(Normal pov)

"I'm telling you, these traders are trying to deprive us out of our money!" Sean snarled out, he turned to his captain and continued ranting on. "We tried selling the tobacco and what do those sniveling traders do? They try to tax us out of "conditions" the crates the tobacco is in!"

Harper blew a raspberry and turned to Eli and rose an eyebrow at the bulky man. "That true Mr. Eretson?" Eli hummed in confirmation. "Aye captain. Tau and the rest of our crew managed to sell the rest of the goods from our share of the prize, but the traders are now trying to screw us over because of the tobacco crates condition." Nodding in understanding, Harper laid eyes on the rest of his crew arguing with another pirate crew, a crew Harper was very familiar with.

"Oi! Where are they?" Harper barked out to his men, Tau made his way over and pointed towards a small hut. "In there captain." Harper nodded in thanks and patted his quarter masters back, he then made his way into the hut and laid eyes on two beautiful women, sisters to be precise.

Elizabeth and Abigail Arendelle.

Both are joint captains of the Nokk, both the sisters see that many of the goods here on Dragon's Edge are sold and that the crews receive commerce from the prize they won. Both Elizabeth and Abigail were currently finishing up logging accounts in their book of records for every crew at the Edge. The sight of Harper entering their hut caused the sisters to stop writing in their log and to greet the captain of the Night Fury.

"Mr. Haddock. Good morning." Elizabeth said with a nod and smile on her face, Harper eyed Elizabeth from head to toe, her pale skin, azure eyes and platinum blond hair glowing thanks to the sun through the opened window outside. Harper nodded in greetings at both the sisters and laid eyes on a bottle of rum, he picked it up and inspected it to see if it was a flavor he'd like, while he was doing this, he addressed what was going on. "My men inform me that you tried depriving them of their money because of the condition of the crates that holds tobacco. Am I misinformed?"

"No, you're not." Abigail said as she ran a hand through her strawberry blond hair and then approached a nearby mirror and began braiding her hair into two pigtails while continuing to speak. "Are you aware those crates had a significant amount of blood spatter on them?" Harper placed the bottle of rum back down and shook his head at Abigail's question. "No. I was unaware of this." Elizabeth then approached Harper and smiled lightly at him. "We don't mean to deprive your men of their money, but selling those containers with blood spatter on them? Nobody in a respectable or civilized port would accept those and they'd soon figure out that those crates were acquired by violent means." The platinum blond beauty then added. "And with England waging war between us? We simply cannot afford tp gain anymore... unnecessary popularity."

Harper looked into Elizabeth's eyes and smiled lightly at her and nodded, the auburn haired man then decided to change the subject, knowing full well that Elizabeth's words bore truth in them. "Tell me, how're things between you and Jack?" The platinum blond laughed lightly and answered. "We're good. He, Kristoff and the others are procuring some supplies for our crew." Nodding at Elizabeth's words, Harper clicked his tongue and then asked out. "Do you and your crew intend to fight England when they've arrived in the Bahamas? Or do you have plans to just... disappear?"

Abigail, who had just finished braiding her hair into two pigtails turned to Harper and shrugged. "We aren't entirely sure yet. I'm sure sooner or later, we're all going to have to come together. The declaration of war was sung by our fallen brothers and sister in England. To refuse to answer the call? It makes their deaths for nothing." Harper hummed in agreement with Abigail's words and then continued on the subject. "Well, I'm forming a meeting later on this evening about this talk of war between England and if you lot wish to attend? Meet me at the Great Hall and we'll discuss this topic of war later on." Both Elizabeth and Abigail nodded in understanding, and with that? Harper took his leave.

Once exiting the sisters hut, Harper laid eyes on his men and they demanded why the crates of tobacco couldn't be traded in, the auburn haired pirate showed this men the amounts of dried up blood spatter on the crates and told them if they arrived at a civilized or respected port, those in power there would demand to know where those crates came from and if they discovered it was traded by pirates? Their connections would be killed and it would bring more unnecessary attention down on their heads.

