Maid's Logbook: Very Much Alike, Part 2

by lindam2254

After the dealings with Jack Sparrow, Miranda never believed to be drawn back into the dangerous world of piracy again. Until the arrival of some men subvert her life in more ways than one and she soon finds herself from a new adventure. As if her broken heart hadn't proven grave enough ordeal to handle, not but a year later everything familiar proving to be completely untrue. DMC

10. Entries 9 And 10

Entries 9 And 10

"Swiftly now boy! Finish up with the scuttlebutts or batten down the hatches when Cap'n comes out of his cabin, and ye'll be sent up for dressing down duty for lollin' 'bout."

I hold back a tired glare efter succeedin' in wrenchin' yet another heavy barrel upright, ignorin' th' numbness o' me arms as habitually punctured its side wi' a drill 'n' blocked th' formed hole wi' a wooden plug afore too much precious drinkin' water leaked ontae th' deck. Th' Cornucopia's Quartermaster 'n' Helmsman Mateo noddin' in satisfaction 'n' unfoldin' his thick arms as I keeked up at 'im, causin' 'im to smirk at me due to th' irritation tinted defiance that was displayed oan me face during that short moment o' indifference. I'd been glaikit enough to remove me hat while up at the crow's nest previously that mornin' (one o' those rare moments I didn't have to keep up me guard constantly in fear o' revealin' me true gender to th' rest o' th' crew), so suffferin' from a slight sunstroke 'n' too sleep deprivated oan top o' th' fact that I was worked lik' a dug (for me to prove me worth), I didn't care for keepin' me heid doon that moment 'n' actually wanted to express me indignitation. Tappin' th' barrel remarkably wance finished.

"Aye aye, sir."

"That's all and well your cheekiness when I'm around", Mateo stated wi' a wide smile, his face however then turnin' serious as he jabbed his stump thumb toward th' cabin behind Captain McConaughey had remained shut in for hours while inspectin'th' earnings o' th' previous tradin' port we'd departed at sunrise efter spendin' a night anchored. Mateo facin' me again 'n' wavin' his forefinger at me. "But Cap'n isn't such a lenient sod as I am boy, and won't see this type of attitude amusing. He'll put ye over that very same barrel as easily as you'd be on his knee lambasted."

I tried to hold back a blush due to th' sound o' th' sailor's words which were rather embarrassin' when I thought aboot 'em too much from me perspective, even I kenned what he meant in reality. As he lived under a belief that I was a young lad instead o' a woman, for this very reason he 'n' th' rest o' th' men aboard not being at all cautious wi' their at times very ribald quips 'n' behavior while aroond me. So as I gradually but certainly by th' time o' oor third week at sea had become to be treated as one o' 'em, it proved me to have managed to keep me secret weel enough for 'im nae to notice me actual gender (taken intae consideration that lately he seemed to have been keepin' even mair watchful eye oan me due to th' direct order o' th' Captain). This very instance th' Helmsman leanin' doon to wink his droopy eye at me, puttin' a firm haun oan me (as I'd been told so many times) flimsy shoulder that "was lik' a woman's"…At th' time two weeks ago that comment causin' me squirm inwardly, spookin' me.

"As wouldn't it be better to leave such tricks for yer gal in the sack, Ruthford?" he asked, chucklin'. Me makin' an uncomfortable nod but tried to appear eagerly compliant wi' a wide simper.

"Aye, sir."

"Look, the boy admits it!" Mateo exclaimed wi' a coarse guffaw, slappin' me oan th' back so hard that this time unprepared for his superior force o' a male I crashed against th' barrel, me holdin' back a painful wince as Mateo then waved at one o' oor fellow sailors. "Oy, Seaman, ye heard that? The boy has some game back at home, and not only in dice, but with real skirts!"

"That puny son of a gun, ye be talkin' of?" Seaman, as he was called by th' crew as no one aboard seemed to ken his true name, replied incredulously. Th' scar faced man keekin' me thro' wance afore shook his heid in denial. "With a pretty mug like that he be too comely for a sensible girl I tell ye, too cuddly. No lass would want to be a squeeze of such a pansy."

"Well, they go well together then!" Mateo stroke down Seaman's comment that wasn't o' ill intent, th' Helmsman's eyes narrowin' as he faced me neist. "If the two look alike then it shouldn't be too hard to decide who's the pushover and who's the pushunder…No need for the girl to look elsewhere to find her greater, or should I say identical self. As long as there be somethin' else firm to arouse 'er interest."

Lord, their tongues truly were licentious at times…Which was why I did me best to ignore th' roarin' laughter that erupted aroond me then wi' heated cheeks, concentratin' back to me work lik' a coy boy would while earned one mair benevolent pat oan me back.

"The squirt's far too inept downstairs to prove comparative to us, lads!" Waldemar, th' Artillerist o' th' vessel, remarked joyously while oilin' th' joints o' a cannon he'd been maintainin' (me sighin' but gettin' also amused by his comment, as if he only kenned how right he was by sayin' that), 'im glancin' at me contemplatively. "Wonder be the girl satisfied enough not to notice?"

"That the lad's downright fledgling? Damn yer rum gulping devils to hell for wondering, it's clear as this day upon us that Ruthford's not ready to take up ladyloves in talks of men", Topsman Larry interjected, poppin' ontae th' deck from th' riggin' juist oan me right, me liftin' me brows at his sarcasm but remained silent. It wouldn't serve me much to tak' part in a conversation I kenned nothin' aboot. I hadn't exactly "friendly pressed any gals intae me service" lik' 'em, and it was but true that I had nothin' to go oan in th' aspect these men were tantalizin' me aboot. Me willingly choosin' to keep me heid doon again in this matter 'n' allowed 'em to tease me as much as they wanted, lik' so many times afore that it was close to mundane occurrence to me, so much so that th' followin' statements concernin' me nonexistent abilities to acquire true apple for me eye (which painfully stroke wey too close to th' nerve) were left oot o' me attention as long as th' door o' th' Captain's cabin opened wi' a loud bam. Oor skipper practically prancin' oan deck, keekin' lik' a cat who'd juist captured a chubby pigeon, maist contended 'n' cheerful ('n' it didn't pass me awareness that his balance had been notably altered during th' private time spent in his accommodations, me soon learnin' th' reason for his solitary drinkin').

"What this be lads? Grown men bantering a boy for what they lack?" Captain McConaughey's baritone shouted, th' man stridin' forth to where we were. Standin' beside us while threw his baldric o' fine black leather ower his shoulder, which was th' only piece o' his clothin' that indicated to his station o' a well-endowed tradesman, otherwise cloth wi' as worn 'n' soiled claes as his men even he almost ne'er showed 'imself in such neglected 'n' disheveled light while on deck. Noo reekin' lik' a fish left for too long under th' sun, his dirty hair glued to his scalp by sweat that seeped thro' his shirt as much as th' rest o' ours….but it was all 'n' weel, really. I found it his wey o' expressin' to his crew 'im to be juist lik' 'em at grass roots level instead o' that foppish, one step doon from God type o' tyrant, though obviously he was th' only one in full command even during such moments o' steppin' doon from his podium o' a Captain. Me deterrin' a smile for th' thought as chose another barrel from th' line o' unfisnished ones. Five left.

"And whose fault be that, Cap'n? Ye drag our deprivated arses all over the Caribbean and further in return but few pitiful snifters of that accursed mire ye call grog!" th' Steward Rudy responded wi'storm o' laughs from among th' crew, Captain McConaughey poutin' in agreement, scratchin' his bearded cheek before crossed his arms.

"And no women at the horizon but every few miserable weeks spent at the mercy of hunger and tempests!"

"Aye!"

"Aye, that be right!"

"For yer first question I say this; it's utterly the fault of ye buggers for enlisting upon me very service in need of income to waste upon such niceties, that in turn are acquired by grouse free labour during long journeys notified beforehand!" Captain McConaughey replied good-humoredly wi' loud laughter 'imself, then liftin' his hauns as me gaze suddenly got stuck ontae th' joined lockets o'two patron saints, o' St. Anne 'n' Albinus o' Angers that rested upoan his bare chest, as he then smacked his palms together. Leapin' upoan th' barrel I was currently workin' oan, me vaultin' backwards in frightened haste as his knee almost knocked me hat aff me heid, me haun risin' to hold it in place so that me (although obviously tied) locks wouldn't cascade doon to me shoulders, me keekin' up to meet wi' his apologetical eyes 'til his attention was divided amongst th' crew again. Captain McConaughey takin' hold o' th' shroud as his left leg flew up to lean against th' gunwale, th' man spreadin' an arm to th' side as if he was a priest deliverin' a sermon to his congregation.

"But yes gentlemen, I now see the fault of me ways as ye lay them before me... For which I am to compensate instantly, as all due to yer noteworthy courage and loyalty before me mast that has got us here through a ghastly typhoon and waters infested with pirates and privateers alike, all the way to our previous trading post where we surpassed even the canniest expectations in revenue regardless of the losses in cargo suffered in that storm…earning an each blighter of us a several pintful of that undrinkable mire for the rest of the voyage! As for tonight lads, we feast! Splice the Main brace!"

Huge approvin' uproar sounded behind me back as each crewmember released a excited cry oot for oor Captain's unexpected generosity, this announcement indeed sheddin' a light for me earlier observations 'n' explainin' why he'd been in such guid mood wance he'd excited th' cabin. Mateo 'n' Rudy stairtin' a whistlin' contest as th' rest o' th' men were cheerin' for th' expectation o' th' promised upcomin' celebration, all stations abandoned instantly as th' Captain's words sank in in all their merriment 'n' th' crew headed towards th' berth deck to fetch their instruments for tunin' till nightfall, where some hurried straight to th' cargo hold to collect few barrels o' rum. Me followin' th' generated bustle in fact relieved, noo Mateo 'n' th' rest o' th' observin' eyes gone me as weel placin' me tools to deck level 'n' finally stretchin' me strained shoulders 'n' back. Me muscles would be helplessly stuck to'morra if I wouldn't flex 'em properly afore goin' to bed today, experience had taught me that.

"Mateo's flocking ye like a mule, ain't he?"

I smiled, rotatin' me right arm as locked gazes wi' Captain McConaughey who'd flopped doon to sit upoan th' barrel, his leg noo hooked oan top o' th' other as he examined me for a moment. Turnin' towards me 'n' takin' notice o' me mair or less abstracted state o' mind that th' merciless Caribbean sun did nothin' to ease.

"He's taken me order by heart and had ye work exceptionally hard by what I hear…Just a word, and I'll have ye help in the galley, out of his hair."

"Naw. I appreciate yer concern, Captain, but I don't need special treatment. Especially because I'm a woman, I need to prove yer men that I deserve me place aboard this ship 'n' can be o' true use", I responded, Captain McConaughey liftin' his eyebrows at me resolution as he straightened, closin' th' lockets intae his haun as was his habit. As if attemptin' to reach oot to th' saints they embodied, or to th' person who'd endowed 'em to 'im in some time o' his life. That story I hadn't yet heard.

"You've proven yerself plenty, I assure ye. Mateo keeps telling me ye to improve day by day, so by now ye can fool anyone thinking ye're rather hardworking lad… Which is why I'm going to tell Mateo to ease off yer workload, I can't have ye fainting and risking the crew finding out about ye in the hands of the Surgeon", Captain replied afore glanced ower his shoulder, neist leanin' towards me 'n' lowered his voice inaudible to other ears besides mine. "But now that I know yer secret and keep it as one of me own, didn't we agree on first name basis in such relationship o' trust? Edward is me name, Randa. Or Ed if ye favor nicknames like I do. Easier to remember in me line of work where men come and go…"

I sighed, noddin' curtly as adjusted th' hat 'n' pushed it deeper intae me heid (it might've turned intae a paranoid habit ower th' passed weeks, I have to admit). "Aye. Edward."

I did say to have managed to keep me gender under wraps from th' crew…which ye can see isn't efter all th' full truth, as I still don't have th' slightest idea when was it that th' Captain had initially come to put two 'n' two together 'n' eventually figured oot that I hadn't been who I'd told meself to be. I'd guarded me secret gey (very) carefully juist because o' th' frailty o' it, therefore aforehand gettin' rid o' all manner o' telltales that in th' least expressed feminity 'n' could've destroyed me alias along wi' me natural physical traits o' a female body (that would've been 'n' still could become th' maist crucial stumblin' block in me plan upoan discovered by someone, but which for that reason had also been eliminated wi' care 'n' a lot o' old linen). Me repeatedly recountin' th' instructions I'd gotten from Robert, aspirin' to act exactly lik' I'd observed maist men to behave 'n' move, payin' extra caution for me voice by remindin' meself to lower it as much as possible whenever in a situation that required me to speak. But even efter displayin' th' image o' passable masculinity for quite some time efter departin' th' port o' registry (perhaps at times goin'a bit ower th' top in me attempt to gain credibility), maintainin' th' polished disguise devised together wi' Rose that supported me adopted identity as 'er brother, th' documents I'd received to identify me as Robert 'n' which should've surely guaranteed me character hadn't been enough to shield me from suspicions…as somehow, at some time I apparently hadn't been cautious enough, Captain McConaughey had noticed a flaw in me act 'n' made some productive conclusions that were but baneful for me 'n' me desire to remain unnoticed. Leadin' to me exposure.

While daunerin' thro' th' docks oan th' followin' mornin' o' me escape from th' Swann manor me hert had been trobbin' so fast that I'd feared that alone to expose me as an imposter even efter th' few hours o' hastened preparation , me tryin' to stick wi' th' simple design o' th' assumed identity as reheased th' forthcomin' meeting wi' th' Captain o' Cornucopia in me heid during me search for th' correct pier. Th' poundin' in me chest nae lessenin' but only quickenin' wance I'd located th' ship 'n' stridden up th' gangwey oan deck o' th' said merchant vessel, actual fear takin' hold o' me as I behold th' world oan board that was close to utterly foreign to me, th' hectiness 'n' newness o' it close to makin' me turn back there. Me swiftly gettin' ower me uncertainty 'n' replacin' it wi' that same determination that had brought me so far awready that there was no turnin' back, however but barely managin' to control th' nervous fidgetin' o' me hauns efter short moment o' seekin' 'n' stumblin' oot o' th' loadin' sailors' wey afore me gaze had found th' presumed Captain. Th' moment me eyes had hit th' man me actually freezin' oan me spot 'n' comin' to doubt could I pull this scheme aff, wonderin' would me changed appearance fool 'im th' minute I would step up to 'im 'n' introduce meself. In close enough range for his eyes to observe me doon to th' smallest details o' me coupon 'n' in worst case o' scenario detect th' unmistakenly revealin' features o' a fairer sex that men didn't have.

