The cold dungeon brought shivers to my wet skin. My sopping wet hair was like a wet towel, wrapped around my shoulders. There were no windows to display light, or even the sea. I was left in complete darkness, alone with my thoughts and inquiries.

Why did the pirate, who went by the name Steel, capture me from my homeland’s beach?

I hear groaning wood as one of Steel’s men walk down holding a tray of steaming food.

“Captain Steel brought this food for ya, gal. Ya better eat it up before it cools,” the rugged man said.

He carefully slid the tray of hot stew and warm bread under my cell. I stared at it with hunger, and immediately began to eat the food.

It warmed me from the cold water that was spraying in my cell.

The man left me to eat, again in darkness.

After eating, I study my cell. It’s small with hay and a potato sack blanket in the corner. I study the walls, made of wood, and find a small hole that reaches to the outside.

I peer through, getting small droplets of sea water burning in my eyes, but I try to recognize where I am heading.

A small image of distant land is noticeable through the hole, though it’s completely unfamiliar to me.

“I hope you enjoyed my food, Seraphine,” a low, familiar voice said.

I jump away from the wall and find Captain Steel studying me, holding his lantern of light near.

“Yes, it was delicious,” I managed to say, anxiously.

Captain Steel narrowed his eyes, as if he were trying to look through me.

“I don’t know why my Prince sent for your capture, Seraphine, but I think I’m starting to understand. Your hair is like the moonlight…so unique, it’s dangerous.” Captain Steel continued to study me.

“So I am going to your Prince’s home?” I dared to ask.

Captain Steel nodded. “I’m sorry for the circumstances of your cell. You don’t seem dangerous, but nonetheless, I must take precautions for the safety of my crew.”

At every word Captain Stepp spoke, he gained more of my respect. These weren’t mean, cruel pirates. They were simply men, working under command of a prince.

Yet I still couldn’t understand why they needed me.

Yes, I did have strange hair, long and the color of moonlight. But, I held no value, besides being a worker, as I was at my home. I was a mere jewelry maker…usually walking the beaches for shells to use in my pieces.

In less than a day, I felt the ship make port. Steps from above signaled preparation of landing the ship.

Captain Steel came down for me himself, bringing a wool jacket to cover my cold body.

Stepping above, it was night, cold and quiet. I glanced at the moon and found my hair shining like its illuminating light.

Carefully, I’m helped into a small boat and we paddle to the shore.

No one says a word.

Captain Steel helps me out of the boat on shore and I follow him and a few of his crew on a sandy trail.

A small palace comes into view.

I’ve made it to the Prince’s house.

Fellow pirates allow us to enter, staring strangely at me. I try to calm my nerves.

We walk through large halls, ornamental and delicate.

Then I spot the Prince, tall, strong, and brutally handsome.

“Here’s the special lady,” Captain Steel said, urging me to step forward.

“Seraphine,” the Prince says, “the key to ancient treasure.”

I furrow my brows in confusion. “Key?” I ask.

The Prince draws me close and unfolds a map that clearly has seen time.

I saw my face illustrated in the map, with my moonlight hair, and highlighted beneath was the word “_Key Bearer_”.

“We’ll start our search tomorrow once you’ve gotten your rest,” the Prince said, smiling.

Suddenly I didn’t know who I was.