A/N:

This is the last chapter before the actual "canon adventure" begins and we get to engage into the all too familiar search for the Dead man's Chest. I realize that some of you (or all...) might be impatient for the ball to start to roll and instead have to read through another filler, but I'm positive that after this one we'll catch up with the movie again, as should I have tried to reach there at the end of this chapter it would've grown too big to publish. So for practical reasons until the next update, please enjoy this final chapter of pure fanfiction, and hit me with a comment should you find anything unbearable ;)

Apologies for the shortness of it!

Oh, and if some of you notice a reference to a certain actor later on...pun seriously not intended, as I noticed it only now after opening the document xD


Entry 8

I'd left me room again to sneak up to th' servants' accommodations 'n' all th' wey to me former room, retrievin' one o' me ol' gowns afore returnin' back to Elizabeth's quarters to change, droppin' th' dressing gown from me shoulders 'n' yankin' th' goonie awa', throwin' it ontae th' bed so carelessly that it actually flung ower it 'n' dropped to th' floor. Me however nae carin' less as in a couple o' minutes had dressed intae th' modest brown dress, me neist stridin' to th' beauty table to tak' oot th' stolen documents I'd hastily hid intae its drawer while me short visit to upstairs. Snatchin' a candle from th' nightstand afore takin' th' papers to th' fireplace, lightin' th' candle. Wi' determined fingers noo takin' th' arrest warrant o' William intae me haun, settin' it oan fire till tossed it ontae th' cool embers. Similar orders o' execution for both Elizabeth 'n' Mr. Norrington followin' nae long efter, also th' list o' names 'n' th' ootline for th' martial law gettin' destroyed in th' fire, save for one letter that I lastly hid under th' slightly loose tile I managed to wiggle aff th' floor. It lockin' back in place smoothly. Concealing me insurance.

Noo that Peter kenned aboot me visit to th' office 'n' was aware o' me knowledge regardin' uncle Cutler's shady business, I was sure it nae to tak' long afore oor uncle would also be informed o' me prolific pryin'. Because I also was sure that Peter would tell 'im, I'd seen it in his eyes earlier when I'd confronted 'im wi' me suspicions, his indifference provin' me to have been right aboot 'im all along. Lik' Willam he'd changed, but in a different wey. Turned intae a stranger who wasn't burdened wi' needless remorse or compassion, for th' people o' this town or his best friend, instead supportin' oor uncle's insensitive monstrosities wi' similar type o' insensibility. Me fearin' 'im to nae even care aboot Elizabeth's fate enough to get to his senses, too drawn intae uncle Cutler's ideals to disappoint 'im th' wey he'd failed me. Me realizin' that th' only option left for me was that I'd ran awa' from Port Royal this very night. That I would find William 'n' let 'im know aboot oor uncle's plans 'n' that he'd been right to suspect 'im, that Elizabeth was to be killed by 'im unless we did somethin'. That in mind me then risin' efter th' last o' th' papers had turned intae ash 'n' th' fire went oot, goin' back to th' dressing table.

I opened th' jewerly box, liftin' it 'n' carryin' it to th' bed afore pourin' th' contents ontae th' bedding. Magnificent glimmer sparkin' a light in th' dark room, 'til I brought th' candle back to th' nightstand. Spendin' th' followin' ten to fifteen minutes in detachin' th' smallest o' th' gems from th' various necklaces 'n' earrings wi' a hairpin, intentionally passin' oan th' pearls 'n' biggest o' th' gems for th' sake o' convenience that would be required later, me noo in fact thankin' me uncle for his open-handed generosity by providin' me th' means to execute me plan. Precisely at th' moment when th' clock stroke one me finishin' 'n' slidin' th' glitterin' gems intae a wee pouch from me hem, ultimately slippin' it to th' same place I'd previously hid th' documents. Makin' sure th' valuables would stay under me bodice safely wi'oot fallin' afore let oot a determined sigh, risin' back to me feet 'n' sat doon to th' writin' desk. Devisin' a couple o' letters o' few words, one for Mattie in which I pleaded 'er to burn it right efter readin' it 'n' explained where I'd gone, askin' 'er to deliver th' other letter that I was to leave in 'er possession to Governor Swann. Warnin' 'im o' me uncle 'n' informin' 'im o' everythin' I'd learnt aboot me uncle's plans (includin' his daughter's inevitable execution), that wi' one wey or another uncle Cutler was goin' to coerce 'im to support his actions thro' his authority as th' Governor o' Port Royal. Wance finished wi' th' notes me gettin' up, glancin' at th' clock. I knew precisely where to go 'n' how to get awa' from Port Royal discreetly, long afore either me brother or uncle Cutler would realize me to have vanished.

