AN: Woot! Longest chapter yet! Of couse, this is in exchange for no updates for about a week...

And finally, some action is starting to happen! No more dull chapters from here on out!

And as always, enjoy.

Two days had past since we came to Port Royal, both of which I spent most of my time in my room, avoiding the pirates that now ransacked the residence. It wasn't like I was allowed many other places, something Barbossa had made very clear. He did not want me noticed by anyone from the outside, in case they attempted a rescue of me. The less attention the Turner mansion received, the better.

Pintel and Ragetti had adopted to their new identities quickly: Gregory and Frances Pecking, two brothers who were uncles of Elizabeth, once removed. As of late, no one seemed to be aware of what had happened to Elizabeth; as far as the town was concerned, she had just up and disappeared. Of course, this was also the same governor's daughter who ran off with pirates and 'married' William Turner, who had yet to be seen. Then again, both pirates had been haunting the taverns and pubs in town, places they were, for obvious reasons, more comfortable. Seeing as Elizabeth was still considered high society, these places were not the best sources of information.

Which left Barbossa in a nasty mood. No news of Elizabeth, no information on the map and key, no nothing for the past two days had taken its toll on his character, and he was usually seen storming around the hallways, drunken and threatening anyone who dared get in his way with a sword.

Obviously, it was much safer in my room.

Unfortunately, I also had to eat meals, which meant I had to periodically descend into the kitchen and retrieve some food. On the third day, my trip happened to coincide with Barbossa's questioning of the two men over dinner.

Trying to be inconspicuous, I ducked into the room and began shuffling among the sacks and barrels. Barbossa had picked up and apple, and was now pacing the floor near Pintel and Ragetti, looking venomous.

"Three days you have been asking about Mrs. Turner! How can you not have any information?!"

Ragetti slumped in his chair like a scared puppy, fidgeting with his fingers. "She just seems to have disappeared. No one knows what happened to her. The house help up and vanished as well."

"That's because you dimwits haven't inquired of the right type of people!" Barbossa slammed his fists on the table, ratting the dishes on it. "This is Elizabeth we are trying to find, the same little harlot that about got us all killed with the Aztec Treasure! If you think she is going to spend her time in taverns socializing with drunkards, you are gravely mistaken!" The two men glanced at each other frightfully. "Surely you have heard something."

"Well," said Pintel, "some blokes were talkin' about some mask-er-ade, what ever that might be…some big high-tee-doo up at the governor's mansion…"

"I don't care about a ball," hissed Barbossa, "I want--wait, did you say at the governor's mansion?" Pintel nodded vigorously, and Barbossa smiled, showing his rotting teeth. "Well, you two have proved to be useful after all. Miss Delaney."

I froze at my name, wincing inside. Whatever Barbossa had planned for me could not possibly be good. "Yes?"

"Do you like parties?"

I turned around slowly, understanding dawning upon me. "After all these lectures on how I can't be seen in public, and you want me to go to a ball? Can't you make up your mind?"

"Ah, but," he paused to take a bit out of his apple, "this is a masquerade. No one will know its you, because you have a mask on."

"And what good will this do?"

"High society is not as perfect as it may seem, something I'm sure you can agree with. No doubt there will be gossip flying about Mrs. William Turner and her mysterious departure."

I came up to the table and began to drum my fingers. "You want me to go to this ball to get information on Elizabeth?"

"It's that, or your life, Miss Delaney. You're a smart girl."

Finally, after two weeks or more of traveling on the Pearl, Ella was able to see the distant shore of Port Royal.

Ever since Richard had come, the voyage had become a complete heaven. Now, at last, they could talk, be with each other, hold each other, just what she had always dreamed of. And now, they were going to rescue Finn. Nothing could possibly dampen Ella's mood.

"So, your glorious plan now goes into effect, Captain," stated Ella, coming up beside Jack, who was, at the moment, spying thru his eye glass.

"You know, I think it was a stroke of good luck that Richard was the one we rescued. You have been much more agreeable ever since he arrived."

Ella hide a smile that was creeping onto her face. "You haven't answered my question."

"I wasn't aware it was a question, luv. But yes, this is where the glorious plan takes effect."

"And what exactly is it?"

Jack tapped his fingers against the spyglass before collapsing it and sticking it in a coat pocket. "We go into Port Royal, secretly of course, don't want to be caught, and locate the position of Barbossa, who I believe to already be here. Then, I go to said place, rescue dear Finn, retrieve the map and key, drop you two lasses and Richard off, and sail on to find my Fountain of Youth."

