Summery: All Lily ever wanted to be is a pirate. when the ship she works on is being attacked by them, she joins their crew by disguising as a boy. now she needs to prove herself in front of their captain James Potter, who swore to never let a woman step on his ship...

Deep breath

By: Ruby89

Chapter two

Andrea stirred restlessly, trying to find a comfortable position in her new bed. She felt tired and exhausted of the day she had but the ship's slow sways stopped her from falling asleep.

She sighed and turned over to her side.

With the little moonlight that poured through the window, she managed to see the outlines of the bed in front of her that belonged to the Captain's daughter.

Since Ray- or Lily, whatever the young girl preferred to be called- showed her her mistress's cabin and the place where she would sleep, Andrea didn't saw her for the rest of the day except once.

She thought to herself that Lily was quite strange or more possibly- mad. Working alongside the crew in a boy's clothes and having a desire to become a pirate, was not something that Andrea could conclude as a natural hobby for a girl.

But she had to admit that Lily was very interesting in a weird way. At least she didn't stare at her like the other men or scowled at her like that first mate, she thought. It was somewhat a comfortable feeling to know that there was another girl around her age on this ship.

Andrea was so occupied with her thoughts, that she missed the delicate pleasant voice that sang from outside. She stilled for an instance and listened to the song. She couldn't hear clearly the words but she could feel herself relax despite herself.

She hesitated for a moment before springing to her feet and into the corridor.

She emerged from below the deck into the moonlighted ship. She gasped when she saw how beautiful the sea looked at night. The water was deep black and a soft warm breeze blew her long nightgown lightly around her feet.

"Hello, having trouble to fall asleep?" asked a voice above her head.

Andrea turned around quickly. On the poop deck stood Ray behind the wheel and watched her curiously.

"Yes kind of" Andrea gave a small smile which Lily returned with slight sympathy. "Well come on up" she said "we could keep each other company for awhile"

Andrea hesitated for a moment before she climbed up the steps and stood next to Lily. She looked around her with interest "you're here alone?"

"Aye. Everyone is in their cabins fast asleep"

Andrea sighed "I wish I could do that"

"Don't worry, you'll get used to it." Lily smiled in encouragement at her "when I first came on board of the 'Ox eye' I couldn't sleep at nights, an' in days I wasn't able to keep my eyes open"

Andrea glanced at her curiously "how long have you been on the ship?"

"Seven years" Lily shrugged with one shoulder "since I was only five. Fell in love with it from the first time"

"What happened to your mother?"

"Alive, thank heavens" she smiled and giggled softly "unfortunately, she's not into the whole sailing part. Prefers her two feet on a firm ground, like she always says".

"So… where is she?"

"With her husband and kids in London" Lily saw the confused look on her companion's face and hurriedly explained "you see, my mother was an actress. She wasn't exactly rich, and she worked at one of the harbors my Dad used to anchor. Anyway, they've met several times, one thing led to another, and a year and a half later I came along" she chuckled at the shocked expression of Andrea and continued her story "at the same time, Albert Rainhull, a rich widow with two small kids, saw my mother's performance and fell deeply in love with her. He proposed to her and she accepted. I lived in Albert's house in the first five years of my life. He's a very nice man and I liked him as well as my lazy step-brother Edmond and my snobbish step-sister Petunia" she wrinkled her nose in disgust "well, maybe not her"

"But what about your father?" Andrea asked in confusion "didn't he have anything to say about the whole situation?"

"Mom and Dad liked each other. They still do. I believe Dad was willing to marry her for my sake" Lily said slowly "but like I said before, Mom wasn't the type who liked to travel by sea, and Dad always gets restless whenever he stays on shore for too long. The marriage between them wouldn't have worked in any case. When I was born, Mom told me that he nearly exploded with pride and happiness" she laughed "he stood by her side when she gave birth. In any rate, they came to a simple agreement that allowed him to visit me as long as he wanted" she turned the wheel a couple of times to the right and then turned it to the other side and steadied it. Andrea felt the wind change direction and blowing slowly from her behind.

