A/N: Data here... looks like it's my turn again :)

CHAPTER TEN

Back in Valletta, within the noble home known as Casa Rocca Piccola, a young messenger hurried to the side of Nicholas de Piro, master of the house and the Ninth Marquis de Piro.

"Forgive me for disturbing you, Excellency, but a message has arrived for you."

"Let me see it," the Marquis replied. The messenger, a young man with short blonde hair, handed over a small envelope. Inside was a terrible picture of a young blonde-haired girl, her face marred by bruises.

"My God," The Marquis breathed. "This girl… she looks so much like my granddaughter!"

"They could almost be twins," his wife, the Marchioness, agreed. "It's definitely not her, though."

"No…" Nicholas de Piro answered thoughtfully. "I have a terrible feeling someone thinks she is, though." Along with the picture there was a letter. Written in a neat, flowing script, it issued a terrible threat: either the de Piro family turned over their most precious treasure – the silver blessed earrings – or the hostage in the photo would be executed.

"What do we do?" the Marchioness asked in a worried tone.

"Whatever we can," The Marquis replied solemnly. "This poor girl, whoever she is, is in danger because of us; we must try to help her."

Elsewhere, the boat carrying Robert, Miley, Jackson and Oliver finally drew close to the small island of Gozo.

"It won't be long now," Robert announced.

"What are we gonna do when we get there?" Jackson asked him.

"We'll find your friend – and my sister – and see to it that madman can never harm them again." Something in Robert's tone made Miley shiver.

"Do you know who he is, or why he's doing this?" Miley asked him. Robert shook his head.

"No," he answered. "I'm afraid not. He spoke with a French accent, though…"

"Maybe it has to do with those silver earrings the priest gave us," Oliver suggested without thinking. Miley's eyes widened, and she whirled around to glare at him.

"Oliver!" she hissed. Robert frowned.

"Silver earrings?" he repeated. "What are you talking about?"

"Uh…" Miley hesitated, unsure if she should say anything. Their secret seemed to be out now though, and Robert was as much as part of everything that was happening as they were. Swallowing, Miley looked up at him.

"When we were touring the big cathedral back in Valletta – St. John's Co-Cathedral – a priest showed up and gave Lilly these special silver earrings. When we asked Vicky about them, she said they were a priceless treasure that belonged to the de Piro family!" Robert blinked.

"You have the silver blessed earrings?" he asked incredulously. "A priest gave them to you?"

"Well, actually, they're safely back at our hotel, but… yes. I don't know why the priest gave them to us."

"I wish he hadn't," Oliver muttered. "Ever since he did, things have been crazy!" Robert appeared lost in thought.

"Your friend – the one who was taken – what does she look like?" he asked after a moment.

"Well, actually, I think a have a picture of her in my wallet. Hang on…" Miley reached into her purse and pulled out her wallet. Inside she found a recent picture of her and Lilly, taken at the beach near her house just before they left for Hannah's European Tour. They were smiling, arms wrapped around one another… looking at it, Miley felt a pang in her heart.

"Here," she managed. "This is a picture of me and Lilly. Why do you want to know what she looks like, though?" Robert took the picture from Miley's outstretched hand and stared at it for a moment. Then he nodded grimly.

"It is as I feared," he whispered. "I think I'm finally beginning to understand all this."

"Care to explain it to the rest of us?" Jackson quipped.

"Your friend, Lilly – she looks very much like the young heir to the noble de Piro family," Robert said slowly. "I think that madman believes that's who she is… and is attempting to use her to get to the earrings you were given." Miley took a moment to let Robert's words sink in.

"So it's the earrings they really want," she said angrily. "Why? I mean, I know they're priceless and all…"

"They are far more than that," Robert interrupted her. "They are a priceless part of Malta's history, and a symbol of our people."

"So if someone took them…" Oliver began.

"Precisely… they would take the spirit of our people as well," Robert finished.

"Are you saying this is all some kind of twisted personal vendetta?" Miley shouted angrily. "Lilly and Vicky are in danger all because someone has a stupid grudge against the people of Malta?!"

"Maybe," Robert replied calmly. "I'm not certain – but Miley, losing your temper won't help your friend or my sister."

"This… this is just all so unfair!" Miley shouted, tears sparkling in her eyes. "We didn't ask to be a part of this!"

"I know," Robert said to her, his voice softening. "For what it's worth, I'm sorry… and I'm worried about my sister too. I may not show it, but I love her very much." Miley smiled weakly.

"I'm sure she loves you too," she managed. Robert tried to hide his own smile.

"I give you my word, I'll do everything in my power to save them." Robert reached into the backpack he'd brought with him and pulled out a sword in a dark leather scabbard. Unsheathing it, he swung it carefully through the air in front of him, the early morning sunlight glinting off its razor sharp steel blade.

"Whoa…" Oliver and Jackson whispered together.

"What are you going to do with that?" Miley asked him carefully. Robert looked at her, his face a stern mask.

"Whatever I have to."

Deep within the ancient Ġgantija temples on the island of Gozo, Maximilian angrily confronted Vicky over her recent revelation.

"So you are of Royal French blood?" he asked her carefully. Vicky nodded.

"That's what I said, isn't it?" she retorted.

"Watch your tongue, girl," Maximilian hissed. "Whatever blood flows in your veins, I will not tolerate a mere child speaking to me in such a way!" Vicky smiled grimly

"So tell me," she continued, ignoring the threat, "what use could Napoleon's ancestor possibly have for an innocent American girl who never even set foot on Malta until two days ago?" Maximilian blinked.

"What are you talking about, girl?"

"The blonde girl you took – she's not a de Piro; or didn't you know that?" Vicky challenged him.

"You're lying," the Frenchman growled. "You're just trying to trick me!"

"Nope," Vicky spat. "You just grabbed the wrong girl."

"Why should I believe you?" Maximilian muttered, leaning in close to Vicky. She could smell the cigar smoke and alcohol on his breath, and grimaced.

"If you're really are who you say you are, I think I know what you're after… and you won't get them holding the wrong girl hostage. The Marquis won't give you a thing."

"Then perhaps I have no further use for her," Maximilian said threateningly. "Perhaps I should just kill her!" He reached for the gun strapped to his hip.

"No!" Vicky screamed. "Killing Lilly won't get you the earrings either!"

"I suppose you have another idea, then… cousin?" Maximilian growled.

"Maybe," Vicky said hesitantly, "If you're willing to make a deal… cousin."

"I'm listening," Maximilian replied impatiently.

"Then listen to this: let Lilly go, and I'll see to it you get the silver blessed earrings." The Frenchman looked like he was about to laugh.

"Why should I believe you?"

"For one thing, I know where the earrings are," Vicky replied. "For another… wouldn't I be a better hostage than an innocent girl you kidnapped by mistake?"

"You expect me to believe you would just sacrifice yourself for a total stranger?"

"She's not a stranger," Vicky hissed, barely containing her emotions. "She's a friend. I'd do anything to protect my friends."

"Even die for them?" Maximilian asked quietly, fingering his gun. Vicky swallowed.

"Yes," she answered her voice barely above a whisper. Maximilian grinned savagely.

"Then… cousin… I believe we have a deal."