"Wait, we aren't coming with you?"

"Why should you? Three extra persons can be quite an inconvenience on a quest of this scale, especially if those three persons could honestly care less about said quest. No, it would much more tactful to leave you at Port Royal." With that said, Jack walked off, leaving Ella excited and relieved. So the three of them would be able to walk away from this unharmed. Finn and she could finally lead normal lives together, without the intrusion of criminals. It was too good to be true; yet, it was. At least, it certainly appeared that way.

Jack had originally planned to dock in the cove he had hidden the sloop in, but when seeing the Flying Fortune there instead, they went about two miles further, leaving Jack in a bittersweet mood, seeing as they now had to chop there way thru three miles of jungle, but with the knowledge that Barbossa was indeed here.

Ella couldn't imagine where they would stay in Port Royal. Jack Sparrow was, after all, a wanted criminal. But apparently even the likes of him had a few friends in such a place, and Jack, Richard, Gibbs, Cotton, a one legged man named Mason, and herself were boarded in a dingy inn, out of the eyes of the fort and soldiers. The next day, they went out to investigate.

The first day provided no information on Barbossa's whereabouts; however, Ella did recognize the two men Pintel and Ragetti, who were parading around in ridiculously fancy outfits, asking of an Elizabeth Turner. This news was relayed to Jack, whom they had all deemed too recognizable to be seen in public, and therefore, remained in the inn.

"Hmm, so Mrs. Turner is gone?" mused Jack thoughtfully.

"We already knew that," explained Ella. "Richard met her with the Commodore, and she's still with him now. Well, she is with a Captain Dawson, but…"

"Dawson? Never heard of him. Must not be too important. So if Mrs. Turner is with them, then it can be assumed that her mansion is empty?"

"What about the house help?" asked Gibbs. "Elizabeth would have had maids and butlers and such. They wouldn't just up and vanish."

"Good point. Though, I do wonder, why is Barbossa so concerned with finding Elizabeth? He would of gotten the map and key from Finn by now. I would of expected them to be gone, and met them on the sea."

The six of them sat in silence, turning the thought in their heads. "Finn wouldn't just give up the map and key unless she knew she was safe," said Ella after a moment. "She knows that Barbossa is dangerous, and she not stupid. What I don't really understand is why they even came to Port Royal in the first place."

The five men looked at her like she had sprouted a tail. "What kind of question is that? To get the map and key, of course," answered Jack.

"Yes, but Finn always had it with her before, usually on a chain. She never really remembered to take off jewelry before she went to bed, so she slept with it on a lot. I can't imagine it would have changed much now."

Jack stared at her, shock and anger mixing in his expression. "You mean to say, Finn had the map and key the all the while she was traveling with me? And I could have taken it whenever I wanted?"

"Well…yes."

He cracked into a grin and whipped out his compass. "Now that certainly explains a lot! It was pointing toward the map and key the whole time!"

All he received were five blank stares, causing his to quickly stuff the compass back into his pocket. "Very well, so it is determined that Finn still has the items. So, it can only be assumed that she must have used something else to own the items, most likely Mrs. Turner, seeing as she conveniently gone. Which means Barbossa will be staying here until news reaches his own crusty ears of where Elizabeth's whereabouts are."

The five other nodded there heads hesitantly, not quite understanding the explanation, but knowing better than to say as such. "Now all that's left is how to find dear Finn. Did you happen to hear what Pintel and Ragetti were asking about? Any hints to where they might be staked out?"

Richard picked at a loose thread in his shirt. "Nothing about where they lived, though the man they were talking to was talking about some masquerade the governor was hosting for Port Royal. Apparently the whole town is invited, rich or poor. They didn't seem terribly interested in it though."

Jack laid back in the chair he was sitting in and tilted the hat over his head, staying in the motionless position well over ten minutes, leaving the remaining people to fidget awkwardly. Finally, he sat up and looked them over for a moment. "I think that I will go to this masquerade. Excellent place for information. People will have noticed odd things in a town like this. And chances are, there will be superb rum, something I have been in dire lack of. Was there a date to said ball?"

"Three days from now," mumbled Richard.

Gibbs looked utterly aghast. "Captain, you can't just go waltzing into a public place! You're a wanted man!"

