There are many various surprises a person can feel in life. There’s the surprise of finding a diamond ring in your stew. There is the astonishment of noticing that it is still on the finger of its late owner. And there is the amazement of discovering that the cook has begun experimenting with new spices. Paprika adds such a nice, unexpected smokiness to a dish.

Jocelyn anticipated hearing that the Jolly Roger was moored somewhere, abandoned and half-forgotten. Those expectations were met. Where it was moored? Now, that was the surprising part.

“At the top of Craggy Peak? How on earth did you get the ship up there?”

“I don’t remember. I either flew it there or beached it nearby and the Neverland grew a mountain underneath. All I know is, I was tired of that game, so I left it. Can I join my war now? Which of your men are staying?”

“All of them, I suppose, except Roger. You will come with me, won’t you, Roger?”

“Of course I will.”

“So will I,” Evie said.

“I won’t,” Bob said. “I never signed on for these childish games. There’s bound to be someone in the pirate village in need of an experienced hand. I’ll have no trouble finding work.”

Jocelyn considered telling him that finding work in the village might not be all that easy—not unless he wanted to work for Krueger—but she was, quite frankly, relieved to see him go. “According to your Pirate Code, I could have you clapped in irons for mutiny, but I won’t bother. I have more pressing issues to attend to. Good luck to you.”

“Save your luck. I’ve a feeling you’ll need it.” He nodded once, then turned and walked off in the direction of the pirate village.

Peter and the lost boys allowed a brief reprieve in the battle in order for Jocelyn’s crew to wish her good luck.

“Bring us back presents!”

“I’d like a new crepe pan!”

“Bring me a new arm!”

Evie kissed each man on the cheek, Roger saluted, and Jocelyn gave last-minute instructions. “Have fun. Don’t die!”

Mr. Smee wrapped her in a tearful hug. “I’d say the same for you, miss.”

Good-byes having been said, Jocelyn, Roger, and Evie set off.

“Is that the mountain we need to go to?” Evie asked. They could see it from where they stood. Even at a distance, it appeared to loom over them.

“It looks to be quite a long journey,” Jocelyn said. “Wouldn’t you say so, Roger?”

The boy pulled his map from one pocket and his compass from another. “Judging distance by sight can be tricky, but we have these. I’d say the best course is north, skirting a bog, a desert, and a dense-looking forest, before turning east. It’s a longer route, but much easier.”

“Don’t worry about making it easy,” Jocelyn said, motioning her head toward Evie. “We are pirate adventurers. I’m certain we can take whatever the Neverland might dish out—though of course there is no shame if it becomes too difficult for you, Evie. I think we should be able to find a courier crow to take you home nearly any time you like.”

Roger shook his head, not bothering to hide his disappointment at her choice. Evie gave Jocelyn a long, searching look. Jocelyn ignored them both, feigning a deep interest in the stitching of her jacket cuff.

“I’ll be fine,” Evie said at last. “You have nothing to worry about.”

If only that were true. “Well then, that settles it,” Jocelyn replied. “We’ll take the shortcut. I’m sure the Neverland will be no match for us.”

Had I been there, I would have given Jocelyn some advice: never taunt an island.

What happened next was tedious, arduous, and not all that interesting to tell. The Neverland must not have taken kindly to Jocelyn’s boast, for the miles stretched before them, never seeming to grow shorter. There were too many blisters, too much rain, and too little food. There was mud—oh, such mud! Stinking, sucking, cold black goo that went on for days, and a desert filled with burning hot sand, without any seashore to make it worth the trouble. Shall I describe it all in minute detail?

No? I see. You want me to skip ahead to the “good parts.”

Children are so impatient. You may have noticed Jocelyn herself being guilty of that vice. You all want life to be like a pearl necklace, one shining moment after another. No one ever wants to see the string that holds it all together.

I’ll warn you: This next little gem won’t be beautiful or pleasant. It will, however, certainly be exciting.