"So" Lily continued "this agreement worked for a couple of years. I got to grow up in a healthy family environment and to see my old man from time to time. That until I got to the age of five"

"What happened?"

"I started to show symptoms of restlessness, too much unused energy and a tendency to stare at space. Funnily enough I was calm only when I was near water." She smiled and turned the wheel again "Albert's mother thought that it was the result of too many sea-stories my father told me in each visit, and suggested to my mother to stop his visits all at once" her tone sounded gloomy "I can tell you sincerely that neither me nor my Dad liked this option. My mother saw that I inherited my father's love of traveling in the open sea and came to the decision that she should let me live with my Dad from now on. Not an easy conclusion, I assure you, but she knew that it'll make me and Dad happy"

"So she gave up on you?" Andrea asked in disbelieve.

Lily stared at her and shook her head "she didn't give up on me. She just loved me enough to let me go with Dad. She knew that if I stayed, I would be miserable. I see her from time to time and our relationship is the same as it always been"

"And you're happy here?"

"Yep. Although I must admit that it wasn't easy in my first few months. The shipmen have this superstition that women bring bad luck. So you can guess exactly how they treated me at first. Gregor of course was worse of all of them"

Andrea shuddered when she remembered that limping old man with the scarred face. "How come he's working on this ship?" she asked "he looks like a horrid pirate"

Lily chuckled in response "I know. Actually he's an ex-pirate. My Dad saved his life once, and Gregor worked with him ever since. No one actually figured how they become friends. When I came aboard he certainly didn't like me. He told me from the start, that he won't find anything useful for scrawny little lasses" she smiled and shook her head fondly "since I heard it I decide to prove to him that I can work exactly and even better than anyone he ever commanded on. And for a five year old girl, I can tell you it isn't so easy to do it. Luckily for me, I'm a fast learner. I could memorize maps and rope knots by heart; learn how to handle the wheel and the anchor by watching the men do it, and how to blend in the work without everyone's notice. I learned how the ship cooperates when I was left alone. I did small jobs when no one was looking until Gregor caught me practicing tying ropes.

"At first I thought he was going to be mad at me, but all he did was to give me work as a cabin boy. No questions, no arguments. Just like that" she stared thoughtfully at the distance "it was much easier and harder at the same time since then. I detested to work under the deck and I refused to work in the galleys in excuse that I didn't know how to cook. I had a very strong suspicious that I'd be stuck in there without getting any chance to work on the deck itself. So" she sighed "I cleaned the deck, organized boxes, tied ropes, and did each and every hard work that the other men didn't want to do."

"Sounds horrible" Andréa commented, making Lily smile cheerfully at her.

"It was. At first anyway. But I was stubborn, and I didn't give up. Soon I found out my talent in climbing and I turned from a regular boy seaman to the new watcher in training"

Andrea watched Lily with interest. She could hardly imagine half the things that happened to her, but she felt that the girl told the truth. "One thing that I don't understand" she said.

"What is it?" Lily asked curiously.

"Why everyone call you Ray?"

"Oh that" Lily laughed "it's quite simple. Dad called me his 'ray of light' in his life and it's kinda caught on with the rest of the crew. I believe it makes it easier for them to forget that I'm actually a lass. Gregor refers to me like the ray in the storm. Something like a guidance"

"I don't think I understand"

Lily hesitated before she talked "I have this talent, or instinct if you want to call it that way, which makes me feel changes in the weather. It's pretty hard to explain. You see, there are certain people who can guess by just looking at behavior of birds or just the slightest breeze what kind of weather they're going to encounter. In my case, this kind of instinct is more accurate than the average. I can feel if we're heading towards a storm or if there's going to be a light rain in a few days"

Andrea stared at her with surprise "really? That sounds incredible"

"I suppose" Lily said with unease "but I can't exactly tell strangers to turn around the ship because I have an intuition about a storm coming up when there isn't a single bloody cloud in the sky" she sighed. "fortunately, Gregor believes me. He says that apparently my natural feminine intuition is far stronger because I'm the daughter of a seaman as well. I didn't quite understand that, but if he says so, I believe him. I still didn't make a single mistake so far"

"What the crew thinks about it?"

