King George sat dining with his wife, Queen Caroline. It was a peaceful time for the royals and, aside from their bedtime, the only time they were granted privacy. Suddenly, they heard shouting from outside the doors.

"What do you suppose the trouble is?" Caroline asked.

The doors swung open, and a guard entered the dining hall. He approached King George and Queen Caroline, bowing quickly.

"The Devil take it! What is it, man?" King George bellowed.

"Your Majesties, there has been rumors-"

"Rumors? Do you hear this, my dear? I expect to be told something of great importance, and am being given simple-minded gossip." King George chuckled and dabbed his mouth with his napkin.

"It concerns the missing privateer, your Majesty: Captain Hector Barbossa."

With those words, King George's expression changed to one of solemnity. Calmly, Queen Caroline placed her fork on the table and turned towards the guard.

" How do the rumors concern Captain Barbossa?" Queen Caroline asked.

"Some of the people within the city, your Highness, have claimed to see him. Dressed in nothing but tattered clothes, and amongst a band of pirates."

"His whereabouts?" King George asked.

"They know nothing of his location, your Majesty." The guard said.

"He has been missing for eight months now, certainly lost at sea. Surely those that have claimed to see Captain Barbossa, are mistaken. It could simply be a stranger who bears a strong resemblance." Queen Caroline reached for King George's hand, trying to reassure him.

"The citizens have noted the absence of one of his legs." The guard added.

There was a moment of silence, before King George banged his fist against the table; startling the guard, causing a glass of wine to nearly fall over and being caught by Queen Caroline.

"I knew it would come to this. You can never trust a pirate, no matter his lies." King George said to the guard, in a manner similiar to a schoolteacher.

"Have they said nothing else about Captain Barbossa?" Queen Caroline asked.

"They've given mention to seeing most of his crew wonder the streets, but usually the Captain himself is never seen. I suspect it's because he is afraid of being captured and placed on trial." The guard explained.

"Perhaps it's best to to send soldiers to search the city." Queen Caroline suggested.

"Caroline, no rat shall show itself without being baited."

Queen Caroline turned to King George. "What do you propose, George?"

"I propose that I prove to Captain Barbossa that I am twice as clever. Sending soldiers to search for him, he'd become frightened and run. If we were to discover his whereabouts under different circumstances? Why, it'd be the element of surprise!"

"Different cirumstances, your Majesty?" The guard repeated.

"A spy. I've many who would be more than willing to capture a pirate and its crew." King George said.

"A young man wishing to sail perhaps, your Majesty?"

"No, it must be a woman. I've learned through my life that nothing shall be more persuasive or cunning as those of the opposing gender."

The guard shrugged. "Have you the woman?"

"I've five spies that are women, but Ms. Tolson has the most experience."

"Shall I send for her?" The guard asked.

King George looked up. "Her name is Winnifred Toulson. She is known to some, and you should have no difficulty in finding her."

The guard bowed and left the dining room. Once he had left, King George and Queen resumed their meal. Not once, did Queen Caroline see her husband stop smiling; apparently confident in his own plan.