After getting this matter resolved, Harper was still getting complaints and moaning from his men that they didn't get enough money from trading in the goods from the Spanish prize this seized earlier this morning, so he decided to see Tulio, Miguel and Chel. Because they saved that tribal civilization from utter annihilation at the hands of Cortez and his Spaniards, the three cons were rewarded with so much gold it nearly took up the space of four ships, and they still had a mountain of that wealth within the fort that overlooked the Edge's bay. So, Harper would ask the three captains of the El Dorado for a loan of some the gold and he would intend to repay them in time.

Finding the three Spanish cons wasn't hard, because just outside the Edge's armory were Tulio and Miguel winning a huge pile of coin from a crew through gambling and that other crew then stormed off in a fit of rage, having just lost their money.

"Aww, c'mon! No hard feelings!" Tulio said before continuing to taunt. "Better luck next time boys!" The ebony haired man then burst out in laughter, as did Miguel and Chel, the three of them split the pile of coins three ways while singing.

"Ton of gold for you
Tons of gold for me
Tons of gold for we!"

Harper snickered and shook his head lightly before clearing his throat, the three turned around and grinned at the sight of Harper. "Well well well, good morning Harper!" Miguel said in a cheery tone, he then tossed one of the coins to Harper, who caught it with ease and inspected the coin and then looked back up at the three captains. "You lot will surely bankrupt these poor idiots." Harper said with a smirk, Chel snickered while blowing a strand of her ebony hair clinging to her nose, she then shrugged while smirking. "Well if they weren't idiots? They might actually stand a chance at getting our money for a change." Tulio laughed in agreement with Chel and finished putting his portion of coins in a sack and then proceeded to place his bag of cash in a pocket in the inside of his leather vest. "Anyway, I don't think you came here to compliment us on our gambling skills." Tulio stated as he approached Harper and rose an eyebrow. "What is it that you want my good man?"

"A loan." Harper answered, he then gestured to a handful of his men standing behind him. "They didn't get enough money from the Spanish prize we took, so I was wondering if I could loan some of your treasure within the fort, smelt it down and produce coins so that my men will stop nagging me about it." Tulio pursed his lips in thought, he then turned to Miguel and Chel, the two of them nodded while smiling, Tulio turned back to Harper and smiled. "Alright Haddock, you've got your loan. Oh, and don't worry about paying us back. This is between friends." Harper smiled at Tulio and the two exchanged a firm handshake and thanked the three captains.

"Oh, one more thing." Harper said, regaining the attention of the three captains. "Later on this evening at the Great Hall, we need to discuss the matter of war between the British. Would you lot care to join me and whoever else will attend?" Chel stepped up and playfully punched Harper's arm. "Of course we'll attend. Won't we boys?" She asked while turning around to Tulio and Miguel, the two men nodded. "Yes, yes of course. I want to live and enjoy life to the fullest." Miguel stated, he then turned to Tulio and nudged him. "Wouldn't you agree?"

"Yes Miguel, I agree." Tulio said with a roll of his eyes, the ebony haired man then turned back to Harper and nodded at him. "We'll be there." Harper nodded in acknowledgment and the auburn haired pirate made his way towards the harbor. He then laid eyes on a massive ship, it was sleek black like his own ship, the sails were golden and the ships emblem bore a massive dragon. It was beautiful ship, it seemed... it seemed as if its existence was to ensure those who suffer from the tyranny of England or Spain would be protected.

"Beautiful ship, is it not?"

