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The cobblestones beneath my feet felt foreign. It had been a long time since I was in a port town, more so one where pirates were common.
"Where are we going?" Audrey asked.
"Like I said, we're going to find an old friend." I made a right turn onto another street.
Vendors and citizens watched us with careful eyes. They were probably drawn to our clothing. Taking the fact that I'd been wearing the same clothes for about a day and a half and even napped in them, I probably looked a bit frazzled.
But the others, who were all decked out in royal and clearly expensive clothes, were being made targets.
"This way." I darted into a dark alley and walked until we were out of sight. I stopped and turned to the others. "We are attracting too much attention. You guys look like royalty."
"But we are." Ben said.
"Exactly. Royals are considered wealthy around these parts. If we get too far in or where we are going, they will try to take what you have." I turned to Mal. "Mal, I need you to disguise us to look more pirate-ish. Can you do that?"
"I think so." She held up her hands. "Beware, forswear. Replace the clothes with pirate wear." Her hands glowed quickly and we were surrounded with a smoke.
When I emerged, I glanced at my clothing. A knee-length purple and black coat with brass buttons and buckles, black pants, a purple vest with a black blouse underneath. The sneakers on my feet were gone and black knee length boots took their place. My sword was on my left hip and I was surprised that my glasses were still in place. Thankfully I wasn't in a corset.
I managed to look at the others. Ben and Jay both had white tunics and black pants and grubby shoes. Mal and Audrey were sporting skirts, blouses and corsets. I knew how much those hurt. I couldn't help the pride that swelled in me as I compared my look to theirs. Even Mal's magic recognized me captain.
Score one for me.
"Okay, this looks better." Mal and Audrey seemed to be doing okay in their corsets. Jay took the purple scarf from around my waist and tied in on his head. He looked good.
…as a pirate, I mean. Not to say he isn't attractive… Shutting up now.
We traveled through the alley to the other street and received hardly any stares. About another three blocks and we reached our destination.
"'The Singing Sailor'?" Jay read the sign. "What is this place?"
"A pirate's tavern. They sell the best food this side of Wonderland. All buccaneers come here for food when they stop." We went in and heard the singing of sea shanties.
"So we'll ro-o-oll the old chariot along!
An' we'll roll the golden chariot along!
So we'll ro-o-oll the old chariot along!
An' we'll all hang on behind!"
As we stood at the bar, my eyes fixed to a group in the corner. Many burley men sat and ate and drank. They were awfully out of tune. I managed to see one in a black captain's coat, and my target became clear.
"Stay here." I said to the others. "Keep your eyes on me and I'll tell you when to come over, okay?" I walked over to the out of tune pirates as they started up another verse and jumped in.
"Oh, a plate of Irish stew wouldn't do us any harm,
Oh, a plate of Irish stew wouldn't do us any harm,
Oh, a plate of Irish stew wouldn't do us any harm,
An' we'll all hang on behind!" I sang to get their attention.
The men laughed and welcomes me as I sat down in the vacant chair across from their captain. "You miss me, Elliot?"
Elliot Teach, son of Blackbeard the pirate, was a handsome man. He and I only saw each other about once a year. His black hair was short and messy, a perfect pirate scruff and a look in his green eyes that said mischief. "Jonesy!" His mild Irish accent was an exact duplicate of his father's. We both stood up and hugged one another. I could tell that he had gotten some more muscle over the past year. "How are ya, lass?"
I smiled. "All is well, Elliot. I'm afraid I am not here on pleasure. This is strictly business."
He smiled. "I wouldn't have et any oder way, Jonesy." He looked to his crew and they quickly got up from the table and out the door. He turned back to me and looked serious. "This be about Neverland?"
I nodded. "Patrick Pan crashed in Auradon about two days ago. He said something is attacking Neverland. My parents were last spotted off the coast going inland." I paused. It was time to channel my inner captain. "I have Jamie and a few others help us get there."
He looked towards the bar at the others who were standing awkwardly. "Never though' ov ya to mingle with them royal types." He leaned back and kicked his feet up on the table.