"Like my Dad. They just accept it without further questions. It's impossible to sail under the commend of a captain for seven years without developing a certain trust at the same time" she gave a crooked smile "I like them and they're fond of me. Working with them is a quite a challenge, I can tell you that"

"Yes, they're very nice" agreed Andrea "except the first mate".

"Gregor?" Lily asked in surprise "he's stubborn but soft as butter from the inside once you get to know him. And he tells the most amazing tales" she smiled showing her teeth "ever heard the legend of the 'Siren's heart?"

"It supposes to be a medallion, isn't it?"

"Aye. It is said that it suppose to lead to a big treasure that the pirate Renzo left buried on a small island. The medallion is actually a stone in the shape of a blue pearl clam-"

"Like the one around your neck?" Andrea interrupted.

Lily stiffened slightly and glanced sideway at the girl "how do you know?" she asked with a light tone.

"I..." Andréa blushed slightly "I saw a glimpse of it when you changed in the room"

"I see"

A silence settled between them and stretched for a couple of minutes. Andrea kept quite before the curiosity got the better of her and she shuttered the silence "is it the real 'Siren's heart'?"

"Of course not" Lily said it with such confidence that Andrea believed her.

Lily thought about the day Gregor told her the story and put the medallion in her hand.

"Is it really the medallion from the story?" she asked in awe.

"Aye" Gregor answered in a harsh whisper "Renzo himself gave it to me to keep when I was no older than you are, lass."

"So the treasure-"

"Does not exist" he interrupted her "the day Captain Renzo decided to bury it; there was a great storm, stronger than anyone ever saw. I saw with my own two eyes how the gold and jewels made his ship sink together with the rest of the crew. There were few survivors, including myself. The treasure did not survive but the legend did. Many foolish men believe that it was only a rumor. They seek the key to the endless glory and wealth" he put his finger on the clam's shape blue stone "this key. Do not lose it. You're the new guardian of it now"

"But why give it to me?"

Gregor put his hand under her chin and tilted her head upwards "because I believe that you're neither foolish nor crazy enough to actually use this stone for your own benefit. Many died to find this stone. I'm too old to keep it safe. Aye" he nodded, apparently coming to an inner conclusion "you're the right choice"

Lily looked down at the medallion in bewilderment "but what am I suppose to do about it?"

"Destroy it, throw it in the sea, I don't mind. it's your responsibility now"

"Why didn't you destroy it yourself?"

Gregor gave a humorless smile "I gave my oath to Captain Renzo. Even pirate's word means something…"

"Do you really know how to use a sword?"

Lily's focus snapped back to reality "what?"

"Today" repeated Andrea "you said that you know how to use a sword. Do you really know how?"

"Aye. Gregor and Dad are in the same opinion that I need to know how to defend myself. The crew is teaching me ways to move with a weapon, but I prefer to use daggers. Much more comfortable to wear it with you" she clapped her hand to her thigh, where Andrea noticed for the first time the short black hilt that was tied to Lily's waist.

"Nice" Andrea looked carefully at the sharp blade that reflected the moonlight and moved an inch away.

"I've got another two tied to my ankles" Lily added proudly.

"Is it necessary?" Andréa asked worriedly.

"You can never be careful enough" Lily shrugged "there are many ways that a dagger can come useful in life"

"Especially when dealing with pirates" Andrea added, she fell silent again before saying "I can't imagine why you would like to be one"

"Most people don't" agreed Lily "so, any more answers you want to find out?"

"Yes, who's in charge of the cooking? It's horrible!"

