A Voice in the Darkness

"Hello?"

Asks a timid voice in the darkness.

"Hello?" the voice asks again, it's owner sounds as if she's on the verge of tears.

"I hear you," you respond softly, not wanting to draw any attention to yourself.

"You don't have to whisper," the voice says, "they only come down here once a day to feed and water us and that was an hour ago."

She pauses, "I heard them bring you down here last night," she pauses, "Are you hurt?"

"Not really," you look around, trying to identify the direction of the voice, "Who are you?

"My name is Anna," she pauses, "My crew and I were captured nearly two months ago while sailing to New Kashima to meet my betrothed. We were attacked they... killed the others" you can hear the sadness in her voice.

"I'm sorry to hear that. My name is Bradley." You pause, "Do you know why we were spared?"

"I thought I did. Rumors have it that Captain Darkwater's cruelty is matched only by her greed. I had assumed that she would ransom me back to my family, but it's been months now, and if that had been her plan I would be back home already."

"She said something about needing me for something." You leave out the part where she mentions your 'unique attributes' as being important.

Anna is silent for a moment, "I... can't be sure," she says, an undercurrent of fear creeps into her voice, "but know that whatever happens, the blame is hers and hers alone"

You decide not to press her any further on the subject. Whatever the pirate's plans, there is nothing either of you can do from the inside of a cell.

Over the next few days, the two of you become quite close, sharing stories of your youth and dreams of the future. You learn that Anna is the youngest daughter of the Governess of Septia and that she had been traveling for an arranged marriage with the son of a wealthy land holder.

"Surely you must have aspirations beyond being a bargaining chip in a business transaction?"

The girl laughs prettily, "I do what I must for my family, but it isn't what you think. Though our marriage has been arranged since birth, George and I have been best of friends for as long as I can remember." You can hear the love in her voice as she speaks of him, "Even if I was free to pick any man in the world, I would still marry him."

"But enough about me, Surely you must have a nice strong woman waiting for you back home?" She prods.

"I don't have time for a girlfriend," a sudden pang of regret washes over you. You've been so caught up in your work for so long that you can barely remember the last time you went on a date, let alone contemplated marrying someone.

The sound of footsteps snaps you back to the present. A rattling of keys and the heavy door to your cell swings open.

The massively built blond woman ducks into the cell and grabs you by the scruff of your neck.

"'Nuff flirting, Captain wants to see you."