AN:

The complications that arose, ensued, weren't so easily overcome…Sorry Jack, and I didn't even have your compass to guide me…

I'm so upset to have to admit this to you my lovely readers, who are waiting for these updates with trust in me to be able to take this story into entertaining direction, but while writing this chapter half of the time I didn't even know what I was writing to be honest. As mentioned in the previous chapter, this part of the film has turned out to be a huge pitfall for me, black hole where all my creativity is sucked in and my ability to invent plot reduced to zero, kryptonite to my usually so productive brain that can conjure up senseless babble enough to make a simple text message look like a novel… I don't know what's wrong, at times I couldn't even phrase a sentence properly and had totally lost the threads of the plot from my hands, without any idea how to have them connect with my notes of later time…Not even rewatching the films did the trick this time, and I tried it twice. I was just soooo very stuck, so I'm a bit afraid these chapters are turning out mere fillers with no effort in them whatsoever…Hope not. I've after all read them through at least trice.

Please tell me what you think!

Entry 14

"Miranda? Miranda!"

I frowned as Miranda's head just slumped to the side without her responding to me or much even reacting when I called her name time and time again, even unconscious her features filled with unspeakable agony I could relate to with similar kind of burning sensation on my own back. Only that she was in much worse condition, me at least being able to stand with my tree sole delivered lashes, where her back had been mercilessly shred open with seven more. Me bypassing the excruciating pangs of pain as well as the culprit responsible of both of our torment, who I noticed to be hovering not far from me and Captain McConaughey. Him now trying to walk over to us, but before he managed to get to Miranda I told him to back off with a infuriated leer.

"I don't need your help."

The man who in this state of mind I most certainly refused to refer to as my father cringed away at the face of my ire, just watching me to take Miranda's head between my hands. Trying to wake her one more time when McConaughey's calls hadn't been enough to get through to her stupor either.

"Miranda, do you hear me?"

All I got as a response was light whimper when Miranda shifted herself slightly on the mast that definitely pressed against her wounds, me frowning at her in compassion as found us not to be able to wake her, still a bit stupefied by the unexpected turn of events when the exposure of her secret had grown into such disastrous proportions. Me not believing even now her to have been punished right along with me as followed McConaughey to step forward to lift one of Miranda's eyelids, until peeked at the lash marks on her back. The concern I then saw written all over his serious face not making me any calmer, the man sighing.

"She's not waking up any time soon. Her body's in a complete state of shock", he specified, my eyes shifting back to tied up Miranda as I now stretched an arm backwards to feel my own gashes, jolting at the light touch my fingers made with the bloody ulcers, until I heard my father's voice end the silence.

"Is she alright?"

"She would be if you had just stayed your hand!" I retorted, now filling with rage as twirled around to stare at the man. Like before refusing to believe him to be my long lost father I'd long presumed to be dead. Shaking my head at his regretful expression I couldn't care less about, as in my anger even bypassed the fact that the chastisement Miranda was still enduring most likely couldn't have been avoided either way as a possible likely practise if a woman was discovered dressed as a man aboard a ship. But it was the very fact me to have seen her to be hurt in front of me without me being able to do anything about it that provoked my hatred, causing me to lash out. "You could've left her out of it, but in addition to me you went on ahead and put her in this state! She didn't deserve this!"

"The Bo'sun prides himself on cleaving flesh from bone with every swing!" my father answered, his serious tone turning apologetic then as he glanced towards Miranda. "Impersonating as a sailor is a crime regarded grave for which the perpetrator is to be punished accordingly, even if you're not a woman… I only did what I deemed right at the moment. I wanted to protect you, son. Both of you from further torture at the hands of Jimmy Legs."

"So I'm to understand what you did was an act of compassion", I snapped at him, astounded, my voice rising an octave as I took an enraged step towards him after glancing at Miranda in turn. Once locking gazes with him my resentful fury however abating a little when I saw his eyes to be filled with sincerity. His remorse for what I was accusing him of getting through to me now by a single word from his lips, my stern frown starting to smooth.

"Yes."

I gawked back at my father speechless, the confusion and wonder finally mixing in with my vexation as I measured the man in indescribable disbelief, until both of us looked away from one another. Me not being able to believe my father, real father to be standing right there in front me after so many years of living without him, with nothing but a distant memory of a young boy to remind me of his existence, and the first thing he did after meeting me was this…Captain McConaughey's voice however next cutting through the conflicted swarm of thoughts circling in my head.

"We can't leave her like this. If I don't do anything in these conditions her back will develop a serious infection and she might die in a matter of days", he announced, me looking to him in alarm until took notice of the sword hanging at my father's hip. Without a second thought drawing it out with a single yank and strode to Miranda, McConaughey catching my drift and supported her as I started to cut through the thick bonds.

"You heard the Captain. If you set her loose you will undergo the same punishment!" my father exclaimed, hurrying towards us with a hindering hand stretched out to land on my arm, but I only leveled a strict glance at him. Like before but a single look causing him to keep his distance.

"I take my chances. I already have a death sentence laid over my head, so the least thing I'm afraid of is the Boatswain's whip", I stated. Perhaps even a bit too poignantly, as couldn't help but be reminded by my guilty conscious Miranda not to have even been here if it weren't for me, after a brief moment of sawing through the ropes tediously us managing to free Miranda from her ties. Captain McConaughey swinging her up into his arms, once her back rested against his arm Miranda suddenly startling awake with a faint cry of pain. Nevertheless her eyes only half opening when she looked about drowsily, soon blacking out again after I heard McConaughey to hush her.

"Easy now. Sleep."

"No…I'm…awright", she breathed, however not having to force the man to tell her to stay still when she'd already drifted away the moment the Englishman started to walk towards the staircase, me sighing.

"That's the most flagrant lie I've ever heard."

McConaughey briefly turned to me in middle of his walk, looking to me remarkably. "I'll take her aside somewhere. When convenient come to me and I'll see what we can do about yer back."

I nodded in concur, remaining still as followed McConaughey to jog down the stairs, for my surprise my father striding past me to follow after him, calling out to the Englishman to stop him before he disappeared belowdecks.

"Let's put her in one of the cabins. They've been long unused and she can have some privacy there away from Jones' eyes. She'll be safe from further punishment if she stays out of the Captain's sight for a while."

