Edward English stood at the exit of the cave and began to walk towards them, his huge frame blocking the people behind him. Slowly, as Edward came closer, William appeared from his father’s shadow, and then another two men Karabo had never seen before also came into view. They had shaved heads and were definitely not the friendly type. Karabo swallowed hard.

Anathi stood up. ‘Edward English?’ she asked, her voice high pitched. ‘What are you doing here?’ she demanded.

‘Aaaah, the clever lawyer. Anathi, if I recall. How wonderful to have you here too. This makes things even more exciting doesn’t it?’ said Edward, the lilt in his voice adding to his sarcasm.

The lights that the guide had lit in the cave flickered uncertainly. William’s face was now visible. He watched Mzi, ignoring Karabo and Isla. Everyone stood up and watched the group come closer. The guide reached for his shotgun. ‘I wouldn’t bother with that, young man.’ Edward said, ‘You’re a great story teller. Let’s ensure you get to tell that story again, shall we?’

The guide stopped and straightened up. ‘Why are you here?’ he asked, his voice faltering.

‘Good question young man. Good question,’ said Edward. The large henchmen moved around, enclosing them.

‘I want what was promised to my forefathers. That legend you speak of, is no legend. Rhodes knew Lobengula was sitting on treasure. He promised to pay my ancestors with that loot if they fought with him. As pirates, my forefathers knew how to fight. Rhodes needed us, and we needed the gold and diamonds. Rhodes got what he wanted, this land. And we got nothing!’ he spat in disgust.

‘What?’ exclaimed Cedric. ‘You wanted this land to look for treasure?’ his face betrayed his shock. ‘That’s ridiculous, Edward. It’s a legend, a fairytale!’ insisted Cedric.

‘You would say that, Cedric. I know it’s here…and so do you,’ Edward stated.

‘Rubbish! This is my ancestral land and it belongs to us. I have bought it back for my son,’ shouted Cedric, stepping towards Edward. The henchmen took a step forward in response, and Cedric stopped in his tracks.

‘How sweet,’ crooned Edward, ‘But I couldn’t give a damn. Rhodes promised my ancestors treasure. Treasure we could use to rebuild Libertalia and develop a land free from any country’s rule,’ explained English.

Cedric frowned. ‘Libertalia?  What  are  you  talking  about?’  he demanded.

‘For a clever business man, Cedric, your history isn’t up to scratch,’ growled Edward, before explaining. ‘Libertalia was a pirate stronghold in Madagascar, a place of free men. Pirates who stole from the rich, freed slaves and built a society free from capitalism and supremacist rule. The British war ships were beginning to close in on the port, and our forefathers needed the treasure to build up our forces. Rhodes promised to hold the war ships off if we joined him in his land grab. He needed more men to defeat the Matabele, and he promised us Lobengula’s treasure, too. But he lied. He used us, and then he turned his back on us. No treasure, no protection!’ spat English. He paced the cave.

‘But then it was Rhodes who double crossed you, not the Matabele. Why are we the ones who have to suffer, again?’ shouted Cedric.

‘You do not suffer, Cedric Khumalo. Your royal blood keeps you free from suffering. But we have suffered, and we are not leaving without that treasure!’ hissed Edward, walking closer to Cedric.

‘You’re crazy!’ shouted Cedric stepping back.

‘Perhaps, but we pirates are not fools. We have made our way in this world created by capitalists. We are survivors, but now we are tired of waiting. I know you have the map, Cedric. Where is it?’ shouted English walking towards Cedric. Mzi jumped in front of Edward. ‘Leave my father alone!’

‘Stupid boy,’ said Edward. He grabbed Mzi and in an instant a cold metal gun pressed against Mzi’s temple. ‘Dad!’ shouted William from behind English.

‘Shut up, William. If you had done your job we wouldn’t have to be sharing our gold with that turncoat!’ shouted Edward, his eyes glaring at Mrs Khumalo.

‘Penelope?’ her name escaped Cedric’s lips. Mzi struggled against English’s grip.

‘Honestly, Cedric; we were over years ago. That boy is everything to you. Once I gave birth, you forgot about me and he became everything. He is my son but he is your world. So when Mr English here offered a small stake of the treasure, I felt it would set me up quite nicely, and I could finally leave you,’ said Mrs Khumalo, her voice creamy and cruel.

Cedric couldn’t find the words as he stumbled towards her.

‘Stop moving, Cedric, or I’ll have to hurt your precious boy,’ sneered Edward, making Cedric stop in his tracks.

‘Where is the map, Cedric? I won’t ask again. Killing this boy will be easy for me, perhaps even entertaining. So give me a reason to do it!’

Cedric froze. ‘There is no map. Lobengula left us nothing. Absolutely nothing, except a stupid gold elephant!’ he shouted in frustration.

‘Where is it?’ asked Edward. Mzi struggled again. ‘Stop moving or I’ll knock your block off!’ he shouted.

Isla’s cold hand found Karabo’s and she squeezed it hard. Karabo felt frozen.

‘Give it to him Mzi,’ said Cedric, barely audible. Realising Mzi had the elephant, Edward smacked the back of the boy’s head with his pistol, knocking him unconscious. Mzi crumpled to the ground. Edward smirked and searched Mzi’s body, finally locating the necklace around his neck. He ripped it off, opening his palm to look more closely at the small golden elephant, the size of a pecan nut blinking at him.

‘What the hell is this?’ shouted Edward. He turned to Cedric. ‘This isn’t a key! This is a tease, a game! I told you I want to know where the gold is’ he demanded. ‘I swear Cedric, I will shoot every single one of you until you tell me where that treasure is. We are owed it!’

‘It’s my land, my family’s land. I told you! Take the elephant and go, you don’t have to hurt us. These people are nothing to you. Let them go, please,’ begged Cedric.

‘We start with that girl,’ said Edward, and one of the henchmen grabbed Isla. She screamed in terror, the echo rebounding off the walls. ‘Shut her up!’ demanded English. The thug put his hand over her mouth and the echo of Isla’s screams faded. He lifted her off her feet and brought her to Edward.

‘Please don’t do this Mr English, she has nothing to do with this,’ begged Anathi.

‘Shut up bitch. You’re next, seeing as your clever work stopped my sale from going through!’

‘Dad, she is the key!’ shouted William

Edward turned slowly and looked at his son. His face showed his complete scorn for the boy. ‘This girl is the key?’ asked English, his voice thick with sarcasm, pointing at Isla.

‘No, not her. The other one, Karabo. She will know how to use the elephant,’ said William, his voice fading as he revealed their secret – the secret he had promised never to tell. ‘She… she is the key,’ he said quietly.