But even he at foremaist glance had seemed to be exactly what Robert had described 'im as, later I'd learned to see another, quite different side o' 'im…Where that much friendlier 'n' less serious (nae to mention notably younger from what I'd pictured) man had remained strictly concealed behind th' impression o' an adamant seafearer his reputation labeled 'im as during that nervewreckin' moment o' prime encounter , indeed comin' across as harsh natured man wi' short black hair 'n' even shorter patience, who barked aroond orders tensely (shockin' change to th' present mind ye). Nae even a trace o' smile oan his lips as he'd peered at th' sailors sharply afore happenin' to find me admittedly rather oot o' place seemin' form among th' working figures wance he'd lifted his eyes from the papers he'd been readin' thro', 'em focusin' oan me.

"Here to enlist, lad?" he'd asked, noddin' his heid in approval to th' sailor who'd come up to 'im wi' his ain contract o' employment previously, th' Captain's voice neist significant as it continued to address me. "Unless ye have a clearance to board me vessel, turn right on yer heels. I have no need for spare members of the crew, nor mere boys wishing to travel to the vast blue for adventures and riches. This is a merchant vessel, not a corsair ship I'm afraid."

"Aye, sir. I've come to report for service", I confirmed, Captain McConaughey turnin' his back to th' Helmsman Mateo 'n' waved me closer. Me sizin' up his one 'n' a half heid taller frame afore keeked up to 'im as courageously as could under his evaluatin', hard goup. Offerin' th' prepared documents as he held oot his palm expectantly.

"Yer name boy?" he'd inquired, foldin' open th' papers 'n' swiftly skimmed 'em thro' 'til his eyes returned intae mine, me lettin' oot a slight breath as ordered me anxious self to settle doon. Reassurin' meself that I could do this, tell that wee lie that would grant me th' permission to board 'n join th' crew, nevertheless fearin' me voice to tremble when I stairted to speak again.

"Robert Ruthford, sir", I'd told 'im, luckily succeedin' in maskin' th' higher pich o' me voice as th' Captain didn't appear to suspect anythin' then, returnin' his irises to th' documents for confirmation.

"Captain, lad", he stressed, me keekin' doon humbly 'n' hidin' under th' brim o' me borrowed hat as he continued. "Have any previous experience in sailing, Mr. Ruthford?"

"None, Cap'n."

"That's alright I suppose. There already are enough men to handle the strenuous tasks...Ye're one of the last to arrive", Captain mused as a response wi' a lift o' his eyebrows, me followin' how his fingers then sloppily refolded th' papers afore handin' 'em back to me. "Welcome aboard Cornucopia, Mr. Ruthford. The accommodations of the crew are located down at the berth deck, ye can take yer belongings there and come back up to report to Mateo who'll present ye with your station... And for future reference, Mateo here is me right hand aboard this vessel and his orders are as good as mine, which ye are to obey readily without any objections. Understood?"

I consented wi' a nod, puttin' th' papers intae me bag as inwardly thanked God for have helped me thro' this foremaist trial in me still yet to come hoax. "Aye, Cap'n."

For a week 'n' a half that followed I'd been bestowed mostly wi' small tasks assigned according to me abilities o' that time (which were almost nonexistent, nae even common sense savin' me from th' trickiest situations Robert had warned me aboot, for which I'd been left wi' th' easiest task o' swabbin' 'n' holystonin' th' deck for days). Me workin' as a cabin boy o' somewhat who performed under th' command o' everyone higher in merit, but mostly Mateo 'n' Captain McConaghey, as previously instructed me movin' up to mair demandin' labor wance at th' end o' oor second week at sea I'd stairted to finally show signs o' improvement in some areas. Nae long efter masterin' th' basic skills o' a sailor to go by wi'oot gettin' meself killed at worst, as weel as at times rather decent talent in dice from those several evenings me crewmates had challenged me to play for me portions o' crog they'd noticed me to pass ower whenever I'd been able.

But regardless o' me progressive success in improvin' as a buddin' sailor, lik' accounted earlier th' foremaist weeks had taken a serious toll oan me 'n' tremendously swayed me previously resolute faith in me ain ability to survive anythin' this journey would bring forth during me search o' William. Th' beginnin' o' th' voyage instantly changin' to a real struggle wi' several misfortunes 'n' setbacks that oan several occasions had made me wonder aboot Robert's hunches...Aboot could I, mere lass wi' no former experience in hard seafare in th' end wade thro' deep water such as this wi'oot remainin' flounderin' in it lik' a fish oan dry land. Added to th' fact that as time went by 'n' nae any valid information aboot William's current location resurfaced during oor short stops at several trading posts across Haiti 'n' Cuba, me makin' stealth inquiries aroond th' town whenever I could sneak awa' from th' ship long enough for no one to notice, keepin' in mind nae to give me real name to any o' th' people I spoke wi' nor to draw any kind o' attention to meself. As I didn't want any word o' me search to possibly reach me uncle's or his assistant's ears (who wi'oot a doubt had been sent to find me, or at least to get oanto me trail sooner or later). But all I'd heard so far aboot William were but rumors 'emselves, 'n' when efter some time o' sailin' ('n' by some miracle survivin' th' typhoon wi'oot serious casualties) th' Cornucopia had stopped by a town rougly but 18 leagues awa' from th' pirate town Tortuga William had mentioned ('n' from where he'd said to primarily try to find Sparrow), I'd managed to find a man who'd seen 'im there aboot two weeks past. Indeed askin' aboot th' said scroundrel 'n' his whereabouts, however wi'oot findin' 'im, 'n' neither did I learn any mair aboot William from th' fisherman or anyone else. Leavin' me wi' practically nothin', despair stairtin' to tak' ower me in many weys when even further discouraged I'd returned back to th' ship. Empty handed again.

But to return to me earlier account aboot th' owerall life aboard th' vessel... although th' shoddy accommodations (nae to mention th' lack o' close to any kind o' privacy), always shiftin' 'n' at times dramatic changes in weather 'n' constant, ne'er endin' tryin' manual labor were close to overwhelm me, I'd decided nae to give up. Wi' gritted teeth workin' till me hauns practically bled, relinquishin' o' all desire o' comfort by leavin' it behind me wance I always forced meself to remember th' reason I'd originally joined this voyage at times o' deepest desperation 'n' failure. Thought o' William 'n' me burnin' desire to find 'im keepin' me goin', givin' me strength to endure, me tenacity provin' worthwhile when me diligence finally stairted to earn me th' crew's as weel as th' Captain's trust bit by bit. Th' austerity they'd showed me thro' extensive work 'n' relentless discipline lessenin' to mair companiable treatment, to what it was noo, which in turn further verified th' impression that no one seemed to have seen thro' me lie shrouded identity. Relievin' me th' longer period o' time I'd spent at sea 'n' I was still regarded as Robert Ruthford, current assistant Cooper o' Cornucopia...

But lik' said, this sense o' trust that had formed atween th' crew also had its doonside, at times lowerin' me guard in a wey that had allowed th' Captain to get a wind o' me pretense. As how else it could've been explained that by some means he'd gotten to th' bottom o' me secret 'n' been sufficiently convinced by th' expected, occasional slips in me act that afore I kenned it I'd revealed meself to 'im. 'N' noo, he was aware o' everythin'. O' who I really was 'n' why I'd infiltrated aboard his vessel in disguise. O'what I'd set oot to do.

It had happened aboot two weeks out at sea, one awfully tedious efternoon when we'd been caught in a halcyon 'n' there hadn't been much to do aboard, Captain McConaughey givin' orders for th' crew to owerhaul th' whole cordage to prevent th' damaged ropes from stairtin' abradin' th' sails, where while aloft I'd been told to memorize each 'n' every line up above, so that by th' neist time I'd be sent up there I'd "ken th' ropes" lik' th' back o' me haun if nae better...which had been much harder than Mateo had previously implied while siccin' me to climb efter th' other men. As for th' foremaist ten to twenty minutes I hadn't been able to do almost anythin', so terrified I'd been. Clutchin' to th' ropes 'n' sailbooms wance I'd somehow climbed to th' top o' th' mizzenmast, earnin' several amused laughters when me behaviour seemed but hilarious to me fellow sailors, me attemptin' to control me nerves that were makin' me redundantly fearful o' th' task at haun afore I'd finally managed to leave th' maist safe place oan th' solid spar.

"Careful, ye won't be wanting to chunder here, laddie!" Larry had screamed from below me, chucklin', me rollin' me eyes at 'im wi'oot however leanin' forth to keek at 'im 'n' riskin' me feet slippin'. "I'm right below ye should ye aim prove excellent."

"Come on lad, ease a bit will ye?" someone exclaimed. "This drop won't kille ye."

Have ye tried then? I wanted to ask, glancin' doon momentarily 'n' instantly feelin' me stomach to churn. Oh no, I would nae throw up. I'd been thro' worse than this, hadn't I?

"Quit being such a girl 'bout it and get hustling! I reduce yer debt to three pintfuls if ye're back down here in an hour without falling!" Mateo added, his voice interruptin' me attempt to recollect a time much mair frightenin' than th' present, me rockin' 100 feet high from a proper footing for me less than reliable legs in this still gey unknown terrain.

Sure I'd drawn from that same perseverance while scalin' up th' rigging, tellin' me that I'd gained enough praxis to manage a routine visit above deck level (as I'd been to th' crow's nest several times afore oan a windy weather, which was located much higher). But that little life experience I had should've told me that things keeked much different from th' opposite point o' view, in this case from th' top o' th' ship as I'd been goupin' back doon to th' faraway deck. Th' freish kind o' horror drainin' me aff all self-confidence in a hertbeat, me bitin' back th' sharp comments that were rollin' at th' tip o' me tongue when th' crewmen's teases 'n' Mateo's mirth filled howl o' a laugh upon seein' me half petrified form stairted to get oan me nerves mair than th' dread I was sufferin' from. In fact eventually helpin' me to snap oot o' me state o' stagnation, th' desire to prove meself above their ridicule causin' me to finally reconnect wi' me rational self, drivin' me to get th' job done.

But regardless o' me rediscovered resolve, th' fact was that I'd rarely been to places that high, 'n' it was a whole lot o' different from a walk oan a cliff. 'N' even though there was no wind or waves hittin' against th' ship's hull that could've caused me to sway 'n' fall to me accidental death, therefore easin' me work tremendously, I was at first but clueless o' what to do. But efter I'd spent a few moments upon spyin' Larry 'n' Seaman I soon got th' basic idea 'n' tried to mimic 'em th' best I could, wi' a result that one long half an hour later I'd finished wi' two sails. Earnin' a highly incredulous but still eventual approvin' nod from Mateo who'd climbed up to check up oan me progress. So somewhat delighted o' me success I'd then straightened me posture, efter Captain had issued a command to return back to th' main deck me carefully risin' to stand upoan th' spar 'n' headed towards th' shroud which woud take me to th' fighting top below me. 'N' grippin' tightly to whatever rope I could find (nae believin' Seaman who as an ol' seadog was practically scurryin' across th' spars lik' that pirate Captain Barbossa's monkey) I managed to balance me wey all th' wey to th' steadier ground. Waldermar flashin' me a toothless grin to compliment me in middle o' windin' a sheet o' rope, me shruggin' in response as turned aroond, aboot to continue me journey doonward.

But afore I kenned it a warnin' was given from above us, but I'd only turned when somethin' fell upoan me, cloudin' me vision 'n' startlin' me when everythin' went black all so suddenly. In a blink o' an eye later me realizin' to have been covered by a sail that had apparently detached from th' main mast 'n' escaped in th' revived breeze from th' hauns o' a sailor who'd been tasked to replace it. Me arms as weel as Waldermar's attemptin' to untackle th' fabric to free me from its folds, but noo blind as a bat I'd accidentally stepped intae th' coil o' rope. For me neist 'n' even greater fright me trippin' ower, nae a sound havin' time to leave me lips as I became weightless, stairtin' to fall, me hauns tryin' to find somethin' to grab oan. Juist passin' th' aidin' sailor's outstretched fingers as me hert stopped beatin' for surprise, th' sail that had wrapped aroond me finally releasin' me 'n'allowin' me to see meself dangerously close in oan th' hard wooden surface that was th' deck in growin' speed. Th' thought o' fallin' finally kickin' in 'n' I closed me eyes in unspeakable terror that in that same moment erupted in me chest, me heid screamin' that I in a few seconds I was as guid as dead...but as th' startled calls o' th' crew sounded in me ears me fall was then abruptly cut short, me eyes openin' in bafflement to peer up to see me leg entangled wi' th' cord 'n' Waldemar who'd narrowly managed to tak' hold o' it wi' Larry, leavin' me hangin' noo halfway from th' deck. Me releasin' a relieved breath as grasped me hat to prevent it from fallin' aff completely, relaxin' efter th' fleetin' moment o' gettin' convinced o' me ain death. Th' fear reducin' to half noo that I was some kind o' safe, me keekin' doon 'n' noticin' Captain McConaughey to dauner below me.

"Ye alright, lad?" he called, peerin' against th' sun. Me wavin' me free haun reassuringly as directed a thankful gaze at th' sailors who'd saved me from th' drop.

"Aye, Cap'n."

I had to say that. Because juist when I'd thought o' survivin' th' incident wi'oot a sctratch, I then felt th' rope to stairt to give in. Me liftin' me heid in scare to witness how wi' a barely audible squeakin' sound th' worn string was aboot to snap, me irises flickerin' up to me rescuers who as weel noo noticed me predicament to be far from ower. Captain McConaughey's voice shoutin' 'em to hoist me back up, me neist jerkin' doonward as th' two men attempted to haul me higher at th' cost o' me lifeline failin' further. 'N' they indeed shouldn't have done that, as in but a second th' rope gave in wance 'n' for all at th' stress o' me weight, this time a real scream leavin' me lips as I commenced me second free fall thro' th' air. Juist waitin' for th' impact me eyes squeezed shut, takin' in a breath to prepare for th' great pain o' me bones shatterin' wance I'd hit th' deck violently.