Oan me wey to th' door me gaze got fixated to th' engagement ring I'd discarded oanto th' chest o' drawers, me goupin' it for a few seconds 'til released another sigh, clearin' me heid from all distractin' thoughts that didn't involve me escape. Leavin' it behind while opened th' door, slippin' to th' corridor silently, me shoes in me haun nae to mak' a sound as I tiptoed back to th' servants quarters 'n' intae Mattie's room. Being' careful nae to wake 'er wance I entered 'n' crept to 'er wardrobe, slidin' th' letters addressed to 'er 'n' th' Governor intae th' pocket o' 'er apron. A place I trusted to be secret enough for no one else but 'er to find 'em (safe even from that sly hound o' a spy Mercer), givin' th' woman a fleetin' tender gaze afore makin' me wey to doonstairs. Goin' directly to th' kitchen, exitin' th' manor stealthily thanks to th' man I'd seen leave earlier that night, therefore kennin' that th' door was unlocked. Wi' one final glance 'n' a goodbye to th' hoose that had served as me home for 19 years me then leavin' th' premises, takin' a shortcut efter runnin' thro' th' gates 'n' headin' for th' town. No one fortunately seein' me.

I navigated thro' th' familiar streets all th' wey to Robert 'n' Rose's hoose that was situated near th' harbor area, wastin' no time but banged th' door regardless o' th' extremely ungodly hour o' th' night. Me bein' fully aware how inappropriate time it was to visit, but at th' moment I couldn't have cared less either aboot propriety. Me waitin' for a couple o' minutes 'til knocked again impatiently, finally hearin' a significant sound o' steps that informed me someone to be comin' to answer th' door. Me however swallowin' for discomfort when behind th' openin' door I found nae Robert or Rose but their father Geoffrey Ruthford, his wife Penelope soon appearin' behind 'im ('er hair in tangles 'n' stickin' under th' nightcap to every direction). Me offerin' 'em an apologetic smile as they instead stared back at me baffled efter recognizin' me.

"What are you doing at our doorstep at this hour? Or whatever it is, can't it wait till morning when normal people have woken up?" Mr. Ruthford inquired, grumpily, nae meanin' to be rude as he was still half asleep. His wife shooin' 'im aff 'n' remindin' 'im o' who I was.

"Is everything alright, Miranda? Has something happened?" she asked, groomin' er messy locks as eyed at me, closin' th' dressing gown ower 'er goonie to shelter 'er from th' chill that th' door let it.

"Aye. I'm terribly sorry for visitin' so late, but I need to see Robert urgently. It's aboot me brother", I answered, Mrs. Ruthford's haun flyin' oan 'ers lips due to th' distressed sound o' me voice, keekin' to 'er husband who lifted his bushy eyebrows indifferently.

"If it's for a need of a second for a duel, tell your brother to return himself in the morning."

"Geoffrey, hush! Cannot you see that the girl's upset?" Mrs. Ruthford retorted in frustration, 'er husband simply wavin' his haun as dismissively to 'er rebuke as I hold in a sigh. If only it was aboot somethin' simple as that… "I hope it's not anything serious."

"Who is it mother?" I then heard Robert's yawnin' voice ask from inside, relief in me hert as I neist watched his parents to give 'im room wance he arrived to th' door. Efter rubbin' th' sleep from his eyes 'im blinkin' for surprise to see me standin' there, 'im however nae earnin' a chance to ask what was goin' oan as his mother nodded 'er heid at 'im contended.

