(Harper's pov)

It took some weeks to arrive at our destination, due to the British forces spread out across all of the West Indies, some of these British forces were from the Carolina, Massachusetts and Boston colonies, according to my spies. So we had to keep moving and misdirect our enemies from picking up our trail, because if they tracked us to Sharks-lane Isle? The inhabitants there would kill us why before the British could.

But finally, we had reached our destination and it truly was a sight to behold.

A massive island that seemed to stretch as far as the eye could see, there were no signs of life as of yet, but no doubt the inhabitants of this island could spot our pirate fleet entering their territory on the water, which is why when we deploy our forces on the sand? We'd need to be extremely careful and show no signs of hostility towards these people, they were once slaves and suffered the most horrific experiences of their lives while still in slavery.

Before touching down on the sand, I was bringing Tau, Caesar and a handful of African pirates who sailed with me to show the maroons of Sharks-lane that I can be trusted and that myself and my pirate brethren mean them no harm at all.

Upon my orders, I instructed the rest of the fleet to remain on the water and gather their rest, while I would take my African friends and allies to go see Red Death, queen of the maroons at Sharks-lane and see if we can forge an alliance with her and her people. I was currently watching my allies board a longboat, I was dressed in my sleek black leather jacket, crimson tunic, black leather pants and boot cover my right leg, inspecting my prosthetic, I've modified the leg with handfuls of useful purposes if I am ever caught in a dicy situation.

Just as I was about to board, a strong hand placed itself on my shoulder, turning around, I smile warmly at the sight of Madison, she returns my smile and murmurs against my lips. "Please be safe." I nod into her cheek and murmur back. "I will, promise." Pressing my lips to her cheek, I pull away from her and look into her stunning green eyes, she gives me a firm nod at my words and quickly pecks my lips. Behind her stood my vanguard, I nod at them and give them orders. "Ensure the Night Fury is secure and inform the fleet to watch the horizon. I'd hate for British forces to find us here and then the maroons blame us for bringing them here." My friends nodded and reassured me that all would be well in my absence.

Once boarding the longboat with my African allies, we were then lowered until the longboat touched down on the water. Manning the oars to our longboat, we then row ourselves to the sand, whilst rowing, I turn to Caesar and cock my head in question to the man. "You know the stories and reputation of Red Death better than anyone, what do you make of her?" The hulking pirate snorted at my words and shrugged. "Like all African people in the West Indies, she suffered unimaginable labor as a slave, she was used a whore by the taskmasters in the dead of night and when she'd resisted her masters? They inflict unimaginable torture on her flesh— whippings, branding and beatings."

"This woman will hold great hatred towards men with your skin color my friend." Tau stated at me, Caesar hummed in agreement and sighed out. "There is no telling what will await us once we touch down on the sand, but one thing is certain. We will be surrounded by men, women and children will fight tooth and nail to secure their freedom." About ten minutes later, we touched down on the sand and ensured our longboat was on the beach and out of the water so that it wouldn't drift away. Exiting the longboat, I look straight ahead and see grasslands that lead into thick, dense forests, turning to Tau and Caesar, I ask. "I think it wise for them to take us to Red Death, this is their land and we don't know if the forest is booby trapped." The two men hum in agreement, and as soon as I made that suggestion, an arrow lands mere inches away from my right foot, causing me to inhale sharply and take a step back.

Emerging from the forest stood an African headhunter, bow in hand, covered in crimson tribal warpaint and had piercings going through their ears and nose. Soon enough? More and more of the locals of Sharks-lane emerged out of the forest some armed with muskets and trial weaponry, they approached us and none of us made a move for our weaponry, in fact we tossed them in the longboat and held our breath. As the locals approached us, they eyed us from head to toe and then they turned to my African companions, they then proceeded to march us into the forests.

Calming my racing nerves, I braced myself for whatever this day had in store for us.

(Normal pov— Dragon's Edge)

Vaughn Grimborn was inside his captains quarters on board his flagship, Reaper, the pirate hunter and Commodore Preston Black had been hard at work ensuring Dragon's Edge is now under British control, the damaged war ships were all repaired and now fit for sailing and battle once more and the British forces were able to gain reinforcements from the colonies in the Americas. With extra support patrolling the West Indies, Vaughn could now focus on narrowing down where exactly Harper Haddock would go to next.

