The infamous ship was rocking back and forth, following the sea's lead as it brought them farther and farther from the spot of land that was an island. The black flag on the tallest mast waved from the wind and chilling air, the horned skeleton with the hourglass and spear pointing at the bleeding heart giving a threatening look. The maroon sails were puffed as it caught the wind, and the sea's waters sloshed against the ship's lower half. The spray of the seawater cooled the faces of those on the ship, heated by the sun, but cold from the waters.

It was a day like any other, but it was a day to be marked.

The small man stared out from his twinkling blue eyes at the yellow slice of sand that broke the smooth line of the horizon. It was the moving figures on the sand bar that caught his eye. The majority of them were old "crewmates", according to the captain, but they weren't so any longer. They were the captain's prisoners just moments ago, and now they belonged to the island and its captivity. He could still see the small black pinpricks of people, even as the ship drifted farther away, but he could no longer hear their curses and screams of hatred.

Such hatred was dangerous, he knew, but he didn't know why he was so wary of it. Those abandoned men could never get off this island, and even if they were rescued, they would only be sent to the gallows otherwise. But there was still something nagging at him from the back of his mind, some inner tug that caused him to be cautious, maybe overly so. His paranoia was always out to get him, but this time he could feel the foreboding of his subconscious mind.

He frowned as the twisted shape of land disappeared, and they were out into the open sea once again. His eyes continued to twinkle magnificently, although it did not reflect his usual carefree nature. Instead, the fleeting visions of doubt and unease haunted the sparkling orbs, giving off a look of both fright and suspicion.

"Ye shan't worry, ye know."

The man was surprised, but he did not jump, as he was taught by the other pirates around him. He did not give off any sign that he was shocked, but it would not have mattered, as the owner of the voice sensed the skip of his heartbeat. "And why shouldn't I be? You of all people should be worrying yourself."

The newcomer moved to his side to stand strong and large, his arms crossed above his stomach. "If ye worry, that means ye are not confident, and lack of confidence leads to downfall."

"Even so," he smirked half-heartedly, "you don't feel how the wind is much icier than usual?"

"I do, but pay it no notice. We continue to sail, and such an obstacle as caution shan't interfere with our motives, ye understand?"

The man nodded, but the frown on his face deepened considerably. "He'll be back, you know," he muttered softly, but the large man caught it.

"I know, but that is an adventure for another time, aye?"

The man with the twinkling eyes stood back from the edge of the ship, ready to get back to his work, although the doubt still plagued his mind. "Aye, Captain."

The captain nodded from underneath his old, ruddy hat. "Aye. Now, let's be off."

And the ship sailed further into the horizon, the golden aura of light surrounding it contrasting beautifully into the blue seas. The crew worked the rudders and sails, ushering the ship into the distance.

They could feel the heavy tension in the Caribbean now, but by orders of the captain, such things were ignored. However, the captain was not ignored himself, especially not by the small figures back on the island, one of its prisoners in particular.

"I'll get you, Blackbeard," the slippery and deep voice grumbling in the furious man's chest. "I shan't rest until I get my revenge on the Revenge..."