Daring Do awoke to the creak of timber and the roar of water. The smell of pitch and ocean salt washed over her as she struggled to her feet. She peered into the gloom of the ship surrounding her as she slowly regained her senses and her balance.
This was not the brig, although Daring was clearly held captive. The tiny cage she crouched in was surrounded by crates, barrels, and boxes slowly swaying as the hold rocked to the rhythm of the ocean. A lantern hanging nearby creaked. It had gone out, leaving Daring Do alone in the darkness. She allowed a smile as she glimpsed her trusty hat and satchel hanging from a post below it.
Well, there had been her captor's first mistake, she decided. Never leave a prisoner unattended, and never underestimate Daring Do when she sees something she wants to get.
She studied the padlock holding her in. She could pick the lock if she had her satchel, but it was out of reach. All she had now were her wings, her hooves, and her wits. The thought of plucking a feather to pick the lock crossed her mind, but she knew she'd need her wings in full form if she were going to try any sort of escape at sea. There had to be an alternative.
Daring nearly tripped over the alternative. A loose nail in the rough planks below her had caught on her hoof. She grasped it with her teeth, and yanked hard. The nail budged. She yanked again, and the nail sailed out of the board and her mouth. It bounced once against the bars and landed on the floor of her cage.
Daring held her breath and thanked her lucky stars as the ringing died down. She hoped no one had heard the nail, but a loud creak of the ship and the squeak of the lantern quickly put those fears to rest. Daring picked up the nail again and gingerly inserted it into the lock. She worked the makeshift lock pick around with her mouth until at last it popped open with a heartwarming click.
She waited until the ship rocked back again, then swung the door to her cage open amidst the noises of the ship. Daring Do retrieved her satchel and hat, made a quick check to see if she'd been spotted, and disappeared into the shadows. She settled in next to a sack of grain and then, as an afterthought, dragged the sack back to her cage and locked it in. In the shadows, it looked very much like a huddled pony. Well, maybe a huddled pony dressed in a flour sack. It would have to do.
Daring Do slipped back into her hiding place. She'd been captured aboard a ship by somepony, or something, bound for destinations unknown. They were clearly after something, and now she was after them. Whoever they were, they were up to no good, and whatever they wanted, well, it was probably worth something. They'd give her the answers to these questions one way or the other. All Daring had to do was wait and find out.