"My dear Mr. Gibbs, I am touched by your concern, however, you are forgetting that you are speaking to Captain Jack Sparrow. And besides, I will be wearing a mask. It is after all, a masquerade. Now, who would like to join me in the bar for a brotherly round of drinks?"

Gibbs, Cotton, and Mason all rose happily, following Jack out the door. When realizing that Richard and Ella had stayed behind, he turned back and peeked in. "Now, you two don't be too loud or anything like that. The walls are thin, and we will only be on the other side of it."

Ella blushed a cherry red color, and threw a vase at him, which he expertly ducked, chuckling peevishly. "I cannot believe…" she growled.

Richard took her shoulders and made her sit down, wary of the coming storm, but not before throwing a disapproving look at the Captain as he disappeared. "Ella, darling, ignore him."

She looked at Richard and her fury disappeared instantly. Sighing, Ella snuggled up into a ball and leaned into his chest. "I do hope Finn is okay, and that Jack's plan works out."

Richard nodded. "Yes, I do to. I can't say I entirely trust him. He's so…quiet about what he does."

"What?"

"Well, no, he's quiet about what he is thinking. I never know why he is doing something. For example, going to this ball."

"It sounds an awful lot like something Jack would do, from the stories Gibbs has told me."

"I wonder just how many of those stories are true. It seems as if Sparrow has woven a legend for himself, and now, he believes it."

Ella chuckled. "He does appear to have a rather inflated ego, though, I think the stories do have some truth to them, like many myths that are told. I always thought that it would be great fun to be in a myth, but now, it's not so exciting. I'm worried about Finn."

"I am too," mumbled Richard in agreement.

"I don't trust Jack either. Honestly, I wish we were the ones rescuing her, getting the information, not him. As you said, he makes plans that no one else knows about, and people get hurt. Look at this last time with Finn! He used her as a bargaining chip!"

Richard silently stroked her hair, humming a tune quietly. "Maybe we ought to go," he finally said. "I really think we should. If we find information on Winnie, we can go rescue her, give the map and key to Jack, then leave. He wouldn't have any part in it, and we would be safe."

Ella sat up and looked at Richard lovingly. "Would you really do that with me?" He nodded and hugged her. "What I wouldn't give to make sure she's safe again," Ella mumbled into his shirt.

"We're going to need costumes."

Ella smiled slyly. "So is Jack. We can offer to buy him his costume, and while we do, get ourselves our own. If the governor is hosting the party for everyone, it shouldn't be too hard to find a decent costume in one of the seamstresses stores."

"So its settled then."

The two smiled before kissing gently. "Yes, it is."

It was the night of the ball, a cloudy, damp evening, where danger almost hung from the air like a chandelier. Danger from what, I wasn't quite sure. Maybe it was the man standing next to me.

I was going to the ball, but accompanied by Barbossa, who had deemed it unsafe for me to wander about alone, asking for information. Of course he thought as much, seeing as it would have been the perfect moment for escape.

We must have been a rather odd looking couple: I was dressed as the North Star, glittering magnificently in my white dress, my dark hair decorated by small diamonds, pearls, and sapphires, and a shining mask that covered my eyes and forehead. Ragetti had said that I looked as stunning as an angel before we left, something I hadn't expected to hear from him.

If I was an angel, then I would have to be the angel of death, because that was exactly who my escort was. Barbossa had opted to dress as a skeleton, an idea I suspected to be related to the cursed Aztec Treasure. He had managed to find a skeleton mask that covered his entire face, and a sinister black cape that trailed behind him like some disease. To only add to the effect, he included a large black hat, and so it was that we entered the ballroom, receiving awed and confused stares. Gritting my teeth, I walked farther into the room. I did not want to be here, even if I did get to dress up and look pretty. I did not want to be a prisoner any longer, even if I was allowed to be off the ship and on dry land. And I really did not want to be with this pirate.

Taking a deep breath, I looked up hesitantly at Barbossa, who nodded slowly. So it began.

Jack had decided to come early, something he was not accustomed to. In fact, he was not accustomed at all to coming to balls, but seeing as he needed as much time as possible to glean information from the people present, he had decided it might serve in his best interests.

It was quickly apparent no one had seen or heard anything unusual, except for the sudden arrival of Elizabeth's "relatives." He had almost given up, but something told him not to leave just yet. After all, there was the rum.

