Gilbert

The stranger took me further away from Elizabeta and the rest of the crew. Trees separated us from them, before we stopped in front of a tent.

"I was only the messenger," he said, "Captain, he is here."

A young man with lightly curled brown hair faced me while the "messenger" disappeared.

"Why do you want to speak with me?"

His green eyes glanced at me, "We have our reasons."

I watched him, trying to analyse his look.

"I know that it is about the amulet… But you cannot use it without my assistance," I informed him.

"I know. Why do you think we haven't killed you yet?"

"So you won't kill us if I will use the power of the necklace an-"

"I have a deal," he interrupted me boldly, staring at me with serious eyes. "We know who set Elizabeta up."

"Captain Roberts, I know" I answered, "and how do you know her name?"

He smirked, "She is famous due to her success of abducting you." Even though he was praising her, I could not deny the fact that I was annoyed. He was giving me information I already knew. "And we know her because Roberts told us he would use her to get the amulet."

"What?" I fumed, "Are you working for him?" My rage was at a point where I would break his neck. Before I punched his face, his face grew serious. "We are not, he tricked us."

I was bewildered, what was he suggesting? My authoritative side took over, as I commanded him to explain himself within five minutes.

"If I tell you this, I want your confirmation that the kingdom of Borussia is removing my crew from their official list of criminals."

"It depends on what you are going to say," I added strictly.

The man smiled, shaking his head. Apparently he was expected no less of me. "Alright, but it will be extremely interesting for you," he chuckled, composing himself several seconds afterwards. "It is not Captain Roberts who is behind Elizabeta. Before he abducted Elizabetat's father, he was ordered to use the former Captain of my crew to get the amulet of the water dragon. This attempt of receiving the necklace failed."

My sight wandered to the ground. Was that the attack that happened one year ago?

"I was told that half of the crew was killed," I muttered.

"We could flee, but my old Captain paid the price. We failed to steal it and Roberts killed him. He made it very clear that we would be isolated by the other pirates and put on every country's list of criminals."

His once hard and grinning face was showing signs of sadness. I still could not understand why he was telling me this.

"For one year now, we tried to avoid Roberts and his corrupt deals. My crew and I are sick of this situation. Being a pirate under such condition is bad. But seeing that you have stranded on this island, I took it as a sign," he breathed, looking intensely at me. "I want to form an alliance with you and the crew."

"I-I…. What?"

Was he serious? I was confused by his plans, why was he doing this? "If you really mean that, why did you attack us and Kirkland's men?"

"Oh, first of all, his men attacked us and secondly, I wanted to annoy Kirkland. He will recognise me as soon as he sees my face," he was laughing, "And for your hostage taking, would you have come freely to this camp? I don't think so. You would have avoided anybody due to the risk of being used for the necklace."

My jaw dropped and I could only stare at him. "I know it sounds absolutely insane, but I haven't finished the part of the tale that is the most interesting for you," he said.

"What is it about?" I challenged.

"You are only aware of Captain Robert's viciousness and his way of blackmailing other pirates to do his work. But do you know who paid him to get your necklace?"

The only answer he received from me was silence. He sighed, preparing himself for my next reaction. "Do you know the Duke Edelstein?"

My breath was caught in my throat. What did this foolish man have to do with all those circumstances? "I do. What do you mean? He paid Roberts?"

The green eyed Pirate nodded, "He wants his Dukedom to become a Kingdom. He wants a higher rank and with the amulet of an elemental dragon, such as your Water necklace, he would have enough power."

"W-what? H-how?" I thought loudly, "So he wants a war… Which countries does he want to attack?" I asked darkly. The mood changed dramatically.

"Well guess… If he has your amulet and forces you to use it."

I had always felt an odd aura around Edelstein when he was in the same room with me. It was no secret that he hated me greatly. "My country won't be the only that he would attack, right?"

The pirate nodded.

So it had been Edelstein and his Countrymen that wanted power. The attack one year ago was planned by him. He paid a notorious pirate crew to get my necklace. I knew that his family was jealous of the power of Borussia. "How do you know all this?" I asked baffled. The man wanted to answer, but did not as he saw my expression. "Well it wouldn't be the first time, a royal would make a treaty with criminals," I whispered, reminding myself of my father's situation.

"I don't expect you to believe me, but I know that you are not stupid and aware of the corrupt nature of pirates and royal people. They are not so different after all."

His comment was truthful in a way, but I did not consider myself corrupt. Days ago, when I was in my chamber, I refused to think about the future which my father had planned for me. A marriage and the role of becoming King was all he wanted for me. Now I could not wait to become King. I would take things into my own hand and make changes for everyone. Humanity was more important than power. "What other criteria do you have in the deal?" I inquired. He smirked, "We will side together against Roberts and Edelstein."

I remained silent, reflecting the situation. He was young but his eyes expressed how exhausted he was. His life was not the same anymore. After having taken away his older Captain, the crew wanted revenge. They would do anything for vengeance.

If they would work under my command, they would be considered soldiers of the Kingdom of Borussia. The status of a pirate would be suspended and they would officially and legally work for my Kingdom. Maybe I could save Elizabeta with the same strategy.

"From that moment on, you will work for me and I do not mean only for the next few weeks. I am taking you under my order and integrating you in my Kingdom's army. You will not betray me, or you will meet a side of me which no one wants to witness," I suggested strongly, waiting for him to accept my demands of the alliance.

"I will certainly not betray you, if I propose an alliance, I am honest."

"You have to work together with Kirkland, so I want no drama," I added, holding my hand to him. My gut told me that he was sincere which was odd. I had my problems trusting someone strange, but he had something that told me that I could trust him.

"Captain Antonio Fernández Carriedo, at your service, Your Royal Highness" he affirmed with a grin, shaking my hand. "And I want the rank of an admiral."

[A/N: Oh Gosh, I made it :'D I finished this chapter :'D. I hope it is not too mindblow or confusing with all the turns, etc. And what would by a Pirate story without Pirate Iggy and Pirate Spain? :P. Anyway, I hope the chapter is okay :O Pardon my grammar and mistakes, it is late and I was working the whole day on my essay (which I still haven't finished yes :'D fml :'D).]