Lieutenant Anthony Roivas marched rigidly along the footpath towards the stately building that had been his post for the past year: His job was to oversee the running of the docks, police the somewhat shady trading and of course secure the port from piracy. Anthony was a shadow of his former self, a disgruntled, restless youth transformed into a disciplined officer of the British Navy, though he remembered the irrationality that brought him to where he was it was something he did not dwell on. Clutched in his hand was a fastened scroll – A message from another aristocratic opportunist no doubt.

The guards straightened up as he walked into his office, swaggering confidently towards his desk he threw down his Monmouth cap and assessed his gloomy surroundings.

"Has anyone overseen the maintenance while I've been away, it is mid-morning yet the curtains are still drawn" He scoffed, sifting through the pile of letters and recommendations of new recruits.

Settling down with his quill he began to scribble his signature on several forms before forcing himself to look at the new duties suggested by his peers. It was never anything special, just a few added requests for his expanding workload all the while the maids tended to the curtains.

Outside in the courtyard two young women were pondering whether to court with stupidity and stroll into a building where no pirate ever wanders freely. Ana Maria looked up at the flag pole; it felt odd to be so close to a symbol of adversity.

"This is madness, I don't think I've ever been so nervous, just think that somewhere in this building some poor soul is being sent to the gallows….shackled – marked even" She said quietly, wishing that the gravel would not crunch so loudly under her feet

"You're not helping, what choice do we have; do you think I want to go in there? It's the lion's den and I'm Daniel!" Ruby-Rose whined Ana-Maria crept beside her anxious captain.

"What other choice do we have?" –

"None that I'm aware of; we can use the conventional way but suppliers would only ask for an address so that won't do" Ruby-Rose grumbled with her eyes transfixed on the entrance.

"Deep breathe before the plunge?" Ana-Maria suggested, taking the young woman's hand. The pirate princess paused then vigorously nodded her head Ana-Maria walked to the porch pulling her disgruntled shipmate beside her as she squeezed her eyes shut.

Ruby-Rose was suddenly feeling nauseous they walked through the threshold and looked about the hallway with it's grand stairway. Heavy footsteps alerted the two pirates to keep sharp. A young officer with a gangly frame was walking straight towards them – It was the only time in her life where Ruby-Rose experienced faintness

"Good Morning madam, how may I be of service?" He said softly as he bowed, Ruby-Rose had no choice but to make a stumbling effort of a curtsey, unlike Christie Jamieson she had absolutely no patience for etiquettes

"My friend and I request an audience with Lieutenant Roivas it is a matter of urgency – May we see him?" Ruby-Rose explained with her voice etched in sweetness.

"Could I be so bold as to ask the manner of the urgent issue being regarded?" The officer persisted, to this the pirates almost buckled with the pressure that weighed on them. Ruby-Rose licked her lips and stood up straight.

"It's in the manner of strict confidence, a sensitive matter that is for the Lieutenant only, now would you be so kind as to lead the way…Sir" She said sternly.

The young man looked warily at the pair and the pirates began to fear the worst but Ruby-Rose found comfort in knowing that reputation and protocol were above everything else, even in the halls of the Naval judicial system; aristocrats always had their way.

"…Certainly ma'am, please follow me" The boy stammered, as he strutted downing the luminous corridor that was filled with trophies and trinkets from victorious battles of yesteryear. The officer abruptly turned and flung open two brass-rimmed double doors, at this point the usually brazen Captain famed for mischief and inspiration of song was finding it hard to breathe.

Anthony Roivas briefly looked up from his desk to assess the intrusion before his brown eyes fell back to the parchment.

"Yes Mister Walsh what is it?"

The lad had lost his nerve he knew he bungled the interview already as he had forgotten to ask who the women were, after a few burbled whispers he composed himself:

"Two young women sir – from Panama I assume, they are asking for assistance…yours in particular Sir"

The explanation offered was far from clear and irritatingly cryptic and such tardiness was not accepted in such an occupation as theirs. But he had company to please so he would have to leave the scorn for a later date. The bright glow of the sun obstructed his vision from identifying his visitors.

