Hello everyone, and I hope you're still reading my story. It's been a while since I last updated but, as compensation, I've got a nice, long

chapter for you to read. Hope you like!

Chapter 5 - A Proposition Accepted

"What do you know of the East India Trading Company?" Jones asked, watching as Dezeray immediately frowned.

"You mean besides the fact that they're all a bunch of pompous gits who think they own the whole ocean? Not much."

The Captain enjoyed the way she had said the words with such scorn; she obviously had some kind of grudge against them.

"So you don't much like them?" he queried with a smirk, and while if talking to a normal person she would have made a sarcastic comment, she only nodded her head. Jones smirk grew. He turned suddenly, again, slipping through the cells metal bars like a ghost. He unlocked the door and signaled for her to follow him. She did, making sure to stay right behind him.

They made their way up the stairs and onto the main deck, receiving some very curious looks from many of the crew. Jones entered his cabin, as did she, and he closed the door.

The first thing she noted when she entered the cabin were the gigantic pipes stemming from the walls and floors. A large organ sat at the far end of the room, and she though that it was somehow connected to the large pipes. A number of large tables and chests stood against the walls, adorned with quills, ink bottles, maps and candles. She noticed a small door to the side and realized that it led to a surprisingly ornate bedroom.

She was so busy looking around that she barely even noticed that the captain had stopped and was now standing in the middle of the room. She almost bumped into him; however she managed to catch her balance and quickly stepped back. He stood with his back to her, his hands clasped behind him.

"I have spared your life as I have a task for you." he said suddenly, causing her to look up at him, "A task neither I, nor my men would be able to accomplish."

"Does this task have something to do with the East India Trading company?" She asked, though she was positive she already knew the answer. Jones turned to her and nodded.

"They have something that belongs to me," he explained, and she could hear the contempt in his voice. "And I want it back."

"What exactly is it of yours that they have?" she asked dubiously, immediately regretting her question.

"That is neither your business nor your concern!" he spat, taking a step toward her, the tentacles of his beard writhing in frustration. She stepped back, both surprised and frightened.

"S-sorry Captain," she apologized quickly, looking down at her feet. He let out a triumphant sigh at having successfully scared her and stepped back, beginning to walk around his cabin.

"Until that time," he continued casually, as if his outburst moments ago had never transpired, "you will remain a member of my crew. You will receive rations of food each day, and will sleep in the quarters with the crew." He stopped as to make sure that she was paying attention. She was, so he continued. "Today and tomorrow you will be learning the duties of the ship, and you will contribute by doing the same amount of work as everyone else."

She seemed to understand. "Do I make myself clear Miss Garder?"

"Yes...I mean, Aye, sir," she nodded. Jones grinned malevolently, gesturing for her to move so he could open the door.

"Come," he ordered as he exited his cabin. "It is time for you to meet the crew."

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"Gather round boys!" Davy Jones announced as he appeared above deck with Dezeray by his side. The crew either stopped, or finished what they were doing before huddling around him.

"Meet the newest member of the crew," he told them pushing Dezeray out in front of him. She gulped nervously.

"Hi," she greeted meekly; the crew only laughed.

"Thought you should get an idea of who you would be spending your time with," the Captain sneered. "While Miss Garder is aboard this vessel, I expect you to treat her as an equal member of the crew," he proclaimed with a wild laugh, prompting the rest of the men to laugh loudly as well.

"Now that you've been acquainted, all of you, back to work!" He commanded, and the men began to dissipate, heading back to their previous positions. "Maccus!" He called.

"Aye Sir," Maccus responded obediently.

"I'm leaving her in your charge," he explained, then added with a smirk. "I think swabbing the deck would be a good place to start." With that, he turned and headed back toward his cabin.

Maccus looked down at her and she stared back up at him, trying not to seem scared.

"Right this way Miss Garder," he replied with a toothy grin, leading her to the forecastle deck.

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The rest of her day was spent scrubbing and mopping the deck with a select few other crew members. It was hard work, leaving her back aching by the end of the day, though she was grateful she was even still alive, so did not dare complain.

Although the work was hard, the day went by rather quickly. Dezeray didn't even notice as the sun began to set and the sky grew darker. She had just finished scrubbing when someone tapped her on the shoulder. She stood, turning to see that it was Maccus.

