Chapter 5: Verona Island

Verona Island was not far now and Captain Alaster had to make a plan. He told the female crew that they were going ashore to gather supplies from the merchants. Most of the crew seemed to believe him. Everyone except Captain Leila and her first mate. Penny noticed them look at each other before looking back to Alaster. Captain Alaster had intended only a few of his crew to go ashore, but Leila would not hear it. She insisted that her and her first mate, Allie, also accompany them. Captain Alaster wanted to object, but they were already acting suspicious and he did not want to give any other reason to not be trusted.

With Captain Leila and Allie going ashore with them, they had to change their plan. Captain Alaster decided to have Penny, George, and Nate look for the second piece while he keeps Leila and Allie busy. Penny knew that they were going to have to sneak of the ship quietly after the other leave. She did not want the rest of the female crew to see them leaving.

The island was within view now and there plan was about to be put into play. Penny, Nate, and George stayed behind as the others went ashore. They had to wait for them to get out of sight before they headed to the island. They stayed by the end of the ship waiting for their moment. Penny noticed Leila look back at the two ships before slipping out of sight with the rest of them. She nodded to Nate and George as they made their way off the ship. They were careful not the get the attention of the other crew members, and ran quickly to the jungle to stay out of sight. They stopped at the jungle edge and looked back at the ship to see if anyone noticed them. They let out a sigh of relief and headed off in the opposite direction as the Captain's.

“So how are we supposed to find this other puzzle piece?” Nate whispered.

“I have no idea,” said Penny, truthfully.

“How does the captain expect us to find this key when we don't even know what we are looking for?” George asked.

Penny stopped taking out the first puzzle piece. She held it up, hoping it was going to give her a sign. Nothing happened, but she was beginning to get a strange feeling. She felt as if she was being pulled to an area of the island.

“Penny?” Nate asked, noticing that she seemed distracted by something.

She suddenly began to walk through the woods to the area that she felt she was being pulled to. George and Nate followed trying to keep up with her fast pace. Penny felt like she was getting closer and the pull was getting stronger as she began to run. Nate and George were already having trouble keeping up and they began to run after her, still falling behind. She stopped suddenly, making Nate and George run into her and the three of them tumbled to the ground.

“What's gotten into you?” George asked, confused.

“I think it is somewhere near here,” she stated, standing up.

“How do you know?” Nate asked, getting up.

“I just do,” she said simply.

Penny continued to look around the area and started to walk toward the beach. Nate and George looked at each other, still confused, but they followed. She felt like she was being led to the next piece and she could feel that it was near. She fell to he knees and began to dig in the sand. Despite their confusion, Nate and George began to help.

“So you're looking for treasure?” came Captain Leila's voice behind them. They all stopped and turned to see her, Allie, and Captain Alaster standing there.

“We have come here to barter with the merchants,” Captain Alaster repeated, annoyed.

“So how is three of your pirates digging in the sand a part of that?” Captain Leila asked. “I would like some explanations from somebody.”

“Try not lying this time,” Allie added. It was the first time any of them had heard her speak.

Penny had ignored the others speaking. She felt that the key was very close and something in the sky caught her attention.

“Where is that smoke coming from?” Nate asked, suddenly noticing the smoke in the sky as well.

Everyone turned to see that it was coming from the area where their ships were. Both captains began to run back to port. Penny got up to follow when she noticed something sticking up from the sand. She grabbed it quickly, stuffing it into her pocket and began to follow the others. She reached the ships later than the rest and saw that Captain Leila's ship was on fire. It had already got out of control and most of her crew had already jumped ship. Several of the woman were on The Gold Medallion, while the rest were standing on the island soaking wet.

“Who did this?” Captain Leila asked, clearly angry.

“What makes you think it was any of us?” Captain Alaster asked.

“Your ship is perfectly fine,” Leila stated. “Mine is the one that is being burned to the ground. If you ask me, one of your pirates decided to burn down my ship. What am I supposed to do now?”

“Apparently, we are going to have to deal with one ship,” Captain Alaster stated.

“Something tells me that two captains on one ship isn't going to work well,” said Leila.

“One ship, but two crews,” said Captain Alaster. “It will not be much different. You command your crew and I will command mine. We know where we want to go and you were just following. Perhaps we can find a replacement for you.”

“Don't you think we will be getting in each others ways?” Leila asked. “It is not a very big ship.”

“Well, we will have to make due,” said Alaster. “That is unless you and your crew would like to stay here.”

Leila seemed to consider the other option. Penny felt something odd about what happened. It made no sense for any of them to burn down Leila's ship.

“Fine,” came Leila's voice, breaking Penny from her thoughts. “I suppose we will have to deal with it.”

“Alright, so I believe we are ready to go,” said Alaster.

“Yeah,” Penny answered, feeling what was in her pocket.

“After you, Captain,” Alaster said, to Leila.

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