I looked back to them and jerked my head to call them over. They slowly started to make their way. "Not all of them are royals." Jay and Audrey sat to my right and Mal and Ben to my left. "They're part of the crew. We have the Jolly Roger."
He laughed. "Jus' cause ya have brats an' a ship, it doesn't mean ya have a crew." He sized them up. "Ya best ta take yer chances with jus' you an' yer brother. These land lubbers will sink ya."
"Now hold on." Ben interrupted. "Just because we don't look like we can't handle it, doesn't mean we can't. We have some real fire power here."
"Ah can see." He looked to Mal "But jus' cause you have the kids of Maleficent and Jafar, it don't mean you can win."
"Come on, Elliot. You've never run from a challenge before. Why are you acting like this?"
He stood up and leaned forward. His eyes held something menacing. "Listen to meh, Jonesy. You go into Neverland, you won' come out. There is something there that I won't even go for. Same wit' me dad." He started to walk away. "Yer mum and dad are as good as gone."
Okay, I've been trying to work on my temper. I really have. But when Elliot said that, I lost it.
I grabbed the mug on the table and hurled it towards his head. It crashed into the wall next to him. He looked back to me as I stood with conviction. "You, Elliot Teach, are a coward." I narrowed my eyes and lowered my voice.
"There is a differences between cowardice and sense, Jonesy." He flicked his coat back to reveal his sword. "Ah'm jus' bein' honest."
"You are a yellow-bellied, scum sucking, tail between your legs, coward." I placed my hand on my cutlass. "And here I was, thinking that you liked a challenge." I smirked. "I guess that Neverland was too much for you. You wouldn't survive one day there."
"RAH!" He drew his sword and charged at me. I blocked him with mine and we were at a stalemate.
"Look, Elliot. I don't have time for this." I kicked him in the chest. "If what's happening on Neverland spreads, not even the waters will be safe. Who knows how far this will spread. Oz, Arendale, Wonderland, Atlantis…" I wasn't totally sure that it would spread or stay in Neverland but I had to make a case as I sheathed my blade. "All I ask for is your help. Your father was more than willing to help mine, so why won't you help us?" He didn't say anything. I glared one last time. "Come on guys, let's go. We wasted our time here." They followed me as I walked out of 'The Singing Sailor' and back to the docks.
"What happened?" Jamie asked once we reached the Jolly Roger. It was safe to assume that he was talking about our clothes.
"Long story." I sighed. "Elliot isn't coming with us. The coward."
"I resent that." A voice came from over my shoulder. I turned to see Elliot Teach and his father, Edward.
"Elliot…"
He smiled. "Yer right. I am a coward." He stepped closer and put his hand on my shoulder. He smiled. "But yer dad saved me once as a lad, I owe 'im that. Neverland waits." He walked towards the ship.
"Octavia." I turned to see Elliot's dad. "I know how important this is for you." His accent was nearly gone due to living in port town for almost thirty years where Elliot was born and raised in his father's home town. "You have to believe me when I say that something bad is inhabiting Neverland."
"Like what?" Jamie came over.
He ruffled my hair. "Never mind what. You just have to get there." He handed me a small wooden box. It was detailed with black swirls and small stones. "Do not open this box until you are ready."
I looked at it. "What's in it?"
He smiled. "I will take The Queen Anne's Revenge and gather more people to help ya. We will meet in Neverland." He walked away and left my question unanswered.
"Eh Jonesy!" We both turned to see Elliot holding onto rope and leaning over the edge. "We 'ave to get to Neverland! It's now or never!"
I looked to my brother. "What do you say, Jamie?"
He smiled. "We go to Neverland, Captain Jones." He bowed as we boarded the ship. Once he took the helm from Patrick, he took us out of the port. "You remember how to get there?" He called.
I smiled as I stood on the edge and held on by a rope net. "Second star to the right!"
"And straight on till morning!"
This is the last chapter I post until I get some reviews