We, my brother and I, had been on this ship for a little over a month and I was starting get used to my position as a well-loved prisoner. Phil still wouldn't look at me, but I had made friends with the rest of the crew.

I could tell they were all getting bored. It had been a few weeks since they had made any contact with another vessel, and they had promised each other one more before going to port so they'd each have enough "booty" to actually do something when they got there. As much as I loved listening to their stories about the sea, the tales of what went on at the ports was completely different. I wondered what my captain was like at these places, but it didn't take much imagination to guess, and I didn't like what came to mind.

It was reaching dusk one evening when a ship was spotted coming in our direction. Although it was quite a distance away, our pirate ship caught up to it quickly. I battled with myself as to whether or not this was a good thing: yes, I was glad we'd be going to port soon; no, I didn't want my brother (or the captain for that matter) getting hurt in some pointless fighting. At the same time I was hoping that this would not be another shipping vessel with more innocent sailors. The excitement that had begun to build around me on deck must have been contagious however, because I soon found myself joining along in their hooting and cheers.

Unfortunately I was ushered below deck just as the ship drew closer so that I would not be in the line of fire. I protested, but it wasn't much use, and I understood that I would only get in their way.

For a few minutes all I could hear were the sounds of the men getting their stations ready. Soon, however, I could sense the other ship drawing close. It only took a few seconds before cannons, guns, and swords were put in use.

I paced back and forth in the little room. I was concerned for my brother and even for the captain. How was I going to save them if I was stuck below deck?

I ran to the door only to find it, to my surprise, unlocked. I laughed to think that I had been going crazy down there whilst I could have easily stepped out. I ran up on deck without thinking to grab a weapon of my own.

Although the gun powder in the air made it difficult to see, I soon found my brother by the sound of his voice. To my horror he was locked in battle with a man of equal size and strength who seemed well-trained in sword fighting. I could see that Phil was starting to lose so I had to do something. A bottle rolled on the floor next to me and I picked it up and threw it at the attacker—completely missing his head and landing with a smack on his bum. As he turned around to face his new assailant I got a chance to see his face…and what a handsome one! I blushed at him as he laughed to see that his foe was a rather little woman, but he continued his attack on Phil.

"Please sir!" I cried, I could tell he was of some great status by the luxurious clothing he wore, "My brother and I are not pirates. We're merely captives here. Please PLEASE don't hurt him!"

"Well Miss, my men and I were not the instigators of this attack. So if you would be so kind as to call it off, then I would put down my sword."

Through grunts and heavy breathing my brother replied, "Shut up Izzy! Haven't you been enough trouble already that you must make a mockery of my skills?!"

"But he'll kill you!" I pleaded

"Then why don't you lay with him also? That'll surely win my freedom yet again!"

I couldn't move. I wondered how he could say these things to me. Without thinking I began to cry and fell to my knees.

The handsome man turned around, "I can see by the looks of things that my men and I are almost defeated. Although I have never put down my sword in combat, I would happily do so if you would promise me my life would be spared."

I could tell that he meant it. It was true that his only chance of living now would be to surrender and take his chances with the captain's judgments. Our pirates had his few surviving men quite outnumbered.

"Of course, good sir! You can be certain that I will get you your freedom!"

I ran off to find the captain and make my pleas, but I spotted him on deck of the other ship—a quickly sinking on at that. I yelled for him to make his way over, but it didn't seem possible. I began to fear that I would lose him forever.

Pondering his surrounds for a moment, the ship began to tilt upward as the backside sank into the ocean. The captain ran quickly up to the front of the ship and climbed over onto the tip of it. He held onto the figurehead (a lovely, topless woman I might add with a little jealously) and, before the ship went any deeper, he leapt off the statue towards our ship, barely catching the railings on deck.

He pulled himself up before I could get there and sauntered over to me with a huge grin on his face. "Worried luv?"

"About you? Never!" I paused, and then remembered what I had found him for in the first place. "Captain, one of the men from their ship has asked for "parlay".

"DAMN to the depths the devil…." He trailed off, "Oh. Can't we pretend we didn't hear him?"

"Sir, he has surrendered to not only save himself but also my brother"

The sly captain knew exactly what I must have done to the poor man, and he followed me to him.

I was shocked to find my brother still fighting while the gentleman merely averted his attacks with slight movements of his sword. I could've sworn that the man yawned before we reached him.

"No, stop! No, what're you doing? Don't kill the poor lad!" The captain shouted, a little humorously.

The gentleman put down his sword, "Then we have an accord? Will my life be spared?"

"For the time being." The captain then turned to his own crew, "Men! Bring the prisoners below to the brig! We shall deal with them after we've counted our winnings!"

I couldn't keep my eyes off of the handsome new face and, unfortunately, the captain saw it. "Something the matter? Have you taken a'fancy to the young man?"

I couldn't help but blush, "How could anyone attract my eye while you are around?"

"That's better. I don't believe ye, mind ya, but that's better."

The next morning I found myself, for the first time in a long time, in my own room. The captain had stayed up to join his crew in some celebrations while I got some much-needed rest.

I prepared myself for the day ahead and went on deck. Not surprisingly, I found most of the men still sleeping off the effects of the night's merriment. I went and found something to eat before making my way below deck to check on our new prisoners. Standing up against the bars I found my gentleman and I actually gave him a slight curtsey. He responded with a short bow and tip of his hat. I giggled at our little game before walking over to say hello.

"I hope the morning has found you well sir"

"Yes, very. Thank you. And yourself?"

"Very well sir."

"It has come to my attention that I do not know your name." He said pleasantly. "I heard your brother call you Izzy. Am I to presume it's Isabel?"

"You would be quite right in presuming so. And you are?"

"Jonathan Pytte, former General in the King's navy and current…well, no, former captain of a ship which is now at the bottom of the ocean."

I was sorry for the loss of his ship, and he could see it in my face.

"Don't fret about me my dear Isabel! My worries will be over shortly!" He jested…somewhat.

" Is there anything that you or your men might need?"

"A bite to eat would be nice, although I'm sure our judgment will be soon, so there's no need to waste good food on doomed men."

"Why are you doomed?" I asked, sincerely concerned.

"I know who your captain is. I'm sure that he will not be sparing our lives."

"Please good sir, don't worry, I am certain that I can convince him otherwise."