I saw McConaughey nod at my father in gratitude, him sending a fleeting glance to my direction me until joined the Englishman at the main deck. With tardy steps me soon following in tow, now believing more into my father's sincerity when he'd said to have only tried to shelter me and Miranda from the utter wrath of the crew by stepping in, even if it had meant delivering the lashes himself with more leniency. Miranda's current state as well as the stinging pain crawling across my own sore skin nevertheless still disrupting my ability to decide upon him just yet, as all I was feeling right now was in the end coated with plain shock. While immersed to my agitated ponders me however not having time to notice the Bo'sun who managed to surprise me. Suddenly appearing out of nowhere as I was crossing the deck to get to the lazarette myself, one glance towards the quarterdeck later him turning his ardent irises to me, where I simply leered back at him unfazed when he grabbed me by my vest. Me reacting by only turning away in distaste to escape the stench of his breath as he leant close to me.

"You just can't help gettin' under me gills, do ye Turner boy? Well, now ye be sure to pay for darin' me patience."

I was under such a heavy drowse that I couldn't bring meself clearin' oot o' it efter wakin' up, nae kennin' what time it was nor where I was when I could juist faintly register to be layin' oan me side instead o' remainin' tied to th' mast. Somethin' soft placed under me heid instead o' me feelin' it to be propped against th' hard surface o' th' decayin' wood, efter brief confusion that managed to waeve thro' me sluggish mind, me bitin' me teeth together to suppress th' pained moan that was ready to slip me lips when I'd apparently shifted in me deep sleep. Th' lash marks oan me back protestin' against any movement, as th' same, burnin' pain soared throughoot me body that felt but stiff, th' sensation piercin' thro' whatever dream I'd been havin'. Albeit it had been only me back that had been injured it still seemin' lik' every fibre in me would've throbbed for th' unrelentless pain that was yet to subside, me nae findin' meself to be able to open me eyes nor move as I stairted to come to excrusiatingly slowly. Efter several minutes o' pickin' up everythin' aroond me from sounds to smells wi' me aroused senses 'n' listenin' to th' groanin' o' th' Dutchman, me finally tryin' to open me eyes again wance fought back me urge to remain in comfortable slumber that would chase awa' th' agony. Findin' meself surrounded wi' nothin' but darkness as I noo turned me heid oan me apparent pillow, it fallin' as I took a slight keek at me surroundings. For me further puzzlement realizin' to be in a cabin.

I efter all couldn't stop meself from whimperin' as equally tardily I made an attempt to sit, in th' end me simply doin' me best to bypass th' wounds that screamed at me nae to move when I levered meself upward. Efter wey too much effort findin' meself sittin' oan th' edge o' th' sheetless bed I'd been laid upoan by someone, me cursin' at me weakness as felt me eyes turn moist due to th' arduous twinges o' me back. Me refusin' to break doon intae useless tears noo when me punishment had come to an end (although unexpectedly), me placin' me hauns oan th' edge o' th' cot as weel as released a deep breath. Wincin', squeezing me eyes shut as stubbornly tried to move past th' torment, it however nae releavin' enough room from me mind for me to have been able to ignore it entirely, me neist noticin' th' shirt I was wearin'. It wasn't mine, o' dark color 'n' definitely belonged to a man, me nevertheless bein' grateful to whoever had spared it to replace me torn blouse I noticed to have been folded oan a bench by th' cot. Sparrow's hat sittin' oan top o' th' peedy table crammed intae th' corner o' th' toaty room as me examination noo moved forward to tak' in th' grime that infested th' cabin. Me feelin' meself rather uneasy while confined atween those walls, everythin' aroond me radiatin' humidity that reigned ower th' whole vessel, makin' me skin feel sticky. Me placin' me bare feet oan th' floor, only to gasp due to th' slippery feel to it. Efter a wee moment o' search me locatin' me boots to have been left by th' bed as weel, but at th' end o' it. Me wrappin' an arm aroond me torso as stretched oot me left to lift 'em, yelpin' faintly when in middle o' th' movement me body reacted by jerkin' back to relieve th' aching sensation th' wrong position inflicted. Wi' a frown me forcin' meself to bend forward swiftly, lettin' oot a half moan half sigh as relaxed back ontae th' bed, th' boots in me haun, juist as I heard th' door creak 'n' streak o' light shone thro' to th' entrance. Me watchin' William's father to step in, efter a curt bafflement me eyes simply fallin' as I straightened me posture wi' a hardly deterred flinch, stairtin' to put oan me shoes as th' man closed th' door. His eyes fixated to me curiously as he placed th' candle he was carryin' ontae th' table, sittin' by me side.

"I apologize for the bad fit. It was all I could find for now."

I was surprised, meetin' Mr. Turner's gaze 'til understood 'im to be referrin' to th' shirt as saw 'im glance doon at it. Me noddin' wi' a brief smile. "It'll do juist nicely."

"Here. Some water", Mr. Turner said, offerin' me a canteen which I accepted eagerly. Gulpin' doon th' wonderful ailment to th' dryness o' me throat, th' sailor soon levelin' another apologetic keek at me when he saw me frown in wonder. "It's stagnant, but better than nothing. We don't eat nor sleep aboard this ship, so provisions are close to naught currently."

"Thank ye."

I smiled at 'im again a wee afore turned me eyes to goup at th' wall in front o' me, concentratin' oan breathin' calmly 'n' in rhythm to ease th' pain. Silence descendin' 'til Mr. Turner stairted to speak again, juist as th' ambience was aboot to turn uneasy.

"I've addressed to your wounds to the best of my ability, when your companion was indisposed. I hope you are feeling better now that you've rested."

"I'm not", I told th' truth, nae seein' a reason to lie to this man towards whom I had no obligation to appear brave, me shakin' me heid as smiled at meself in amusement. "But I can only blame meself for this, can't I?"

Mr. Turner was silent then, me bein' able to guess his thoughts 'n' admit mine to have drifted to similar, accusation filled, embittered ponders as could very weel remember what had happened last evenin' oan th' deck. Perhaps even in some part o' me mind wishin' to punish 'im a bit wi' me candor, me still nae wishin' to bring it up further 'n' soon shrugged such thoughts aff wi' a freish sigh. It yet turnin' intae a wince as me muscles twitched at accordance to me try to sit up properly again.

"Thank ye for yer kindness, Mr. Turner. I'm in yer debt", I mused then, meetin' his eyes shortly as he smiled at me, noddin' his heid.

"It was the least I could do. Your wellbeing is after all important to my son."

I directed an awkward glance towards th' man but didn't comment aboot his choice o' words that had indicated a much different natured stand aboot me misfortune to William from truth. 'Im noo springin' to me mind me keekin' at Mr. Turner in wonder, as quite frankly would've thought either his son or Edward to have entered th' cabin instead o' this man I'd ne'er met ('n' who I would've assumed to keep his distance from me for some time efter what had happened), 'n' truthfully I perhaps would've appreciated to see Edward dauner thro' that door in his place.

"Where are Edward 'n' William?"