But th' crash didn't come, 'n' instead I was soon seized by someone midair, me hearin' a chagrined moan 'n' a loud slam as I did fall doon but nae alone. Me landin' intae th' awaitin' arms o' Captain McConaghey who caught me, stumblin' back 'n' eventually trippin' 'imself to th' dropped sail 'n' collapsin' against a group o' barrels that had been forgotten to th' foredeck. Me endin' up gainin' but a light ache oan me knee 'n' elbow where same couldn't be said aboot th' Captain who'd hit his heid oan one o' th' casks, me watchin' 'im to smooth th' back o' his smartin' heid wi' a irritated keek oan his coupon. Apologies however gettin' forgotten for th' moment when I realized me hat to have finally vanished, me noticin' it to have flung half a meter awa' from me. Too far for me to discreetly snatch it...'N' even me hair was covered wi' a scarf it wouldn't have done much guid anymair as I then locked gazes wi' th' Captain, frownin' as his eyes suddenly darted from me coupon to somewhere lower, me followin' his cue 'n' noticin' how th' linen me chest was bound wi' was peekin' under th' collar o' me roomy shirt. Panic surgin' ower me as I hurried to cover me chest better afore I met his gaze again, which was wey too thoughtful to assure me that he hadn't taken notice o' th' bandages hidden under me claes (as he'd laid eyes upoan 'em only for a fleeting moment to mak' anythin' oot o' it).

"Ye're injured, Ruthford?" he questioned. Me deterrin' a cringe as inclined me heid in consent, leverin' meself up to me knees.

"Aye. I fractured a bone back at home after falling from a tree", I lied, Captain McConaughey weighin' me answer for awhile 'til rose to his feet.

"Indeed ye did? Well, as it's been already two weeks shouldn't ye remove that dirty bandage or have it changed?"

I didn't respond to that, too nervous his question had made me. Us neist simply examinin'one another as th' other members o' th' crew stairted to arrive to th' scene, me holdin' back an urge to squirm under th' Captain's measurin' irises as he then offered me a haun. Me acceptin' it wi' a mumbled apology 'n' he yanked me up afore bendin' doon to recover me hat, eyein' at it a streenge face oan his coupon 'til put it back oan me heid. Deep. Th' keek in his eyes actually astonishin' me shortly as he took a step back, facin' th' crew.

"Ye alright, Ruthford?" he asked again, this time so loudly that others could hear 'im, me blinkin' me eyes 'n' collected meself afore replyin. Glancin' aroond meself to see was I given any odd stares from th' rest o' th' men, th' lack o' 'em relievin' me mair by implyin' that no one in fact had noticed anythin'...

"No, cap'n."

"Very well. Back to your stations men, the lad's unscathed!" Captain McConaughey shouted, gesturin' th' crew to disperse back to their original tasks 'n' gave a few freish orders to prepare th' ship for th' continuation o' oor voyage so that she would tak' th' maist o' th' returnin' wind. Me pullin' th' jacket tighter aroond me 'n' makin' sure th' hat would stay put in th' future wi'oot fallin' aff easily. Waldemar 'n' Larry daunerin' past me 'n' pattin' me oan th' back apologetically, me shruggin' th' incident aff wi' as casual grin as could conjure. Nothin' had in th' end happened, I wasn't dead, 'n' even for a moment it had seemed lik' it me identity hadn't been revealed to th' crew... But even I tried to seem calm, me bloodstream was still full o' adrenaline, proven wance I lifted me palm 'n' saw it shake.

"Ruthford!"

I stuffed me haun intae me pocket afore keeked up to Captain McConaghey in surprise (or even in slight discomforted doubt due to his so earnest bearing), th' man liftin' his jaw 'til beckoned towards his accommodations.

"My cabin, now."

I nodded briskly but didn't follow 'im at first, spendin' a moment to carefully reel back to what had occurred juist noo. To wonder aboot th' reason he could have to personally summon me to his cabin when I'd ne'er been called there afore, even efter me greatest mishaps (lik' fallin' asleep while scopin' duty 'n' causin' th' ship to run intae some shoals). Therefore that part o' me that continuously feared to be caught preparin' mentally for what was waitin' for me within those closed walls, 'til I then reassured meself to be surely worryin' ower nothin'. As despite o' that fleetin' moment o' dread efter unwantedly offerin' 'im a glimpse o' th' bounds under me shirt ( which I'd however covered for wi' a sufficient lie), he hadn't seemed any less lik' 'imself while orderin' me to his cabin... But although I was then daunerin' efter th' Captain in what it seemed ease to th' outer eyes, still that same terrified inner voice was warnin' me to be careful wi' everythin' I'd say 'n' do from 'ere onward while alone wi' 'im. As though quick 'n' bypassable instant, he might've efter all come to discern th' flaw I'd tried to hide, wantin' to have a talk wi' me alone when there wasn't really a need for it.

So wi' a tentative state o' mind I came by th' door o 'th' cabin which Captain McConaughey was keepin' open for me, beckonin' me to enter afore 'im, me adjustin' me coat wance mair as if to appease meself, 'til cleared me throat 'n' went in. Hearin' th' door indeed to slam closed 'n' even bolt shut while I advanced within Captain's private quarters, nae thinkin' much o' it then as took in th' classy furniture 'n' th' items from all ower th' word Captain McConaghey had acquired. Primordial masks from what I jaloused as Africa, textiles o' th' unmade bed 'n' pieces o' claes thrown upoan th' chairs o' utterly unknown origin due to their finesse 'n' exceptional quality, in addition to few skillfully crafted pipes 'n' quills wi' their casings. Several documents includin' cargo inventory spread in heaps oan top o' th' messy writing desk, th' earnings o' th' previous tradin' post as weel abandoned oan th' table efter countin'. Captain didn't seem to be th' maist organized 'n' clean person... Weel, maist men weren't. While thinkin' this me irises remainin' focused oan th' partly scattered coins for awhile where Captain McConaughey had apparently stopped by th' doorwey, to examine me.

"What was it ye wanted to discuss, Cap'n?" I asked then, breakin' th' silence that had fallen when Captain remained quiet behind me. His noo definitely oot o' place behaviour provin' me earlier hopes wrong as his tone was but covert when it finally answered, puzzlin' me.

"More like drawing a conclusion. This won't require any spoken words but rather the exact opposite."

Despite o' me mustered assertiveness in further keepin' up appearances credibly enough to mislead 'im during this confrontation, I couldn't have prepared meself to what happened neist against all me expectations. Efter turnin' to face th' Captain wi' a baffled frown me findin' me haun to have been caught by th' man afore he'd then seized me, me eyes widenin' to thunderstruck plates when in one suave move he'd managed to coop up me chin 'n' brought me against'im, oot o' nowhere his lips somehow meetin' mine afore I could do much thinkin' o' what was goin' oan. Th' suddenness o' th' whole situation 'n' his highly abrupt actions holdin' me in some kind o' a dismayed trance for a few seconds, me weylaid brain failin' to signal me to turn aghast 'til his kiss was forcing its wey even deeper 'n' his haun traveled doon to squeeze me buttock. Me sense o' discretion finally wellin' up 'n' drivin' me to raise me arms up wi' a flash o' dumbfounded anger, shovin' 'im aff me. In middle o' th' surgin' ootrage me however underlinin' th' importance o' nae lettin' this unexpected development to affect me display too conspicuously, me though nae needin' to aim to keek baffled beyond belief wance I retreated 'n' gouped at me Captain in utmaist confusion (suppressin' all surfacin' traits that would incriminate me as a woman, such as a desire to smack 'im right across th' coupon). Nae efter all bein' able to hold back th' furious blush, which I guess would be acceptable taken intae an account that in theory both o' us were men, me bein' fully entitled to blush lik' a lass efter me Captain had all so suddenly winched me.

"Sir, what...What…do ye think yer doing?" I stammered, battlin' against th' shock that risked me to blow me cover right then 'n' there by tryin' to turn me to that coy lass I was at hert under me pretense (who was understandably furious to have been kissed wi'oot a permission). Captain McConaughey however nae seemin' to tak' much interest in me bewilderment as he gouped intae me eyes disturbingly deep, smug face oan his coupon noo. Explorin' me irises as let oot a jovial laugh.

"I had to do somethign to be sure...and by the look on yer face I seem to have been right", he replied, foldin' his arms confidently as I kept me ground at th' face o' his measurin' gaze despite o' th' slight twitch o' me body I couldn't control.

"I...I don't follow, Cap'n."

"Come on now, Mr. Ruthford. Or is it, Miss? Because I have to say to be a little at loss here, as it was strictly stated in yer papers that a young man of that name should've embarked me ship instead of a less hairier and notably fairer conman. Am I wrong?"

I deterred th' urge to press me fingers oan me lips, which for me chagrin were still tinglin' due to th' brief lockin' lips wi' his, me keekin' doon 'n' hidin' me eyes by glancin' aboot th' room. Liftin' me jaw as a sign o' absolute denial. His so sure delivery in th' end stairtin' to mak' me nervous even I tried to stay serene while confronted wi' his accurate statements. "I assure ye Cap'n, I have no idea what ye're getting at with this. I'm as less of a Miss than any sailor on board."

"Do not underestimate me awareness when it comes to people working for me", Captain McConaughey stated, his voice less amused as he noo levered a strict goup to me direction that made clear I wasn't foolin' 'im. Freezin' me oan me spot when he stepped forward, pointin' to th' door. "I'm far less of an unsuspecting lummox than the rest of the lot out there, so don't try to play me any further. I know yer game along with yer secret, so why insist on taking this charade any further? Go on, strike me. I just granted ye the one of a kind right for it."

He keeked at me haun that had clenched intae a fist, me cursin' meself to hell in me mind as swifty hid it behind me back, stayin' silent while collected th' tranquil bits o' meself to answer as impassively as possible.

"Whatever ye mean by all that, I do not know. I have nothing to hide."

Captain McConaughey had released a long sigh o' boredom at this point, wi' a lift o' brows then glancin' at me chest, his followin' words triggerin' a visible flinch that I couldn't have hidden even I'd wanted to. "Except those? Such a tenuous lie like a broken rib be damned...Good job at tying those down to mere oblivion, but I got a pretty profound view regardless when ye fell into me lap earilier..." I said nothing as he soon continued efter a short examination, waitin' for me to crack 'n' rat meself oot to 'im thro' me reaction. "Ye should thank yer luck that the rest of the crew is too dense to realize that everything isn't quite in place with ye, even from the start ye've been a prominent fish miles out of water."

"I don't understand", I insisted, but although I did me best to sound ignorant o' his words 'n' that they held no significance to me, I kenned I'd awready lost th' game 'n' was driven to a corner mair by each statement that left his lips. 'Im succeedin' in makin' me anxious wi' his fishin'remarks that were meant to uncover me bit by bit 'til I'd give intae his pryin', me stairtin' to accept that there was wee I could say to turn his heid aroond 'n' convince 'im to have gotten a wrong idea aboot me.

"You do perfectly", he said surely, me avoidin' 'im when he daunered past me to get to th' desk where a bottle o' rum had been left neist to th' papers, 'im shakin' it a few times 'n' efter findin' it half empty for his surprise he sighed for th' second time 'n' poured half o' th' contents intae a glass, keekin' at me. "So don't go on believing any of those lies I'm not further going to swallow to help ye. They won't improve yer position, just dilute me patience, and ye as well as all others aboard this ship know that me temper is not to be tested. The cat's way out of the bag now for ye to try to shove it back in."

He eyed at me paused frame for awhile as I stood in front o' 'im in panic, me heid fillin' wi' different ideas o' how to get oot o' this mess wance I'd been confirmed o' th' fact that Captain McConaughey kenned everythin' aboot me secret. His knowledgeable demeanor 'n' doubtless smile 'n' gaze made no mistake to lull me intae false sense o' security, provin' me that he'd pierced thro' me disguise 'n' lies, stripped 'em doon so that there was noo only th' true me left to answer for me deception. Robert's warnings returnin' in me mind again as I stairted to fear th' consequences, me nae bein' able to speak as Captain McConaughey then straightened his posture, puttin' his glass awa' efter emptyin' it.

"Besides, ye revealed yerself instantly after entering. Female body has a natural tendency to respond to a man's caress, unwanted or not. And that I know for a fact. So ye couldn't have fooled me with anything ye said after I'd finally gotten to the bottom of things... I know a woman when I feel one."

I stood wi' bated breath as after stoppin' Captain stretched oot his haun, removin' me hat 'n' scarf, gainin' another knowin' keek in his eyes wance me long hair fell oanto me shoulders as if to prove his point. 'Im then however takin' notice o' me fearstricken form, th' man makin' a bafflin' half smile instead o' th' expected furiated grimace 'n' inclined his heid at me questionably.

"Bad joke?"

Th' casual nature o' th' question eased me terror a bit by takin' me aback, replacin' some o' me fear o' gettin' thrown intae th' brig for impersonatin' as a man. Me snatchin' me hat back from 'im as released a resigned breath, steppin' back wi' a serious face oan me coupon 'n' eyed at 'im suspiciously from a safe distance, as tried to figure oot what was goin' thro' his heid right then. Why hadn't he awready sounded th' alarm or wasn't draggin' me to th' deck to be flogged? Why was he still standin' there drinkin' rum all so relaxed, when one o' his crewmen had turned oot to be a woman o' all things? I couldn't understand what was th' point in unveilin' me identity so secretly, unbeknownst to everyone else...'Til efter a moment o' thinkin' me imagination got awa' from me 'n' I evaluated th' situation far further than I should've, me mind soon fillin' wi' as equally terrifyin' realization as whipping (which had seemed tenable then). In that same spur o' a misunderstandin' me takin' an ol' ledger from th' writin' desk for his apparent dismay, dashin' to th' other side o' th' cabin as th' feelings o' bewilderment 'n' anger returned from their short absence, me keekin' intae th' man's eyes in plain disdain as believed to have gotten to th' bottom o' his intentions in turn.

"Very weel, ye're correct. I'm a woman. But juist because o' that don't think that I 'll let ye get yer wey wi' me!" I told 'im, this time ignorin' th' fear o' been locked intae th' same room wi' a man who probably planned oan benefittin' this discovery o' a female oan board, th' individual in question narrowin' his eyes at me defiance. "I'll rather jump oot o' that window 'n' drown than let ye touch me."

I hoisted' th' book higher to warn 'im from approachin', Captain McConaughey goupin' at me flabbergasted 'til he then lifted his hauns soothingly, shakin' his heid in great amusement.

"Whoa, no...Let's remain calm here. There's no need to use that old, dusty booklet on me, especially when it does little to harm me."