A knock on the door interrupted Vaughn's work in mapping out possible locations for Harper and the rest of the pirate fleet that was once anchored at the Edge could go to. Looking up at the now opened door, one of Vaughn's men revealed themselves with the now former pirate, Johann.

"Sir, Captain Johann of the Serpent. As requested."

Vaughn nodded in thanks at his man and dismissed him, once the hunter closed the door and left the two men alone, Vaughn grabbed two glasses, a bottle of fine wine and poured them into the glasses. Grimborn then offered the former pirate captain one of the glasses, approaching the pirate hunters desk, Johann took the glass and sat down in a chair in front of the Englishman. A sinister smile was plastered on Vaughn's face, causing a chill to crawl down Johann's spine. "Now Johann, let me make things very clear to you. The only reason you and your men are still breathing is because you once sailed beneath the black and know the pirates of the West Indies." Taking a drink of the wine, Vaughn sighed after taking his drink and then cocked his head. "Tell me. Where would Harper Haddock go? Extend a hand out to fellow pirates to join this war? Hide? Or—"

"He won't hide." Johann interrupted, the man then continued. "Harper Haddock may be young, but he's strong in a fight, knows how to lead men, dangerously smart and he knows these seas better than you. And unfortunately... me." Setting down his glass of wine on the desk, Johann leaned back in the chair he sat on and sighed heavily. "Me and my men only just arrived at Dragon's Edge and the West Indies months before King George declared war on pirates here. Myself and my men are an Arabian crew, we sailed in the Mediterranean Sea for many years."

Snorting in acknowledgment, Vaughn then raised an eyebrow. "I say again..." Leaning forward in his seat, the pirate hunter seethed out. "...where would Harper Haddock go?" Licking his lips, Johann shook his head. "I apologize, but I don't know. We were hardly friends, only partners that united together once. After that boy and his crew betrayed myself and my men over the prize we claimed together? I swore I would do everything in my power to take something far more precious from him. His life."

"I did not bring you here to hear you wallow on about a personal vendetta. I brought you here because I thought you could be of use, but if that's not the case? Then..." Vaughn then pulled out a flintlock pistol and aimed it right in Johann's face. "...I'll splatter your brains across the floor." Inhaling sharply at the sight of the pistol, Johann then held his hands up and stammered out. "T-There will be no need for that Mr. Grimborn. Obviously the pirates of Dragon's Edge are outnumbered and are in dire need of reinforcement, if they ever hope to overpower you and the British forces scattered throughout the Bahamas. I believe Haddock will seek to swell his numbers, and liberating slaves is a good start." Hearing this, Vaughn lowered his flintlock, though he only rested the weapon on his desk before narrowing his eyes at the Arabian pirate. "Go on." Vaughn insisted, nodding at the hunter leader, Johann continued. "I've heard rumors that a massive African maroon settlement somewhere around..." Johann proceeded to stand up and pointed to smaller bits of islands between the Bahamas itself and Nassau. "...here."

Vaughn looked at the island Johann was pointing at on the map, the hunter leader then looked into the Arabian mans brown eyes and snorted. "Why should I ever believe that the information you suggest here is even remotely accurate?" Johann's face twisted with anger and he growled out. "If you believe I am still loyal to the pirates, don't. I was treated like a fool, an idiot with ambitions far out of my reach and that I'm far too... soft." He spat out, Johann looked into Vaughn's eyes and growled out. "My men and I no longer have the desire to commit high seas piracy and we will aid you in any way we can Mr. Grimborn. You have my word." Absorbing this information, Vaughn grunted in acknowledgment and then looked back at his map to where Johann had pointed out earlier. "What else have you heard about this... maroon settlement?" The hunter leader asked.

Johann pursed his lips, recalling what it is he heard before revealing what he knew. "Rumor has it that its the largest maroon camp ever made, home to millions of African slaves. There's no telling how many among those numbers can fight, and if they were to join the pirates—"

"—They would unleash great violence upon us and make our deaths a statement to all British colonies and even the Spanish that they will not be taken away from their home and that they will not be returned to slavery." Vaughn stated, the pirate hunter then asked. "Can you and your men ensure that's where our enemy is?" Johann swallowed thickly and nodded. "I can."