"They were put in the brig after releasing you from the mast against Captain's orders. The Bo'sun caught Will right after and took your other companion right along with him before he had the chance to take a look at you", Mr. Turner answered, causin' me to flash a concerned keek to his direction as he leant oan his knees, his nae so sorrowful face however advocatin' me o' th' fact that that was all they'd undergone for defying th' Captain. Me lettin' oot a sigh o' relief to ken 'em nae to have been flogged at least as William's father continued. "I did all I could to the lash marks, but I'm no doctor. They should heal quickly as you're young and strong, but we can never know…If you only take it easy."

"There's naw time to be takin' any o' this easy", I breathed, mair to meself as mentally jabbed at that similar kind o' pacifyin' remark Edward had made. Tryin' to stand, grimacin' at th' demandin' burn o' me bendin' back. "I need to see they're awright."

"I wouldn't advise you to leave the cabin", Mr. Turner countered seriously, lockin' gazes wi' me. "Captain was furious upon finding you to have been freed. If he catches you walking about the deck he most certainly will throw you in there with them or worse, have you lashed yet again. And that could kill you this time around taken the state you're in."

"I wouldn't care. I'm awready in unimaginable pain, so what would a few mair lashes across me skin do?" I replied quite sharply, meetin' th' man's eyes sternly, 'til realized me to be actin' a bit crudely. Me irritation wellin' up unintentionally, me noo makin' another attempt in standin' 'n' succeedin'. However at th' cost o' me body strivin' to benumb, to give in under th' scorchin' agony, me decidin' meself nae to indulge in th' sense o' comfort an immobile position would brin'. Mr. Turner's haun nevertheless risin' to tak' a persuasive hold o' me forearm wance I'd taken th' first step towards th' door, me falterin' a bit as keeked intae his eyes that coaxed me to listen to 'im.

"It's alright to admit to be hurt. I can see that you're struggling to function, so please, stay in here and rest if not yours, but for my son's peace of mind. He urged me to take care of you when he and your other friend would remain locked in the cells."

Fathomin' 'im to be right, affected by th' apparent plead William had made to his father I then found meself sittin' back doon, groanin' at th' tensin' o' me muscles that left a pulsatin' sensation at their wake. Me holdin' back a desire to hiss at th' pain, us spendin' another moment in silence efter I'd used th' first to examine th' man who'd been revealed to be William's father. Regardless o' th' aquatic characteristics o' different sealife 'n' th' large starfish he had stuck ontae th' side o' his pallid coupon me stairtin' to see th' resemblance atween 'em from close range. However nae bein' able to accept it efter so many times o' hearin' William talk aboot his long ago disappeared father, especially efter learnin' 'im to have died at th' hauns o' Barbossa efter sendin' one o' th' cursed Aztec coins to his son. Me in th' end simply turnin' awa' me measurin' gaze wance Mr. Turner caught me goupin' at 'im in disbelief, me neist tardily inchin' an arm ower me shoulder. Under th' shirt to feel th' lash marks, findin' 'em too sensitive to touch. In turn gettin' eyed at by th' man by me side, me soon turnin' towards 'im in confusion, watchin' his lips to be turned upward by a delighted smile.

"So you're the light of my son's life I've heard so much about…you're everything he said you to be. It's very good to meet my son's fiancé."

I keeked away swiftly at th' sound o' th' man's grave misunderstandin', tryin' to appear that his words didn't cause turmoil in me when I straightened me back even at th' risk o' strainin' th' wounds. Even a bit indignant tint appearin' in me voice as I responded curtly, nae believin' how Mr. Turner could've made th' mistake o' confusin' me wi' William's true love even efter all he'd apparently awready heard aboot 'er.

"I am not Elizabeth."

Th' man was visibly doilt, keekin' me ower. "I could've sworn…with that blonde hair and brown eyes he praised as most beautiful he'd ever gazed into…and the way you looked at him last evening... It tells me that you love him a great deal."

"Then ye're gey perceptive", I did mumble efter some thought, wallowin' in th' jealousy that wance mair came rushin' ower me lik' a tidal wave. To be yet again compared to Elizabeth twistin' me insides as I bit back th' scornful thoughts o' ol' which I'd awready decided to give upon to move past th' whole prior ordeal that hadn't made anythin' aboot William 'n' Elizabeth's relationship easier to accept. In fact disappointed in meself as had thought to have gotten ower common enmity, seein' Mr. Turner to nod slowly 'til we resumed in sittin' in silence, me noo feelin' even less eager to be in th' cabin alone wi' 'im, yet alone talk to 'im. 'N' I didn't mean to be rude by thinkin' so, 'n' I wouldn't have hold anythin' against 'im if it weren't for William who inescapably sprung to me mind while confronted wi' his father. Father that had left 'im, father that had ne'er returned to 'im, 'n' efter years o' separation was revealed to be a pirate who'd abandoned his family for th' sole reason o' pursuin' a life o' crime. Me perhaps bein' able to forgive his father's deeds o' last evenin' oan me part, but his past actions were somethin' I couldn't accept, as a person who'd been there to hear how much William had been in need o' a father while growin' up alone wi'oot ayone guidin' his wey from his childhood to adulthood. So while aware o' th' high regard William had felt towards this man, I juist couldn't understand his conviction that had justified his decision to leave his family behind (especially when th' choice had been completely his to mak').

"I realize that you must hold little desire to speak to me after what I did to you", Mr. Turner said abruptly, his somewhat quizzical voice burstin' thro' me busy thoughts 'n' claimin' me attention, 'im eyein' at me noo in wonder. "Which I'm deeply sorry about. I never would've wished to act as I did, but I did what I regarded as best to turn the situation to less serious, as in the hands of the Boatswain I can assure you to have been beaten half to death. And I can't help noticing that there is something between us that makes you seem rather disinclined while around me."

I locked honest gazes wi' th' man, nae even attemptin' to feign ignorant when Mr. Turner had wance again seen thro' me assumed polite facade 'n' picked up me uneasiness, sharin' it. Noo keekin' at me expectantly, slight smile makin' its wey oan his lips again as he kept oan bletherin', lettin' oot a slight laugh at th' end o' his speech.

"As however the matters may be, even if not his Elizabeth, it appears you to be equally important to William, and I would very much like to get along with you. I didn't leave all that good of an impression, now did I?"

"As ye awready established, Mr. Turner, forgive me if I'm nae jumpin' at that chance. Ye flogged nae only me, but yer ain son", I replied, acknowledgin' to be actin' quite childishly, but oan th' second thought it didn't matter to me as I wanted 'im to ken me nae to let his actions slide wi' a plain apologetic smile when it came to William.

