Chapter 6

The Scarlett Ruby pulled into port at a relatively small island a day after they sunk the Viper. It was the only land visible if you were to look around from all sides of the ship.

"Welcome to Jakeston, Becky! The home of all of my crew and their families."

Becky's eyes grew wide as she looked around. She saw a small group of women and children waving at them. There were some wood houses and little shacks, but there were also places of business scattered about. It truly was a pirate's private town.

"This is amazing!" Becky exclaimed. "Who's in charge?"

"Well, I technically am since I am the captain and own this island. We tend to keep to a more parliamentary government system. The largest house you see there in the middle is my home and the meeting place of our Parliament. It's also where you will be staying. Of course, you will have a room to your own. You may get situated in your room first, but then we'll have to get you a clean dress for the celebration dinner to welcome you as our honored guest and to celebrate the sinking of Mimosa's ship."

As Becky was getting settled in her room, Jake watched over his twenty prisoners as they were being transported into the jail. In the morning, Tobias Threepwood would take them to England on one of Jake's smaller ships in order to get rid of them. Becky, wearing her new dress from Jakeston's dress shop, went down with Jake to the center of the town where a very long table was set up. About half of the town showed up, and after the dinner was over Jake took Becky on a tour of the island. He showed her the shops, the orchards, the gardens, and the beautiful views of the island.

"Everything is all so spectacular; no wonder you never came back."

The next morning after breakfast, Jake took Becky to see his treasure room, which was hidden in his house.

"This section is all of the gold pieces, that one is the silver, the one in the corner is the jewels, and that one is for everything else."

"Ooh, everything is so shiny!" Becky cooed as she fingered a gold crown.

"You can pick out five things if you like."

Becky shrieked with joy. "Really? Five things from any of these chests?"

"Well, not these ones here. They hold all of my favorites."

"Oooh, how will I decide? What should I get?"

"You could take this one kilogram ice blue sapphire," Jake offered. "I could have somebody make it into a ring for you."

Becky eagerly grabbed it from his hand. "That would be so pretty! I think it matches with my eyes!"

After two hours of decision-making, Becky finally chose a golden tiara, a pearl necklace and matching earrings (Jake was kind enough to count the earrings as one piece.), the sapphire, and a jeweled gold bracelet. She spent the rest of the day wandering around the town talking to other people and watching the pirates take care of the ships. By dinnertime, Becky was practically convinced that piracy was the life for her. Jake and his crew were able to have all the fun of pirating without being vicious. She had no life back at home, and this life Jake had created had all the action and adventure that she seemed to crave her whole life. There was just one more thing she had to experience before she was fully certain: she had to go on a pirate expedition.

"Jake," Becky addressed at the dinner table, "I was wondering, when is your next venture out into the ocean?"

Jake raised his eyebrows at her. "Don't you like it here in Jakeston?"

"Oh, I do! It's great; I love it here. But I just want to see what you're like on a pirate journey or something."

"Well, I was planning on pretty soon going out into the Atlantic to find a sunken ship allegedly filled with treasure. The pirating front has been a little quiet lately. Would that be good enough?"

"Sure," Becky nodded, "whatever you wanna do."

Two days later Jake, a refreshed crew, and Becky set sail on their expedition. This time Becky was able to bunk with Nora in her little room instead of having to stay in a cell. This arrangement gave them time to bond, and it wasn't long before they were best friends. Being the only girl on the ship, Nora craved some female companionship for once. At Becky's request, Jake began teaching her how to properly sword fight. Once she mastered the basics, he gave her a sword of her own.

"Jake, I…have been thinking a lot lately," Becky commenced.

"That's a dangerous pastime to pick up," he smirked.

Becky scrunched her nose. "I've been thinking about how much fun I have been having ever since I saw you again. I haven't felt so alive since seven years ago! You really haven't changed all that much since when you left. Of course, you're older and a little bit more mature, but you're still you. I feel at home around you and the crew. I-I think I might want to become a pirate!"

"Really? Oh, Becky, that's great!" Jake gave her a big hug. "I was hoping that you would want to stick around!"

Becky giggled, "I knew that would make you happy. Do you think we could practice shooting guns now?"

"Oh-ho-ho! Maybe tomorrow. I think sword fighting was enough for one day."

Early the next morning, Tobias rapped on Jake's cabin door. "Captain, a ship from the king's navy is heading towards us!"

Jake sprang out of bed and ran to the side of the ship. Scully handed him the telescope, and Jake began searching for the captain of the ship. Hearing the clatter above deck, Nora and Becky got up to investigate.

"Who is it, Jake?" Becky asked urgently.

"It's Nelson."

"What!? How did he find us? He can't take me back home! What are we going to do?"

"Becky, stay in my office for now. Everything's going to be fine. Pitzel, sail us closer! I need to know what he really wants first."

Once they were within shouting distance of Nelson's ship, before Jake could open his mouth, Nelson called out, "Ahoy there! I am Captain Nelson of His Majesty's Royal Navy! Prepare to be boarded!" Two of the men on Nelson's ship hoisted a large plank from their side across to Jake's ship, creating a bridge. Nelson and two of his men boarded the Scarlett Ruby. "So, it really is you, Cardinal. Where's Becky? You better not have hurt her in any way, or I'll-"

"Nelson, she's fine. In fact, she is in my office. Why don't you and I go in there with her and discuss things. Scully, Nora, keep these two men occupied."

The two nodded curtly as Jake escorted Nelson to his office.

"I am keeping my weapons, thank you!" Nelson said when Tobias was about to pat him down.

The three discussed everything- including Jake's running from home, Becky's kidnapping, and her decision to become a pirate- for three hours, and they all finally reached an accord.

"In summary, you, Captain Nelson, have signed this letter of apology for wrongfully framing me, Jake Cardinal, for the robbery of money from a traveler and for robbing me of the last bit of honor I still had to my name. You, Becky, and I have also signed this private contract agreeing that we will not intervene in your life, nor you in ours. The contract also states that I will not try to seek vengeance upon you for framing me; and you have agreed to report that Becky was killed by a ruthless pirate."

"That all sounds right," Nelson said dejectedly. "I really do regret the decisions I made in my youth; I hope that someday you will be able to forgive me. And, Becky, I hope that you will be very happy in the lifestyle that you have chosen. But are you positive that you don't want me to tell your parents the truth?

"I'm sure. You know their opinion of pirates; they would probably pretend I were dead if they knew that I wanted to become one."

"Alright, I will honor your decision. I bid you both farewell." Nelson took off his hat and bowed then began walking towards his ship.

"That's Nelson?" Nora whispered to Becky as he walked past. "Pity he sounds so stuck up; he looks kinda cute."

And with that, Nelson and his men got back on their ship and sailed away.