Which now left him brooding slightly, leaning casually against the wall, staring out into the dancing crowd. Ella had suggested that she pick out a costume for him, something he readily agreed to, until she gave it to him.

He was sure it had been meant to mock him: it was a jester outfit, complete with the belled hat and checked vest. It was that costume he had almost worn to the ball, until a stroke of genius hit him, and he changed costumes last minute.

Now, instead of a clown, he was dressed as the knave of hearts, inspired mostly after the last insult Finn had thrown had him. It was an excellent disguise; simple yet secretive, and not too noticeable in the crowd of colors. Unfortunately, he had to give up a few things to disguise himself (too many people were familiar with him here), such as the braided goatee he favored, but it was something that could be grown back. Gibbs had insisted that he cut off his dreadlocks, but in a fluke of good luck, he had found a white wig that would be able to hide his hair.

Bored with the lack of action, Jack strutted to the door, eyeing the prettier ladies that crossed his path. There was a lovely looking 'flower' that caught his eye, and he was seriously considering asking her to dance, or more, just to pass the time, until she caught his eye.

Well, it wasn't the lady that had caught his eye, but who she was with, actually. Dressed in white and looking like an angel, it was odd that the man next to her was her escort, for he was robed in all black. It was as if day and night had walked in hand in hand.

Or more precisely, life and death, seeing as the man was a skeleton. Frowning, Jack moved closer for a better view. The man was tall, very tall, just like Barbossa. And the lady's hair was the same rich, dark chocolate color that Finn had. In fact, the lady looked awful lot like Finn…

Grinning Jack smoothed out his jacket and meandered to where they were standing, stopping a few feet away. If he suspected correctly, rescuing Finn might be easier than planned.

Ella held Richard's had tightly, watching the wave of color that was washing over her. It was a glorious party, to be sure, but now was not the time to stand in amazement. Now was the time to find Finn.

"Don't worry, my love," crooned Richard. "We will find Finn, don't you worry. The party is just getting started. It is going to take an hour or too before tongues are loosened. Why don't we just enjoy ourselves?"

Ella sighed and looked at Richard's masked face. They had dressed up as the sun and the moon, she being the golden sun. Her dress was a deep, gold color that shimmered whenever she moved. A small tiara adorned her hair that glittered wistfully. Richard had commented she looked absolutely divine.

There's not much one can say to a compliment like that, and she had been silently suffering, worrying about Finn. Looking up, she saw Richard motioning toward the dance that was beginning. Ella sighed in defeated, and she graciously took Richard's hand and let him lead her out onto the dance floor. While she danced she tried to look for Jack's clown outfit, but to no avail. Had he changed his mind? Or had he not shown up yet? Instead, she saw a lady in a beautiful white dress, but paid no mind to her. Sighing softly, Ella faced back to Richard, smiling hesitantly. At least she could enjoy her time with him.

"This event seems to be rather popular," grumbled Captain Dawson as he walked into the governor's ballroom dressed as King Midas. He was with the Commodore, who had a mask of a hawk on.

"Hence the reason we are here," answered Belmont haughtily. "I am sure that Miss Winifred Delaney would not pass up an event like this, even if she is a prisoner."

It was a stroke of good luck that Commodore Belmont had acquired information on Winifred, or Jack Sparrow, actually. They had been returning to Port Royal, as planned, when they ran into a small merchant ship. The captain had said he had witnessed, at a distance, an exchange between Barbossa and Sparrow, where Sparrow had regained the Black Pearl. This captain now said that the Pearl was heading toward Port Royal not two days ahead of them.

Now, Belmont remembered the hesitancy at which Elizabeth would reveal Winifred's kidnapper, and he still had yet to know for sure, but he knew for a fact that it had to be someone she knew, and was close to. Her relationship with Jack Sparrow had been widely gossiped about on the streets, and so it could be assumed that Sparrow had taken Winifred, though he had yet to find out how. But now that they were at Port Royal, they would of course be looking for Mrs. Turner (he assumed), who was obviously not available. They would need information, and social gatherings like this were always the best place to find that information.

Dawson had insisted on coming along, not something Belmont was pleased with, but could do nothing to stop. He couldn't imagine why the pirate would want to come, until he saw him eyeing a group of ladies who were passing in front of them. "We don't have time to associate," warned the Commodore softly. "We are looking for Miss Delaney." Dawson glared at him but said nothing.