I glanced at me improvised weapon, fathomin' that indeed th' book even if heavy was ancient 'n' wouldn't do mair than leave a painful bump at best. Me exchangin' a stare wi' 'im, his sincere turned gaze strongly advocatin' 'im when he soon continued, holdin' oot his arm this time to reclaim th' book from me.

"It's alright, I tell ye. I'm a married man, so what ye seem to fear isn't at all why I asked ye here. Ye're safe", he reassured, me leanin' back in freish surprise. Frownin'.

"Married?" I repeated poignantly, th' man shruggin', clear sarcasm in his eyes as returned me disbelief wi' a matter-o'fact shrug.

"Life of a sailor can be a lonely one to all men with or without wives."

Even this bit o' information didn't make me any happier (taken that this man though married had had th' impudence to kiss another woman, no matter if he'd treated is as an experiment), I did believe 'im when he said nae to touch me efter a sceptical snort. I could see it from 'im then as he lifted up his hauns again, calmly steppin' forth to reach for th' ledger, me lettin' oot a sigh as eventually lowered it 'n' handed it ower. Captain McConaughey noddin' in gratitude to have seen me resistance to drop 'n' returned th' object back to th' table, resumin' in drinkin' th' rest o' his rum as another oppressive silence fell atween us when I wasn't all relaxed juist yet. Unaware o' what was goin' to happen neist.

"What are ye goin' to..." I stairted, trailin' aff at th' end as rubbed me left arm in worry ('n' at that point embarrassed o' me previous, exaggerative behavior), measurin' th' Captain questionably. Watchin' how he poured th' last o' th' rum intae his glass afore placin' th' empty bottle rather loudly back to its place, causin' me to gasp when th' silence was abruptly cut again.

"Do?" he ended me sentence, smilin'. "I'm not gonna do anything. This quite amuses me actually. As well as lonely it's a very humdrum life, sailing the seas without a single eventful epoch to thrive on for weeks, months... and as I'm not referring to the common incident of pirates or privateers alike attempting to loot us, frankly speaking this doesn't surprise me either (at this point he'd beckoned to me). As ye're not the first runaway I've discovered from me ship, and certainly won't be the last as long as there're plenty of girls like ye in the world...running away from an abusive father, brother...marriage, confining responsibilities of a life as a woman...or mere boredom. I'm sure we can fit ye right in one of those types at the end of our chat. The continuation and how should it play out is completely up to ye."

I thought a moment, hard, measurin' his bearing 'n' address from every angle afore comprisin' an reply. Still rather stunned for this ootcome o' th' maist dreaded scenario I'd imagined from th possibilities that could happen efter leavin' th' safety o' home, findin' th' Captain's lenient attitude towards me foul play astonishin' to believe 'n'dooright unbelievable. But also relieved from immense amount o' stress 'n' saved from any manner o' physical punishment (includin' instant death at th' end o' rope), I was then allowed to relax. Me sighin' for another time 'n' even managin' a wee thankful smile, me noddin' me heid at Captain McConaughey respectively.

"Thank ye for ye leniency, Cap'n. Forgive me for me deceptive actions, I wouldn't have behaved so if I didn't have me reasons."

"I believe ye do", Captain agreed. "It's been a while since I've heard that dialect so far out here...Ye're a long way from Scottish muirs."

"Aye."

"Well then...first question."

I waited Captain McConaughey to continue, 'im however neist simply bafflin' me by grabbin' a shirt that had been flung oan top o' a nearby chair, throwin' it to me.

"Ye're good with needlework, aye? Dare hope so, because that is the first thing ye can do to repay yer treachery", he remarked, me glancin' back 'n' forth from th' worn shirt to th' man incredulous, but in th' end only shook me heid at 'im 'n' th' whole streenge turn o' events.

"Lucky for ye that yer stowaway isn't one o' those minted society lasses who can only stand bonny in their corsets 'n' gossip", I'd told 'im. Captain returnin' me statement wi' a contended smile, inclinin' his heid when I stairted to inspect th' shirt carefully. Cringin' inwardly for th' poor condition o' it, doubtin' would I be able to salvage it wance I stuck a few fingers thro' th' worst holes, which all in all made his request even mair unreasonable. (Wance again me nae believin' to have found meself from me Captain's cabin sowin' his cleas instead o' me very ain cell in th' brig).

"I'll take that as a yes, then. I'm afraid all I have to offer are a darnin' needle 'n' rough tread used to repair sails... We aren't prepared to sow our own clothes here, nor much else", he responded, wavin' towards th' drawers o' th' table significantly afore slumpin' doon to a chair behind 'im 'n' recovered a freish bottle o' beverage he'd apparently hidden within a cabinet behind a concealed compartment. Me blinkin' for wonder as saw 'im yank th' cork aff wi' his teeth, th' sight bringin' a certain individual intae me mind I'd rather left unremembered that moment, as he'd awready caused enough trouble as a mere recollection for me to give 'im a single thought mair. Th' last thing I needed was to think' o' Jack Sparrow.

"I'll manage, Cap'n. Th' final result won't be gey fine, but at least ye'll be able to wear this again for some time", I said, placin' th' shirt oan th' abjacent couch.

"As long as it withholds a few mair weeks of seafare, I'm satisfied. Not until then can I acquire new effects, as we have a tight schedule to uphold till the end of the following month."

I eyed at 'im for awhile 'til slid me jacket from me shoulders, actually heavin' oot a satisfied sigh efter finally gettin' to remove it wi'oot a need to use it to conceal me figure in this torrid heat anymair. In this noo proved to be safe terrain behind closed doors me being free to be meself again efter such a long time, it makin' me smile wance I no further had to keep up me guard. But juist as I finally thought to have made it to clear waters, lik' back at Swann manor oan th' mornin' o' William's arrest me sleeve got caught up to a nail that had been pushed oot from th' wooden surface o' th' couch, me nae noticin' it 'til both o' us heard a sound o' tearin' fabric followed by th' patter o' th' tiny objects I'd asked Rose to conceal within me clothin'. Me keekin' doon wi' frightful eyes as watched th' gems stream doon ontae th' deck at me feet, Captain's gaze o' coorse nae missin' th' valuable jewels fallin' oot o' th' ripped seam as I hastened to catch 'em wi' me haun, afore me irises shot up to th' man who'd turned earnest in a blink o' an eye upon witnessin' me hidden reserves. Leavin' 'im contemplative 'n' by th' surfaced keek oan his coupon nae in a guid wey, 'im straightenin' his posture 'n' eventually standin' efter he'd measured me from heid to toe several times, lik' me soon reachin' a false, but what it seemed lik' an accurate conclusion.

"I see...Ye're smuggling goods aboard me ship, lass?" he deduced, for th' foremaist time during oor conversation noo in fact appearin' threatenin' efter one mair glance at th' gems in me haun.

"No. No, this is nae what it seems lik', Cap'n", I hurried to say, retreatin', th' panicked me returnin' as I in turn tried to convince 'im o' me sincerity. "I can explain."

"Hopefully. Because otherwise I after all must consider locking yer up against me promises, and hand yer over to the authorities at the next port. And when I think about it these gems do explain yer need to disguise yerself as a man and personate as one of the sailors enlisted to me service. Why else would ye require an alias?"

"I'm nae smugglin' anythin'!" I breathed, biddin' 'im to listen to me wi' me gaze. "These are mine. I needed currency for travel, 'n' as I had no actual capitol in me person this was th' only wey for me to mak' sure to get by as I had no idea how long would it tak' for me to find 'im... Don't have me detained, I cannot be delivered to th' authorities...I can pay ye handsomely if ye juist let this go."

Captain McConaughey was quiet for a wee moment, frownin' at th' mention o' "'im" as startled I'd babbled a bit too much again, liftin' his eyebrows in disbelief as his hauns then rose to his hips. "Sounds like something a runaway criminal would say. Ye stole these gems?"

"No, I didn't. Please Captain McConaughey, ye must believe me. I received these gems from me uncle as a gift, 'n' I took 'em wi' me to cover me travelin' expenses 'n' whatnot. I'm no criminal, 'n' when it comes to me need to use a fake name 'n'identity...there's a whole other reason for that."

Me gaze had dropped then, me hert squeezin' wance I remembered William 'n' me uncle who at that very moment was probably scouring th' whole Caribbean to pinpoint me location as much as William's. Therefore Captain McConaughey's threat to turn me in to th' marines terrifyin' me for that sole reason.

"And how this story of yers is related to him?" he asked then, efter a short exchange o' serious stares 'im then sighin', sittin' back doon. "What's yer name? Real name?"

"Miranda Martins, Cap'n."

Captain McConaughey had been visibly affected by th' sound o' me name, for me confusion blinkin' afore pausin' to goup at me an odd face oan his coupon. 'Im remainin' thoughtful as long as it took 'im to speak again.

"Martins?"

"Aye...Is there somethin' distasteful aboot that name?"

"No. I just used to know someone by that name...A lifetime ago."

I hadn't comprehended what he'd meant by sayin' that, but efter a fleetin' moment o' thinkin' th' Captain then resumed back to his usual self, beckonin' me to continue as poured some rum intae two cups.

"Let's hear it then, Miss Martins. Yer reason to have brought this amount of unexplained valuables aboard me vessel, sown into the clothes of the man I presume as yer partner in this trickery. I'll then decide shall ye deserve to have this drink with me."

---

I clenched me fingers tighter together while heaved oot a strained breath, neist tryin' to catch it as eyed at Edward suspiciously who was returnin' me goup indomitably, his body ready for th' upcomin' encounter as he circled me lik' a predator preparin' to leap at me. Me followin' his suite as waited 'im to finally mak' a move, swallowin' nervously as meself didn't wait for th' continuation o' oor fight wi' delight. Me knuckles awready achin' as they were, me lettin' oot a sigh as tried to relax so that I'd be ready for his attack, however it nae easin' me stand much that Mateo was screamin' right by me ear 'n' collectin' bets for me (what was likely) inevitable loss.

"Go on lads, cast yerself a vote! Who is for the win, our Captain or Ruthford?"

As ecpected th' crew obviously 'n' maist unhesitatingly screamed oot oor Captain's name, me thinkin' that I might've as weel bet all me jewels for his benefit too as there was no wey I was goin' to win against 'im regardless o' his opinion during yesterday's session. This was juist plain campy, he should've simply given in efter discoverin' me utter lack in handlin' any manner o' weapons wi' purpose to wound. I would've proved as useless in that area anywey, 'n' noo because o' his unwaverin' optimism 'n'his yet lingerin' belief in me skills that had to exist within me in some quantity even I'd clearly disagreed wi' 'im, I was bound to have meself beaten to a pulp to prove 'im right. Stoatin. I was stairtin' to trail far aff from ladylik' I tell ye that...

"Ye can't go on living this type of life without knowing how to defend yourself in straits so dire ye can't talk yerself out of", he'd told me. Me noo recallin' his yesterday efternoon's lesson as concentrated to adapt his tips to use that would at least try to earn me an inch o' an advantage against his strength exudin' muscles that in truth cut snap me bones in half (should've he meant to hurt me in earnest). Wi'oot much faith however me tryin' to remember th' correct wey to receive th' incomin' assault, liftin' me arms 'n' keepin' 'em close to me torso subconsciously so that I'd have it easy to deliver hits.

"Ye're small so it would be ideal for ye to put up some more muscle...but as there's no time for such I say this; ye're a woman, Randa, so it will be difficult for ye to hold yer ground against men twice or thrice yer size. If good fighters even the ones close to yer height and similar build will prove challenging adversaries, especially once armed. And that's what awaits ye out here at some point. Moment ye're eye to eye with death. These seas are roaming with dangerous people who won't hesitate to lay their hands on ye, especially because ye're a woman. That is yer greatest weakness they try to prey on...Which is why ye need to learn how to fight, even if swords or pistols don't quite fit well in yer hands."

So he'd said. 'N' I'd kenned all that from th' stairt, long afore I'd even embarked this voyage to find William. I realized I was weak 'n' defenceless wi' no ability to fight, yet alone to protect meself. That was th' risk I'd been willin' to tak', but apparently for some odd reason Edward hadn't shared me standpoint 'n' least o' all had approved me desire to go oan solely by pushin' me luck. Adamantly demandin' me to let 'im teach me, though he hadn't actually needed me approval for th' idea to execute it th' followin' mornin'.

"When someone comes at ye, it's essential that ye don't let 'em exploit yer weak points to find an openin' to finish ye", he'd instructed me, takin' hold o' me hauns 'n' closin' 'em, showin' me th' correct wey to place me fingers durin' a stance so that I wouldn't break 'em while strickin'. "This applies from ordinary fistfight to battle with swords. Ye must use yer ain defincienses as a weapon to deafeat 'em as quickly as possible, go on by usin' yer wit to overcome 'em with as little strain as possible. Ye won't be able to fight back once ye're all weary from needless brawling. So don't initiate a fight unless it's absolutely necessary."

Edward had then come behind me, takin' hold o' me forearms 'n' brought 'em close to me torso afore waved Seaman to dauner forth. Th' sailor arrivin' to stand in front o' me while Edward's haun took hold o' mine 'n' guided me fist to touch me supposed adversary's lower abdomen afore he showed me a few other vital points that would mak' me prevail in combat. Enough to help me escape th' situation, as Edward wasn't teachin' me to kill anyone. 'N' neither would I want to.

"Most important thing while facing an enemy much larger is to protect yerself. If ye don't, ye lose and in worst case it will be the death of ye, simple as that. The second thing to remember is to stay calm, ye won't be outwitting anyone if ye won't stay sharp yerself to figure oot a way to take 'em down with one strike. Taken yer disadvantage to an opponent who's in any way superior to ye, hit only after dodging the incoming yer enemy has attempted to strike ye, they'll lower their guard long enough for ye to attack. Assume a convenient stance which enables ye to counter attacks swiftly and easily. Because if the hits ye deliver don't come out comfortably, they won't have much effect on yer attacker."

Even I seemed to have covered th' basics I felt me heid to swarm for all th' teachings I'd gained as I noo returned back to th' reality, regardless o' th' advice o' keepin' calm during a fight me nae helpin' but feelin' uneasy as I didn't have much idea what to do wance Edward would soon charge at me wi' oot holdin' much back (he'd immediately informed nae to go easy oan me, because o' th' plain fact that no pirate or man willin' to assault me because o' me gender would do th' same). Me acceptin' his conditions, but didn't feel at all comfortable while goin' heid to heid wi' 'im again, lik' yesterday assumin' to fend as terribly 'n' go to bed tonight wi' several bruises. 'N' although I was at loss oan how to ward 'im aff, he wasn't goin' to give me time to ponder upoan it, me gaspin' as he neist turned serious 'n' stopped. In a blink o' an eye jumpin' forth, me takin' a step back 'n' preparin' to receive 'im me elbows locked to me sides.

