As Elizabeth swabbed the deck for an unknown time, she watched the sun peak over the horizon. It was a beautiful sight. For a moment she felt an awe at to be the first soul to see it. Bring me that horizon, Jack's voice echoed in her skull. The horizon was freedom, no buildings or objects to block your view to the grandeur of the open sea. In that golden moment she understood. She took a deep breath in and out through her nose. How would she get to Jack? Where was their next port of call? How could she persuade Blackbeard to venture to Tortuga without a voice? She thought for a moment about her other skills. Of course! She marveled at her plan. She had always been good at calligraphy. And, she could copy the handwriting of others very well. She had seen various business associates handiwork as she sat in the office aside her father. She could forge a note from some defect English merchant claiming that they have news on whatever it was that Ragetti and Pintell had handed the captain information about. She would make sure that Blackbeard met the gentlemen at the Screaming Siren pub in Tortuga. While the captain was searching for the absent clientele, she would grab the Black Pearl and beat it for the Faithful Bryde. It was the only place she could imagine Jack wasting his days. He had to be there, he just had to. If he wasn't- well… she would figure out how to restore and command the Black Pearl on her own. As she continued formulating her plan, she wondered who would deliver the forgery. Would Blackbeard believe her? Alone it was unlikely. She had only just begun working for the man. But, with the help of Ragetti and Pintel it could look like something.
"I want you to beat me up," Elizabeth whispered in an alcove later that afternoon.
"Pardon?" Ragetti peeped.
"Ain't my thing, poppet," Pintel looked at her as if she'd sprouted another head.
"You don't understand," she continued, "it's all part of the plan. You'll make it look like I stole information from you the night I got on the ship. I'm going to forge a note about the information you gave to the captain that day."
"You stole from us?" Ragetti looked shocked.
"Not really, you dolt!" Pintel gave a backhand to his midsection, "She just wants to make it look like she did." He looked back at Elizabeth, "And then what?"
"If all goes according to plan, the captain will chart a course for Tortuga, head to the Screaming Siren pub, all while we abscond with the Black Pearl and rescue Jack." She inhaled after her explanation. It sounded just as daft to her own ears. She gave a wince at the expected rejection.
"All right," Ragetti shrugged. Her eyes widened at the acceptance.
"It's better than any plan I've got," Pintel looked over at his mate then back to Elizabeth, "but we ain't flogging the governor's daughter."
"I'm not the governor's daughter here," she placed a hand on her hip, looking every bit as haughty.
"Sure, Peter Poppet," Pintel gave a yellow smile, "but I know a better way to rough you up."
Elizabeth swallowed against her dry throat.
"Ugh!" Elizabeth squealed, "What is this?" She looked down as some unnamable bucket of sludge was being wiped on her. There was something gritty in it, scraping at her arm. "Is that- is that gun powder?"
"It's better than a beating, that's what it is," Pintel mumbled as he continued to rub her arm. He stood back for a second, then ripped the bottom of her shirt for good measure.
"Hey!" she spoke in consternation.
Ragetti gave a laugh.
Pintel looked to his partner, "I'd say she looks that part now." Then back to Elizabeth, "Keep your eyes closed, like we socked you good. Just lay there and you'll be fine."
"I always wanted to be an actor," Ragetti marveled.
"Better be a good one," Pintel growled, "yer life depends on it."
"Cap'n!" Ragetti cried out.
"Cap'n!" Pintel joined in. The two men dragged a limp Elizabeth between them, arms locked on either side. "Seems we've got a thief aboard the ship!"
"What?" Blackbeard stood at his desk as the men ran through his doors. "A thief?" His brows furrowed as his eyes sought out the cabin boy who'd dutifully served him dinner. "This boy?" His eyes looked to his crew.
"Yessir, cap'n. Seems the boy was hidin' a note from the merchant we got the map off of." Pintel waved the paper in front of him like a flag of victory.
"Let me see that!" The captain strode forward, his steps reverberating on the deck. He took a moment to read it once, then twice. The Screaming Siren, eh? "Boys," a smile broke on his face, "what a fortuitous change of events. We're heading to Tortuga."
Elizabeth's stomach leapt with joy as the first stage of her plan came to fruition.
"Aye aye, cap'n," they nodded. Their duty fulfilled, the two men turned to leave with Elizabeth in tow.
"Wait."
The pirates froze and turned their heads slowly towards Blackbeard.
"You don't think I'd let a thief walk amongst my crew, do you?"
"Er," Pintel pipped up, "No captain. As ye can see, we took care of him."
"Preemptive-like," Ragetti nodded.
"You think that's enough?"
The two men looked at each other in silence. "…No?" Ragetti squeaked confusedly.
"No, indeed. Tie him to the mast as an example. Deny him food and water. We'll execute him at port, if he's not already dead."
Elizabeth fought the urge to lift her head and eye her captor.
"Captain!" Pintel lurched forward, "he's just a boy!"
"I'm sorry," the captain turned his head, "for a second there I thought I heard treason."
Pintel and Ragetti were left mouths agape.
"Tie. Him. Up."