"Good that you woke up. Miranda's here to see you, it's something about Peter", she explained, Robert turnin' back to me questionably.

"Is something the matter with him?" he asked, frownin' in worry as crossed his arms across his thin chest, me shakin' me heid. Though nae getting' th' opportunity (or was saved) from comin' up wi' a convenient pretext to get invited inside when it was Mrs. Ruthford who cut in again, leadin' Robert back intae th' hoose afore beckonin' me to follow.

"She can tell her business once we're all back inside. I say, to stand at the door in our nightwear in middle of the night chit chatting… How silly. Now come inside Miranda, Geoffrey and I leave you and Robert alone to talk and return to bed."

I smiled thankfully as Mr. Ruthford shook his heid at his wife, neist tiltin' it invitingly as let me in. Then followin' his wife back to th' bedroom, where Robert waved at me to come wi' 'im to th' kitchen. Offerin' me a chair 'n' a glass o' water juist as Rose appeared from th' corridor, hidin' a yawn 'erself intae 'er palm afore broke intae a delighted smile. Rushin' to embrace me.

"It's been such a long time since I saw you last! What on earth are you doing at our house so late? If you wanted to finally visit you could've just done it in daytime like normal people", she teased, me smilin'.

"That's what yer father said too."

Rose then remembered somethin', givin' me a pityin' gaze as hold me hauns in hers for a moment. Lookin' curious but astounded at th' same time. "Is it really true that Will was arrested at his own wedding? And Elizabeth too… We heard the rumors that are spread in town, but we just couldn't believe it. And there has been no hangings in the past weeks so we thought..."

I sighed efter a short moment o' ponder whether to keep 'em completely in th' dark or to tell 'em th' whole truth, decidin' upoan th' former taken how honesty had paid aff wi' Peter earlier. As weel intentionally leavin' oot any mentions o' me relativity to th' person in question I then referred to while answerin', makin' a curt nod. "Aye. A man named Cutler Beckett had an arrest warrant prepared for both 'im 'n' Elizabeth. He's th' Governor o' th' East India Tradin' Company."

"So we've understood", Robert mused, cluckin' his tongue. "These are bad news alright."

"Is this Company to stay in Port Royal?" Rose asked, sittin' doon neist to me.

"I believe so. It has been sent 'ere under th' blessin' o' th' Crown to regenerate oor juridical system 'n' perform th' necessary procedures needed to regain order in this town."

Conflictin' silence fell intae th' room as all o' oor thoughts unquestionably turned to William's arrest all o' us deemed unjust, me closin' me eyes momentarily 'til Robert's voice broke me train o' thought.

"You said you needed to tell me something concerning Peter", he stated, earnin' a surprised keek from his sister who then faced me again rather anxious 'erself, notably mair than when she'd been talkin' aboot William.

"Has something happened to him?" she queried, me shakin' me heid in denial. Puttin' th' glass oan th' table efter hardly drinkin' from it. I was too agitated to drink anythin'.

"Naw, he's fine… Actually I'm sorry that I had to lie, but I didn't come to see ye because o' me brother, Robert", I confessed, both o' th' siblings oglin' me in utmaist puzzlement 'til I continued, exchangin' a keek wi' 'em. "I need yer help."

"Of course, but… in what exactly?" Robert questioned, as weel sittin' doon while turned contemplative due to me distraught demeanor, me seriousness however neist surprisin' 'im as I revealed me incredible intentions to 'im 'n' his sister.

"William was sent oan a mission to acquire an item that was promised to secure his freedom along wi' Elizabeth's. But I've come upoan some information that proves contradictory, which is why I have to find 'im 'n' tell 'im what's really happenin' in 'ere. Tell 'im that both his 'n' Elizabeth's lives are in danger if he comes back to Port Royal."

"What?...Miranda, I don't have the slightest inkling what is it that you're asking me, yet alone why", Robert remarked, shakin' his head in confusion as I wrinkled me brows in regret.

"I'm afraid I can't tell ye that wi'oot riskin' yer safety… But tell me, aren't ye supposed to leave at sea th'morra?"

