With the gold from the Urca de Lima, Eleanor met with Benjamin Hornigold and Henry Jennings to form a Consortium. Her father's plans to become governor of New Prividence had failed due to the Captain of the Scarborough Francis Hume attempting to arrest him on suspicion of coercing with pirates. Richard was able to escape, but now Nassau would need a new way to stay afloat, so Eleanor worked to recreate her father's enterprise. She also recruited Caedus, Flint and shady merchant Milo van der Graaff to assist her in this endeavor. Jennings would represent the Pirate's interests. Graaff would represent the merchants, and Hornigold the Smugglers.

The system Eleanor laid out was simple, Caedus recruited men to help with operations. Pirates who had experienced little success were turned into smugglers and along with other smugglers would transport the cargo. Merchants who were falling on hard times would serve as their legitimate front. The Consortium also worked to seize Guthrie's assets to use for their new enterprise before the authorities could seize them. They captured his ships and raided his warehouses. This gave Nassau a makeshift merchantile fleet.

A few months later several pirates including Thatch, Hornigold, Kenway, Kidd and Caedus for another joint venture. "Fine work gents," Honigold declared pleased with the Consortium's progress. "Keep this up and Nassau will be the first nation where men can live as gods, Easy and free." Caedus pulled out a crate of rum bottles.

Thatch proposed a toast, "here's to our Pirate Republic lads," He boasted. "We're prosperous, free and out of reach of kings, clergy and debt collectors." Each man took one clashed them together and took a swig.

Everyone raised their bottles and James Kidd spoke. "Nearly 500 pirate captains have pledged their allegiance to the Bretheren of the Coast in Nassau," She reported nodding with approval. "Not a bad Number."

Hornigold continued. "However, if we want to keep our nation afloat, we'll need guns as well as gold."

"Aye," Thatch agreed, "we lack sturdy defences, if the king were to attack the town he'd trample us."

The pirates nodded in agreement. "Then let us find the observatory," Kenway suggested. "If it is as powerful as these Templars claim, we will be unbeatable."

Thatch scoffed, "not that twattle again Kenway, tis a story for schoolboys." Kenway shrugged but pressed no further. "What I mean is proper defences." Thatch finished his rant.

They all knew what that meant, the only guns available are the ones found on warships. "That would mean attacking the navy." Kenway pointed out.

Hornigold nodded, "aye, as long as it's King Philip's navy, we'll not offend our own monarch."

"What do you propose?" Caedus wondered.

Thatch took a swig of rum before speaking again. "I say we steal a galleon beach it on Abaco Island and shift all the guns to one side. Would make a nice ornament for one of our harbors"

Caedus rubbed the chin of his mask in thought. "Ambitious daring and crazy," he laughed, "I like it."

Adewale however was still unsure and shook his head. "It won't be easy to steal a full-size galleon, and this is coming from a man who escaped from one himself." He turned to Thatch, "have you one in mind?"

Thatch's face broke into a grin his eyes gleaming. "I do sir, and I'll show her to you. She's a fussock she is. Fat and Slow." Thatch chuckled softly as a plan formed in his mind.

The galleon Thatch went on about was the El Arca de Maestro. Thatch was not jesting about the ships size. The El Arca de Maestro was easily the biggest ship Ceadus had seen roaming the northern Carribean. Despite the combined attack by Caedus' Aegaeon, Kenway's Jackdaw and Charles Vane's Ranger, the El Arca de Maestro manage to escape with the help of several spanish sloops and a fog that rolled in. The pirates were victorious with the sloops sunk and the El Arca de Maestro badly damaged. But there was a price, the Ranger had received a full barrage from the galleon's main battery, so it was forced to flee. The Jackdaw and the Aegaeon were only lightly damaged.

The Aegaeon anchored alongside the Jackdaw and Caedus jumped aboard. Kenway was looking through a spyglass, trying to pierce the fog. "Anything Kenway?"

Kenway closed his spyglass. "Aye," he replied. "It sailed for that island up ahead."

Thatch nodded. "I know the place, a natural stronghold owned by a french captain named Du Casse. Kenway and Caedus both turned to Thatch. The name meant something to them, though for different reasons.

"Julien du Casse?" Caedus asked.

Thatch nodded. "Name sounds about right."

"You know him?" Kenway was surprised that Caedus was acquainted with the templar as well.

"Aye, stole a ship from 'im a few years back, the very ship that I'm sailin' today."