Looking out into the crowd, Belmont watched people as they talked, flirted, danced, and ate. There was no one who stood out particularly. The governor was obvious, dressed up as Jupiter, and a rather silly one at that, seeing as his pudgy body would never be associated with the Roman gods. There were a number of lovely ladies, a few dressed up as flowers, one as the sun, one as a fairy, and another as a star, but nothing more. Clenching his fists slightly, Belmont delved deeper into the crowd. Maybe it would be harder to find Winifred than he thought.

Scanning the room, I saw no one I was familiar with. This was going to make things much harder.

"I'm not exactly clear on what you want me to be asking," I muttered at Barbossa as he led me, rather forcefully, toward the dance floor.

"I don't want you asking anything," he corrected. "I want you listening."

"That isn't going to get me very far. It's probably been awhile since Elizabeth has left. People don't gossip that long."

Barbossa spun me around suddenly as the dance began and leaned down toward my ear. "Pray that they do." Smiling wickedly, he spun me around again, and as I danced, chills went up and down my spine. That had been a threat, no doubt, and it was scaring me. Just what would Barbossa do to me? So far, he had been…decent enough, for a captor. But how far over the line would he let me step? How much longer was I safe?

I glanced sideways periodically, watching for someone I might know, for they were my only chance. Chance of what? I wasn't sure. Escape, maybe? In my mind, though, I knew it was going to take a lot more than a few ladies to rescue me from this pirate. I needed a savior.

The dance ended, and Barbossa led us off the floor and stopped, waiting for me to do something, probably go talk to someone. He was tapping his foot now. "Well?" he muttered.

"I'm looking," I answered softly, a slight tremor in my voice, though I tried to make it sound nonchalant. "It's a bit more difficult that it may seem, seeing as everyone has masks on." Barbossa grunted in annoyance, but seemed to accept the explanation.

I went to the wall, with Barbossa trailing behind, as another dance began. There was a group of ladies, dressed as the Greek Muses it seemed; probably the Roderick sisters, seeing as the family had seven of them. However, I was never very friendly with them, and showed no sign of recognition. There was a pony and flowers that walked past, none who I knew, and a couple, the moon and sun, but I paid them no mind. I sat down in a chair, motioning for Barbossa to do the same.

"I suggest you hurry up," he growled.

"Be patient. These parties usually go on for half the night, normally longer. Give it an hour or two, and people will start talking."

Hopefully.

"I don't know if you've realized this yet, Miss Delaney, but I don't particularly enjoy social gatherings like this."

"What, you afraid of being arrested? It's a good thing you have a mask then," I countered sharply. Probably not the wisest move on my part, but the comment had been begging to be said.

Indeed, Barbossa looked about ready to kill me, and might have, except a man intervened between us. He was taller than me, and had on a ridiculously large white wig and a white mask this hearts on the sides. In fact, he looked quite a bit like the Jack of Hearts. Smiling, he bowed gracefully and took my hand in his. "M'lady, may I have this dance?"

A new song was playing, a slow waltz; I hadn't noticed the change. Blushing furiously at the sudden attention, I smiled courteously, if not shyly, and stood up, following him to the floor.

The man wrap his arm tightly around my waist, as if he were afraid of loosing me, causing our faces to only be six inches apart. Taking my hand up, he led me smoothly and elegantly as the music continued. "Do I have the pleasure of knowing your name?" he asked quietly after a moment. The voice sounded falsely low, but I didn't pay any mind to it.

"Winifred Delaney," I answered. "Yours?"

He smiled, and there seemed to be a familiar gleam to his eyes as he did. Leaning down to my ear, he whispered, "It's a secret," making my skin tingle as his breath caressed me.

"And why is that?" I challenged faintly.

The music had stopped, and he was leading me away to the outside. "No reason," he answered. "I just like keeping them."

The voice was bugging me. I had a feeling that I knew it from somewhere, and the smile…it was driving me nuts. Looking behind me, I saw Barbossa watching us intently. "Let's not go out," I insisted, taking his arm.

"Why not?"

I glanced back at Barbossa. "My…escort would be worried, I believe."

The man turned to face the pirate as well. "Who is he?"

"He's…a man." He raised an eyebrow in amusement.

"I'm a man too. What is his name?" The man had taken my shoulders and was forcefully heading us toward the outside door. I couldn't do much in protest.

Instead of answering, I was silent, trying to weigh the pros and cons of telling the truth. So far, I had come up with many cons, such as the man wouldn't believe me, or Barbossa would be very angry.

