, yes?" I asked.

He nodded softly. "And what do I call you, love?"

Even if I gave him my childhood nickname of Idy, it could be traced back to my full name. He could be smart, so I cannot not take any chances, so I needed to come up with something quick. I must start anew with this fresh fate. Don't you know what you must do? I asked myself. I had to hold my head high, take a deep breath and say goodbye to Princess Idina.

I was rather clever when it came to things like this, but now my imagination had melted away with the heat. I eventually said, "I don't have one."

Jack chuckled in disbelief. "You don't have a name?"

"No." I foolishly committed to my mistake.

"Blimey, must have been a rough childhood," he joked.

"You have no idea."

"All right, love. Then I shall give you one." He crossed his arms as he inspected me. He hummed a note in his throat as he paced the cabin with his eyes intent on me. His eyes dipped down for a moment and he asked, "what's that?"

I gazed down at my chest and my nimble fingers reached up to grasp the pearl necklace that my mother gave to me just before she died. My fingers fiddled with the gemstone while I saw intense thought strain his facial features.

Without saying a word, he finally stopped and with a snap of his fingers he said, "Pearl. I shall call you Pearl."

I smiled softly and said with a strained voice, "that's perfect. My mother used to call me that."

"She did? Look at that, I am a great judge of character."

I laughed a little at his joke and took a bite of the bread with some creamy cheese on it. Crisp on the outside, soft and buttery on the inside with a nutty ivory paste spread into every crevasse. I admired this new name. It signified that I was ready for this next step.

"Is there a last name that goes with that?"

"No."

"That's fine. So, Pearl, what brings a young lass such as yourself onto a broken ship such as that?"

I was not used to being questioned by what I say and do, so I didn't even think of an excuse that I could have used. I ended up quickly saying, "the country I lived in was poorly governed so I took the opportunity to escape."

Jack laughed. "You stole the boat?"

"I wouldn't call it stealing—"

"Was it your boat?" He asked, raising his eyebrows.

"Well, not directly, but—"

"That's called stealing. When you take something that is not yours, that is stealing," he said.

I playfully gasped. "I will not be degraded by a pirate."

"Oi, remember that you are a pirate now too. Not to worry, I won't tell a soul. I will take it to the grave. Not that anyone here would care, we are all pirates after all. Unless you come from Blackbeards ship because that will send you straight to the noose."

"Jack, why did you save me?"

"What was that?" He asked tautly, although he clearly heard me.

"Why did you jump into the water for me?"

"I don't really think, love. I just do."

"I wouldn't have thought a heedless pirate would risk his life to save someone he just met."

"I don't believe in useless killings. I saw you as someone worth saving."

I finished my plate of food and began drinking the entire tankard of fresh water. The cool drink soothed my raspy throat, like sucking on frozen syrup when you're sick with a common cold. I had never been so happy to drink water in my entire life. I was pouring it into my mouth so fast, I had to wipe the water that dribbled out of the corners of my mouth with the sleeve of my dark coat. I could barely breathe.

"Where were you headed?" Jack asked.

"North. I guess I made it."

"Depends on where you are coming from, I suppose. Any particular place to go?" He asked.

I shook my head. I didn't want to immediately tell him about England in case he started asking questions about my business up there. I needed to be patient. "No, nothing in particular."

"Well, if you are still with us in the next time we make port, I will show you around Tortuga."

"Where is that?" I asked.

Jack looked a little taken aback by my question but he answered, "it's in Haiti. A popular pirate threshold. You've never been there?"

"No. I told you, I'm not a pirate."

"Oh, right. Yes, well, then I will definitely show you around Tortuga."

I smiled at the humorous pirate. "I'd like that."

He smiled back at me. "Get dressed. Sorry, it's not a dress. If I were Captain I'd say it's a dress or nothing, but unfortunately these are the only fresh clothes we have on board."

I lifted up the black fabric up to inspect it and realized that it was a frilly shirt. I wouldn't do well with wearing my ratty chemise on a ship full of lustful men, especially one so tattered and repulsive after wearing it for months on end.

Jack stood up and headed to the door. Just before he left he said, "come out when you're ready and we will introduce you to everyone properly. Take your time. You're one of us now."

After he shut the door behind him, I placed the empty plate down by my feet and I put the pile of clothes on the empty seat of the plushy couch beside me. I carefully slipped my chemise off, letting the fabric fall to my feet and I kicked it away. Hopefully to never have to wear or see it again. I wished that I had the opportunity to bathe or wash my skin before putting new clothes on, but I didn't have a choice considering all the pirates upon this vessel all smelled like the bottom of the sea floor.

Jack had given me a pair of brown linen pants and a large, flowy black shirt that had long puffy sleeves that would cover my arms properly to avoid the harsh sun rays. Once I put those articles of clothing on, I headed to the door and slipped out to the deck where I saw the crew members herding around Jack with anger on their faces. My footsteps were silent, since he didn't give me any footwear.

"She's a woman!" One shouted.

"Women aren't allowed on ships, as per the Code," another added.

"A storm will come and we will all surly perish."

"We must kill her before she kills us."

"That hurricane came because she's a woman. Probably killed all the men aboard, she did. Lying about being alone on that ship, she is."

"Oh, stow it!" Jack shouted loudly, immediately silencing every conversation that was occurring while he was being yelled at by the crew on my behalf. Everyone's fearful eyes turned to Jack as he continued, "I have had enough of all of your utterly egregious and ridiculous superstitions. My level of tolerance is up to here—" he leveled his hand by his head. "Aye, she's a woman but any storms that come to us will not be from her doing. She has signed the same articles as the rest of you meritless dogs. She's a part of this crew. If you were to blame anyone, blame Calypso. Our ship will carry her for as long as we are needed. Savvy?"

The crew remained silent, but a few humble nods and groans showed that even though it was forced, they were accepting my presence. A few of their eyes drifted to me standing by the door of the captains quarters, making Jack turn around to look at me.

Jack gave me a small smile, and I properly returned it. Then, he shouted while turning back to the crew, "man the yards, you filthy toads! We are setting course for Haiti. I want movement!"

Everyone dispersed to do as he said. They took his command very well, in a way that I deeply admired. How was he able to take charge so effortlessly despite being one of the youngest on this ship, and not being the captain? I almost envied him.