"Don't waste energy in blocking the attacks, such act will only tire ye out and take away the time ye need to react. Attack them from below, aim at the base of their torso from close range or try to take out their balance with a resolute kick. Once yer opponent is on the ground, ye're for the win."

So it happened, from me disablin' sense o' panic came th' answer I needed to proceed, instantly efter rememberin' th' exact moves I needed to reduce his attack to nothin' me avoidin' his right hook directed at me shoulder by lettin' his fist slip past me, me duckin' doon 'til I sprung up to direct a punch to his abdomen from below as instructed. Th' crew lettin' oot a surpised holler in unison as did Edward upoan gettin' hit, 'im however nae retreatin' but tryin' to tak' me oot noo wi' his left haun. Landin' a powerful punch afore I could vault back, me lettin' oot a moan as pain shot across me side, it eruptin' as a mair lik' a hiss o' anxiety as then instead o' gettin' overwhelmed by th' situation lik' th' day afore I took hold o' meself. Liftin' me arms up high 'n' wi' a cry o' exertion I shoved Edward backwards (rather easily as he didn't expect me to counter such wey apparently). Wance he stumbled back me steppin' forward instead 'n' hittin' 'im first to his stomach afore I tripped 'im. Earnin' meself a cheerful round o' applause as Eward fell flat oan his back, keekin' bemused for a second 'til grinned at me. Me heavin' oot deep breaths as wiped me sweaty foreheid, watchin' 'im to stand back up.

"I'm not going easy on ye either, Cap'n", I told 'im, lettin' oot a sigh as gawked at 'im for a moment, seein' 'im smile in satisfaction.

"Good. Ye're progressin'. Again", he urged, takin' a freish stance wi'oot a moment o' delay, me lettin' oot a breath o' chagrin this time efter rubbin' th' spot he'd managed to hit me. Me however adaptin' as kenned 'im nae to stop trouncin' me for a long time, hence recollectin' his teachin' wance mair while dodged his followin' attack.

"To outsmart yer enemies at times ye must take in a few hits to prevail. Surpise is the best defense, so ye cannot be afraid of getting hurt and prepare yerself for the pain if it will offer ye an opportunity to win. Understand?"

I did lik' I'd been told, avoidin' direct contact 'n' instead let 'im noo step right past me, yieldin' his invadin' body to th' right 'n' stepped back as he twirled aroond to face me, lettin' oot a cough that deceived me to believe it was another easy win for me as I elbowed 'im to his chest from close range wi' all strength I had. Only to have me left arm grasped by 'im but a second later, me fleetin' smile dyin' as I then was yanked against 'im, his other am lockin' me in place 'n' staunchin' all me movements. So I didn't even bother to fight back as I kenned I'd let one o' his rules to slip me mind.

"Be unpredictable with yer movements, and whatever ye do don't get too close to yer adversary and let 'em take hold of ye. The bigger they are, the stronger they are, and ye won't stand much chance against 'em."

"Ye forgot to watch yer back, lass. Beginner's mistake", Edward whispered to me in th' present, squeezin' me wrist tighter as his tone turned reprimandin'. "If ye won't start to think ye're gonna get yerself killed. This is a cup of tea compared to real danger."

"What did ye expect? I'm juist a servant maid", I retorted gently, frownin' at 'im 'n' noticed 'im soon to lift his eyebrows minimizingly.

"Should this continue happening indeed nothing...from a girl who's went through life but a needle in her hand", he responded, his dauntin' wey o' speakin' (which I realized to be his wey o' tryin' to motivate me to brush up) annoyin' me notably as I leered at 'im.

"Ye might be me Captain, but if ye keep deritin' me I'll sow that swift to judge geggy o' yers shut."

"Well like many have said before me to the point of wearing the expression out...I'd like to see ye try till ye stand for yer word and succeed, lass."

I pouted, calculatin' th' situation for a moment 'til got an idea, rammin' me heid against his so that noo taken aback he released me from his embrace, me yankin' 'im forward from me arm he was still holdin' in his grip. Directin' a clumsy kick to his thigh that was meant to avert his balance 'n' force 'im oan his knees, but instead efter clearin' his heid from me previous attack his arms were aroond me again. Seizin' me.

"This isn't going to help ye win. Ye need to mean it, don't hold back!"

I struggled against his steel hard hold in irritation, thinkin' feverishly 'til then decided upoan me final strategy, droppin' doonward afore he could tak' but a breath 'n' wi' a furious yell o' frustration did exactly as he'd instructed. Takin' advantage o' his arms draped aroond me shoulders, 'n' usin' me smaller body as a pedestal I flipped th' man aroond by leverin' 'im ower me back. Pure astonishment replacin' th' confident smirks o' th' crew as they noo witnessed me to manage to thwart Edward completely, 'im eventully landin' intae their arms rather stupefied afore slammin' oan th' deck coupon first.

"But if ye do end up hold back by someone, the easiest way to be released is to turn the tables around. Use their superior mass to free yerself, turn it against 'em. As even if there's frailty in ye there's also all th' strength ye need to triumph in just need to channel it and benefit from yer enemy's greatest weakness; underestimation."

I plopped doon in exhaustion, nae at first catchin' me breath at all as me heid eventually fell atween me knees I was leanin' against, th' adrenaline takin' its time to reduce th' beats o' me hert that was still caught up in th' frenzy o' th' fight where th' rest o' me body had awready called quits as deserved. Th' crew stairtin'to cheer for me unexpected, fortunate victory where several o' 'em were payin' th' losses o' their bets to Mateo wi' sour keeks oan their coupons. Efter a few seconds o' sittin' there relaxed to th' bone me liftin' me gaze to eye at Edward who was standin' a few feet awa' from me, his eyes widened. Aye, he definitely hadn't seen that comin'...

"Be glad I didn't go down below. I'm at least fair when I fight!" I breathed wi' amusement, beckonin' to his croch wi' a slight sense o' embarrassment 'til let me abashment slide 'n' leant backwards. Mateo throwin' me hat in me lap.

"Good going, lad. We'll make ye a mariner yet!"

"Mere stroke of luck", Edward announced, smilin' as swept a haun thro' his coupon.

I waved their remarks aff heedlessly as th' Helmsman then strode along, everythin' returnin' back to normal as th' crewmen returned back to their duties, as did Edward who'd received his ain effects from Larry 'n' was currently headin' for th' quarter deck. Tellin' Mateo to fetch 'im a table 'n' some charts from his cabin.

"Don't just sit there, Ruthford. Off to work!" he commanded, concealin' a grin 'n' it was clear to me he wasn't far from winkin', me only closin' me eyes helplessly as would've wished a few mair minutes o' recoverin' from th' fight. But obediently I heaved meself up, demoanin' th' smartin' muscles as went to fetch th' bucket o' caulkin' I'd prepared yesterday evenin' for today so that I'd have a fast stairt for work efter th' fight lesson. Me trailin' efter Edward wi' Mateo 'n' a couple o' other crewmen, who'd emerged from th' Captain's cabin 'n' brought th' requested items. Me directin' a freish annoyed glance toward 'em as th' table was accidentally placed oan top o' me coat juist as I was aboot to move ower to th' biggest crevises I was to fix efter inspectin' th' deck for awhile. In th' end commencin' me task wance released, where Edward didn't direct any attention to me for a long time. All his focus claimed by th' maps 'n' his sextant which he soon took from his belt, adjustin' it afore brought it to his eyes to peer thro' th' sightin' telescope.

"So ye have a brother, Randa?" he abruptly asked efter several minutes o' silence, still gazin' to th' horizon (cursin'under his breath when th' thick fog we'd been enveloped wi' since early mornin' prevented 'im from seein' nae much farther than th' ship's bow) 'til resumed intae examinin' th' charts he'd spread in front o' 'im. Me givin' 'im a glance afore applyin' some mair caulkin' compound to th' seams I was sealin' to prevent leaks to belowdecks, followin' 'im to scribble somethin' ontae th' paper afore he grasped th' object again to verify his calculations. "What's the boy like?"

I sighed, spreadin' th' substance to a wider area, rollin' me eyes. "Stubborn. Reckless 'n' hotblooded, far too ambitious for his ain guid 'n' completely enthralled by oor uncle's endeavours, supportin' his ideals wi'oot hesitation, even but a month ago we didn't even ken o' his existence... But he can also be th' maist thoughtful man this world has ever seen. His desire to protect those he luvs kens no bounds 'n' he has a sense o' responsibility that rivals even th' maist commendable officers...He's loyal to th' point o' extremity."

"Is that a good thing?" Edward queried in amusement, leanin' against th' table 'til faced me wi' a smile. Me poutin' a wee as considered his remark, shruggin' as returned his smile equally amused.

"Depends oan th' matter. He can also be th' maist infuriatin' person to be aroond, at times I feel mair lik' a mother than sister to 'im. He kens exactly how to mak' me angry."

"Nevertheless he seems like a nice young man."

I sat still for a moment, placin' th' brush back to th' bucket as I eyed at Edward for a moment. Lik' I likelie awready mentioned to ye, efter th' reveal o' me true identity Edward had done everythin' in his power to preserve me secret, aidin' me in survivin' th' challenges o' th' later voyage by assignin' me to tasks that hold a smaller risk for me to be discovered by others (lik' when I'd fallen from th' mizzen mast a couple o' weeks past). Me spendin' mair time in th' galley as th' help o' th' cook, regardless o' me desire o' nae wantin' to receive special treatment from Edward me findin' th' life aboard a lot easier when I didn't have to keep glancin' ower me shoulder all th' time. During this past two weeks Edward offerin' me chances to spent time in his cabin under th' excuse o' learnin' bookkeepin' 'n' other matters related to tradin' business, allowin' me to breathe must mair freely when I then didn't have to pretend to be someone else. 'N' thus we'd slowly grown closer from plain acquiaintances, besides bein' a strict man me noticin' 'im to remind me o' Peter tremendeously wi' his sense o' pride that didn't allow 'im to go against his beliefs in any wey. Me former perception o' 'im as a courageous seafearer, who despite o' his known stringent character was righteous towards his crew 'n' fundamentally genuine person wi' a hert only strenghtenin'. Oor mair familiar turned terms soon urgin' me to trust 'im enough to inform 'im o' th' circumstances surroundin' me escape from Port Royal to all their entirety. As even I can't tell how, nae long efter th' stairt o' oor friendship I'd instantly felt lik' I could entrust me very life in his hauns... So efter learnin' to ken 'im better as a person, I have to confess to have stairted to admire 'im.

"Do ye have brothers?" I queried in turn, Edward foldin' up his sleeves afore gazed to th' horizon. His coupon blank o' all emotion for a while as he thought aboot somethin'. Graspin' th' pendants o' th' patron saints as his eyes eventually fell to th' map, unreadable.

"Aye, one. But I don't know the first thing about him."

"How so?"

"I've never met him. Actually the first time I ever heard of him was two years ago when an acquaintance of his came looking for me, asking about him. But obviously I didn't have the knowledge he'd been after..."

We went silent then as a sudden commotion stairted at th' main deck, interruptin' Edward, two o' th'crewmen speakin' loudly to one another in Greek while hurryin' to th' gunwale o' th' vessel, me standin' up to see what th' noise was aboot. Edward 'n' I watchin' th' pair to attempt to fish somethin' from th' water wi' th' boat hook, eventually succeedin' in recoverin' a wee object from th' waves. Us frownin' in bafflement to realize it to be a hat (streengely familiar keekin' one made o' weathered leather). Th' men soon caught in a fall oot which o' 'em were to keep it for 'emselves, us watchin' 'em argue 'til Mateo arrived 'n' confiscated th' headdress. Orderin' 'em back to work afore eyed at th' hat 'imself, havin' a thought, his gaze risin' as he whistled at me. Throwin' it up to me wi' a simper.

"Here, lad. Yers has seen better days!"

I made a wee surprised smile, liftin' me freish hat as a sign o' gratitude. Th' man wavin' at me indifferently as efter eyein' at th'heidpiece I then swiftly put it oan afore turned to Edward wi' a wider smile, tiltin' me heid in interest as returned to oor previous subject. "'N' yer family? Ye said ye were married... Any children?"

Edward took a pause afore replyin', smile formin' oan his lips too. But he had sudden sorrow in his eyes too, makin' me wonder. "Two sons, Colin and Edwin... Fine lads."

"'N' yer wife?"

"Her name's Anne. I met her when I was but a boy meself...she'd ran away from home just like ye, I found her as a stowaway from the vessel I'd enlisted to. It was love at first sight. She swept me off me feet quicker than I'd expected, and not long after all me dreams of adventure had been forgotten and replaced by the sole purpose of making her happy. So we married, settled down to a small cottage at the coast of Cornwall. Twelve years since that..."

I was surprised by his tale, noo understandin' th' reference he'd made while revealin' me nae to be th' foremaist stowaway he'd encountered during his life, his lovin' words makin' me smile as he then showed me th' lockets. Smilin' mair gently 'imself.

"Anne's Catholic", he explained. "It was she who gave me these. Albinus of Angers to offer protection against raiders and privateers, and St. Anne, patron saint of sailors to shield me from all harm imaginable she said, as if it was she watching over me... But her namesake Saint did little to protect her."

He kept another break, droppin' th' lockets as this time gouped at th' sails above, lettin' oot a breath as no doubt spend a moment to remember his wife whom he clearly missed terribly. It was written all ower his coupon wance he continued, tenderly, but also dooncast. His tale bafflin' me, me waitin' eagerly for 'im to finish, 'til pity soon stairted to take ower me due to his followin' recount o' th' events.

"One night private soldiers of the organisation I worked for invaded our home. I mentioned an acquaintance of me brother's before... " Edward gave me a remarkable keek intae eyes, serious noo. "Well he came. In search of me brother I'd never met nor known about before that very moment he came to me door, asking about me father who'd left me mother when I was but a boy and apparently fathered another son. This man believing that as we shared a relation of blood through me father I must've had information that would've helped in locating him. But as I denied the obvious, against his beliefs proving useless to him, I was arrested and me family was taken away. I spent months in imprisonment, interrogated about me knowledge of me father's other family, his new wife he'd left me mother for and their children, where to search for them. I still don't know why he wanted to find him... But by some miracle Anne had discovered where I was held, helping me escape eventual death by the rope... And now I don't have the foggiest idea where she is. It's been two years since I saw her last."