"Well?"

We were outside now, and he was taking me toward the garden, dark and mysterious. I turned my head around quickly, trying to gain sense of where I was and who was around. No one was around.

"I can't really say…" I said meekly, adjusting myself so I could face him. Behind me was a large tree. I was trapped, and I couldn't concentrate from how nervous I was. This was not a situation I wanted to be in.

"Ah, I see," he murmured. "A criminal, then?" Laughing softly, he leaned down so our faces were only an inch away, bringing his hand up to stroke my cheek faintly. "Or perhaps, a pirate?"

I couldn't move. My feet were securely frozen to the spot. I couldn't think. The situation was horribly familiar, but I just couldn't remember. He brought his mouth to my ear and whispered huskily, "Pirates are dangerous, luv. Very dangerous."

Luv. I knew that name, that ridiculous pet name.

Jack Sparrow.

"You!" I gasped, trying to push away, but having little luck. "Get away from me!"

He only smiled and fastened me securely to his chest, limiting my movements significantly. Our faces were still only about an inch away, and his breath was fogging my ability to think clearly.

"Now, now, luv. Stop struggling; you don't really mean that."

I stopped, and looked up at him. His eyes were hard to read in the darkness, and it was a little unnerving. Leaning down closer, so our noses were brushing slightly, he muttered faintly, "You'd rather be with me than Barbossa and you know it."

Barbossa. That was right, I was with Barbossa now.

Collecting my thoughts, I hissed, "And who's fault is that?"

Jack, who had been stroking my arms, stopped, staring down at me warily. "You sold me to Barbossa," I continued, a dangerous air to my tone. "You sold me for some stupid hunk of wood, that can't even think, breathe, or live." It was taking all of my self-control to not scream at him, and I could hear a tremor in my voice despite of it. Jack was looking desperately worried…no, not worried, something else I couldn't quite put my finger on. But it didn't matter to me.

Placing my hands on his chest, I pushed back forcefully, trying to make him let me free. "Get your dirty mitts off of me," I snarled. "Let me go."

Jack raised his finger in the air, mimicking someone deep in thought. "Sorry, sweetheart. I'm afraid that isn't an option."

I could feel my heart begin to race at the statement. What exactly did Jack have planned? What was going to happen to me? Smiling puckishly, he firmly took my arm and started leading me toward the back gate hurriedly.

This was the last straw. I had been used over and over again for other peoples' gain, and I was absolutely sick of it. Biting my lip defiantly, I stuck out my foot, tripping Jack, and sending both of us rolling onto the grass.

I scrambled up as fast as I could and blitzed it toward the mansion, hearing Jack swear profusely at his bad luck while trying to locate me in the dark. When I reached the veranda, I spared a quick glance backward, where Sparrow and I locked eyes. I could feel myself becoming light-headed at the intensity of his stare, those deep, dark brown eyes.

"Finn," he hissed, "come back with me. I can get you away from here, away from Barbossa. You'll be safe, luv. I promise."

Safe. All I really wanted right now was to be safe. He seemed to sense my faltering, because he continued.

"Ella is with us, you two can be together again. I'll keep you safe, Finn. Just come with me this time."

He was closer now, maybe ten feet away. "I went with you once, and became a bartering chip," I whispered. "What importance will I serve this time? The map? You're no better than Barbossa." This seemed to have hit a tender spot with Jack, for he stopped in his tracks, emotionless, unspeaking. "That's all I've been for the last few months, someone's tool. I'm sick of being used. I hate it." The hurt was creeping out, and I gulped to try and hide it. "Leave me alone, let me go away. I never want to see you again."

Jack, for once in his life, seemed utterly dumbstruck. Fighting back my tears, I hurried into the ballroom, and bumped straight into a man that was dressed as Midas.

"Sorry," I mumbled, trying to push my way past him.

"Now, now, my dear," he said, taking my hand firmly. "You seem upset. What's the problem?"

"Nothing," I insisted, pulling away from his grasp. "But thank you for your concern."

"Dawson, what are you doing?" said a man who had come up behind me. He was dressed as a bird, but the voice was extremely familiar.

Looking up in wonderment, I saw the recognizable set jaw of the Commodore. "Belmont?" I asked shyly. "Is that you?"

The man gave no answer, just stared fixedly at me for a time before leaning down closer, with a gleam in his eye that for a moment seemed sinister, but was wiped away in an instant.