Five

Nearly a week had passed and she had sent him only four letters, each with few wording. She liked it, it kept him in suspense. Tomorrow, it would be Elizabeth's engagement party, and she would be attending. She was sure that he would be there too. Oh the excitement had her gripping her knuckles till they were white from the pressure. Elizabeth had also taken a liking to Dolores. She was quite open and treated her like a best friend.

Almost.

But still, the Governor's daughter had told Dolores more than enough. She knew more of course, but she still wanted to hear it from Elizabeth's mouth; her side of the story.

"Captain Barbosa had kidnapped me. He was a very direct man. When he had demanded your answer, he wanted every detail, not certain points because if you were not descriptive enough, you would not get what you wanted. I remember his face very clearly. I stabbed him once," she said sadly. "But nothing had happened, for he was cursed and could not die."

Dolores sat listening. She knew the stories, she knew every bit. But she still enjoyed listening to them from a different angle and perspective. "Oh, how terrible," she exclaimed, faking an astonished expression. "And you had survived it all without getting hurt?"

"Oh, no. They had spilt my blood, thinking it would work, but I was not the one they were looking for." Elizabeth showed her the scar upon her left hand. It was long and thick, but it was almost as if it was fresh. Dolores had the urge to cut the poor girl again but she resisted.

"It must have been quite the adventure, Elizabeth, for a girl your age and status, doing such things must have never crossed your mind." Dolores put on her glove and stood up. She straightened the creases on her dress and curtsied to Elizabeth. "You must forgive me, but I have a few errands to attend to in town. Do you wish to accompany me?"

"No, it's all right. I won't bother you. I must go and make a few more arrangements. The engagement party is tomorrow night, if you haven't forgotten." She too curtsied low and her untainted face beamed with happiness. "I look forward to seeing you and the crew then, and tonight at dinner."

Dolores left her alone then, not before Elizabeth had informed her that her that her engagement party would be a masquerade. Masks. Oh, the amusement she could have with this. She had another letter to give him. Just one, before she would see him at the party. It had been many years since she had seen him last. Many long, aggravating years.

A masquerade. It gave her the perfect idea then. Quickly, she went to her room and grabbed some parchment and a quill. She sketched them out with haste and amazing skill.

"Lysander, take this to Governor Swann, and ask him nicely if it's possible to have one mask made of each sheet for each of us for tomorrow night."

She blew on them, drying the ink. He took them from her, admiring her skill. "Yes, my lady. But what are they for?"

"Tomorrow is a masquerade. Boys," she said as she leaned back in her chair, fiddling with the quill. "We're going to have a lot of fun, particularly with him."

"Another letter tonight, Dolores?" Benedict asked her. The six sat on the gorgeous divan, most of them playing with their daggers. Beautiful as they were individually, they each had their own unique darkness and wariness.

"Two letters, Benedict. One for his companion as well. Do not forget, both of them are pirates. And every pirate should not be left out or forgotten. Especially when they've done something terribly wrong." She snapped the quill and clenched it in her fist.

"A horrible mistake he has done, aye, m'lady?"

"Aye."

"Did you know, Governor, that there still are several pirate ships out there, even if you thought the Black Pearl was the last of them?" Dolores informed Governor Weatherby Swann.

"I've heard as much. I was told that their number is slowly increasing again."

They sat drinking tea only a little after noon. He had asked her to join him in the morn, and how could she refuse? He was humble, as much as she did dislike him. He was kind and a bit foolish, nothing compared to his former self.

"What is the biggest threat now, Governor?"

"One ship. One oddly powerful pirate ship. I've heard only rumors and whispers but none of which I could be sure was true. But," he continued. "I did receive a clue to its name."

She sipped her tea, faking interest.

"It is something to do with hell, nothing glamorous like the Black Pearl, mysterious and cunning. Only now are we getting closer to it. Jack Sparrow seems to know it, but he won't tell."

"Jack? Jack Sparrow? The one that rescued your daughter, yes?"

"Yes, him and her fiancé, Will Turner."

"She told me stories. You must be gracious to have a son in law such as bold as him."

He nodded.

Dolores had enough of what she wanted and needed to hear. "I have already given the list of who will be attending from my party. Will the masks be ready for us tonight?"

"Absolutely, my lady. We will deliver them to your quarters. Do you have clothing to match them?"

"We do, Governor. Do not worry of us."

"We look forward to your attendance. I'm sure everyone will be surprised at your arrival."

She smiled, friendly enough to fool him, "At least one will be."