Turning around, Harper smiled at the sight of Madison, the tall pixie haired blond approached the auburn haired man and when she was standing by his side? She crossed her hands behind her back and then looked into Harper's eyes. "I do believe you promised we can continue our earlier conversation, did you not?" The young man smiled and nodded. "That I did. Though, to be fair... we've really only just met and if you don't wish to share your personal life? I'd understand." Madison smiled and shrugged. "I want to tell you. For some reason, when I look into your eyes? I can see pain, suffering... loss. And I'm intimately aquatinted with those emotions." Deciding to take this conversation under a nearby tent to shield them from the sun, Harper and Madison soon found shade and continued their conversation.

"As I said earlier, I wasn't always a pirate or accustomed to inflicting violence." Madison said she looked into Harper's eyes, the young man gave her his undivided attention as she continued speaking. "I was born and raised in London. Born in a family of wealth, lived a life of privilege and education. However... my family was abusive towards me. They were abusive because I had divorced a British commodore who was not only an alcoholic, but a violent alcoholic as well..." Harper could see the pain in Madison's eyes and was about to tell her she didn't need to continue, but she beat him to it before he could speak. "...some nights, he'd return and beat me until I was unconscious, he'd take me forcibly and he disregarded me as a living being."

Harper frowned at this information and it sickened him to no end; for all their talk of being "better" men, King George's men are animals cloaked in righteousness. The auburn haired pirate took a leap of faith and gently grasped Madison's and gave it a comforting caress. "I'm so sorry you had to endure that Madison." She looked into Harper's eyes and smiled in thanks. "Being here? Living as a pirate? Its everything I've ever dreamed of. But most importantly? I'm free." Harper could feel his heart skipping a few beats just because of this woman's smile.

Looking to the ground, Harper found a bottle of rum and two clean cups before opening up the rum and pouring himself a cup and one for Madison and he raised his cup and smiled. "A toast. To a pirates life." Madison smiled and repeated. "A pirates life for me." They tapped their cups together and drank the rum, once they downed their cups, they shared a warm smile and Harper then cocked his head and gestured towards the Great Hall. "Later this evening, we're going to be discussing about the inevitable war between England thats coming. Would you and your quarter master wish to join us?" Madison licked her lips and then nodded at his question. "Yes. I'll be there." She then reached for the bottle of rum and poured another cup, as did Harper and soon enough? The two of them spent hours getting to know each other; what they enjoy doing whenever they have free time, Harper opening up a little bit about his life in London, what their favorite colors were and many more topics.

Harper and Madison were so deep in conversation that they didn't even feel their hunger as the early afternoon sun hanged high in the heavens, but when their stomachs cramped with hunger? They couldn't ignore their need for food. Getting up, Harper held a hand out for Madison, she took it and rose to her feet, the two captains stepped out of the shade and made their way to grab food. Eventually arriving at a tavern and getting food, the two captains continued their conversation where they left it and continued getting to know each other more and more.

"I have a confession to make." Harper said after he swallowed a bite of smoked fish, Madison had just finished swallowing a bite of chicken and she cocked her head at him. "Oh?" Harper hummed and continued. "When I was five years old, my family were... slaughtered by King George." Calming his racing nerves, Harper took a deep breath and looked into Madison's eyes. "My father, he was a soldier in the British army, who advanced in the ranks and soon enough? He was quite popular amongst King George's army, so that... man sent thugs to tear him to pieces in the dead of night."

Madison frowned at this information, she continued listening as Harper continued. "It was my mothers horrific screams that woke me up that night. When I went to see what was going on? I saw my father hacked and slashed to pieces and then those thugs proceeded to... to rape my mother to death." Harper spat out, a tear slid down the young mans cheek, but he quickly wiped it away and shuddered out. "When... When both my parents were dead. The thugs nearly got to me too, but luckily I managed to lose them in the late night darkness. Once I knew I was safe from King George's wrath? I was small enough to stowaway on board a ship, my adoptive parents ship." Sighing heavily and running a hand through his auburn hair, Harper shook his head and murmured out. "The events of that night still haunt me to this day."