"Something tells me that there's more to it than that", Mr. Turner remarked all knowingly, me releasin' a sigh when he was again correct. Me feelin' meself fill wi' sudden anger as I gazed back at th' man who in me eyes deserved no sympathy oan th' matter I was aboot to brin' up, feelin' betrayed in William's place as thought aboot th' challenges 'n' torment his family must've gone thro' while his father had been awa' piratin' at sea. Me gaze but grim as it met wi' William's father's, me nevertheless tryin' nae to flare up completely, maintainin' some civility oan me features as efter all had been taught nae to openly lash oot oan people as a means o' an affront.

"Wance again ye're correct", I admitted, directin' an incredulous goup intae th' man's eyes, shakin' me heid as tried to mak' sense o' th' thoughts I was aboot to voice oot. "Ye left 'im. Ye selfishly left Wiliam 'n' his mother to survive oan their ain at th' expense o' yer desire for a lifestyle o' lawless nature, 'n' yet alone that ye didn't ever return to 'im. Forsakin' 'im wi' nothin' 'n' no one when his mother passed awa', leavin' 'im stranded 'n' abandoned wi' no option other than headin' oot to sea in search o' his father who didn't show even that much o' a care for his family to visit 'em. Provide for 'em."

"I would've returned for my son should that have been an option at the time", Mr. Turner responded, perhaps tryin' to bypass me disapproval wi' an evasive response, his regretful mien turnin' earnest. "I've been stuck aboard this ship for years, without a chance to leave it until one hundred years of service. Every man makes mistakes in their lifetime, and mine was to leave my only son, make no mistake in knowing that."

"I'm sure ye had yer reasons 'n' it's nae me place to question 'em…but what I feel obliged to do is to be rightfully upset, nae only for William but for meself. I adore 'im 'n' been part o' his life long enough to ken how much it hurt 'im to have been forced to fare for 'imself wi'oot a man to show 'im example…" I kept a break then, me mind shiftin' elsewhere momentarily as I could feel me hert tug for sadness o' me ain. "I ne'er kenned me father. He was abducted 'n' killed by th' men o' th' sea. By men lik' ye…so I can relate to what William was feelin' back then, nae aware would he see ye again, or have ye back at all. Except that to me that possibility was disavowed by nae me father's self-seekin' decision to stay awa', but a pirate's blade."

"And yet you surround yourself with people just like me", Mr. Turner cut in, his coupon nae revealin' his thoughts as I keeked at 'im, turnin' serious meself.

"All I do if for me luv for yer son. That's all there is to this disinclination, 'n' why I sit 'ere in th' company o' one such man which kind I've learned to despise ever since me birth", I explained, resolutely as sat nearer to th' cot's edge, allowin' me gaze to fall to th' floor as was again measured by th' sailor. Me soon noticin' 'im to shake his heid at me thoughtfully.

"Then it's a shame…" he said, truthfully confusin' me 'n' I faced 'im quizzically as he finished. "…that he loves another when you are so devoted to him. I'm sorry for you."

I didn't ken how to react to his attempt to console me wi' his compassion that came as a surprise efter he'd practically been oanslaught by me negative delivery that hadn't contained all that much leniency towards 'im. Me blinkin' 'til let oot an inaudible breath, turnin' awa' as remorse stairted to knock oan me conscious, realizin' to be actin' oot o' line nae matter how offended I would've been for William's sake. As this matter in fact had nothin' to do wi' me, me nevertheless still nae bein' able to shake aff th' sense o' antipathy as I neist spoke up again apologetically. Admittin' to be layin' th' blame oan 'im a bit too strongly.

"Forgive me, Mr. Turner, for me straightforwardness. But when I think aboot me ain upringin' wi'oot a father…it's juist hard for me to put up wi' th' wey things went atween ye 'n' William. Leadin' to last evening's nae anymair admissible events…Therefore me nae apologizin' aboot everythin' I said. There was truth in me words too."

"And I thank you for your honesty. As in most case, you are quite right. And not a day goes by that I'm not reminded of my faults…especially now that you're here. When fate has agreed with you and seen fit to reunite William with his long lost father…or what's left of him."

Wi' a sting o' pity I examined Mr. Turner who had risen to his feet soon efter finishin', exchangin' a frank keek wi' me 'til headed to th' door. Me bein' able to tell however that oor hert to hert chat had done wee to ease th' uncomfortable tension atween us, me guessin' it ne'er quite completely bein' able to fade efter th' recent events as I followed 'im open th' door. 'Im turnin' to me shortly.

"Once more I beckon you not to leave the cabin for the time I'm gone…and please do call me Bootstrap or Bill. I would feel better if you would address me less courteously", he said, shruggin' a bit afore offerin' me a polite smile that I returned wi' a nod. Matchin' it wi' a tense one.

"Miranda."

I watched th' man to exit wi'oot a word mair, me listenin' to th' sound o' his footsteps recedin' to th' distance as he made his wey back to th' deck. Efter remainin' immersed in me shifty ponders 'n' goupin' at th' kelp covered ceiling me standin' up, painfully puttin' oan me jacket afore went for th' door meself. In th' end nae payin' heed to Mr. Turner's warnin' to be dicoveed sneakin' aboot either by th' crew or Captain Jones 'n' slipped oot, stairtin' to mak' me wey towards th' cargo hold. Meself headin' for th' brig to pay a visit to me apparent saviors who were currently payin' th' price o' their benevolence.

"This sure trumps drudgery in all that blasted rain."

I turned my head to gaze at Captain McConaughey who was staring at the deck above us, his lips wearing a smile until I watched him to lounge back against the wall. Ignoring the dank surface of the wet wood that not only looked appalling to touch, but was completely covered in greenish muck, however as there was no escaping it both of us to have strived to accommodate to our current surroundings as swiftly as possible. Taken that neither of us knew how long we would remain stuck in that tiny cell with hardly room for myself and my fellow cellmate's seven feet frame, me following his smile to morph into a smirk with a shake of his head. McConaughey scratching his bearded jaw in amusement.

"Although I have to admit that for me first time in the brig the setting could be a bit more up to standard. I don't see any devils locked in here for leaving the cells this unattended, so the conviviality of our Captain leaves a lot to be desired."

I broke into a small smile myself until found myself eyeing at the unfamiliar man thoughtfully, my hand moving under my vest to fiddle with his watch that still was in my possession. Despite of what I'd promised to Miranda the cues the object hold about him preventing me from returning it until I'd learned more about him. Him soon picking up my stare and straightened his posture a little, inclining his head as his eyes flashed to me in reflect.

"Is there something on me face, Turner? Not growing barnacles or anything of the sort just yet, am I?" he questioned, narrowing his eyes in suspicion as I made a ghost of smile.

"Confusion."

