The tall, blonde man wanted least of all to be seen. It wasn't his duty to guard or even be near the fort; anyone who saw him would question it – yes, anyone. He was an admiral, after all. Carefully, he hopped from shadow to shadow across the courtyard, doing his best not to let the ring of keys in his hand jingle as he went. Within what seemed like only a breath, he had reached the gate that led to the dungeons. Eldon took one deep breath, slid the right key into the lock, and pushed the iron bars slowly so as not to cause a racket. The heavy wooden door in front of him was most foreboding, but even as the unease began to rise in his chest, he tugged it open and slipped down the dark stairs inside.

The prison was dank and musty, as most prisons were. Light shone from the torches in the wall-brackets, but only from them – none of the cells had windows, as they would reveal only dirt. The admiral took another breath and quickly strode down the corridor, doing his best to muffle his footsteps. There was no need, really, as the guards of the cells were out celebrating the joys of Guy Fawkes Night, and all of the cells were empty anyways. All but one. The one at the end. He nearly stopped and turned back, he was so anxious. This was really a trifle, coming and looking, but he could feel what was to come. He could feel the spiral of tightening connections that were to follow his 'innocent visit'. Still, while his throat tightened, he knew there was no turning back. His debt was yet to be paid, and after all, what good was a criminal in prison?

Maybe he was insane.

He took his last step, the one that brought him in front of the bars. It took him a moment to locate her in the huge holding cell – however, when he did, he felt himself welling up with emotions too hazy to describe. She looked a ghost of her former self, to be sure. Her black hair was ragged and dull, and the eye he could see – as her cheek was pressed to the wall – had also lost its shine. She didn't turn when he stepped into her view, but he knew she was looking at him. After several silent moments, Eldon cleared his throat and spoke in a low voice. "I heard you were here."

"Thought you would." Her tone was the same way he remembered it – nice enough, her syllables from her own imagination, with a distinct Irish twinge. The tall man cleared his throat again. "Are you – how are you?"

"Fine. Good as I can be, obviously."

He smiled, unsure why he was doing so. "Ah." After more uncomfortable quiet, he inquired, "Would you like me to…I have the keys here."

She looked at him for the first time. As beaten as she looked, he could see the same old defiant flare in her eyes. "You owe me, darling." She smiled, he smiled. "Wo's a pirate to do, locked away like I am? You know me, Reggie. Open the cage, let the lions out, if ya don't mind."

"Certainly." The wrongs he felt in his actions as he slid the key into the padlock were nothing compared to the rights. Samantha struggled to her feet, masking her own exhaustion behind her devilish smile. At last, the hinges creaked, and the rusty door was wide open. Regulus watched her go with a small smile. Unexpectedly, however, she looked back, halfway down the hall. "They're gonna look fer whoever go' me out."

"Yes."

"You wanna come?"

He paused, considering that he'd only paid his dues about halfway.

"No, thank you."

"Calypso's blessing upon you, love. Fair winds."

As he watched her go, Regulus Eldon couldn't help but remember what she was, and what she'd done. A pirate, a villain…his savior.

Fair enough.