"Good. Leave at the earliest opportunity. We cannot afford for our enemies to sell their ranks and overpower us." Vaughn said firmly, taking his glass of wine, the pirate hunter downed the rest of the rich alcohol and exhaled sharply, before placing the glass back on his desk. "Confirm that our enemy is at that maroon settlement, if they are? Return here as fast as you can and you will gather a dozen of Commodore Prestons ships and lead them there." Johann nodded in understanding, the pirate hunter then made a 'shoo' gesture with his hand, causing Johann to make his leave.

Once Vaughn was alone, the man pulled out a locket that held two small portraits of his brother, wife and daughter. Smiling at his deceased family, Vaughn closed his eyes and pulled the locket close while letting out a shuddering breath. He was doing this in memory of them, pirates stripped his family away and all Vaughn Grimborn could think about was ensuring high seas piracy was no more and that it would be but a distant memory.

"I do this all for you. To avenge your deaths." Vaughn murmured, referring to his dead family, a single tear slid down the hunters cheek and he repeated. "I do this all for you. To avenge your deaths." Opening his eyes, Vaughn nodded firmly to himself and murmured. "And I will."

Pocketing his locket in his pants pocket, Vaughn looked down at the map once more annd traced shapes around where Johann had pointed out. He prayed that the pirates were there, because he was looking forward to meeting Harper Haddock once again and see the boy to a most violent end.

(Harper's pov)

"Hou aan met seerowers!"

I grunted as one of the African headhunters pushed me, just looking into these peoples eyes? I could see nothing but anger, hatred and bloodlust in them towards me. Not that I blamed them, men with my skin color brutalized, raped and murdered many of their people and that... hatred doesn't just go away, but under the circumstances? This is a risk I am willing to take.

We've been walking for about an hour and I could see more and more headhunters emerging from the vast forests and joining their brethren in marching us towards their settlement. As we made our way out of the forest, I was dumbstruck at the sight of the maroon settlement, well... settlement is a bit of an understatement, because what I was looking at? Was a city.

Though of course it wasn't grand like London or any of the colonies controlled by England or Spain, but it defiantly is impressive. We walked along a trail that led into the heart of this place, while we were being marched deeper into their territory, I could see almost every inhabitant of this island stopped what they were doing and gazed at us with curiosity, fear, hatred and bloodlust.

Well... to me anyway.

I then spotted a beautiful woman wearing a blood red turban with black and bluish gray patterns, golden earrings, a ruby necklace and a sleek black dress while also wearing crimson slippers. This woman had scars on her arms, the back of her neck and I'm assuming more underneath her dress, she also wore crimson eyeliner paint dotted under her right eye. Also accompanying this woman were two massive Silverback gorillas, who had large gashes littered across their bodies, which I assumed was caused by fighting for dominance or perhaps mating scars.

Once we were arms length from this woman and her gorillas, I was forced to my knees and grunted as I made contact with the ground. The headhunters then began speaking with the woman I assumed was Red Death, looking up at Tau and Caesar, both men gave me a reassuring look. The woman then looked down at me and cocked her head before asking. "You are Harper Haddock?" Surprised that she could speak English, I nodded firmly and answered. "I am." The woman then gestured for her headhunters to get me back up, once I was on two feet again, Red Death approached me and narrowed her eyes in both curiosity and caution. "We have all heard of how you've liberated thousands of our kind from slavery, prevented them from entering an English or Spanish controlled colony or empire and how you give them free will to either join your pirate crew or go their separate ways. Is this true."

"It is." I answered firmly and loud enough for all to hear me, her gorillas approached me as well and began sniffing me while growling softly, though these massive apes could easily kill me, I kept calm and took deep breaths. Red Death eyed Tau, Caesar and the rest of the African pirates who accompanied me, she then turned back to me while cocking her head. "Why have you come here? My hunters tell me you have brought a fleet of pirates with you, while at the same time the British Empire hunts your kind. Your presence is a danger to us all." Nodding in understanding at her harsh tone, I lick my lips and speak. "What you say is true, we are being hunted like animals and I for one will not stand idle and let England destroy those I call brothers and friends as well as seeing any innocent African man, woman or child condemned to the darkness of slavery." Taking a step forward, I heard flintlocks, muskets and blunderbusses cocking, swords drawn, spears and arrows pointed my way and her gorillas huffing in warning; telling me not to take another step towards their master.