McConaughey laughed at my response until watched my eyes to drop, this time to take in the details of the wooden planks below me as it was his turn to examine me, me seeing him to lean forward when he spoke up again. First in slight disdain until his accented voice gained an interested tone, his toothy grin fading a bit, in fact just then him reminding of someone but I couldn't bring myself to remember who it was until I was given something else to think about. The flicker of recognition vanishing along with the familiar glimpse of expression from the Captain's features.

"Quite. I didn't suppose one night spent in this wretched prison would be enough to turn me into one of those fishy soul muggers…Is it Randa ye're thinking about?" McConaughey asked, me feeling my eyebrows to rise in consent.

"I hope she's alright", I stated, nae even noticing to have started to speak until I heard McConaughey to respond after apparently seeing through me facade so easily that it made me wonder how successful I in fact was in hiding my thoughts behind a composed mien.

"She'll be fine. I told yer father what needed to be done and she should be sleeping through it about now. The longer the better."

I nodded in concur, knowing very well worrying over her to serve no one but only amplifying my guilt, in fact McConaughey's voice once more preventing me from wallowing in it as it next addressed me somewhat eminently. Me assuming him to be doing the exact same thing by trying to assess my character better now that we'd found ourselves with all this sudden time in our hands in the privacy of the brig.

"It seems I've been mistaken about ye."

I looked up to Captain McConaughey quizzically, not following what he meant and it did take a moment before the meaning behind that statement was elaborated in full.

"Miranda told me ye're a blacksmith", he mused curiously, folding his arms across his chest as took in my built and rough hands of a craftsman that spoke for themselves, seeming to support this perception about my profession. Me matching his stare with another nod.

"Aye."

"And that ye were engaged to her until ye broke the arrangement due to the involvement of another girl, Miss Swann, was it? Lady of the house Miranda used to work for? So while regarding this notion I suppose there's no such connection between ye and Randa now, taken how stringent ye've been towards her since ye came upon her aboard me ship."

I stiffened due to the suddenness and the head-on approach of the man's question, not knowing why he was making such abrupt inquiries out of the blue, and the least liking the way the unneeded reminder of my past lack of discretion about my love affairs made me feel. Even more puzzled for the reason the man was directing the conversation to Miranda instead of asking other defining questions about me, to which I'd prepared for, me facing the man with a serious expression. Now once made the connection to one of his previous remarks and understood its point, feeling my features to tense up as it most certainly wasn't his place to ask about my relationship with Miranda, even if she'd decided to shed a light on the complication that was our terms. Still were, even if we'd cleared some air between us the day before.

"That was long time ago", I breathed, the man lifting his eyebrows significantly at my attempt to brush the topic off with an inferring remark.

"Not all that long ago if I've understood correctly."

"Why do you ask?" I questioned, challenging the Captain with a strict stare of my own as straightened to a sitting position, seeing the man to return my gaze at first blankly while lost in deep thought until he lifted his eyebrows again just slightly. In a way that it unsettled me in a strange way, as if he would've been able to see straight into my thoughts this time around, the odd way he was regarding me then causing me to feel unexplained distrust towards him once he replied indifferently. Neither his visage nor his voice revealing his true stand in the matter for my slight chagrin, his conspicuous interest in Miranda's affairs but confounding me, my hand closing around the clock in doubt as traced the simple engraving on it.

"Just trying to figure out what kind of a man Randa has gotten herself smitten with."

I sighed. "That's part of the past. Yes, we used to love one another and were about to get married…but things have changed."

"So I've been told", McConaughey said with an understanding nod, looking at me with that familiar insight in his eyes that reminded me him to know a lot about me (me instead not knowing what exactly as then ignored him). "But do things really change that easily, I wonder? One look at her and anyone would think the same."

"As time progressed we started to grow more distant from one another in a sense of love, where on my part the lack of romantic feelings towards Miranda turned to all the while stronger friendship. So as I knew I couldn't offer her the happiness I'd once promised her, I saw fit to release her from my promise when the resumption of our plans to marry would've made us both unhappy, gone against our wishes. It was better for her to go on without me."

"Truly? Well, it is not yer purpose that has me lacking in conviction but yer actions in the matter that to me appear a bit… at fault. She has been quite withholding with the details, but revealed me enough that I'm under an impression that ye left her for yer current fiancé, right after promising yerself to Randa. And even if ye might've grown apart from her romantically as ye say, to claim her to have done the same is just lying to me through yer teeth to make yerself feel better about how ye handled things with Miranda", McConaughey cut in, his perhaps even curtly snappish tone causing me to flinch. Me directing remorseful eyes briefly down on the floor until met his eyes again.

"See it as you wish. I love Elizabeth and couldn't have married Miranda when my heart belonged to someone else."

"And the love that same heart once felt for Randa? Has it vanished? Do ye not feel even an ounce of that devotion towards her while seeing her to have come so far just for yer sake, running away from her just found family? It's that sole fact that makes me curious about the thing ye two have going on, which I'm failing to comprehend in full if I'm to be blunt... Ye'll do well to find me to be very blunt when the occasion calls for it, mind ye."

I was speechless for a moment, thinking back about my and Miranda's conversation of last evening when she'd finally given her approval to my desire to marry Elizabeth, although it had been clearly hard for her, deepest sigh yet leaving my lips as I made a slow nod. McConaughey's lack of any telltaling reaction to my answers hindering me from getting to the bottom of his own purpose for this unexpected series of enquiries while I replied.

"Of course I do. But not enough for it to be right for Miranda to bestow her with a lie instead of true affection she deserves from someone who can offer it wholeheartedly."

"Ye say that, feel that, and yet ye deemed it acceptable to present yer benevolent intent by choosing her Mistress over her while yet promised elsewhere? Heartbreak is very different from granting freedom, lad. I realize ye're young and ardent with yer feelings, but common sense is what I discover ye to be desperately short of. And now demand an explanation for it."

I hold back an urge to frown as couldn't help but feel him to have spoken to me like a clueless child in need of direction, simply inclining my head. "Why does it concern you? I think it certainly does not, as the matters you're involving yourself with are solely between me and Miranda."

"I only have the best interests of Miranda in mind. I don't meddle in yer business for spite nor to achieve me own goals", McConaughey responded curtly, unfazed.

"And what are your goals then?" I inquired, allowing slight poignant tone to appear in my voice as well as exchanged a curious stare with the older man, me then coming to think of a possible reason but turned instantly skeptical once it was voiced out. "Has she become that important to you in that short time you've known one another that you've taken it upon yourself to protect her from me?"

"If I must. That is what I'm trying to determine by sitting here with ye, talking."

