The Key to Jack's Cove

Prologue

"Unhand me you fiends!" I screeched as I was hoisted up off the ground. The big headed fools said nothing, and continued on their way.

"My father will have your heads!" I threatened. It was an empty threat of course. I wasn't sure if my father could match these burly brutes.

"Quiet." one of them spoke, his voice like gravel being crushed under a carriage.

"I said unhand me!" I shouted again and pounded against the man's back.

My small fists seemed to have no effect on his greasy muscly build, and I gave a huffy breath. Where was I going? What business did they have with me? Were they enemies of my father?

The man holding me trotted heavily against the cobblestone street, making me wince as his shoulder dug into my abdomen. I closed my eyes as the swaying motions increased and I held back the bile building in my stomach. Eventually I opened my eyes enough to glance around. Civilians were running rampant everywhere, shrieks filling the late night air. I gazed at the fires starting to erupt around the houses and the frightened neighing of the carriage horses. What on earth were pirates doing in this part of the pacific?

I wanted to squirm in the man's hold, but I grit my teeth and waited until they would set me down. Soon, I heard the crashing waves of the ocean, and my heart rate quickened. Why were they taking me here? The thumping of the man's footsteps changed to leather on wood. I shifted my gaze down to see he was walking on a wooden plank. As soon as I realized what was happening, I started to kick my legs.

"Why are you taking me on a ship? Let go of me you greasy buffoon!"

The man grunted and suddenly, I'm sliding off his shoulder. My back hid a solid surface hard and the air escaped my lungs. I dug my wrists in the wood and tried sucking in short breaths. I regained my bearings enough to look around. A whole crew surrounded me, all held the same greedy look about their grungy faces. I started to back away, and my back hit another surface that felt like the edge of the ship.

"What do you want?" I asked.

The crew laughed. "She's pretty too! You didn't say anything about her being a nice catch Captain!"

They laughed again, and I scowled. "You haven't answered my question."

One of them stepped up in front of me and bent down, inspecting me carefully. I was guessing he was the captain. He was dressed in pirate attire. A billowing cotton shift underneath a brown leather vest swayed in the gentle sea wind. His feet were adorned with faded black boots, and his unusually long hair was tied back. His eyes seemed kind, but the rest of his face contorted the effect. "You're a hard one to track my princess. Now if you'd hand over the key..."

"Princess? I am no princess." I scoffed.

"No? Nice try your highness." He reached down towards my neck, and I gasped and slapped his hand away. His eyes turned glassy and he got up. "Rudolfo, get her into my quarters and try persuading her to hand over that trinket." he walked away revealing my captor cracking his knuckles.

I tried fighting his meaty hands, but they were like steel. They gripped me around the arms and he lifted me up. I growled and tried ripping my wrists away, only to hurt myself further. I was taken towards the back of the ship and was shoved into a room lit by three lamps hanging from the ceiling. I backed away towards a desk that sat in the orange glow of the light.

"Hand over the key m'lady."

I shook my head. "My necklace is no key. I have no idea what you're talking about."

He shook his head and lifted up his palm towards me. "If you don't hand it over, I can guarantee you won't be able to use your arms for the rest of your time here on the ship."

I hesitated, shocked by the sudden prospect of what he would do. With a venom taste in my mouth, I unclasped the necklace around my neck and grudgingly handed it to him. I tried giving him my most un-lady like expression I could. It only made him chuckle.

"Where am I?" I said icily, putting on a brave bravado.

He smiled slightly and tucked the necklace into a pouch on his belt. Instead of giving me an answer, the captain stormed in, carrying a bottle of something in his hand. I was guessing it was rum. "She wants to know where she is." Rudolfo said.

The captain laughed. "If you haven't noticed, your grace, you are aboard the most fearsome ship in the ocean."

I raised an eyebrow, clearly without a clue.

He rolled his eyes. He took my hand and pulled me after him. I ripped my wrist out of his grip as we stopped in front of the doors. He glanced around with his hands on his hips and he gestured to the crew. "Welcome aboard the Emerald! The Jewel of the Sea."