The long boat from the Avenger pulled alongside the Pirate Queen and lines were secured as the party climbed the rope ladder to the midship deck. Alicia stepped forward and greeted Captain Henry van Dught with a hug and a handshake.

"Welcome aboard the Queen, Captain."

"Aye, last time on these decks it was still the Bold Sea. I must say, they look in fine trim."

"We careened at St. Vincent after securing the letters from the Vanity."

You've made quite a reputation these past years, Mrs. Hollick."

"Alicia."

"Then it's Henry to you." They shared a laugh and Alicia led the way to her cabin.

"See Henry's men have a grog and something to eat, Mister Mullen."

"Aye, Captain."

Henry raised his boots onto the upholstered footstool and admired the cabin's elegant yet practical decor.

"I should have you over to the Avenger with some of your ideas." He remarked.

"I always remember Terry selecting some of the more useful items from his enterprises."

"Hah! Is that what he called them or is it your spin on plundering and looting other ships?"

"I prefer to look on it as a business, Henry. We still use most of our energy intercepting slavers. The rewards are, shall we say, recompense for the expense of maintaining that vigil."

"Egad, woman! A man needs a large tot to swallow that bafflegab"

Alicia laughed and poured two healthy mugs of rum without the water.

"To bafflegab, Henry." She smiled and raised her mug. So, you signalled business you wished to conduct. How can I help?"

"Straight to it then, Alicia. When Terry was hit by that storm and I came to his aid, sent him to a safe port for repairs and covered off his costs, we agreed that he would be in my debt for a favour returned. The favour I'm asking for are the letters of marque you recently acquired."

The request brought Alicia up short. The letters were worth a small fortune, used properly and discretely. She took a small swallow of rum and set the mug on her desk.

"That is a very large favour, Henry. I'm not quite sure what to say."

"Had I left your husband becalmed after that storm, he might not have become your husband and that fine lad I saw topside wouldn't be here either."

Henry stood and faced her, hands on his hips. "Hollick swore to me, Alicia, a favour when asked."

"I believe you Henry. And I know he would honour that oath. Can I be assured they will not be used for personal power or profit?"

Henry's face clouded momentarily and the only sound was the creaking of the rigging topside. Alicia felt her heart falter; Henry was not a friend she could afford to lose . . . or make an enemy.

"In truth, he never swore. He said he wouldn't forget."

"Henry, the letters are yours, save one. I have an instinct that I could make very good use of it. Deal?"

"No, it's not a deal. It's the conclusion of a promise made and a promise kept. How many are there, by the way?"

"Eight. I keep one and you have one for every sea."

"Aye, I like that. One for every sea. The seven seas."

Alicia opened the drawer in her desk and took out the envelope with the letters, handing it to Henry."

"What about yours?"

"I want you to give it to me, Henry."

A grin spread across his face and with a twinkle in his eye, he slipped one letter from the envelope and handed it over.

"For your hospitality and services rendered, Captain."

"I accept your gracious generosity." Alicia raised her mug once more.

******

Lieutenant Phillip Downs dropped the leather pouch of gold sovereigns in front of Jack Bloode as he assessed the surly features of the woman between them.

"As requested, mate."

"As promised. . . mate."

"Arr, so I'll be on my way then. I gets to keep the letter, right?"

"Fine! Get out of here now." Downs stared coldly at the pirate and saw the sputter of doubt in his eyes.

"Right then, crew to pay. Doxies to-" The look closed his mouth and he left without another word.

Mel watched the pirate hoist his belt and swagger away, tossing the pouch in his hand. She looked back at Downs, who was watching her as well.

"What do you want with me?" She asked.

"You, my dear, are a means to an end."

"What end?"

Downs leaned forward and bared his teeth in a leering smile. "The end of Alicia Hollick and The Pirate Queen."

Mel blinked. What had that to do with her? That was years ago now, and what would this man have to do with it? She studied the face closely. The cold eyes. The ever present sneer and the scar. The scar.

"Downs." Mel blurted.

He sat back, his eyes widening. "How do you know me?"

Mel felt a slight advantage and decided to play cautiously to see what more she might gain.

"I recognize the name."

"I never said my name! Bloode never said my name! How did you know me?" He was getting loud and others in the room turned to see what was going on.

"Belay that shoutin', mate." One of the closer men cautioned.

Downs picked up his hat and stood, displaying his military uniform and drawing some jeers from around the room. He grabbed Mel's arm and dragged her to her feet, steering her toward the door.

"Careful there, missy, he'll expect a salute." The room broke into a roar of laughter and Downs, red-faced, pushed Mel ahead and out the door.

On the street, Downs shoved her hard against the side of the building, an arm across her throat and Mel could almost smell the fear mixed in his brutality.

"Tell me now. How did you know my name?"

"I remember you from the assault on our haven on Tortuga. You were Woodcuffe's first officer."

He stared at her eye, searching for deceit. "How could you know that, I never came ashore."

"We all had spyglasses and we all watched when our gun destroyed your ship. You disappeared and Woodcuffe was trapped under the debris."

He dropped his arm and stepped back, glaring. Knowing his identity took away the advantage of mystery he had planned on; it would give her too much too think about.

"Move. That way." Downs pushed ahead and they walked all the way from town to his military office where Mel was removed to a cell in the post jail.

"No one is to speak with her. No one is to have anything to do with her beyond the necessary food and water. No one is to even know she is in there. Do you understand.?"

The two jailers, both Privates in the service, quaked under Down's glare and nodded muttered, sirs."

Downs stripped of his uniform and sat on his bed with just his pants on. He poured a healthy tot from the bottle on his night table and focused on his next move. How to get the information about the woman's capture to Alicia Hollick.