Lily burst in laughter and shook her head "aye, I agree. Unfortunately our official cook is sick. Ironically enough he got sea sickness. Jocker is replacing him. He's got many good qualities, but unfortunately- cooking is not one of them. Why, you know how to cook?"

"Basically yes. I used to help my mother around the house before I started to work for my employer, Miss Wallington"

"If you want I can talk to the Captain about giving you the cook's job in the galleys. That way we won't starve to death and you would disappear from Gregor's gaze for awhile. I know you don't really like him"

"He's making me nervous"

"He's making everyone nervous"

The two girls laughed for awhile before Lily looked up to see the position of the moon has changed visibly "you better get inside. It's really late"

"How about you?"

"Nahh" Lily shrugged "my trick's not over yet"

Andrea blinked in confusion "trick?"

"It's the period of time a person needs to stand by the wheel" explained Lily with a smile.

"Right" Andrea nodded "I knew that. See you tomorrow" she waved and got down the steps. Before she opened the door she heard the singing again. She took a few steps back and looked up.

Lily was standing with her legs firm on the ground; her short hair that reached the middle of her neck was blowing backwards from her face. Andrea thought she saw Lily's emerald eyes glitter with excitement as she kept singing. Her voice seemed to blend with the sound of the waves against the ship. The sound was soothing and it made Andrea feel safe, like nothing is going to happen tonight. She sighed; suddenly feeling very tired and closed the door after her.

-

Lily walked in a fast pace on the deck, looking around her for Gregor or her father. She huffed annoyingly when she didn't see them. Why they always disappeared when she needed them?

Gregor usually limped around the ship, making sure that everything is in order. Her father usually stayed on deck, barking orders and directions. She looked already in his cabin without much hope. He rarely stayed inside in such a pleasant day.

Not that it'll stay that way if they continue in that direction, she thought in mixed irritations and anxiety.

She walked around the working men for another couple of minutes before deciding that she won't get any progress on foot. She grabbed one of the ropes and climbed up quickly. She stopped near the end of it and looked down for a glimpse of red hair.

She spotted him standing at the bow of the ship. With Miss Wallington, she comprehended gloomily.

"Honestly" she rolled her eyes "that woman does not know how to give up" in the past week, Lily saw her standing near William Evans at any opportunity she got. Talking and asking him stupid questions, inquiring about his personal life. Lily found that pathetic, but unfortunately her Dad was too polite to throw her over the board like Gregor suggested him to do a couple of days ago.

She swung slightly, gaining more speed before she let go of the rope and caught the next one. She swung from one rope to another before she let go completely and landed on a barrel.

The woman gave a loud shriek and stumbled backwards. The Captain caught her before she fell over the railing and looked back at Lily who was standing on top of the barrel with her arms behind her back. She sent him am innocent look that didn't fool him for a second.

"Ray..." there was a warning in his tone.

"Aye, Captain?" Lily smiled pleasantly. William tried to keep a serious expression "you know that you startle people when you land near them in that way. Apologize in front of Miss Wallington"

Lily nodded and turned to look at the woman with a blank expression "terribly sorry for frightening you, miss. The rope slipped under my hand"

The Captain looked suspiciously at his daughter. He doubted that there was a time when she actually slipped from something. She always climbed like she was born with the skill. Not to mention, he reminded himself, that her mother was an actress. And he had a founded suspicious that Lily's charms and cheerful behavior was not the only thing she inherited from her mother.

Lily jumped down and straightened up like a little soldier, her expression turning serious. "I need to speak with you, Captain" she glanced at Miss Wallington and added "in four eyes if it's possible"

"Honestly, child" said Harriet Wallington in a displeased tone "don't you know that you should never interrupt a grown-up conversation? You're mother never taught you any manners?"

Lily let the comment pass by, not bothering to respond to it. She lived long enough on the ship, to know how the concept of her father's profession worked. And one of the important things she learned was to never insult the client- no matter how much he deserved it.

