Chapter five

Rhia stood at the helm as the sun rose; the sky was an orange gold. Rhia breathed in deeply and felt at peace with things, and for the first time in a month, happy.

"So what's our heading captain?" David asked as he stood beside her. Rhia jumped at being addressed as captain. That had always been her father's position.

"We're going to Tortuga, ever heard of it?" David's eyes widened with excitement.

"Yes, but I have only ever imagined about it. Never figured I'd really be able to go out to sea." Rhia elbowed him playfully.

"You have had the sheltered life. Tortuga's like my second home. If there's any place we could find my father, it's Tortuga." Rhia said.

"So if Jack Sparrow is your father, who'd he fall in love with?" David asked.

"How did you end up the great grandson of Davy Jones himself?" Rhia asked, tauntingly.

"I'll tell if you tell. But it's ladies first." David said. Rhia snorted.

"Well then I guess it's a good thing I'm not a lady. Greenhorns go first in my book." David glared at her but consented.

"I'm not really sure. But you know the story, that he ripped his heart out and all."

"Oh yes, so it wasn't the sea itself that he fell in love with. It was a woman." David nodded.

"Her name was Oceana, go figure. She was my great grandmother. But it's been passed down in my family. A curse of sorts. Each descendant it sworn to at least attempt to kill Davy Jones. And I'm next in line." David said.

"Oh, so that's why you came." David nodded, but inside he wondered if that was the only real reason.

"Your turn." Rhia sighed but nodded.

"I don't know much about her. But her name was Marieah Turner, everyone called her Mari though. But she died when I was a year old. At least that's what my father says. But I can't help feeling that there's something he's not telling me. Something that might help me get her back, but whatever it is I'm not going to find it out anytime soon. And she gave me this necklace it was how my father proposed to her." Rhia said shrugging.

"So did she give you the name Rhiannon?" Rhia nodded.

"Yes, but I'm not sure where she got it. It was my father who started calling me Rhia, but then he began calling me by my full name again, after she died. I think it's like his last lament to her."

"So do you miss her?" Rhia's fist clenched, actually scratching off some pant from the railing.

"Yes, but before we left the Pearl, Bill accused me of not caring about it. I guess that put us at odds already. Then the military thing. I guess it's kind of a broken family. What about your family?" Rhia asked.

"Don't know. All I've known is the curse and then being a blacksmith. But I've always been fascinated by the sea. How much of it there is and how much power can be held with it." David said. Rhia snorted.

"Then you know nothing of the sea. You're acting like the military. The sea is a person; it's alive, wild, free, and untamable." Rhia said. David looked at her as though she was insane.

"I'll believe it when I see it with my own two eyes." David said.

"Ok then. When we make port and after I find my father, I'll show you how the sea is alive."

"Deal."

"Deal."

After that they Rhia returned to the steering and David went to bed. Rhia would have first watch, so the ship would be on correct course. About one o'clock David came up for his turn. Rhia yawned as he stood beside her.

"Ok, simple enough, we'll see Tortuga in about two hours; it'll be like an ant colony. Wake me when you see it. Then we can decide where to weigh anchor without setting off every pirate into hiding. Oh but if you see a big black ship with black sails wake me immediately! That'll be the Black Pearl." Rhia said, David nodded and she retreated to the cabin.

Once inside she slipped into a ragged tunic and canvas pants. She sighed contentedly. This was much better than dress things and slips. It felt good to have on a decent pair of sturdy pants and a loose fitting tunic on. She curled up under the covers and was asleep within minutes. She had a very strange dream.

She was in her father's arms, it was raining, cold and wet. But all she could do was cry and look up at him. But there was no color, just black and white, her mother had been holding her, she had been asleep, but what had happened? Everything had changed and her mother was nowhere to be seen. Then she heard her father talking reassuringly. What was he saying? Then she felt wet, when she was supposed to be dry. Water was coming from her father's eyes. What was wrong with him?

Now she was three, she was spinning in her fathers arms, he was laughing, but his eyes looked sad. Then her uncle Will came over and wanted to talk. Her father put her down and told her to stay off the ratlines. Then they went to his cabin to talk. She had followed; she listened at the cracked door.

"...So now he has her. I need to find a way to get her back. And I will." Her father had said. But her uncle looked livid.

"How the hell could you let this happen! You were supposed to protect her!" he had screamed.

"I tried, I told her to hide with Rhiannon, and she hid Rhia, and then returned. I lied and said she was my step sister and we didn't get along. Because old Jones wanted something precious to me. He figured out the truth. Then he took her. I have fifteen years before he comes after me again. If I can't figure a way out of this by then, then I will see about a trade off. But mark my words on this William, I will get her back!"…

Rhia felt herself being shaken; she rolled over and saw David was trying to wake her up.

"I think I see Tortuga," He said.

"Oh, it's been two hours already? Darn, doesn't feel like it, feels like two minutes. Oh well. Let's try to anchor this tub." Rhia said as she slipped her boots on.


Ok here's the next chapter, enjoy.
StartgateAngel101: Thanks. Glad you still like it.

Valinor's Twilight: Yes, I loved horse camp and am thinking about taking lessons. Anyway glad you like it.

NarnianPirate: Glad to have a new reader, glad you liked hte original. I hope you like this one. I promise it will get better soon.


If anyone likes anime, particularly Yu Yu Hakusho, I would appricieat it if you could read my stories and tell me what you think. Thanks.