Robert kept an addled break afore replyin', noddin' slowly as tried to understand me meanin'. "Yes, I am. Aboard Cornucopia, it sails at dawn."

"Why?" it was Rose's turn to ask, me takin' in a breath as then earned a couple o' browliftings from th' two as they watched me to dig oot th' pouch o' gems from me bosom. Their eyes however then widenin' for plain shock as they saw th' numerous wee diamonds 'n' sapphires among other valuable rocks to roll oanto th' table, turnin' to me in dismay.

"Where did you…"

"Can I tak' yer place in th' ship?" I questioned afore they had th' chance to interrogate me aboot th' origins o' th' gems, noddin' towards th' jewels. "As ye see I can pay whatever ye want. Juist please let me board th' Cornucopia in yer stead 'n' help me to get awa' from Port Royal."

"Wait, what? You, want to board a merchant ship in my name to get away from here?" Robert stated, amazed, his incredulous eyes movin' atween me 'n' th' jewels. "Why the bloody for?"

"I told ye, I need to find William 'n' warn 'im!" I breathed, stairtin' to turn desperate, givin' both 'im 'n' Rose a biddin' keek. "Please Robert, I beg o' ye. I have to get awa' as soon as possible. Help me to run afore it's too late 'n' they find me…"

"They?" Rose repeated, me stiffenin' due to me unfortunate slip o' tongue while meetin' 'er eyes. 'Er studyin' me 'n' me anxious features for a moment afore she turned to stare at th' gems thoughtfully, 'er voice noo havin' a tint o' fear in it. "What have you done, Miranda?"

I opened me geggy to speak, though nae findin' th' words that would've explained me streenge request sufficiently 'n' at th' same time sheltered 'em from bein' accused o' aidin' me in me escape ('n' in a possible jewel theft should I anger me uncle weel enough wi' me disappearance). Me in th' end only sighin', shakin' me heid. "I'm sorry but I can't tell ye. It's for ye rain guid nae to ken anythin'."

"Never mind that…I don't suppose Peter either has the faintest idea about this, does he?" Robert queried, crossin' his arms as I keeked doon. Straightenin', flicker o' irritation in me gaze as I recalled me brother, who based oan this night 'n' his so abruptly manifested unwaverin' faith in oor uncle was therefore goin' to be th' last person I'd tell aboot me plans o' escape.

"No. But he'll find oot soon enough."

They were silent at first, simply starin' at me in hesitation 'til Robert closed his eyes wi' a resigned sigh, consentin' wi' a casual wave o' haun.

"Alright, if it's really that important for you to go after Will without getting caught…or whatever. But do you even know enough about life at sea to be able to adapt to it plausibly? Because you know what they do to sailors who turn out to be women disguised as men…same they do to stowaways. Depending on the Captain of course, but it's the common policy."

Me gaze faltered due to that troublesome fact which o' coorse had set some form o' fear in me ain hert, but as I kenned that to be a risk I had to tak' to find William I then met Robert's eyes me ain resolute. Noddin'.

"I realize me plan might be mad…But I have naw choice. It's th' only inconspicuous wey I could think o' to escape wi'oot anyone locatin' me afore I've gotten far awa' from 'ere", I answered, smilin' a wee, but it was an unsure one. "Besides I do have some idea to what I'm engagin'. Peter has told me aboot his journeys at sea, so I believe to do juist fine 'til I can find William."

"No, you won't", Robert contested emphatically. "Whatever Peter has told you, every man going to the sea needs to have some basic personal experience to make it through the arduous lifestyle of a sailor week after week. It's a rough task to fulfill, life aboard a ship."

Robert's warnings didn't faze me (as I'd awready given this plan o' mine enough thought to believe in it as me only option besides stayin' 'n' havin' meself wed afore gettin' sent aff far awa' to a unknown future), me goupin' back at 'im utterly serious 'til he finally gave in wi' another sigh. Noddin', goin' to fetch a certain envelope from a shelf that stood across th' dining table, showin' it to me.

