The video is just some Sea Shanties I listened to while writing. Here's a chapter that took me a couple months to write. Sorry about that! 

I had fallen asleep at some point. I woke up to Castor's hand on my shoulder.

"What's going on?"

"I hear someone coming."

"Who?"

"I don't know. Sounds like a lot of people."

I nodded. There was more light than there had been before. I sat up.

"How long has it been?"

"Maybe a day? I'm not sure."

I nodded again. That seemed to be all I could do. Castor sat next to me.

I was thirsty. Edward, the boy who'd gotten us, had brought down water a few hours ago. I reached for the overturned crate he'd laid the pitcher on.

Castor tapped my shoulder. I turned to look at him. "He took it with him."

I nodded and sat back down. We stared at each other in the dark. Then Castor sat up.

The cellar door cracked open. It was light, and I was blinking. Boots were coming down. I was on my feet in a moment. There was the captain again. Castor was on his feet too. My dad had taught me to always fight on my feet. That's just what I intended to do.

The Captain peered down. He spoke. I looked to Castor.

"Come with me," he signed quickly. I nodded, hoping that would be enough to express my appreciation. It seemed like it was.

The Captain turned back around and started up. I looked at Castor. He also seemed to be at a loss for what to do. Then he turned, and went up the ladder. I didn't see what else to do but follow him. We walked, the ship having the familiar bounce and bob that I'd missed on land.

I looked at Fersoan. He had a sword. I didn't. I'd need to be careful of that, and try to get it out of his hand. He had a long coat and wore a hat. The hat didn't seem big enough to be any real advantage to me. I looked over at Castor. I had no idea how helpful he'd be in a fight. He was skinny, but that didn't mean he wouldn't be helpful. It could mean he'd be underestimated, which would be good. He didn't seem to be prepping himself the same way I was. He didn't seem to be taking note of anything, let alone the captain and potential odds. That didn't bode well.

I had fought alone before. I could do it again. Only... I wasn't alone this time. I was worse than alone. I'd have to protect Castor too. That wasn't good for me. I was outnumbered. I didn't have a weapon. I pursed my lips trying to think. The best think I'd be able to do would be to jump overboard, and hope I handed right. And hope that I didn't accidentally let Castor drown. Of course, Juniper could catch him.

If Juniper was even still there. I had no idea where she was, let alone if she was okay and ready for an impromptu plan. I was screwed. That was it. That was all there was to say. I was screwed. I wouldn't be able to win in a fight. Escape was risky, but not impossible. The only question as if the risk was worth the reward.

Castor met my eye.

"They're singing," he signed.

"What are they singing?"

"I don't recognize it."

I rolled my eyes. Of course, he didn't. The Navy probably hadn't had a wide variety of sea shanties.

"What are they saying?"

He paused for a moment, then he blushed a little bit. I laughed I knew that look. Whatever it was, he didn't want to repeat it.

"Forget it."

It didn't matter anyway. I was mostly curious. It meant the crew was in good spirits, which was the only thing I needed to know. For the Red Revenge, the songs normally meant a clear day with favorable winds.

Castor looked uncomfortable.

"How bad is it?"

He looked at me. "It could be worse."

I nodded. I imagined my father had been glad I was a Deaf child. It saved him from explaining some of the worse songs. A pirate ship was fine for a little girl, but the lyrics of the song would be too much.

I remembered him forbidding anyone from translating the songs for me. Of course, I'd gone on a mission to learn them anyway, but it was a good try.

I needed to escape, but the ship still felt like I was close to being back. I was surprised how mice that feeling felt.

I wanted to be back home, however much I had hated the thought before. I missed South Hellendun.

"What's your plan?"

"Why would I have a plan?"

"I can see you thinking. You have a plan. What is it?"

"Not here. They know sign."

Castor looked at the Captain's back.

"Do all pirates sign?"

I shrugged. "For the most part."

"Why?"

"Several reasons. Cannons aren't great for your hearing. It allows for a more secretive communication. All pirates use it to some extent, even if they speak a different language."

"I remember learning in the Navy that some pirates don't talk at all. Is that true?"

"I don't know."

"But you're a pirate."

"I'm aware."

He didn't say anything for a while. Maybe it would've been nicer to explain that I didn't know every pirate or how every pirate operated, but I didn't feel like it.

We came to some stairs. I stopped.

"Where are we going?"

The Captain turned around. "On deck."

He looked so smug about it. I didn't trust that look.

"What are you planning?"

"A surprise."

That wasn't good. That wasn't good. Surprises were never good. Surprises were disappointing at best, deadly at worst.

A crewmate pushed me from behind. I followed Castor up the narrow stairs. I had a bad feeling about what waited on the deck.

The crew was gathered in a circle. The captain pulled us into the circle.

"Hello, Arriana."

My stomach dropped to the pit of my stomach.

"Dad."

He looked around. "Thanks for your help, men. We'll be going home now."

He grabbed my arm, his firm grasp just like it'd been as a child. He pulled me toward the starboard where the Red Revenge floated, just as proud as ever.

"Wait."

My father didn't acknowledge me.

"Wait!" I dug my heals into the deck.

"Come on! You're caused enough trouble already."

"What happens to him?"

My father looked beyond irritated. "Whatever Fersoan sees fit."

I swallowed. Fersoan didn't have a reputation for mercy.

I looked back at Castor. I stomped on my father's foot. His boots had been falling apart for years, so it went through. He let go of my hand. I moved toward Castor.

"Jump!" My fingers were hovering over my palm. I grabbed his hand, and there I was.

I got to the edge of the boat. The men were moving in. I saw Juniper below. She'd catch Castor. I knew it.

A burly pirate grabbed at Castor. "Jump! Now!"

He scrambled over the railing.

"Are you coming?"

I looked at my father. I looked back at Castor. The indecision was too much. Someone pushed Castor, and there he was falling.

I looked at the water below, but my father pulled me away, throwing me over his shoulder.

I had wanted to go home, but not like that.