Chapter 22

"I told you to bring her in". Boomed an irritated voice from behind her and she watched as the two men visibly shook. 'Ah', she thought, 'this must be the Captain'. Turning her head painfully slowly she was taken back at the appearance of the man. He had a long brown wig and a rather elegant long coat. He was obviously a pirate however, as despite the nice clothes, his face was weathered and his voice was brash. He looked down at her and she could only stare wide eyed at the imposing man. She was surprised when he offered her a hand, and she hesitantly allowed him to pull her up and gave a small squeak when he then pulled her into what she assumed was his cabin.

It was even more eccentric than the actual ship and she gasped at the assortment of treasures that lined the walls and the unusual skulls which looked so out of place. There was music being played by a small group of well-dressed men and they continued to play as she was still being led down the stairs and into the room. It was an odd situation and it made Constance feel uneasy.

"Now, I haven't much patience". He started as he went and sat in a chair behind a large desk which seemed awfully cluttered. She had noticed his wooden leg and the memory of her asking Armando about a pirate with a wooden leg flashed into her mind and it took a lot of effort to keep herself from smiling in such a serious situation. She was stood waiting for him to sit and then he began once again. "What brings you to hide on my ship?".

Constance considered her reply carefully and made eyes contact with the Captain.

"I am sorry for hiding. But I am in search for someone and this was my only opportunity to achieve my goal". She answered, hoping honesty would work. He gave her an intense look and she was amazed at the amount of emotions which could be reflected upon his face. She saw suspicion which she thought was obvious considering her situation. But she did see intrigue and she had a feeling that would help her if she needed it.

"What would be stopping me from just throwing you over then?" He asked with a smile and she swallowed hard.

"I do not wish to cause trouble and I swear I will be off your ship when you next stop. I just… I really need to find someone". She explained, her panic suddenly setting in. He seemed to consider her and they she was shocked when he laughed.

"Perhaps if you told me more about your story… that I would be inclined to let you stay. For a price". He added the end bit as an after-thought and she became very aware that she had hardly brought lots of money with her. She had given the majority to the man who had got her onboard the ship in the first place.

"What price would that be?" She asked suspiciously.

"We can decide that later. But for now, tell me more. You do not look as though you would be doing something so dangerous unless it was a last resort". He pointed out and she realised that he was quite intelligent. She nodded her head and concluded that she would not mention Armando directly, as his reputation was more than enough.

"I fell in love many years ago with a Captain of a ship and we had planned on being with each other once he had returned home. But he never returned. Many have assumed he is dead but I don't believe it. My goal is to find him and just see for myself if he is alive for if he is dead I would rather see or hear it personally than through rumours. So, I ask you Captain that if you have ever loved anyone in your life, to allow me to stay upon your vessel. I did not come here with any ill intentions and would even help out on the ship if you so wish. Just allow me to stay until the next time you reach the port and I will be gone before you know it". As she finished she noticed the musicians had stopped their playing and were giving her sympathetic glances. The Captain gave them a deadly look and seconds late the music was back. She had noticed that as she spoke about love, that a small glimmer of sadness had washed over him and had she been braver she would have asked. But right now, she was just trying to stay on the ship.

"Ah love is cruel. Since you seem as though you have no real reason apart from emotions to be upon me ship, then I will allow you to stay on one condition".

"Yes?" She asked, internally praying he wouldn't ask for anything perverse or impossible.

"You will dine with me and clean".

Constance found the offer very odd. She realised that the ship and his cabin were relatively messy but she was expecting him to have asked for something much worse. Perhaps pirates weren't as bad as she had been led to believe.

"Why?" She asked without thinking and wanted to slap herself for sounding so ungrateful.

"You are probably one of the only people on this ship who looks as though you are competent to have a conversation with. And, you could say I have grown soft in my old age". He grinned but it was not that innocent. She wondered if she accepted his offer, if she would be indebted to him. But she didn't have a lot of choice and his request was not even that bad at all.

"You have a deal Captain…" She paused not being quite sure of his name.

"Barbossa" He replied. "And your name would be?"

"Constance". He nodded his head and he gestured to one of the musicians to move and give her his chair. Once she was seated, she looked at the Captain's desk and realised that there was already food laid out and had the feeling she had interrupted him whilst he was eating. He slowly pushed a plate of grapes towards her and she took them gratefully. Captain Barbossa on the other hand appeared to be eating an apple thoughtfully as he stared at her and she lowered her eyes. Armando had a taste for apples and she had to tell herself to get a grip and not become an emotional wreck.

"You are from England" He stated out of the blue and she nodded her head as she chewed slowly on a grape.

"And yet you are unmarried" He pointed out with his mouth full and gestured to her hand. She again nodded and he placed the apple down with a soft thud.

"You can talk you know". He smiled as he leaned forwards and she swallowed her food quickly.

"Apologies. Yes, I am unmarried although I am currently engaged, hence why I'm on this journey. I do not wish to marry my fiancé and I feel my time is running out".

Captain Barbossa took another bite of his apple before speaking again.

"You seem sure that this Captain is alive. What is your plan if he is not?"

"I haven't thought that far yet". She whispered and took another bite of a ripe grape. She felt her hand go to her dagger at the idea that Armando was dead and her actions were not unnoticed by Captain Barbossa.

"That is a very charming dagger, a gift perhaps?" He asked and held his hand out expectantly. It took every bone in her body to resist the urge of running away and keeping the dagger safe but she tried to relax. Constance took the blade out from her belt and carefully passed it to Barbossa who oddly enough handled it very delicately.

"How about I hold onto this for now as insurance and you can get it back when you leave. I give ya me word". He said as he placed his hand over his chest where his heart was.

Constance knew that she had no choice but to accept and despite wanting to physically jump over the table and beat the pirate with his own leg, she gave him a tight smile and nodded, too afraid to speak.

"I am intrigued to who you are Captain". She suddenly asked as she popped another grape into her mouth. She hoped that changing the subject from herself would keep her mind from the dagger and soon enough, Captain Barbossa was talking of his achievements and how he had 10 ships in his fleet. She had the feeling he had a bit of an ego but couldn't deny that he was impressive to listen to. He did not seem as bad as she had thought, and the more he spoke the more relaxed she became in his presence.

It was only when the doors from above were smacked open very loudly that her anxiety returned. There stood was Mullroy and Murtogg. They began speaking quickly one after another about the ships in Captain Barbossa's fleet being destroyed. She had widened her eyes at this news and turned to look at the Captain only to gasp. She almost jumped out of her seat when Barbossa suddenly pulled out a gun and fired at the musicians and soon enough the room was silent. It was much better in Constance's opinion but she still felt the tension in the room, as after all, it appeared as though there was an enemy against Captain Barbossa.

"There is talk that the dead are roaming the seas". Mullroy whispered loudly and Constance would have laughed had it not been for the fearful expression on the Captain himself. She did not believe in ghosts and she gave them all odd looks. But if this news was enough to scare a pirate then she thought that she ought to be terrified.