Kenway looked at the Aegaeon in shock. "You mean to tell me you stole that from Du Casse."

Caedus nodded, "and it seems that we're about to take yet another prize from the Frenchie. "If it's really Du Casse on that island then it must be Great Inagua. I've been here before, I know a way in without stirrin' too much of a ruckus."

"Then let's wait till nightfall to take it." Thatch suggested. The other pirates agreed.

That night Kenway and Caedus snuck into Great Inagua. They used the same route that Caedus did to take the Aegaeon. As Kenway went straight to the clearing. Caedus headed for a cave a cave he never told anyone about. He never ventured as to where the cave ended up, but curiosity got the best of him. He followed the cave until he came upon a solid room that held a vast amount of treasure. Caedus eyed the gold greedily but chose not to waste time. He looked around and saw two paths. One was a stairway that led up to what Caedus guessed was the manor. The second path was another cave that led downwards. Caedus chose this path predicting that it led somewhere that drew less attention. The second cave led to an opening in the bay just a short distance from the beach and faced the very ship they were after.

Caedus swam all the way to the ships bow and began scaling it. He climbed onto the deck and started killing the skeleton crew aboard. The rest of the spanish flocked towards the black clad pirate leaving Du Casse alone on the poop deck and open for Kenway to jump from the mizzenmast and assassinate the templar.

Caedus made short work of the Spaniards and headed for the poopdeck. Kenway and Caedus looked down at their dying foe.

"Hello Du Casse," Caedus said warmly. "It's been some time since we last got acquainted."

"We've never met (Batard maudit) cursed bastard." Julien spat.

Caedus shrugged, "Oh but we did my friend. I took the Aegaeon from you

Julien's eyes widened in shock, and he grabbed Caedus by the leg. "YOU!"

Caedus nodded, "Yes, me." He grabbed Du Casse by the collar, "me, me, me."

Julien let go and started laughing. "How fitting, slain by the very people that took what was meant to be our ultimate weapon against you (scelerats) scoundrels

Kenway knelt down and pulled him close. "What do you mean ultimate weapon?"

Julien coughed blood and continued. "We built that particular frigate for one purpose, to hunt down every last pirate in the Caribbean. The templars spared no expense in its construction. The best wood, the latest weapons. It was so beautiful, now it serves the very people it was built to destroy. How Ironic."

Caedus knelt down and whispered in Julien's ear. "Well on behalf of the Pirate Republic we thank you for such a wonderful contribution to our cause. That frigate of yours is truly a masterpiece."

Julien snarled and spat in Caedus mask. (Bruler en enfer vous sone de pute.) Burn in hell you son of a whore." He gasped and then layed still.

Caedus cut down the spanish flag and their ships sailed into the harbor. Kenway raised his sword in triumph. "THE COVE IS OURS!" He declared and all around the cheering of pirates could be heard.

Thatch left with the galleon the next day while Kenway, Caedus and Kidd, stayed in Great Inagua for a short time. Caedus decided to loot most of the treasure he found in the cave for his own while Kenway and Kidd went off explore the manor. Soon after Kidd left as Caedus joined Kenway on the docks. "What d'you find?" Caedus asked.

I found a fine set of gear in the manor," Kenway replied. "But it needs a few keys to open the cage to it."

"Hmm," Caedus nodded. "What of the observatory? Your friend Du Casse give us any clues about it."

Kenway shook his head, "sadly no, but I'm thinkin Kidd knows more about it than us."

Caedus sighed, "if that be the case it's best, we keep an eye on im."

Kenway turned to him, his eyes narrowed. "You don't trust him?"

Caedus shook his head. "Kidd's too self-righteous to be a pirate. Not good for a pirate to have too high a thing."

Kenway shrugged "he wants me to meet him in Tulum in a few weeks, but first there are things I must take care of." He looked around and turned to Caedus for his opinion. "What do you think of this isle?"

Caedus looked around and nodded in approval. "Good spot, easily defensible with room for many ships." He gestured to the sugar field, "a source of 'honest' income." He pointed to the manor, "a quality establishment." He finally gestured to the village itself, "and a home for the crew." He finished and turned to Kenway, "all around a good place to retire."

"Aye," Kenway agreed. "With a little fixing up we can turn this place into something better."

