Feliks

"Again."

I looked up at Natalya's panting form, a sword in her bandaged hand. "I said, let's repeat it." She once again suggested and knowing her for years, that type of exclamation was an order. And who was taking her orders without any complaints? The only man who could never say 'no' to her. "B-But Miss Natalya, I am afraid – "

"Stop fussing around Colonel," she barked, positioning her sword to strike him if he would attack. Some days had gone by after the revelation of Gilbert's plan and she was preparing for war. Her hands had healed. Thankfully, she could properly use them, even though the wound had left scars. Upon hearing Gilbert's plan, the girl wanted to practice her fighting, forcing Toris to help her with training. The man did not object her idea, but he was still afraid to hurt her in any kind. It was obvious that he felt extremely responsible for her injuries. During their sparring, his eyes focused on the scars on her hands. He was worried, which unnerved Natalya to no end. But I could still detect some red colour on her cheeks, was it due to the exhausting task of practicing or the presence of the Colonel? I did not know. But having observed the two for almost a week, I could recognise some patterns of affection and not only from the Colonel – whose intentions where clear – but also from Natalya. She could have asked anyone to spar with her, but she had asked – well ordered – him. He was equal to her, in his skills of fighting, something the blonde girl appreciated. She did not say it out loud of course, but her actions told me nevertheless.

Currently, we were on the shore of the island. Everything that had happened recently, made me shudder. All the new information about magic, declaring war on a Duke – whose name I already had forgotten – and forming an alliance with other pirates and the Prince of Borussia. First we had abducted him, attacked his men and then we were taken in his army, fighting for him. "How things change," I chuckled. I knew that under his order, we could not be classified as pirates anymore. It was his way of protecting us and Elizabeta. From the very beginning, I felt that both where somehow connected. I had seen them dancing in the ballroom. Although Gilbert was not aware of Lizzie's true identity, the two were harmonising the atmosphere with their presence. Of course there had been some awkward moments and after learning about her being a pirate, Gilbert was shocked and angry (and because he was stuck in the hold). But still, I never doubted their attraction for each other. I sighed, "At times like these, falling in love surely is not a good option." My eyes wandered to the fighting pair, which somehow had the feeling that this sentence had been uttered for them. Toris was a blushing mess while Natalya looked to the ground before taking the sword, swinging it aggressively around. "C-Come on," she shouted at the poor flustered man in front of her. "Y-Yes."

"Like seriously guys? I was not talking about you."

"Feliks, s-shut up, nobody here is in love," Natalya hissed, her cheeks getting redder. From exhaustion or embarrassment, I did not dare to question her or else she would attack me with that sword. A light wind blew; making my hair hit my face. Hopefully the air would not be stormy. "I was talking about Lizzie and Gilbert."

Both stopped abruptly to look at me. I watched Toris and decided to correct a little detail in my announcement. "I mean Your Royal Highness, Prince Gilbert of Borussia. Gosh why is his title so long, I deserve a title too. He is not as fabulous as I am," I muttered the last part, but it was the truth, he may be a Prince with an amulet who could command dozens of men. But I was the one who still looked fabulous in a footman outfit. "What are you implying?" Natalya asked.

"He really cares for Elizabeta," Toris spoke, his voice strong, "he told me himself."

"Well, his royal father would be very happy with him courting a pirate, who, along with her crew is now member of the royal army," Natalya spat. "They will never accept us."

Toris rammed his sword into the sand. The small grains flew into the air; the impact of his used power was indicating his outburst. Despite his kind nature, his face darkened. "They will accept you, they have no other choice. As long as I am the Colonel of the army, I will make sure of that," he affirmed, "The Prince and I have a plan, this has to work out."

The man left me speechless; his demeanour was always changing if the topic of our security was questioned. We stilled for some minutes, until he grabbed his sword and pulled it out of the sand. "We need to work together and the King has no other options but to accept you," he gazed at Natalya, "you have my word."

"But how are you going to convince him? He can't go to his father like, 'look here, I have a new army', even if he will explain that that Edel-duke, whatever his name is, wants to have a war?" I asked him. He looked at me and then at Natalya. Was he nervous to tell us? It was then, that a new idea popped into my mind. "Of course, the mermaid."

Natalya face blanked, before her eyes glowered. "Yes, of course the mermaid." I shot her a questioning look. Had I missed something? I was not the only one who was a little startled by her response, seeing that Toris blinked several times at her, before he finally nodded. "They are going to channel the power of the amulet to make use of it. At the moment, they are on the other side of the island, trying to find a way to succeed. If they would, they would have a stronger weapon than any army could have and trying to convince the King with it."

"Yes, a very convincing weapon, and a very convincing argument to blackmail the King," I smirked, "Very pirate-like of you and Gilbe– the Prince."

Natalya snorted, swinging her sword again, "At least one thing you learnt from us." Maybe there was a chance to escape the gallows after all; the crime of abducting a royal member of the family was still punishable.

I turned around, watching the ocean once again until something small in the corner of my eye caught my attention.

"Look at the horizon," I exclaimed, "like seriously." I narrowed my eyes in the hopes of recognising the approaching ship. And recognising I did. "Guys. . . we have a problem."

"What do you mean?"

Toris came up next to me. "I never saw this ship before."

Natalya's face darkened again. "Red sails. . . Roberts," she hissed.

"What?" Toris face was blank.

I took their hands, "We need to tell the others; we need to stay hidden in the forest. I don't know why they are here and why they know where they are, but we are not ready yet."

Toris hand cupped his cheek. "I hope the Prince and Sakura succeed, they are our only chance."

We ran back, erasing all our traces. Warning the others would be our first priority.

[A/N: The Marine and the enemy have arrived… It's ShowTime darlings ~]

Replies to the reviews:

Mely-Val: Yes, it would be pretty cool :), but a human cannot handle so much concentrated magic; only the ones that have magical power themselves (or are magical creatures) :) and GIlbert is not used to use this kind of power :3