The Captain allowed John a nod, content with the basic obedience. He waited until John disappeared. Then, he leaned toward Cordelia, removing the torn half-map from his luxurious coat. He was close enough that she could likely smell the sugary smoke of his pipe.

"We are going 'ere," he declared. The ancient paper showed an island. A path was etched in black, but the end of the journey was missing. "I believe zis treasure to be ze Fountain of Youth."

Cordelia likely didn't realize it, but Pipesweet had just revealed the motivation of his entire crew. Their coordination, their perfect discipline, their hunger for Pipesweet's respect- it all had reason. Every man on the ship sought the Fountain of Youth as desperately as the Captain did. Each one possessed their own reason for desiring eternal life. Some had seen loved ones die, and feared their own deaths. Some believed themselves fine politicians or artists. A few were simply curious. Each joined the dance of The Siren, and each had won Pipesweet's favor. They would all bathe deeply in The Fountain as equals.

"We shall reach our destination by sunrise." The Captain paused. His pipe shifted in his mouth. For a moment, he actually seemed distracted. "We will get zere before ze demon woman does."