And for dinner that day the mood was rather dark and it seemed the king was the only one talking and making jokes.

"Oh yes!..Send this to my daughter in prison." He said laughing, pointing at the mango pudding.

*******

The days in the palace went by as usual even though everyone felt the absence of Sam.It was already late September, that time of the year when Sam's ship would finish repairs and set sail again, but this time it was different. The captain of the ship was in prison and the crew had to overstay in Hebelone waiting for further news.

One fine morning Princess Nataliya made her way to the prison to visit Sam. She was surprised to find a certain someone already there. It was Prince Edgar.

She went near him and looking through the bars she saw that Sam was sleeping soundly on the prison floor.

"Isn't it cold?" Edgar asked Nataliya looking at Sam.

"Pardon?"

"Isn't the floor cold?"

"We do not give separate treatment to Royal prisoners." Nataliya explained.

"Yes..but she is only recovering from her wound."

"Do not worry,she can handle something like this. It is not her first time in prison." Princess Nataliya said looking at Sam. She did not know why she was consoling Edgar . Shouldn't it be the other way around?

"She has been imprisoned before?" Edgar asked surprised.

"Yes, one time for punching an important official. He was corrupt, but there was no evidence to bring charges against him."

The Prince smiled.He could imagine her doing it .

"Another time her pirate ship attacked our trade ship by mistake. She was imprisoned along with all her pirate troop."

She was a pirate, thought Edgar. Of course she would have been imprisoned a couple of times. What was he worried about.

"Well you see, my father is especially strict when it comes to matters such as these. He had it made clear to us from our childhood that one ought to take responsibility for one's actions and more so if one is in a position of great power." explained Nataliya.

"Personally I feel that Sam would live a longer life if she got more prison time " continued Nataliya smiling.

Edgar could not help but agree.

"Hey Sam! Sleepy head! wake up!" Nataliya called out to her.

The princess opened her eyes and saw them. She got up from her position embarrassed. She courtesied to them and they smiled.

" How is your leg?" Asked Nataliya.

"It is better."

When Sam's eyes met that of the Prince,he made a quick bow to her.

It was his first time bowing to a prisoner.

"I must leave you princesses alone." He said and excused himself.

"I must be a sight eh?" Sam asked Nataliya showing her white shirt, overalls and pants which she had to wear in prison.

"You have never looked better" said princess Nataliya laughing.

"Natalie, do me a favour? Get me some books will ya?"

"Don't try your pirate accent on me." Nataliya scolded her lovingly. "By the way, is the floor too cold?"

"Err no? It is not winter yet? Why?"

"NOTHING." Nataliya said getting up.

"Make a list of what you need and I'll send a maid down to bring it for you."

"You are the best." Sam said putting her hand through the bars she took her sister's hands and squeezed them. Nataliya chuckled and bid her goodbye.

****

Just as promised, everyday Nataliya's maid brought Sam all the books she damanded and Sam got busy reading them. She studied the terrains and maps of the country, especially the ones about the Degarthian forest. She also read books on west Hebelone . She lay reading these books in her cell.

Sam remembered all those compulsory geography lessons she had to take in the palace when she was younger. She had considered it all a burden then. But now she devoured one book after another with great curiosity.

And she also took the time to do some retrospection. Even though her life on the ocean was far from peaceful, she was doing it for pleasure. Even though they saved trade ships from time to time and attacked other pirate ships, it was not from a sense of duty. Rather, she loved the process itself, in other words it was her excuse. It was her version of a glorious life. She was living in vanity,under a veil of delusion, seeing herself as a brave being that swung swords amidst the ocean waves.

But now her shell had cracked broken. Or maybe it had been breaking for some time now. And the person who she really was coming to the surface. Like when the water settles down you can see your reflection clearly, she was now clearly seeing herself for who she was. And that picture did not satisfy her. She wanted more... .

And so in her loneliness in the prison cell she began to dream a new dream. She would emerge as a true hero for her country! She shall supress the rebellion and bring back prosperity and peace to her country. And if she would not be able to got to battle, she should atleast orchestrate the whole process. Such thoughts occupied her mind all day long.

But the Princess was not completely lonely. Sometimes she received letters. Some of them were letters from her fans.

"You can do it princess!"

"Our hero! We love you!"

"Our pirate princess, Get well soon! Get out soon!"

Sam Read these letters and smiled. But she also received other letters.

"You deserve this!"

"Now peace at last for the country!"

She read these and threw them away.

She also maintained communication with her pirate troop. The vice captain of the ship, Pirate Bomberty would visit her occasionally and fill her in with details of the outside world, especially about the progress in the repair of their ship.Pirate Bomberty was a man in his sixties with a red moustache which he took great care in maintaining. He had been her aide and confidante from ever since she had joined as captain to their group.

But that one day when he came to visit he was panting as if he had come running.

"What is it Bomberty?" Sam asked a little alarmed. She noticed that he had forgotten to brush his beard.

"Captain Sam,we have received a message. ."