"I came here to extend invitation to both you and your people to join the pirates of the Bahamas to fight the British Empire." I said, my words caused the maroons to cry out in anger, disbelief and disinterest, however the Red Death raised her hand up, successfully silencing her people. "The men, women and children of this place have already lost too much—family, mothers, fathers, lovers and many we hold close to heart. What you are purposing is madness, to fight the British Empire—?!"

"As we speak, England is combing throughout the West Indies for men like me." I said firmly, baring my teeth, I added. "They will also be looking for you and your people as well. When they do? They will kill all your warriors or any who resist, return those who cannot fight to shackles and ship them to the nearest colonies and send you to hard labor where you will live in fear and despair for the rest of your days." My words caused the maroons to murmur and whisper among themselves quietly, Red Death raised her eyebrows and then seethed out. "Is that a threat, Harper Haddock?"

"No. It is the possibility of what will happen if you do not join our efforts." I corrected, looking around me, I speak out to the people. "Whether you were a slave to England or Spain, these two empires have taken so much from you. They will rob you of whatever peace and happiness you've established here if you don't help us fight!" Looking a mother cradling a baby close to her breast, I smile lightly and continue. "Your children deserve to live freely until they draw their last breath, they deserve to choose their own paths in life and they deserve to never know the horrors of slavery." Turning back to Red Death, I point out back towards the forest. "We have a chance to strike a crippling blow to the British Empire and perhaps even Spain. We are making a statement here! That the pirates of the West Indies will never beg for mercy because we have now committed ourselves to great violence. The empires that betrayed us? They caused us to become their enemies and we have vowed to ensure those who robbed everything from us pay in blood and death. These empires certainly have taken plenty from you and your people, wouldn't you like to join our efforts in toppling those who have wronged us?" Red Death absorbed my words and slowly shook her head at me. "You have us march to our end."

"No. I would see us free. Truly free!" I said with passion. "The British robbed me of my mother and father when I was only five years old. They were murdered and I couldn't do anything to stop the cowards who took my family away from me." Gritting my teeth in anger at the horrific memory of that night, I blinked tears that threatened to spill and nod furiously. "I will unleash great violence against my enemies and I will not rest until those who claim to be better than us are dead at my feet." Letting out heavy sigh, Red Death caressed one of her gorillas faces, causing the massive ape to growl contently and nuzzle into the woman's hand, she then turned to Tau and Caesar, Red Death raised both her eyebrows at my companions and asked. "You wish to follow him down this path of... loss, bloodshed and violence?" Tau turned to me and then back to the maroon queen and spoke for in the Afrikaans tongue.

"Ek doen."

"Ek doen, dit ook."

Caesar answered, nodding at the two mens answer, Red Death looked right into my eyes and seethed out. "Men with your colored skin did horrific things to me, people I called friends and those I cared about. They call themselves men, but it is a mask they wish for the world to see. But for us? They are nothing but monsters and devils clothed in false righteousness." Turning to her people, Red Death then asked. "Those of you who wish to inflict great violence and death to those who have wronged us? Step forward." Almost everyone gathered approached, nodding at this gesture, Red Death turned to me and nodded firmly at me. "Though we all want to live in peace and never relive the horrors we suffered as slaves, what you say is true; England or Spain will eventually find this place and drag us back to shackles, labor and despair. I want my people to survive." Extending her hand out, I looked at it and smiled lightly before gently grasping it and shaking it.

That simple gesture marked an alliance between the pirates of the West Indies and quite possibly the biggest maroon settlement in the Bahamas.

After releasing her hand, I bow my head in thanks at Red Death. "I promise that you will not regret this choice." Red Death merely nodded and gestured to her people. "I have fearsome reputation to outsiders, but to my people? I love every single one of them. And if they wish to fight? Then I will not stand in their to ensure their futures and freedom are fully secured. It is something I wish for as well." She then cocked her head at me. "What happens now?" Turning to Tau and Caesar, I give them orders. "Have some of the headhunters take you back to the beach and inform the rest of the fleet that we have an alliance." Both African males nod and gather the rest of the men who came with us and followed the headhunters back into the woods. I then turn back to Red Death and answer her question.

"Now? We muster up as many ships as we are able, gather as many weapons as we can and arm those who can fight and prepare for all out war against our enemies. Now? We begin a revolution that will shake the very foundation of the New World and civilization itself. Now? We show the whole world that we are not the monsters and animals civilization has branded us as, we will show our enemies that we are people who wish to see tyranny and slavery abolished. Now? We change history."