Page 40 of Enchanted By a Pirate
"Toni, please. Trust me."
The giant looked at her and the corners of his mouth turned downward. "What kind of friend am I if I don't protect you?"
Anna had to smile. "You are the best friend I could ask for. Please believe me when I say that Chris is not our enemy." The name rolled off her lips easily as if her mouth remembered how many times she had said it. "If you want, you can accompany us to his ship."
"What are you thinking, madam? The whole world would know where my ship is anchored." The captain shook his head.
Anna frowned. "Isn't it moored in a fixed place in the port city?"
"I am a pirate, Ani. The world thinks I'm the villain and my treasures illegitimate. If I enter a port, it is only for a short time.
She hadn't thought of that. Once again, the question of the role of pirates in this world popped into her mind. Now she had to think about what she could do with Anton. She would never leave him alone. She beckoned him closer, so as he sat on the ground, he stretched his head down toward them. She put her finger to her lips. Anton came closer and the captain drew nearer.
"Reveal your plan now, Chris, and then Toni will know where I will be. We will also consider what he can do to help in the meantime. That's what you want, Toni, right?"
"You can always count on me, Anemone." His expression relaxed. Apparently, it was the right idea to let him in on it. The captain, however, didn't seem enthusiastic at all.
"Don't giants always spill the beans?"
Before Anton could get angry, Anna intervened. "If he is to trust you, you must trust him. I guarantee Toni will keep our plan to himself, right, Toni?"
"You can trust me with anything. Giants don't talk much anyway."
"Unlike you…" The captain scrutinized him.
"Just because I like to talk, doesn't mean I'm untrustworthy!"
Anna raised her hands like a referee. "Wait a minute, you two. Either we trust each other or I go without you. It won't work any other way."
Anton's face darkened at the prospect, as did the captain's. The giant was the first to give in. "All right, then. Tell me what you're up to and where you're going so I know where you are, Anemone. In return, I will let you go with him, even if I am still not convinced of his good intentions.
Anna was delighted and stroked Anton's hand, which was lying next to her on the meadow as if he was ready to grab her and run away with her if the captain planned something mischievous. She turned expectantly to the pirate, who was staring darkly at the giant.
She tilted her head, waiting. Trust was mutual. She wouldn't budge an inch. "So?"
His gaze darkened even more. "Aye. But swear, giant, you will not speak of our plan to anyone."
"I swear." Anton placed his hand on his heart solemnly.
"Swear on Ani's life," the captain demanded.
"I swear on Anemone's life. So, what are you two up to?"
16
The captain waved Anton a little closer before he began to speak in a whisper, his eyes moving back from Anna to the giant. "I was thinking about who could be behind all this. Who wins from all this chaos?"
Anton eyed him suspiciously. He still wasn't thrilled about the situation, but he held his skepticism in check. "And? What conclusion have you reached?"
"The fairies are dying, the Kingdom of Flowers has grown weaker, and all trade has suffered. Everyone knows that no land can produce as much as the Kingdom of Flowers and that many important goods have disappeared or are rarely available anymore."
"Who benefits?" Anna asked.
"Patience, madam. In addition, we, the pirates and masters of the seas, have taken on the giants. Our conflict is still ongoing, which is why none of us can take advantage of the power vacuum. On top of that, the Kingdom of Rocks was also pushed out of the market. So, who's left?"
"The Kingdom of Winter," Anna and Anton whispered in unison.
The pirate nodded. "Aye. And who would have the power to make magical creatures like fairies disappear, take their fairy dust, and put the men who hijacked my ship and brought you back into an endless sleep?"