"Let them in then and close the doors behind you, reckless charlatan" He sighed.

Ruby-Rose took some delicate steps forward and braced herself for the consequence of the reunion that was forced upon her. The doors closed quietly behind them, Anthony lowered his head and waited till his eyes adjusted to the light he had no idea of who was standing before him. For some reason the young woman could not find comfort in the silence so she decided to face her fear head-on

"Hello Anthony, it's been a while"

The Consul's aide looked up in bewilderment at a stranger that broke through a formality and called him by name, his eyes widened and any words were lost to him for he was staring at a tormenting memory made flesh.

"...Ruby-Rose I-I can't quite believe, w-what are you doing here?" The senior official stumbled, his composed demeanour vanishing with the shock of the sight that beheld him Anthony spread his arms out as he stood up a little too quickly and held them there and he seemed completely dazed.

"I have some business to attend to but I've hit an obstacle…literally. I would have used other means but in the circumstance I thought it best to use some resources" The young woman stated solemnly

The frankness in Ruby-Rose's voice was all the officer needed to regain his common sense, he crossed his wrists and began to stand straight again for he remembered who he was…he remembered who she was.

"Ah I see you were never one for beating around the bush; am I surprised by your statement? Sadly no - what exactly do you want" He said snidely, his manner was cold and cruel but the young captain could see that his eyes told otherwise.

"Look it's obvious I'm not here for pleasantries I mean it's not the best place for it: I need some materials for my ship, we've run aground and there are not enough materials"

"Conspiring with the enemy is an extremely rash feat Miss Sparrow I would wager your father will be mightily disappointed" Anthony taunted snobbishly.

"You know better than to mock me Roivas, I will not beg for assistance when I can receive it elsewhere good day to you sir" The pirate princess seethed, she turned around and stormed towards the door.

"WAIT, wait; this is a subject beyond reasoning with. If we're caught we both lose out; you'll be sent to the gallows and I will be court-marshalled, so at least the stakes are even"

"That doesn't make me feel any better Anthony, are you going to help us or not?" Ruby-Rose sighed.

Within minutes the consul's aide and the two pirates were preparing a list for The Oracle's restoration, as grateful as it's captain was she knew that it was only a matter of time before the misfortune of The Solstice would reach the city of Colon and the link between Anthony and herself would be broken, she had to act quickly.

The trio were interrupted by Samuel Walsh; the gangly juvenile cleared his throat and made an introduction that made Ruby-Rose choke.

"Lieutenant Roivas? Lord Arlington is here to see you" The lad said meekly

Ruby-Rose steadied herself by leaning against Anthony's desk; she became bleary-eyed as she started to cough. She clutched the closed fan and pressed it to her lips.

"The consul has arrived you two should not linger I will pass instructions to one of my officers, the supplies will be left in the nearest cove" Anthony whispered.

All the young captain could do was nod, she tried to sand away from the desk but she felt too light-headed to move. Ana-Maria put an arm around her to ask about the trouble but the words came out too late.

They heard the loud clacking of a cane looming closer and closer, the doors flew open and there stood a stout, sharply-dressed aristocrat; Grey woollen jacket, black breeches and a flamboyantly ruffled cravat. Ruby-Rose refused to look back knowing that she would probably die right there on the marbled floor, not that the honourable gentleman would care.

"My lord Arlington, I assumed our meeting was this afternoon" Anthony humbled before his superior, needless to say the young rebel was quietly disgusted by it.

"Yes My apologies Anthony but my wife insists on focusing all my energy on our formidable guests. She has invited all the local dignitaries of the island and Governor Swann of Port Royal, it's enough fuss to bring about an illness" The gentleman boomed enthusiastically.

"Port Royal" Ana Maria whispered, gripping Ruby-Rose's arm

"What's wrong?"

"Port Royal is the harbour we left before coming back to Havana; Governor Swann has tried to hang Jack not once but twice"

"Ooh somebody's eager so what happened?"

