*Sidney*

It's been what? four days? And the twisting feeling was still there. Not even the salty air was making me feel better. In fact, it was only making it worse. 

My hands clung onto the rail of the ship. I felt the warmth of the sun on the top of my head as I looked out over the expanse of deep blues and foamy whites. She could be anywhere, I thought as I took in the waves rocking the boat. She could be anywhere and every day she probably gets further away.

The memory of that night was still as clear in my mind. I could still smell that stench of fresh blood and see those lifeless bodies on the floor. As I thought about it, a wave of hopelessness washed over me. I was meant to be a strong leader. But this was killing me. 

I thought about the day after they took Amelia. I recalled how I had almost run up to the castle that morning. They offered me a carriage, but I didn't have the patience for that. I needed to keep moving. 

I felt my body getting more and more tired as I had climbed up the hill to the castle. I hadn't slept much that night. But my mind, on the other hand, was buzzing. There was no time to lose. I  needed a ship and an army. I was going to get Amelia back no matter what.

I had stumbled into the throne room. At the other end of the long room, the old king was sitting on his throne. Another man stood next to him. The other man wore long lavender robes. I recognised him instantly, it was the King's physician. The two were in the middle of a conversation. 

As soon as I entered the room, both the King and his physician, named Corban, instantly stopped their conversation and simultaneously looked up at me.

'Ramsay. For King Peter's sake, what are you doing?' The King had glared at me.

I bowed to him. 'I bring bad news, Your Majesty. Miss Amelia has been kidnapped.'

I had heard Corban take an intake of breath. The King had actually stood up.

'What do you mean, kidnapped? By whom?'

I took a deep breath. 'Last night. She was taken from her bed. I believe Captain O'Malley took her.'

The King sat back down in his throne. He rubbed his brow with his hand. 'That cursed pirate. How do you know it was him?'

I remember that I had wet my lips. 'He left a note.'

'What did the note say?'

'He threatened to-to kill her. He-He asked for a thousand coins to set her free.'

'A thousand coins.' He paused for a second. 'I'm sorry, Ramsay but she is as good as dead.'

My eyes widened. I started to tremble. 'Your Majesty! Please. All I need is just a ship and a small army. We can take her back by force. We can capture O'Malley and give him a proper trial here.'

The King sighed. 'Ramsay. You are not thinking straight. We have been trying to capture O'Malley for years now. I hate to admit it, but it will take more than just a small army to defeat him.'

'Please your Majesty. Let me at least find her.'

He was quiet for a second. 'For multiple years now, you have done nothing but serve my kingdom. You are my most loyal fighter. I will give you the 'Explorer X' and not an army, but a crew.'

The 'Explorer X' was one of the smaller ships and that crew would most likely have no or limited knowledge of how to fight. I suppose it was better than nothing.

When I look back at this now, I realise the real reason why the King had given me the smallest ship and the worst crew. The King expected me to not come back. Which meant that he didn't expect Amelia to come back either, despite how she was just about to marry his son. 

By that afternoon, I had set sail and the twisting feeling accompanied me. Every day we searched the sea but did not find anything. I was quickly losing hope until we finally docked at a small seaside village.

*Amelia*

I felt like someone had got all of my prior knowledge and twisted it until I didn't even recognise it anymore. All my life I had heard horror stories of Captain O'Malley. His psychotic ways. His ruthless, enraged and just plain evil ways. He was who I had nightmares about. All this time and everything he is known for, and he is female? How could a female be capable of that?

Once over the initial shock, 'Oh my goodness.' was all I managed to get out. Inside my head, the questions kept coming. Captain O'Malley, the Killer of Thousands, was a female? How did she manage to hide her identity all this time?

'You said that females need to be stronger than males. When you do what I do, you need to be not only strong. But smart and ... agile.' 

My mouth wasn't working. I opened it but no sound came out.

She played with her hat, which was sitting on the desk in front of her. 'Ask me a question.' she said.

'How-w do you do it?' I said quietly.

'I just do.' Was all she said.

Taken slightly aback, I asked another question, 'Where are we?'

She smirked 'Portum. A place of refuge and safety for the lost and abused.'

'I'm sorry?'

She took a deep breath, 'I guess we are going to have to start at the start. You see, while you royals attend your parties and whatever else you do, your people are facing difficulties that many people don't even know about. Or don't even care about.'

Slightly offended, I responded, 'I'm not a proper royal ... yet.'

The Captain straightened slightly. 'You know, when speaking to me, most people are too scared to even open their mouths. Yet, you speak with so much ... authority.'

'I am used to speaking to figures of authority like you. I do it every day, well at least I did.'

'If I was you, I would be careful not to push me.' She eyed the gun.

I swallowed. Kicking myself for going too far.

'As I was saying,' The Captain continued, 'Everyday, ordinary people get abused by people around them. Wives being abused by their husbands, that sort of thing. I bet that would be news to you.'

'Wives being abused by their husbands?' I sat back in the chair in disbelief 'How could someone do such a thing?'

'How should I know?' But it happens every day, and no one even talks about it.' She straightened her coat 'This is the purpose of this place. A haven. A safe place.'

I didn't say anything, so she continued.

'You have probably heard stories of me kidnapping women and while everyone makes accusations of what I do, I really take them here. Of course, these are all women who have been and had continued to be abused in their past home.'

'This is real?' I asked quietly.

'Of course, it's real. What purpose would I have in lying?'

'What about the men? When we were walking here, I saw men. How did they get here?'

'It's not only women, Amelia.'

I noticed that this was the first time she had used my name. 'And the children?'

Just for a second, I saw her face slacken. 'Born out of violence. Most won't even know their parents'.

The room was silent for a second and then Captain O'Malley spoke again.

'You know, annoying your father was not the only reason why I ... took you.'

I stayed silent so the Captain continued.

'I need someone to take over my ship. Someone who is young, capable and most importantly, female. The job I do, only a woman can do it.'

'Why me then?'

The captain raised her chin slightly. 'You're a figure of authority, your father is one of the most celebrated royal soldiers of all time and your strength. You're stronger then you believe.'

I swallowed 'But, I am being blunt, but you-you k-kill as many people as you save. I could never do that. I'm not that strong.'

'Everything comes with a cost. This might be a bigger cost than usual but think of the freedom you will be able to have. The power. So much more power than being Queen will ever give you.'

It was at this point that I realised the Captain was desperate. She was absolutely desperate. I saw it in her eyes. She truly believed that I was the only one that could replace her.

I thought about the power I would have. I could control a ship, have my own crew, have as many riches I need. I then thought about what I could do with all that power. Maybe I could change it somehow. Make it so I don't have to kill as many people but still be able to save even more.

'Can I think about it?' I asked.