Efter another fleetin' surprise o' findin' oot Edward to be runnin' awa' from th' British Government as weel, I was neist filled wi' compassion when I assumed his tale. Imaginin' th' torment he must've been in, havin' nae expected 'im to harbour such past that put me ain problems to shame. Me placin' a comfortin' haun oan his arm for a moment as he keeked at th' locket o' St. Anne, removin' it.

"I love the woman so much. I miss our boys...and yet I don't know will I ever see them again", he stated, frowning lightly as noo closed his eyes. "So I understand ye very well... To not know where those ye love are and whether they're safe...I'd go gladly back to jail if it would grant me the knowledge of their whereabouts."

I thought aboot his words, breakin' intae an encouragin' smile as captured his gaze. "Ye'll surely meet 'em again. Juist don't give up oan findin' 'em...Because somewhere oot there, yer sons 'n' wife are waitin' for ye to come for 'em."

Edward released an amused snort. "It's most likely just Colin and Anne... Edwin wasn't much older than an infant when he was taken with his brother and mother. I only hope they weren't separated from her, they need their mother...Colin must be close to a man by now."

Edwad then tapped me knuckles wi' his palm in gratitude curtly afore straightened, beckonin' me to return back to work for us nae to earn any suspectin' attention to oorselves. "What about ye then? Ye were rather quiet during last night's dice game. Was it yer man ye were thinking about then? The man ye're set out to save?" he soon inquired, surprisin' me. 'Im seein' th' answer from me coupon afore I could answer, 'im facin' me glum demeanor wi' a questionable browlftin'. "Ye found out nothing about him at our previous destination?"

"I did found a fisherman who allegededly had taken William to an island where th' Pearl had been previously sighted... But I'm nae sure what to believe, I've heard so many rumors aboot his whereaboots as weel as that miscreant Sparrow's that I'm at loss o' what to do anymair, Edward. It's been weeks 'n' by each day it's gettin' harder to find 'im. I have no idea where to search neist..."

"Maybe it would be wiser to look for this Sparrow instead", Edward suggested, though at first bafflin' me his words then makin' me consider th' situation from a whole freish percepective that should've occurred to me long ago. "Yer William is currently searching for this pirate Sparrow to recover the item yer uncle desires, correct? Then it is more than likely that by finding him ye'll also find yer intended, far quicker than what ye're doing now. Trusting in pure chance and sail about the Caribbean haphazardly with slim hopes of learning some valid information that could eventually lead ye to him. Just saying, especially when ye have yer own trackers to be wary of, if yer uncle truly is as powerful man as ye say him to be."

I didn't care to correct 'im this time as he continuously forgot th' complexity o' th' relationship I currently had wi' William (that certainly didn't give 'im a status as me intended). But mair than thatworry stairted to gnaw at me again wance I was reminded o' Mercer 'n' all other possible lackeys uncle Cutler could've sent efter me, men wi' years o' experience in fulfillin' tasks for th' Company includin' findin' people oot o' thin air (Peter 'n' I were th' livin' proof o' this). Me bein' weel aware o' me indeed wee chances to manage to ootrun me searchers long enough it would yet tak' me to find William, me then however forcin' meself to push these thoughts oot o' me mind 'n' return back to th' idea Edward had presented. Me noddin' in concur while caulkin' a couple o' seams.

"Aye, I don't have much time left. 'N' locatin' Sparrow certainly could prove much faster wey in findin' William. Th' problem is that there are too many people wi' different versions o' th' stories that could help in search o 'im, therefore nae makin' either findin' 'im any less challengin'. I efter all don't ken th' world ootside Port Royal, 'n'...if it weren't for William's life I probably ne'er would've left there in th' first place."

"Captain! There's a ship bearing down on us fast from starboard!"

Edward strode to Mateo efter th' sailor stationed at th' crow's nest had informed us aboot th' incomin' vessel, cuttin' me aff, me followin' Edward as he received a telescope from th' Helmsman.

"What colors is she flyin'?" Edward shouted, lookin' back intae th' fog which was as inpenetrable as afore, nae showin'a sign o' any other ship at oor vicinity. Me irises nae detectin' anythin' o' th' sort, Edward frownin' as he moved th' spyglass aroond from one side to another for a better view, neither findin' anythin' suspicious. But efter a few seconds o' waitin' th' response o' th' watchman we all saw it, th' silhouette o' a large vessel glidin' to sight from th' haze, Edward stiffenin' wance th' ship burst thro' it completely 'n' three masted Argosy sailed in to full view wi' full sails. Far larger in size 'n' faster in speed from oor ship, clearly comin' doon oan us under an intent o' waylayin' us wi' th' awready gained edge at th' cover o' th' fog (nae to mention pointin' a finger towards Edward's lessons wi' irony that I couldn't ignore), flag o' red 'n' yellow flappin' in th' wind along wi' another one that carried a royal emblem. O' Spanish Crown.

"It's Spanish, Cap'n!" th' topsman cried oot, nervous atmosphere instantly takin' ower th' ship as we watched th' Spanish ship to approach, Edward closin' th' spyglass in a blink o' an eye wi' a grim keek oan his coupon, his followin' words confirmin' me suspicions wance I'd taken notice o' th' cannons that had been pushed oot at th' enemy vessel.

"Privateers scum. Not any better from pirates, those Spanish pigs", he murmured in irritation, swiftly collectin' 'imself as hurried forth to the gunwale o' th' quarterdeck to deliver orders, urgin' th' crew to mak' a quick getawa' afore we would be caught up by th' privateer vessel that was but 200 feet abaft oor stern 'n' gainin'. The shouts o' th' Spaniards awready hearable from th' distance even ower th' noise o' oor crew that prepared for action efter a long standstill like speed.

"Prepare for battle! Unfurl the sails and don't let her overbear us, take all the wind from her sails and keep us out of the range of their guns! Prepare to come about!"

All men dashed to their stations again to do their part in turnin' us aroond as swifty as possible to increase th' distance atween us 'n' th' approachin' enemy, Edward mannin' th' helm 'imself to steer Cornucopia to a proper course, me climbin' to th' shroud to follow th' privateer vessel's advancement 'n' for me relief findin' the Spanish to have been surprised by oor apparent attempt to slip awa' wi'oot a fight. We juist 'n' juist managin' to make aff wi' a wee headstairt when unprepared for th' chase they were left behind, at th' cost o' losin' half o' oor advance however, nae long efter foremaist cannonballs slippin' past oor hull maybe even due to a pure luck. But juist as it seemed lik' we were succeedin in takin' everythin' oot o' th' favourable wind that gave us an upperhaun against oor adversary's much faster vessel, helpin' us to flee wee by wee, th' direction o' th' wind suddenly turned 'n' we were noo sailin' windward against it. This small shift in breeze slowin' us doon notably but instead o' provin' harmful also to oor chasers th' Argosy soon stairted to gain oan us again. Efter few minutes o' desperately fightin' wi' th' helm 'n' th' disadvantageous wind bringin' us closer to what it seemed noo an unavoidable confrontation wi' th' enemy vessel Edward releasin' a frustrated groan wance oor sails suddenly doused, lost o' all wind 'n' leavin' us in complete standstill. Th' Spanish comin' in oan us noo from port .

"Take some men with ye and go to the weapons arsenal, take out everything as fast as ye can and arm yerselves. We're going to have to face these devils", Edward urged me, noddin towards th' lower deck 'til focused back to steerin', commandin' Rudy to close th' mainsail. Th' Spanish noo right at oor tails, me witnessin' th' several men cloth in uniforms to be handin' oot orders for ordinary sailoirs much lik' us but who were twice in number compared to Edward's crew. Slight fear takin' hold o' me as I did as requested 'n' wi' Seaman, Larry 'n' th' men o' Greek descent dashed belowdecks to th' stowage to retrieve weapons. But couple o' minutes later us returnin' back oan deck where we noticed situation to have changed dramatically, th' privateers nearly sidin' us wance we stairted to hand oot pistols 'n' swords aroond in haste, me however pausin' to goup at th' legalized raiders who were waitin' th' soon arrivin' moment to board us wi' weapons hold up high. Shoutin' us to surrender (or so I figured as someone who didn't understand Spanish). Me nae bein' able to fully internalize this abrupt change that had led us to a fight where we were aboot to fend for oor very lives against a violent lot nae any mair merciful from pirates lik' Edward had said ('n' lik' he'd repeatedly inculcated while teachin' me), this all bringin' me back to similarly frightenin' moment from one year ago when Th' Black Pearl had caught up wi' Th' Interceptor efter I'd been rescued from th cave o' Isla Muerta. When I'd last gotten in middle o' a battle such as this. But what noo made it so unreal was th' fact that we hadn't crossed paths wi' privateers or other hostile ships o' enemy countries even wance since departin' from Port Royal, accordin' to Edward such attacks to have become rare to occur durin' his career as a merchant sailor even he continuously was prepared to clash wi' 'em. But th' moment had come when we'd least expected it, familiar fear o' ol' graspin' me chest as even though I'd improved me skills in sailin' 'n' somewhat in fightin', that didn't mean I was any better wi' weapons, that makin' me as much o' a sittin' duck to th' attackin' Spaniards as to Barbossa's men that time. Me nae feelin' any calmer wance th' men had been stationed to th' cannons 'n' I watched 'em load 'em juist in time, Mateo shovin' a cutlass in me haun when Edward's voice ran thro' th' air. Me hert stairtin' to race wance I wasn't left any other choice but to prepare to fight wi' th' rest o' th' men th' best I could or die tryin', which was exactly I was scared o' when I soon saw th' privateers to fire their guns.

"Hold fast!" Edward commanded, joggin' doon to th' main deck 'n' arrived by me side, in turn handin' me a pistol afore shovin' me behind 'im , givin' th' gunners th' final order to return fire as th' first blast o' th' cannons sounded 'n' Cornucopia earned several direct hits to 'er hull. One o' 'em shatterin' th' deck 'n' takin' a couple o' sailors wi' it 'til we were prepared for th' counter attack. "Fire at will! Give them no quarter!"

Th' air was filled wi' terrible sound o' gunfire as th' Spanish bombarded us wi' cannonballs to tak' doon oor resistance right aff, us retaliatin' as viciously. But th' truth was that they were much stronger than us, oor victory ower this heavily armed privateer vessel 'n' its twice as large crew seemin' put wishful thinkin' when th' scale o' their attack was revealed to us efter a few minutes o' wardin' 'em aff. Us nae gettin' many chances to fight in middle o' avoidin' deadly hits o' th' cannons left 'n' right, while duckin' behind a capstan that half burst intae pieces right above me heid me rollin' me eyes at th' lethal mayhem regardless o' th' terror that would've kept me crouched behind th' destroyed heavin' device. Juist lik' old times, me skitterin' aboot in terror as a convenient target for fire in middle o' a battle... Nothin' had changed.

"What are ye doing girl?" Edward's voice exclaimed then, surprisin' me as I then felt 'im stand behind me, haulin' me up from me coat afore lifted his ain weapon to shoot a man who'd finally jumped doon oan oor deck along wi' many other Spaniards. Edward neist shovin' me forward all th' wey to th' staircase leadin' to th' upper deck as th' ship was quickly owercome by oor attackers, cannonfire ceasin', me flinchin' as a member o' th' enemy crew fell against me efter his face had been impaled by Seaman's axe. Though disgusted me then liftin' th' pistol in me haun juist as Edward was aboot to be impaled from behind while occupied wi' two invadin' Spaniards, me interferin' by aimin' at his attacker, firin'. As expected however missin' enough to simply shock 'im wance th' bullet whizzed past th' Spaniard's ear. Distractin' 'im for Edward to twirl aroond 'n' finish 'im aff wance he'd taken care o' his ain assailants, me releasin' a breath as he turned to goup at th' smokin' barrel for a moment 'til I was soon yanked by th' wall by 'im. His coupon but earnest when he gazed intae me eyes neist, in grave disbelief.

"Have ye never fired a pistol in yer life? Ye're gonna kill some of us with that aim", he remarked, liftin' his eyebrows as I wrinkled mine in turn.

"Ye ken I haven't! I'm nae exactly accustomed to fight against violent rogues despite o' a few matches wi' ye, so excuse me", I responded, cringin' when Edward flung a knife to th' throat o' a man who'd been runnin' towards us.

"And yet ye insisted on leaving home and join a crew who was bound to face such dangers at some point of the journey? Maybe ye should've stayed home and stick with gossiping and standing pretty", Edward said, blastin' a few other sailors awa', his comment irritatin' me. Me then noticin' a barrel that had been flung beside us, me pushin' it forward so that it rolled across th' deck ower th' pieces o' shattered wood 'n' tripped a couple o' advancin' attackers when they'd intended to attack Mateo, who'd accidentally fallen doon efter been shot. Th' Helmsman sendin' me a thankful nod afore standin' back up to continue fightin', me hearin' Edward to sigh afore I was almost caught aff guard by one o' th' privateers, me takin' care o' 'im wi' one direct blow to his coupon wi' th' piece o' railin' I conveniently found at me feet. Me feelin' actually impressed wi' meself a bit as turned to give Edward a remarkable browliftin' meself, somewhat jeerin'.

"How's that for gossipin' pretty lass?"

Edward shook his heid at me, thinkin' a moment 'til efter watchin' me doin' rather poorly against a few other Spaniards who'd seen me to tak' oot their commander wi' a mere piece o' plank, he arrived to me aid 'n' brought me back to th' staircase afore snatched a fallen musket from nearby for me followin' wonder. Turnin' aroond to push a rafter in th' wall under th' stairs, revealin' another secret compartment, instead that this one was large enough for a couple o' men to hide in. Me watchin' 'im to load th' musket wi' accustomed fingers 'til he gave it to me, shovin' me intae th' what it seemed lik' a secret hidin' place.

"Either wey ye're hell bent to get killed out here. Stay here until its safe to come out. Ye have one shot. Make sure to hit something if ye must use it", he told me, me blinkin' in surprise as he attempted to close th' door o' th' compartment, me however stoppin' 'im. No, nae this again. It hadn't went at all weel last time me brother had insisted me to stay oot o' harm's wey, me endin' up gettin' almost killed either wey. So nae thank ye.

