Disclaimer: I am not part of the Disney corporation.

Historical Note: Press gangs were paid by ship captains to capture male British citizens to serve on His Majesties Ships. The men were enlisted into the Navy and forced to serve the Crown. This was common in former times for a group of military personnel with the job to find people to force into military service.

Chapter 1

Will Turner walked the streets of London with uncertainty. In the years since he had left, everything had changed. He had foolishly set out in order to find his old neighborhood. The plan wasn't going that well. At the moment, he was wondering if perhaps he should have gone to Elizabeth's sewing circle.

He grinned at the memory of receiving the invitation. After being in London for only a week, Elizabeth, being a Governor's daughter, was forced to attend many social functions. Usually, Will had to escort her, but the sewing circle was for women only. She had been disappointed, he had been relieved. Every time they went out, he would get odd looks. A woman, highly regarded in society, married to a common blacksmith?

Again, he looked around, trying to gain his bearings. A fog was rolling in, and Will couldn't see Big Ben. He couldn't even see five feet in front of him. He had forgotten what the weather had been like. Port Royal was always lovely. He felt a bit of homesickness. Ever since his arrival there, he had felt at home. Sure, it was due partly to Elizabeth being there, but he had never wanted to return to London if he could help it. It was always so dangerous.

Speaking of which, the sun was setting. Will decided to retrace his steps and get back to where they were staying. London was not pleasant at night. Especially if you were alone. At dark, the tavern and brothel doors were thrown open. The streets were very bad for an unescorted woman, but a lone man was still in danger. If man was going out, he brought a close group of friends with him.

Less men were joining the British Navy, causing more men to employ themselves into press gangs. The gangs easily overpowered men, bound them, and sold them to the highest bidding captain. It was all legal because it was for the military. But so were indentured servants and slaves. Legality didn't make it right. And with the French acting up again, there could be war quite soon. Kidnapping men and sending them to fight and die.

After a good half an hour, Will decided that he was officially lost. By now Elizabeth was back at the inn. Hopefully she wouldn't worry. He spied a group of men lying around on a porch. After a moment, he decided to ask them directions.

"Excuse me, but would you tell my the directions to the Harbor Inn?" The men were instantly alert, inspecting the new arrival. Will felt like a slab of meat at the butcher shop, he was under such scrutiny.

"You not from England?" one asked, his deep voice rough. The man had a short and stubbly beard with a dirty face. A window opened above the men's heads, and someone dumped out a chamber pot. It missed the speaker by inches. But the man didn't seem to notice.

"I am originally, put I've been living in Port Royal. The city has changed a lot since I left," Will said, trying to be polite and not gag on the stench.

"Aye, it has. What be your profession?" Another man, dirtier than the first, asked.

"I'm a blacksmith," he ventured cautiously. Something wasn't right. The men were glancing at each other and nodding.

"You ever consider serving your country?" That's when they jumped him.

Alright, I know it's short. Please tell me what you think! I value the opinions of my readers, so have at it.