I was bemused by McConaughey's unconstrained straightforwardness that verged on actual crudeness at times, once more convinced that his inclination to speak his mind when it suited him seemed very familiar to me, like I'd been faced with similar incontinent expression of emotion before. This notion teasing my memory which I was racking to finally make the connection, however failing as let out a new sigh, looking up to the man. My voice frank and filled with penance as if it were Miranda sitting there in front of me and not Captain McConaughey, whose relentless stare hadn't left me during the short silence that had fallen.

"If I could do things differently, I would. She knows this and I cannot apologize for the harm I caused her in any way to amend it in full. But I cannot change the fact that I have grown to love Elizabeth more over her, and that I did the only thing that felt right at the time by leaving Miranda. I had to either choose my own happiness or her heartbreak, and neither of them were choices I was prepared to make readily. I care for her, but not so much as to force myself to love her like a woman against my will."

"Then I don't understand what she sees in ye to have come all the way here to save ye."

That was a mere statement, and yet it felt like something else, like everything about this man I confronted with an unyielding mien. Us remaining silent then as Captain McConaughey measured me once more, not finding my explanations satisfactory to assert him of my good will and that I initially hadn't meant to hurt Miranda by choosing a different route in life from the one we'd once agreed upon together years before. Me in the end only ignoring the man's dissent as regarded my problems with Miranda to have been solved with last evening's discussion and her gesture of atonement, taken also that I'd long ago set on Elizabeth and wasn't going to second guess myself because a man I hardly knew was questioning my morality in affairs that after all didn't involve him in any way. Even if he'd grown to care for Miranda as I did.

"We're friends. She will always be mine regardless of what has changed between us", I remarked, bypassing my companion's attentive eyes roaming about my features to perhaps vouch himself of my candor. Me glancing about the brig until saw McConaughey to lift incredulous eyebrow, the darker tint of the blue of his irises melting away to its usual bright color as he leant against the hull again his eyes now closed. His cryptic countenance once more telling me him to know something I didn't.

"If ye were even half as clairvoyant and zealous as ye profess to be about yer love, ye would see that to be impossible. If ye know Randa at all, that is."

Did I want it or not he made me think then, me turning towards the Captain as he said nothing for the next few minutes, doubt filling me as I couldn't either help revising Miranda's words and behaviour from yesterday to discover could there be some truth in McConaughey's view. However not coming to believe in it as instead was sure us to be able to return back to that friendship I'd shared with Miranda for many years and would yet again after getting to the bottom of our differences. My thoughts starting to wander, me now turning curious also as my thumb swept over the cool silver object in my pocket.

"Are you married?" I inquired, trying to read McConaughey's mind from the reaction I got from my question, trying to make some deductions about him to clarify some of the mixed feelings I'd found myself harboring for this man rather quickly after meeting him. Like with Mr. McTavish me finding there to be something about him that didn't quite sit well with me, but whatever it was he was a master in hiding it, as besides my at times rising wonder about the Englishman, nothing gave any reason to doubt him. Well almost nothing. Or perhaps I was starting to become too suspicious towards everyone I didn't know, taken the recent experiences in trusting the wrong people that had resulted in me getting the shorter end of the stick and my straits turning worse from what I would've wished.

"With a woman so wondrous that even the clearest sky after a storm cannot do her grace justice. She's far more majestic than me ship and fiercer than the storming sea…Me Anne", McConaughey revealed, his features softening shortly until his expression resumed back to composed. "I'd just joined the military when I met her. About a year in the service and from the first encounter I was utterly lost to the ways of the heart instead of Naval obligations, but her smile being enough to change the course of me fate I had regarded as predefined. I gladly bartered the perils of military life to the stability and joy she brought with her love."

"It was your wife who persuaded you to become a merchant?"

"She did contribute to the change in a significant way…more than she did by merely stumbling onto me path."

"And you decided against pursuing your studies to earn a doctorate?"

"There's a time for everything, but to keep that little ye've been given ye must know how to manage that time to prevent the risk of losing it. Honest earning of an income was better suited for me after the birth of our first child."

There was a slight pause as I tried to fathom what McConaughey had just said, realizing that his previous response didn't in fact say much that I would've been able to understand. His words too cryptic for me to understand, me however abandoning the deciphering of his covert answer as took advantage of the current course our conversation had taken.

"Then as a married man you must know what true love is like", I presumed, sharing a glance with Captain McConaughey. "How it makes you feel and how it bends everything in your life to something you least expected without you even noticing...that's what it was to me as well. When I fell for Elizabeth for the first time."

Captain McConaughey faced me with an unreadable expression until after a short moment of staring back at me he shook his head, lowering his gaze but still unfazed by my attempt to make him see things from my perpective (by reminding him of his own evident love he felt towards his wife and how uncontrollable such devotion could be when it took over a man's heart). But instead he simply inclined his head at me in denial even for a curt moment I had imagined to see understanding in his eyes.

"I do know what true love feels like, as have felt such affection towards but one woman. Where I've never had two fighting over a bigger place in me heart, so I suppose I'm ought to pity ye in a sense that ye've been forced to make a choice that is impossible, and commend ye for that ye have. Just wish ye to have made it with more reason and less emotion to spare others from even graver consequences…"

I was truthfully stunned by this notion, regardless of the denial that instantly welled up amongst my bafflement, me knowing him to be right in his own way. But before I earned a chance to reply we could hear a sound of steps coming down to the brig, slow, unsteady paces that were soon joined by low wails as the person approached, for our mutual surprise us seeing Miranda to walk to sight after a few seconds. Her instantly removing the steadying hand from the wall as quickened her pace, however not being able to hide how in pain she truly was as I turned towards the bars in concern. Frowning at her appearance down here at the brig when she should've been resting back in the cabin, Miranda smiling at us a little as I measured her before was about to accost her condition from her. On the last second stopping the words from rolling off my tongue as could see the answer to my inquiries without a need to voice them out loud, Miranda however detecting the worry I wasn't able to hide and gave me a reassuring glance.

"I'm fine. Thanks to ye."

Her eyes now moved on to McConaughey as I sighed, frowning once I noticed her flinch due to the rotative movement of her torso when she sat down and leant to the side to look at the man behind me. McConaughey sitting up properly to take a look at her bearing in turn, his trained eyes neither missing the occasional cringes and inaudible exhales of hers, Miranda turning serious now.

"Ye really shouldn't have gotten involved…It was me ain fault to have ended up tied to that mast, so ye should've juist let me carry oot me punishment. As noo ye're locked in 'ere even we should be doin' everythin' but linger 'ere longer than is necessary", she told us, after leveling an earnest gaze to both of us her then shaking her head a little, sighing herself.

"Your back is severely torn, there's no way for you to be alright, Miranda", I countered, at first ignoring her previous remark as met her eyes that were full of denial at the face of my own stern features. Me glancing at her back briefly. "And even more reason for us to have released you... You could've died of fever should've we just left you tied to that mast."