"Im nae gettin' confined in there, leavin' ye behind. I'm stayin, isn't this what ye trained me for all those painstakin' efternoons?'" I retorted, aboot to push meself past 'im but his tight grip forced me back in.

"I don't have time to take care of ye when I have a whole crew to save!" Edward objected curtly, aboot to shut th' door again. But even I attempted to keep me heid 'n' return to th' battle (even I was quite useless wi' me close to nonexistent fightin' skills which were still highly determined by luck, wance mair in some part o' me mind bemoanin' that I hadn't learned even some minor usage o' a sword from William when I'd had th'chance), juist as I was aboot to shove Edward oot of th' wey me intentions were deterred by a streenge sound that then emanated from somewhere below us. Me 'n' Edward exchangin' a quizzical gaze 'til we were soon spooked when efter th' repetition o' that, wailin', unnatural voice that sounded lik' a bellow o' a giant creature th' ship was shaken by an intensive tug that as weel came from below. Us havin' to tak' support from one another nae to fall, even th' ongoin' battle ceasin' due to th' sound o' th' unknown origin that caused th' floorboards under oor feet to vibrate, me frownin' in utter bafflement. What was happenin'?

Th' Spaniards were shoutin' to one another aboot somethin', me nae fathomin' anythin' they said as peeked past Edward 'n' followed th' raiders 'n' oor crew alike to abandon th' fight to go to tak' a keek ower th' rail. Me shakin' me heid as saw some o' 'em point to th' water in astonishment, me turnin' me attention back to Edward who suddenly went stiff, meetin' me eyes.

"What are they sayin'?" I asked, his coupon filled wi' utmaist disbelief wance he replied, wance again bemused wi' a wonderin' frown.

"There's something below us."

Edward had hardly translated th' exclaims o' th' Spaniards to me when th' ship creaked again, even shiftin' a wee 'n' alarmin'all men aboard, me frownin' meself as then detected another sound from far doon below that reminded o' wood tearin' apart. Only a fraction o' a second later me gettin' th' scare o' me life when oot o' th' blue th' wall o' th' secret compartment beside me was shattered by somethin' that forced its wey thro' it, startlin' Edward who fell backwards where I crouched against th' other wall wi' a terrified scream. Shieldin'me eyes from th' tiny splinters, in th' followin' moment feelin' somethin' meaty 'n' springy to stroke me leg, me quizzical eyes openin' to first see th' shocked form o'Edward 'til I followed his gaze 'n' keeked to me right. Fillin' wi' dread meself as behold how some kind o' a thick, slitherin' limb o' greyish flesh stuck oot o' th' floorboards, reachin' 'n' feelin' th' tiny space I was enclosed in, me freezing oan me spot as tried to understand what in th' God's name I was starin' at. But only a second o' takin' in th' damages that single tendril lik' appendage had created assured me that it didn't belong to any animal residin' in th' sea, but in fact to somethin' mair lik' abnormal monster. Th' suction cups as big as me heid grippin' to th' floor when th' arm pushed oot even further, stairtin' to circle aroond me. Me finally gettin' ower me fear enough to move, another frightened scream leavin' me lips as I tried to jump oot o' th' compartment afore I was trapped by th' unknown creature. Edward grabbin' me arms 'n' jerkin' me ootside in a flash, wance oan oor feet us retreatin' awa' from th' scourin' tentacle as at first it seemed to follow us, afore for oor relief it soon crawled back intae th' hole it had carved intae th' vessel. Deep silence descendin', me lettin' oot a vent up breath o' terror as felt meself shake all ower, me mind nae wrappin' aroond what I'd juist seen, Edward sharin' me dismay by standin' in a frozen state, still holdin' me.

"What the devil was that?" he questioned, me glancin' up to 'im afore I keeked aboot th' deck, witnessin' th' horror stricken coupons o' th' rest o' th' men oan board who'd also behold th' mysterious tentacle to sneak oot o' th' compartment. But instantly that same underwater growl reached intae oor ears again, me separatin' from Edward as we all watched th' ship o' th' privateers to experience a similar kind o' tremor from afore but much mair violent, efter a loud 'n' constantly increasin' racket o' creakin' joints 'n' crushin' wood us lettin' oot a flabbergasted breath o' ultimate shock when instead o' one a whole set o' tentacles neist slipped oot from th' water 'n' wrapped aroond th' vessel's hull in a blink o' an eye.

"Demonio!"

"Monstruo!"

One o' th' Spaniards fell oan his knees 'n' dug oot a cross under his shirt, me however only ignorin' 'im 'n' confused by th' hollers that had left their lips I turned me eyes instantly back to th' enemy vessel. Watchin' how th' slitherin' arms stroke fast 'n'accurately, catchin' all o' th' sailors who desperately tried to run awa' from th' terrifying limbs that could only belong to a beast, only to meet their doom wance th' creature drew 'em intae th' ocean to drown. Intelligently 'n' swiftly roundin' up its prey 'n' dragged 'em oot o' their hiding places 'til there was no one left. Edward 'n' all th' men aboard th' Cornucopia finally gettin' freed from their pertrified state, Edward leavin' me side as hurried to muster th' men 'imself to make a quick getawa' afore that thing would came at us. Me simply standin' there frozen as followed th' creature to stairt to pull th' destroyed remains underwater, th' large vessel nae takin' th' pressure o' th' monstruous tentacles crushin' it but efter a short moment o' endurin' snapped in two. Huge splash o' water drenchin' us as we witnessed th' impossible to tak' place right in front o' oor eyes, freish pieces o' wood floodin' oan top o' us wi' th' seawater as we were sailin' awa' from th' wreckage. Edward's voice roarin' ower th' growl o' th' beast.

"Stand fast men! We must get away while that thing is occupied with the other ship! Hurry!"

No one hesitated to fulfill his orders, even th' privateers still aboard oor ship eagerly joinin' his crew efter witnessin' th' easy destruction o' their ain. But it was too late to run, I kenned it th' moment I then saw a dark shadow to close in oan us underwater along wi' impressive waves that thing's enormous body created while it rushed towards us. Me feelin' meself to have ended up straight in middle o' a Greek epic instead o' a gory battle I'd dreaded mair than anything but few minutes ago, me gazin' aroond in panic in search o' a weapon as perhaps managed a scream to warn me fellow crewmen for th' upcomin' danger that was but seconds awa' from reachin' us. Th' loudest bellowing yet staunchin' me bloodflow as I took a wide sword from th' belt o' one o' th' Spaniards, ignorin' his glares as was far too scared to care aboot his resentment, glancin' doon to see me hauns to shake noo incontrollably. Me body indeed remainin' in th' state o' trance for awhile wance th' tentacles then shot ower th' gunwale 'n' spread aboot th' deck. Chasin' efter men 'n' gainin' cuts 'n' shots from Edward's crew as weel as th' man 'imself, who soon leaped forth to jab a boat hook thro' one o' th' tentacles that had been makin' its wey toward me, his shoutin' voice full o'anger bringin' me back to me senses somewhat, me realizin' 'im to be shakin' me. Demandin' me attention.

"What are ye doing standing there stiff?!" he yelled, placing a secure haun oan me wrists holdin' th' sword curtly afore released a battlecry, me flinchin' as a sinewy tip o' another tentacle he'd sliced clean aff wi' brute strength fell by me side. "Throw yerself into the sea if ye want to die that badly! Run! Run away now!"

He was able to get thro' me enough for me to fathom 'im to be right, simply stayin' frozen to me place only would mak' me an easy pray even mair than afore, me doin' as he told me 'n' headed for th' other side o' th' deck efter briefly seekin' shelter behind th' partly shattered capstan. Everythin' then happenin' in a panicky frenzy I hardly could remember later on wance I'd then emerged, lettin' oot a horrified cry as I thought to feel th' tentacles to fly past me from every direction as was probably th' case while they scoured th' deck for helpless humans, me hert jumpin' to me throat as Larry was suddenly grabbed by one instead o' me. 'Im happenin' to have stopped by me side 'n' blocked me uknowingly while aimin' his pistol at other tentacle which had taken a hold o' one o' th' Spaniards, 'im reachin' his arms towards me but too late, me gaspin' for breath as watched his body to be slammed hard againt th' main mast. Me holdin' back tears o' terror as juist ran forward, only to have me leg almost caught up by another tentacle that came oot o' nowehere from above me. Me turnin' aroond to slice it 'til dodged th' neist attack by fallin' due to th' falter o' me balance that sent me doon to th' hard deck. Me ignorin' th' agony th' tough landin' had caused as weel as takin' all air from me lungs, me resiliently crawlin' awa' from th' limb swishin' right above me heid in search o' me, me graspin' th' main mast 'n' haulin' meself behind it in an attempt to hide. Only to let oot a startled scream wance that samet tentacle then wrapped aroon th' mast, again missin' me by an inch when I'd unexpectedly moved downward to seek a free route to escape. Me scramblin' to me feet regardless o' th' paralyzin' fear 'n' kept oan goin', avoidin' th' escapin' men 'n' pieces o' sails that kept fallin' doon oan us efter th' ravagin' tentacles ripped th' wooden beams in pieces, directin' swings all aroond me to keep th' heinous limbs at bay afore eventually gettin' saved for another time by an unlucky sailor who was at th' wrong place at th' wrong time as th' creature tried to reach me. Efter few mair barely failed attempts to catch me, me actually findin' it quite streenge that th' beast in a wey seemed to be targetin' me specifically for some reason, nae leavin' me alone 'n' even releasin' a few other captured crewmen to get to me.

"Incoming!"

I hit th' deck in a flash as heard Edward's voice 'n' saw his coupon juist a second afore I noticed th' fuse he'd ignited, standin' oan top o' a cannon he'd turned aroond wi' Mateo, aimed at somethin' behind me 'n' a few member o' his crew who'd ended up cornered in front o' th' Captain's cabin. Us all droppin' doon to stay clear o' th' metal ball that then immediately darted oot o' th' cannon. Whizzin' past th' back o' oor heids so close that we could feel th'strong airflow th' flyin' object left at its wake, me makin' a disgusted grimace as directly efter th' loud boom o' th' cannon pieces o' burnt flesh rained oan us. Us juist in time rollin' oot o' th' wey afore th' injured tentacle neist crashed doon, laboriously retreatin' back intae th' ocean. But it was then I realized to have lost me hat by th' cannon blast, me haun pressin' oanto me heid I didn't even notice to be bare as I sat quickly. Me scarf as weel gone, me nae registerin' th' shocked goups Seaman 'n' Mateo were givin' me as me attention was drawn back to th' tentacles. Me in fact frownin' then for utmaist confusion as saw me hat to have flown a couple o' meters awa' from me 'n' that th' creature seemed to somehow respond to it, immediately attackin' a Spaniard who'd slipped to th' burnin' pieces o' flesh right nest to th' headdress. Lettin' oot a frightened gurgle as th' tentacle shot aroond his neck, Edward tryin' to shoot it wi' his rifle for nothin' as faster than we could blink th' man had awready been flung over th' edge where another tentacle risin' from water caught 'im, takin' 'im doon.

For a whim absolutely unknown to me (glaikit one at least, taken that any o' us could be dragged to oor watery graves any minute Cornucopia would yet stay afloat at th' mercy o' this unnnamed beast) I creeped towards th' hat efter noticin' it to have been speared from th' attack, in me hasty attempt to hide me hair I'd finally noticed to fall across me face as I lunged forth. Reachin' for th' headdress, but for me neist confusion Edward stopped me. Keekin' death serious.

"Don't touch it. It's the hat it wants", he stated, me frownin' in utter disbelief.

"What?"

Ignorin' 'im I snatched th' hat back, sendin' a fleetin' awkward gaze to me fellow crewmen whose eyes had noo been opened to th' truth at th' moment o' ultimate danger, me bypassin' their shocked reactions as then flung meself across th' deck under a pair o' tentacles efter seein' me sword to have slid beside th' railin' oan stardboard side ('n' efter greatly hesitatin' whether or nae darin' to mak' a nosedive right below circlin' arms o' a monster). Me however succeedin' 'n' reclaimin' me weapon, noo a wee encouraged 'n' shovin' th' fear awa' me exertin' up to stab another tentacle that had attempted to seize Edward from behind. Th' appentage actually stickin' to th' rail for a moment, 'til for me followin' horror I was then drawn wi' it afore I could release th' blade, freish cry o' fright eruptin' me lips as I made a circle in th' air, showered by droplets o' saltwater that smarted me eyes. Blinkin' me as I tried to pull th' sword oot o' th' flesh o' th' creature, therefore nae preparin' to have me shoulder ram against th' railin' o' th' quarterdeck. Noo weaponless me droppin' doon oanto me back wi' a groan, squeezin' me eyes closed as felt me body to ache all ower noo. Throb for exhaustion, th' cries o' Seaman 'n' Mateo however causin' me to pull meself upward 'n' stumble to me feet, me leanin'against th' saved part o' th' rail briefly as watched 'em to be taken doon one by one. Me placin'a supportin' haun against me hit shoulder soarin' wi' pain, gettin' spooked by th' tentacle that then dashed towards me. Makin' me fall back oan me arms as I dodged th' impact, footsteps echoin' in me ears as Edward abruptly stormed up th' staircase wi' a wild face oan his coupon 'n' threw 'imself across th' wet deck to me. Removin' me hat.

"Didn't ye hear me, woman? The creature is after this thing, which is why it keeps on attacking you!" he exclaimed, shovin' me to th' left as th' tentacle crawled ower th' rail 'n' slid across th' deck. Me eyes widenin' for both scare 'n' bafflement as I was shielded by Edward wance th' creature seemed to figure oot where we were.

"That doesn't mak' any sense!" I screamed. Possibly close hysterically as was wance mair aboot to lose me composure, th' fear gettin' too great to bear as it seemed us along wi' Mateo 'n' Seaman to be th' only ones left standin'. As if agreein' wi' me th' beast howlin' below us (in triumph what else) 'n' abruptly tightenin' its grip aroond Cornucopia, Edward pullin' me against 'im as th' whole ship neist twitched violently from th' bottom 'n' for oor equal terror we saw th' hull finally give in. Water rushin' thro' th' snapped planks gallons at a time, soon submergin' th' whole deck as then a set o' fangs appeared from th' surging waves that reminded o' a whirlpool. Me releasin' a breath o' fright as understood 'em to be th' creature's teeth, it then shakin' th' ship so that th' remainin' survivors that had climbed up to th' masts to safety dropped into th' awaitin', gapin' jaws. Me noo bein' glad for Edward's support as we also stairted to slip towards th' main deck as th' vessel careened mair by th' second, Edward reactin' by tossin' th' tricorne hat intae th' whirlpool afore pushed me upward to tak' a hold o' th' wheel so that we could get as far o' th' beast's geggy as possible nae to get swallowed oorselves. Wance securely oan top o' it me extendin' me arm to pull 'im efter me.

