It began with the ringing of steel - distant at first, but soon punctuated by a yell and the sound of heavy footsteps. Next came the man running, the admiral, his head looking over his shoulder and his tricorne hat tucked under his arm. He skidded to a stop in the thoroughfare not twenty feet from the princess and stared back the way he had come, sword drawn, raised. He was being pursued by something, or someone. He did not seem to notice the girl.

"Come on."

He growled into the distance, and gestured toward himself with the tip of his sword.

"Pirate."