"I'm one of the crew and it's my responsibility to inform my captain on any important news" she said calmly.

"Enough" William commended when he saw that Harriet was planning to respond. Without even bothering to raise his voice, the two gave him their full attention. "I'm listening" he nodded towards Lily.

"We have to change direction" Lily said immediately.

"Nonsense! We're traveling quite well. If we continue this way I believe we'll arrive to our destination sooner then we planned" Harriet interrupted. Lily sighed in annoyance and ignored her "the wind is not natural" she looked straight in her father's eyes, knowing that he'll understand her meaning.

The Captain frowned and looked up with a slight worry "are you sure?"

"Positive"

"Tell Jacob to turn thirty degrees to the west. We'll try to avoid it"

"It's too late" Lily tried not to sound worried like she felt "the boat is heading windward. If we continue in this speed we'll be in 'Amphitrite's earrings' by the night. I… there is quite a large chance that there's going to be a thick fog and" she hesitated "something else"

The captain looked straight in the emerald eyes that mirrored his own. He saw there determination, excitement and something that he never saw there before: fear. He took a slow breath, calculating his odds and chances.

"Since when?" he asked.

Lily did not have to ask what he meant "since Gregor decided to take a shortcut through Phoenix Islands. It was only a nagging feeling. Got stronger by the middle of the day"

"You should have told me earlier"

"You don't tell unless you're sure, sir" she answered and then she added "your own rule, Captain"

"Have you told Gregor about it?"

"No need, jus' heard the 'ole thing" Gregor walked closer and observed Lily with a fierce gaze "you sure about it?"

"Aye, sir" she answered with confidence.

Gregor nodded. A dark shadow crossed his face "I knew that this day was too quiet to my likin'."

"Excuse me" interrupted Harriet with confused frown "what is this 'Amphitrite's earrings'?"

"It's an area in the sea, full of whirlpools and rocks" explained Lily without a second thought "it's not located on the map because no one ever got close enough to try to do it. But every good sea traveler knows about it". Harriet paled when she heard that. "Oh dear. And we're heading towards it you say?"

"Not unless we'll change direction. We won't be able to avoid it, but we can make sure not to come near the center of it. It all depends on the weather and how strong the sea flowing is" Lily looked at Miss Wallington face, feeling sorry for her for the first time "you better head inside" she said gently.

"Yes" Harriet nodded in agreement, putting a shaken hand to her throat to try and not to faint "you're right".

"Don't worry, lass" Gregor added and grabbed Harriet's elbow to escort her to her cabin "if all go well tonight, the only thing that you'll worry about in the next few days, are the Bombay runners under your pillow"

Miss Wallington cast a confused look in Lily's direction who only smiled a little wickedly at her and explained "large cockroaches".

Harriet gulped "sounds wonderful" she said weakly.

-

The wind whistled loudly in Lily's ears. She pushed wet strands that escaped her bandana behind her ear and held the rope with all her strength. As she predicted, this was no ordinary wind. The fog around her was so thick she could hardly see her hands in front of her face.

She knew that if all went wrong tonight they'll have to abandon the ship. She pushed the thought out of her head and resumed her work at securing the sails to the masthead.

Her fingers were cold and limp from the icy water and wind and her clothes stuck to her skinny frame. She ignored all the inconvenience and forced herself to continue to work on the knots.

There was another big wave and she hugged the boom with her thighs to try to stay in her place. She took a shuddering breath and continued to work even with the swaying of the ship.

A strong feeling of danger went through her body. She froze in the middle of her action and looked up.

Nothing.

The mist blocked her view from all sides. Even though she had an excellent sharp seeing, she wasn't able to detect anything around her.

The wind continued to blow and she squeezed her eyes shut when she felt another wave of danger.

She opened her eyes and narrowed them to see in the distance. She was sure she saw something dark far away from her right side. She waited a few seconds and thought she could see the fog moving a little revealing something with a dark shade… something solid…

Her eyes widened in shock before she jumped, grabbed a rope during her fall and slipped to the deck.