"I could've taken th' punishment juist fine wi'oot ye gettin' yerself detained!" Miranda breathed, clearly not agreeing with me. Yet another flinch however taking away her credibility and giving me and Captain McConaughey a chance to look at her remarkably, her only shaking her head and pretending as if nothing was wrong. "It would've been better for only one o' us to be impeded from carryin' oot oor plan. How long do ye have to remain in 'ere?"

"We don't have the foggiest. The Boatswain wasn't all that chatty when he locked us in here", McConaughey replied, now rising from his spot to walk over to the bars, motioning Miranda to turn so that he could take a look at her back after she'd slid her jacket off her shoulders. His expression causing me to frown, me following the man to push a careful hand under the new shirt I noticed Mirada to be wearing until he drew it back instantly when she inched away from the examining fingers. "I've seen worse…but also a lot better. The wounds are a lot sorer than I expected, even they've already closed."

"Mr. Turner did his best. Th' pain will relent in a few hours", Miranda stated diplomatically, exchanging a bit strange glance with me at the mention of our mutual surname, looking away eventually as put her coat back on. Me examining her in concern but also in wonder as I could sense there was something off about her during that short moment she'd brought up my father, her expression at the time somewhat peculiar.

"Are you relly going to be alright?" I asked, not buying her assumed bravery. Miranda sighing yet again as she tipped her head at me.

"What else can I do than to endure it? I told ye two, I'm fine. I can move 'n' walk, speak 'n' I believe also me hearin' is still weel 'n' intact, whereas it is th' state o' yer lugs that has me concerned…"

I made a ghost of a smile as cast my eyes down, soon seeing her hand to reach out between the bars rather tentatively to set upon mine momentarily, her serious tone softening a tad as it was her turn to express worry towards me.

"'N' ye?"

"I've been well cared for", I assured, nodding towards Captain McConaughey who smiled at Miranda, after a moment of hesitation me after all taking hold of her hand momentarily just as it was about to withdraw back from my knuckles. "Not the worst whipping of my life, I tell you. Mr. Brown could be quite rigorous at times if he caught me slacking while drunk enough."

Miranda smiled at my remark slightly too, shaking her head at my response that had aimed to be sarcastic. "Let's agree oan nae lyin' to one another this moment onward, awright? Ye see me to be untruthful, 'n' I ken when ye're keepin' th' truth from me to ease me distress."

I made a half nod of concur, acknowledging that like it had always been before I couldn't fool Miranda's keen perception either now, directing a glance at my own back dismissively. "The wounds hurt, but I manage. It's you I'm more worried about."

Miranda's newest curt shake of a head told me not to be as her eyes were then rose to McConaughey, her releasing her hand from mine as my attention was as well directed to the man by my side. Me blinking and making half a frown at his current expression when he without a doubt had watched our previous interaction with a very close eye, the uncomfortable flicker of emotion driving me to look away as Miranda broke the silence after a moment of thought.

"What are we goin' to do? Aboot th' key?"

"Well, even I still don't know what the importance of this said key is, I reckon we would benefit most by finding it first", McConaughey remarked matter-of-factly, me concurring with a tilt of my own head.

"It has to be in Jones' cabin. Tia Dalma said him to keep it with him at all times, but of that we cannot be sure until we find a way to get close to him to search him", I said thoughtfully, Miranda looking bemused.

"'N' how do ye suppose we could get so close to 'im to snatch it from his person?" she stated, doubtfully. "Captain Jones is nae that glaikit as to let 'imself to be pickpocketed if th' key really is so important. Which also makes me think it to be logical for 'im to have locked th' key somewhere in his quarters, to mak' sure it won't fall intae any thievin' hauns", she suggested, me staring down in wonder as stretched out a hand to take the piece of cloth from my pocket I'd received from Jack. Once I'd unfolded it and revealed the apograph of the key Miranda blinking in surprise, where McConaughey only gazed down at the drawing in wonder. Turning contemplative.

"Well wherever it is hidden, at least we know what it looks like."

"Sparrow gave ye this?" Miranda asked, tracing her fingertips over the picture of the key as I nodded, flashing her a brief content smile before rolled up the cloth again and this time placed it in my vest pocket with the clock.

"At least he won't be getting his hands on the Chest without it", I mused, this notion turning me spiteful when I thought about Jack's plan to fool me into paying his debt and leave him free to search for the Chest to have backfired tremendously, him in fact offering me the perfect chance to steal both the key and the Chest from right under his nose. Leaving him with nothing but the knowledge that his own ploys had turned against him.

"There's somethin' I don't understand aboot this Chest…" Miranda said then, gazing down until looked at me and McConaughey questionably. "What is it? I don't fathom why everyone is so keen to obtain it, even me uncle…"

"Your uncle?" I questioned, pausing, until could feel my features to tense up just slightly when I saw her to nod.

"Th' night I was rummagin' thro' his paperwork I found hidden letters, from his assistant, mentionin' this Dead Man's Chest, me uncle expressin' his desire to have it located as swiftly as possible…none o' 'em however explainin' what the Chest was, so I thought it was nothin' o' importance…but efter all that has happened…"

"It appears yer uncle is not a fool", McConaugey interrupted Miranda, confusing her as exchanged a serious stare with me, noticing my jaw to clench for realization. "He knows the value of rumors and is willing to take a chance at them to gain unquestionable advantage in the battle over the dominion of the Caribbean. There has been whispers of East India Trading Company growing in power, but now I fully understand what has initiated them."

"Advantage?" Miranda repeated, a bit aghast due to McConaughey's ominous tone. Her quizzical irises soon finding mine as I let out a sigh, turning even more edgy after discovering Beckett to be much more trouble than I'd originally thought.

"The Chest that both Jack and Beckett are searching for…I'm not exactly sure what power it holds, but it belongs to Jones, and is connected to him in a way that both your uncle and Jack are regarding it as important to be found. To be used by them to achieve their own ends", I explained, but befuddling Miranda who was listening to me with an incredulous expression, confused beyond belief. Me hesitating a little myself as wasn't all that convinced yet about the story's credibility, until continued recounting the details I'd learned at Tia Dalma's shack. "Allegedly it holds the heart of Jones that he cut out of his chest after the betrayal of Sea Goddess Calypso, who originally commissioned him to ferry the souls of the dead to the underworld. And he hid it somewhere in the Caribbean, to be found by no one but himself."

"But…what would me uncle want wi'…" Miranda started, stupefied until released a resigned sigh, shaking her head as rolled her eyes. "Undead pirates, ships from th' bottom o' th' ocean whose Captain has locked awa' his hert in a hidden chest…I suppose nothin' I'm to ever hear will be qualified as insane…it was for this reason uncle Cutler wanted ye to retrieve Sparrow's compass?"