"Very well, but don't say I didn't warn you... I have here a clearance to board the Cornucopia and the signed contract with my name and other personal details in the bottom, employing you to sail aboard her for complete six months. You need them both to board, and you also need to check in with the Captain of the vessel before embarking. Name's Edward McConaughey, a harsh looking man with black hair. You can't mistake him, he's rather bad tempered with short patience, but overall a nice bloke once you get to know him. Merciless to stowaways…"

I got his hint wi' a nervous nod, receivin' th' documents 'n' read 'em thro'. "You've sailed wi' 'im afore then?"

"No. I've just heard about him from others who've served him in the past. So as I'm not known aboard the Cornucopia, technically you should be able to blend in without problems…" Robert noo keeked me ower remarkably as did Rose, cluckin' his tongue again. "I hate to be the stick in the mud who trips you over here, but you don't exactly look all that manly, Miranda. How do you expect to be allowed to board without the crew realizing you to be a woman?"

"That's where I need yer help. To make meself keek lik' a man, preferably wi' a similarity to ye, Robert", I said, smilin' at me confederates who still seemed highly incredulous aboot this plan, but who neist returned me smile. Robert noo beckonin' towards Rose's room significantly.

"Let's get to it then. We've got three hours before the Cornucopia sets outto Cayman Islands, so why don't you two go get her out of that dress and take care of the… pressing, telltaling frailties in this charade while I prepare some clothes and other necessary wares for your travel."

"Thank you Robert", I said, sincerely grateful from th' bottom o' me hert 'n' expressed it by placin' a light peck oan his cheek. "I owe you."

"You sure do. Precisely the wages of six months and an explanation to my parents who will be finding me from the breakfast table tomorrow", he replied sarcastically, me turnin' aroond in middle o' me walk to send 'im a questionable keek, pointin' to th' gems. But he disregarded 'em wi' a furious shake o' heid. "Oh, I'm not taking a single one of those. I don't know where you got them, but after you mentioned a potential danger I deem it wiser to remain poor and let you take them with you. You'll be needing them. Sailor's pay is not much, and you'd be wise to take all you can get with you to aid you in finding Will."

"Come on. Let's go hide the frailties that God gave you", Rose urged in amusement, promptin' 'er brother to get to work wi' a slight frown as I sent 'im one mair thankful smile. Lettin' Rose to lead me intae 'er room, me daunerin' inside afore followin' 'er stairt to search for some ol' sheets that wouldn't be missed by 'er mother later. However needin' to go tak' some from their linen cabinet, me apologizin' for th' trouble wance she returned, Rose simply smilin' at me reassuringly as helped me oot o' me dress. Instantly commencin' to tie doon me chest, it nae feelin' as terrible as I'd imagined efter gettin' accustomed to corsets durin' th' past two weeks.

"It's alright, I assure you. We can always buy new ones…" she remarked, her insinuatin' expression however causin' me to sigh then, me noddin' me heid at 'er agreeably.

"I'll leave a couple o' stones for ye...As a sign o' gratitude."

"Mother sure will be grateful. She'll run off to town instantly to replace all of our linen with Egyptian cotton."

We shared a laugh, Rose then thinkin' a moment 'til she looked to me thro' a wee mirror that hung from th' wall. Th' keek in 'er eyes admirin' when they hold mine.

"What you're doing, going after Will to warn him… I think it's really brave, and I envy you for your courage to go this far for the man you love. But I also fear for you. Whatever it is that you're running from, just make sure to come back safely, both of you. I wouldn't stand it if you'd leave me to worry about you for the rest of my life without hearing anything from you…"

I nodded in understanding, truthfully hopin' for th' same as allowed meself to think aboot William again efter so long o' keepin' 'im oot o' me mind. Sighin', the ghost o' smile vanishin' from me lips.

"I try… But Rose, wance ye're ready wi' this I think I can manage by meself for awhile. Because afore I leave I need ye to do me a favor…"


-Two Days Later-

"Occasionally impetuosity is an attribute I greatly commend to, but you need to restrain your anger till a more favorable moment, Peter. It does no good to escalate the occurred setback further by becoming needlessly unnerved by it."

