Blah…

Beckett paced in his office. His plan was going smoothly so far. Once he recruited the Sparrows- if they were smart enough to sign the letters- then he would be virtually unstoppable. He would seize the Brethren Court and take down piracy for good. His name would be known throughout the world. Children will learn about his fabulous feat. Everything would be perfect in the world. If he could just get rid of the pirates…

Beckett thought out all possible issues through and through. If they don't sign, they will be reduced into putty. At least the little girl was wise enough to sign. If she does not, he will mold her as he would clay. He would use her. He would win.

If they attacked, his armies were much stronger. The navy had the best cannons, ships, and agility. The pirates were too smart for that. Unless…

They had a secret weapon. What if that is what they have been hiding away for. They were gaining power. There would be no way he could defeat something so powerful that pirates were desperately trying to keep it away from him.

OoOoO

Eloise was coaxed out of hiding with food. Elizabeth was the only one who had bothered with girl, perhaps in hopes of gaining her trust. However, when Eloise went back to scrubbing the decks as usual, she seemed cut off from everyone. She did not want to talk to Will, Quentin, or even her own father. Her eyes grew cold, yet always had a dreamy look about them, as if she did not know what was going on around her. She lost her charm as well. She would not smile that toothy smile or walk quite with the same distinction that set her apart. Not only that, but at night, the black cat sightings grew more frequent. She would just sit on the railings staring at the starry sky and the dark sea.

The girl's distance had taken a toll on quite a few crewmembers. Elizabeth was chattier, for she always tried to steer a conversation away from anything that might lead into talking about Eloise. William seemed to lose his temper a lot more and often took it out on Quentin even if there was nothing Quentin had done wrong. Jack was drinking a lot more, but tried to go about business as usual. Barbossa was taking more control of the Pearl now that Jack was out of sorts.

It was also strange for the crewmembers because they did not know where they were going. A few eavesdroppers claimed that they often heard the Captains speaking of a man referred to as Him and a location that lay in ruins. However, when Quentin caught a pirate listening at the door, he immediately told the Captains who were much more careful about keeping their plans disclosed.

OoOoO

It had been a week since the outburst with Jack when a mysterious man appeared on deck. He was unconscious and was just laying there. Everyone dismissed him as a stowaway except Jack and Barbossa who invited him into their cabin for tea.

Finally, Eloise spoke, "I think… I know that man," she said dreamily and her voice was as silky smooth as if she had been talking regularly.

Quentin looked over at her. They were scrubbing the decks together.

"I've see him… in a dream," she knew how crazy she sounded, but was positive that this man had been walking in and out of her mind.

"Philip," Quentin breathed, "I know him personally. His name is Philip… I thought he was dead."

"Tell me everything Quentin," Eloise inched closer to him so as to hear him better, "Tell me about how you know my father and that other man. Tell me how you came to be on Tortuga. Tell me everything."

"Well, it started as soon as I met your father. He wished to take over Queen Anne's Revenge…"

They scrubbed the whole deck by the time he had finished his story of the fountain of youth and how Philip and the mermaid and disappeared.

"Barbossa in the end had become a pirate once more. Jack abandoned angelica on an island. I returned to Tortuga to find it in ruins and you saved me," he finished with a blush.

"So that is why Barbossa has a peg leg," she nodded as if that was the whole point of the story, "But why, if he had already been a Privateer, would he not do it again?"

Quentin shrugged and opened his mouth to speak, but a hunk of wood clanked in between them. They looked up and saw Barbossa standing there, "I think the deck is clean enough."

Bothe children scrambled off of their knees and Quentin took the buckets and rags below deck. Eloise stared into Barbossa's eyes for a moment before stalking off to the galley.

OoOoO

Kewl… kind of slow… but whatevs. It's summer so I can update a lot now, as I have proven to you right now. Anyway enjoy! And tell your friends! Haha, just kidding… unless you really want to…