"How did you manage to find us a ship and a crew so quickly?" asked Mia as her and Jack walked through town towards the docks.
"I know people" said Jack flashing a gold toothed smile, which she returned unintentionally. "An old friend of mine, Joshamee Gibbs, sailed the seas many a time together, he'll always have me back when I need it."
"I see" said Mia, remembering the tales she would hear from Jack about his and Gibbs' adventures. "Will he be coming with us then?
"Of course!" responded Jack like it was obvious. "He'll be my first mate."
"Which ship is it?" Mia asked as they approached the docks and swiftly moved past all the grand ships.
"Look for a ship called Silver Maiden" said Jack. "Now Miss Hart we will be having to commandeer the ship to set sail on this little adventure of yours" he said pausing to look at her "so just do as I say and there will be no problems, savvy?"
Mia had to hold back a smile. Jack used to say it to her as a child. "Yes."
"Gibbs!" Jack called out as he and Mia approached a short, rounded man with grey hair pushed back and a beard to match.
"Jack!" he called back.
"Where be our ship Master Gibbs?"
"It would be just this way captain" he answered gesturing to his left, then noticing Mia. "Jack you know it's bad luck to have a woman aboard" looking at Mia again nervously.
Jack rolled his eyes. "Now Gibbs I'll be having none of that on board my ship" he said looking Gibbs sternly.
"Right captain, Sorry."
"But whilst we are all here, Gibbs let me introduce you to Joan Hart" said Jack. Gibbs shook Mia's hand nervously. "So, shall we make our way to the Maiden, aye?"
"Right this way captain!" said Gibbs leading the way as Jack and Mia followed. "No need to plan a commandeering sir, it's already been taken care of."
"How is that?" asked Jack, looking bemused.
"After I gathered the crew together to take the ship, we outnumbered them, no problem at all really" said Gibbs sounding pleased with himself.
"Splendid!" cried Jack happily as they came up to a dingy looking ship with dark grey sails which were probably once white and dark, almost black wood, there was nothing particularly special about the ship.
Gibbs, Jack and Mia made their way across the gangplank and stepped on to the deck of the ship.
"Cotton! Marty!" cried Jack, seeing his old crewmembers. "It'll just be like old times!" he said smiling.
Nervousness suddenly struck Mia, A ship full of pirates? She thought scanning her eyes over Jack's crew. Dirty clothes and dirty faces, she was beginning to have second thoughts about this, but she quickly came to a conclusion, she had to do this for her Mother, besides Jack would be on board the entire time, she was certain he wouldn't let anything happen to her.
"Gibbs!" Jack called out.
"Yes captain" he replied.
"How stocked is the ship on food, water and most importantly, the rum?" asked Jack.
"About half full sir" replied Gibbs.
"We will be needing a fully stocked ship Master Gibbs" said Jack.
"Why captain, how far are we going?" asked the sailor looking puzzled.
"All shall be revealed in good time" said Jack. "Gibbs you and the crew have until sunset that is when we set sail, stock all of the ship in that time, and make use of any unused areas" he finished gesturing around the ship as the crew scurried about. "Miss Hart" Jack called.
Mia looked up upon hearing the name. "Make yourself comfortable up on deck for the time being" he said "I will have a wander around the ship and find suitable sleeping quarters for you, and also if you would do me the honour of joining me for dinner in the captains quarters this evening?"
"Oh" said Mia slightly taken aback, "Of course, that would be lovely" she said uneasily.
"Wonderful!" exclaimed Jack. "Now please make yourself at home."
Mia sat in her quarters listening to the clashing of the waves against the wood of the ship. They had set sail within the last hour and Mia had chosen to stay in her quarters until it was time for dinner with Jack. The room was quite small, not that she needed much space. A bed tucked in on one side and a small wooden stool placed next to it with a candle lit lantern hung on the wall for light. She started to wonder where they were going, the treasure could be anywhere for all she knew, it could be back in Calvari or even all the way in England where her mother had come from, her thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door. "Come in" she called.
Gibbs popped his head in the room. "The captain is ready for you Miss Joan."
"Thank you" she replied. "Tell Mr Sparrow I'll be right there." Gibbs nodded and closed the door. Mia took a deep breath, looking down making sure we she was presentable. She wore an ankle length dark brown skirt, an off white shirt tucked in with a dark red woollen wrap around her shoulders and brown boots. After wearing the same outfit for three days she needed a change of clothes and this was all she was able to find on the ship. After a self-inspection she left her cabin and made her way towards the captains quarters. She knocked on the door.
"Enter" called a voice. Mia opened the door.
"Ah Joan!" called Jack standing to greet her and then proceeding to pull out a chair for her to sit down in. "Come sit!" he said gesturing to the chair.
Mia went to sit down with some hesitance, she begun to wonder why Jack asked her to dine with him this evening.
"I don't feel like we have had that much of a chance to get to know each other, wouldn't you say?" begun Jack.
"I suppose so" replied Mia.
"In light of our adventure we are enduring upon, I thought it would be appropriate for us to get to know one another and a little bit better, aye?" asked Jack.
"I guess you are right" she said.
"You look nervous luv, I promise I won't hurt ya" said Jack, "the crew as well."
She relaxed a little bit as Jack said this. She begun eyeing up the food, chicken, vegetable and fruit, she then realised how hungry she was.
"Tuck in luv, you must be starving!" said Jack taking a swig of rum.
Mia helped herself to meat, potatoes, peas and carrots, stuffing them down her throat like it were her last meal.
"Slow down there luv" said Jack chuckling.
Mia slowed down the pace she was consuming the food and looked to Jack who was already looking at her. "Tell me, how did you come to knowing Lucy?"
Mia was taken aback with the question. She would need to think of an answer fast. "I knew her at Port Calvari."
"Calvari eh?" Jack said pausing to look into space. "Nice place there" he said thoughtfully pausing again. "So what brought you to Tortuga?"
"The Royal Navy found out about her association with piracy" Mia said sadly. "So she was forced to flee the island."
"Flee?" said Jack sounding shocked.
"Yes, she had become friends with a pirate called Robin Griffin" Mia continued. "So she had to leave. He has fallen hopelessly in love with her."
"Is that so" said Jack with a tinge of anger in his voice and taking yet another swig of rum.
"Yes" said Mia noticing the anger in Jack's words. "He found out she was in Tortuga and came asking for her Grandfather's treasure but she wouldn't give up the bearings, so he took her" Mia's voice now only a whisper.
After a long pause Jack spoke up. "What about Mia?" he said solemnly
Mia looked straight up at Jack into his eyes. "What did you say?"
"What about Mia?" Jack asked again. "Lucy's daughter".
Mia took a moment to think. "She's in Tortuga" she said finally. "Lucy felt it would be safe if she stayed there."
"I see" said Jack. "Well in order to save your friend Lucy, we must get to the treasure first before Mr Griffin does."
"I've been meaning to ask where we need to go?" she asked curiously.
"London!"