I nodded once Miranda's hunch had been right, adding to my own suspicions that were starting to be further confirmed the longer we spoke. "His compass isn't like any other compass. It points to whatever the person in possession of it desires most in this life…That's how he was able to find Isla de Muerta without ever being there."

There was understanding on Miranda's face, in addition to her grave dismay and puzzlement that took turns in toggling her features.

"And it is this compass that the pirate Sparrow is sure to take him to the Chest in question as well?" McConaughey spoke up then, making sure he had understood correctly.

"Jack had some problems in using the compass lately, which is why we went to seek counsel from Tia Dalma. And I don't believe him to be able to find the Chest before we've obtained the key and found it ourselves", I replied, making a half smile. "And if he does, it doesn't do much for him to hold the Chest without the key, risking to have Beckett after him to recover it from him. From what I've understood they know one another."

"Jack Sparrow ye say was this pirate's full name?" McConaughey asked, pensive again as settled against the back wall, nodding. "I've heard some stories of me own…Apparently the fellow used to work for the Company long time ago, and was given command over a ship owned by the West Director of the Company's East Africa division, the man we all now as the current Governor of the said Company. But once contracted to deliver a bang of slaves aboard this ship from an island he'd discovered under the employment of Director Beckett, he rebelled, releasing the slaves and earned himself a brand of a pirate. Losing his rank of the Captain along with his vessel that was burned down to the last board by the order of his former employer and lost to the sea…Which makes me truly curious about the man's connection to the beloved Captain of the ship we're currently aboard…"

Somewhat taken aback by McConaughey's tale I thought about his words, all I'd learned from Beckett's bearing and unintentional slips of his tone and choice of words while confronted with him back at Port Royal when we'd been discussing about Jack, when he'd taken that branding iron from the fireplace and gazed at it in a remembrance of some sort, me now understanding why. Weighing the current situation and the number of Jack's connections to it that seemed but to increase, until it soon dawned to me. Me feeling Miranda's eyes to roam on my face as she waited for me to speak my thoughts out loud, realizing me to have figured out something that caused me to smile in understanding.

"Jones raised the ship from the sea", I realized, meeting Miranda's gaze shortly until mine shifted to McConaughey who'd arrived to the same conclusion. "That's why Jack was so afraid of going after the Dutchman and had me go search for the key in his place…he owed Jones for resurrecting the Pearl, and used me to repay that debt, before the Kraken would collect it by dragging the ship back into the depths."

"Th' Pearl used to belong to me uncle?" Miranda stated, slightly slow on the uptake of the information that had started to pile up concerning Jack and the Chest, her thinking a moment. "So Sparrow wants to find this Chest to blackmail Captain Jones intae releasin' 'im from under their contract, 'n' used ye to gain mair time in findin' it afore that thing that attacked us would catch up wi' 'im…'N' me uncle wants it because he wants to force Jones intae doin' somethin' as weel? Lik' what? Sparrow's reason to locate the Chest I understand, but what would th' Company want wi' it?"

"If Jones has indeed gained his power from the Sea Goddess herself…" McConaughey responded. "…it is not entirely far-fetched to assume the Chest to hold a great power over him, if it indeed contains his heart, so great that it would grant anyone the reign not only over him…but the sea that is his dominion. Greatest weapon of all for the Company in warfare against pirates, complete control over the Caribbean."

"Aye, he…mentioned somethin' that would turn the tide in th' battle against piracy…but I can't believe it to be a mythical Chest that might nae even exist", Miranda agreed but sounded doubtful, not because of her uncle's apparent plan involved a supernatural object of another kind to succeed and that the object was a supposed cut out heart of a cursed sea Captain, but like to the rest of us the news were just too inconceivable to comprehend in full in all of its complication. Miranda sighing.

"When did th' tradin' companies decide to get themselves involved intae th' madness o' th' world?" she breathed, leaning her head against the bars in a fleeting defeat. "I miss th' times when everythin' used to be simple."

"Troublesome, this is…" McConaughey stated, bypassing Miranda's remarks as stared at the deck above us again with a grim expression. "That's one Company I wouldn't grant such a dangerous key resource to resort to when they make their move…"

I became suspicious, turning to the man. "You're not a pirate. As a respectable Captain under the English rule, you should have nothing to worry about."

"Everyone has skeletons in their closet, lad, that they wish to remain uncovered. As can be concluded by Randa's recount of his uncle's plans, once the Company acquires the Chest I'm sure not even the faithful subjects are safe from the tyranny that is to prevail in the fervent hunt for the nefarious and indicted."

I saw Miranda to look over to McConaughey in slight pity, it causing me to wonder what he had truly meant with that previous statement, me following her to place a brief hand on his as well and she earned a thankful smile back from the man. Sudden determination taking over Miranda's features.

"Then we won't let 'im have it", she said, looking to me after exchanging a serious stare with Captain McConaughey. Her abrupt fervor to act surprising me, when she'd seemed rather reluctant to stay aboard the Dutchman in search of the key before when I'd expressed my intentions to stay. "We'll find th' key 'n' th' Chest, 'n' mak' sure th' Company doesn't lay a single finger oan it efter we've used it to force me uncle to release Elizabeth 'n' sign pardons for all o' ye. Nor will we let Sparrow get his hauns oan it, but get to th' Chest afore 'im 'n' tak' it afore he can."

"How exactly would we locate this object that is supposed to be hidden to a place that no one can find? Without that miraculous compass of Sparrow's at least", McConaughey countered. "How do we know Jones hasn't stashed it away safely somewhere outside this world to where only he can cross?"

"That's another problem for later. Only thing we need to do noo is to find oot where Jones is keepin' th' key. Th' Chest is useless wi'oot it…"

"The Dead Man's Chest."

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:

afore = before, me = my, hert = heart, wee = small/little, awready = already, ken = to know, efter = after, doon = down, as weel = as well, goup = stare, wance again/mair = once again/more, 'til = until, likelie = probably, keek = look, ower = over, aboot = about, streenge = strange, wey = way, haun = hand, ain = own, oot = out, neist = next, lik' = like, gey/pure = very, stairt = start, heid = head, awa' = away, wey = way, wi'oot = without, o' coorse = of course, dauner = walk, freish = new, wi' = with, juist = just, peedy = small, doilt =confused, thro' = through, ne'er = never, lugs = ears, naw = no, coupon = face, face = expression, 'ere = here, goup =stare, aff = off, luv =love, utmaist = utmost, toaty = small, awready = already, awright = alright, glaikit = stupid