I strode back and forth within the Governor's office. Uncle Cutler's office now that in accordance to our calculations Governor Swann had been caught and arrested last night after the failed attempt to secretly smuggle Elizabeth to Britain aboard Hanshaw's clipper, the information I'd managed to ascertain with a small backhanders to a few of Hanshaw's crewmen confirming what I'd come to suspect after seeing Governor together with the Captain. Allowing us to react by planting an ambush for the conspirators in a form of Mercer and a handful of officers loyal only to my uncle and the Company, who first had surprised the Captain and confiscated the letter addressed to the king. The Governor ending up later meeting with none other than Mercer who had laid in patient wait for him, eventually taking the man into custody upon his arrival as planned before the prisoner could've escaped. Except that everything had not turned out as we'd desired, this unseen setback we'd definitely by the looks of things left out of our estimates setting me in rage no matter what uncle Cutler there and then told me. Me drawing in an annoyed breath as came to a halt, beckoning towards Mercer in my fit of frustration.

"I'll be as darn agitated as I please!" I retorted, squinting at my uncle. "So much for the foolproof plan, as your boy here let Elizabeth run off and now not only Miranda, but she too is utterly gone with the ruddy wind without a single trace to follow. Both of them in possession of not only the letters of marque, but everything that can blow our little scheme right across our faces!"

"To my defense sir, she must've slipped out of the carriage during the time I had her father restrained", Mercer cut in, me directing a tired scowl at his direction where my uncle measured the pair of us insignificantly.

"And how is that when the whole dock area was filled with our soldiers, performing under your orders, Mercer? It's fully on your arse that she scooted and managed to upperhand my uncle at gunpoint in his office to steal the letters!"

"Let us settle down here", uncle Cutler stated, lifting up a calming hand to soothe my aggression, where I in turn gave him a strict stare.

"Are you seriously telling me that now when all we've been planning for the past year is going happily awry because of your assistant's incompetence?" I asked, incredulous. Lifting demanding eyebrows as folded my arms, earning a leer from Mercer which I soon returned, my own irises granite hard.

"I understand your frustration. This is an unexpected outcome none of us had prepared to, but not something that cannot be fixed", uncle Cutler replied collectedly, now taking out the folder which had previously hold the documents that Miranda had apparently stolen during her middle-night snooping in the office two nights past. Me frowning when I followed him to pull out the blank papers she'd slipped within the secret fold to replace the nicked ones, me turning slightly baffled when my uncle then smiled before met my gaze. "It is true that your sister's sudden disappearance with the well guarded knowledge about our future undertakings as well as Miss Swann's escape are both problems that will surely affect to the progression of our plan… But not necessarily ruining them completely as you seem to fear."

I expressed my quizzical state of mind with a blank stare to his direction, lifting up equally wondering palm. "Meaning what?"

"It is highly probable that your sister stole the documents in hopes of saving not only young Turner from the gallows, but to prevent the hangings of several other people of this town by getting rid of the draft for the petition for the needed martial law that would initiate these executions… but she as well as you have not clearly taken into consideration that to prepare for something such as this to happen they weren't the only copies of the documents outlined for that purpose."

My eyebrows rose now for surprise when I watched uncle Cutler to open the highest drawer of the desk, revealing indeed the exact number of identical documents to those Miranda had taken. From the orders of arrest to the martial law petition and list of names, all information still intact and not erased. Me blinking for awe.

"You anticipated this to happen", I realized.

"I cannot say I did. But a man in my station cannot remain too trusting to the impressions and has to prepare for all possible end results should I wish to maintain the strings in my hands in the long term."

"How do you wish to proceed, sir?" Mercer questioned then, taking a couple of steps closer. "Should I track down the letters and bring back the girl?"

"You'll do squat", I remarked. "Things went all the way to hell in a handbasket while you were in charge, so you're just gonna voluntarily opt this one out. Loyal pooches should remain close to their owners and not run off by themselves after every whiff."

