They crept through the town in the darkness. Elizabeth led the way to the dock, where a small rowboat floated. It seemed out of place next to the large Navy Ships that were also docked there. Elizabeth quietly crept in, and then motioned for them to follow. Henry and Tanner immediately set to work, rowing as quickly but quietly as they could. Elizabeth pointed to where they were to row and it took a long time to get out of the cove in the darkness. It was dawn when Elizabeth finally spoke.

“We’re almost there. Just a little farther.”

“How do we know that you didn’t just lead us out here to die? How do you know we aren’t lost? I don’t see land anywhere.” Tanner complained.

“I hate to say it, but I agree with Tanner.” Henry grumbled.

Elizabeth shook her head, “A pirate is always good at navigating and getting back to his or her ship. Look behind you.”

Slowly they turned around, and Tanner gasped. Now, only a few hundred yards away, a large ship loomed. It wasn’t as big as the Navy ships, but it was still one of the biggest Henry had ever seen. Sailors ran along the deck, scrambling to tie and untie ropes and release the sails. As they floated along the side of the large ship, Henry could see the name: “The Fighter.”

A rope ladder unraveled down to them and Elizabeth climbed up, “C’mon.”

Tanner went next, then Henry. When Henry pulled himself on board, he stopped. Surrounding them were probably ten to twenty sailors. Most of them were either middle aged or young men. Elizabeth stood in front of Henry and Tanner, proud that she had been the one to bring more sailors to the ship. One sailor growled, “Why they’re nothin’ but rich boys!”

A few other sailors shouted in agreement and Elizabeth’s smile faded. She scowled at them, “Yeah, well think ‘bout it. Rich boys know how to get money. Unlike you Darkin, you’ve brought nothin’ to this ship ‘cept fleas.”

Now a few sailors, “Ooh’ed” and snickered at her retort.

“Rich boys are worth nothin’ to me, and Captain won’t want nothin’ to do wid dem.” The first sailor, Darkin, spat; flustered at Elizabeth’s reply.

“I’ll thank you not to tell Elizabeth what I want and what I don’t, Darkin.” Came a voice.

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The sailors immediately parted slightly and a girl walked through the line. She wore the same outfit as Elizabeth but with royal blue pants and a non-ripped blouse instead. She wore the feathery captain’s hat on her head. Long blonde hair tumbled down her shoulders and she spun a small handgun between her fingers. She looked to be around eighteen or seventeen. She flicked her gun barrel in Darkin’s direction, smiling humorlessly, and he cowered behind another sailor, “Sorry Captain.”

She nodded and slipped the gun into her belt, then turned to examine the boys. Her eyes trailed their faces and arms, trying to test their weaknesses and strengths. Then she breathed,

“Captain Sam Blackstone,” She said, “But you call me Cap.”

It sounded more like an order than a request.

“Henry Black,” Henry introduced himself, “And this is my friend Tanner Forrester.”

“Welcome to the crew. Hope you know what’s to be expected.” She said coolly.

Henry swallowed, “Uh...”

Behind the captain, Elizabeth nodded vigorously and made a “Cut it out” motion, pulling her hand across her neck.

“Of course.” Henry said quickly, returning his gaze back to the captain.

Elizabeth sighed with relief and the Captain grunted.

“Alright then. Bjorn will show you where you’re living, dump your stuff there. But don’t expect to have those stuff two weeks from now.”

Henry frowned and looked at Elizabeth quizzically.

* * *

“Darkin and his buddies here steal everyone’s stuff. Don’t go complaining to Sam--uh Cap about it. ‘Cause she won’t do anything. It’s a dog eat dog world. Even here on the ship. You can’t call us family. Dakin would cause a mutiny against Cap if he weren’t so darn afraid of her.” Elizabeth explained as she followed them down to their quarters.

She didn’t go in; instead she waited outside as Bjorn, a young man in his twenties, showed them their cots. The beds were all hooked to the wall, off the floor. Twenty cots were lined up on the walls, held by wood and chains. Henry’s mattress was paper-thin and he had no pillow. Tanner looked excited, he didn’t usually have much to sleep on and here he had his own bed.

As they walked up the stairs to the deck, Elizabeth studied Henry’s face, “What’s wrong?” She demanded.

“You never said that the Captain was a girl.” Henry grumbled, “I can’t take girls seriously.”

Elizabeth pulled a cutlass from her belt, shoved Henry against the wall and held the tip of her weapon to his neck.

“Well, I’m afraid you’ll have to learn to take us girls seriously, because from now on, you’re under your captain’s order. I’m the nice girl on this ship. Cap? Not so much. When you’re around her, you’re gonna have to hold your tongue because she will not hesitate to either kill you or maroon you.”

She smiled sweetly as she slipped her cutlass into her belt and turned to the stairs.

“I never signed up for this,” Henry snapped at her turned back, “I asked to run away, not become a pirate.”

Elizabeth glanced back at him as she vanished up the staircase, “Sure, I’ll take you back to your fancy estate right now, pack your bags and lets go.”

Tanner grunted, “I don’t want to go home, Henry can, but I’m staying.”

Grudgingly, Henry followed them back upstairs to the deck.