Caedus shrugged, "Then I'll be helpin' you with that then." The two shook hands and they parted ways. Kenway set off to take out the templars who had the keys to the cage, while Caedus continued pirating. Two weeks later Caedus took command of the Kimera and sailed to Tulum. He hid his ship and made his way inland along with Joshua. Caedus smirked at the fact that this was his second time setting foot in spanish soil in the new world. Along the way they knocked out any assassin that got in their way. The two finally came to a mayan structure and found Kenway squaring off with a few hooded figures and Kidd. He got closer to hear what they were saying.

The leader of the hooded figures was an older man named Ah Tabai and spoke to Kenway. "We are not sorry to see Duncan Walpole gone but it was you that carried out his betrayal. Why?!"

Kenway shrugged, "money was my only aim at the time."

Ah Tabai approached him angrily. "SHOULD I FIND COMFORT IN THAT, YOU MURDERED OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN HAVANA!"

A soft chuckling was heard, "You shouldn't be so quick to lay blame old man." Everyone turned as Caedus approached the group with a smile. Half a dozen men approached him with blades drawn. But Caedus looked about as concerned as a tiger with a rabbit on its tail. Atilla, Caedus' jaguar appeared behind him snarling at the old man and causing some of the assassins to back away.

"What the hell you doing here Caedus," Kidd demanded.

"Same reason Kenway is I reckon," he replied.

One of the assassins snuck up behind Caedus, but the pirate caught him by the arm, punched his throat and easily threw him aside.

"What do you mean I shouldn't lay blame!" Ah Tabai demanded.

Caedus looked at him calmly. "He had no way of knowing the circumstances, so his ignorance is to be expected. But you are the one who trusted Duncan Walpole. How wise was that I wonder?"

Ah Tabai opened his mouth to say something, but nothing came out.

Kidd broke the silence, "he has the sense mentor," he said pointing to Kenway.

Ah Tabai considered Kenway for a moment. Caedus watched silently as the three discussed a man called the sage. Afterward Kidd led Kenway into a secret cave. While they searched Caedus and Ah Tabai waited for their return.

Caedus turned to the assassin mentor, "I heard from one of your lackeys that you intended to go after Kenway, be grateful that you didn't, or I would be hunting you down personally."

"Tell me why I should have your throat slit blackguard." Ah Tabai asked him.

Caedus chuckled, "I'd like to see you, or your people try old man. Given your assassins shameful performance in Havana I suspect it won't end well for you."

"SHAMEFUL?"

"Aye, I was there when your people were killed, and I counted at least 30 prefect opportunities to carry out your task. Your people are supposedly skilled in overhead kills but instead of using the buildings to your advantage, your 'brothers and sisters' decide to charge at them from fifty feet away giving the enemy plenty of warning and all the time in the world to face you. I thought assassins were supposed to be subtle and smart."

"Who are you to question our methods?" the Mentor demanded

"Who are you to judge me?" The pirate retorted.

Ah Tabai backed away, he looked at Caedus up and down. "What would happen if we ripped off your mask?"

Caedus shrugged. "I suspect it will be agonizing-"

"You seem like a tough man."

"-for you."

Before Ah Tabai could retort gunfire could be heard Caedus and the assassin Mentor rushed to a clearing to see assassins fighting british soldiers. Caedus and Joshua drew their weapons and charged into the fray, cutting down any british that stood in his way. Atilla leaped after his master, tearing the throats of several unfortunate soldiers. The assassins being held captive was the least of the pirate captain's concerns, he had to get to his ship and warn his men.

He arrived on the beach to see a fight between his crew and swarms of british soldiers. Caedus and his crew killed many but there always seem to be more. After a long struggle, Caedus and his crew manage to kill the last of the soldiers on the beach.

He turned back towards the tree line as Joshua approached him. "There's a frigate on the opposite beach," he told him. "Do you wish to leave?"

Caedus shook his head. "Not yet, they have our fellow pirates captive, we must eliminate the rest of the king's men first."

Joshua nodded curtly and turned to the crew. "you heard the captain," he declared to them. "Let's go free our brethren!" the crew shouted in agreement before rushing into the jungle with Caedus in the lead. Caedus and his men were able to draw many of the soldiers to them allowing Kenway and the assassins to free the captives. Afterwards Kenway and Kidd were looking at a fleeing frigate. Kidd told them that the leader of the force was a dutch slaver named Laurens Prins, Caedus burned upon learning that the man was a slaver.

Caedus's men had started looting the bodied of the dead soldiers including coin and weapons. Joshua had grabbed two muskets and handed one to Caedus, Caedus took aim at the fleeing ship.