I confronted the riled man's hate filled expression with a satisfied smirk that angered my uncle's assistant even further, me turning to face him with a smug lift of brows to antagonize him as I knew him to be incapable of talking back at me due to me relation to his employer. Obligated to honor me as greatly as my uncle, but he clearly wanted to accept my verbal challenge. My uncle sighing and stopped him from retaliating by walking by our side and placing a hand on Mercer's shoulder.

"Forgive my nephew, Mercer. He's understandably upset when the woman he cares for has decided to vanish into thin air like his sister before her", he said pacifyingly, Mercer making a rigid nod where I snorted and looked away. My gaze drifting to the painting of maw until I lifted my jaw and returned my attention back to my uncle, following him to walk to the balcony doors to gaze out to the bay.

"So what now? You said there's a way to cool this hot water we've found ourselves in…What is it?" it was my turn to ask, both me and Mercer waiting for my uncle to respond for a minute or so as he'd fallen into his thoughts. Placing his arms behind his back as his irises undoubtedly swept over the harbor to examine the notably superior number of EITC flags fluttering among the vessels. Him soon breaking into a smile as he behold the gradually but positively emerging signs of his manifesting triumph, his jaw as well rising confidently. Me seeing him to beckon to the table, where a bag of money and a closed envelope rested next to the wooden box that had previously retained the letters of marque.

"Indeed there is…I want you to find out the most likely destination of Miss Swann and seek her out before the trail becomes too cold to follow. Once you've found her and unearthed her intentions return and report back to me", he said.

"She's sure to seek out Will", I realized. "The only reason she stole the letters was to save him after all."

"Beyond futile move on her part. Mr. Turner and I had an agreement, and not until I've received my share of the appointed articles, her yesterday's attempt in blackmailing me to sign those letters will prove to be of no avail. Even if now legalized, she doesn't possess the means to coerce me to do her bidding through those documents as long as alone I hold her and her fiancé's lives in my hands… Something Miranda has as well forgotten in her desperate effort to save the man she loves. Utterly useless for both of them to go to such lengths for mere a man, indisputable criminal."

"And the letters, sir?" Mercer reminded. "Am I to retrieve them from her?"

"Oh no, simply locate her and trace her every step until you discover her future intentions. Even if Mr. Turner was to receive the letters successfully it is made possible only should she find him, which undoubtedly will prove difficult taken the time that has passed since his departure, by which time we are prepared to make our own move to minimize the surfaced risks."

Mercer nodded compliantly, me frowning deeply after thinking about uncle Cutler's words for awhile, not yet hearing them consist much of a reference to the other major stumbling block that stood in the way of our success.

"And Miranda?"

"Ah, yes…As we know, both she and Miss Swann left Port Royal in mutual preoccupation to find Turner and warn him. So it is as liable to believe that by finding the other also the second individual he's enthralled shall be easy to uncover. Miss Swann's time will come shortly, but as for your sister Peter, I want you to leave with Mercer and find her, and once you've located her bring her back to me. She'll poses no threat to us, but it would be better not to have her roaming the Caribbean without supervision."

"Consider it done", I agreed with a half grin, meeting my uncle's serious eyes.

"Remember, this will be your chance to prove yourself to me to be capable of fully embracing your job description and serve the Company as one of its agents also out on the field. I understand that with years of experience Mercer has developed a remarkable skill to fulfill my wishes even of the most complex nature, but according to your so far performance under my orders I believe you not to disappoint me. I expect such competence to continue."

I nodded. "That goes without saying, uncle. I'll locate both my sister and Elizabeth and find out what they're planning…and bring Miranda back here with me."

Uncle Cutler smiled, turning to us. "Excellent. Money and clearances for travel have already been prepared. You'll board one of our ships that's to set sail this afternoon."

Mercer bowed to my uncle before placed his hat back on his head, soon heading out of the office. Not giving me even the slightest glance which greatly amused me, my eyes instead escorting the man outside till they returned back to my uncle.

"I don't know how you stand that cur… the man's pesky."

