"Don't worry, luv," Jack interrupts. He's at the wheel now, casting a sharp eye between the storm to starboard and the pursuit to their port-and-stern.

Both are closing, and without the headway and speed that the Pearl can make under full sail ahead of the wind, they stand a fair chance of being caught by either or both. Jack looks grim and rather focused, but tosses Svava a wickedly bright smile.

"I've sailed worse, savvy? We'll be just fine."

If they're all lucky as the devil himself, it won't turn out to be a lie.