"Don't bother," Kidd shook his head. He's too far off." Caedus ignored her as he steadied his hands, exhaled slowly and pulled the trigger. The shot killed the man at the wheel with a hit to his throat. Joshua handed Caedus the other musket, Caedus took aim and fired killing the man shielding Prins and hitting the old man in the left leg.

Kidd and Ah Tabai were shocked at the precision of Caedus shots. "Impressive," Kidd complimented.

Caedus smirked, "that's how you kill someone Kidd," He looked at Ah Tabai, "that's how it's done."

The assassins around them didn't respond, "this lot is a cheery bunch ain't it?" Kenway gestured to the gathered assassins.

"Aye," Caedus agreed with a grin, "I feel the joy spreadin' already."

Ah Tabai retained his emotionless gaze as he addressed the two men. "Captain Kenway, Captain Caedus, it is clear you both have remarkable skills. but you are churlish and arrogant prancing around in uniforms you don't deserve."

Caedus smiled, "flattery will get you nowhere old man," He replied. "Besides you are forgettin' ruthless, cold, greedy and efficient. As for the uniform." Caedus looked down at his attire. "I like its functionality and it suits my needs. I found it, so I took it and that is good enough for me. If you got a problem with that, good for you, I couldn't care less. The shark does not concern itself with the opinion of the gulls."

"You think your better than us?" Ah Tabai demanded.

Caedus spread his arms apart. "Your base is in a tropical jungle," He cried out. "With unlimited places to hide and countless ambush opportunities, yet you fail to use it effectively. At least the Templars are actually taking advantage of what they have."

"What are you getting at Caedus?" Kidd asked.

"You lot are good at killin'," Caedus explained. "But killin' is not the same as fightin', you won't always have the luxury of cloak and dagger, eventually you will be pulled into open combat. And when it comes to that, you are severly lacking. That is what soldiers are for. Kenway and I manage to get deep into your hideout and we weren't even trained for secrecy. Sad part is you lot have been doin' it your whole lives."

Ah Tabai finally had enough and lunged at the pirate only to have his blade arm kicked away before receiving a devastating uppercut which sent him sprawling to the ground. As the assassins gathered around their mentor, Caedus picked up one of the discarded muskets and pointed the bayonet at Ah Tabai's throat as the others looked at him horrified.

Caedus scowled at his beaten foe. "Your friends are dead, that slaver is alive, cause the slaver has an army, and big fuckin guns." Caedus tossed the musket to Tabai, "my advice start learning to use real weapons and stop relying so much on these fancy table knives. With that, he led his men back to the Cerberus leaving Kenway with the assassins Joshua fallowed but not before giving the assassins an apologetic look.

Ah Tabai turned to Kidd, "Caedus said he would have hunted us down if we had killed Kenway."

Kidd nodded, "considering what I've seen him and the state we're in do I actually believe he could do it. He has the means."

"He's a Pirate," One assassin scoffed, he is nothing but an animal."

Kidd shook her head, "wrong, that man has skills that rival most assassins, he's been trained and trained well."

One assassin nodded, "he is, I tried to snare his leg with my rope dart and he sliced the rope before it went taut. A mere pirate can't just do that, it has to be practiced and learned. Whoever trained him is familiar with our methods."

Despite the desire to do it himself, Caedus agreed to let Kenway take out the slaver. It was here that James Kidd revealed her true identity to Kenway and Caedus, Mary Read. After the death of Laurens Prins, Kenway approached Caedus. "Master Kidd is planning to raid a nearby plantation, you interested."

Caedus shook his head, "Nay, Flint was tellin' me bout a convoy of slavers coming in."

Kenwy nodded, "well good luck to you then." He patted Caedus on the back and left to join Kidd.

As Kenway raided the Templar owned sugar plantations, Caedus assumed his public identity and bought the estate. Using it as a front for his activities. Caedus' pirating now extended to sugar plantations. Most plantations in the Carribean were owned by the English Drax and Beckford Estates, but a small number of plantations were owned by French, Spanish, or Dutch. These became the subject to Caedus' raids which were as successful as his ship engagements. As usual he stripped the plantations of any valuables and liberated the Slaves who either joined him or were sent to Maroon Islands. Among his victims were Matanzas, Montez, and Black Island. Black Island would later become Caedus' base of operations, he fortified it with Stone walls and earthen ramparts built by freed slaves who offered their services in gratitude. Caedus added these plantations to the assets of Guthrie's Consortium giving them another business front.