David smiled. "He's my mother's husband," he said. "He thinks I am his son so he offer seven thousand gold pieces for my safe return. A price that is only growing in my absence."

"Well, do you think he'll pay for your return if he were to find out that, hypothetically, your father was a dashing young pirate captain?"

David raised his eyebrow. "Substantually less," he said in an are you nuts? tone.

"Another thing: I wish to see your father scream. He's broken my heart more times than you can imagine. This isn't about money."

David blinked, then laughed. "Apparently there's a story that I've missed! He's never told me of a time that he had your heart. Are you that delusional?"

"Yes, that is a story you missed. What, why did you think we hate each other?"

David growled. "The same reason he hates most other pirates," he said. "They tend to be dishonorable."

"Oh, and he isn't? He's a pirate too, you know... We used to be bedfellows, but then he abandoned me to run off with your mother. It broke my heart beyond repair. And that's why I do what I do."

David snarled. "Of course he's honorable," he said, fighting against the binds. "He's not like you rats."

"Ok. Prove to me he's honorable, and worth sparing, and I'll let you go."