Uncle Cutler smirked, inclining his head at my disbelief. "Once you've had someone work for you close to 15 years, you tend to start to tolerate their faults and lacks in character if they stand for their usefulness and become sufficient to keep by your side. And that's what Mr. Mercer is; a highly useful man to remain close to, as you are soon to notice. So take my advice, Peter…" Uncle Cutler now placed a hand on my shoulder, his voice dead serious. "Always surround yourself with men you can trust, but most importantly benefit from. You'll never know when you arrive to a situation when a favor to be claimed is the only way to make the ends meet without cutting too many corners..."

I spend a moment to let his words to sink in, me then returning his smile as nodded again in understanding. Admiring his infallible ability to anticipate all possible prospects and make them play out as he willed with prudence that never let him down but only advanced his gain in one way or another, proving him superior to all of his enemies. His very systematic way of thinking making me want to learn from him, to help me become as accomplished and grand of a man who didn't wait for the world to turn better, but who made it suit his ideals through his own endeavors. After a few seconds of exchanging stares me taking my own letter from the table, throwing the money in the air before closed it into my fist, the weight of it telling me it to contain more than three months of my past military wages.

"Yes, uncle. I shall be of credit to our family name and the Company. You'll have my word."

"For the time being you'd better concentrate on either one. Because soon you'll have all the time in the world of our own creation to build the type of career for yourself that endorses these present pledges that however might yet be too ill-judged to be ultimately fulfilled in their entirety."

I felt disappointment then, actual irritation appearing on my face this time when I then excused myself from the room without a word more, leaving the office and joined Mercer who was waiting for me at the entrance of the office building. Opening a door of the carriage for me until climbed in himself, his mood as disgruntled as mine had become due to my uncle's last remark, as the coach then jerked backwards once the driver urged the horses into motion. My fingers tapping against the carriage's window sharply as I released a deep sigh.

When would he stop talking to me as if I were still that same inexperienced lad from a year past who knew nothing of the world of EITC? I'd been working for the Company for a long time now, with him long enough for him to understand that if I promised something I would also deliver without failing him. I never had, instead making sure that all went right according to his devices no matter the nature of them. Doing everything he asked, even receiving praise for my desired results directly from him, him recognizing my distinct worth for the Company. And yet he still underestimated me by telling me not to expect my promises for him to be realised until I'd provably kept my word and lived up to his expectations.

"We're here, sir", Mercer's voice cut my indignant train of thought, me shifting my eyes to him before looked through the window. Noticing the coach to have stopped in front of Swann mansion, my hand then creeping under my jacket to take out the items I'd gotten from uncle Cutler. Me tossing our traveling funds to his right-hand man until broke the seal of my note, skimming it through. Well I would yet make my uncle second guess his lingering mistrust in my abilities. Forcing him to acknowledge my aptitude to be up to every single task he'd bestow me without even blinking, by swiftly succeeding in this mission proving that I most certainly hold a candle for him if not in station and experience, but in profitable achievements that would make me worth of all those promises of rewards he'd made for me even since I'd enlisted to his service. To which I was but entitled after all I'd done for the British Crown, and would yet do. As long as my decision to serve King and Country would recompense the betrayals I'd received in exchange of the omission of my duties theretofore, performed purely out of my benevolence.

But no more would I be that naïve. No more.


Scottish vocabulary:

Pronouns etc:

o'= of, th'= the, 'em= them, oor= our, 'n'= and, intae= into, 'er= her, 'im= him, me = my, nae = not

Recurrent & other words:

8th chap:

goonie = nightgown, oan = on, wey = way, noo = now, th'morra = tomorrow, efter = after, streenge = strange, oot = out, 'til = until, weel = well, maw = mother, afore = before, lik' = like, upoan = upon, thro' = though, wi' = with, juist = just, aboot = about, mair = more, ower = over, meself = myself, keek = a look/to look, o' coorse = of course, hoose = house, heid = head, haun = hand, doon = down, wance = once (wance mair = once more), aroond = around, stairt = start, geggy = mouth, aff = off, awa' = away, guid = good, neist = next, atween = between, hert = heart, dauner = walk, goup= stare, ain = own, wee = little/small, utmaist = utmost, wi'oot = without, naw = no