"Jacob!" she screamed towards the steersman "turn the bloody ship to the left! We're going to crush in a stone wall!"

"Lily!" a hand grabbed her elbow with force and turned her around. Her father's angry face hovered over her "what are you doing here? Go under the deck! It's too dangerous"

"Over my dead body!" she yelled angrily "I'm not leaving you alone with this!" she pointed towards the wall that started to get closer. William cursed loudly and turned his head to look up "Jacob!" his voice boomed over the wind.

"I'm trying!" the steersman yelled back "the wheel is not turning fully around!"

the Captain kneeled down next to his daughter and took her hands in his large ones "go below deck" he said calmly, a little louder so she could hear him.

"But Dad…"

"No, listen to me! Go below deck, take everyone who's there and put them in the lifeboats. And that includes you as well"

"But the ship…!"

"We won't be able to avoid the crashing. The ship won't survive it. Do you understand me? Go below and hurry everyone out, is that clear?"

Lily shook violently, her eyes wide with shock. Even though she expected this order to come, she still refused to believe that her father will actually tell her that.

William saw the doubt in her eyes and squeezed her hands more strongly "did you hear what I said?"

Lily nodded "Dad…" she said in a trembling voice.

"That's a strict order, Ray"

Lily gulped and nodded "aye Captain" she said. William smiled approvingly, put his hands to encircle her face and kissed her forehead "I love you Lily" he murmured in her ear as he hugged her with all his strength "now go!"

Lily jumped away and got down below. She ordered and yelled at people she met in the corridor, banged on every door she spotted and checked every chamber and storage room to see that she didn't miss anyone.

When she got back up to the deck people were already filling both boats under Gregor's commend.

She looked frantically around and spotted her father behind the wheel, holding it steady with both hands.

"Ray! Get in here!" yelled Gregor at her.

Lily ignored him completely. All her attention was fixed on her father. His strong muscles were straining to keep his control on the wheel. His long red hair and beard was flowing around him like a crazy fire. His sharp green eyes were locked on the distance with fierce concentration.

Suddenly she felt herself being lifted up by her waist. "Sorry lass" Gregor's voice said in her ear "but it's for your own good" she screamed when he threw her over the railing. A couple of hands caught her before she met the water. "All well Ray" one of the seamen said "you're safe now". They put her gently on the bottom of the lifeboat and grabbed the oars in preparation for the last two men to join them.

Gregor turned his look at William "your turn now!" he yelled.

"No. get down with the others. I'll come last"

Gregor frowned at him "stop talkin' nonsense. Let's go! We haven't got much time left"

"There's only one place left on the boat" William said calmly "and I prefer to see you take it. The Captain stays with his ship till the end, like the stories say" he added amusedly.

Gregor gritted his teeth in anger and pulled his gun out "stop acting noble you bloody Englishman! Come down with me before I swear in front of any god you know that'll I'll shoot you down now"

William smiled and got down next to him "as you say Gregor my dear friend. It was a great pleasure working beside you all these years. Now it's better you say goodbye"

"Goodbye?" repeated Gregor in disbelieve.

Before he had a chance to resist, William picked him up with ease and threw him overboard. He then untied his dagger around his waist and threw at the boat below right to Lily's hands who caught it quickly.

"Dad?" she called up in confusion.

"Take care of yourself"

"Dad?" a slight panic slipped to her voice.

"You bloody ruddy fool!" Gregor yelled, swimming towards the small ship "what do you think you're doing?"

"Dad no!"

"Captain?" a few men called in concern.

William Evans didn't hear them anymore. He turned back to stand behind the wheel and stirred the ship away from them. A few seconds later the fog hugged him completely from sight.

A loud crush came a minute later, combining with the sound of the wind and waves.

"DAD!!!"

