It's time for the final act. In Puerto Blanco, the traders, the freebooters and the slaves are in open revolt, led by Raffy and Ferrango. At sea, Blackdog and the Barracuda have stuck an alliance with the Red Hawk. Everytwhere the Spanish are retreating, and the island should soon be recaptured. But beyound political and military considerations, there remains the question of the Kashar Diamond's fate... How many lives will be lost in the name of its curse? Who will survive?