"Jack bought his freedom by saving his daughter from Barbossa I'm sure Jack has told you this" Ana Maria continued, she too was frozen to the spot and fear had started to grow within her.

"He told me one or two things Yes but you know Jack, he's vague about everything"

"I should not make this any worse but I need to warn you; his daughter knows my face, she knows who I am if we happen to cross paths…"

Ruby-Rose closed her eyes and tried to keep calm but it was hopeless as she could hear her estranged uncle's voice, it was full of warmth and consideration but it was not the man she remembered. She started having flashbacks of his scowling face and thick sidetracks along the bars of a large iron gate – the entrance to the silk mills, the only place she called home before she ran away and boarded The Black Pearl. She recalled that they hardly spoke a word; he roamed around the building and left her alone in the courtyard until a haughty woman took her to work. A tear trickled down the young woman's face and she clenched her fist in an attempt to control her anger.

She took a deep breath and unfolded the fan and began batting it in front of her face.

"Well pardon us we have some other engagements to attend to, Lieutenant Roivas we are most obliged…good day gentlemen" Ruby-Rose said sweetly, she curtsied before heading for the door while resisting the urge to run for her life.

"Come, Come Anthony how you neglect your manners so, may I enquire on the delightful company you keep" Lord Arlington pondered as he eyed the decadence in the women's clothes and came to the conclusion that there were still people of good breeding in the town he had yet to meet.

Ruby-Rose stopped silent and did not breathe, she searched into Arthur Arlington's eyes but there was no hidden menace in his statement he genuinely did not recognise her.

"Sir I'd like to introduce Rose, R-Rose…." The officer stuttered

"…Rose Richardson, my father owns some property in Lancashire but we're eager to broaden our horizons" The quick-witted pirate cut in, speaking in a high, enunciated fashion.

There was a pause, Ruby-Rose knew that Ana-Maria's presence was the cause, there and then she made a promise to herself to protect her friend from the absurd bureaucracy at any cost.

"This is my companion Ava Thornton, her father own a plantation outside Charlestown we have become firm friends" She added, taking Ana-Maria's hand as a testament to her words but also just to comfort one another.

"Splendid I am pleased to meet your acquaintance and you our most welcome it our little hub of Colon" Arlington answered graciously, the pirate princess was unsure of what frightened her more; Being in the local headquarters of the British navy or seeing her uncle like she had never seen him before…full of compassion.

"You are too kind Lord Arlington; I bid you a fond farewell Lieutenant you will see our proposals through Yes?" Ana Maria asked, pleading with her eyes

"Yes of course Miss…Thornton, it will be done at once"

The women nodded before swiftly heading for the exit, Arlington's voice stopped them once again and Ruby-Rose began to think if prison was less torturous.

"I would be honoured if you two accompanied me to my estate you are new to this district I'd take it. My wife Gracie and I would be only too happy to introduce you to our flock, you would be less lonely then" Lord Arlington suggested, having the audacity to take Ruby-Rose's hand and place it in his, she thought she was going to be sick.

"My Lord Arlington my friend and I are flattered beyond words but alas we have pressing business to look too-"

"Nonsense, if it makes to feel any better I have no inclination to carry out my enquiries today. The day is too beautiful to waste indoors, what do you say Roivas"

"Sir?" the officer replied, rather dumbfounded at to what he was witnessing. Ruby-Rose never told him about her secret past and the link between herself and the old gentleman but he guessed something was wrong

"How about you volunteering to be a chaperon to these fine young ladies, it would be a break from these gloomy halls" He persisted

Anthony Roivas looked at his former fiancée then at his superior, he was torn between he look of despair, to a look of power. The naval officers were puppets to aristocracy, everyone knew that but he could never stand it when the power struggle was so evidently laid out in front of him.

Ruby-Rose felt herself drift from her body as the world starting to spin around her. She felt she was on the outside looking in as she and Ana Maria stumbled into the carriage, clutching her hand tightly as the horses galloped away from the building.