The Silent Wraith effortlessly cut through the thick mist that hovered on the water’s surface as it glided past the beauty and decay. James thought there was a particular loveliness to things that were forgotten and neglected, and longed to learn the stories of all the ships in the boneyard so that he could chronicle them. As he took in the awesome sight, James noticed that where the mist was thinnest he could see lights shining below in the watery depths. The little flickering lights seemed to beckon him, and he wondered if that was where he would learn the tales of these glorious vessels.

“Don’t look at the lights too long, James, else they shall lure you in,” said Blackbeard, keeping his gaze forward. James could see Blackbeard was searching for a particular ship.

“What are they, the lights?” asked James, feeling a strange and powerful desire to dive into the water and see for himself.

“Candles, lit by the souls of captains who refuse to leave their ships, and be ushered to the world beyond by the Flying Dutchman,” said Blackbeard. It sent a shiver through James that made him feel colder than he’d ever been. James was mesmerized by the beauty and terror of this place, looking down at all the candlelights glittering in the water.

“But where are the captains?” he asked.

“Holding their candles,” said Blackbeard.

James imagined what it must be like for the poor dead souls forever trapped in this place, and wondered if he would find himself there one day.

“What a horrible thought,” said James, trying to shake off the chill that overtook him.

“Don’t fret, young sir. If the ship is reclaimed by another captain, the light goes out and the spirit is set free. Some of the spirits eventually choose to move beyond the veil, while others inhabit their ships, like this one. That is why I call her the Silent Wraith. She is imbued with the spirits of her previous captains. I will be sad to be parted from her,” said Blackbeard.

James had always felt there was something otherworldly about Blackbeard’s ship, and now he knew why.

As James looked around at the literal sea of ships that stretched before him, seemingly endless in its splendor and corrosion, his eyes fixed on a magnificent tall ship, fully rigged with massive sails. It seemed almost magical to James, all red and gold, with its Jolly Roger flag blowing proudly in the wind. It was by no means the most stately one in the boneyard, but there was something about the ship that drew James to it. He saw himself on it, and knew somehow it was the next step in his journey to find Never Land.