But it was then that th' tentacles swoopin' aroond us appeared to pull back a wee, us haltin' for shared sense o' wonder 'til th' worst happened. Th' creature takin' hold o' what was left o' th' ships hull 'n' efter a slight, finishin' squeeze threw it in th' air. Me nae even comprehendin' what was happenin' as th' act o' flyin' caused me to catapult thro' th' air, me hearin' Edward call oot me name 'n' feelin' his haun attemptin' to grasp me as I followed meself to flung ower th' railing juist as I realized th' wreck o' Cornucopia to land oan somethin' abruptly. Nae sinkin', me hardly havin' time to frown as I lifted me gaze to see how th' main mast finally ripped apart due to th'sudden flip. Fear o' dyin' havin' but a moment to cross me mind afore I landed intae th' water 'n' presumed jaws o' th' monster, submergin' rapidly 'n' eventually hittin' me heid oan somethin'. Losin' consciousness, imaginin' to hear th' growl o' th' beast in me ears as somethin' sharp carved intae me arms. Me presumin' it to be th' creature's teeth tearin' me to pieces afore I passed oot, perhaps detectin' a splash. Th' mast presumably droppin' doon oan me 'n' killin' me, as I then felt nothin'.

---

I stared at the silhouette of what it appeared to be but pitiful remains of the fabled ship the Flying Dutchman through the relentless deluge, frowning for utter disbelief as let out a frustrated sigh. Squeezing the gunwale of the Pearl as once more wondered how exactly had I ended up here in middle of nothing, along yet another of his senseless excursions, until recalled my reasons with a lurch of heart. Me measuring the vessel which location Tia Dalma, a voodoo priestess of Jack's acquaintance, had determined for us after we'd sought counsel from her about the matter concerning Davy Jones. The drawing that Jack had showed me after our escape from the Cannibal Island appearing to depict a replica of a key that would open a chest which contained the Captain's beating heart. A key which Jones reputedly had with him at all times, and which now apparently was just waiting for us to claim it at the wrecked ship, along with the chest that Jack was naturally after for purposes utterly withheld from me.

Even Jack hadn't told me anything that would've indicated such, I wasn't as stupid as he deemed me to be that I wouldn't have figured out his desire to seek out the chest the minute he'd asked my assistance in finding the key as an exchange of his compass. Especially after all I'd learned about his predicament directly from Tia Dalma for Jack's vexation. Not that I cared about his troubles nor the fact that this mission was as good as insane, but as long as he kept his word I'd do anything he told me to. It had already been weeks since I left Port Royal, and my fears about Elizabeth's safety were constantly increasing. Amplifying my worry over her life as well as the possibility of having the deal I'd stricken with Beckett broken due to the delay of my fulfillment of the bargain, me however then ignoring everything but the errand at hand. As long as it would help rescue Elizabeth I'd do anything, including boarding the Dutchman and stealing the key right under Davy Jones' nose. Was it crazy or not when I'd finally succeeded in finding Jack, by pure chance at that. Even a single spark of hope was enough for me at this point to save Elizabeth's life. By thinking about my fiancé my mind then somehow drifting to Miranda, me finding myself briefly wondering had she been proposed to by that Scotsman during these past weeks I'd been gone, until I forced her out of my head. She was none of my concern anymore and she was the least important thing I needed to concentrate on now.

But as I now saw the infamous Flying Dutchman ahead of me, not at all menacing nor matching the description of a legendary ship tasked to ferry the dead to afterlife, caught to a group of reefs, I couldn't help but feel disappointment as it indeed didn't look anything like I'd imagined from those tales I'd been told during our stay at Tia Dalma's dwelling. All the lights aboard were doused and there was no sign of movement anywhere, everything appearing dead, me finding it hard to believe that this was the ship we'd seen all this trouble locating. My surprise reflecting to my voice as I then started to speak to Jack and Gibbs who were standing behind me, stiffened to their places. Aye, I'd also taken notice Jones' name to strike actual fear in Jack, which was why he'd appeared less and less pleased about this plan when we'd got closer to the coordinates given to us. Now smoothing his beard nervously as his grimace like expression told me all I needed to know about his opinion about our target.

"That's the Flying Dutchman?" I questioned, turning to give the men an incredulous glance. Lifting my brows. "She doesn't look like much."

"Neither do you. Do not underestimate her", Jack replied, me holding back an eye-roll before returned my attention back to the ship, taking a moment to devise a scheme of my own, where Jack soon arrived by my side with his First Mate. Both of them also peering towards the immobile wreckage.

"Must have run afoul on the reef", Gibbs suggested.

"So what's your plan then?" Jack inquired from me, looking curious where I refused to look to his direction, already sick and tired of getting caught up in his ploys that hadn't boded good for me in the past, and but most eager to get this one over and done with without further need to stay around him any longer. Me not actually believing in what I next told him, it sounding but a waste of time despite of that tiny voice within me that urged me to act, reminding me that this was all for Elizabeth and her freedom.

"I row over, search the ship, until I find your bloody key."

"And if there are crewmen?"

"I cut down anyone in my path."

Simple as that, aboard and back. I wasn't going to spend any more time over there than I had to, but not because I would've needed to be quick and watch my back once at the Dutchman. I would be very surprised to find anyone still alive in that ship, legendary heartless pirates or not. And if I would come to face any resistance they would be easy to deal with. Nothing would stand between me and that key.

"I like it. Simple, easy to remember", Jack remarked in satisfaction behind me, as I was now heading towards the ladder that had been thrown over the ship's side for me to descend to the dinghy prepared for me by the order of Jack (who'd previously decided me to go recover the key for him). By choice ignoring Jack as without much thought I swung meself to the steps and shinned down, meeting Ragetti halfway who was hanging from a rope beside me, me hearing his jeering voice from below me long before I saw him. His quip about my very on "chariot" accompanied by his merry laughter that coincided with my mood. Aye, this had to be a really smart move on Jack's part, to send a thief over to the enemy den and hope he came back victorious with the loot. Well that's Jack for you, eternal optimist when it came to his own interests...

"Oi!" Jack abruptly called out to me, me looking up to him as placed the lamp I'd received from Ragetti down to the longboat, having to exert my eyes to see him from all the water that dripped into my eyes. "If you do happen to get captured, just say Jack Sparrow sent you to settle his debt. Might save your life."

I stared him in puzzlement after turning the boat around, having no clue what he was spouting about and how such a thing could shelter me from any kind of harm should I be indeed "caught" by Jones' crew. But I soon bypassed Jack's advice as Ragetti shoved the boat further into the waves with his free leg.

"Bon voyage!"

My observations made form the deck of the Pearl had been accurate. After I'd managed to avoid the heavy crates and other scrap floating about the wreckage and reached the Dutchman, I'd found nothing but destruction. Dead bodies, more refuse, pieces of survived cargo and shredded remains of the sails filling my vicinity, no living soul in sight as after taking in the impressive crevices of the deck and the general damage befallen to the ship, I'd then started to scour the vessel for the key. The middle of the hull completely flooded, so I had to wade to the other side, my previous hopes about acquiring the key swiftly dying as I didn't come across anything even reminding of that I sought. Doubt taking hold of me then as the terrifying thought occurred to me; perhaps the key had been taken by the sea and there was nothing to find here?

My attention was suddenly drawn by the sound of a human voice filtering through the noise of rain. Me lifting the lamp higher and after searching the stern in icreased light I did see a man, tattered and wounded, standing there while compulsively attempting to bring up the foresail that had left his forearms all bloody and chafed by the rope. Not acknowledging me at all as I approached and called out to him, just continuing to mutter the same mantra over and over again under his breath with a terror stricken voice in some kind of a catatonic state.

"Captain's orders...Hoisting the jib. Bring up with a round turn."

"There's so use. You've run aground", I tried again, seeking the sailor's attention and surprisingly gained it, only to flinch when he looked at me. Somewhat shocked, shaking his head briskly as his spooked irirses darted everywhere in panic. Him soon making a disgusted grimace as continued.

"No, no, beneath us... Foul breath."

I was startled then by a splash that sounded behind me, me turning around to see another man to have falled from the mizzen mast. Me walking towards him after seeing him move, the second survivor crawling towards the deck desperately. Me calling out to him in turn before strode to place my lamp to hang from the mast, dropping to my knees to help him. But as he didn't respond and I turned him around, I was shocked myself by the sight of his face. Or rather the sailor had no face, the grotesque sight making me wince as I jumped to me feet with a startled exclaim, gawking at the pale, warped and somewhat withdrawn flesh in disbelief, as if that man's features had been magically eradicated. Something Gibbs had mentioned on our way to Tia Dalma's shack then echoing at my subconscious as my irises then rose to spot a third person. As well lying in the water behind a piece o' detached railing, me hesitating a moment due to the previous scare but eventually leaped over the faceless man.

"Hey!" I called, taking hold of the rather runtish looking man's shoulders. Assuing him to be but a lad as tried to shake him awake, his hat covering his face so that I couldn't see whether his face was intact or not. Swift examination telling me that he'd gained some injuries but appeared to be alive, me now moving the hat away. "Can you hear me? Hey..."

I was utterly thunderstruck once I'd removed the hat from the boy, only to find that the person I was staring at wasn't a boy at all, but someone else entirely. Me frowning in dismay as eyed at the unconscious figure, after a second or two my brain confirming me not to be seeing things and actually recognizing her. One more movement of my hand revealing the long light locks that had been stuffed under the hat.

Miranda.

I let out a shocked breath, worry invading my heart once I realized she was bleeding from the head. Me trying to understand why on earth she was here and most importantly how she'd gotten here, shaking her again. Not knowing what to do in this even more unexpected situation when she didn't move, my mind too occupied to detect the splashes that signaled of approaching footsteps, until I was soon made aware of the nearing threat by a sword that slipped over my neck. Unfamiliar male voice starting to address me rather hostilely with a thick British accent, me lifting my hands up from Miranda's face.

"There be nothing to plunder here no longer, lad. The only things ye find are death and misery, so leave the girl and be on yer way."

I snatched a piece of wood beside my knee and used it to flip the weapon away, rising as turned to meet my assailant my own sword drawn. Now face to face with another sailor, but one who seemed to have survived the shipwreck with minimal damage, and most of all his sanity intact. Blood running down his forehead all the way to his eyes, his gaze nevertheless hard as he motioned me to move away from Miranda.

"You're the Captain of this ship?" I asked, something about him telling me that he was no average seafearer. The man nodding in consent.

"Aye. And I won't have ye aboard me vessel under an intention of thievery", he replied, confusing me. As if he already knew what I'd came here to do, so technically he was right in accusing me even I didn't admit it. My own expression then turning earnest as I locked gazes with him, trying to see was he holding onto something that could conceal the key.

"Are you Davy Jones?"

The man was stunned by my question, snorting at me before broke into a slight laugh. Me wrinkling my brows at him as he pointed the sword at me. "If it is Him you want to see, try at the bottom of the ocean. But if ye wish I can make ye an appointment", he said, threatening me. "Step away from the lass."

"This is the Flying Dutchman, isn't it?" I inquired, at this point completely clueless myself, my prevous disbelief returning as earned equally baffled stare from the Captain of the destroyed vessel.

"No, lad. Ye have the privilege to stand upon the deck of The Cornucopia...or what's left of her."

I lowered my blade as thought about his words, indeed them making perfect sense along with my own views about this ship Jack had alledged to be the Flying Dutchman. Me then sighing and sheathing the sword before offering an apologetic nod to the man. "Forgive me. I mistook you for someone else."

"To Davy Jones? What in God's name gave ye the impression that He'd just happen to be here when ye'd call upon Him?"

What indeed? I thought, starting to turn angry for this useless wild goose chase Jack ahd consciously sent me for some reason, until remembered. Kneeling back next to the girl as my new acquaintance strode forth, the tip of his weapon not being shy to point at my neck again.

"I did tell ye to stay away from that girl."

"You know Miranda?"

The Captain dithered after hearing me use Miranda's name, glancing between us until nodded. "Aye, she joined me crew at Port Royal. And who might ye be then?"

"My name is Will Turner. I'm... a friend of Miranda's."

---

NOTE:

scuttlebutt = in this instance this term refers to kegs used to store drinking water aboard ships, not to idle chat like gossip, which this word also points to due to the fact that the scuttlebutt was the general place where the ship's gossip was exchanged.

Batten down the hatches = Prepare for trouble

Dressing down = Treating thin and worn sails with oil or wax to renew their effectiveness

Over the Barrel = Most common method of punishment aboard a ship, when a sailor was tied to a grating, mast or over a barrel to be flogged.

Splice the Main brace = In this instance an order given to issue the crew an extra drink

Demonio = demon, Monstruo = monster

---

Scottish vocabulary:

Pronouns etc:

o'= of, th'= the, 'em= them, oor= our, 'n'= and, intae= into, 'er= her, 'im= him, me = my, nae = not

Recurrent & other words:

efter = after, afore = before, wi' = with, ontae = onto, to keek = to look, glaikit = stupid, mornin' = morning, dug = dog, heid = head, wance = once, coupon = face, aboot = about, to ken = to know, aroond = around, weel = well, mair = more, haun = hand, lik' = like, thro' = through, neist = next, juist = just, tak' = take, wey = way, maist = most, cleas = clothes, ne'er = never, 'imself = himself, aff = off, doon = down, 'til = until, oot = out, guid = good, to stairt = to start, to'morra = tomorrow, noo = now, naw = no, ower = over, gey = very, meself = myself, dauner = walk, hert = heart, awready = already, foremaist = first, ain = own, goup = stare, wee = small, awa' = away, atween = between, efternoon = afternoon, wi'oot = without, goup = stare, freish = new, streenge = strange, 'ere = here, to winch = to kiss, mak' = make, bonny = pretty, stoatin = brilliant, geggy = mouth, to luv = to love, maist = most, likelie = probably, glaikit = stupid, ourselves = ourselves