Harper's saddened demeanor changed into one of hatred as he growled out. "King George took away my family because he thought my father would usurp him of his army's loyalty. My family were respected, we were loyal to the crown of England and thats the reward they get for their service? Being killed in the dead of night."

"I'm so sorry." Madison said, Harper looked into her eyes and shook his head. "I'm not trying to make you feel sorry for me. I told you this because it tells you why I'm more than prepared to go to war against England." Gesturing to the pirates in the tavern, Harper snorts out. "They tell the world we're the monsters. But its they who're the monsters."

Madison rose up from her chair and approached Harper, he looked up at her and was surprised when she grabbed his hands and helped him to stand up as well, once they were arms length of each other, the tall pixie haired blond embraced Harper. "I'm so sorry you had to witness such horrors like that at such a young age." She murmured in his ear, her hot breath on his ear caused pleasant shivers to run down his spine, but he ignored that sensation and returned Madison's embrace.

Once braking apart from that comforting embrace, Harper nodded at Madison and smiled in thanks. "I've only told a handful of people of that traumatizing event in my life. Though we haven't known each other long Madison, I... I feel like I can tell you anything I want." She smiled warmly at him and rubbed his right arm. "The feeling is mutual Harper. You needn't worry about me disclosing your past to everyone here. I would never betray the trust you've placed in me already." Nodding his head in thanks, Harper then took out a pouch of coins and placed some on the table to pay for his and Madison's meal together.

"Harper!"

Looking at the taverns entrance, Harper smiled at the sight of Sinbad and Marina, he then approached the two and embraced them warmly. After braking off from their embraces, Harper turned to Madison and gestured to the two people who practically raised him. "Madison, this is Sinbad and Marina, captains of the Chimera. And... my adoptive parents." This information caused Madison's eyes to widen in shock and surprise, Sinbad and his crew were already legendary pirates, scoring massive prizes from ships making its way to Syracuse in the Americas, freeing countless slaves and ensuring that Dragons Edge is strong.

Making her way over to Sinbad and Marina, the captain of the Protector extended her hand out. "A pleasure to meet the both of you." Both shaking Madison's hand, Sinbad then turned to Harper and gave him a teasing look. "Pretty friend you have here." Harper flushed slightly and coughed while adding. "We've only just met once we got back from taking that Spanish prize this morning. But we've gotten to know each other." Marina smirked at Harper's flushed cheeks and then turned back to Madison. "Forgive me, but you're not from around here are you? I've never seen you or your crew before."

"Quite right, me and my crew are new to Dragon's Edge. We were originally settled in Trinidad, but once I started hearing about this place? I had to see for myself what makes this place special." Madison said, causing Marina to hum in acknowledgment, the brunette haired woman then turned to Harper and ruffled his hair, causing the younger man to chuckle lightly and to playfully swat at Marina's hand, she then turned back to Madison while gesturing to the twenty one year old pirate. "I do trust Harper hasn't given you trouble?"

Madison laughed lightly and shook her head. "Not at all. You two have done well raising him. He's a very charming, caring and attentive. Qualities that are lacking in men these days." Marina hummed in agreement and then looked at Harper and spoke to him. "Tulio, Miguel and Chel have a portion of their treasure for you and your men to smelt down and make currency out of it. They're outside waiting for you." Harper nodded and he watched as his adoptive parents left the tavern, turning back to Madison, the auburn haired pirate smiled at her and spoke in a hopeful tone. "See you tonight?" Madison smiled warmly at him and nodded. "You will." Was her response, nodding his head, Harper bid her goodbye for now and exited the tavern.

Once Harper was out of sight, Madison exhaled slowly couldn't help but savor this already growing friendship between herself and Harper, specifically one she trusts about revealing her past too. She then laughed lightly and murmured to herself something she forgot to mention when describing Harper's traits.

"Quite handsome too."

A/N: Expect another update later on today. How're you guys liking the story so far? Be sure to leave feedback and I'll catch you guys later on today.