Jack stood silent as the two women walked off towards the tavern, his mind as capable of thorough investigation as his liver was to the ways of rum. With a shrug, he sashayed his way back to his beloved ship.

Elizabeth and Azrealla walked into the tavern in a comfortable silence, neither one of them feeling the need to fill it.

The taverness lead the young pirate king to her room,offering a steady hand on the steep stairways.

"And here we are, miss- I mean-your majesty. "Azrealla stuttered, trying to find the proper title.

"Oh, please call me Eliz- King Swan" Elizabeth corrected, the name leaving a strange taste in her mouth.

"Ah, Well here is your room, King Swan" she humbly announced. "I'm afraid it's not very elegant, decidedly unsuited for rolaty. My apologies, is the best I can offer you."Azrealla finished meekly, her smile now settled into a grimace.

Elizabeth turned her kind eyes to the face of her hostess. "Don't be ridiculous, I think this is lovely. Thank you very much."

Azrealla nodded and turned to leave, when the pirate kings voice called out to her.

"May I ask for your name, Miss?" Elizabeth inquired.

Azrealla stilled for a moment, trying to decide if she was safe to give her real name.

"It's –" The creaking of an open door cut her off, followed by the warm voice of her friend.

"Rosie, there you are, I've been looking high and low fer ye . Do ye know where my ruby ribbon is-

" Scarlette asked, before noticing their guest. "OH, I apologize for the intrusion your majesty, king-?"

"Swan" Elizabeth supplied, a polite smile on her face.

Scarlette smiled in return. "Right, well it is a pleasure to meet you King Swan" Scarlette smiled again, before turning to face her friend. "Rosie and I shall leave you to settle then. "She gave a curt nod towards the brunette before grasping her forearm and dragging her out of the room.

"Goodnight!" Azrealla chirped before the door shut.

Scarlette turned to her then." We best be leaving her alone, I hear tell she can be fearsome if given the chance."

Azrealla rolled her eyes" You might be right, my dear. Perhaps she even has claws and fangs?" she teased smartly, earning herself a smack on the arm from her old friend.

"Alright ,ye sassy girl. Off to bed ye go. Ye'll need your rest for the next day. Word round the docks is that Sparra' s assembling himself a crew. And ye know what that means."

Azrealla nodded in agreement" Drunkards, barfights, blood, and broken tables"

"And not a single tip from the scurvy brutes" The red head added.

Azreal sighed, walking to the door to her room. "Goodnight "She called to the older girl.

"Goodnight"

Exhausted, she lit her bed side lamp and shed her clothes, slipping into her nightgown. With a sigh, she flipped open the comforter to her bed and lied down, staring idly at the ceiling. Her keen hearing picked up the sounds of wind blowing off the seas, the crashing about of the sailors with weak livers walking the streets, and the dull chattering of Nicole and Scarlette, sharing their spoils of the latest gossip. Her ears tuned into the conversation.

"So, have ye heard about Port Royale?"

"What's the word?"

"It's been said that the East India Company's taken over. Red coats everywhere"

"Is it true? What about the Governor, what's his role?"

"I hear say he's dead. Dispatched by Cutler's orders. The greedy rat's taken the old man's post"

"My lord! Did he have a family?"

"My friend Rebecca used to work in his house. She says he lost his wife years ago, only had his daughter"

"Aye, but she's gone missing too"

"These are dark times, times indeed"

"Hey!" a voice from a downstairs room called. "Quiet up thar,we be tryin' to sleep!"

The disgruntled mutters of the gossiping women were followed by a haste exchange of 'goodnights'. Then alas, there was silence in the tavern.

Azreal laid back in her bed, mulling over what she had heard.

Port Royale? Where Lizzie lives. Or lived. No! It must be a different family. It had been 13 years ago, Weatherby Swann could have found post anywhere. The Governor himself might have even retired, he could afford a more than comfortable life for his daughter and himself. No need worrying yourself over nothing.

Still, her gut churned at the news of the Late Governor. Whether she knew him or not, it meant trouble for the rest of them.