~Chapter Two~

All board the Night Torcher

A huge red-black boat spread grew into view before her. She was, well let's just say, not dead like everyone thought. She was very much alive, and heading off to a new life as a pirate, on her father's ship, or so she hoped. Maybe her father would help her out. But knowing him he probably would not. He was the type that thought she was too independent, and didn't need any help. Needless to say she actually did this time.

Her row boat was tiny, and she was almost out of food, and fresh water. Salt water kept lapping over into the boat as she steadied it beside the Night Torcher. A rope ladder was thrown down; I grasped it and started climbing. Reaching the top of the ladder, she was helped aboard, the ship by one of her father's crew. They grasped a hold of her wrists and pull her so she was on her feet. The pirate then decided he should tie her hands behind her back. "What you doing on this ship lassie? Don't you know what ship this is?" he taunted.

"Yes, I know what ship this is it's the Night Torcher. And my business on this ship is strictly between me and the captain, so if you don't mind I would like to be taken to him," she snarled.

"As you wish lass." He smirked, pushing me toward the captain's cabin. "Captain, there's someone here that wishes to speak with you," he said pushing me roughly so she stood before a great oak desk with a tall dark haired man with sparkling green eyes sitting behind it.

"Oh is she now?" the captain asked, getting to his feet.

"Hello father," she murmured, struggling against her bonds.

The captain's eyes widened, "Dylan? Is that really you? I thought you were dead…" he muttered tears coming to his eyes. Dylan nodded. "Cut her bonds," he demanded, to the crew mate. The mate dipped his head and cut them.

"I didn't know she was your daughter, I'm sorry sir," he whispered. The captain shook his head.

"Don't be, no one knows that I have two daughters," the captain murmured, staring at Dylan. Dylan rubbed her wrists, nodding to the crew mate. "You're dismissed," he said, as the mate scurried away leaving the cabin.

She ran to her father, "Father, I need help. The ship that Rosa and I were on, committed munity against me, and Drake helped me get away before I got killed. Now that ship and the entire Royal Navy are after me." Dylan explained, resting her head against her father's body.

"Why did they commit munity against you?" he asked, wrapping his arms around her.

"Because, that's what they do if the captain falls in love… if they are a girl," Dylan explained sighing.

"I take it they made you captain, and they you fell in love."

"Well, not exactly. I was the strongest and best they had ever had as a captain so they changed the rule for me when I fell in love. Making it so I could stay captain, but then others on the ship didn't like that the rule had been changed for me and me only. So then the munity happened."

"Oh, for one: I'm going to say I'm proud of you becoming captain of a ship, and two: munity is not the best of things, there are better ways to solve problems. Such as war, but that's just me," he said smiling at Dylan. Dylan rolled her eyes.

"Is there anything that you can do to help me? I have to find Rosa," she murmured pulling away from her father.

"I might be able to get you a ship and a crew. And you'd be the captain," he whispered smiling mysteriously.

"I think that just might work father." Dylan grinned.

"So be it, I'll find you a ship and crew worth you captaining. And you shall get a cabin to freshen up in," he mumbled, leading Dylan out of his cabin, and back out on to deck. He led her down to a lower level where there were some empty cabins. Pushing on a cherry wood door, it swung open to reveal its contents. It was quiet big on the inside. There was a small cherry wood bed, with beautiful craving in it of leaves, and flowers, with a soft plush mattress and red crush velvet pillows, and matching comforter. There was a cherry wood desk that matched the bed perfect. There was a small window opening out to the sea, with two small oil burning lamps.

"It's perfect father. Thank you," Dylan said stroking one of the crush velvet pillows gently. He nodded.

"I'll be finding you a ship and a crew if you need anything," he smiled closing the door behind him. Dylan smiled getting to her feet, she went about freshening up. About a half hour or so later, she was standing in front of her mirror looking at her reflection. Her dark brown hair floated down around her shoulders in glossy curtain of curls. Her bright green eyes full liveliness, she was dressed is light brown pants, with high-heeled brown leather boots, and a white lace shirt with a brown leather corset tight over top. Her finishing touch, a brown leather pirate hat with a green feather in it atop her head.

"There all done," Dylan smiled walking out of her cabin. She headed back onto deck, where her father's crew lay. He had enough crew that you could crew two ships.

"Dylan?" her father called hurrying toward her. Dylan tilted her head slightly.

"Yes?" she asked.

"I've found you a crew, and a ship."

"Great let me see the ship and the crew." She muttered. Her father lowered his head.

"Um, it isn't that simple. Your crews here but we have got to get her, your ship. It's kind of well not made yet." He murmured.

"What do you mean by not made?" Dylan asked confused.

"Well I figured I could create it, with the help of some... friends," he said burying his face in his hand.

"I'm not even going to ask. Can I meet my crew?" Dylan asked eyebrow rising. Her father nodded, turning to about ten men behind him.

"Yes I suppose we should get to your crew." The first man he introduced me to be a tall boy with dark ash colored dirty blonde hair, and dark icy ocean blue eyes. Dylan's eyes widened.

"Ashten? Is that really you?" Dylan hurried over to him. The boy nodded.

"Yes, it's me and I have come to be a crew member on your ship now Dylan." Ashten smiled hugged Dylan gently. Dylan rested her head against his shoulder, and closed her eyes. She no longer cared who else she had in her crew, and whether or not her ship was built. All that mattered was at Ashten was here, with and for her.

"I missed you so much; I didn't know what happened to you after the munity Ashten. I was worried." Dylan murmured tears running from her eyes.

"I missed you too Dyl," Ashten murmured breathing in her warm scent.

"Um, Dylan? You know this guy?" her father asked, clearly puzzled.

"Yes, this is Ashten, the guy… and um reason why munity was committed." Dylan said opening her eyes, but not leaving Ashten's arms.

"Oh, well I guess I'll and your crew will leave you two alone. Come on you sea mates!" the captain barked. Dylan and Ashten both laughed as the captain and rest of Dylan's crew vanished leaving them alone.

"I thought that I would never see you again," Dylan sobbed, into Ashten's shoulder. He stroked her brown curls gently.

"I happened to start believing that you had died," he confessed.

"Well I did Ash, or at least fake died." She smiled. Ashten linked his hand with Dylan's and the two of them together hurried off to her cabin.