"Isn't this a perfect day to be at sea? The wind, the splash of the waves, the rum!"

Captain Jack Sparrow was in a bright mood. Mister Gibbs noticed right away. He shook his head with a small grin and continued swabbing the deck. He was the only man that Sparrow trusted from his crew.

Well, except me, anyway. I sat at the edge of the boat and stated down at the water. The foamy bubbles filled the surface and the breeze cooled my cheeks from the burning sun. My hair, though short, got a bit messy from the wind. Father advised that I cut it short when I was young for reasons I know not.

He handed me a pair of scissors and I was off, cutting more than he expected. However, he never minded it and I've kept the look ever since. It was dark brown and short, like a young boy's.

Father finished his bottle of rum and rested both elbows on the edge of the boat where I sat.

"You're very quiet, as usual."

I shrugged. "Just wishing you finished that story you told me the other night. When you taught that Beckett who the real man was."

Father smiled. "Ah, yeah. His fleet were sent back home the minute his ship was blown to bits! And, me? Well, I parachuted down to safety."

I smiled back. "And, of course, you saved Miss Swan. You held her in your arms and landed safely!"

He clapped his hands. "Couldn't have ended it better myself. Come, come! We'll be in Tortuga soon!"

With a small turn and a hop, I walked across the deck as father held out his hands in the usual way when he walked. He snapped his fingers and Gibbs brought him his beloved hat.

"All ashore that's going ashore, lads! Our crew needs new recruits, so step to it! Movement! I wanna see movement!"

Gibbs nodded. "Aye, Captain. What about the young Sparrow?"

I stood beside him and raised an eyebrow. "What of me, Mister Gibbs?"

He jumped, not noticing me. "Oh! Well, I didn't mean anything-"

Father waved his hand and scoffed. "We have a tight schedule. My beloved child will stay aboard and guard the ship, won't you, love?"

He grinned and showed his yellow teeth off to me. I could smell the sweet smell of rum in his breath and took it in.

Taking out my sword, I spat on the floor. "With my life, Father."

He walked ahead as a crew member handed him a new bottle of rum. Gibbs followed after him, clumsily, and soon the ship was empty. The dock was filled with drunkards, pirates, and confused sailors. I sat on a barrel giving my sword a few waves.

With a heavy sigh, I gazed at the sunset and shrugged. I was nearly 20 and Father said I was almost old enough to be second in command.

A small screech and a small weight on my shoulder made me smile. My pet monkey sat on my shoulder and gave my ear a nibble.

"Hello, Jack. Causing trouble again now that father isn't on board?"

Father didn't like Jack very much. Jack was troublesome and jittery. He could be sweet and sensible when he wanted to, which was hardly ever.

"I think I've done enough work today. This gal deserves a drink."

I got off the barrel and hurried off the ship. Stepping onto the dock, I saw Gibbs standing nearby. He was conversing with another crew member, both clearly drunk.

Their clothes were muddy and I could smell a horrid stench as I got closer to them. The other crew member, Dagger, slapped Gibbs on his arm and they laughed heartily. Dagger joined the crew about a month ago and got his name from the terribly deep hole in his eye. Of course, you wouldn't know such a thing was there with the patch over his eye.

I patted Gibbs on the back. "I'll be a moment, Gibbs. Keep a sharp eye out on the ship, aye?"

He hiccupped and nodded. "Aye, aye, Captain Sparrow!"

Smiling, I walked away and entered the biggest bar in Tortuga. The place was a riot as always. Men arguing, guns firing, and giddy music. Sitting at a table, I spotted my father from afar, holding a large mug. He grimaced when he saw me and walked over.

"You're supposed to be on the ship, Missy. And, if I'm not too drunk, we're not on the ship, are we?"

Shrugging, I looked at the table. "Well, I'm never where I'm supposed to be, am I? So, any idea on where we're off to after this?"

He took a seat beside me and reached into his jacket. Scanning our area, he felt confident to take out a map. I paid close attention, holding my cup close.

He laid the map on the table and flattened it with his hands. "Now, after Gibbs and Dagger fetch us more crew members, we'll be off to the Isle of Black Arena."

I raised my eyebrows. "That's a bit of a trip. And, what exactly do you plan on finding there?"

Father's mouth turned into a grin as he leaned closer to my ear. "A scepter, dear child. A golden scepter."

"A scepter? What for?"

He paused. "It once belonged to a king. A king known as Midas."

I narrowed my eyes. "The King of Gold? The king who's very finger could turn a whole kingdom into gold with a single bloody touch?"

His face filled with content and he leaves back in his chair. "The very one."

My heart raced with excitement. "A scepter with such a history is a valuable one, indeed."

Chugging his rum, he held up a finger. "Aye. However, there is also something valuable on the scepter."

I grimaced. "What?"

"Fingerprints."