"Come on," he said, waving a hand at her, obviously wanting her to follow as he began to walk away. She quickly jogged after him, noticing that beside the two of them; only a few others were still above deck.

"Where is everyone?" She asked him curiously as they began to descend below deck.

"Some of them turned in early," he explained. "Though, most of them are in the galley." She nodded, remembering that the galley was a place where the crew could relax and have some time to themselves. She wondered what the men would be doing.

Maccus led her past the crew's quarters, where she could make out at least four men sleeping in hammocks. He then entered a much larger area where the rest of the crew could be found. She saw that, as you may find on a normal ship, some of the men were chatting, many of them were drinking, and a few were playing a kind of game with a number of dice.

Unsure of what to do and feeling like an outcast, she retired to a quiet corner of the room and sat down. She pulled the little silver pocket knife from her belt, twirling it between her fingers. Its smooth metallic surface shone in the dimly lit room, catching the attention of a few crew members.

"That's an interesting trinket," she looked up into the face of the man with the shell head, finding that his accent sounded vaguely Asian.

"Thanks," she replied.

"Would you care to wager it in a game of Liar's Dice?" he asked with a grin and she stared back at him for a few moments. Some of the other crew members were staring over at them, obviously curious as to what they were talking about.

"Is that what that game's called?" she asked sounding curious, he nodded. She thought about it for a few minutes. She definitely did not want to lose her precious pocket knife, though she was curious about the game, and part of her really did want to risk it and play.

Finally she nodded. "Alright then...uh..."

"Hadras," the man replied graciously and she smiled.

"Hadras, I will play," Hadras grinned, turning to walk back over to the small table, and she stood and followed him. The two sat down at the table, surprised as another man suddenly joined them. He had the head of an eel, and Dezeray found him fascinating.

"I'm in," he hissed, his long tongue slithering in and out of his mouth. Hadras frowned.

"Come on Morey, you don't want to play again do you?" he questioned, trying to persuade him out of the game.

Morey had been very lucky with this game in the past, and he had not. He did not want to be humiliated by losing a win to him again. Morey only stared at him, cocking his long serpentine head so far to the side that it almost went upside down.

"Afraid you're going to loose to me again?" Morey rasped arrogantly, frustrating Hadras.

"Excuse me, but can we get on with the game?" Both men looked over at Dezeray in surprise, as did some of the other men currently watching.

Hadras nodded, and quickly explained the rules of the game to her. Once she was sure she understood them, the three cast their dies.

"What are we wagering?" Morey asked inquisitively.

"This," Dezeray answered, placing the silver pocket knife on the table.

Maccus, who was standing behind her, whistled.

"Wouldn't want to lose something as valuable as that," Morey chuckled conceitedly, "but it's your choice." They were all about to check under their cups when Dezeray suddenly put out a hand.

"Wait," she began calmly, causing both Hadras and Morey to look up, "what do I get if I win?" The two men exchanged glances.

"You get to keep your little knife," Hadras told her. "I thought you-"

"Yes, I get to keep my knife but...shouldn't I get something from one of you if I win?" she questioned with a small smile. Morey thought for a few moments, and quickly came up with an answer.

"You'll get the losers rations for three days," he suggested; Hadras looked over at him in surprise.

"What?" He exclaimed indignantly.

"Seven days," she pushed.

"Five," Morey declared

"Done." Hadras only looked back and fourth between the two before letting out an exasperated sigh. The three looked under their cups at their dice. Dezeray was thrilled with what she got; Lady Luck must have been smiling down on her today as she had rolled a total of five fives. She somehow managed to keep her face calm. Hadras went first.

"Four twos," He disclosed. Morey was next.

"Seven fours," he blazoned, and Dezeray was last.

"Five fives," she smirked, letting the words roll of her tongue. Morey looked at her suspiciously before, pointing at her and yelling,

"Liar!" Dezeray leaned back, letting him grab the cup concealing her dice and pull it away. His face fell into a grimace when he saw that she really did have five fives. Almost every man in the galley was currently watching the game, and they hooted and guffawed loudly when they saw that Morey had just lost. He slumped back, frowning, and Hadras sighed in relief.

"I think I'll take my knife back," Dezeray grinned jauntily, and the men cheered and laughed. She picked up her pocket knife and stuffed it back into her pocket before leaning back contentedly. Perhaps staying aboard this ship wouldn't be as horrible as she thought.

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