text: [Themes: Pirates, Romance, Historical, pirate, female protagonist, romance]
  
  > look at your surroundings
  You are in an officer's cabin, lit by the firelight glowing through
  a porthole. A door is to starboard. Except for the built-in bed, the room seems to have been emptied thoroughly, if hurriedly.
  "Cap'n Jamison! We've got 'em!" cries a rough voice.
  
  > open the door
  It appears to be locked.
  Suddenly, the ship lurches to one side, throwing you off balance. A coffer slides from under the bed and bumps against your foot.
  
  > look at the porthole
  Through the porthole you see the bow of the pirate ship bucking in the high seas, lit by the fires burning on deck. It is called the "Helena Louise." Odd, that was your mother's name.
  
  > Inventory
  You have your reticule (hanging from your wrist). It seems that your reticule contains smelling salts and a banknote. You are wearing your kid slippers, a linen chemise and a cotton frock.
  
  > Inventory
  You have your reticule (hanging from your wrist). It seems that your reticule contains smelling salts and a banknote. You are wearing your kid slippers, a linen chemise and a cotton frock.
  Crash! You whirl around to see the door shatter, kicked by a hulking man, his twisted visage blackened with soot and blood. "Me name's Andy Crulley, and ladies learn to love me," sniggers the pirate.
  "The Falcon! The Falcon conquers!" yells someone.
  
  > About you
  You are wearing a cotton frock, very pretty, if a tad outmoded for today's fashions.
  "Avast me, but ain't ye a beauty," sniggers the pirate. His breath
  is heavy with rum.
  You recognize a voice from far away, "Don't take that! Look in the cabin at the stern -- you'll find some fun there!" It sounds like Davis.
  
  > read the note
  You can't read a banknote!
  "They calls me Andy, but I'm really randy," sniggers the pirate, advancing toward you.
  Crulley drags you, despite your resistance, towards him. Then
  suddenly he grunts, stiffens and slumps into your arms. Stunned, Crulley collapses at your feet, his eyes rolling.
  A tall form blocks the shattered door, one fist still raised from striking your attacker. You catch a glimpse of the hard masculinity of his broad shoulders, the implied power in the scar that etches the stranger's jaw, and feel tremors course through your veins. Then you realize how ragged are his shirt, patched breeches and high boots. Intuitively, you understand -- he is the dreaded Falcon, scourge of the sea! Alas, your fate is sealed. Resigned, you meet his sea-blue eyes.
  
  > look at the eyes
  They look just like your eyes.
  To your surprise, the stranger bows. "Well met, my lady." His accent
  is cultured, his smile vibrant. "I am Captain Nicholas Jamison, known in these waters as 'The Falcon'. Your father has sent me." He chuckles at your glare of distrust. "Yes, you are like your sire. You needn't believe me untried -- I carry this." He hands you a missive.
  With a creak and a crash, somewhere a mast falls to the deck.
  
  > take the missive
  You already have the missive.
  The pirate captain glances around the empty room, then notices the coffer. "Davis's safety box -- my men were hoping I'd find it." He takes it and nudges the unconscious man on the floor, "I wonder how Crulley knew you were here? Just his bad luck? He'll be flogged when he wakes."
  The pirate bows. "My lady, may I offer my protection and my ship
  until your father is free?"
  
  > read missive
  The missive is in dear Papa's handwriting:
  
  "Dearest child,
  You are in gravest danger! Lafond is a viper with the smile of a
  saint, my most particular enemy. I have only now learned the depth of his deception. Should Lafond get you in his power... It is unspeakable! I have sided with Nicholas Jamison, a sea captain and a gentleman, whose circumstances have driven him to extreme measures, even branding him a pirate. Nevertheless, I trust him and so may you.
  You will be safe -- but there is another for whom I fear! My horse
  is waiting and I ride to her rescue. Jamison will deliver this to you. Should anything happen to me, you must rely on him. I remain, with love, your father."
  
  "We haven't time to waste. Will you come willingly or not?" says Captain Jamison.
  
  > Yes
  You nod tentatively.
  He chuckles. "Brave lady, to trust a stranger -- and a pirate. Who knows, perhaps I forged your father's signature? Keep by my side as we go to my ship -- few sailors respect a lady's dignity." He helps you through the door.
  
  The deck is an avalanche of noise and blood. Lit by roaring fires, silhouetted forms crash swords, dancing around the screaming wounded. Out of the smoke staggers Davis, tugging a bloodied knife from the
  back of a pirate. Davis's eyes gleam white from a face blackened and bloody, his lips dark red as if he has been drinking blood. He turns to face you.
  
  > Scream
  Although your voice is quite piercing, no one notices you.
  Davis leaps across the deck to your side, "Free me or she dies!" he yells, jabbing a knife up to your throat. In one smooth motion, Captain Jamison draws his rapier, pulls you free and stabs. Davis slumps into a bloody heap.
  Swooning, you fall into the Falcon's arms. You are dimly aware of
  being carried to the other ship, down a short flight of stairs, and laid gently on a soft bed. When you gather strength to look around, the Falcon has left you in peace.
  You remain confined to this room, a large cupboard blocking the
  door. Meals are brought by a peg-legged old man and eaten in silence. Of your handsome rescuer you see nothing. Slowly the days pass.
  
  [Press RETURN or ENTER to continue.]
  
  > take the knife
  TWO DAYS LATER...
  
  You blear awake from a bored nap, focusing on something shiny. You discern it to be a new ring, on a strong hand in the act of tying a ribbon onto a rapier.
  The man with the rapier and the ring turns, "Sorry, I tried not to
  wake you." You sit up as if the bed had caught fire, for this is the Falcon, changed from his rags to a finery all red velvet and white lace -- and in your presence!
  
  Captain's Quarters, on the bed
  You are in the captain's quarters of the Helena Louise, where you
  have been trapped these past days since your "rescue" from the Lafond Deux. The room has a masculine air, with ebony panelling, a large messy table, and a rumpled bed (upon which you lie). A curtain masks the forward exit and gilded woodwork decorates the sill of the tall window looking aft.