Lily woke up with a start, her heart beating loudly in her ears. She blinked at the sunlight that emerged from the clouds. She yawned and stretched lazily, her legs swinging over the boom she slept on.

She rubbed her eyes tiredly and sat up slowly, her back leaning to the bridge. She didn't plan to fall asleep, but apparently the sun got the better of her.

She shook her head from the remainder of the dream. Since it happened eight years ago, she dreamed it every night in the first few months. She thought she got cured from the disturbing memories, but it still came to her from time to time.

She was now 20 years old, quite pleased with her life, with an infamous reputation as the best watcher a captain can hire as a bonus.

She put one hand behind her head and lowered her hat to cover her eyes. It was quite early in the noon, but the sun stood still in the sky and the heat was almost unbearable. She sighed and let another yawn escape her lips.

It was so bloody boring, she thought gloomily. The 'Arcane jade' was delivering an important luggage over the seas. Funnily enough, no one knew exactly what this luggage held- except Captain Swan.

Despite the funny name, Captain Swan was nothing but funny. He was a serious man with absolutely no sense of humor. He was ordered by the king to hire the best crew there was, and that's how Lily found herself sailing in the most bizarre circumstances.

If it wasn't for the fact that she needed the money, she was sure she would have refused to this little adventure.

Captain Swan didn't like her. She could tell it by the way he observed her through his narrow eyes. He thought she was too young to work on a ship and that the rumors were wrong.

So far, she didn't let him any reason to suspect her. But that didn't stop him from trying to find something wrong in her work.

She believed that among all the men that were on the ship, Captain Swan was going to be the person to find out that she was actually a woman, who deceived many men and captains she worked with in the last couple of years.

Lily smiled and sighed with satisfaction. She had to admit that this game was very fun. Although acting like a 16 year old lad was amusing, it was also quite uncomfortable.

The cloth that was wrapped around her chest to prevent the other men to suspect her, was getting unbearable to wear. It felt like wearing one of her step-sister's corsets.

Bloody inconvenient.

At age of 20, her chest was fully developed and in such feminine appearance, that it was getting less easy to wrap it up each time.

She glanced down to see a few of the seamen working slowly on the deck. One of the men looked up, shadowed his eyes from the sun and called up at her "all right, Ray?"

Lily threw her arm up in a manner that will resemble a wave and lowered her voice slightly "all clear"

She put her large hat on her knee and wrapped her bandana around her short hair. She stuffed red strands underneath it and looked at the horizon with a quiet peace, like she knew that nothing exciting will happen today.

Her body suddenly jerked in alert when she spotted a small dark dot. Another ship! She thought with growing interest. And by the way it looked- a very fast one.

"Conel! Call the Captain. I think he'll want to see this!"

Captain Swan emerged from his cabin in full speed. "What is it, Ray?" he asked impatiently.

"A ship, sir!" the redhead lad called from the top "a speedy one from what I can tell. 45 degrees to the left from where you're standing, sir!"

The Captain grabbed his telescope and looked for a few minutes before noticing the small object that was no bigger than an ant in his eyes. He had to admit that the kid had an extraordinary sharp seeing without even using a telescope. No doubt that that was the reason he was such a good watcher.

"Can you notice their flag?" he asked. A deadly silence responded to his question. Captain Swan looked up with a frown "Ray?"

A slow smile appeared on Lily's face. She had to fight down the excitement which grew inside her body before the captain will hear it in her voice.

"Aye sir, but I don't think you're going to like the answer" she licked her dry lips and watched the ship with concentration to make certain of what she saw "it's a pirate's flag, sir."

A/N: ok, I know that this chapter is a little confusing, but I'll try to explain to anyone who didn't understand. The part that describes the death of Lily's father is actually a dream. I needed to link what happened to her in the past and what happens to her now, eight years later.

Please leave me a review to tell me what you thought about this chapter. I promise that things are going to get much interesting once James will attack the bloody ship and Lily will sneak to his.

Thanks for all my readers so far! Love you all!

Ruby89