We clear the harbor and the wind catches her sails and my beautiful ship leans over ever so gracefully, and her elegant bow cuts cleanly into the increasing chop of the waves. I take a deep breath and my chest expands and my heart starts thumping so strongly I fear the others might see it beat through the cloth of my jacket. I face the wind and my lips peel back from my teeth in a grin of pure joy.

Davy lets fly an oath and storms out of the hold. We hear his fist hit the wall as he leaves. you really are an evil girl, says Jaimy. I know, I murmur. I shall have to pay.

I fear that I am losing my mind. But really, it would not be such a precious thing to lose, as it only causes me pain.

Why did I follow her? If you must know, Sir, it was easy. Pound for pound, Puss-in-Boots was the best commander I ever served under.

Well,' I shrug, all innocent, 'we all ride our little hobbyhorses, don't we, Mr. Peel?

I close my eyes, hoping to slip into the same dream again, but then that never happens, does it?

men i swear." -jacky faber