"Get up!" A voice said and I felt myself being dragged out of my prison cell by my hair. 

I hissed in pain and struggled against the soldier holding me. He let go of my hair when we reached the main deck of the ship. I looked around and saw about two dozen soldiers standing on the deck waiting in anticipation for something that I know not. It was a dark, moonless night and the lanterns were lit on the deck.

"What've we got here? A pretty lady?" A voice said to my right. The others snickered and I understood that they were all intoxicated due to their celebration. Perfect. 

I looked at the man dressed in the red General uniform. From what I had learnt, he was a General in the King's Army and was taking a cargo of gold and silver on this ship – a treasure we fully intend to loot. I merely raised an eyebrow, looking at him in challenge. 

"What, don't you have fear of what might happen to you?" The General asked, leering at me. 

"I can take care of myself." I said, confidently. 

The General laughed and sneered at me, "Well let's see how you do that." 

He advanced on me with a leer on his face. I know I was considered a beauty. His intention was clear – he wanted to make me his whore and I won't let him. I was on a disadvantage here since my hands were bound but I was confident I could get myself out of this situation, which was starting to annoy me. 

When he was near enough, I put on a seductive smile on my face and beckoned him closer. Although I was disgusted to see his leering grin, I braced myself and whispered in his ear, "Free my hands." 

He fell for my act and immediately freed me. I quickly disarmed him and put a dagger to his throat. 

"Don't come near or I'll slit your General's throat." I warned, looking at the soldiers who had drawn their swords and were pointing them at me unsteadily. 

"Who are you and what do you think you're doing?" The General rasped. 

I pressed the dagger closer to his throat and said, "Just wait and watch. You will know soon enough." 

So far, the plan was going smoothly and I didn't have to wait long. I smiled to myself and watched as the first arrow hit a soldier. Soon many followed until all the soldiers and crew members of the ship, except the General and I, were dead. 

"Look." I said to the General, pointing at the other ship that had come near the one on which we were on. He gasped and paled. 

"The Empress. That means you are-" 

The General was cut off when the pirates from the other ship cried in unison, "All hail Captain Elizabeth, Empress of Pirates." 

I smirked, looked down at the General and said, "And hurrah for the treasure and our prisoner."